Who we are
JB Marks Education Trust Fund was founded in 1997 by the NUM
JB Marks Education Trust Fund was founded in 1997 by the NUM (National Union of Mineworkers) to provide educational assistance to NUM members and their immediate families. When NUM was established in 1982, most of its members lacked basic literacy skills. To address this issue, the Trust was established to provide bursaries to NUM members and their dependents. NUM is active in the mining, energy, metals, and construction sectors.
Since its establishment, the Trust has expanded significantly, but it remains committed to its core mission of providing educational assistance to NUM members and their dependents. The Trust was created in honour of the renowned South African leader, John Beaver Marks, who advocated for education to empower and liberate workers. Over the past two decades, the Trust has unwaveringly upheld its mission by offering financial support for tuition, accommodation, meals, tutors, study materials, and support for bridging courses to students who meet the JB Marks selection criteria.
The Trust has supported the graduation of 1812 individuals, including 26 medical doctors, and has provided over R600 million to more than 3230 beneficiaries. In 2024, the Trust granted 370 new bursaries (350 for undergraduates and 20 for postgraduates), bringing the total number of undergraduates and postgraduates supported by the Trust to over 700 and over 50, respectively. The Mineworkers Investment Trust (MIT) primarily finances the Trust through dividends from the Mineworkers Investment Company (MIC), ensuring the sustainability of its operations and the fulfillment of its objectives.
