A Student Sponsorship Programme (SSP) learner and the deputy head boy of Redhill High School bagged four scholarships to pursue his goal of studying B Com Law at the Stellenbosch University.
Lesedi Nkwe aced the IEB Matric results exemption and obtained seven subject distinctions in English, mathematics, geography, French, history and life orientation as well as obtaining a B symbol in accounting.
Nkwe, the youngest of three siblings was raised by his retired father and shop-assistant mother in Jabulani, Soweto. He was awarded the SSP Scholarship in 2012 when he was placed at Redhill High School. He was determined to succeed from day one, making a success of all the opportunities presented to him in academic, sports and cultural activities. The outgoing deputy head boy participated in community outreaches, English, science and isiZulu Olympiads, Eskom Science Expo, rugby, drama and musical theatre as well as at the United Nations Debate.
His high school years involve serving as the chairperson of the Johannesburg Junior Council in 2015, being featured on CNN as well as being selected by his SSP high school sponsors, Bowman Gilfillan to participate in the CEO Sleep Out.
Nkwe said, “I was able to achieve such results through self-affirmation and dedication.”
Commitment to excellence, leadership and hard work is what attributed to Lesedi’s success. After winning the SSP Scholarship Lesedi had to quickly adjust to a technology-based curriculum, travelling 35 km to school as well as adjusting to a new community of diverse cultures at school. He has consistently produced high results since Grade Nine and has been honoured with the Top Achiever Awards at SSP and Full Colours Blazers at school.
He has been awarded four scholarships for his excellence and leadership by Bowman Gilfillan, the Moshal, Stellenbosch Recruitment Bursary, and Allan Gray.
Lesedi is proof that access to quality education coupled with the support that his parents, school and SSP provided will yield more future leaders for South Africa.
About the Student Sponsorship Programme
Student Sponsorship Programme (SSP), is a non-profit trust, has provided educational opportunities to over a thousand of talented South African scholars from low-income families to attend the best secondary schools in Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and Western Cape. With the generous contributions of institutional and individual sponsors from South Africa, the US, and the UK, SSP awards five-year high school scholarships to academically distinguished scholars.
SSP’s vision is to develop ‘Leaders for South Africa’ who are committed to the creation of a non-racist, non-sexist, democratic, united and prosperous South Africa as articulated in the South African Constitution. Their hope is that once our scholars become graduates they will remain committed to public service and are people of influence in their respective careers.
For more than seventeen years, despite coming from disadvantaged backgrounds, our scholars have flourished when given access to quality high school education. The programme has 100% pass rate and nearly all of our scholars attend or have attended tertiary institutions and a select few have been awarded the opportunity to further their studies in the US.
Achievements of SSP
• Over 1500 scholars have benefited from the programme and much more have been impacted by the scholar development programme.
• 900 graduates; some of whom are studying or working in the most vital sectors of the county’s economy.
• Five graduates have attended Amherst College in Massachusetts as Nelson Mandela Scholars.
• One graduate is on the Master Card Foundation Scholars Programme at Duke University.
• SSP Scholars hold positions of leadership in student governance, athletics and cultural activities at their schools.
Determined learners who are interested in the SSP scholarship can contact Nosipho Nkosi for inquiries or email Nosipho.Nkosi@ssp.org.za.
