45 Ekurhuleni students awarded Peermont scholarships

This year, a record number of deserving Ekurhuleni youngsters have been granted all-expenses-paid scholarships, valued at over R170 000 each, from the Peermont Education Trust (PET) and the Peermont Community Benefit Trust (PCBT), social investment initiatives supported by Emperors Palace, to pursue their tertiary education dreams.

After over 1 000 applications were received and a stringent selection and interview process took place at the beginning of this year, 18 candidates were selected for the “Class of 2026” scholarship.

In addition, 27 students already in the PET/PCBT scholarship programme from previous years had their bursaries extended, enabling them to continue their studies, bringing the total number of scholarship recipients to 45.

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Much to the delight of the new recipients, they received their scholarship letters, laptops, and education packs at a recent induction ceremony at the Palace of Dreams.

Addressing the students, their families, current bursars and guests from the Department of Education and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality before inducting the beneficiaries, Peermont HR Executive and Head of CSI, Fihliwe Molefi said, “At Peermont, we have always understood a hard truth: talent is distributed equally, but opportunity is not.

“There is a gap between who you are today and who you are destined to become. Our mission, through our Education Trusts, is to be the bridge that closes that gap.

“Delivering graduates is about the journey. A bridge is useless if it only goes halfway. We don’t just fund your first year; we walk the entire span with you. We provide tuition, books, and mentorship to ensure that when you step onto the other side, you do so with a degree in hand.

“Changing futures is the destination. When one person in a family crosses this bridge, they never go back alone. You pull your family, your community, and the next generation across with you.”

Among the new inductees is former Pomona resident Kamogelo Bambo, who matriculated in 2022 from Benoni High School.

After taking a gap year, Bambo started studying for a Diploma in Business Information Technology at the University of Johannesburg and can now look forward to doing his third year, with the backing of the Trust.

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Heading to the University of Johannesburg is Katlego Mgidi of Birch Acres, who matriculated from Hoërskool Birchleigh with two distinctions in 2022 and can now, armed with her Trust bursary, pursue her second-year BCom in Economics & Econometrics.

Having matriculated with six distinctions last year, athlete, rugby enthusiast and also a product of Hoërskool Birchleigh, Ubuhlebenkosi Phakathi of Glen Marais has started her Bachelor of Science (Construction) degree at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Peermont Trust Chairperson, Tshidi Madima, also had a message for the new members of the Peermont Trust family.

“You are not only beneficiaries, but you will now be ambassadors of this prestigious scholarship programme. Your ambassadorship starts today. Your continued resilience, tenacity, responsibility and independence will be tested.

“As you continue your educational journey, remember that this recognition comes with the expectations that you will use your knowledge, skills and talents to make a meaningful difference in the world. This is not just a reward for past achievement but a commitment to future impact.

“We hope that this scholarship will brighten your pathway ahead of you. This journey may be arduous, but it is true grit and determination that propel you closer to success.

“I encourage you to continue striving for excellence. Stay curious, humble, and determined. Let this scholarship be both a celebration of how far you have come and a reminder of how far you can go. As Benjamin Franklin once said: “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”

Apart from covering their tuition and accommodation expenses, the Trust also provides books, a laptop, and a stipend, and offers a comprehensive mentorship programme to help scholarship recipients cope and develop new skills during their time at university.

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The programme covers study skills, emotional intelligence, and employability, with monthly mentorship meetings to ensure they receive the socio-psychological support they need to increase their chances of graduating.

As part of the programme, regular workshops are also held with all this year’s scholarship recipients having already attended their first workshop last month to get them set for the academic year.