Wits University and the Department of Basic Education announce recipients of equality scholarships
The Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga, and Wits University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adam Habib, today announced the names of the 10 matriculants who have been awarded Wits Equality Scholarships.
The Scholarships have been created to assist talented learners from marginalised communities to access quality higher education and are awarded to the top 10 learners from Quintile 1 and 2 schools who choose to attend Wits. They are worth about R100 000 per annum for the duration of the recipients’ undergraduate degrees, provided that they continue to excel.
“This initiative is aimed at ensuring we see the social migration of previously disadvantaged learners into the upper echelons of the economy as educated leaders of industry and society in general. This particular programme will go a long way to helping create the truly equal society envisioned by the late President Nelson Mandela, and in this way is a fitting tribute to his legacy,” said Motshekga.
"Quintile 1 and 2 schools are classified as no fee schools and are situated in the most disadvantaged communities in the country. Often learners from these schools struggle to access bursaries that cover all aspects of university life, and find it difficult to succeed and complete their higher education qualifications due to social and financial issues. The financial struggles of previously disadvantaged students who perhaps go to class and go to bed on an empty stomach are a real concern. The Wits Equality Scholarships take these challenges into account,” said Motshekga.
"One of the biggest problems facing our country is inequality, because it polarises society and destroys hope. What tends to happen in the higher education system is that learners from the poorest parts of the country are unable to access the top universities. That’s clearly unacceptable. If you are talented, you should be entitled to study at the best institutions,” said the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Wits University, Professor Adam Habib.
“The Wits Equality Scholarships, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, are the University’s small contribution towards helping eradicate inequality. We already have the VC’s Scholarships, but these are awarded to the top 10 learners across the board and tend to go to people from private or Model C schools. The Equality Scholarships are for learners from Quintile 1 and 2 schools only. Our aim is for these students to go on to get jobs and put back into their communities of origin, creating a ripple effect of hope,” said Habib.
For enquiries and interviews with recipients contact:
Elijah Mhlanga
Director: Communications
Department of Basic Education
Tel: +27 12 357 3773
Cell: +27 83 580 8275
Email: Mhlanga.E@dbe.gov.za
Vivienne Rowland
Senior Communications Officer
Advancement and Partnerships Division
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Tel: +27 11 717 1017
Email: vivienne.rowland@wits.ac.za
