Nestled in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, formerly known as the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, is one of the largest protected areas in the country. The name ‘iSimangaliso’, translating to ‘miracle’ and ‘wonder’ in Zulu, perfectly encapsulates the majesty of the park. It received the honor of being listed as South Africa’s first World Heritage Site in 1999 due to its astounding beauty. The park is home to three major lake systems, eight interconnected ecosystems, over 500 bird species, and more than 20,000-year-old coastal dunes.
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park Bursary: Cultivating Future Leaders
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority has been offering bursary awards since 2010 to young individuals from communities surrounding the park. The bursary is aimed at those who aspire to build their careers in the Conservation or Tourism sector. To date, the initiative has successfully funded the studies of 98 students.
The bursary program covers a plethora of disciplines including but not limited to:
- Environmental Sciences: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Biodiversity, Biology, Botany, Climatology, Conservation Ecology, Ecology, Environmental Planning, Geography, Geology, Hydrology, and Zoology.
- Park Infrastructure: Architecture, Civil Engineering, Land Surveying, and Quantity Surveying.
- Business, Tourism, and Hospitality: Accounting, Business Administration, Cultural and Heritage Tourism, Eco-tourism, Hospitality and Catering Management, Marketing, and Tourism Management.
- Social Sciences: Anthropology, Development Facilitation, Environmental Law, Environmental Journalism, Organisational Psychology, and Sociology.
Benefits and Additional Opportunities
In addition to covering various expenses like books, accommodation, meals, travel, laptops, data, and more, the iSimangaliso bursary offers a comprehensive support system. This includes academic and psychosocial assistance through iSimangaliso’s partner organization, REAP. This invaluable support can help students adjust to university life and succeed academically.
Furthermore, bursary recipients may have the chance to participate in skills development workshops and community service initiatives during holidays, enhancing their readiness for future employment.
Eligibility and Application Process
To apply, applicants must reside in one of the land claimant communities from the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority or the surrounding Umkhanyakude District Municipality, particularly the Sokhulu area. They must be in Matric or have completed it and have achieved a minimum overall average of 55% in their most recent results. Applicants must have been accepted to start their first year of study in the aforementioned fields at a recognized South African tertiary institution and have applied for NSFAS funding.
The application process is straightforward. Applications can be submitted online at the iSimangaliso Bursary Application portal. Along with the application, the following documents need to be submitted: ID document, recent academic results, proof of NSFAS bursary application, proof of residence, proof of acceptance to study, and a motivational letter explaining why the applicant should be awarded the iSimangaliso Bursary.
As of now, the application process is closed. However, keep an eye on the official website for updates on the reopening.
For queries, applicants can reach out to Nosipho Ngcobo or Ntsikelelo Kulati at iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority via 035 590 1633 or via email at nosipho@isimangaliso.com and ntsikelelo@isimangaliso.com, respectively.