JB Marks Education Trust Fund Career Expo sets foot in Ventersdorp

JB Marks may have been smiling in his grave when the 5th annual JB Marks career expo was held at Toevlug Primary School in Ventersdorp for the first time on Monday.

The event was held under the auspices of the JB Marks Education Trust Fund.

The Ventersdorp-born former trade unionist, teacher and political activist died in Russia after suffering a stroke in exile in Tanzania and being sent to Russia for medical treatment. His remains were repatriated to Ventersdorp on 1 March 2015.

According to the chairperson of the board of trustees, David Sipunzi, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) established the JB Marks Education Trust Fund in 1997 to provide bursaries for mineworkers’ children. The trust fund has now been opened to the public and deserving students.

Sipunzi estimated that some five thousand learners from nearby places visited the expo over Monday and Tuesday. There were about 48 exhibitors, including major companies and institutions like Honda, Old Mutual, UNISA, SAICA, NYDA, the Department of Justice, SAPS, Mining Qualifications Authority, North West University and others.

Learners were offered career advice and advised on which subjects to select for grade 12.

The JB Marks Education Trust has produced about 900 graduates and post-graduates to date. In his address to the packed marquee, Sipunzi told learners to work hard and strive for excellence.

“The kids will benefit from the expo because, during our time, we didn’t have these opportunities. Today’s children have choices and ask for career guidance, he said. He stressed that bursary applicants will be selected on merit.

The deputy director general of the Department of Education and Sports Development, Mrs Stephinah Semashwe urged the learners to take the opportunity that JB Marks had given them.

“We are very appreciative of the gesture shown by NUM. In the near future, we hope to see many graduates from Ventersdorp that have benefited from this trust.”

One of JB Marks’ great-granddaughters, pastor and lecturer, Ms Laurian Marks, says the family is very happy about this initiative because it will give many students a future to be proud of.

“We are also happy that our great grandfather is home and that we can pay tribute to him for all that he has done,” she said.

Keamogetswe Masigo, a 14-year-old learner from Kgololosego Intermediate School in Ventersdorp says the bursary initiative will encourage them to achieve their career goals in life. She would like to be a social worker when she matriculates.

The JB Marks Education Trust Fund covers registration, tuition, examination, bridging courses, textbooks, meals, on-campus accommodation, and capacity building programmes.