The metro takes two Springsites to the Netherlands

Two of the selected students are Springs residents Xolile Macingwane (22) and Phumelele Sebopa (18).

“A week after we had gone for our assessments, I received a call to go to the metro’s Kempton Park offices,” says Xolile.

“When we arrived and I saw the other candidates, I became even more anxious.”

Little did the two Springsites know that they had been chosen as part of the 20 scholars who have been afforded this life-changing opportunity.

“When they told us the good news, we all just screamed in excitement,” says Phumelele.

“We couldn’t believe it.”

The journey to this point seems to be quite a stroke of serendipity for former Springs Girls High learner, Phumelele.

She says she has always had an interest in aviation.

“After completing my matric, last year, I wanted to pursue a career in air-traffic control,” she says.

“When I saw this opportunity, I took it with both hands.”

Phumelele will be studying the economic side of the four-year logistics programme.

“I took commercial subjects in high school and this programme will be very fitting as I plan on starting my own logistics business one day,” she adds.

Phumelele says she wants to be a part of developing the city and making South Africa a leading aerotropolis on the continent, and even in the world.

She believes her four years in the Netherlands will equip her for this pursuit.

“The knowledge, skills and experience I will gain overseas will help me to plough back into my country,” she says.

“We will be experiencing world-class transporting systems first-hand, and there is no better point-of-reference than that.”

“The Gautrain was the first step, so let us take it further.”

The future logistics entrepreneur says she has always been fearless and open to change, and this is to what she attributes her optimism about the opportunity to.

“I have always been a risk-taker and open to new experiences,” she says.

“I love travelling and being able to experience other cultures and this opportunity will give me all that and more.”

Phumelele says she wants her experience to be a testament to the fact that anything is achievable through self-will and self-belief.

“People should not be afraid to take chances and should always be on the lookout for such opportunities,” she adds.

This is exactly what Springsite candidate Xolile did.

Xolile will be studying the mechanical side of logistics in the four-year programme.

“I come from an agricultural background, from working on a farm in Slovo Park, where I’m originally from,” he says.

“Logistics and agriculture are closely linked, because the essence of both is transportation of resources.

“The two are not too far from one another.”

Xolile says he is fascinated by the city’s aerotropolis initiative.

“I have always wanted to contribute to the city’s 30-year master plan,” he adds.

“When I saw an advertisement for this opportunity at the local library, I saw it as my chance to be a part of it.”

Xolile says he wants to make South Africa a contender on the continent, while creating jobs and uplifting communities.

He places a lot of emphasis on boosting the economy.

“Springs has a lot of firms and industrial companies,” he says.

“This means that there is a lot of logistical activity in the town.”

“I would like to use the skills, knowledge and expertise I am going to acquire to help develop our local industries.

“I would like to help to improve the production travel time for local industries’ products and try to assist with bringing about more efficient methods of doing things.”

Xolile, much like Phumelele, has long-term goals of alleviating socio-economic challenges plaguing the community, while creating economic opportunities and jobs.

“I want to make a difference and I want those coming after me to be able to benefit from this amazing opportunity,” he adds.

“If we succeed in this pilot programme, it will mean the metro will be able to do it for others in future.”

Both scholarship recipients wish to express their gratitude to Ekurhuleni for giving them an opportunity to be a part of its greater plan to be a leading aerotropolis.

“Thank you to the city for allowing us to live our dreams,” says Phumelele.

“We have received a lot of support and guidance throughout this process.”

“A big thank you to our families and all those who have supported and believed in us,” adds Xolile.

“We hope to make the country proud and represent it well in the Netherlands.”

The four-year scholarship is fully paid for and will see the learners leaving within the next month.

The 20 scholars will commence their studies at the Breda University in September.

They will be studying logistics with specialisations in either the economics or engineering aspects of the course.

The initiative is part of Ekurhuleni’s 30-year aerotropolis master plan.