This year, four of the 10 lucky candidates awarded a prestigious bursary from the Peermont Education Trust (PET) are from Duduza, Tsakane and Langaville.
Read: Learners receive top awards
Tlotliso Sejojo, Thembinkosi Manyeruke, Lehlohonolo Mohale and Njabulo Nyembe were selected from hundreds of applicants and had to make it through a stringent selection and interview process with a panel of judges.
They received their official scholarship letters at an induction function at Emperors Palace last Friday morning.
Having matriculated from Asser Maloka Secondary School at the end of 2016 with seven distinctions Sejojo will start his LLB studies at the University of the Witwatersrand this year.
“I felt honoured for being granted such an opportunity to reach my aspirations.
“I was anxiously anticipating the call and when I received it, I literally became exuberant and appreciative for such recognition.
“It was a wow moment,” says Sejojo.
Tsakane Secondary matriculant Manyeruke, who achieved six distinctions, will follow his dreams by getting his B.Sc. Mathematical Science degree studies underway at Wits in February, thanks to the Trust.
Second year B.Eng. Chemical degree student and former Geluksdal Secondary School learner, Mohale has also been granted a bursary to continue his studies at Wits.
Nyembe, who obtained six distinctions in his matric year at Esibonelwesihle High School in 2016, will study B. Eng. Mining at the University of Pretoria.
Apart from having their tuition and accommodation expenses covered, these fortunate students will receive workshop and psychological support to sustain them through the academic year.
“Over the years we have found that we are able to increase our graduation rate by offering learners additional support throughout the year.
“To this end the trust has an impressive 85% graduation rate.
“This is exceptional considering that the learners hail from township schools, where the national graduation rate is 22%,” comments trust manager, Jenny Findlay.