Twenty-one-year-old Kaitlin van der Bijl from Somerset West was among 30 youths whose academic dreams became reality through the City of Cape Town’s external financial-support bursary programme.

The law student said she was “very excited and grateful” about this life-changing opportunity, which would allow her to complete her degree.

“What I love most about the field I’m pursuing is that I’ll be able to work with people in making a difference by figuring out how systems work and how they can be used to benefit those that need help the most,” she related.

Van der Bijl was part of a carefully-selected group of 30 award recipients who successfully competed through a rigorous process evaluating academic results, interview performance and alignment with the City’s strategic workforce plans.

The programme targets critical skills shortages by supporting studies in high-demand fields, including engineering, geo informatics, project management, architecture, data science, occupational therapy, marine science, supply chain management, psychology, GIS and technology, and law.

“Our vision is to create life-changing opportunities for young residents who will be the dynamic leaders we will need in our city one day,” said Theresa Uys, Mayoral Committee member for Corporate Services.

“They will be the much-needed qualified professionals of the future in Cape Town.”

The bursaries have reached young people from diverse communities across the metro.

Nineteen-year-old Ayabonga Mbinyashe from Kraaifontein, who is pursuing studies in statistics and data sciences at UCT, called receiving this award “a dream come true”, one that lifted the heavy burden of funding concerns.

Similarly, 19-year-old Mihle Manana from Strandfontein said the bursary “meant a great deal because someone was investing in her,” motivating her pursuit of a Bachelor of Applied Science degree with distinction.

Recipients hail from areas such as Kraaifontein, Strandfontein, Athlone, Atlantis, Khayelitsha, Somerset West, Pinelands and Milnerton, among others.

These strategic investments directly address skills gaps identified by various City directorates, including Energy, Spatial Planning and Environment, Water and Sanitation, Human Settlements and Corporate Services.

 For more information about scarce skills priorities, visit the Scarce Skills List at www.capetown.gov.za.