The FW de Klerk Foundation awards the 2013 FW de Klerk Goodwill Award to Studietrust
THE FW DE KLERK FOUNDATION AWARDS THE 2013 FW DE KLERK GOODWILL AWARD TO STUDIETRUST
The FW de Klerk Foundation would like to celebrate the Day of Reconciliation with the announcement of the FW de Klerk Goodwill Award.
The Board of the FW de Klerk Foundation has decided to award the 2013 FW de Klerk Goodwill Award to Studietrust, a Johannesburg-based NGO that has provided thousands of bursaries to disadvantaged young South Africans since its establishment in 1974. It believes that the activities of the Studietrust - and the excellent contribution that it has made to the education and future success of thousands of young people, particularly from disadvantaged communities - has made an outstanding contribution to the promotion of goodwill between South Africans.
The deep, unconditional and dedicated passion with which Studietrust - and particularly its founder, Rev Jan Hofmeyr - has approached its task is an example and an inspiration to everyone who wishes to build a new and better South Africa. It is also an example for everyone involved in education of what can be done if education challenges are addressed in the right manner and with the right values. There is no doubt - given the enormous challenges that South Africa is experiencing in the sphere of education - that such examples are urgently required. The work that Studietrust is doing is also a wonderful example of what can be achieved when South Africans from different communities work together in a spirit of goodwill.
Studietrust awards bursaries to "able but financially needy young people to facilitate opportunities for further education" at high schools, agricultural colleges, FET colleges, universities and universities of technology. The organisation was established in 1974 by Rev Jan Hofmeyr and others to help young black learners reach their potential, through education. In its first year, Studietrust awarded 75 educational bursaries, mostly to high-school students. It continued to help young black students during the difficult times following the Soweto uprising of 1976.
Since then Studietrust has awarded bursaries to over 7 500 students. They include many South Africans who subsequently became business, professional and community leaders, including Setlogane Manchidi (head of CSI at Investec) and Thamsanqa Maqubela (Executive Director of the South African Graduate Development Association).
The organisation, with the help of corporate and private donors, trusts and foundations, has continued to expand its reach and last year allocated 889 bursaries totaling R28 million to needy students, most of whom are pursuing university degrees. Studietrust’s rigorous selection process and personlised mentorship programme has helped to ensure an average pass rate of 88.9% for its bursars over the past 10 years.
To find out more about Studietrust, click HERE.
The Board of the FW de Klerk Foundation established the FW de Klerk Goodwill Award in 2010 to give recognition to individuals and organisations that have made exceptional contributions to the promotion of goodwill between South Africans. This is the first time that the Award has been given to an organisation. Past winners include Dr Danny Jordaan and Pieter-Dirk Uys
The FW de Klerk Goodwill Award will be presented to Studietrust founder, Rev Jan Hofmeyr, at the Foundation's annual Gala Dinner on 2 February 2013.
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Published in: FW de Klerk Foundation