The Globeleq Scholarship Fund (GSF), a cornerstone of the renewable energy sector’s educational drive, has opened for 2025 applications as it celebrates a decade of fostering equal access to education. With over R24 million allocated to date, this scholarship provides support to talented Black youth. 

Supported and funded by eight operational renewable energy power plants, bursaries have been awarded to almost 500 students, playing a vital role in advancing South Africa’s transformation agenda and the Just Energy Transition. By providing financial support, the aim is to remove the barriers that prevent talented individuals from accessing tertiary education. 

Private scholarships such as this, are essential in South Africa, where the demand for education outpaces the resources available through state funding. Bursaries provide a critical lifeline, enabling access to quality education for those who may otherwise be excluded. 

The GSF is dedicated to supporting students with targeted bursaries like the GSF Engineering Sciences bursary, which serves students across all nine provinces. Over the past four years, the Fund has exclusively awarded scholarships to 100% Black youth, with women comprising 71% of recipients since 2014. The increase in female recipients, rising from 68% in 2022 to 92% in 2023, underscores the GSF’s commitment to gender equality and enhancing the presence of women engineers in the industry and across the country. 

“This scholarship fund not only supports Black and predominantly female youth but also sets an example for other sectors to contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s development,” says Hlengiwe Radebe, Economic Development Director at Globeleq South Africa Management Services. “As our programme evolves, so does our commitment to expanding opportunities across the country, reaching students in all nine provinces who need financial support to realise their educational goals.” 

The GSF’s holistic approach goes beyond academic performance, taking into account financial need, location, and gender, reflecting its mission to diversify the engineering sector and uplift women in STEM fields. With an annual budget of approximately R4 million, the GSF aims to nurture the skills essential for the renewable energy industry while enhancing the sustainability of the communities it serves.