Johannesburg - Coca-Cola Beverages SA has committed to support the education of youth from previously disadvantaged communities in Gauteng after 33 students were selected as scholarship beneficiaries.
The Gauteng wing of the company hosted the virtual launch for the 2021 student bursary funding for about 33 students from Eldorado Park, Freedom Park and Tembisa who received a scholarship to the value of R639 000 on Thursday.
The company partnered with non-profit organisations Gold Rush in Eldorado Park, Phakamani Young Minds and Abahlali Baahi in Freedom Park as well as Bophelong-Empilweni New Life Community Project in Tembisa to select the beneficiaries.
Coke West Rand district manager Robin Scherpenhuyzen said that an opportunity was more than just money.
“It’s about a better future for people and their communities everywhere on the African continent,” Scherpenhuyzen said.
He said that was why they designed the Youth Education Support programme to support the development of a priority pipeline to meet transformation needs through education.
“We know that we are a growing business and we know that in the future we are going to need to employ a lot more people. At the moment there is a massive skills gap on this continent and in South Africa so we cannot just sit back and fold our arms,” he said.
According to the company, about 60% of the recipients of the scholarships are female students.
One of the recipients, Ntombizodwa Shabalala, is a 2020 matriculant from Ikusasa Comprehensive School in Tembisa. Shabalala said that last year she applied to multiple higher education institutions but was not accepted.
“That’s where the Bophelong-Empilweni New Life Community Project came into my life and helped me find a TVET college to further my studies and I am proud to say that Coca-Cola will be paying for my fees,” she said.
The student committed to not disappoint her funders and urged the company to assist other young people who come from disadvantaged families.
“Thank you very much for the opportunity to prove myself and other beneficiaries that come from Bophelong-Empilweni. We can and we are not going to disappoint them,” she said.
Luthando Ntantiso, a 2019 matriculant from Freedom Park Secondary School, said he was thankful for the scholarship and the opportunity to study marketing at Central Johannesburg College in Auckland Park.
“This bursary means that I will be able to help out at home once I start working and will help pay the fees for the course I want to study. I will also make my parents proud when I graduate and start working,” he said.
Ntantiso added that he was looking forward to graduating and possibly working for the company.
Lorenzo Hotense, from Willow Crescent Secondary School in Eldorado Park, said he was grateful for the opportunity.
“I will be studying engineering which is one of my dreams ever since I can remember. I am very grateful for this opportunity,” Hotense said.
One of Coca-Cola’s partners, Vincent Moffat, urged the learners to show their gratitude to the company by passing well and obtaining their qualifications.
The Star