Determined to reward, empower and invest in the youth, Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi and Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane, awarded top matric learners of the class of 2023 from disadvantaged communities in the townships, informal settlements and hostels (TISH) with bursaries.
Lesufi said that the school bursary handover event hosted, was to assure top performing learners from Gauteng that they will receive financial assistance from the Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) Bursary Scheme.
“I am distributing R560 million to them so that they can go and study. Students, I am bringing you a bursary that is unmatched and does not have any limit, ” he said.
He added that this is to empower the learners to be the best and use their talent to improve their lives.
“This talent must be nurtured, guided and supported. I want you to be the embosomed of the Gauteng City Region Academy Bursary Scheme,” he added.
Lesufi said that the GCRA bursary scheme was initially created to support the skills and talent in Gauteng in order to improve and innovate South Africa.
Chiloane continued to praise the class of 2023, and expressed his satisfaction of the results produced by the class of 2023 under difficult circumstances.
“These are young people who come from our townships, who have defied the odds and said it does not matter what my background is,I am going to succeed,” he said.
Nonhlanhla Ngwenya, mother of Scelo Ngwenya who is a beneficiary of the GCRA testified about the positive impact that the bursary has made to her son’s life.
“My son finally has a chance to enhance his love for politics and public service. He is the first one to achieve the first Bachelor’s Degree in the whole family. Today he is an inspiration to the community at large,” she said.
She thanked the Gauteng provincial government and the Department of Basic Education for investing in her son’s talent and future.
A beneficiary of the GCRA bursary, Sechaba Morajane, said that not being able to afford tuition fees in university may be one of the biggest distractions.
“Some of the issues that you will encounter as a varsity student without funding is that you stress more about the money than paying attention to your books,” he said.
Morajane said that students should focus on which class they have to attend, mastering their modules and obtaining their qualification to better their lives.
