The Rapport Onderwysfonds (ROF), or the Fund, is a national fund that promotes and supports Afrikaans teaching and training.
The main purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support to students who are studying towards a teacher’s qualification and to promote the sustainable use of Afrikaans as a functional language in South Africa. Bursary loans are mainly allocated to young people who study teaching, but are in some cases awarded to students in other fields of study, depending on the availability of funds. Part of a loan can be turned into a bursary based on academic performance.
The ROF was founded in November 2003 and is the joint initiative of Rapport and Afrikaans organisations.
- The Fund had humble beginnings. In 2004, a mere R64 882 in bursary loans was awarded to students. This amount grew to R790 000 in the subsequent year.
- In 2009, 162 bursary loans to the value of R1,8 million were awarded and in 2010 132 bursary loans to the value of R1,4 million were awarded to students.
- Since 2004, more than 860 bursary loans to the value of R8,9 million have been allocated to students at 13 tertiary institutions.
The financial contributions to the ROF are tax deductible. A section 18A tax exemption certificate is issued on receipt of a contribution.
The Fund is accredited with the National Credit Regulator (NCR)