Jakes Gerwel Fellowship is an aspirational fellowship which identifies high potential students who, through financial support, high quality teacher education and professional induction, become expert teachers, educational leaders and social entrepreneurs who will lead system change to achieve quality education for all learners.

Jakes Gerwel Fellowship is a full university scholarship that provides extensive mentoring and leadership development for top learners with a passion for teaching and education. At the heart of what we do is in nurturing expert teacher who embrace innovation and can lead the kind of change that our educational sector so desperately requires. In short, we want to make the strongest possible case and provide the greatest possible support for our best students to become our best future teachers.

Founded in 2017, Jakes Gerwel Fellowship is fully funded by Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Endowment. Our beneficiaries start their university studies at either the University of Cape Town or the University of Pretoria. The supported degree streams include a Bachelor of Arts, Science or Commerce. In addition to their academic studies, students benefit from a world-class Fellowship programme that provides access to personal coaches, mentors and expert teachers, along with elective activities. After completing their 3-year degree, students qualify as high school teachers through a PGCE and then enter a 2-year induction phase as they are placed in partner schools as newly qualified teachers. Ongoing support and development will continue to be offered through communities of practice.