Celebrating 15 years with a bang
SANDTON - The Sandton Convention Centre was buzzing with esteemed guests at the Student Sponsorship Programme’s 15th anniversary celebrations and fundraising gala on 5 March.
The event marked the 15th year of operation of the programme since its inception in 2000. The programme strives to give financial support to academically promising students, and with the help of various partners, they have assisted over 800 scholars.
The gala saw thee who’s who of prominent entrepreneurs and possible sponsors mingling and celebrating the sponsorship programme’s work.
Dean at the Gordon Institute of Business Science and student sponsor, Nick Binedell said the programme is an excellent way of exposing students to the real world of work.
He added, “These are critically important programmes because a number of students coming through the schooling system benefit enormously from the softer skills, such as support and exposure, which the new generation don’t have. And this makes a very big difference, because you can get all the formal qualifications you like, but there is another set of knowledge which is just as important, like leadership.”
Binedell was one of four honourees, and was bestowed with the visionary award; joint CEO of Standard Bank South Africa, Sim Tshabalala was given the trailblazer award; while the innovation award went to Louisa Mojela of Women Investment Portfolio Holdings. Student Sponsorship Programme alumni and consultant at Accenture, Tshepang Mogotsi was given the alum achiever award.
Chief executive at Barclays Africa, Steven van Coller described the programme as one of the key ones which Barclays Africa run to assist in youth employability in an attempt to make a difference.
The evening proved to be a spectacle, with guests enjoying delicious food while being treated to a hilarious performance by comedian and ventriloquist Conrad Koch and his partner Chester Missing.
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