Education is a powerful tool for changing lives and empowering communities. For many South Africans, pursuing higher education can be financially challenging, but local government initiatives like the Drakenstein Municipality Bursary are here to lend a helping hand. The municipality is offering partial bursaries for the 2025 academic year, aimed at students who want to further their studies in fields relevant to the Local Government Sector.
What is the Drakenstein Municipality Bursary?
The Drakenstein Municipality Bursary programme provides financial support to young students between the ages of 18 and 35 who are permanent residents of Paarl, Wellington, Gouda, Saron, or Simondium. The bursary focuses on covering part of the tuition fees for full-time studies in areas that are beneficial to the local government and the community at large.
This initiative is particularly important for students who have a strong desire to make a positive impact on their communities but lack the financial means to do so. By investing in the education and skills development of young individuals, the municipality aims to create a more vibrant, skilled, and capable workforce that can contribute to the local economy and social development.
Fields of Study Covered by the Bursary
The bursary is specifically targeted at courses that align with the needs of the local government sector. If you are interested in any of the following fields, this bursary could be your stepping stone to success:
- Engineering: Including civil engineering, mechanical engineering, or electro-technical engineering.
- Town and Regional Planning: This field plays a critical role in sustainable community development and land-use planning.
- Local Economic Development and Tourism: Focusing on strategies to boost local economies and promote tourism.
- Architectural Technology: For those passionate about design, planning, and construction.
- Environmental Management: Including water/wastewater and solid waste management.
- Finance: Financial management, accounting, and auditing.
- Artisan Development Training: Covering qualifications such as diesel mechanics, welding, building construction, plumbing, and electrical heavy current.
- Community and Social Development: Preparing students to contribute to the welfare and development of communities.
- Public Administration and Services: This includes sports administration, firefighting, traffic management, human resources, and public management.
- Accredited Skills Programmes: Practical courses like hairdressing, welding, painting, grass cutting, and digger loader operation.
By focusing on these critical areas, the bursary programme is not only supporting individual educational growth but also contributing to the overall development and service delivery capacity of the Drakenstein region.
Requirements
To be eligible for the Drakenstein Municipality Bursary, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Age: Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Residency: Permanently reside in Paarl, Wellington, Gouda, Saron, or Simondium.
- Educational Level: Have applied or be in the process of applying to a tertiary institution for a full-time course related to the fields listed above.
- Academic Performance: Submit your latest results from June or September 2024 as proof of academic performance.
Applicants who are currently receiving bursary support from Drakenstein Municipality and are continuing their studies will automatically qualify for continued support, provided their performance meets the policy requirements.
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How to Apply
To apply, follow these simple steps:
- Collect Application Forms: Forms are available on the Drakenstein Municipality website or can be picked up at any of the municipal offices, libraries, or Thusong centres.
- Prepare Your Documents: Make sure to include your latest academic results (June or September 2024) and proof of application to a tertiary institution along with the application form.
- Submit Your Application: Completed applications can be sent via email to ExternalBursaries@drakenstein.gov.za or RuralBursaries@drakenstein.gov.za, or they can be hand-delivered to the Human Resources Division – Training and Development at the Civic Centre, Ground Floor, Corporate Services, Berg River Boulevard, Paarl.
- Meet the Deadline: The closing date for applications is Friday, 1 November 2024 at 15:00. Late applications will not be considered, so make sure to submit on time.
If you meet all the requirements and submit a complete application, your application will be reviewed. If you do not receive any feedback by 31 January 2025, it means that your application was not successful. However, do not be discouraged—there are many other opportunities for financial aid and support that you can explore.
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If you have any questions or need help filling out your application form, feel free to contact Ms. Ntomboxolo Mandla at 021 807 4503. The staff at the Human Resources Division are there to assist and guide you through the application process.
The Drakenstein Municipality Bursary is an excellent opportunity for young, ambitious individuals to pursue their dreams of higher education and skills development. If you’re passionate about making a difference in your community and have the drive to succeed in one of the covered fields, don’t miss out on this chance. Apply today and take a step closer to a brighter future!