Thousands of top-achievers to benefit from govt’s bursary scheme
The government will be investing R560 million in bursaries through the Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) Bursary Scheme, with over 4 000 learners benefitting from the province.
More than 4 000 top-achieving matriculants from Gauteng’s no-fee paying, and schools for learners with special needs, will benefit from the Gauteng Provincial Government’s massive bursary scheme in the 2024 academic year.
Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, and Education MEC, Matome Chiloane, on January 21 awarded bursaries to the province’s cream of the crop, many of whom come from disadvantaged communities in the townships, informal settlements and hostels.
Premier Lesufi said the province would be investing R560 million in bursaries through the Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) Bursary Scheme, with over 4 000 learners benefitting from the province providing financial assistance to learners between the ages of 18 and 35 hailing mainly from historically disadvantaged communities.
The bursary covers tuition, books, accommodation, transport allowance, a once-off laptop allowance, and a living allowance. It also covers undergraduate studies, as well as postgraduate studies. GCRA bursars who are pursuing their postgraduate studies had an opportunity to address incoming bursars.
Among those were Sechaba Morajane, a University of Johannesburg Masters in Engineering student, and Kutlwano Mangalani, a Wits University final-year Clinical Medical Practice student, who detailed how this bursary assisted them in furthering their studies and alleviating the financial strain of student fees.
“We are extremely proud of the class of 2023, who performed exceptionally well in various subjects under extreme circumstances. This performance is also a testament to the dedication and hard work of our educators, as well as the critical upbringing role played by parents,” Chiloane said.
The GCRA bursary remains one of the most comprehensive provincial bursary schemes across the country, supporting students in various fields of study, from aviation to medicine and IT. More than 90% of the scheme’s bursars are poor, black learners while almost 60% are women.
“Through the GCRA Bursary Scheme, we are investing in the development of skills of the future. We are arming our youth with the skills that will ensure our country is competitive and contribute to the economic development of Gauteng. We have challenges in society that only these learners can fix for us. This will be the generation that provides new ideas, local products, and solutions for our province,” said Lesufi.
