Sanlam awards bursaries, announces 2023 internship intake

Sanlam recently handed over bursaries as well as announced the launch of its 2023 internship programme's first intake.

The programme "will provide 15 outstanding students with the opportunity to launch their careers in the financial services industry and help them complete their work-integrated learning requirements," the company said.

"We all know that education plays an important and critical role in providing us with a road map for approaching life and enables us to make plans to improve our lifestyle," Dr Evans Simataa, general manager of people and brand, said.

“At the same time, we are all aware that not everyone has the means to afford the high cost of education. It is exactly for this reason that Sanlam continues to invest in the education of those who are less privileged and unable to pay for their children's education."

Since the establishment of the bursary scheme in 2002, over 100 Namibian students have benefitted from the programme. Over N$4 million has been invested into the programme and more than 20 bursary holders have been employed by Sanlam.

Simultaneously, the company also recognises that tertiary students are required to integrate work experience with theory, which led to the development of the internship programme.

The highly respected and sought-after internship offers young Namibians the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in a dynamic and supportive environment. It is designed to expose interns to all aspects of the financial services industry, including risk management, investment management, financial planning and customer service. Most importantly, it will ensure they graduate and gain the necessary skills to be game-changing professionals.

Since its inception, the Internship programme has provided opportunities to over 50 students. Of these, more than 10 graduates who participated in the programme found employment with Sanlam.

Mia Muuaza, an intern from the class of 2022, shared her experience.

"The internship provided me with work experience and work-integrated learning when I had none. In addition, you obtain a sense of the company's culture and can build internal networks," she said.

Since then, she has developed various skills, including communication, interpersonal interaction, personal effectiveness and creative problem-solving, she added.

"The earth is a beehive, and although we all enter via the same entrance, what matters most is what you do once inside. This is something a wise person once said to me. As my work was noticed, I soon received an interview call, and I was ultimately selected for the position."

Simataa noted: "The Sanlam internship programme and the bursaries are part of our commitment to contribute to Namibians' education and development. We believe that by equipping young Namibians with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed, we can contribute to a brighter future for our country".

Sanlam has developed various corporate social responsibility initiatives which reach across various sectors including education, sports development, health and welfare, entrepreneurship and arts and culture. Through these focus areas, Sanlam is able to plough back into the communities in which it operates and support the efforts of government and others, it said.