A 29-year-old Masters in Chemistry graduate and former bursary holder from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has taken it upon himself to become a torchbearer for young professionals who want to join the sector to help find lasting solutions to the country’s water challenges.
Soft spoken Kagiso Komane from Kgobokwane, outside Dennilton in Limpopo, despite odds severely stacked against him, obtained his Masters of Applied Sciences in Chemistry from the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in 2022.
Komane said he never considered himself smarter than anyone he studied with, and this was testament when his matric results came with poor grades in mathematics and science. “I felt the results would hinder me in pursuing a career in a science related field.”
“I completed my matric at Ramatshagala High School in 2011 but performed poorly in maths and science. This resulted in having to upgrade my results for two years where I worked extra hard to ensure that my marks get me in the chemistry field,” Komane said.
He was committed to his studies and passed both mathematics and science on the third attempt, which enabled him to enrol for a National Diploma in Analytical Chemistry at Tshwane University of Technology in 2014.
After obtaining his diploma, Komane was awarded a bursary by the DWS, which funded his B-Tech degree and Masters.
“I stayed on the course until I finally obtained a Masters of Applied Sciences in Chemistry last year. This remains the biggest milestone in my life.
I would have never achieved it had it not been for the amazing and unconditional support from the DWS.”
The DWS bursary aims to help students complete their tertiary studies within the water and sanitation field.
The bursary covers full tuition fees, accommodation, food and stationery allowance, as well as a monthly stipend.
Komane has since become a mentor to university students whom he offers free tutoring for chemistry classes during his spare time.
He also gives talks at high schools on the importance of maths and science.
“My biggest goal in life is to inspire confidence to the generation that comes after mine. My desire is to see black children boldly take on opportunities in the chemistry field and grab whatever opportunity which may come their way to reach for their dreams,” an optimistic Komane said.
He is currently on a four-year internship programme within the DWS.
His job entails assessing water quality as part of the Blue and Green Drop Certification Programme, which takes into account the quality of drinking water, along with wastewater treatment.
Bursary applications open in July
This year’s applications for DWS bursaries opened on 1 July and will close on 30 November, 2023.
The department said bursaries will be allocated based on a balanced consideration of factors including academic performance, race and gender, financial need, and the needs of the DWS in respect of specific qualifications.
“DWS will require bursars who obtain their qualifications to join the Water Learning Academy on a fixed term contract for a period of three years,” the department announced in a statement.
The Learning Academy was established by the department in 2007 to address the scarce and technical skills gap in the sector through sponsoring study bursaries in the science and engineering disciplines.
The awarding of bursaries is done in collaboration with all universities in the country, to ensure that all bursars have the opportunities to successfully complete their studies.
According to the Academy’s programme coordinator, Susan Andrews, the best is yet to come for Komane.
“Komane's commitment to uplifting those who come after him is something which I think other young water professionals should aspire to. His work ethic is out of this world. He is a grounded young man who is going to break through many barriers in the future,” Andrews said. - SAnews.gov.za
Information about to the DWS's external bursary fund can be found on http://www.dws.gov.za/LearningA
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