Clover

About Clover

Clover is a well-known South African dairy and beverage business. Its roots go back to 1898, when farmers in the Natal Midlands formed a dairy company. It later became a national cooperative and then a public company in 2003. The company listed on the JSE in 2010, and since 2019 it has been privately owned after a takeover by the Milco consortium.

Today Clover makes milk, cheese, butter, yoghurt, juices and other drinks. It sells them across Southern Africa, and it buys raw milk from producers in several regions. The head office is in Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg. A company that processes fresh food needs scientists, engineers, buyers and skilled factory staff, which is why Clover invests in training.

How Clover supports students

The main student programme is the Clover Pinnacle Bursary. It supports a small number of students each year in science and technology fields. Recent calls listed biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, and food science or microbiology. The 2025 call offered five bursaries.

Past awards have covered full tuition, residence fees, a book allowance, a laptop and a monthly allowance for meals and travel. Recipients can also do vacation work at Clover, which gives them a view of real factory and laboratory life.

Clover has also run the Pro-Star programme for young professionals. Recent intakes offered dozens of places across the country. One related learnership focused on milk procurement for graduates in animal science. These programmes change each year, so they should not be treated as a permanent offer.

A career at a food maker can take many forms. Food scientists check quality and develop new products. Engineers keep machines running and improve efficiency. Procurement and agricultural specialists work with farmers who supply the milk. Students who enjoy science and want a stable industry may find this a good fit. In addition, work experience gained at a large manufacturer is respected by employers across the food sector.

What to know before applying

Bursary holders have to complete a work-back period at Clover after they graduate. In addition, they must be willing to relocate for that work. Think about this commitment carefully before you accept an offer.

The 2025 call asked for a matric average of at least 65% and a place at an accredited South African institution. Applicants had to show strong character, teamwork and a drive to learn. Applications were made online through the Clover recruitment portal. The documents included a certified ID, matric results, transcripts, an acceptance letter and a CV.

Closing dates are early, because the 2025 call closed on 6 January. Late applications were not accepted. Check the official Clover website for the current call, and never pay anyone to help you get a bursary.