BOSHOF ENTREPRENEUR IN THE MAKING

May 2022, Boshof Solar Power.

With a dream of owning her own business, Eveline Gaopalangwe, is celebrating being one step closer having recently celebrated her graduation.

This 23-year old Boshof resident, is the fifth member of her community to complete her tertiary studies through the Boshof Solar Power bursary programme, which funded her with a National Diploma in Human Resource Management, from Damelin College.

“Human Resource Management taught me a wide range of skills needed to run, manage, and sustain a business. Since I want to be a business owner someday, I quickly realised I needed to learn how to run a business, employ workers, employ the necessary training, and take care of my employees, ” said Eveline.

Her entry into the workplace began through the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform’s National Rural Youth Service Corps learnership programme, which is where her interest in studying Human Resources Management was sparked and her hope of starting her own business.

“I’d like to own my company in Boshof one day and to ensure that it’s a success, I wanted to get a business-focused qualification, which I’m pleased to have been able to accomplish with assistance from this local community-focused bursary. My second step is to gain experience in business management,” added Eveline, who is currently looking for employment.

The funding forms part of a broader programme, namely the national Globeleq Scholarship Fund, which has been in operation for the last seven years. The programme utilises a less conventional and holistic approach to funding, by typically not only focusing on academic achievement, but rather on financial need, and location of the students.

The next bursary window will open in September 2023 and will be announced within the Boshof area, encouraging students to apply.