Peermont Education Trust awards bursaries

Among the seven deserving Ekurhuleni youngsters who have been given all-expenses-paid scholarships, valued at R170 000 each, by the Peermont Education Trust (PET), a community social investment initiative of Emperors Palace this year, are two Tsakane residents, Sifiso Msiza and Sandile Nkosi.

After a stringent selection and interview process, the two lucky candidates received their official scholarship letters at an induction function at the Palace of Dreams on January 25 and can now look forward to making their dreams of obtaining tertiary qualifications a reality.

Having matriculated from JE Malepe Secondary School with six distinctions in English, mathematics, geography, life sciences, life orientation and physical sciences, Nkosi is now off to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) to start his Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree thanks to the Trust.

ALSO READ:

Annual awards shines light on Peermont’s CSI projects

Msiza, who matriculated from the same school, with two distinctions in life orientation and geography, is also heading to Wits to start his BSc in Mining Engineering.

Apart from having their tuition and accommodation expenses covered, getting their books and a laptop sponsored, the Trust also provides a comprehensive mentorship programme for scholarship recipients to enable them to cope and develop new skills during their time at university.

The programme covers study skills, emotional intelligence and employability.

Monthly mentorship meetings are also held with the students to ensure they receive the much-needed socio-psychological support required.

“Over the years we have found that we are able to increase our graduation rate by offering learners additional support throughout the year.

“To this end, the Trust has an impressive 85 per cent graduation rate.

“This is exceptional considering that the learners hail from township schools, where the national graduation rate is 22 per cent,” comments trust manager, Jenny Findlay.

At the function, six students already in the PET scholarship programme were also recognised for the excellent results they obtained in their tertiary studies at the end of 2018.

Getting a standing ovation from those in attendance when called up to collect his accolade was Tsakane’s Thembinkosi Manyeruke who completed his second year BSc Maths Science studies with a remarkable nine distinctions.

The other bursars to be commended, for getting two or more distinctions, were fellow Tsakane residents:

• Thabo Renamane who achieved eight distinctions at the end of his first year BSc in Computer Science studies,

• Disebo Mapole who got six distinctions in her first year doing her Bachelor of Accounting degree, and

• Lebogang Mogajane who attained two A’s at the end of her first year BSc in Actuarial and Financial Maths studies.

Duduza’s Tlotliso Sejojo was also recognised for getting two distinctions at the end of his second year LLB Law studies as well as Langeville’s Lehlohonolo Mohale who bagged three distinctions to complete his second year BEng Chemical studies.

The Trust, in its 18th year of operation, has produced 123 graduates to date with 99 per cent of these students getting job placements at well-known companies.

The PET will fund a total of 22 students this year.

Matriculants who wish to apply for a PET scholarship can visit www.peermont.com or like the Facebook page @Peermont Education Trust.