BuaNews (Tshwane)
Gabi Khumalo
24 January 2008
Pretoria — Mokganyetji Serogole, 18, was among the matriculants who were awarded the Thabo Mbeki Matric Merit Award at the Presidential Guesthouse on Thursday.
The awards are administered by the Thabo Mbeki Education Trust, which selects the top two students from each of the nine provinces.
The awards recognise learners who achieve academic excellence in matric. They are encouraged to become role models for their juniors.
Ms Serogole obtained seven distinctions in Maths, Biology, Physics, Accounting, English, Afrikaans and Sepedi at SJ van der Merwe Technical High School in Limpopo.
Speaking to BuaNews, Ms Serogole attributed her achievements to hard work. She will now study Actuarial Science at the University of Cape Town.
"Put all [your] focus in your studies and start preparing yourself from the first day at school," Ms Serogole advised the matrics of 2008.
Introducing himself to President Mbeki, Wayne Frederick, 18, from KwaZulu-Natal confidently told Cabinet Ministers at the awards ceremony that he was going to work at Sasol.
He obtained six distinctions in Maths, Physics, Accounting, Computer Studies, English and Afrikaans.
Mr Frederick, a former Southlands Secondary School pupil will be studying Electrical Engineering at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
"Engineers make the world go around because engineering contributes to the country's economy, as most projects need an engineers before they could be implemented," said Mr Frederick.
His advice to this year's matrics is to work consistently and be best. "Try not to compete with anyone but yourself."
Through partnerships with various companies including ABSA, Old Mutual and Eskom, the trust pledged to ensure that the 18 students had financial support for the duration of their tertiary studies, irrespective of the field of study they pursued.
This will cover the costs of tuition, books and accommodation for the academic year and the students were also presented with a Lenovo notebook computer and a Vodacom 3G data card.
The learners have chosen to study in a wide range of fields including finance, informatics, engineering, astrophysics, medicine, veterinary biology, actuarial science and accountancy.
President Mbeki said: "We should emulate your achievement as our development, as a country depends critically on education. Out of you, we will have scientists, doctors and engineers."
Education Minister Naledi Pandor said she was pleased to see so many young people receiving the awards.
She said the chosen fields of study will fill in the skills gap and ensure that the pupils become providers in the country's economy. -
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