The six fortunate students who are benefiting from Kouga Wind Farm’s bursary scheme are looking forward to a brighter future – and all agree that the rewards are more than financial.
Through the scheme, Fiona Swartbooi became the first member of her family to go to college after she was given the chance to study business management.
“My dreams of studying further ended when my father died in 2009, but I did not want to give up, so I looked for assistance,” the Cape Town College student says. “I am really grateful to have been given this amazing opportunity.”
Olulodwa Mpahla, who is studying towards a BA degree at Rhodes University, says: “For Kouga Wind Farm, it’s not all about the money. It’s also about helping people to become a better person.”
According to Luvo Tewu, whose field is financial information systems at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, without the full bursary, he would “probably be sitting at home, increasing the percentage of unemployed youth in our country.”
Vathiswa Ntshota has also been given the opportunity to fulfil her dream of pursuing a career in human resource management at Damelin. “The bursary made me realise the importance of giving back. It changed my life.”
Suze Campher and Chandre Kettledas, taking BCom accounting and management assistance courses at Varsity College and Southern Cape College respectively, will be able to finish the theory part of their courses thanks to the financial assistance.
The bursaries will give these beneficiaries the chance to access better economic opportunities, either through employment or entrepreneurship, in the future.