SASOLBURG – Sasol recognised 20 top-performing learners in the Fezile Dabi District for achieving exceptional marks in their 2023 matric examination.
Their prestigious ceremony was held at Sasolburg on Wednesday, January 24.
Two learners, Chelsea de Witt, from Sasolburg High School and Rethabile Radebe from Vaal Christian Combined School were awarded Sasol bursaries towards continuing their academic careers in a field of their choice.
Chelsea will study veterinary medicine at the University of Pretoria, while Rethabile is going to the University of Cape Town to study medicine.
The Sasol bursaries they received will cover their expenses including registration fees, tuition fees, books, pocket money, meals and accommodation. Additionally, the bursary offers a once-off computer and calculator allowance, transport cost, as well as psycho-social support.
Making up the top 20, are seven learners from Kroonstad, Elias Dlamini (Kananelo Secondary School), Junior Mothabe (Motswela Secondary School), Relebohile Chabeli (Phephetso Secondary School) as well as Zanri de Witt, Zahreen Engar, Hazel Kunyavapa and Leane Labuschagne who all are from Trio High School. Sasolburg has four learners in the top 20.
Apart from Chelsea de Witt, Prashant Govender and Jessica Yssel are also from Sasolburg High School, while Gontse Molefe matriculated from Vaalpark High School.
Three learners are from Parys High School, being Mené Fourie, Antjie Koekemoer and Maritza Nel.
Heilbron has two learners; Robinho van Schalkwyk (Heilbron Combined School) and Reitumetse Matsie (Sediba-Thuto Secondary School). Karabelo Madibo (Falesizwe Secondary School, Frankfort), Mosa Kwebu (Retshedisitswe Secondary School, Villiers) and Emily Sefako (Boiphihlelo Secondary School, Vredefort) made up the group with Rethabile Radebe.
All twenty learners received laptops and laptop bags from Sasol in recognition for their achievements.
According to Rightwell Laxa, Senior Vice President of Sasol’s Sasolburg and Ekandustria Operations, the purpose of the Fezile Dabi Learner Matric Awards is to recognise, celebrate and reward the top performing matriculants, specifically in mathematics and physical sciences.
“Quality education is an enabler and has a potentially equalising effect in achieving sustainable livelihoods. It is the most powerful vehicle for upward socio-economic mobility for every individual,” he said.
“In our pursuit to further academic excellence, Sasol works closely with the Department of Basic Education to drive supremacy in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and in particular in the Fezile Dabi Education District through support to education partners such as the Boitjhorisong Resource Centre. Our partnership with the Free State Department of Education is crucial to enable learners to access tertiary education that will prepare our future workforce – to Sasol, but also to South Africa,” said Laxa.
Over and above the two bursaries awarded to the learners from Fezile Dabi, Sasol awarded 12 bursaries in the Free State for tertiary studies in 2024 of which six are to learners from Fezile Dabi. Four of these bursaries are to learners from the Metsimaholo Local Municipality, one to a learner from Ngwathe and another to a Moqhaka learner.
