COLLEGE OF CAPE TOWN AWARDING EXCELLENCE
ONE of the largest TVET colleges in South Africa, College of Cape Town, proudly hosted its 17th Certificate and Diploma Ceremony last week.
The College of Cape Town (CCT) was formed in 2002 through the merger of four former technical colleges, ie. Athlone College, Cape College, Sivuyile College and Western Province Technical College.
In welcoming graduating students and their invited guests CCT Principal Louis van Niekerk complimented the students’ hard work and commitment, pointing out that graduation was the moment to celebrate their discipline and dedication.
“You are writing the history of the College of Cape Town and we are very proud of you. Let this be the beginning of a journey of self-development, the beginning of your endeavour to unlock your potential so we can all benefit,” said Mr van Niekerk.
In addition to the thousands of students receiving their diplomas and certificates, a handful were rewarded as top achievers in their courses and faculties. Choosing these top achievers is based on two main criteria.
‘Attendance is very important for us, and the achievement or mark of the student, so it’s a combination of the two.
“We want to promote not only output of results but also the students’ commitment to their studies. Also, some of these students are really challenged to get to the College, so we want to recognise that,” he explained.
This year, Mr van Niekerk chose two students to receive the Principal’s Award, which reward not only the student’s exemplary results and attendance record, but also considers their background and the obstacles they overcame to study.
“On the one hand I saw this one student who is absolutely committed, who met all the criteria. On the other side, there was a student who met all the criteria in terms of dedication.”
“Yes, there is money involved, but this is more to motivate the other learners,” said Mr van Niekerk. In addition to awarding the top achievers at their graduation ceremony, CCT’s campuses and faculties also make a point of hosting top students and their families at a variety of functions throughout the year where they laud both the students’ hard work and the support that made their achievements possible: “We want to create a type of role model to give the students a vision of what to strive for.”
Principal Award Winner Mandlenkosi Mdunyelwa was happy that his mother and brother had come from Grabouw to watch him graduate. He chalks his success up the many hours he devoted to studying, every chance he got.
The Financial Management graduate realised early on that he had to divide his time equally between subjects he liked and those he struggled with and he is keen to study further after his internship at the Department of Social Development is done. Principal Award Winner Raylene Gertse also studied while working at the Christine Revel Children’s Home. The only time she ever missed class was when she had to accompany her son for medical checkups.
Her award citation noted not only the many hats she wore as class representative, but also that “she shows care and empathy to the most vulnerable children, putting in extra time when required over weekends to cover shifts.”