Thanks to businesses and suppliers committed to uplifting women and communities, SPAR North Rand’s annual Supplier Golf Day was able to clear the financial barriers for four deserving students – allowing them to finally receive their hard-earned degree certificates and step into their futures.
Pretoria, South Africa (21 October 2026) – For a woman determined to gain independence and stability, pursue bold career dreams and build a fulfilling life, an educational qualification can help make that all possible.
With this in mind, and in the hope of empowering women through education, especially amid the heightened concern of gender-based violence, SPAR North Rand’s suppliers and partners stepped up to put degrees in the hands of deserving young women.
In support of the University of Pretoria’s Degrees Delivered initiative, SPAR North Rand raised and handed over R153,135.40 to unlock brighter futures at its annual Supplier Golf Day on Thursday, 15 October 2026.
The contribution reaffirms a commitment to women’s empowerment, education and the fight against GBV. It has also removed the financial barriers preventing four deserving students from receiving their degree certificates, despite having successfully completed their studies.
In a special moment during the evening, Lucinda Jacobs, Lusanda Kunene and Morongwa Manamela were officially presented with their degree certificates, marking the culmination of years of hard work and determination. The fourth beneficiary, Savanah Jayne Wasley, was unable to attend the ceremony.
Taking its commitment a step further, SPAR North Rand announced that each graduate will receive R2,000 in SPAR grocery vouchers per month for 12 months during their first year of employment, as well as an additional contribution of R24,000 per graduate!
This practical support is intended to ease the financial pressures of entering the workplace, allowing the graduates to focus on building their careers and laying a foundation for long-term financial stability.
Steven Ball, Director of TuksSport at the University of Pretoria, welcomed the contribution and said that for these students, it meant more than settling outstanding fees.
“It restores opportunity, opens doors and gives graduates the chance to turn their qualifications into meaningful careers,” Ball said.
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“The additional grocery support is particularly significant, as it recognises that the transition from studying to employment comes with its own financial challenges. We are deeply appreciative of SPAR and its suppliers for investing in the futures of these young women.”
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For SPAR, women’s empowerment goes beyond awareness campaigns; it means creating meaningful opportunities for women to build independent, secure and sustainable futures.
Financial dependence can be one of the barriers preventing women from leaving abusive relationships. Access to education, employment and an independent income can strengthen a woman’s ability to make choices about her life, reduce economic vulnerability and help break cycles of dependence.
Justin Julius, speaking on behalf of SPAR North Rand, said the initiative reflects SPAR’s belief that lasting social change requires practical investment in people.
“At SPAR, our commitment to ending gender-based violence is about more than raising awareness. It is about helping to create a society where women have the freedom, opportunities and financial independence to determine their own futures. Education is one of the most powerful ways to achieve that. Through Degrees Delivered, we are not simply helping students receive their qualifications; we are investing in their ability to build careers, support themselves and make independent choices. Our suppliers have helped make this possible, and we are incredibly grateful for their generosity.”
The initiative forms part of SPAR’s broader commitment to uplifting women and communities. It recognises education and economic empowerment as important parts of a sustainable, long-term response to gender-based violence – helping to build families, communities and a future in which more women have the freedom to live without dependence or fear.
Sources: Supplied
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