The unique and exciting Rico Bursary Fund was launched in Bloemfontein today by the National Wool Growers Association and the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Faculty of Agriculture. The bursary fund is the culmination of an inspiring true story about a sheep who defied the odds – it is a story about not giving up, forging ahead, and paying it forward. Not only is it a story with a happy ending – it is also creating a legacy of giving back and changing the lives of other resolute diehards. Some stories are a true representation of an industry’s endeavours, and the trials and tribulations of Rico the sheep tell such a story.
Rico’s long and difficult road began when he was separated from his flock on a farm in the unyielding Moordenaars Karoo. “Any farmer will tell you that for a sheep to survive on its own in this area is no easy feat,” says Dan Kriek, general manager of the NWGA. “Rico was on his own for seven years without any human care, completely exposed to predators and the elements. He had to search for his own water and grazing, fending for himself from one drought to the next, until someone spotted him against a boundary fence one day.”
Rico was taken to the Brinks of Spitzkop, where he was cared for and sheared. His story soon made the news as his fleece set a local record of 30,7kg wool. Not only did Marietjie and Niel Brink offer Rico a new lease on life, but his exceptional story was also celebrated with a special song, accompanied by a video, during the NWGA’s annual congress and centennial celebrations. Gerber and Co saw to it that a unique wall hanging was woven from Rico’s finished wool.
Stories of resilience
“Rico’s story resonates with the NWGA’s on various levels. The local wool industry is celebrating its centennial this year, and much like Rico, the South African wool industry’s road was no bed of roses. It also speaks of difficult times, survival of the fittest, and radical change. Yet it is also an ode to victory, growth, renewal, and many highlights. The story of our industry and the producers who continued to elevate it through ups and downs to the worldclass industry it is today, is a testament to the same resilience that kept Rico going and has now made him a legend of our time.
However, symbolism has true value only if it can be made visible. The best part of a good story is always a good ending, but a story with longevity (or long wool) is even more spectacular. Just as the NWGA is now entering its next hundred years with newfound resilience, Rico’s story is also entering a new phase in which a helping hand will be extended to others with the same survival ethic and willingness to grow.
The Rico bursary fund
One of the Brinks’ wishes was that Rico’s story should have a positive influence on the lives of others. “They understand very well how drought can affect one’s children’s university plans. As a result, they requested the NWGA to take the lead in creating a bursary fund that will make a real difference to the lives of hard-working learners,” Kriek explains.
The NWGA is proud to be launching the Rico study bursary in conjunction with the UFS. The fund became a reality during a special launch on 17 August, following discussions with Prof Johan van Niekerk and Prof JW Swanepoel of the university’s Faculty of Agriculture.
The UFS has already allocated eight existing full bursaries for master’s degrees in Sustainable Agriculture to the Rico bursary fund. A further two undergraduate bursaries are now also included, one of which will benefit a learner from the broader Karoo agricultural community while the second will be awarded to a learner from South Africa’s other wool-producing regions. Both learners will be afforded the opportunity to study any agricultural degree offered by the UFS’s Faculty of Agriculture.
The public will soon be able to share in this inspiring tale by contributing to the fund and, in doing so, turn a feel-good episode into a do-good story. The NWGA’s and UFS’s social media pages and other platforms will soon share more details on how the public can contribute financially to the bursary fund and help ensure a bright future for deserving learners. Be sure to watch the press for more information. – NWGA, press release
If you would like donate to the Rico bursary fund scan the QR code below, select “Rico bursary fund” from the allocation dropdown, enter your donation amount, and click “Next.” Follow the prompts to complete your donation.
For more information and enquiries, call Dan Kriek on 082 944 0566 or Bonita Francis on 082 413 6416 or email nwga@nwga.co.za.
