Our Story
The 1970s: A Call to Action
A flood of books descended on the Elsworth home, and links were established with township teachers to distribute them. This initiative continued until the government approved new textbooks for all schools in 1970.
1970: The First Grant
When the textbook project ended, the question of what other assistance could be given arose. So it was that in early 1970, Dr. Margaret Elsworth made the first grant of R37 to Pappie Vazana and his brother, orphaned schoolboys from Worcester. This pivotal moment evolved into the African Scholars’ Fund.
Building Support
The core ethos was established: a child performing well should not have to leave school due to a lack of money for basic needs. The enthusiasm of the Elsworths attracted crucial support from early donors like Raymond Ackerman and influential bodies such as the DG Murray Trust. In 1999, their son, Dr. Sandy Elsworth, opened a branch of the Fund in the UK, expanding its reach.
Formalising the Mission
Governance was established with a constitution and a board of trustees, initially chaired by Wally Mears, the former Headmaster of Rondebosch Boys High School. As the number of bursaries grew, permanent staff were appointed, with Mary Livingstone becoming the first secretary in 1980.
Maturation & Legacy
The Fund has seen steady growth, now awarding between 2,000 and 2,500 bursaries annually. Thanks to a generous bequest from the late Sheila Eckford, ASF operates from its own premises in Wynberg. Margaret Elsworth retired as Director in 2007 and was appointed Patron, passing away in 2023 at the age of 93, leaving behind a stable, meaningful organization.
