Golder Associates Africa (Pty) Ltd has an internal and external bursary programme and supports several full-time university students in Engineering and Environmental disciplines. An Education Trust was also established during 2014 with external trustees who assist in the selection of students on an annual basis.

Dr André van Niekerk, one of the founding principals of Golder Associates Africa, passed away peacefully on the morning of 14 January 2016 following a short struggle of an aggressive cancer at the age of 62. He was a respected and internationally recognised expert in the design of water/wastewater treatment plants in the municipal, mining and industrial sectors, as well as being a business unit leader, board member, strategic advisor and mentor.

Dr Van Niekerk was a tower of strength who demonstrated his exceptional leadership talent in Golder Associates Africa. One of his passions was training and mentoring previously disadvantaged people. He assisted a number of university students financially in his private capacity. In honour of his legacy, Golder Associates decided to award an annual bursary to Engineering students who are excelling academically but are faced with financial challenges.

In collaboration with the University of Pretoria's Department of Civil Engineering, we are proud to announce that the inaugural Dr Van Niekerk bursaries for 2017 are awarded to Nikita Lakhani and Wandile Dlamini. Golder Associates Africa's had some funds left in their 2016 budget and the plights of other engineering students in this situation came to their attention. Prof Wynand Steyn, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, assisted them in identifying deserving recipients and the company settled the outstanding fees on behalf of six Civil Engineering students, Nico Deolall, Wessley Soobrayan, Kivan Sewpaul, Andre Jhilmeet, Kyle Rhoda and Shameer Felander. A function was held at the University of Pretoria for these students, all of whom are extremely grateful for the financial support given to them.

Golder Associates Africa's commitment to education is clear as its Educational Trust and bursary programmes are funding a further eight students in the engineering and environmental disciplines at the following universities: the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of the Free State, the University of Pretoria and Stellenbosch University.