The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation is looking for young Namibians, who are curious, driven, responsible and interested in impacting their communities, to apply for funding for the 2022 academic year to study in South Africa.
Established in 2009 as part of Dr Allan Gray’s objective to financially affording Namibians study opportunities, the foundation’s vision is to make a sustainable, long-term contribution to Namibia by nurturing the emerging entrepreneurial potential of Namibians.
The foundation’s spokesperson Alvina Hekungua said fellowship recipients, known as Allan Gray Candidate Fellows, receive funding from the foundation to study at selected universities in South Africa in various fields of specialisation.
“The world needs entrepreneurs; 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; that’s why the foundation is now accepting applications for the 2022 academic year,” she told Youth Corner.
Prospective applicants should be citizens of Namibia and not be older than 21 years of age in 2021, with minimum of 60% in mathematics in the final Grade 11 results and a minimum average of 70% in the final Grade 11 results, excluding Life Science.
The intention should be to study towards a commerce, science (excluding medicine, veterinary science and dentistry), engineering, law, humanities or arts degree at the University of the Witwatersrand,
the University of Johannesburg, University of Cape Town (UCT), Nelson Mandela University, Rhodes University, University of the Western Cape, Stellenbosch University, University of Pretoria, the University of the Free State and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
First-year student at UCT Kovii Muruko said the fellowship is the most uplifting and capacity-building mechanism there is, as it enables them to meet individuals who have similar interests and assist in achieving certain goals.
“You get to meet people who have been in the same industries for years. I urge young Namibians to take time and apply for this opportunity – and at the same time, stay true to who they are. If you come to an Allan Gray event, you will meet different types of people, so remain true to who you are.
“Set out enough time to complete the application form. It will require you to reflect a lot and think deeply, so make sure you take time on it to ensure that you really do your best,” said the psychology and social development student.
She also advised applicants to be open to learning and embrace learning, because there will be many moments and opportunities to learn and grow; they should be teachable and be willing to change their mind when necessary.
Hekungua said these young Namibians exist to change the world and the foundation exists to help them change it.
The foundation educates, supports, connects, endorses, champions and wholeheartedly celebrates them.
This is their contribution to the development of Namibia to see them grow and become high impact entrepreneurs who can give back to their communities in the foundation’s return on investment.
“The fellowship covers full academic tuition, including all initial registration fees, the full cost of residence and meals, prescribed textbook allowance, cost of medical aid and stipends,” she highlighted.
The foundation takes a holistic approach to entrepreneurship development, with a focus on three critical aspects: cultivating an entrepreneurial mind-set in scholars, candidate fellows, developing entrepreneurial skills in the fellows, and being relevant in the local and African context, while understanding global entrepreneurial ecosystems.
“The foundation seeks out young people who have the potential to change the world with their energy, curiosity and new ways of seeing and understanding the problems we face, and how to solve them. The foundation’s role is to nurture this potential, using an ecosystem of partners, programmes and resources.”
- psiririka@nepc.com.na