The ecstatic pupils, who were in tears during the heart-warming handover function on Friday, 30 August told a packed hall, how this bursary will change their lives. Honoured guests from the Department of Education, School Governing Body (SGB) and Damelin were present. Talented pupils from Crystal Point Secondary wowed guests with an entertaining programme of song and dance.
Crystal Point Secondary School is situated in Phoenix, a socio-economically disadvantaged community that is faced with various challenges. Under the leadership of acting principal, Mr S Govender, staff and learners are exposed to a school that strives to deliver quality and relevant education to this community, in keeping with the school's motto, "Education for Living". "We want to extend a huge thank you to Damelin and Lisha for helping to change the lives of our pupils. These five matriculants are the most deserving, as they come from homes that are in financial distress. Each student had to send in a motivation as to why they are most deserving, and these five came out tops. This bursary will definitely improve their lives, and help them find employment to support their families," said Mr Govender.
"Improving the lives of individuals and communities is part of our mission as a corporate institution, so that disadvantaged individuals and communities can be granted opportunities to change their circumstances. We are proud to have partnered with the school and Miss Teen India SA in order to educate pupils, who will in term empower their communities," said group chief commercial officer for Damelin, Nolan Charles. Damelin has a 69-year legacy in private education, with 17 campuses spread across the country. Damelin's variety of higher education and further education courses are offered full time and part time, catering to the needs of school leavers as well as more mature learners.
The delighted recipients, Wenzile Busane, Sohana Singh, Luke Mayas, Nonhlanhla Mpungose and Pravisha Singh, reside in the traditionally low income areas of Phoenix, Inanda, and KwaMashu. Wenzile, a dedicated learner, intends on studying Financial Accounting, Business Management or Human Resources (HR). "I am aware that Damelin is an exceptional place of study and I would like to learn from the best, that produces desirable results," said Wenzile. Sohana would like to study Travel and Tourism or Office Management. She is excited about "Damelin's wide variety of interesting and good courses".
Luke's excellent aggregate of 70% will greatly aid him in his interest to study Management or Media. He sees Damelin as a reputable institution that will equip him with what he needs to take on the real world. Nonhlanhla intends on studying Marketing or Financial Accounting. Nonhlanhla believes that studying at Damelin will afford her the opportunity to get ahead in life.
Pravisha would like to study Business Administration or HR Management. Pravisha's grades are impressive and she is excited to be able to further her studies at Damelin. "Damelin is a well-recognised institution and I have had family that previously studied at Damelin and heard that Damelin offers quality tertiary education to their students," said Pravisha.
As part of her prizes, Miss Teen India SA was awarded a R100,000 bursary from Damelin, which she could not utilise as she was already studying medicine full time. She suggested that the bursary be awarded to a deserving candidate at her ex high school, Crystal Point Secondary. "Due to my schedule with lectures and my Miss Teen India SA commitments, I asked Damelin and the school to choose a candidate," said Miss Narayan.
Damelin welcomed this idea as it tied in with its community engagement initiatives to assist disadvantaged secondary schools across the country, and went ahead to drive this initiative. Thereafter, Damelin decided to donate the bursary to five learners instead of one. "The thinking behind this is that there are so many children in need at the school, and they would rather help five, instead of only one. I thought this was a nice idea, and fully supported it," said Miss Narayan. Miss Teen India SA and the second and third princesses are representing Damelin as brand ambassadors for the year.
Damelin welcomes all awardees to the Damelin stable and wishes them all the best with their future studies.
For further information, contact Group Communications Head, Jessie Naidoo:
Tel: 031 713 3800
Email: az.oc.nilemad@oodian.eissej
