Local scholarship project funds two university students
NORTHCLIFF – Black Professional Scholarship Fund is an initiative with the sole purpose of providing previously disadvantaged black youth with an opportunity to obtain a tertiary education. They sponsor students in the fields of accountancy, law, medicine, engineering and actuarial science.
Northcliff residents Zanele Ngakane, Udumo Mazhindu and Mmanake Msiza who are some of the founders of the Black Professional Scholarship Fund (BPSF) started the fund last year with the hope to take one student to university this year.
With their hard work, the organisation has managed to register two first year students (Tebogo Thibedi and Trevor Mathope) to University. They will be educating these students until the end of their studies.
Meet Trevor Mathope
Mathope was born in Soweto and moved around different townships growing up.
What extracurricular activities do you participate in?
I play the occasional Sunday football match “ekasi” just to relax and enjoy myself. But competitively, I play tennis and field hockey. As a hobby I do pencil drawings of anything I find interesting such as cars, anime and superheroes. The two sports I mentioned I started playing at school and have played for the first team for both.
Why were you drawn to law?
I chose to study an LLB Degree at the University of Johannesburg. Law and the justice system are things that I’ve always been interested in since my primary school days, but over the years I’ve also come to like the corporate world as well. This degree is what I’ve found to be the perfect concoction for me of these two aspects. The thought of being in a courtroom is a bit daunting though.
Where will Trevor be in 10 years?
In the next 10 years I see or hope to see myself being in a position where my hard work and opportunities made available to me over the years allow me to help a young deserving scholar the way I’ve been helped throughout high school and what BPSF is doing for me now. I see myself being able to give the guidance Mr. Mkhatshwa (BPSF Mentor) is giving me now, to a young person who is in the same position I am now.
Meet Tebogo Thibedi
Thibedi was born in the township of Tembisa.
“I am honoured to be a recipient of the BPSF scholarship. I look forward to the journey ahead and I thank you all for your contributions,” said Thibedi.
This is not the first time Thibedi receives a scholarship for academic excellence.
“In my Grade 7 year I was awarded a scholarship to complete my Grade 8–12 at St Stithians Boys College. I was very delighted and grateful to be given the opportunity to a quality education and I believe receiving this scholarship was the turning point in my life.
His role model is his father because “he works extremely hard and he has shaped me into who I am today.”
What is your greatest achievement to date?
Being able to excell throughout my high school career and being a recipient of the BPSF Scholarship.
Where will you be in 10 years?
On the road to becoming an audit partner.
