A TEAM INSPIRED BY PASSION

how it all began

The Dikeledi Mkumla Education Trust is a South African registered Trust and Public Benefit Organisation that was founded in 2011 by the children of the late Dikeledi Andronica Mkumla. Dikeledi was passionate about education and ensured that all her children would go on to become university graduates and play a meaningful role in their respective fields. As a teacher Dikeledi’s passion for education was inculcated in her three children, Zola, Funeka and Nompilo.
 It was in recognition of her love and passion for education that her children formed this Trust dedicated to uplifting under privileged children through quality education.
 
In order to pave the way for a future of education for these children, the Trustees formed an invaluable relationship with Carter High School in Pietermaritzburg and it was in 2013 when our first group of three learners from Fezokuhle Primary School in Mbali, Pietermaritzburg were funded by the Trust to study at Carter High School. 
Since that early start the Trust has successfully funded:

SUCCESFULLY FUNDED:

IN 2013
0
IN 2014
0
IN 2015
0
IN 2016
0
IN 2017
IN 2018
0
IN 2019
0

The Dikeledi Mkumla Education Trust

Mission Statement

The Dikeledi Mkumla Education Trust is a niche focussed trust with the sole purpose of improving the lives of underprivileged children through education. This is achieved by fostering partnerships with various organizations, NGOs, Government and Corporates.

The philosophy behind this is based on the belief that more can be done through strong minded focus. The Trust does not attempt to be everything to everybody, but purely focused on quality education for those children who have achieved an exceptional academic record in primary school and without the Trust’s assistance, would otherwise not be in a position to further their studies.

These goals will be achieved by the

  • Funding of school going children
  • Funding of university and/or tertiary education
  • Additional funding for students in need of assistance with residential fees, school books, stationery, stipends, etc.
  • Funding of mentorship for senior high school and university students

MEET ZOLA AND THE TEAM

Zola Mkumla

Zola Mkumla

(B.COM. PG DIP BUSINESS MANAGEMENT)

Zola is the founder trustee of The Dikeledi Mkumla Education Trust and is the only son of the late Dikeledi Mkumla. Zola has held an executive role with First National Bank (head of product support, budget oversight and strategic committee). He has a proven track record with numerous groups as a business development manager (Logical Options, BASF) and has also held the position of chairperson of the Banking SETA IT sub-committee for the USA delegation. Zola has been working on various financial and business models within the Renewable Energy Sector and is currently the Managing Director of Simacel Holdings (Pty) Limited.

Funeka Magagula

Funeka Magagula

(BA LAW, BA INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, INTERNATIONAL POLITICS (HONS) UNISA)

Funeka is the first daughter of Dikeledi Mkumla and has been the Program Manager for the UN in International Labour. Funeka also holds an honours degree in International Relations with Unisa and is currently working on her Masters’ degree in International Relations. Funeka is also one of the founder trustees of The Dikeledi Mkumla Education Trust and is a member of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the Wits Mentoring Platform her Alma mater.

Mbuso Ngcobo

Mbuso Ngcobo

(DIP. BUSINESS MANAGEMENT)

Mbuso is a partner in the firm Biz Acumen Consulting CC in Pietermaritzburg and responsible for Business Development. He previously held the position of Business Loans Analyst at Ithala Development Finance Corporation. Mbuso is a long-standing friend of the Mkumla family and has played a vital role in supporting the Trustees in establishing relationships with principals and educators in the rural schools in the Pietermaritzburg area and with the assistance of two retired teachers from Fezokuhle Primary School, has been able to identify our learners and mentor and guide them through the transition into a main-stream secondary school of such high standards. They have now created a manual of criteria to guide them through the process of finding the right students and ensuring that the best opportunities are provided to the most deserving.

Nompilo Mkumla

Nompilo Mkumla

(MSC (MED) – MASTER OF SCIENCE IN MEDICINE IN THE FIELD OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE AND HAEMATOLOGY)

Nompilo is the younger daughter of Dikeledi Mkumla and is presently with Lancet Laboratories as a Medical Scientist in the Specialised Molecular department. She is also studying towards a Masters of Science in Medicine.

Nompilo is one of the advisors to the board of Trustees and after completing her Masters, plans to do her PhD in Medical Science.