Three aspiring engineers from the Kouga region are charting a brighter academic path, thanks to a powerful collaboration between Maximum Profit Recovery (MaxProf), EST Sourcing and Kouga Local Municipality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This week, bursaries totalling R55 552.00 were handed over to the students, with MaxProf\u2019s Eastern Cape Regional Manager, Cedric Mataka, and Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, in attendance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Open to all students residing in Kouga, the opportunity was made available through a formal application process advertised earlier this year. Successful recipients were selected and shortlisted by EST Sourcing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is more than just financial aid,\u201d said Bornman during the event. \u201cIt is a statement of belief in our youth \u2013 a promise that we will invest in their future. Through partnerships like this, we are driving real change, one opportunity at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bornman reminded the students that their presence in Kouga is purposeful: \u201cYou are not here by accident. Work hard, strive for excellence, and use this opportunity you have been given.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bursaries form part of MaxProf\u2019s newly reimagined corporate social responsibility strategy. Recognising the need for a more targeted impact, the company shifted from broad donations to a focused bursary fund, directly financed through its revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLast year, we committed 1% of our invoice value to support education,\u201d explained Mataka. \u201cThis year, we doubled that to 2%. And I\u2019m proud to say that students from Kouga are the sole beneficiaries of this increased support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two of the three recipients \u2013 Esihle Mpumela from Pellsrus and Strong Athenkosi Sodlala from KwaNomzamo \u2013 were present to receive their bursary awards in person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mpumela, a second-year Mechanical Engineering student at JBAY Tech, expressed deep gratitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am humbled and grateful to have been selected. This bursary lifts a tremendous burden. I can now focus fully on my studies. I promise to strive for excellence and give back to my community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sodlala, studying Electrical Engineering at PE College, echoed this sentiment: \u201cThis bursary is more than financial help \u2014 it\u2019s a vote of confidence in our potential. I\u2019m honoured and determined to make the most of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Veronica Poti, mother of the third recipient, Zukhanye Poti, accepted the award on his behalf. Zukhanye, a Mechanical Engineering student at Walter Sisulu University, was unable to attend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am so happy,\u201d she said. \u201cNow my son doesn\u2019t have to stress. He can focus solely on his studies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bursary initiative exemplifies the power of partnership in tackling educational and economic inequality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is what we can achieve when government and the private sector work together,\u201d Bornman concluded. \u201cWe are not just supporting students \u2013 we are empowering the engineers, innovators and leaders of tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Strategic partnership between MaxProf, EST Sourcing and Kouga Municipality paves way for three aspiring engineers’ academic 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are (from left) Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, Veronica Poti (mother of Zukhanye Poti), Esihle Mpumela, Strong Athenkosi Sodladla and Cedric Mataka (MaxProf Regional Manager for the Eastern Cape). 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