The pupils received a R100 000 cheque from Dimension Data as a contribution towards their future studies.
At the ceremony held at the Johannesburg Metropolitan Centre, the city awarded the matriculants from the ‘no-fee schools’ who did well in 2014, despite hardship.
The pupils who study at these schools are from disadvantaged communities in and around Johannesburg. Member of mayoral committee for corporate and shared services Mally Mokoena said, “These schools are a shining example of overcoming adversity and produce future leaders. This initiative is a partnership between the City of Johannesburg and the private sector. The learners will also receive a laptop, R5 000 voucher for books and R5 000 for registration.”
The pupils were also rewarded with tablets and smart phones. In addition, the pupils’ principals were also awarded with laptops for their leadership and hard work. One of the recipients, Motlalepula Kanengone (18) said, “I feel so proud of myself, words aren’t even enough to explain how I feel.”
Kanengone said that to reach her achievement one needed to believe in oneself that they are capable of greatness.
Meanwhile executive mayor Mpho Tau, said education was the key to breaking the inter-generational cycle of poverty that continued to plague many of the city’s communities. He congratulated the winners on their achievement.
Each winner received a cash grant to put towards their university registration fees and books, as well as a laptop computer and a smartphone, all donated by private sector companies including Dimension Data, Lenovo, EOH, Stortech and others. Tau told the winners that Johannesburg and the country needed young people with knowledge and skills across a wide range of disciplines. He encouraged them to study as hard as they could to advance their knowledge.
“Matric is a culmination of hard work but you are not done, it’s not your stop but the first step towards improvement journey into knowledge and skills. You need to study to empower yourselves and solve our social problems.
“Those of us coming from relatively poor communities need to find a way as to how do we break the inter-generational cycle poverty. We have to make sure that those who have potential get education to break that circle chain.”
