Investec awards R900,000 for 2013 tertiary bursaries

Promaths is an extra-curricular academic programme that aims to improve the performance of learners between grades 10-12 through extra tuition in each of these critical subjects. Investec has been involved in the programme for eight years and each year at an awards ceremony it invites the top performers from the Kutlwanong Centre for Maths, Science and Technology in Soweto to celebrate its success.

Once again, the flagship high-school education programme produced a top performing class who, in 2012, achieved 170 distinctions in maths, maths paper 3, science and accounting.

Of the 209 Promaths learners who wrote mathematics last year, 78 achieved distinctions and 57 out of 178 learners who wrote physical science also received distinctions.

For each student who passed with an average of 85% in Promaths' key subject areas, the company will award R15,000, while those with an overall average of between 70-84% will receive R10,000.

Alumni lead by example

Commenting on the programme, Setlogane Manchidi of Investec CSI said, "The company is committed to unlocking the potential of South Africa's youth. Education is key to developing this critical talent and securing a positive future for our leaders of tomorrow. I am always overwhelmed by the performance of the Promaths students and particularly proud of the class of 2012. Their success in the areas of maths and science in particular will open doors of opportunity not only into their tertiary studies but hopefully into successful careers which will ultimately see them contributing positively to the economy."

As the keynote speaker at the awards ceremony, Professor Jonathan Jansen urged students to continue their studies with diligence, while the MEC of Education Free State, Tate Makgoe, congratulated and acknowledged them on their outstanding performance. Students also benefited from hearing first-hand the experience of Promaths' alumni such as Isaah Mhlanga, who matriculated in 2005 and is now a senior economist at the National Treasury.

Top performer from the Promaths' class of 2012, Godknows Dube appears set on a similar path towards success, having earned recognition from the Department of Education for being one of the country's top performers, achieving six distinctions. Notably one of these distinctions was physical science, which he taught himself in matric, given his school was not offering the subject.

Commenting on his matric results and experience Dube said, "Through Promaths I have been given the opportunity to advance my studies and have been taught the value of working hard to achieve success. I am grateful to the teachers and the programme's staff who supported me throughout my schooling career and helped me achieve my goals." He plans to study towards a degree in Actuarial Science at the University of Cape Town, with a bursary from Investec.