R15.2m set aside for bursaries
A TOTAL of R15.2 million has been set aside in the coming financial year for the Premier’s Bursary Trust Fund.
This was announced by the Northern Cape Premier, Sylvia Lucas, during the presentation of her budget speech in the Northern Cape Legislature.
Lucas pointed out that the aim of the fund was to make higher education opportunities available on a full-time basis for the youth of the Northern Cape who possess academic potential but do not have the means to realise it.
“For the 2016 academic year, funding was made available for 280 new students and 294 continuing students in various tertiary institutions in the Northern Cape and elsewhere in South Africa.”
She added that 51 students were expected to complete their studies this year.
The total budget of the Office of the Premier for 2016/17 is R209.2 million – R2.29 million less than last year’s allocation of R211.5 million.
Lucas pointed out that the cut was in light of the current economic challenges, adding that there was “no option but to be realistic and continue to provide services to our communities in an effective and equitable manner”.
The Premier’s Office is also in- volved in the War on Leaks Programme, an initiative by the Department of Water and Sanitation, which will see the training of 740 unemployed youths as water agents, plumbers and artisans in order to assist with the eradication of water losses.
The water agents will receive a monthly stipend of R2 000 and the artisans and plumbers will receive a stipend of R2 500 per month.
Three priority municipalities, namely Dikgatlong (where 60 youths will be employed), Sol Plaatje (250 youths) and Joe Morolong (135 youths) have been identified based on the reported high non-revenue water losses as per the last report by the Water Research Commission. Discretionary allowances will be made to Emthanjeni (45), Umsobomvu (35), Namakoi (50), Gasegonyane (82) and Khara-Hais (83).
The interview process to select the trainees commenced in Kimberley last week and ends in Gasegoyana and Joe Morolong this week. According to Lucas, there were an overwhelming number of applications in all areas and not everyone could be accommodated, resulting in the need for the interview selection process.
Next month, the Office of the Premier, in partnership with the Presidency, the NYDA and other key stakeholders, will also be hosting the Provincial Youth Summit and Expo 2016 in the ZF Mgcawu District.
Five hundred unemployed youth/graduates from all five districts are expected to attend the Youth Summit, which will be addressed by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and other cabinet ministers.
The Office of the Premier has also allocated R4.4 million to the Mme Re Ka Thusa Women Development Trust, which was established to assist previously disadvantaged women on economic empowerment initiatives in the Northern Cape and has already provided loans to 25 women-owned businesses.