About us

Funding high-potential students into the workforce

Manati Alternate Student Funding provides innovative funding solutions for the many university and college students who want to study but can't afford it or can't secure financing through traditional lenders.

Our vision

The world we're working towards

To catapult a generation of capable young South Africans into ultra-employable, confident professionals — and the mentors who will lift the next generation after them.

We provide individually-assessed loans that look at a student's potential — not just a credit score — so capable young people who fall outside traditional funding can access tertiary education.

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Personalised vetting

Every application assessed individually — including affordability and joint household income.

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Low interest

Flexible repayment options, structured to suit you, with extended terms.

Manati graduates celebrating their success
Our mission

What we're doing about it

We believe talent is everywhere — but opportunity isn't. Manati provides individually-assessed, low-interest study loans for the students traditional lenders overlook, so that ambition and hard work — not financial circumstance — determine what's possible.

Our values

What we stand for

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Always Helpful

We step up, support others, and find solutions.

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Always Respectful

We treat each other with dignity, fairness, and consideration.

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Always with Integrity

We do the right thing, even when no one is watching.

The gap we fill

Built for the "missing middle"

Many capable students earn too much to qualify for full government support, yet can't afford fees on their own. Manati exists precisely for that gap — alternative funding for students traditional lenders overlook.

Ready to invest in your future?

The entire application is online — no time off work, no queues.

How to apply →