SCHOLARSHIPS OPEN UP A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL LEARNERS

REISA Solar Farm, in the Gamagara district, is offering 2021 academic scholarships for local Grade 12 learners. The applications have moved to a fully-digital format, due to COVID-19, and learners are being directed to community wifi-spots to help smooth the online application process.

Applications are now open to candidates who pass their 2020 matric examinations and who qualify to study an undergraduate degree or National Diploma at a recognized University or TVET College.

Local Grade 12 learners from Kathu, Olifantshoek, Dibeng, Siyathemba, Mapoteng and Babatas, are being urged to take up this opportunity. Because the REISA Scholarship Fund exclusively targets learners in these beneficiary towns, they don’t need to compete against contenders from other provinces, making it a fantastic opportunity to fulfil a dream of studying after school.

One of the current REISA Scholarship Fund beneficiaries, Ruando Van Rooi from Kathu, is currently studying BCom Accounting Sciences. He is described as focused and driven by his scholarship interviewer, who noted his dedication to accounting and strong desire to become a chartered accountant.

“Ruando has flourished over the last few years and is gaining a great deal of confidence and a world view, brought about by living independently and taking responsibility at University, which has revealed him to be a natural leader, mentoring his peers for the Campuskey mentorship programme,” said Kelebogile Mogorosi, Local Community Liaison Officer for REISA.

Ruando, who is a former Kathu High School learner, and now a 3rd year student at the University of Pretoria, says, “Even if you don’t have the money for your studies, there is always a way. The scholarship has motivated me to work harder on my studies so I can keep it and get the degree that I have set my sights on.”

His many dreams include a life that offers a chance for personal growth and opportunities to travel that will expose him to a world of different cultures. “I want to visit some of the leaders of the top companies in the world and do my MBA, once I’ve got my license to practice as a CA(SA),” he exuded.

The REISA Scholarship Fund, which launched in 2015, aims to provide tertiary education funding for youth living within a 50km radius of the solar facility. The focus is to contribute towards human resource development in fields considered critical for the South African economy. Study fields include Teaching, Engineering, Natural and Social Sciences, Environment and Nursing.

The Fund covers full scholarships, with the following criteria: South African citizens living within a 50km radius of the solar farm; outstanding academic achievements; financially constrained to study at a tertiary institution; preference will be given to applicants whose intended field of study includes the following: Education-Teaching, Engineering, Sciences, Environmental Studies and Nursing; applicants must be registered for full-time studies towards an academic degree or diploma at an accredited institution.

Further info and link to application: www.reisasolar.co.za/community/scholarships/