The SET will once again be funded through Sunfoil sponsoring R2000 for every 6 and R1000 for every 4 scored by the Castle Lager Proteas in a home Sunfoil Series Test match. Funding already accumulated since inception of the Trust exceeds R1.5-million.

The SET is governed by four Trustees, two each appointed by CSA and Sunfoil. Trustees are responsible to govern the Trust and approve the deserving cricketers based on the criteria that were established along the following lines:

- Cricketers needing support in the pursuit of education and training at Schools or Tertiary Institutions approved by the Trustees;
- The allocation of bursaries and/or support should mirror that of the SA population; and
- The support should seek to meaningfully advance the transformation of SA cricket.

Archbishop Njongo Ndungane and Pinky Moholi are CSA’s nominated Trustees of the SET while the Willowton Group is represented by directors Shoaib and Zubeir Moosa.

To support young cricketers, CSA has also designed a mentorship and support programme in an attempt to improve the success rate of the recipients. This will be managed by CSA with support and guidance from the Trustees.

“Cricket is very fortunate to have sponsors like Sunfoil who have shown their desire to be involved in our broader society and not just cricket. Their willingness to invest in our talented young children is beyond measure and has to be applauded,” commented CSA chief executive, Haroon Lorgat.

“I would like to congratulate both Sunfoil and the 16 learners who are the first beneficiaries of SET. One of the key aims of the Trust is to give impetus to our transformation goals by supporting young and talented cricketers who might otherwise drop out from our development programmes due to socio-economic needs. As a sports administrator I definitely feel this to be one of the best initiatives I have been involved in. Having studied some of the successful candidates it is really heart breaking to see the challenges they have to overcome in order to succeed.”

Shoaib Moosa, sales and marketing director of the Willowton Group, said: “Education is a vitally important part to helping build South Africa as a nation and Willowton Group feel by forming this education trust we can encourage the beneficiaries to study and to help grow future stars in the game of cricket, encouraging children to play cricket which is a great team sport that teaches teamwork and good values.”

“The Sunfoil development coaching programmes and their tournaments around the country are teaching players that any dream is achievable through perseverance and hard work. Empowering children through sport is just one of the ways that Willowton Group hopes to uplift communities throughout South Africa.”

“The Sunfoil Education Trust is an amazing initiative, taking the Sunfoil development cricket one step further by focusing on education, a crucial part of a child’s life. Our aim is to make a meaningful and sustainable difference for others to follow and that in turn these educated cricketers will one day do the same to others in need.” concluded Moosa.

The Sunfoil Bursary recipients for 2015 are

- Sanele Mnqayi, aged 13 from Glenwood (KwaZulu-Natal);
- Thamsanqa Kumalo, aged 15 from Glenwood (KwaZulu-Natal);
- Tshiamo Lebeloane, aged 15 from Cornwall Hill (Northerns);
- Sibusiso Madlala, aged 14 from Kimberley Boys High (Griquas);
- Sibusiso Maseko, aged 14 from Cornwall Hill (Northerns)
- Vezokuhle Mntungwa, aged 15 from Somerset College (Boland)
- Lehlohonolo Machalotse, aged 14 from THS Louis Botha (Northerns);
- Paulina Mashishi, aged 15 (TBC, Prestige College, Northerns);
- Fumani Malukele, aged 14 from Mtebule School (Limpopo);
- Athenkosi Mfazwe, aged 17 from Hudson Park (Border);
- Bayanda Gunbi, aged 13 from Maritzburg College (KwaZulu-Natal Inland);
- Relesogo Mothibi from CBC (Griquas);
- Lesogo Senokwane, aged 17 from St. Conrads (North West)
- Matthew Thorne, aged 13 from Pacaltsdorp Primary (SWD);
- Mario Zacharia, aged 16 from Upington High (Griquas); and
- Katlego Zwane, aged 14 from Lethulwazi Secondary (Easterns).