Emperors Palace, through its CSI initiative Peermont Education Trust, is making dreams come true for seven lucky youngsters.
Among the candidates to be awarded a full scholarship by the trust, which covers tuition, accommodation, books and a laptop, are two Vosloorus residents Mpho Letlalo (20) and Thabiso Miya (20).
Mpho obtained seven distinctions (computer applications technology, information technology, life orientation, religious studies, accounting, mathematics and physical sciences) when he matriculated from Hoërskool Marais Viljoen in Alberton, in 2015.
He subsequently started his B.Sc chemical engineering degree at the University of the Witwatersrand and after obtaining an average of over 70 per cent in the first two years of his studies. The trust decided he was a worthy recipient of a scholarship for his third year.
Thabiso also matriculated in 2015, with five distinctions (mathematics, life orientation, computer applications technology, life sciences and physical sciences) from Erasmus Monareng Secondary School in Vosloorus.
He then went on to study B.Sc chemical engineering, also at Wits, and after passing his first two years with flying colours, the trust decided to bestow a scholarship on him for his studies this year.
The final recipients, including these two Vosloorus youngsters, were selected from hundreds of applications and had to make it through a stringent selection process as well as a nerve wrecking interview with a panel of judges.
“Over the years we have found that we are able to increase our graduation rate by offering learners additional support throughout the year.
“We do not just leave them to their own devices,” said trust manager Jenny Findlay.
“To this end, the trust has achieved a 85 per cent graduation rate for the past 10 years. This is exceptional considering that the learners are from township schools and that the national graduation rate is 22 per cent.”