About us
THe Scholarship
The Cecil Renaud Educational and Charitable Trust was established by Dr Cecil Renaud in 1988. Dr Renaud passed away on 3 June 1993 and bequeathed the residue of his estate to the Trust. Shortly after the Trust became active, the trustees established an Overseas Scholarship.
The Scholarship, usually granted annually to one or two students, is awarded for a maximum of two years for post-graduate study (Masters degree (or equivalent) or PhD) in the United Kingdom at a university of the student’s choice.
Since 1994, we have awarded 36 scholarships to the best and brightest young South Africans. Following the application deadline, candidates will be shortlisted and invited to interview. After the interviews, the trustees may select up to two candidates. The selection criteria can be found here.
“I will be eternally grateful to the Cecil Renaud scholarship for allowing me the chance to study abroad. The opportunities I gained in the United Kingdom made the rest of my academic career possible. Without the scholarship I would never be where I am today.”
the man
Dr Léon Cecil Mapleson Renaud, known as Cecil, was born in 1904 in Durban, South Africa and educated at Durban High School.
in 1934 he joined the board of the SS Frontier Company, replacing its founder; his late father. The company is now known today as Unicorn Tankers.
He was also a successful sugar farmer in KwaZulu-Natal and a philanthropist. Passionate about education, he made significant donations to Natal University, now UKZN, as well as other secondary and tertiary institutions in KZN. The Cecil Renaud Library on the Pietermaritzburg campus was named after him.
Past Scholars
The Trustees
Max du plessis sc
1996 Cecil Renaud Scholar
Advocate at the Durban Bar
Honorary Research Associate, UKZN
PhD (UKZN)
David PolkinghorNE MA
CEO of Grindrod Bank
Rhodes Scholar
MA (Oxon)
SUSAN COUSINS
Sanlam Private Wealth
CAIB (SA)
Alan Wilson MBA
Past President of the Durban Chamber of Commerce & Industry
MBA (UCT)