February 2022.
Born and raised in Kimberley, Keitumetse Ikaneng (29) is one of seven tertiary education students currently receiving funding support from Droogfontein Solar Power, as part of their bursary programme. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Education, Intermediate and Senior Phase through UNISA, and feels fortunate to have been chosen to receive this support.
“Thanks to this bursary, and once I complete my degree this year, I look forward to being able to improve the lives of my entire family, which includes my daughter, my brother, and my sister and her children,” said Keitumetse.
For the last seven years, Keitumetse has been enrolled as a Reading Coach at Tshwarelela Primary School in Kimberley as part of Droogfontein Solar Power’s Literacy and Numeracy programme, and it was through this work that her passion for teaching was sparked.
“The Reading Coach programme ignited a love for teaching in me that I never expected. As a child, I couldn’t imagine teaching being my profession but once I started studying, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Seeing the positive impact of teaching in action has been both helpful and eye-opening,” she added.
“The Droogfontein Solar Power bursary programme is offered to students in the Northern Cape wishing to pursue degrees or certificates in education, agriculture or nursing as we have identified that these types of skills are needed to support regional economic development,” commented Zuki Ndlela, Economic Development Specialist for Droogfontein Solar Power.
Keitumetse’s talent has been recognised by the leadership at Tshwarelela Primary School, with her currently fulfilling a substitute teaching position. Upon completing her degree, Keitumetse hopes to take up a teaching post in one of the local schools, sowing her skills back into the community.
