However, without the financial means to further one’s studies, the celebration may be short-lived.
Ekurhuleni Mayor, Clr Mondli Gungubele, yesterday allayed the fears of some families by awarding bursaries to the top achievers in Ekurhuleni’s Grade 12 Class of 2015.
“Discovering that the municipality will be awarding me a bursary was by far the best news I have ever received, more than the eight distinctions I obtained,” said Pheziwe Mkhalane, the overall best performing learner in priority schools.
“Coming from a not so well-off family, where there are six children, I know that studying further will bring about positive change in the family and also how my siblings turn out.”
Mkhalane is a learner from Unity High, in Daveyton, who was housed by one of her teachers during her matric year, in order to provide her with a conducive studying environment.
She thanked the support that she received from her teacher and cautioned the Class of 2016 to not leave studying for their finals to the last minute.
Addressing the top achievers, the mayor encouraged the shining stars to use the education they will receive to bring change in the world and achieve what they are destined for.
“You must be where you want to be and not where people want you to be. Use the education you will receive to help us bring harmony, solutions and clarity in the world,” he said.
He added that the municipality will do its best to ensure that a university is built in the City of Ekurhuleni in the future, and that more deserving students can be awarded bursaries.
In total, the City of Ekurhuleni has awarded 848 deserving students with bursaries this year in addition to the 403 students whose studies are already being funded by the municipality.
The mayor also awarded the best performing school, the best performing school in a priority area and the most improved school with a total of R15 000 each, towards a developmental project of their choice.
The bursaries will cover the learners’ tertiary registration fees and tuition fees, as well as accommodation.
They were also presented with a laptop and Ekurhuleni sporting gear.
