LIMPOPO – Four learners from the Mankweng circuit have been selected to participate in the Harvard Pre-College Programme.
This was announced during a media briefing held at the University of Limpopo last Monday.
The learners will spend two weeks at the luxurious university in the US with an all expenses paid trip from 18 July to 4 August.
The scholarship is an intensive, collaborative and transformative residential experience.
Mankweng Circuit Manager, David Magagane, told CV that this is a huge achievement for the learners and the country as whole.
“We are proud of our kids as a circuit and we hope to continue producing stars. We urge our learners to be confident in themselves during their trip and never be ashamed of where they are coming from. Producing such learners shows that we have the best schools and teachers within our circuit, despite us being situated in rural areas. Learners should always ask themselves what they can do for their country,” he explained.
Magagane said learner’s dependence and demanding mentality should come to an end.
“A lot of things have been done for the learners and therefore they should give back to their communities,” added Magagane.
He said the four learner will be made ambassadors within their circuit as to ensure they become an inspiration to others.
Magagane said networking is a powerful tool which he uses every time he is with colleagues across the country.
“Seeing other people doing good things always encourages me to work harder, with the aim of improving our circuit,” he said.
University of Limpopo’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Partnerships and Innovations, Professor Jesika Singh, said alongside their peers from around the world, the learners are suppose to excel in what is expected to be a dynamic and supportive academic environment.
“This is a huge opportunity for the learners and we trust that this will benefit them a lot. Supporting the learners is a huge investment to the university.”
She said the university’s rural development and innovation hub has worked hard towards the learners over the past five months.
“We had to facilitate the process of identifying the deserving learners together with the Mankweng education circuit,” Singh explained.
Representing the learners, Hank Matjokotja, said their success would be nothing without their teachers’ support.
“It was only possible through group work and good communication between us and our teachers. We believe that whatever we are going to learn at Harvard University will not only benefit us, but every learner within our circuit,” he said.
