Saint Augustine once said that the world is a book, and those who do not travel limit themselves to reading only a single page. With this in mind, students of the North-West University (NWU) are invited to apply for the Abe Bailey Travel Bursary.

The closing date for applications from the NWU is 13 May 2019 (as to provide sufficient time for the selection panel to review the applications and interview shortlisted applicants).

The bursary is available for all registered third-year students of the university as well as academic staff members who enjoy a junior lecturer status.

The focus of the Abe Bailey Trust is leadership development and the trustees wish the bursaries to be awarded to students who are academically strong and have shown exceptional qualities of leadership and service, with a good track record – not only on a campus level but also in a wider social context. This year, the travel bursary will be for the period 24 November to 21 December 2018.

Conditions attached to the bursary

Nominations for the bursary shall be made to the trustees of the Abe Bailey Trust after an appropriate selection process by each participating university. Please note the conditions attached to the award.

Abe Bailey – the man behind the legacy

Abe Bailey was born in Cradock in the then Cape Colony, in 1864. His father, a wagon maker and wool merchant, later moved with his family to Queenstown. When Bailey was only seven years old, his mother passed away, and since he had a difficult relationship with his father, Bailey spent most of his time with Dutch friends who lived nearby. He attended school in Yorkshire, England and after leaving school at the age of 15, Bailey worked in London for a cotton and wool trading firm. It was not long until he returned to South Africa, where he settled and worked as a stock broker and financial agent in Baberton.

In 1894, he had become the head of the Bailey Group of gold mines and was fast establishing himself as one of the main mining magnates on the Witwatersrand.  He went on to participate in South African politics and in 1902, served in Parliament. In 1908, he represented Krugersdorp in the first Transvaal Parliamentary elections and was later known for his ability to facilitate negotiations between opposing political groups. Bailey was also active in British politics and was awarded with an order of honour for services rendered during World War One.

By 1894, he had become the head of the Bailey Group of gold mines and was fast establishing

Bailey went on to participate in South African politics and upon Rhodes' death in 1902, served as his replacement in Parliament. In 1908, he represented Krugersdorp in the first Transvaal Parliamentary elections and was later known for his ability to facilitate negotiations between opposing political groups. Bailey was also active in British politics and was awarded with an order of honour for services rendered during World War One. He died on 10 August 1940.

More about the tour

Sir Abe Bailey's South African legacy is demonstrated through the Abe Bailey Trust, which was created in accordance with his last will and testament. It also serves to award a travel bursary to individuals with exceptional leadership qualities, and numerous South Africans continue to benefit from this award.

The programme is framed around themes such as understanding British history and culture, personal leadership, career development and new perspectives on South Africa’s place in the world. The tour will be divided in five stages: (1) A three-day stay in Cape Town to allow bursars to meet one another, a two-night stay in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, en route to London, (3) a nine-day stay at Goodenough College in London, (4) a four-day tour of Oxford, Cambridge and Stratford-Upon-Avon and, (5) after travelling up to Scotland and seeing the sights of Edinburgh, the group will spend four days at The Burn country retreat.

Apply today

Students who wish to apply should visit the Abe Bailey website and hand in their applications at one of the three Student Life offices across the three campuses. Completed applications must be handed in at:

Mahikeng Campus: Building 1A, Office 205 A

Potchefstroom Campus: Building F1, Office 133

Vanderbijlpark Campus: Building 25, Office G27