TURFFONTEIN – Once again this year the top class of 2013 was honoured for their hard work by Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane and Gauteng MEC for Education Barbara Creecy at Turffontein Racecourse on Monday January 27.
At The New Age/SABC Morning Live briefing session hosted by Peter Ndoro, a whopping R188 million was handed over to the deserving learners. This is part of the Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) Bursary Scheme, which was launched in 2009. Its purpose is to provide financial assistance to disadvantaged citizens of Gauteng to improve their future and employability. Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane and Gauteng MEC for Education Barbara Creecy support the GCRA Bursary Scheme.
“When we started this, we said an African child’s education will never be compromised and we meant business. Since the inception of the GCRA Bursary Scheme, we are proud to say 12 401 young people, a majority of whom come from no-fee-paying schools, have benefited from the programme to study at an institution of higher education and further education and training. Also 6 000 have completed their education and have since become professionals to uplift this country, and 62 per cent of them are girl learners. That is why we are saying finance will not be an issue to Gauteng learners who work very hard. We break down inequalities by supporting these learners financially,” explained Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane.
MEC Creecy urged the business sector to come forward in helping these learners. “The business sector and individuals need to absorb these learners upon completing their studies,” she said.
The editor of The New Age newspapers, Moegsien Williams, also pledged 100 bursaries. “We decided to make a contribution of 100 bursaries. With these breakfast briefings being successful and a 64 per cent growth in readership, it was fitting for us to award these bursaries, especially in our third year. This celebration is necessary for our community,” he noted.
There were testimonies from students on how the GCRA Bursary Scheme has helped them with their studies. Sifiso Mbele remarked: “I was in my second year of tertiary studies and I was battling financially. The GCRA Bursary Scheme came to my rescue. I want to thank them for their commitment; they do give us much needed help.”
