HWSETA is delighted to announce that we have awarded 95 full bursaries to veterinary students this year. The bursaries combined total more than R12-million.
The beneficiaries include 70 first year students, 60 who are studying a Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences and 10 who are studying Veterinary Nursing. It also includes 25 continuing students, who received funding last year and are in various years of their studies in 2023.
Why is this such exciting news?
There’s a shortage not only of vets but also of paraveterinary professionals in South Africa. HWSETA is committed to creating greater awareness around careers in these areas.
In 2021, we launched an online career portal aimed at guiding and informing learners about pursuing a career within these fields. Then, last year we embarked on a Veterinary Career Guidance Awareness drive and visited numerous schools in rural areas in the Free State, Limpopo and Northern Cape to encourage learners to consider a career in veterinary services.
The first school we visited was Moroka Secondary School, in Thaba N`chu, in the Free State, where the Career Guidance event was attended by 207 learners from three different schools: Albert Moroka High School, Sediti High School and the hosts Moroka High School.
The second Career Guidance event was hosted was Kgomotso High School, in Pampierstad in the Northern Cape where a total of 221 learners from Pampierstad High School and Kgomotso High School attended.
The last event in the series was held in Limpopo in a village called Ga-sekororo at Mmalesiba Secondary School, where 471 learners from 10 schools in the area attended.
The awarding of these 95 veterinary bursaries on the back of this Veterinary Career Guidance Awareness drive last year.
What do the students have to say?
Tumelo Mothokoa, a second year Veterinary Nursing student and bursary recipient, says, “Once I got the confirmation letter from HWSETA it was the best feeling that I could ever have, because I knew at least that one of my major stressors was gone. This bursary has allowed me to be the best vet nursing student I can be, while having the comfort of knowing that if I pass my year, I will continue to have funding.”
Thembelihle Fakude, first year Veterinary Science student says adds, “I have another degree and it isn’t very easy to get funding when you have a previous qualification. I grew up on a farm around animals and this is something I have always wanted to do. HWSETA has made this possible for me and I can now fulfil my dream and become a voice for the voiceless.”
Pretty Morrison, fourth year veterinary science student says this has given her the chance to chase her dreams, “I came from a small town where there was not even one vet. I was passionate about becoming a vet because I grew up in a community where we had so many production animals and yet there was not much information about how to take care of them. HWSETA has given me the opportunity to fulfil that dream, not only for myself but for my community.”
Good luck to our bursary recipients!
HWSETA CEO, Elaine Brass says, “The full bursaries will cover the student’s tuition, accommodation, academic support, books, and an allowance. Being able to alleviate the financial constraints from these students will give them the best chance of success. With a full bursary they can focus on their studies, without the burden of worrying where their funding will come from.”
If you are a school learner or leaver and love animals… you can find a comprehensive list of careers available in the veterinary sectors, as well as career guidance advice and details of possible funding opportunities on the HWSETA Career Portal.
