Jeppe High School for Girls, together with sponsors, family and friends, welcomed 14 new recipients of the Ruth First Scholars for 2019 on November 24.
This year’s theme was based on celebrating the birth centennials of Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu and their relationship with Ruth First, the investigative journalist.
The new recipients gave short speeches on a range of topics, including praise poems, commentaries on the value of good relationships and the power of biography and investigative journalism.
They each spoke with self-assurance and courage.
Marlene Angwafor, a Grade 11 Ruth First Scholar, linked the speeches together with Jeppe anecdotes and pertinent commentary.
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The guest speaker was Elinor Sisulu, daughter-in-law of Walter and Albertina Sisulu.
Zimbabwean born Elinor is a political analyst and human rights activist.
She is well known for her biography of Walter and Albertina Sisulu, In Our Lifetime and she has recently co-authored Albertina Sisulu: an abridged memoir, together with Sindiwe Magona.
She followed a long line of esteemed speakers such as Gillian Slovo, Justice Albie Sacks, Frene Ginwala, Gill Marcus, Justice Edwin Cameron, former first lady Graça Machel, the late Ahmed Kathrada and Cheryl Carolus.
She thanked the school for celebrating Ruth First and for keeping her memory alive via the scholarship programme.
“The last 10 years has been a very difficult period for South Africa. I have found inspiration in the new Ruth First Scholars. I encourage them to read more rather than taking to social media, which is so prevalent today. I challenge the girls to be conscious of themselves as historical beings and to tell their stories,” said Elinor.
She shared some of her passion for recording people’s life stories, not just those of the famous, and emphasised how important African stories are for the children of South Africa to identify with.
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She said she looks forward to the first female president of South Africa being a Ruth First Scholar from Jeppe Girls.
Guests were treated to an audio clip of Ruth First making a speech at Walter Sisulu’s 70th birthday, three months before she was assassinated.
Kevin Tait also announced that a special section of the school library will be dedicated to housing copies of Ruth First books and memorabilia.
The Ruth First Scholarship will cover their school fees for the five years they are at the school.
This was the ninth event of this nature and the 14 new recipients bring the number of learners who have benefited from the scholarship to 88.
