As we all know tertiary education is unaffordable for most young people in South Africa. Fortunately, Emperors Palace through their CSI initiative, Peermont Education Trust, is making dreams come true for seven deserving youngsters.
The sevenĀ specially selectedĀ candidates have been awarded a full scholarship by the trust which covers tuition, accommodation, books and a laptop. The trust sponsors a wide range of courses including Engineering, Biological sciences, Accounting and Law. The final recipients were selected from hundreds of applications and had to make it through a stringent selection process as well as a nerve wrecking interview with a panel of judges.
Mtsweni Sthembiso (going to Wits to study as Financial Manager),Solomon Zucule (going to UP to study B.Sc in Applied Maths),Phindile Gule (going to VUT to study N.D in Environmental Health),Cindy Mahlangu (going to Wits to study Chemical Engineering),Mokhethi Mphoma (going to Wits to study a B.Sc in Electrical Engineering),Tshepo Nkambule (going for second year, Wits, B.Sc Computer Science),Mandla Msibi (going for second year at Wits, B.Sc Chemical Engineering) Siphokazi Mboweni (going for third year, UFS, Bachelor of Accounting)Samukeliso Dlamini (going for second year at UP, Bachelor of Accounting Science)
In addition to having all costs paid in full, these fortunate students will also receive workshops and psychological support to sustain them throughout the academic year. āOver the years we have found that we are able to increase our graduation rate by offering learners additional support throughout the year. We do not just leave them to their own devices,ā says Trust Manager Jenny Findlay. āTo this end the Trust has achieved an 85% graduation rate for the past 10 years. This is exceptional considering that the learners are from township schools and that the national graduation rate is 22%ā continued Findlay.
The top recipients for 2018 are Mpho Letlalo and Lebogang Mogajane who both received 7 distinctions. Lebogang is from Tholulwazi Secondary School in Tsakane, Springs and was the top performer at her school. Mpho is from Vosloorus and is currently studying Chemical Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand.