Established in 2017, the Siyandisa Foundation Scholarship Programme in 2017 awarded scholarships to 25 top performing black South African grade 12 learners at Free State schools. These learners qualified for the scholarships by attaining an above 85% average at the end of Grade 11. Learners could only qualify for the scholarships if their parents or guardians had been exempted from paying for tuition at their respective schools due to financial reasons, essentially ensuring that the scholarships are awarded to learners that have excelled under difficult economic conditions. In 2018 the scholarship programme will be rolled out nationally across all nine Provinces. More information on the Siyandisa Foundation Scholarship Programme can be obtained at www.siyandisatrust.co.za.
The scholarship recipients of 2017 are each smart, wishing to make career choices that complement their excellent academic achievements by studying towards becoming mathematicians, astronomers, actuaries, astrophysicists, aeronautical and biomedical engineers, and neurosurgeons, to name a few.
Despite the difficult backgrounds and many challenges they faced, the first group of scholarship recipients have proven their mettle by bringing home outstanding results in their final matriculation examination at the end of 2017, with 17 being placed among the Free State Province Top 100 Matriculants for 2017. With 136 matriculation distinctions being obtained by these 25 learners at an average of more than five distinctions per learner, they have shown that they stand amongst the best in South Africa.
Each learner has a story to tell of her or his personal road to attaining these marvellous results – stories that are inspirational and humbling, but most importantly, inspiring, providing strong evidence that despite the many challenges and difficulties in our country, our collective future is bright when we have young people like these that demonstrate continued strength and excellence in the face of adversity.
Three of the scholarship recipients were ranked among the top 10 learners in the Free State. They are:
Second position:
Phole Mofokeng, from Mampoi Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba, was ranked second overall in the Free State, with an outstanding performance of 100% in both Mathematics and Physical Science and achieving seven distinctions with an overall average of 93,2%. Phole intends studying Actuarial Sciences at the University of Cape Town.
Third position:
Refilwe Ester Selepe from Rantsane Secondary School in Phuthaditjhababa, was ranked third overall in the Free State, boasting eight distinctions and also achieving scores of 100% for Mathematics, Physical Science and Life Orientation with an overall average of 93.1%, a mere 0.1% behind Phole. Refilwe wishes to pursue a career in BSc Biological Sciences at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Seventh position:
Gidion Lekgotla Mashiane from Tsebo Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba, was ranked seventh overall in the Free State, walking away with seven distinctions, achieving 97% for Physical Science, 93% for Life Orientation and 91% for Mathematics with an overall average of 89%. Gidion wants to study Actuarial Science at the University of Cape Town.
Of the 25 Siyandisa Foundation Scholarship Recipients, a further 14 of these recipients received placement in the Free State Province Top 100 Matriculants for 2017. They are:
(1) Boitumelo Simela from Beacon Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba, with six distinctions
(2) Emmanuel Mofammere from Lenyora la Thuto School in Botshabelo, with five distinctions
(3) Daphne Motseoile from Mampoi Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba, with six distinctions
(4) Molupe Nthako from Beacon Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba, with five distinctions
(5) Mpho Mthombeni from Beacon Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba,with six distinctions
(6) Pheko Tsotetsi from Beacon Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba, with five distinctions
(7) Njabulo Mkhwanazi from Ntsu Secondary School in Bethlehem, with six distinctions
(8) Mosela Rakhoabe from Sekgutlong Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba, with six distinctions
(9) Zolani Latyeba from Beacon Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba, with five distinctions
(10) Palesa Mooko from Kgolathuto Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba, with five distinctions
(11) Rorisang Mantutle from Nanabolela Secondary School in Welkom, with seven distinctions
(12) Lerato Motaung from Beacon Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba, with six distinctions
(13) Nomzamo Mokoena from Mookodi Secondary School in Makaneng, with five distinctions
(14) Nkhutliseng Senoane from Mookodi Secondary School in Makaneng, with six distinctions
The remaining eight scholarship recipients, although just barely missing out for placement under the top 100, still received a number of distinctions, ranging from three to five distinctions each.
“We at Siyandisa Trust are incredibly proud of each of our 25 scholarship recipients,” remarks Sam Moleko, Chair of Siyandisa Trust and spokesperson for the Siyandisa Foundation Scholarship Programme. “I always knew these kids were going to do well, but their final results have brought tears of joy to my eyes. An absolutely wonderful result for each of them and I believe a powerful affirmation also to each that hard work does pay off. We will continue to follow the careers of each one of our recipients with interest. They will always be extra special to us as the first class and oldest alumni of the scholarship programme. We hope that in some small way our scholarships have helped contribute to ease the challenges they have faced in the lead up to these wonderful results. We wish them all well for their studies they will commence this year.”