Changeblazers

Enabling high potential, under-resourced students to access and thrive at tertiary institutions

We are committed to investing in the future, seeking opportunity in change, and supporting talent and potential. We want to help strengthen South Africa’s productive labour force in sectors where skills are most needed.

Ninety One’s imperative is to attract the best talent from varying backgrounds and the programme is designed to help them build a rewarding career.

Learners are provided with access to psycho-social support and life skills workshops to assist with the transition to university and the the working environment.

Be inspired by our Changeblazers:

Lenox Baloyi

Lenox hails from Vhembe District in Limpopo and is part of our first cohort of Changeblazers. He is in his third year at the University of Witwatersrand, studying BSc Mathematic of Finance, majoring in computer science and corporate finance and investments. He has a keen interest in the intersection of computer science and investments. Lenox is the first in his family to attend university.

Lenox was part of the team that was announced as national winners of the Centre for High Performance Computing student cluster competition in November. They will be representing South Africa at the international competition hosted at the International Supercomputer Conference in Hamburg, Germany in May/June 2023. Click here to learn more about the competition. Lenox speaks briefly at approximately 2:44 about his project and how he wants to help address the energy challenges in the country.

Lenox Baloyi
Lungile ‘Achumile’ Siphofana
Lungile ‘Achumile’ Siphofana

Lungile grew up in a small village in the Eastern Cape near the Lesotho border. She sadly lost both her parents at a very young age and had to move to the Xhora Mouth area to live with her aunt. Losing her mother at the age of 12 completely changed her life, but she has a resilient spirit and committed herself to being the first one in her family to graduate from high school.

Lungile is an extraordinarily diligent and self-disciplined learner. Throughout her student lifetime, she continually topped all of her classes, receiving countless awards. Most notably, she finished first place in Agriculture Studies at the 2022 Amathole East Top Achiever Competition and was on the District Director’s top 30 student list.

This incredible learner achieved 6 distinctions in her final matric exams and will be pursuing a career in teaching at the University of Johannesburg. Her intention is to go back to Bulungula College and teach at the school that she is so grateful to have attended.

Njabulo Mthembu

Njabulo Mthembu comes from humble beginnings in Johannesburg where he grew up with his mother, and his siblings. He was fortunate to secure a scholarship from Bokamoso Trust at a young age. This enabled him to attend Jeppe High School for Boys and express his academic and sporting potential. While delivering exceptional academic results through high school, he also achieved Full Colours for Hockey and Half Colours for Soccer.

Njabulo is part of our 2022 Changeblazers cohort and is studying towards becoming a chartered accountant. He remains committed to his academics whilst still embracing what he calls his “immense” love for soccer. And how wonderful it is to see the good work of Bokamoso Trust come through in this way.

Njabulo Mthembu

Changeblazers in numbers

Students
Students

90+

More than 90 students.
Female students
Female students

65%

of the students are female.
Applications
Applications

2000+

More than 2000 applications for 2023 intake.
Last updated: March, 2023