Disadvantaged pupils shine at Pretoria awards

(Centurion) – Top-performing pupils from disadvantaged high schools in Pretoria were recognised for their various academic, sporting and leadership achievements during the third annual Olieven Academic Awards on Saturday.

Hosted for the first time by Forest Hill City Shopping Centre, the annual initiative is designed to reward and encourage the educational successes of pupils in the underprivileged Olievenhoutbosch community.

The awards ceremony marked the culmination of a year-long programme run by the non-profit Goat Foundation, which focused on mathematics, science and leadership activities by actively involving school-going youngsters in debates, green events and leadership conferences.

According to one of the organisers, Duncan Mufamadi, the initiative recognised pupils who had overcome the obstacles of their backgrounds to perform excellently and also motivated them to work hard in the coming years to achieve better results.

“On an ongoing basis, the OAA aims to improve the matric pass rate at high schools in Olievenhoutbosch and source bursaries, learnerships and scholarships for deserving pupils,” said Mufamadi.

This year, top achievers selected by their schools took home a combined 100 FET scholarships awarded by iCollege, each worth R32 400.

Books and tuition fees are included in the 12-month scholarship, with winners given the opportunity to enrol for courses including events management, marketing, accounting and human resources.

Students who have performed well at the end of their year-long courses will either be placed into a job, or qualify for another scholarship to study a diploma course of their choice at iCollege.

Commenting after the event, Forest Hill City marketing manager Annah Moremela said: “By hosting this initiative we are empowering our children which, in turn, means we are empowering our communities.

“Forest Hill City’s corporate social investment remains steadfast in supporting education initiatives, as this is the key to our future.”

Training and organisational development provider Gcina Human Potential also sponsored three laptops worth R15 000 to assist the top achievers with their studies. These went to: Mokwana Tshenolo, Makgolo Lesego and Phiri Mathew, all of Olievenhoutbosch Secondary School.

2017 OAA Winners:

Best Learner of the Year

GET Phase (Grade 8-9)
1. Legodi Mahlatse (second year running – Steve Tshwete Secondary School)
2. Noria Senyelo (Olievenhoutbosch Secondary School)
3. Phetolo Nkoana (Olievenhoutbosch Secondary School)

FET Phase (Grade 10-12):
1. Tshenolo Mokwana (Olievenhoutbosch Secondary School)
2. Lesego Mokgolo (Olievenhoutbosch Secondary School)
3. Mathew Phiri (Olievenhoutbosch Secondary School) &
Phetolo Nkoana (Olievenhoutbosch Secondary School)

Best Mathematics Learner

GET Phase: Makolane Keletso
FET Phase: Thati Kamogelo

Best Science Learner

GET Phase: Batwali Mondeka
FET Phase: Mokwana Tshenolo

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