BuaNews (Tshwane)
Kagiso Metswamere
31 January 2008
Mafikeng — Delighted North West students were awarded 52 bursaries by Premier Edna Molewa to further their studies at tertiary institutions of their choice across the country.
At a ceremony in Mafikeng on Wednesday, the bursaries were given to the students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The bursaries were awarded in different disciplines such as finance, accounting, engineering, information technology, tourism and biology.
The Premier told the beneficiaries to make use of academic opportunities presented before them.
"It is important that you make use of these opportunities to further your studies because there are jobs in the country that need young people with skills.
"You must study hard and make sure that you don't regret misusing the opportunity that you have received," she said.
The Premier said awarding the bursaries was part of the steps the department took every year to reach a goal of halving unemployment and poverty by 2014.
"It is my belief that steps such as awarding these bursaries especially to disadvantaged learners will assist in acquiring skills which are relevant to our growing economy," she said.
The bursaries were awarded to learners in partnership with the Education Training and Development Practices, Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA), an institution responsible for providing training in the education sector.
The training authority's Chief Executive Officer, Nombulelo Nxisi said they will always support learners to deal specifically with the challenges of shortages of skills in the country.
"The bursaries that we are awarding here is one of our commitment in the fight against future economic growth which is in line with the country's objective of the Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition," Ms Nxisi said.
She encouraged the beneficiaries to have discipline and pay maximum attention to their studies.
"I want to congratulate you, and most importantly encourage you to have discipline because without it, you will not make it in you studies," she said.
One of the beneficiaries is 17 year-old Rene Nthwane from Mafikeng. She obtained A symbols in Mathematics, Physical Science and Biology - all in higher grade.
The excited girl, who matriculated last year, has now enrolled for Actuarial Science studies at the University of Cape Town.
"I am very much happy that I got this bursary and I am intending to study hard to make sure that I finish my courses on time," Ms Nthwane said.
Another beneficiary is 18 year-old Portia Monnanyana who matriculated in 2007 at Ramotshere High School in the Lehurutshe village.
She registered to enrol for chemical engineering at the University of Johannesburg.
"I live with a family of six supported by my uncle who does not have enough money to take me to university.
"I was very much concerned that when I finish my matric, I would sit at home because there is not enough money at home for me to further my studies," Ms Monnanyane said.
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