Local learners exhibit artwork, receive KickstART bursaries

Stellenbosch Mayor Conrad Sidego and Deloitte (Stellenbosch) director Michael van Wyk with the KickstART winners

The KickstART project aims to inspire and develop the youths of Stellenbosch by opening up career opportunities in the arts and creative industries and to provide hope through art.

Five learners from the greater Stellenbosch area have been awarded bursaries to study at the PJ Olivier Art Centre in Stellenbosch, along with all materials and art supplies, transport to and from class, a meal on the days that they have class, a mentor for the year and career counselling through Stellenbosch University.

"We looked at the work that the children were producing and realised that they deserved a chance to advance their skills," said Dirkie Offringa, curator of the Stellenbosch Outdoor Sculpture Trust (SOST).

"We were just overwhelmed by their enthusiasm and the originality of their work," she said. "Picking the five was not difficult; they all stood out as having a special quality and dedication to what they were doing."

The recipients of the bursaries, which are funded by Deloitte are: Jamey-Lee Jones, Cloetesville High School (Grade 9); Selina Mhango, Kylemore High School (Grade 10); Tashley Thomas, Rietenbosch Primary School (Grade 7); Aphiwe Mwezeni, Kayamandi High School (Grade 9) and Nicole Abrahams, Cloetesville High School (Grade 8).

Each child is allocated a mentor

"What makes the bursary programme unique is that each child is allocated a mentor who has been carefully selected to match their unique needs," said KickstART project manager Andi Norton, also a SOST trustee.

"We are there to make their lives a little easier," said KickstART facilitator and mentor Elmarie Sola. "Studying can be very daunting and we are there to boost confidence, and to help ensure that these children reach their full potential."

The programme has also secured free career counselling from the University of Stellenbosch's Welgevallen Clinic and the services of social workers on 24-hour call to help with any problems that the mentors are not qualified to deal with.

"We support KickstART because of its holistic approach to making a real difference in children's lives and economic futures," said Michael van Wyk, a Stellenbosch-based partner of Deloitte. "Learning and development is always a priority for us at Deloitte and, through KickstART, we hope to see the next generation of local entrepreneurial artists and job creators rising from this initiative.

"It was amazing to see the enthusiasm and talent of the learners during the outreach programme and I hope that KickstART truly does bring them - and their families - hope through art."

KickstART's members are a collective of about 40 volunteers, including artists, arts activists, teachers, child psychologists and academics. What began as the educational arm of the SOST has grown to include support from many organisations in Stellenbosch, including the Stellenbosch Arts Association, Stellenbosch360, the PJ Olivier art school, the Spier Arts Academy, the university's Sasol Art Museum, the town council, the University of Stellenbosch and Deloitte.