PICTURE: INSTAGRAM/ SIYA MANGENA
A TikTok user recently took to his page to share the terms of a binding contract for a school bursary, and this has caused a heated debate online.
User @siyamangena shared that there is a school which is popular on TikTok. In the video, he highlighted that the children in that particular school are always dancing online.
According to Siya, these children are recruited and turned into TikTok stars. They are said to sign a contract that binds them for five years minimum.
Also see: Sis Gugu accuses Amapiano artists of stealing from Tik Tok creators
Siya outlined parts of a contract that he described as a concerning agreement.
“They call it a bursary, sounds generous right? Free education, free accommodation, food, clothing; but the contract states in clause 3.3 that all bursary costs and fees are fully sponsored by the school/ label, and are recoupable. That means, according to this contract, it’s not a gift, it’s fitted as a loan. According to this agreement, the child has to pay back through labour, image and earnings for years,” said Siya.
Upon completion of Grade 12, the school/label shall have an option to re-sign or renew the learner/artist for a minimum period of three years.
The contract shared by Siya further stipulates that the learner/artist shall deliver one full studio album to the school/ label. If the album is deemed fit by the school/label, only then can the artist/learner exit the contract.
@siyamangena_Child influencer contracts.♬ original sound – siyamangena
X (formerly Twitter) weighed in:
I went to their TikTok and wdym a school posted this ??? 😭😭😭 https://t.co/bl1wTSbTcr pic.twitter.com/s3zBzoGZ0W
— TGM (@TGM_007) February 27, 2026
Also see: South Africans react hilariously to American TikTokker naming dog ‘Khumalo’
the people saying these schools locking kids into bursary / record label contracts is a good thing are mistaken, this is straight-up exploitation bc the school owns the kids’ masters forever, takes a huge cut after “recouping” bullshit costs, bans side gigs w massive penalties…
— ☆ (@BALUCIAGA) February 27, 2026
I stand to be corrected, he seems to be at school that always has kids dancing. He’s a popular creator on TikTok who is in Matric now. pic.twitter.com/BuF28kWoAR
— Ms Excellent 🩵🤍 (@_AfricanButter) February 27, 2026
Also see: Age is just a number: Tik Tok couples embrace big age gap relationships
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