The second cohort of enrollees who were recipients of the Foundation’s Secondary School Scholarship Program, which was formed in partnership with the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, successfully passed the 2021 IEB and NSC exams. Scholars achieved a high pass rate degree of 92% and obtained a total of 19 distinctions.
The 2021 Matrix class of 8 women and 4 men received full scholarships toward their educational expenses for 5 years from 2017 to 2021. These scholarship recipients were part of the Foundation’s High School Scholarship Program, which aims to provide students from disadvantaged communities an exceptional secondary education. opportunities from some of the best partner schools in the country, such as St Stithians College, St Albans College, Curro Serengeti and King Edward VII, among others.
With these outstanding results, matriculation graduates have gained admission to continue their studies at the University of Cape Town, Rhodes University, University of Pretoria and the Swiss Hotel School in Gauteng. This has opened doors for them to gain tertiary qualifications and become contributing members in their chosen professional fields and communities.
“We are extremely proud and humbled to see this group of scholars excel academically despite the challenges they have faced. Their resilience and tenacity have reaped rewards and enabled them to access opportunities for their future. The Foundation is delighted to have been a part of their school journey,” says Zanele Twala, Executive Director of Standard Bank Tutuwa Community Foundation.
The Foundation was formed in 2016 with the goal of improving South African communities through economic development and poverty alleviation. In partnership with government, private sector funders and academics, the Foundation supports young people to access a high-quality education from their early years in ECD through school and post-school so they can become skilled professionals and trained with full participation in the country. economic growth.
Through its scholarship program, the Foundation provides access to a quality secondary education to selected young people and unlocks their entrepreneurial and leadership talents. . The Foundation has expanded the reach of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation High School Scholarship Program, which aims to identify and nurture academic and entrepreneurial talent in deserving young people such as Oratile Kekane and Lerato Mongaula. Former Foundation grantees will earn Bachelor of Commerce degrees at the University of Cape Town and Rhodes University, respectively. An aspiring lawyer, Nomvuzo Nkwanyana, is heading to the University of Pretoria to begin a law degree. Alicia Khumalo, who expresses her passion for improving the lives of South Africans, chose to study Social Sciences at Rhodes University. Lindelwe Shabangu, who has a flair for hospitality, has chosen to study for a degree in hospitality at the Swiss Hotel School in Gauteng.
Speaking happily, Twala says, “We wish all the matrix graduates the best in the journeys ahead. We are confident that they will succeed in their chosen fields and become leaders, trailblazers and change makers.”
