Making good on his promise to encourage learners of Mandeni to pass matric with distinctions, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba returned to his hometown to honour that promise by giving out R1000 cheques to the top ten achievers that obtained distinctions.
Minister Gigaba had pledged to give each learner R1000 for every distinction they obtained while addressing a function at the Nompumelelo Institute of Leadership. He paid the money from his own pocket.
The top ten matriculants, all from schools from Mandeni received 17 distinctions, with Bhekumuzi Mthembu as the top achiever with six distinctions, while the second top achiever received three. Eight students obtained a distinction each.
Minister Gigaba, together with Nompumelelo Institute of Leadership and the Mandeni Municipality today hosted a luncheon to celebrate the top achievers, when the Minister made good on his promise by handing over the cheques with Mr Mthembu receiving R6000 for his six distinctions.
Minister Gigaba-a patron of the Nompumelelo Institute of Leadership –said all community members should be involved in the education of children to ensure we have a prosperous country.
“The most important thing that we must do is educate the African child. The community has an important role to play in the education of the African child. The government cannot solve the problems of this country alone, it is everyone’s duty to pitch in and lend a helping hand. Let us make education fashionable. Our children must boast to each other about how many distinctions they obtained.
“As parents we must be involved in the education of our children. Parents should be asking teachers how they can assist in improving the quality of learning for their children. We haven’t reached the mountaintop of our desires. We must get to a point where our children are proud of being educated so that we build a prosperous country,” said Minister Gigaba.
Speaker of Mandeni Municipality Cebolenkosi Mfekayi thanked the Minister for ploughing back to his community and “putting your money where your mouth is.”
Mr Mfekayi also urged the Minister continue to contribute to his community and more importantly to contribute to the Mayoral Bursary Fund, which handed over bursaries to 12 learners to further their studies this year.
The top ten achievers are Bhekumuzi Mthembu (6), Khosi Zinhle Dlamini (3), while the remaining eight learners received R1000 each for their distinction: Mntungwa Sizwe Prince, Sithole, Msizeni, Biyela Ndumiso, Ndebele Smangaliso Siphelele, Ndlozi Buhle Pretty, Manzi Thembelihle Goodman, Mdletshe Mbongeni Muzikhona, Zungu Bongiwe Noxolo, Dlamini Zinhle Khosi.
Enquiries:
Mayihlome Tshwete
Cell: 0728692477
Email: Mayihlome.tshwete@dpe.gov.za
Minister Malusi Gigaba hands over cheques to Mandeni's 2011 Top 10 Matriculants
