The driving force behind the Sbonela Scholarship Foundation is Old Hiltonian, Rich Davies, now living in Charlotte, N. Carolina.

The goal of the Foundation is “to provide disadvantaged students with leadership potential the opportunity to escape the hopelessness of poverty by offering them some of the best available education in the world.  In doing so, we equip and nurture them, empowering them to confront the enormous political, social, humanitarian, and economic challenges facing Africa, thereby improving their continent and our world.”

At present there are two Sbonelo scholars at Hilton, one at St Anne’s and one at Charlotte Latin School.  The programme was put to Old Hiltonians who participated in the first Hiltonian Golf get-together at Champions’ Retreat near Augusta last year, and enthusiastically received.  Since then it has really taken off, gaining further endorsement from several high profile professional golfers as well as members of African Enterprise, and representatives of Hilton, Michaelhouse and St Anne’s.  Mike Nicholson is involved in the administration of the project and the sourcing of beneficiaries and travelled recently to Charlotte to be present at a major fund-raising function timed to coincide with the Wakovia Championship held at Quail Hollow.  As a result of commitments gained at that function, seven new scholarship recipients will commence studies in January 2009, six in South Africa and another in the States.  Of the local scholars, two will attend each of Hilton, Michaelhouse and St Anne’s.

This is a fantastic project which allows the opportunity to assist in a tax efficient way.  For more information, please contact Kerri Porter at kp@sbofoundation.com