Formed in 2009 as part of Allan Gray’s vision to make a sustainable, long-term contribution to Namibia, the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation is again looking for potential Namibians below the age of 21 to apply for tertiary funding.
The foundation seeks young people who have the potential to change the world with their energy, curiosity and new ways of seeing and understanding the problems the world face, and how to solve them, said programme coordinator Alvina Hekungua.
Those interested should be studying commerce, science (excluding medicine, veterinary science and dentistry), engineering, law, humanities or arts degree.
To apply, one must be a Namibian citizen, not older than 21 years of age in 2022, minimum of 60% in mathematics for final grade 11 results, and a minimum average of 70% for final grade 11 results (excluding life skills).
Hekungua said the world needs entrepreneurs, adding: “It needs people who can take a wild idea and grow it into a game-changer”.
“These people are potential personified. They are passionate problem solvers and long-term visionaries,” she enthused.
On the 17 out of 19 fellows from the programme who have graduated over the years, Hekungua was over the moon, saying the foundation educates, supports, connects, endorses, champions and celebrates them.
“This is the foundation’s contribution to the development of Namibia. Seeing them grow and become high impact entrepreneurs who can give back to the communities where they live, is the foundation’s return on investment,” she said.
The fellowship covers the full academic tuition, including all initial registration fees; the full cost of residence and meals; prescribed textbook allowance; cost of medical aid; and stipends. The due date for applying is 1 July 2022.
“I am happy and feeling honoured to have my full academic costs covered by the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation,” said Apehe Iipinge (18), who is studying B Com Accounting Sciences (CA) at the University of Pretoria.
He was happy to be getting mentorship in his choice career, and training to make an impact that matters and a purposeful difference in life.
“The foundation is also providing me with entrepreneurial training, and for that I am grateful,” stated Iipinge.
His counterpart Ndateela Ndjamba (18), who is studying at the University of Cape Town, told Youth Corner she appreciates the effort by the foundation to bring the best to society.
“The foundation doesn’t only fund me academically and help me excel academically; I am educated and get coaching on entrepreneurship, which is a bigger stream, because the coaches are people with experience and people I can look up to,” she said.
Allan Gray is Africa's largest privately owned investment management company focused on generating long-term wealth for investors.
Find the application forms on allangrayorbis-fellowship.org/Namibia.