Building futures, unlocking potential, transforming lives.
Celebrating 25 Years of Empowering Youth
For 25 years, CRET has supported young South Africans with holistic development, mentorship, and opportunities that inspire growth, resilience, confidence, and lifelong success.
Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust (CRET) is a South African youth development NGO with over 25 years of experience and a partner entity of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation, dedicated to supporting students in higher education through a holistic, wraparound model of care. We provide financial aid, mentorship, psychosocial support, and skills development to help young people navigate tertiary life and transition successfully into the world of work.
At CRET, we believe no student should walk their higher education journey alone. We provide more than funding, we offer a supportive community and a sense of family for students who often face academic, emotional, and financial pressures simultaneously.
Our work is made possible through strong partnerships with funders, institutions, and stakeholders who share our commitment to youth empowerment and equitable access to opportunity. Together, we are building a pipeline of capable, confident graduates who are ready to contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s future.
For 25 years, the Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust (CRET) has been transforming lives through education. Unlike conventional bursary programmes, CRET invests in the potential of youth often overlooked, offering holistic, direct support that nurtures both academic and personal growth.
For Ryan Govender, making a difference in the world of technology and sustainability is not just a job, but a personal mission. Originally from Chatsworth, Durban, Ryan is now a
The Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust (CRET) honoured the remarkable achievements of its bursary students at the annual Graduate Awards ceremony held on Thursday evening at the Gordon Institute of Business
Johannesburg, South Africa – In a powerful celebration of purpose and progress, the Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust (CRET) hosted the Lilitha Trust Stakeholder Appreciation Breakfast on 11 April 2025, honouring