Scholarships up for grabs
HARD WORK and dedication will literally pay off for 420 pupils, who will have their school fees paid for an entire year by Shoprite’s annual “Class Of ” competition.
Launched in 2005, this initiative will hope to encourage pupils, and their families, to feel free from financial concerns.
Shoprite group marketing director, Neil Schreuder, said: “The initiative forms part of the Shoprite’s commitment to uplifting the communities it serves by creating opportunities through education.”
The idea was to reward learners for dreaming big and taking the initiative, he added.
Past winners, featured on the company’s website, aspired to become teachers and doctors. A Grade 4 pupil who won last year, Aaron Nzenzo, said in a video on the website that he wants to become president of South Africa.
Aaron referred to the importance of working together as a rainbow nation: “Everyone who have an equal right (sic)… skin colour, our origin, our religions, our beliefs. We are still humans. We need to be treated the same way as each other.”
Another winner from 2016, Thaakirah Baradien, said she wants to become a teacher.
“I want to make a difference to all the poor and needy. Buying food and giving money to them at least,” she said.
Thaakirah’s mother said she was over the moon that her daughter was one of the winners.
Shoprite’s website explains what the competition is all about.
“Each year, learners from grades 1 to 12 are asked to submit essays or drawings describing what they want to be when they grow up, giving the retailer an opportunity of supporting those learners who demonstrate creativity and are able to dream big.”
The competition entries are open online:
Alternatively, you can pick up a form from a store nationwide.
The forms are provided in various languages ranging from English, Xhosa and Tswana, creating access for a range of South Africans to enter.
The competition closes on January 29 and winners will be announced in early February. – Staff Reporter