R1.3 million bursaries for six schools

PUPILS from six Cape Town schools received education bursaries totalling R1.3 million as part of Community Chest and Thales South Africa’s “Fast Tracking Pathways To Success” programme.

The handover took place following Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga’s statement that government had been spending less money on students.

The bursaries ranged between R50 000 and R100 000 and the recipient schools were Joe Slovo High, Khanyolwethu High, Malibu High, Forest Heights High, Sizimisele High, and Kleinvlei High.

Community Chest chief executive Lorenzo Davids said at the event: “Through this programme, we aim to invest in young South Africans to make sure that nothing hinders them on their pathway to success. It is in the country’s best interest to make sure they succeed.”

Professor Jonathan Jansen of Stellenbosch University was the keynote speaker at the event and urged the recipients not to let the opportunity go to waste.

One of the recipients, Zizipho Gijana, 18, from Strand said: “When things get tough, you should not give up Persistence is key.”

Zizipho is currently studying a bachelor’s degree in Human Life Sciences. “I always wanted to be a doctor and always enjoyed Life Sciences at school, and I became particularly interested in medical science by watching the medical series House on TV,” she said.

Another recipient, Tererai Muchabaiwa, 18, from Blue Downs who is studying Chemical Engineering, said: “Always work hard. God provides us with opportunities, and you must be willing to use them. When you take hold of one opportunity, it might lead to the birth of another one, so you can you never where you could end up.”

Tererai matriculated from Malibu High School last year with a 100% pass in physical science.

Davids said the bursaries were investments in the country’s future.

“With these funds, we want to tell the recipients that ‘we believe in you’.

“The return on investment is not ours as an organisation, but rather a return on investment for our nation,” he said.

Community Chest chief executive Lorenzo Davids speaks at the bursary handover event.