Thu Oct 27 14:29:00 UTC 2016
Shoprite Zambia is creating educational and employment opportunities for youth through its Bursary Programme. This programme is part of the retailer’s ongoing commitment to acting for change in the communities in which it operates.
The Shoprite Zambia Bursary programme, launched in 2014, provides financial study assistance of up to ZMK20,000 a year to prospective and current students wanting to complete Business-related degrees.
The bursaries are linked to work-back agreements with Africa’s largest food retailer. This ensures employment opportunities for bursary holders once they graduate, giving students the boost they need to kick-start a great career.
Shoprite’s commitment to youth education is in line with its belief that education is central to the prosperity of the country and the key to gainful employment.
Charles Bota, General Manager of Shoprite Zambia, says education creates economic freedom and enables people to reach their full potential in life. “As an organisation we recognise the enormous value of investing in education and giving young people the opportunity to learn, to obtain a qualification and to acquire the skills needed to gain employment.”
For many who have received bursaries, it has been life-changing. We asked three recipients what the Shoprite Zambia Bursary programme has meant to them:
Francisca Mulenga was the very first bursary recipient to have successfully come through the programme. She was awarded the bursary while in her final year of study at Mulungushi University, where she was completing a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in Economics. Having completed her degree in October 2015, she immediately joined Shoprite’s Trainee Manager Programme, assigned to Shoprite Kafuba Mall in Ndola.
“It’s both encouraging and humbling knowing that you have the backing of Africa’s largest supermarket retailer to develop and grow your career. Had it not been for the generous support of Shoprite, I might not have completed my degree. I’m inspired daily at how this break gives me another opportunity to learn and work towards fulfilling the promise of low prices everday that Shoprite is famous for.”
Thomson Mawele, Trainee Manager at Shoprite Cairo Road, is a qualified accountant who recently completed a Bachelor of Accountancy at the University of Lusaka.
He said the bursary programme eliminated the stress of not being able to complete his degree due to a lack of funds. “The bursary allowed me to focus solely on completing my studies and it also eased the anxiety of job hunting once I graduated. Knowing I would join Shoprite’s Trainee Manager Programme immediately after graduating gave me the confidence I needed to kick-start my career in retail.”
Mwaka Simpuki is a current recipient of the Shoprite Bursary Programme. Having excelled in her first year of a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting and Finance at Mulungushi University, she was awarded the bursary in her second year of study. Mwaka, now in her final year, is on track to graduate and join the Shoprite team as a Trainee Manager.
“This has been an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I feel tremendously blessed to have been awarded this bursary. I would encourage all students with the drive and passion for retail to seriously consider applying. If you put in the work, you will reap the reward!”
Applications for the 2017 Shoprite Zambia Bursary Programme are now open. The retailer is looking for dynamic, energetic and talented young people with an excellent academic record to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity. In 2017, study assistance will be provided to students registering for or currently completing a Bachelor of Business Administration at any Zambian University.
Students interested in applying for a bursary can do so by emailing the Shoprite bursary team, for the attention of Divan.