In an attempt to provide South African students with education, knowledge and mining sector experience, the Investing in African Mining Indaba this year invested about R350 000 in bursaries for four mining and engineering students.
Indaba MD Jonathan Moore says that the 2015 bursaries were awarded to University of the Witwatersrand third-year student Reehan Abdulla and three fourth-year students from the University of Johannesburg, namely Sifiso Buthelezi, Lerato Lebase and Avalyvei Ramovha.
The selection criteria included academic performance, letters of recommendation and an essay describing the student’s passion and interest in the mining sector.
The call for applications was sent to mining universities across the country, with the number of applications received having increased by 50% since last year.
“The combination of academic achievement and passion for the industry exhibited by these students underscores the core values of this programme. Supporting students interested in a career in our sector is essential for the growth of our industry and the continent and we applaud these future innovators and leaders for their commitment,” Moore elaborates.
He states that the bursary is for one academic year and covers tuition, books, accommodation, meals and other related academic expenses and fees, such as mine excursions.
The bursary is administered and managed by education finance and bursary management specialist Eduloan.
Bursary recipients Abdulla and Lebase also attended the 2015 indaba, which ran from February 9 to 12, where they interacted with financiers, investors, mining corporates, government Ministers and African mining’s most influential stakeholders, Moore notes.
In addition to the bursary programme, the indaba has also made a donation of about R27 500 to the Rural Education Access Programme, which offers talented and motivated young South Africans from poor rural areas the chance to study at high-quality tertiary institutions, and provides students with the support and guidance they need to graduate.
The funds of this donation will be allocated to five students to cover the costs of computers, textbooks and items needed to further their education.
Further, the indaba organisers, in conjunction with the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), donated the conference bags left over from the event to learners from underprivileged schools.
CTICC CEO Julie-May Ellingson says that this year’s indaba welcomed about 7 000 delegates from about 110 countries. She explains that, since the first indaba in 2004, the number of delegates has increased exponentially.
“The benefits of the Investing in African Mining Indaba are widespread – not only for the CTICC and Cape Town but also for the mining industry at large; the event has a remarkable economic spin-off. “The purchasing power of the over 7 000 delegates who attended the conference contributed to significant tourism,” concludes Ellingson.