Trust changes lives with its scholarship programme
The Southern Highveld Community Development Trust (SHCDT) was established by Graceland Hotel, Casino and Country Club as part of their BBBEE structure and as such earns dividends and donations through the business.
Over the years the trust has awarded 19 full scholarships and has seen 14 beneficiaries graduate with degrees and another three accept alternative bursaries.
This translates to a 79 per cent throughput rate compared to the national average of 25 per cent.
This is from learners who have completed their schooling in township schools.
By offering additional support and mentoring, the trust is able to help students at tertiary level and in this way changes their lives.
At the beginning of the year, the trust offered nine scholarships to deserving local youths, bringing the total number currently on the programme to 18.
The trustees celebrated the work by the trust by holding an awards evening at Graceland on Thursday, 22 June.
The theme for the evening was torchbearer.
The chairman of the trust, Mr JP Mlangeni, said: “We want to encourage all learners, educators and schools to set their sights high and to produce excellent results.
“Matric should be about quality and not quantity.”
Other programmes that the trust sponsors, include internships and hosting learners from the local TVET college in order to complete the practical component of their qualification which is 18 months.
One of the major causes of failure for students in the first year at university, is making an incorrect career choice and to this end the trustees agreed to fund a career dress-up day during which learners dress up in their chosen career and the top 10 were selected.
The Go Getters Programme guides over 400 high school learners to select the correct career so they are able to make sensible choices and plan their tertiary applications.
For free daily local news in the South, visit our sister newspapers Highvelder, Standerton Advertiser
For more news and interesting articles, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram
