{"id":89534,"date":"2017-03-17T22:53:19","date_gmt":"2017-03-17T20:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/scholarships-open-doors-for-the-underprivileged\/"},"modified":"2017-03-17T22:53:19","modified_gmt":"2017-03-17T20:53:19","slug":"scholarships-open-doors-for-the-underprivileged","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/scholarships-open-doors-for-the-underprivileged\/","title":{"rendered":"Scholarships open doors for the underprivileged"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scholarships open doors for the underprivileged<\/a>: <\/p>\n

\"Lindani<\/p>\n

Lindani Dhlamini<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

An urgent need to provide greater access to funding<\/p>\n

By Lindani Dhlamini, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SekelaXabiso (SkX) and winner of the AABLA Southern Africa Business Woman of the Year Award in 2016.<\/p>\n

The right to education doesn\u2019t just mean access to learning \u2013 it also means a quality education that adequately prepares students for the journey ahead. The provision of funding to students is a way of strengthening the talent base South Africa so needs to put us on the global map.<\/p>\n

The education gap
I\u2019ve had experience with both private and public schools. Growing up, I attended a government school, while my children have been fortunate enough to attend a private school. They\u2019re worlds apart \u2013 and it all boils down to resources.<\/p>\n

The private school system gives learners critical skills that equip them for later in life. For example, my 10-year-old son is already learning how to put together presentations. The first time I had access to a presentation was at university and I had no clue what I was doing \u2013 I had to learn those skills at the age of nineteen, which was daunting and difficult.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no doubt the public school system is trying to provide the best they can with what\u2019s available, but it\u2019s a resource issue \u2013 until the resources become available, education levels won\u2019t improve and there\u2019ll always be a gap between public and private. This gap, however, should never be perceived as an inhibitor to succeed.<\/p>\n

Building a future
SekelaXabiso (SkX), SA\u2019s leading black-owned professional services firm, has partnered with the St Mary\u2019s Foundation and other schools around the country to fund children throughout their high school education. The ripple effect of this work is phenomenal.<\/p>\n

The St Mary\u2019s Foundation bursary recipients wouldn\u2019t have access to the opportunities afforded to them at a school like St Mary\u2019s. St Mary\u2019s Waverly, through the St Mary\u2019s Foundation, opens its doors to girls who are academically talented and have the ability to be leaders in their communities one day, but who\u2019re excluded from a top-class education due to their financial circumstances.<\/p>\n

At SekelaXabiso, our passion for education reflects the government\u2019s vision that all South African students should receive quality lifelong learning, education and training. We\u2019re funding 16 scholars across the country. With the access, opportunity and resources from a quality education, we\u2019re proud our scholars are realising their potential.<\/p>\n

These students are on the path to making informed choices about their careers, ambitions and how they can make a positive impact in society. In partnership with the St Mary\u2019s Foundation, SkX not only funds students\u2019 education but also pays for school and sports uniforms and grocery parcels \u2013 including essential toiletries, like sanitary pads.<\/p>\n

The ripple effect
Scholarships like those provided by the St Mary\u2019s Foundation and SekelaXabiso are giving young girls an opportunity for a bright future. All bursary recipients at St Mary\u2019s are ambitious and want to do remarkable things when they complete high school. Their lives would have taken a radically different trajectory if the foundation hadn\u2019t provided these opportunities.<\/p>\n

Children who receive scholarships and bursaries inevitably perform better because the basics are taken care of. Other learners have also been motivated as a result, and aim to be awarded bursaries too.<\/p>\n

The impact of exposure
Being afforded the opportunity to go to a school like St Mary\u2019s means entering a whole new social system and circle. You\u2019d be amazed at the impact of exposure alone. These children live a different life to what they envisioned and they now have access to possibilities for their future. The knowledge they gain, they\u2019re taking back home to their families and communities.<\/p>\n

Organisations like SekelaXabiso and the St Mary\u2019s Foundation play a vital role in facilitating access to a quality education. There should be a concerted effort by corporates, schools and government to work together to boost bursaries without limitations, thereby attracting more talented students who can access available funding \u2013 and a brighter future.<\/p>\n

For more information about the St Mary\u2019s Foundation and how you can assist, visit www.stmaryschool.co.za\/foundation. To speak to Lindani Dhlamini or anyone from the foundation email Nicole@gullanandgullan.com.<\/p>\n

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