Momentum Kallis Bursary Programme for talented, deserving young cricketers

Financial Services Company Momentum is proud to announce a joint venture with the Jacques Kallis Foundation to form the Momentum Kallis Bursary Programme (MKBP). This is a continuation of the Momentum 2 Excellence (M2E) Bursary Programme, which already has 16 children enrolled in quality high schools around the country.

The MKBP has taken the best of both programmes but will now allow for more children to access bursaries via the new programme.

The M2E bursary programme was established in 2015 where initially five young learners from Oudtshoorn, East London, Queenstown, Cape Town and George were selected. This has now grown to 16 children enrolled in quality high schools around the country.

The selection criterion includes a focus on cricket talent, academic merit, financial need and personal attributes of the candidate. . The amalgamation means that 10 scholars, currently on bursaries from the Jacque Kallis Foundation, will now be looked after by the new Momentum Kallis Bursary Programme, bringing the total to 26 learners.

The Momentum Kallis Bursary Programme is a marriage of minds between the Momentum 2 Excellence Bursary programme and the Jacque Kallis Foundation, as their objectives are aligned, in securing quality education for deserving youngsters.

“I am very excited about the merger of the two programs. We both have the same objective in that we want to give underprivileged children the opportunity to get a start in life by attending well established schools in the country. We focus on their sporting abilities, but even more importantly, their academics.

With the structure that the Momentum program brings to the party and our experience, I think we have created a strong and exciting team that will make a difference in people’s lives going forward. In the end, if everyone in SA did a little to improve other people’s lives, we would all live in a better place,” said Jacque Kallis. Kallis is known to take a hands-on approach so the children will have a chance to learn and be inspired by him.

This bursary programme combines the strengths of four organisations that play crucial roles in the learner’s success.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) takes ownership of the recruitment process by identifying talent from its various hubs around the country whilst Momentum provides financial support and possible internship opportunities for matriculants or further funding for tertiary education.

The non-profit organisation MAD Leadership Foundation focuses on leadership development through education with an aim to identify academically talented scholars, who do not have the financial resources, and offer them support in the areas of education, leadership and life-skills development.

Jacques Kallis will be bringing his passion for the development of cricket and will be an active patron, bringing his network of partners to help with fundraisers for the programme, through initiatives such as the Golf Day that are hosted by the Jacques Kallis Foundation.

“Momentum is delighted to add Jacques Kallis as part of the existing partnership with Cricket South Africa and MAD Leadership Foundation to continue offering these talented young cricketers the opportunity of a holistic, full-investment bursary. With the Momentum Kallis Bursary Programme, we will be in the position to offer talented learners a bursary that will contribute to school fees, transport, text books, stationery, as well as essential support and development initiatives such as extra classes.

At the heart of the bursary programme is a structured and comprehensive leadership and mentorship programme to develop the full potential of these learners as South Africa’s future leaders,” said Momentum CSI Manager, Nkosinathi Mahlangu.

Mahlangu elaborates further by saying: “The partners in this programme share the vision that by investing in talent, supported by education and leadership development, we can nurture excellence and make a difference to future generations. CSA will select learners showing potential talent, Momentum will sponsor the funds necessary for the bursaries and MAD will oversee and implement the programme. Jacques Kallis will be the Patron of the programme and will get involved in motivating the learners being the role model that he is, as a cricketing icon, while playing an active role in raising funds for the programme”.

Application forms for the 2019 intakes will be announced in due course. Please visit Mad Leadership Foundation’s s website for more details and selection criteria www.madleadership.org or email NKosinathi Mahlangu, CSI Manager Momentum at emmanuel.mahlangu@momentum.co.za for the forms. Both boys and girls are welcome to apply. To reiterate, entry criteria remains high and is based on financial need, cricket talent, academic standing and the character of the candidate.

The next intake will be for the 2019 academic year.