Foonda connects students to scholarships, bursaries
Company founder Vuyolwethu Pakade believes that sponsorship and skills development opportunities are available but young people from underserved communities do not have the right information or support to help them apply. The Foonda website looks to simplify the process.
“Getting a tertiary education could unlock many opportunities and help a lot of people escape the cycle of poverty... We want to level the playing field by connecting people to the many opportunities that exist out there,” Pakade says.
The official Foonda website was launched recently, and the company’s first edtech product called the Foonda App will be released at a later date.
Rethink approach to education
With the world now facing the harsh impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, varsities in many countries have suspended contact classes, meaning that students will have to study from their homes. Lockdown should serve as an opportunity for us to rethink our approach to education on the African continent and begin working towards a “new normal” for the future.
Pakade believes that more African digital solutions should be put in place in order to make higher education accessible especially to those living in remote rural areas.
“Our mission goes beyond the App. We want to revolutionise the tertiary education ecosystem across Africa. There is a need to digitise tertiary education and quality education opportunities in a way that makes it more accessible and equitably shared. We aim to one day make Foonda the largest edtech startup in Africa and to significantly contribute to many young African and other future world leaders in realising their dreams and aspiration.” says Pakade.
“We know this is neither an easy mission nor one that can be achieved on our own, but we have seen amazing things being done when society comes together. We do hope to build meaningful and purpose-led partnerships with corporates, educational institutions, government and society at large in order to make the vision possible,” Pakade adds.