In partnership with Masinyusane Development Organisation, The Kouga Wind Farm bursary programme is supporting 25 students at 10 different tertiary institutions with funding covers tuition, books, accommodation and living expenses, depending on their needs.
The students are also provided with mentors and self-development workshops. Conditions of this bursary require that the students pass at least 75% of their modules and complete 50 hours of volunteer work in their communities. The programme has faced disruptions, as campuses closed due to Covid-19. Before the lockdown, Masinyusane delivered laptops to those who needed them, making sure the students were equipped for online learning for the indefinite lockdown period ahead.
According to Jim McKeown from Masinyusane, “More than ever, students need support. These kids are lucky to have the wind farm sponsoring mentors. A lot will be new, having someone to talk to and ask advice from is a big advantage. With many other bursary schemes that personal connection isn’t there.”
Luvo Tewu, of KwaNomzamo next to Humansdorp is a beneficiary of the student programme. He is in his third year of studying Financial Information Systems at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. “I can’t believe the change that the bursary has made in my life. I became aware of the scheme when I attended an event sponsored by Kouga Wind Farm. My mother is a single parent. She supports me and my sister, and some cousins also live with us. Had it not been for the bursary, I wouldn’t have been able to further my studies,” said Tewu.
Anelisa Adams from Sea Vista is doing her 2nd year in Bachelor of Education at Varsity College.“The sponsors have been so supportive. We had a robbery last year, and they were even prepared to pay for counselling. I used to wait for other students in the residence to finish on their laptops before I could do my assignments, so they supplied me with a laptop. Most of our studies are online at the moment. My stipend covers my data costs, which allows me to submit assignments,” said Adams.
Llewellyn Breda from Kruisfontein is doing her 1st year in Bachelor of Arts, Motion Picture at AFDA. “This bursary has been a dream come true for me. I matriculated in 2012, and since then I’ve worked in construction, retail and graphic design. The fact that the bursary covers my accommodation, fees and a monthly stipend means I’m able to keep helping my mother, especially now that she is unable to work because of the lockdown,” said Breda. She is determined to give back to her community upon completing her studies.
