As a responsible corporate citizen, Meatco has again allocated funds to support students in their studies in the form of 100% bursaries.

These bursary holders also have the opportunity of hands-on work-related experience in the form of internships at Meatco before they start working back their bursaries in full-time positions at Meatco.

Bursaries were advertised in local media to support Namibian citizens who are pursuing full-time studies; who are academic achiever; who are financially deserving or orphaned; and who comply to the requirements of the Affirmative Action (Employment) act 29 of 1998 and to Meatco’s Employment Equity Plan.

Naturally, Meatco advertised bursaries in the fields of study that support succession planning for a sustainable company. Our bursary selection committee received hundreds of applications and shortlisted and interviewed 31 students in the past two years to award our bursaries.

Meatco currently has five bursary students, who we would like to introduce to you:

• Petrus N Kagogo, currently a third year student studying towards a BSc Eng. in Electro/Mechanical Engineering at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
“I was born and raised in Okaku in the north of Namibia. In my leisure time, I enjoy mountaineering and numerous sports around campus to relax and get my blood pumping. I like networking and exploring the society I live in, with a motive to broaden my horizons and expose myself to individuals with whom I share passions and preferences.
Academically, I possess a BSc in Applied Mathematics and Statistics from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (previously Polytechnic). However, since high school I have always wanted to pursue a career in engineering (specifically mechanical engineering), which I can now complete thanks to my Meatco bursary.”
• Priscilla Sulaica Masule, currently a second-year student studying towards a BSc-IT at the University of Namibia.
“I grew up in Rehoboth and furthered my studies at Westside High School where I completed grade 12.
I am a member of the Computing Society at the university, where we interact with other students and lecturers, and where we get to learn more about the IT industry. Technology fascinates me because it makes life so much easier. When I am not doing anything technology-related, I dance, and go to the gym. I recently also started playing tennis.
I am grateful for the opportunities the Meatco bursary has afforded me and I will make it my mission to work hard and be the best that I can be.

• Cornelia Kahl has been a Meatco bursary student since 2013. She studies BSc Animal Sciences at the University of Stellenbosch and is currently undertaking trials at Meatco’s Okapuka Feedlot towards an MSc degree.
“I grew up on a farm near to Otjiwarongo and love to be active outside, doing sports and experiencing our beautiful nature. Pets and farm animals are part of my life, as well as my family and friends who are my biggest supporters.
The main aim of this study is to improve animal welfare as well as the production performance of the cattle at the Feedlot, by introducing forms of environmental enrichments such as manure heaps and shading.
Thanks to my Meatco bursary, I also had the opportunity to do my internship at the Okapuka Feedlot and Head Office. I aim to graduate with my Masters in March 2017. I hope to be a contributing and successful full-time staff member of Meatco to work back my bursary.”

• Olebile (Moeti) Olibile began studying B. Veterinary Science at the University of Pretoria.
“During my high school years we would go to the farm every weekend. Since books and friends were rare on the farm, horse riding, sports and cattle farming soon became my only form of entertainment. Though books were rare, my father would always encourage me to read his Farmer’s Weekly from which I acquired a lot of knowledge.
I matriculated as the Dux student of Wennie du Plessis Secondary School in Gobabis and in 2015 I completed an InSTEM program at the (former) Polytechnic of Namibia. I used this programme as a tool to improve my science knowledge. One thing that fuels my desire to become a veterinarian is the lack of vaccines to cure diseases, like African horse disease and foot-and-mouth disease.
There is a long road of study ahead, but with my Meatco bursary and Internships, I aim to become a valuable employee at Meatco and a contributing citizen of Namibia.”

• Ndakondja N. Shilenga has been a bursary student since 2014 and is studying BSc – IT Computer Science and Business Computing at the University of Cape Town.
“I am your typical ‘girl from the north’, born and raised in Ongwediva. I would describe myself as an outgoing, responsible, goal-oriented and understanding person. Apart from studying, I am the biggest fitness freak, having hiked up Table Mountain and Lions Head countless times. I am seriously thinking of doing the 2 Oceans Marathon.
I completed my BSc Computer Science degree last year at the University of Cape Town and I am currently doing a BCom Honours in Information Systems. Thanks to my bursary, I also completed an internship at Meatco and am really excited for next year’s work-back to see what the industry has in store for me.”