EXCLUSIVE to learners in the land claimant communities adjacent to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, the park authority’s higher education programme has to date assisted 112 youth graduate in conservation-related tertiary studies.
iSimangaliso recently welcomed this year’s 14 bursary recipients considering a career in conservation, tourism and related fields.
Since the programme’s inception in 2010, a 77% pass rate has been achieved – significantly higher than the national average.
iSimangaliso Project and Facilitation Assistant, Nosipho Ngcobo, said the programme provides top-up bursaries and psycho-social support through its partner organisation REAP, and that academic support is vitally important in ensuring the learners’ success.
Speaking on behalf of the learners, Nomaswazi Vumase said they would make the most of the opportunity and will do their part in achieving their goals.
Phakamani Ngubani added that without iSimangaliso and REAP, transition from high school to tertiary level education would have been hard, but because of the support they receive they have adapted successfully.
iSimangaliso Project Manager, Ntsikelelo Kulati, encouraged the new students to work hard and repay iSimangaliso and their communities with good results.
‘On behalf of all at the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority, I wish to congratulate the new top-up bursary recipients on their hard work that has resulted in their successful selection for this programme,’ said iSimangaliso CEO, Sibusiso Bukhosini.
‘We are also pleased that we have seen students graduating through the support they received from this programme.
‘We look forward to seeing great results from the next generation of conservation and tourism development leaders.’
