Developing the youth of the Western Cape | Western Cape Government

News

News

Developing the youth of the Western Cape

22 April 2016

Developing the youth in the Western Cape through quality education and skills development is a key focus area for the Western Cape Provincial Treasury, the Education Department and Nedbank, the provinces’ official banking partner.

With 15 bursaries awarded to Grade 11 students this year, the Essay Bursary Competition has since its inception in 2008 provided bursaries worth more than R5 million. Any Western Cape Grade 11 learner who plans to pursue a career in maths, economics and accounting may enter this competition.   

The competition is part of the Grade 11 curriculum for the 10 000 learners studying economics and accounting. The best essays are selected and entered into the competition. A panel of economists then review the entries and this year 24 learners were shortlisted. The shortlisted learners were then invited to present their essay to the panel in Cape Town.

From the shortlisted group, 15 learners each won a study bursary to pursue a three year degree/diploma in the fields of economics, finance, mathematics, accountancy and/or commerce, at one of the Universities in the Western Cape. Besides the bursary as a prize, there is also cash prizes with the first place winner receiving R10 000, the second place winner, R8 000 and the third place winner R6 500. The rest of the top 15 winners each received R2 000.

Minette van Zyl, a learner from Point High School in Mosselbay was the first place winner, followed by Liebe Burger from Tygerberg High School in second place and Chelsea Leibrandt from Norman Henshilwood High School in third place.

The Minister of Finance, Dr Ivan Meyer said that through the Essay Bursary Competition, the Provincial Treasury aims to increase the skills base in the economics and financial fields. He also said that education is a key focus area and therefore R19.247 billion of the province’s R55 billion budget is allocated to the Education department to ensure the continued quality education offered to learners.

The 2016 list of bursary winners:

Media Enquiries: 

Nicolaas van Aarde
Tel: 021 483 3040

Email: nicolaas.vanaarde@westerncape.gov.za