St Benedict’s Preparatory School’s grade six learner and Edenvale resident Ditiro Simelane has won season three of Disney Cookabout, walking away with R50 000 for his school. He decided to donate his winnings to charity.
The entire St Benedict’s school congratulated Ditiro with a special assembly on November 1, seeing Ditiro as an aspiring media personality with a huge heart and a talent in the kitchen, judging by his win.
Disney Cookabout awarded Ditiro R50 000 to donate towards his school, where in true Bennies fashion, headmaster Brendan Quinn, head of wellness and advancement Dr Oerson and Ditiro, along with his mother, Lebogang Simelane, decided to donate the money to two very worthy causes; St Francis Care Centre in Boksburg and Bienvenu Shelter in Bertrams.
His parents, Lebogang and Ntando Simelane, are proud of him.
“As Ditiro’s parents, we are deeply humbled by this achievement because the prize may have gone to him, but the real winners are the charities that the schools selected as beneficiaries,” said Lebogang.
She said the family never sought to put any pressure on him to win and that he won based on him being a fun and a compassionate person.
“We always encouraged him to have fun during the show. We certainly emphasised that having fun was more important than stressing about winning. We think he had a time of his life on the show,” said Lebogang.
She said Ditiro likes good food and sometimes helps his dad prepare Sunday lunch and loves making himself spicy sandwiches.
“Before he won, we emphasised the importance of being humble and we are glad the win has not affected him. He is still the lovely child he has been before he entered the show,” said Ditiro’s mother.
For now, Lebogang said Ditiro is focusing on his studies and taking one step at a time.
The school is now watching in anticipation to see if fellow learner Declan Linaker will be the second St Benedict’s winner of the Disney Cookabout.
Declan Linaker has succeeded out of hundreds of hopefuls in becoming part of the top eight.
