Immediate Release
1 June 2026
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – Cornerstone Institute is proud to highlight the inspirational journey of Ibtishaam Abrahams, a recipient of the Give Back 100 campaign bursary, who is now pursuing a Higher Certificate in Business Studies. Ibtishaam’s story is one of profound resilience, demonstrating how access to education can empower individuals to build the futures they once believed were out of reach.
For Ibtishaam, a resident of Grassy Park, Cape Town, the aspiration for higher education was a quiet yet persistent “what if.” Before the bursary, her reality was marked by financial uncertainty, where the cost of education loomed as an insurmountable barrier. “That feeling of wanting more for yourself but not knowing how you’ll get there is heavy,” she shares. “I wanted to study and grow, but financially it felt impossible.”
Ibtishaam’s life has long been defined by responsibility and prioritizing others. As a teenager, she forfeited her matric ball to spare her parents the expense, and by 18, she became the primary breadwinner for a household of five. “Balancing work and family responsibilities from such a young age taught me discipline and perseverance,” Ibtishaam reflects. “But it also made me realize how vital education is for the stability and independence I’ve longed for.”
The news of her bursary arrived via email while she was at work, a moment so surreal she reread it multiple times. The first people she told were her colleagues, who had witnessed her “struggle behind the scenes.” For Ibtishaam, the bursary transcended financial relief; it was profound validation. “It reminded me that I’m capable and worthy of opportunities,” she says. “Knowing that Cornerstone believes in me changed something inside me. It made me stand a little taller.”
This opportunity represents a “second chance” for Ibtishaam, allowing her to pursue growth without shame. Her “first chapter” was dedicated to survival and providing for her family. Now, as a support staff member at an accounting firm, she is deliberately investing in her future through her studies at Cornerstone Institute.
Through the Higher Certificate in Business Studies, Ibtishaam is building a stable and fulfilling future. “This qualification is my foundation. I want to understand how good management and leadership can uplift communities and create opportunities for others who started where I did.”
Ibtishaam is already experiencing the direct impact of her studies on her professional life. Business processes and decision-making are no longer routine tasks but deeply understood concepts. “I understand things differently now,” she explains. “I’m not just clocking in and out; I’m developing. My life experiences have shaped me into someone who doesn’t give up, and now I have the academic tools to match that work ethic.”
Her goals extend beyond a paycheck. Within five years, she envisions achieving financial independence, defining it as “peace and security.” Her long-term vision is entrepreneurial: to build a career that empowers South Africans to feel informed and confident about their finances.
“Growth doesn’t expire,” Ibtishaam notes, offering a powerful message to other working adults considering a return to education. “If you’re already working, you’re already resilient. Don’t let fear convince you that you’re behind. Everyone’s timeline is different.”
Cornerstone Institute is proud to support students like Ibtishaam Abrahams, who exemplify the power of education to transform lives and build stronger communities.
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Media Contact:
Anneke Burns
Publicist
Anneke@abpr.co.za
About Cornerstone Institute:
Cornerstone Institute is a registered non-profit private higher education provider dedicated to empowering students through accessible, values-driven learning. Offering accredited certificates, degrees, honours programmes, and short courses in the fields of Humanities, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Transformation, Cornerstone serves students across South Africa and beyond through both online and on-campus study options.
The Give Back 100 Campaign represents a central part of Cornerstone’s mission to build a more inclusive and equitable future through education.
To learn more, visit: https://cornerstone.ac.za/