Apply now: We’re offering 20 bursaries for grade 12s!

Are you a grade 12 learner without plans for 2024? Upload a TikTok, Instagram or Facebook video starting with “Dear Food For Mzansi” for a chance to secure one of 20 bursaries for national diplomas at Agri Skills Transfer. Best of all, the two-year agriculture-related qualification can be completed online from anywhere in the country, reducing additional expenses that frequently burden families.

At Agri Skills Transfer – an AgriSETA accredited training provider – you can choose to study one of three programmes: plant production, animal production, or the brand-new agri sales and services diploma. Best of all, with the Food For Mzansi and Agri Skills Transfer scholarships your studies are covered for the entire two years. Your only job is to show up for yourself!

“By offering bursaries, Agri Skills Transfer aims to empower and uplift rural communities by providing access to quality agricultural education,” said Shaun Welmans, COO of Agri Skills Transfer. “These bursaries not only enable aspiring students to pursue their educational dreams but also equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to make a significant impact in their rural environments.”

The bursaries, worth R1.6 million, help to bridge the gap between education and rural development,added Welmans. Rural areas often have the greatest need for agricultural expertise, as they are the backbone of food production in the country.

Click here to submit your short application.

Empowering dreams, cultivating futures

Food For Mzansi co-founder and editor-in-chief Ivor Price said the publication is honoured to partner with Agri Skills Transfer. “In essence, we are extending the spirit of our five-year-old AgriCareers roadshow that reaches 20 000 high school learners annually. This initiative is more than just scholarships; it is a gateway to transforming dreams into reality.”

Gomolemo “Diesel” Phalatse, a student liaison and facilitator at Agri Skills Transfer, said the “Dear Food For Mzansi” bursary campaign presented learners an opportunity to specialise in a field intricately connected to their community, where agriculture holds a vital role.

In addition, it provides them with essential hands-on skills that can significantly enhance local farming practices and contribute to bolstering food security.

“Moreover, it paves the way to a wide array of career possibilities within the agricultural sector, enabling these learners to become catalysts for change in their rural environments. Lastly, this qualification also promises the potential to make substantial contributions to rural development and economic prosperity, rendering,” Phalatse said.

A platform to reach for the stars

His colleague, Soalo Legodi, also a student liaison and facilitator, added that the project recognised the immense potential within South Africa’s agricultural youth and provided them with a platform to realise their dreams.

“The most significant impact of this initiative lies in its ability to break down financial barriers, allowing passionate young individuals to access quality education and training in agriculture,” he said.

Welmans said Agri Skills Transfer hoped to cultivate a skilled workforce that can drive innovation in agriculture, bolster food security, and contribute to the economic growth of their regions.

“These students, once empowered with knowledge, can return to their communities as catalysts for positive change, bringing modern techniques, sustainable farming methods, and valuable expertise. Our focus on rural grade 12 learners is an investment in a brighter, more prosperous future for these regions and the nation as a whole,” he added.

Click here to submit your short application.

Want a bursary? Follow these 3 easy steps!

Make a short video in which you tell us why you are deserving of the two-year bursary at Agri Skills Transfer. Remember to begin the video with “Dear Food For Mzansi”. Don’t worry, you can speak in any South African language.