Cape Town
Hilary Plaatjies
Sindiswa Giwu
The bursaries have been awarded to Hilary Plaatjies from Kuils River who works for a law firm and Sindiswa Giwu from Milnerton who is in the accounting field.
Plaatjies will complete an MBA and Giwu will be tackling the Post Graduate Diploma in Practice Management (PGPMP), a programme for middle managers.
Giwu said the bursary would ?hone my business skills and enrich my life in a lot of ways. Through the BWA I have met so many phenomenal women, I look forward to the networking opportunities that this will present me with.?
Plaaitjies said ?I am very happy for this opportunity. I look forward to being surrounded by inspirational women and learning from them.?
According to Ferose Oaten, Chairperson of BWA Cape Town, ?It means a lot to when members put their hands in pockets to help other women, the mission of the BWA is to empower women and this is an important part of that.?
Durban
East London
Free State & Lesotho
Johannesburg
Ayanda Nkungu
BA Honours in Communication Management
The career path that I have chosen is one that is less travelled, reasons being that, as young black females in this country we have been fine tuned to adhere to what is considered as suitable careers for us. However I have chosen to break free from such perceptions. I am currently studying towards a BA Honours in Communication Management majoring in Visual Communication. Choosing to pursue a career in Graphic design is about doing something that I am passionate about instead of conforming to the status quo that society has inflicted on me and expects me to adhere to. This is that there are careers that are meant for men and careers that are meant for women. Graphic design as a career to me serves as communicative device that will assist in communicating the challenges that women are faced with in society currently, it is the voice that speaks for those who need to be heard. Choosing this career path has contributed to the strong willed women that I?m today who is able to face any challenges that come with this male dominated industry, by shifting any expectations that are labelled on us young black females.
As a result of a social construct it is unlikely expected for women to take on challenging roles or careers. My goal is to change such perceptions, being presented with this bursary has served as of great assistance in pursuing my passion. However it will not only be beneficial to me, this bursary has provided an opportunity for a young dreamer who wishes to inspire other young females in her community. I personally feel that the greatest gift one could give another is knowledge; my objective is not to keep this knowledge to myself but to share it amongst others.
This is the challenge I feel that everyone who has been provided with such an opportunity should take on. My dream is create a learned community, provide hope for a generation that has been inflicted by the stigma of negativity and failure.
Port Elizabeth
Soweto
Tshwane
I am Jenni Kruger, a 27 year-old proudly South African woman. I hold a BA in Anthropology and Development Studies from Unisa, which I studied part-time and self-financed through working simultaneously. Therefore, I am most grateful for the support of this BWA bursary to embark upon a focused learning programme: a Masters degree in Development Communication at the University of Pretoria.
I combined my undergraduate studies with professional and personal development through challenging work experiences in the health and development sector. I devised and managed an HIV Awareness Campaign and provided community liaison services on a road construction project in rural Mozambique. Aware of the need to know and enhance the effectiveness and appropriateness of such programmes, I entered the research field. After a period coordinating a team doing extensive community-based research for a public health study, I set up a sole proprietorship, becoming a consultant and cultivating my skills in client relations, marketing and basic accounting. Through in-depth research and group facilitation, I provide anthropological input into the design of programmes/projects, from rural health services to low-cost housing developments, and conduct Monitoring & Evaluation research and training in the private, government and non-profit sectors.
Doing this MA is an opportunity to consolidate my past experiences, articulate my future vision and build a launch pad from which to emerge a critically informed professional, equipped with theoretical, methodological and management skills. I consider it an exciting privilege and a responsibility to be an educated South African citizen at this time. I aim to use my knowledge and skills towards the task of healing and integration in our country and beyond. I see my role as a bridge-builder and facilitator of partnerships between various actors, combining their efforts to address the country?s needs. As I write my dissertation I would like to work within an established organization for a period. Ultimately I want to lead a social enterprise of my own someday, using participatory research and learning facilitation as management and planning tools.
I am adamant that this task is not one of charity or philanthropy, but of ethical priority for everyone, not least the business sector. It is therefore encouraging that the BWA supports the field of social entrepreneurship, and chose to support me in my field. I am already enjoying the benefits of the BWA network and would love to learn from the experiences of women who share and carry out similar visions to mine. Thank you!
Zululand
Zinhle Sithole
I want to thank God and the Businesswomen's Association for awarding me with the BWA Zululand Bursary for 2007. This opportunity will both empower me and arm me for the future.
I grew up in Emondlo and have four younger siblings, three sisters and one brother. I did my high school education at Siyamukela High School and was Head Girl during 2000-2001. Once I completed my matric I obtained my B Com Industrial Psychology and a Diploma in Human Resources from the University of Zululand graduating in May 2006. During my studies I was involved in many projects at the University. In 2003 I was the Public Relations Officer for English Grammar Society. In 2005 I was the Managing Director of Ongoye Times (the campus newspaper) and was elected Vice chairman for the Religious Council 2004-2005.
We live in a wonderful country and skills development is of the utmost importance. Women form an integral part of this development and there are many opportunities available to us.
I am currently involved in Human Resources at the Zululand Chamber of Business but my ambition is to become a serious role player in South Africa, with an emphasis on human capital development. There are serious skills shortages in our country and I hope to be part of the solution. This bursary certainly puts me on the road to success. It was a gratifying moment for me when I learnt that I have been granted the BWA bursary in order to complete my studies towards an honours degree.