Matatiele schools win big

Grade 11 and 12 learners living within the Matatiele Local Municipality learnt about career options, scholarships and bursary opportunities during the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL’s) career and science expo in Matatiele.

Held on 19 July at the Old Rugby Fields in the Matatiele Local Municipality, the career expo hosted over 600 learners from senior secondary schools across the municipality. Exhibitors included Walter Sisulu University, Durban University of Technology (DUT), University of Fort Hare, Nelson Mandela University, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the Industrial Development Corporation’s (IDC) learning and development department.

Addressing the learners, SANRAL’s Regional Stakeholder Relations Specialist, Ms Welekazi Ndika, said, “We are here to mould your future. You are our future leaders and we want you to be compatriots and change our country for the better. Corruption, vandalising of state infrastructure, abuse and violence against women and children must end with you. We are here to preach moral regeneration so that you can build South Africa into the beautiful country we know it can be.”

Ndika invited the learners to take advantage of SANRAL’s scholarship and bursary programme, which is intended to provide financial support to those with financial needs, as well as learners with outstanding academic merit.

Ranked in the top five universities in South Africa by the 2023 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, DUT said their high ranking was attributable to the strategic intent to improve lives and livelihoods, as well as their innovative curricular and research. The technical university also provides funding for entrepreneurs and encourages entrepreneurship.

The IDC shared information about its bursary programme but also urged aspirant entrepreneurs to approach the Corporation with business ideas for potential funding.

Learners were urged to apply to various institutions within and outside of the Eastern Cape province on time to avoid being disappointed in the new year, as space is not guaranteed.

Furthermore, learners were advised to prioritise education over fun as this was key to a better life, not only for them, but for their families and future generations. They were told to believe in their dreams and that their background does not determine their journey.

NSFAS explained that they fund learners with a combined household income of less than R300 000 per annum. The organisation encouraged learners to apply for funding timeously and not to wait to be admitted by an institute of higher learning. NSFAS funding also covers National Certificate Vocational (NCV) students, which is equivalent to the National Senior Certificate (NSC).

Ndika encouraged teenage girls to be independent and strive to work for their own money. She also urged the teenage boys to protect their female counterparts from abuse.

Representing the Mayor of Matatiele Local Municipality, Councillor Siphamandla Ntabeni said, “Civil society and academics must work together for the South Africa the late struggle stalwart, Tata Nelson Mandela, envisioned.”

Deputy Chief Education Specialist: Learner Enrichment, Mr Mpho Ngoma from the Eastern Cape Department of Education, said, “My wish is for this day to leave an indelible mark on young minds. A lot still needs to be done in the province regarding career orientation. We need to be focusing on grades 7, 8 and 9 to counsel learners on career and subject options. Furthermore, grade 9 is the exit point to TVET colleges, therefore it is important to expose learners to these options at this point as not everyone will and must attend university.”

Learners were quizzed on SANRAL’s service delivery mandate and general knowledge as part of the career expo’s strategic intent to plough back to schools in the area. The three winning schools walked away with prize money of R80 000, which will be invested back into the schools grappling with limited resources.

First prize Magadla Senior Secondary School, represented by Khakhaza Abongwe, received R50 000. The second prize of R20 000 was awarded to Cedarville Public School, represented by Nonceba Mokoena. The third prize of R10 000 went to Khanya Naledi Senior Secondary School, represented by Kanelo Maputle.

Councillor Nathi Nqoko of the Alfred Nzo District Municipality said the district appreciated the career expo being brought to their shores. “SANRAL is investing over R20 billion over the next five years in our district. This means we must prepare for this investment by ensuring availability of skills that will play a critical role in the maintenance of the road network, such as engineers,” he advised the learners. He also urged SANRAL to ensure the career expo covered all rural municipalities in the province to address the challenges around lack of access to information.

Kamva Rankoro of Mosa Sibi Senior Secondary School was happy with the content shared during the career expo. “My mind has been opened by this experience. I now understand my options. I appreciate the advice given, especially around throwing the net wide when applying to institutions of higher learning.”