News
Notices from the Trust, updates on the bursary programme, and news about the archive and the centenary.
The Institute begins preparations to mark one hundred years of service to education in Paarl.
The Athlone Institute Trust has begun preparing a programme of commemorations, publications and community events to mark its centenary. Details of individual events will be published here as they are confirmed.
Application forms for the Institute's tertiary bursary programme are available from participating churches and by email.
The Trust makes funds available to assist students with tertiary studies at institutions accredited by the Council on Higher Education. Application details, closing dates and collection points are confirmed each year and published on the bursaries page.
From five churches and forty parishioners who mortgaged their homes, to an ecosystem of schools, music, media and care — a reflection on the Institute’s first century and the work ahead.
Over the past century, the Athlone Institute has done far more than educate learners. Founded in 1926 through the collective efforts of St Stephen’s Anglican, Holy Trinity Anglican, Immanuel URC, Zion URC and Bethel Congregational Church — with forty parishioners mortgaging their properties as surety — the Institute grew into a school, a training college, and the seedbed of an ecosystem of community institutions: the Frank Pietersen Music Centre (1970), broadcaster KC 107.7 (1996), the Bursary Fund (1998), Athlone House of Strength (2006) and the Centre for Hope and Healing (2016).\n\nThe reflection also names the challenges of the second century: youth unemployment, overcrowded classrooms and uneven opportunities in Paarl’s eastern communities — and calls for the principled partnerships the next century demands.\n\nSource: Sunday World, "Partnerships and potential: Building Athlone Institute Paarl’s second century", 15 August 2026 (sundayworld.co.za).
Photographs, minute books and publications held by the Trust are being catalogued and digitised.
Work has started on cataloguing the Institute's historical records so that they can be searched and viewed online. Community members who hold photographs, documents or memories connected to the Institute are invited to contribute them.
Applications for the Athlone Institute Bursary Project Fund are open for full-time and part-time students at accredited tertiary institutions. Closing date: 27 February 2026.
The Athlone Institute Bursary Project Fund (AIBPROF), established in 1998 as the AIT Bursary Project Committee (NPO 045-198), supports students from Paarl and Mbekweni, and members of affiliated congregations, with tertiary study costs. Bursaries apply to full-time and part-time students at tertiary institutions registered and accredited by the Council on Higher Education.\n\nFor 2026, no online applications are being accepted. Application forms may be collected at URC Immanuel, Holy Trinity or St Stephen’s Anglican, URC Zions, Bethel Congregational Church, or Drakenstein Pharmacy (Jan van Riebeeck Road, Paarl). Enquiries: admin@athlonebursary.co.za · athlonebursary.co.za. Closing date: 27 February 2026.\n\nSource: athlonebursary.co.za and the AIBPROF Online Bursary Application Step-by-Step Guide.
The Trust marked 98 years since its 1926 founding with an AGM on 21 November 2024, where a book capturing the Institute’s history was distributed.
The Athlone Institute Trust, which established the first school and teacher-training college for non-white learners and students in Paarl in 1926, celebrated 98 years since its formation with an Annual General Meeting on Thursday 21 November 2024. A book capturing the history and celebrating those who played a significant part in keeping the ideals of the Athlone Institute alive was distributed.\n\nAttendees included Terence Adams, Rev Jimmy de Wet (URC Zionskerk), Rev Danny George (Bethel Congregational Church), Clement Wilton, Casper Adams, Ernest Nontes, Albert Kulsen, Lloyd Fortuin, Michael Cottee, Fr Christopher Swartz (outgoing chairperson, St Stephen’s), Fr Dominic van Staden (St Stephen’s), Rev Kevin Alberts (URC Immanuel), Rev Tony Masent (URC St Helena Bay) and Fr Denver Heugh (Holy Trinity).\n\nSource: Paarl Post, "Athlone Institute celebrated founding in 1926 at AGM", 29 November 2024 (novanews.co.za/paarlpost).
