The Westonaria Local Municipality held its annual top achievers awards ceremony on Wednesday (28 January), rewarding the matric class of 2014.
Rewarding is an understatement as many also received a life-changing prize. The Westonaria Local Municipality has established a Tertiary Registration Financial Support Programme to assist 30 pupils with good performance and those from disadvantaged communities who cannot pay tertiary registration fees.
The top 10 pupils each received R10 000 while 20 others received R5 000 each during at the ceremony. The funds will be paid directly into the account of the respective tertiary institutions they have registered with.
According to councillor Nonkoliso Tundzi, Westonaria Executive Mayor, “The contribution should be regarded as a contribution towards a better life for all.”
The Mayor said the “Municipality is proud of schools from the disadvantaged areas that consistently have shown the greatest improvements as well as the pupils from these schools, who against all odds achieve the best.”
The Mayor urged all recipients of the Tertiary Registration Financial Support to take advantage of the financial resources provided by the government and private sector to improve their living situations.
Her speech not only covered the situations matriculants are facing at the moment, but also their future in Westonaria.
“Given the joblessness and disappointments among those who matriculated and have completed their degrees at tertiary institutions in the previous years, the Westonaria Local Municipality is engaging mining houses to make a tangible difference in the lives of the many school leavers within the area. This can only happen when we work together with the private sector.”
Top seven achievers from disadvantaged schools in Greater Westonaria:
• Tshepo Wilfred Matshoge with 76,5 per cent – from TM Letlhake Secondary School.
• Cynthia Nwatshaya Masele with 76,0 per cent – from TM Letlhake Secondary School.
• Petros Mqombothi with 74,6 per cent – from TM Lethake Secondary School.
• Sebabatswe BG Sebetwane with 74,6 per cent – from TM Letlhake Secondary School.
• Thumelo Phineas Matsunye with 72,0 per cent – from TM Letlhake Secondary School.
• Mokhele Matshediso with 71,7 per cent – from Simunye Secondary School.
• Thabo Joseph Tshabalala with 71,6 per cent – from TM Letlhake Secondary School.
Top three overall achievers in Greater Westonaria:
• Theophillus Dlamini 79,6 per cent – from Westonaria High School.
• Matthews Mashabela with 78,6 per cent – from TM Letlhake Secondary School.
• Gwalase Mbulelo with 78,2 per cent – from Simunye Secondary School.