An agri-bursary programme, aimed at promising young high-school learners from the communities of Humansdorp, Hankey, Patensie, Thornhill and Jeffreys Bay was recently launched.
Funded as part of Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm’s socio-economic development programme, this new agricultural bursary programme identifies suitable candidates from high schools and offers them a bursary to attend Marlow Agricultural High School based in Cradock, which is about 3 hours away from Jeffreys Bay.
The first selection of learners was completed in October this year and consists of two young boys, from the Humansdorp and Patensie communities, both of which will commence their studies at Marlow Agricultural High School this coming January.
They are entering Grade 9 and will receive funding all the way through to their final Matric year in 2025.
The students selected were rated on their academic performance, interest in agriculture, adaptability to the new school environment and their sporting interests. They are receiving an all-inclusive bursary covering tuition, accommodation, travel fees etc.
“Both boys selected displayed a great interest in agriculture, as well as sport. We also believe that they have a great chance at adapting well in their new environment and expect them to excel,” explained Hlengiwe Radebe, Economic Development Director for Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm.
In addition to these two beneficiaries, a third candidate, who is already enrolled at the agri-high school, has also been selected to be receive partial-bursary funding, until he too completes his matric. The wind farm additionally announced that the programme will fund a further two candidates in 2022 and the following year as well.
“This bursary funding aligns with our commitment to the development of this area and is an extension of our programmes that support agriculture and emerging farmers in rural communities, acknowledging the importance that this plays in our national economy as well as the importance to rural economies in the Eastern Cape,” concluded Radebe.