Through its ongoing bursary programme, Enel Green Power South Africa (EGP South Africa) aims to make an impact in tackling youth unemployment by affording young people an opportunity to develop their educational aptitudes and drive future change in the country.
From left: Unati Renene, Principal of Gariep High School, Busisiwe Nohenda, learner at Gariep High School and bursary winner, Manuele Battisti, Country Manager at EGP South Africa.
EGP South Africa recently announced the awarding of another bursary through its Garob Wind Farm initiative. The company held a Career and Bursary Day at the Gariep High School in the Northern Cape, part of its commitment to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and fostering sustainable progress in society.
Speaking at the event, Manuele Battisti, Country Manager at EGP South Africa, reiterated the company’s values of trust, responsibility, innovation and proactivity, adding that by putting people and the environment first, EGP South Africa is confident about the future of sustainable progress in the country.
“For EGP South Africa, sustainability is at the core of our relationships, from the communities we operate in, to our dealings with our partners and prospective clients. In this regard, and to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development agenda, EGP South Africa recognises the importance of driving youth involvement,” he said.
The Enel bursaries are available to tertiary students in any field of study, and to high school students from grades 8 to 12, and extend across the Northern Cape, Western Cape, Limpopo and the Free State provinces. To date, the programme has seen 177 bursaries awarded to students from various communities where EGP South Africa operates.
For high school students, the bursaries cover school fees, stationery, textbooks, school uniforms and transport fees. For tertiary students, the bursaries include registration and tuition fees and learning materials, as well as an allowance for meals and travel. Where applicable, the bursary will also cover university accommodation or residence.
Bursary applicants must meet certain criteria, with tertiary applicants needing to have completed their Matric qualifications and been accepted into a university or currently enrolled at a tertiary institution; applicants in high school must be in grades 8 to 11. Furthermore, all applicants are expected to have achieved a minimum overall pass rate of 65%, and must come from a household with an income of less than R357 000 per year. Candidates with disabilities are also encouraged to apply.
At the Career and Bursary Day, local government officials and other stakeholders in attendance at the event showed their support for the host school and pledged assistance in various forms. This included financial contributions towards the school’s needs, as well as commitments to providing accommodation for an additional student during their first year of tertiary studies.
The Enel Green Power Bursary programme represents a beacon of hope and opportunity for youth in South Africa, particularly those from previously disadvantaged communities. EGP South Africa's dedication to sustainable development and youth empowerment is evident in this initiative, which is life-changing for bursary winners; it supports academic pursuits and nurtures the potential of future leaders in the renewable energy sector.
“To quote a famous entrepreneur, sustainability is no longer about doing less harm, it is about doing more good. At EGP South Africa, we could not agree more, and hope that these bursaries will enable these young people to do more good, empower them to realise their potential, and drive positive change in South Africa,” Battisti said.
For more information visit: https://www.enelgreenpower.com/countries/africa/south-africa
