Bursaries for top matriculants
The City of Ekurhuleni’s annual bursary awarding ceremony often seems like any other ceremony, until one is confronted by the bursary recipients’ life stories of adversity, pain and victory.
This was the experience on Wednesday, last week, when executive mayor Clr Mondli Gungubele honoured the top matric achievers of 2014 with financial aid to further their studies.
The ceremony was held at Emperors Palace.
Touching stories range from loss of parents, living with unemployed single parents and living in abject poverty.
Reginald Champala, from Etwatwa, Benoni, is one learner who defied the odds and stole the hearts of many when he was introduced as the top achiever in Gauteng.
He is amongst the many youngsters who will share the R5-million the city has allocated for bursaries.
“This young man stole the limelight in all the subjects he wrote, including life sciences, physical science, geography and maths,” said the mayor.
“I have no doubt in my mind that Reginald will continue to make us proud as he pursues his studies at Wits, where he is going to take up a Bachelor of Mathematical Science degree.
“Well done young man.”
Gungubele revealed that one of the greatest highlights fof the 2014 results is the fact that the highest number of best performers in maths and physical sciences in Ekurhuleni came from previously disadvantaged communities.
“The fact that our country continues to produce more and more university entrants from the previously disadvantaged areas is a clear indication that, as government, we are on the right track in improving the quality of education in this country,” he said.
In addition, Gungubele awarded the best performing school, the best performing school in a priority area and the most improved school with a total of R15 000 each, towards a developmental project of their choice.
