SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS ITS FIRST BURSARIES

June 2022.

Four top-performing students from within the Madibeng Municipal area have become scholarship recipients. Funded as part of De Wildt Solar’s socio-economic development initiative, these students are the first cohort to benefit from this programme.

“This scholarship programme allows students to gain access to tertiary education, thereby increasing their marketability in an economy that is struggling and a highly competitive job market. As a result, more skilled people will be produced,” explained Celiwe Mabaso, Community Operations Manager for De Wildt Solar.

In collaboration with Study Trust, the programme’s implementing partner, the students were also provided with holistic support not just for their academic success but also their personal wellbeing and to ensure that they cope with the tertiary expectations and societal pressures.

“The students are equipped with skills to help them better understand the expectations of tertiary institutions and create platforms for integrating with a diverse range of cultures and people. Additionally, students are provided with skills to help them cope with their academics and prepare them for the working world,” added Mabaso.

Through various forms of intervention, holistic support is provided in assisting the students in living up to their full potential and realising their financial and academic goals. This is done in order to play an active role in the growth and development of each student as they strive to become the best.

In addition to this, the scholarship provides beneficiaries with tuition fees, accommodation, meals, books, a laptop, transport and living allowance.

“I am very happy to receive this bursary. Coming from a financially challenged background, it gives me the freedom to focus on my studies and I am able to pursue my dream of becoming an Occupational Therapist,” said Katleho Molaba, who is one of the programme beneficiaries. He is currently studying Occupational Therapy at Sefako Makgatho University.

The scholarship criteria stipulates that the applicants must have outstanding academic achievements; be financially constrained to study at a tertiary institution; be registered for full-time studies towards an academic degree or diploma at an accredited institution; and reside within the boundaries of Madibeng Municipality (wards 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 35). Preference is given to applicants whose intended field of study includes the following: Education-Teaching, Engineering, Sciences, Environmental Studies, and Nursing. Applicants who passed Matric in previous years and are planning to study at a recognized tertiary institution will also be considered.