Matriculants receive comprehensive study bursaries from Southern Highveld Community Development Trust
Four students’ bursaries from 2023 were extended.
The Southern Highveld Community Development Trust (SHCDT), an initiative by Graceland Hotel Casino and Country Club, gave 11 young learners the opportunity to study.
The SHCDT, a community social investment initiative, has operated since 2001. It gave all-expenses-paid scholarships to over 100 youngsters in the Govan Mbeki municipal area.
Thomas Masango, the manager of SHCDT, said after a stringent selection and interview process in January, seven candidates were selected for the SHCDT bursary Class of 2024, receiving their scholarship letters and education packs at an event at Emperors Palace on February 17.
Four students from the Class of 2023 joined them after having their scholarships extended from last year to this year.
Among the group whose scholarships were extended is Nhlakanipho Mngomezulu, who matriculated at Vukuqhakaze Secondary School in Leandra in 2019.
He has been studying towards a BSc degree in electrical engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), thanks to SHCDT. He can now do his final year without worrying about finances.
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Another student of the Class of 2023 who had her bursary renewed is Philisiwe Mayaba. She matriculated at Chief Ampie Mayisa High School, also in Leandra.
She completed her BCom degree in economics and management sciences at the University of Pretoria last year and received a bursary to begin her post-graduate LLB (law) studies.
Siphamandla Mabene from eMbalenhle received a bursary last year and completed her first year of computer sciences studies at Wits and can now continue her studies.
Owethusonke Radebe from Leandra also completed his first year of studying towards a Bachelor’s degree in social sciences and psychology at the University of North West, thanks to SHCDT, and will start his second year.
Among the new students who received bursaries for the first time this year were Unathi Radebe (five distinctions), Sizwe Mahlangu (four distinctions) and Buhle Mokase (three distinctions), who all matriculated from Vukuqhakaze Secondary School in Leandra last year.
While Radebe will study biomedical engineering at the University of Witwatersrand, Mahlangu will study for a BSc degree in astronomy (physics) at Wits. Mokase is headed to the University of Johannesburg (UJ) to become a teacher.
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Busiswe Mahlambi matriculated at eMzinoni Secondary School with three distinctions and will study for a teaching degree at Wits.
Zothile Zwane matriculated at Sizwakele Secondary School in eMbalenhle with five distinctions and will study towards a Bachelor’s degree in accounting at the UJ.
Siyethemba Myeni matriculated from Kiriyatswane Secondary School, also in eMbalenhle, with six distinctions, and will join Zwane at UJ, also for a Bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Matladi Makwana matriculated from Thomas Nhlabathi Secondary School, also in eMbalenhle, with four distinctions and is also heading to UJ to study towards a computer sciences degree.
Apart from paying for their tuition, accommodation, textbooks and laptops, the Trust also provides a comprehensive mentorship programme to enable the new students to cope and develop new skills while at university.
The programme covers study skills, emotional intelligence and employability. Monthly mentorship meetings are held with the students to ensure they receive the much-needed socio-psychological support required.
In the past, these meetings contributed greatly to the Trust’s impressive 85% graduation rate, far above the national graduation rate.
