Since the inception of the Foundation’s Scholarship Programme we have grown accustomed to becoming teary eyed whenever we approach the last few months of the year. The months of October and November are generally filled with planning and other programmatic activities, hardly suggesting the need for tissues. But when you have Scholars approaching their schools’ yearly prize giving ceremonies you know that it’s time to carry a few more tissues with you!
It is always special to witness an individual’s development, and here at the Foundation we have the privilege of witnessing that often. Yet nothing quite compares to witnessing the growth of a youngster – someone whose development journey has only just begun. And when such a young person is already achieving so much in their youth one cannot but anticipate even greater things.
Each year our Scholars offer us the opportunity to stand alongside their parents, grandparents and teachers; all of us brimming with pride in what they achieved. In 2013 we again saw our Scholars taking the lead academically, in sport and in school governance. A summary of the top achievements are listed below. There were also Scholars who took the lead in terms of social responsibility. Three of them were awarded funding through enke, a youth development organisation, to support their community projects. These Scholars’ projects are detailed below.
Congratulations to you all!
St Alban’s College
- Katlego Theledi (Grade 11):
- Senior Leader (2013)
- Full Academic Colours
- Avishkar Sewnath (Grade 11):
- Head of House (2014)
- Full Academic Colours
Selborne College High School
- Bathandwa Mbadlanyana (Grade 10):
- Prize for First Place
- Avumile Mbali (Grade 12):
- Palma Virtuti Leadership Award (outgoing Head Boy)
Pietermaritzburg Girls High School
- Nthabeleng Sibiya (Grade 11):
- Prefect (2014)
- Deputy Head Boarder (2014)
Collegiate Girls High School
- Michala Vermaak (Grade 11):
- Prefect (2014)
- House Captain (2014)
Maritzburg College
- Sandile Zakwe (Grade 11):
- Prefect (2014)
St Andrews School for Girls
- Karabo Makete (Grade 11):
- Deputy Head of House (2014)
Pretoria Boys High School
- Winford Collings (Grade 11):
- Prefect (2014)
- Fred Dilapisho (Grade 11):
- Prefect (2014)
Rhenish Girls High School
- Jameelah Edwards (Grade 11):
- Prefect (2014)
- Onke Mbuli (Grade 12):
- Leadership Award (Best Head Girl)
- Loyalty for School (School Ambassador)
St Mary’s School, Waverly
- Pertunia Letsoalo (Grade 11):
- Head of House (2014)
enke Community Action Projects
The following Scholars were awarded funding through the enke: Incubator Fund to help support their enke Community Action Projects (CAP).
The Incubator Fund is made possible by Absa and the Australian High Commission. Selection is quite rigorous and includes a written application, reference checks and an interview. The funding amount was based on the proposal budget submitted by the applicants.
Khulugqame Gardens, run by Ben Jensen from Maritzburg College was awarded R1,500.
Ben feels strongly about the level of poverty in this country and recognises that children are affected the most. He believes that they can overcome their challenges if equipped with important skills. His CAP provides seeds and material to grow vegetables to under-resourced schools with a high level of poverty. His beneficiaries are being equipped to grow vegetables, and eventually generate an income.
ARK Building a Library, run by Tshimangadzo Nemuranga from Clarendon Girls High School was awarded R2,500.
Tshimangadzo started a library at New Life Primary School. She aims to supply learners who visit the library with English comprehension exercises so that she can teach them how to answer these exercises. This will improve their reading and writing skills. She believes that through reading out loud learners will be able to improve their confidence in conversing in English.
SEEMO, run by Pertunia Lerato Letsoalo from St. Mary’s Waverley was awarded R1,500.
Pertunia believes in the value of mentorship and learning through experience. This CAP will use mentorship to address the challenges that young people face in the Limpopo community of Tzaneen. She organised an all-day event so that mentees could be exposed to positive role models, and receive guidance on their academics, personal branding, leadership and potential development.
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