Educator development has become a lifeline for communities in the Northern Cape, where the shortage of teachers continues to impact schools. In the small town of Kenhardt, 19-year-old Aaliyah Selborne is seizing this opportunity through the Aries Solar Power bursary programme, which is supporting her dream of becoming a teacher.
Now in her first year of a Bachelor of Education (Intermediate Phase) degree at the University of South Africa, Aaliyah is one of more than 12 local youth who have already benefited from this programme. Inspired by her grandmother and aunts, who have spent over two decades in the classroom, she has developed a passion for teaching and hopes to bring that passion back to the schools where she grew up.
“Once I have completed my studies, I look forward to being a passionate educator, providing a strong foundation of educational support in my hometown. I attended both Kenhardt Primary School and Kenhardt High School and would love to see myself back in those classrooms,” she said.
The bursary covers her tuition, books, travel, accommodation, and even day-to-day living expenses through a stipend. For Aaliyah, this support has removed the financial strain of full-time study and given her the chance to follow in her family’s footsteps.
“We are encouraged to see young, passionate students like Aaliyah applying for bursary funding, not only through their own research but also by drawing on the experiences of past beneficiaries,” explained Harrisinah Theka, Economic Development Manager at Aries Solar Power. “It shows how this programme continues to motivate young people in the community to pursue higher education.”
Launched more than five years ago, the bursary programme has grown into a valuable resource for students in the Kenhardt area, opening doors to education and shaping brighter futures for local families.
