For over 25 years, Peermont Hotels, Casinos and Resorts (previously Global Resorts) has made the tertiary education dreams of hundreds of deserving young people come true through its various corporate social investment (CSI) programmes.
This year, 17 all-expenses paid scholarships, valued at over R170 000 each, went to worthy Ekurhuleni youngsters.
The recipients received their scholarship letters, laptops, clothing vouchers and education packs at an induction ceremony at Emperors Palace on February 15.
Peermont HR executive and head of CSI, Fihliwe Molefi, addressed the students, their families, current bursars and guests from the Department of Education and the CoE at the induction, “Today is more than just a ceremony. It is a celebration of potential, perseverance and the power of education to transform Lives.
“It is a reaffirmation of Peermont’s commitment to empowering young minds and building a brighter future for our communities.
“Education is the foundation upon which nations are built, and through these bursaries, we are investing in the future leaders, problem-solvers and changemakers of tomorrow.”
Six Ekurhuleni youngsters who have visions of careers in the hospitality and tourism industry were inducted into the PCBT Class of 2025 by Peermont HR operations manager Tebogo Matlhakola and Emperors Palace’s groups and conventions manager Chantal Croaster.
The six had already checked into the Swiss Hotel School’s residence in Johannesburg on February 1 to start their journey toward their Bachelor of Hospitality degrees.
Among the six are Thando Mbuli, who finished her schooling at Zimisele Secondary School in Kwa-Thema, Tsakane resident Ntombi Hlenyetwa, who went to the Gekombineerde Skool Noordelig Skool in Putfontein, and Tsakane’s Tshehofatso Malefane, who went to St Francis College in Benoni and is interested in the financial side of the hospitality industry.
Among the 11 Peermont’s Education Trust (PET) bursars are Nomusa Sogwayi, who matriculated with four distinctions from Phulong Secondary School in Kwa-Thema last year, and Springs resident Siyabonga Zwane, who attained three distinctions when he finished his schooling in 2019 at Kenneth Masekela Secondary in Kwa-Thema.
After school, Zwane started his LLB studies at Wits, but after passing his first year, wasn’t sure if it was what he wanted to study.
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He then decided to sit out a year and tutored children in life sciences, geography and physics, which he continued doing until he figured out he wanted to study civil engineering.
He applied to the University of Pretoria (UP), was accepted and made the shortlist from over 600 applicants for a Trust scholarship.
To his delight, Zwane received a PET bursary and now heads to UP to study for a BEng Civil Engineering degree, while Sogwayi will do her LLB in law at Wits.
The scholarship programme covers the bursars’ tuition, accommodation, books, laptops and stipends. The trust also provides a comprehensive mentorship programme to enable the students to cope and develop new skills at university.
Regular mentorship meetings and workshops are held with the students to ensure they receive the much-needed socio-psychological support to increase their chances of graduating.
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Speaking on behalf of the inductees at the ceremony, new bursar Noluthando Ngcobo said, “Education is a powerful tool that can transform lives, and Peermont’s commitment to supporting students like us demonstrates a profound belief in the potential we hold.
“This bursary not only alleviates the financial burdens that often accompany our studies but also empowers us to focus on our academic pursuits without the constant worry of financial strain. For many of us, this bursary means the difference between pursuing our dreams and being held back by financial limitations.
“It allows us to dedicate ourselves fully to our studies, immerse ourselves in the learning process and seize opportunities we might otherwise have missed.
“We understand that education is not just about acquiring knowledge; it is about preparing to make meaningful contributions to society, and your (Peermont’s) support plays an important role in this journey.
“With your generosity, we can envision a world where our dreams are within reach. We can aspire to become leaders in our fields, innovators and changemakers who will positively impact our communities and the world. Your investment in our education is an investment in a brighter future, not just for us individually, but for society as a whole.”
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