RIM Unable To Fund Bursaries For 2021

Coming out of the 2020/21 holiday season with a significant decrease in visitor numbers in excess of 90%, Robben Island Museum (RIM) is unable to sustain its annual bursary fund for this academic year (2021). 

“COVID-19 and the related economic onslaught has placed us in an unprecedented financial situation, where our most pressing challenge is our short-term sustainability. We will therefore not be considering bursary applications for 2021,” said RIM CFO Blayne Crocker. 

Education is a core strategic pillar for RIM and the museum has a long history of funding students in the field of Museums and Heritage studies, Social Science and History. 

Former Political Prisoners described Robben Island as the “University of Life” for it is here where strategies for a future society based on tolerance, respect, and non-racialism were nurtured. Emphasis was placed on education (academic and political), robust debate, and lifelong learning as vital tools in the fight for justice.  

We believe that RIM will survive the economic impact of this pandemic that has wreaked havoc in the tourism sector, destroying both lives and livelihoods. We continue to explore ways to attract visitors, particularly domestic travelers and we look forward to being in a position to fund education in South Africa for the next academic year,” said Siphuxolo Mazwi, RIM Senior Manager: Marketing and Tourism. 

For more visit: www.robben-island.org.za