The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) has underlined its commitment to uplifting education in the country, by offering tertiary funding for grade 8 to12 learners through its bursary and scholarship programme during Mandela Month.

Through a career expo for the Kgoro Ya Thuto Secondary School, Khanya-Lesedi Secondary School and Ratanda Secondary School in Heidelberg on Thursday, the agency encouraged learners to apply for the bursaries before September 30.

The scholarships are open to learners who have a minimum academic average of 60%, irrespective of their subjects. Learners who are in Grade 7 and will be in Grade 8 in 2025, are also encouraged to apply.

As a staunch funder of civil engineering studies, Sanral’s bursary programme has expanded its bursaries for Grade 12 learners who wish to study for a higher education qualification at a public university. Some of the courses the bursary covers are supply chain and procurement management, HR, finance and civil and electronic engineering.

The heads of the three schools hailed Sanral as a government stakeholder that was participating in improving the country’s education system by addressing key issues, such as funding higher education.

Kgoro Ya Thuthu principal Obed Selamolela said Sanral’s bursary programme would aid learners to acquire tertiary education in a country where mostly black students experienced difficulties in funding their education.

“The bursaries and scholarships provided by Sanral will open doors for our learners, allowing them to pursue their dreams and contribute meaningfully to society. This kind of support makes a difference in the lives of our students,” said Selamolela.

Deputy principal of Khanya-Lesedi Secondary School James Totetsi and head of Ratanda Secondary School, Ramalao Ntlatleng said: “Sanral’s investment in our learners is a testament to their dedication to community development. By offering these bursaries, Sanral not only empowers individual students but also uplifts entire communities.

“As educators, we strive to provide our students with the best opportunities for success. Sanral’s bursaries and scholarships are a beacon of hope for many of our learners, ensuring they have access to higher education and the chance to build a brighter future,” they said.

The mayor of Lesedi Local Municipality, Mluleki Nkosi, also expressed his appreciation for Sanral’s contribution to the education sector.

“As the municipality, we applaud Sanral for this impactful initiative and anticipate seeing learners flourish with their support. Given the current challenge of high unemployment in South Africa, the bursaries will enhance learners’ chances of receiving quality education and securing employment after completing their studies,” Nkosi said.

Sanral stakeholder relations co-ordinator Itumelang Segone noted that funding learners who were mostly disadvantaged helped build a society where everyone had an equal to opportunity to succeed.

“Bursaries and scholarships offered by Sanral are shaping a brighter future for South Africa, fostering a culture of learning, and driving the nation’s progress toward economic prosperity,” Segone said.

The Star

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