Bursary programme opens up world of possibilities for local students

KANGNAS Wind Farm, together with the Nama Khoi District Municipality, the Department of Education and other stakeholders, hosted a meet-and-greet session with a cohort of 11 beneficiary students of the local bursary programme.

The aim of the meeting was for the stakeholders to work on ways to extend the programme beyond the initially intended years of tertiary funding in order to provide support to the students.

It was an opportunity for the team of officials from all stakeholders to meet the students and to learn about their progress and challenges, but most importantly to motivate them.

The wind farm intends to assist in securing work placements for practical training upon completion of the beneficiaries’s academic studies.

The student cohort is studying across a broad spectrum of fields including BCom Sports Management, BEd, Bachelor of Social Science, Bachelor of Education Foundation Phase, BA in Humanities, Early Childhood Development, and even Nursing, among others.

The economic development manager for Kangnas Wind Farm, Rouchet Daniels, explained that access to tertiary education is very limited to the local youth due to Springbok being a rural town.

“Without assistance through financial support, students may not afford to attend a higher education institution. It is therefore our goal to empower and support the youth of the community to be successful and make a difference,” said Daniels.

This year, one new recipient joined the programme, while one student successfully graduated last year with a Diploma in Early Childhood Development.

During the event, the Kangnas staff also conducted interviews with the students that will be broadcast on the local radio station. Each student got the opportunity to introduce themselves and to tell the guests what they are studying, as well as about their journey so far.