GWK Ben Scholtz Fund

About the GWK Ben Scholtz Fund

The GWK Ben Scholtz Fund is the bursary fund of GWK, a farmer-owned agribusiness based in Douglas in the Northern Cape. GWK started as a cooperative and now trades as a company. It serves grain, livestock and other producers across a wide area. Its business covers grain storage and handling, trading, milling, retail, mechanisation and agricultural finance. It also trades commodities such as wheat, maize, pecan nuts, peanuts, lucerne and cotton.

The company is a large employer in a part of the country with few big businesses. For example, a recent investment of R400 million created about 100 permanent jobs in the province. Because GWK needs trained people to run its operations, it uses the fund to grow its own pipeline of talent.

How the fund supports students

The fund helps students who want a qualification in a career that exists within the GWK Group. Published lists name agricultural economists, agriculturists, buyers, grain procurers, programmers and Safex traders. These fit a business that mixes farming, trade and technology.

The money can go towards registration, class fees and books. Students choose a recognised tertiary institution in South Africa. Agricultural degrees at universities such as Stellenbosch, Pretoria and the Free State are common routes into this field. The fund helps students who may not otherwise afford such study.

In addition, graduates who finish their qualifications are considered for vacant positions at GWK. This turns a bursary into a possible job offer.

Some of these careers need a short explanation. A grain procurer buys grain from farmers and arranges storage and delivery. Safex refers to the agricultural commodity market, where traders buy and sell contracts for grain and similar products. Agricultural economists study prices, costs and farm profits. Together, these roles keep a large agribusiness running.

GWK has also been described as having dozens of business units, from grain handling to retail and food. This variety means a graduate could start in one area and later move to another. Therefore, the fund suits students who like both farming and business.

What to know before applying

Published criteria asked for South African citizenship, a completed matric and a good academic record. Applicants should be studying, or planning to study, one of the listed fields. Reports gave a closing date of 31 August, with feedback by 31 October each year. Confirm these dates on the official GWK bursary page, because they may change.

One condition deserves attention. If GWK has no vacancy when you graduate, the bursary may convert into a loan that you must repay to the Group. Read the agreement carefully before you accept. Ask about repayment terms in advance.

Prepare your matric or university results, a certified ID copy and a short motivation. GWK's head office is on De Villiers Street, Douglas. Use the website for current contact details and application steps.