Bursary programme yields fruit for young South Africans

In South Africa, where youth unemployment is a staggering 39%, much needs to be done to help young people surmount the financial hurdles they face so that they can obtain qualifications and become more employable. Enel Green Power South Africa’s (EGP SA’s) bursary programme has empowered students to do just this, with the graduation ceremony bearing testament to their success.

EGP SA’s Bursary programme began in 2018, with the first cohorts completing their studies in 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 lockdowns, students had to complete their qualifications online, and their online graduation ceremony deprived them of the opportunity to share the moment with fellow students and their families. Now in 2023, 19 graduates from 2020 to 2022 finally celebrated their phenomenal accomplishments in a distinguished graduation ceremony.

This graduation ceremony was a momentous occasion for these young people, as most are the first graduates in their families. Finally being able to don their graduation gowns and be capped is an emotional moment for them, as well as for Enel, which has walked this special journey with them.

The graduates include doctors, nurses, public administrators, teachers, maths majors, psychologists, accountants and more. EGP SA has broadened the options so that students identified as bursary recipients can study toward any qualification of their choosing, at any educational institution.

Speaking at the event, one student said she had learnt the power of tenacity and perseverance. She had been studying to become a chartered financial accountant, but despite her hard work, kept failing. Through sheer grit and determination, she finally passed with 70%. 

A maths graduate said he thought he would never get the opportunity to go to university. After receiving his bursary, he was accepted at Stellenbosch University. It was challenging, as he had never left his district before. After graduating, he returned to Lephalale and was unemployed for two years after completing his studies. In 2022, he was recruited by EGP SA to be part of the 2023 internship programme. He is grateful to his grandmother, a domestic worker, who gave him all the money she had to help him succeed in his studies. The graduation ceremony was a proud moment for both of them.

Present at the graduation ceremony was a representative from the Independent Power Producers’ Office as well as other EGP stakeholders who gave speeches and commended the graduates on their efforts.

Bursary selection process

To be eligible for the Bursary Programme, candidates must live in communities within a 50km radius of EGP SA’s solar or wind plants or within the same district, and their combined household income should be R350 000 or less per year.

The application and selection processes are managed via a bursary administration system and based on points earned. When there are a limited number of bursaries available per community, applicants with the highest number of points are selected.

Additional benefits and support

Since its inception, the bursary programme has garnered increasingly more interest and applications from students, high school learners and young people with disabilities, who cannot afford to complete their education.

This year, EGP SA funded a grade 3 learner with a disability to continue his studies at a school that caters for children with disabilities. Some of the learners need special medical care, so the company funds their travel to and from consultation with specialists. It also provides wheelchairs when necessary and pays for accommodation at boarding schools if needed. Sadly, one of the learners was bullied at boarding school, so he returned home and EGP SA provided a private caregiver and tutor for him instead.

The renewable energy company is also moving promising learners from township schools into private schools and covering their tuition, uniforms and study material. Initiatives such as these make a significant difference in students’ ability to do well at school and finalise their studies.

Future job opportunities

After students graduate, they are supported in their efforts to find employment. In some instances, graduates are taken on as interns at EGP SA if their field of study is relevant to the business. The business currently has six interns, including a maths student who works in its Commercial Office, an industrial psychologist who has been placed in its People & Organisation department, a business studies graduate in its ED Reporting team, and an engineer from a TVET college in its Engineering & Construction department. 

EGP SA is finalising the appointment of two additional interns, who live with disabilities, to join its team. The company also encourages its stakeholders to take students on as interns where possible. Approximately 70% of its bursary recipients are employed – some in international companies.

EGP SA holds itself accountable to six of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. It understands that helping to bridge the education gap and provide job opportunities creates role models for others to look up to and learn from.

Tracking progress

EGP SA is planning to develop a progress tracking tool to check in with graduates and have conversations about how they are currently progressing in their careers, as well as in years to come. The graduates have also set up a WhatsApp group so they can keep in touch and offer support to each other. 

The company’s efforts to elevate young people through education and employment is showing positive results – the graduation ceremony to celebrate students is a testament to this. And, the company’s plans for continued support are providing hope for many who currently have limited prospects. This is an endeavour that many in the private sector can emulate, with Enel Green Power the shining example.