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Three South African students have become the first recipients of the Albukhary Scholarship, earning fully funded study opportunities at Albukhary International University in Malaysia.
By YASEEN BARDIEN
The Albukhary Scholarship Interim Selection Committee (RSA) hosted a farewell for three students at the Two Oceans Graduate Institute in Pinelands on Friday, January 9.
The event marked a milestone for the newly established scholarship programme, with its first recipients set to pursue tertiary education abroad at Albukhary International University (AIU) in Kedah, Malaysia.
The recipients are Tabita Mncube, Safiyyah Witbooi and Mogamat Yaseen Lakay. For all three recipients, the scholarship marks their first time travelling abroad.
Tabita Mncube said she discovered the scholarship through an Instagram post and applied online. A former learner at United Church School in Johannesburg, Mncube said she was motivated to apply to make her family proud. ‘I want to become someone who makes my family proud and uplift them while I uplift myself as well,’ she said.
Mncube will be studying towards a Bachelor of Politics and International Relations. Looking ahead, she believes that once the scholarship is over, it can put her in good stead to fulfil her dreams. ‘I want to apply to NGOs. If not NGOs, definitely go into the career field of diplomacy or the UN (United Nations),’ she said.
Safiyyah Witbooi, who attended The Leadership College (TLC) in Manenberg, said she learned about the scholarship through a teacher, who informed her of an opportunity to study abroad. She will be studying a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management.
Witbooi said the opportunity represents a chance for personal growth. ‘I hope to grow emotionally, spiritually and intellectually. I hope to meet amazing people and there are many things that I want to do in Malaysia. This is a perfect opportunity to do that.’
After completing her degree, she plans to pursue her master’s either at Albukhary International University or elsewhere.
Mogamat Yaseen Lakay said he learned about the scholarship from the principal of his former school, TLC. Lakay will also be studying for a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management. While his studies are his priority, he remains eager to experience what life in Malaysia has to offer.
‘One thing I want to experience there is different cultures, foods and religions. It’s not just Islam there. I want to explore.’
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Once he has completed his studies, Lakay, who is from Manenberg, hopes to bring back knowledge that can benefit both himself and his community. ‘I want to gain beneficial knowledge and come back from this a better person, someone who can give back to the community that I came from.’
All this would not have been possible without the Albukhary Scholarship Interim Selection Committee (RSA), which oversaw the recruitment and placement process of the students. Dr Shaykh Mogamad Ridwan Rylands, who is the head of the committee, said the scholarship prioritised academically capable students with underprivileged backgrounds. Candidates are also required to be recent matriculants.
The idea was formed following a meeting in early 2025 between Shaykh Rylands and Professor Dato’ Dr Mohd Razali during the latter’s visit to Cape Town. During their engagement, Prof Razali shared details about a fully funded study opportunity for underprivileged South African students.
Because the South African academic year was underway, this resulted in tight deadlines. Therefore, Shaykh Rylands needed people whom he could trust to accelerate matters. He approached colleagues and friends to assist him with screening, vetting, interviews and selection of credible candidates.
The committee worked closely with Hospital Welfare and Muslim Educational Movement (HWMEM), which oversaw the financial aspect.
Akbar Khalfe, president of HWMEM, said the organisation’s involvement was aligned with its long-standing commitment to education, having given out scholarships since 1969.
‘Our biggest portfolio is education and its opportunities for local students to go overseas. We said, yes, we’d love to participate.’
Initially, there were 28 applicants. Following a series of local interviews, the committee shortlisted 11 students, nine from Cape Town and two from Johannesburg. In the end, only three of the final 11 candidates were accepted by AIU.
Although AIU sponsored tuition and accommodation costs, the committee’s duties included raising funds for registration and orientation fees, visa applications, travel costs and other auxiliary expenses. This was done through fundraising efforts.
One of the initiative’s partners, Two Oceans Graduate Institute, played a key role in the creation of the scholarship model. Ashra Norton, co-founder of the institute, said they became involved through helping students at TLC, where she is also a director.
‘We focus on identifying high-potential students and supporting them beyond the classroom. Our role was to help shape the scholarship model that prioritises long-term success. We contribute to the design of the programme by focusing on students, the readiness of the students and leadership development.’
Norton explained that many young people in Manenberg grow up facing persistent social challenges and that international exposure can be transformative when students return as positive role models.
‘We see this as a long-term investment in people and leadership. Our vision is to see these students return not only as graduates but as active alumni to future cohorts, contributing to The Leadership College ecosystem and helping to sustain the programme for the next generation.’
Shaykh Rylands added that there was a duty on the committee’s side to ensure that this scholarship was successful. ‘When we received the offer, we made an amanah that we were going to see it through,’ he said.
The committee hopes to expand the programme to include more students next year.
For Mncube, Witbooi and Lakay, the farewell marked the beginning of not only an academic journey abroad, but also a journey that will expose them to a different way of life, with the hope of returning as individuals who can contribute positively to both their respective communities and to South Africa as a whole.
- This article was first published in the January 16, 2026 print edition of Muslim Views.
