While many believe the grass is greener on the other side, two Kouga pupils will have the opportunity to find out for themselves when they embark on an all-expenses-paid educational journey at Marlow Agricultural High School in 2022.
The agri-bursary programme was recently launched and funded as part of the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm’s socioeconomic development programme which is aimed at promising high school pupils from Humansdorp, Hankey, Patensie, Thornhill and Jeffreys Bay.
The programme identifies suitable candidates and offers them a bursary to attend Marlow in Cradock.
The first selection of pupils was completed in October and will see Brayden Slinger and Luchen Louw, from Humansdorp and Patensie, start at the agricultural high school in January.
The two are entering grade 9 and will receive funding to their matric year in 2025.
Each bursary is worth tens of thousands of rand and covers everything from tuition to travel fees, accommodation and food.
Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm economic development director Hlengiwe Radebe said the pupils were chosen based on their academic performance, interest in agriculture, adaptability to a new school environment and sporting interests.
“Both boys selected displayed a great interest in agriculture and sport.
“We also believe they have a great chance at adapting well in their new environment and expect them to excel,” Radebe said.
A third pupil, who is already enrolled at the agri-high school, was selected to be receive partial bursary funding until he, too, completed matric.
The wind farm programme would also fund two candidates in 2022 and 2023.
“This bursary funding aligns with our commitment to the development of this area, and is an extension of our programmes that support agriculture and emerging farmers in rural communities, acknowledging the importance this plays in our national economy as well as the importance to rural economies in the Eastern Cape,” Radebe said.
HeraldLIVE
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