Representatives of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, together with Councillor Amelia Tsukudu from the Midvaal Local Municipality, recently gathered at NHG’s premises in Meyerton for the handing over of two study bursaries to the value of R60 000.

 

The recipients, Jeremiah Thabiso Molatole and Steve Kgotlelelo Mahlake, are both students from the NWU’s School of Agricultural Sciences.

 

According to Angelique Gu of NHG, the company is a relatively new but highly competitive player in the South African agricultural industry.

 

As an animal feed enterprise, the NGH plans to expand its production activities within the near future by developing several more modernised animal feed mills and supporting meat-processing projects.

 

Empower communities

 

Over and above this, NGH, through projects such as the collaboration with the NWU, plans to develop and initiate programmes to empower the communities it serves. The latter refers not only to communities in its geographical location, but also to the agricultural communities utilising its products.

 

“As an international conglomerate we understand that we have a social and ethical responsibility towards our local communities and as such our presence should make a difference in people’s lives,” she says. The partnership will in future see internships and educational exchange programmes take shape.

 

Invest in a better tomorrow

 

In his response, Prof Rodney Medupe, the deputy dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, applauded NGH for their active involvement in the community and their contribution towards higher education.

 

“Any investment made towards education is an investment in a better tomorrow,” said Rodney. He added that the impact of the bursaries will not only see the recipients benefit, but also their communities and the agricultural sector.

 

“Collaborations such as this one give us hope, not only in terms of the realisation of academic potential but also with regard to innovative skills transfer,” he said.

 

NGH’s deputy managing director, Bob Wang, officiated in the handover of the bursaries.

 

* NHG is one of China’s largest private enterprises with diverse business interests spanning agriculture, the chemical and energy industries, real estate and finance, among others. The group’s global footprint includes 450 branches in more than 20 countries and 80 000 employees.