Epilepsy South Africa Educational Trust

The Epilepsy South Africa Educational Trust was founded in December 1998 with the vision of providing financial assistance to exceptional students with epilepsy pursuing tertiary education. The Trust’s dedicated group of founding Trustees, namely Kathryn Pahl, Amelia Jones, Donald Campbell, Mzolisi Toni, Vusi Mahlasela, and Jocelyne Kane-Berman, diligently reviewed numerous applications from all across South Africa.

The primary objective of the Trust is to offer partial bursaries to deserving students. Despite the limitations, the Trust’s steadfast support has been instrumental in transforming the lives of countless individuals for nearly two decades. The impact of this support has been profound, empowering talented students with epilepsy to achieve their academic aspirations and make significant strides in their personal and professional growth.

APPLICATIONS FOR 2025 ARE NOW CLOSED

Our Trustees

MARINA CLARKE
Chairperson

Marina Clarke is a disability activist with more than three decades of experience in the disability sector at national and international levels.

KAREN ROBINSON

Karen Robinson is a social worker with 26 years of experience working in the military, corporate, and disability sectors.

THEMBELIHLE NGCAI

Thembelihle Ngcai is a journalist, essayist, and thought leader on inclusive education and gender. She has Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

SHARLENE CASSEL

Sharlene Cassel is currently the National Director of Epilepsy South Africa and is the Chairlady of the South African disability alliance (SADA) Sharlene is passionate about Education and making a difference.

DOMINIC PAIS

Dominic Pais, a person with epilepsy, is a dedicated member of the Search and Rescue team SARZA, supporting Gift of the Givers and Surgeons for Little Lives. He’s an Epilepsy SA champion, recently walking the Camino to raise funds for the Trust.

ARI
SEIRLIS

Ari Seirlis is the former CEO of the QuadPara Association of South Africa. He presently serves as the treasurer of the South African disability alliance (SADA) and is a member of the presidential working group on disability.

ZUBAIR SLAMDIEN

Zubair Slamdien is currently balancing a role at Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying and the Unit of Applied Economics – Real Estate, all while pursuing a part-time Master’s Degree in Construction.