Knott-Craig rewards students

Johannesburg, 06 Feb 2008

SA's top three matriculants for the 2007 school year have received scholarships amounting to R100 000 a year.

The scholarships form part of the Vodacom CEO Scholarship Award, introduced by group CEO Alan Knott-Craig.

The three matriculants - Johannes Cornelius, of Potchefstroom; Amori Engelbrecht, of Stellenbosch; and Linda Oosthuizen, of Pretoria - earned eight, seven and nine distinctions, respectively.

Cornelius intends studying electronic engineering, at the University of North West; Engelbrecht is registered to study medicine, at the University of Stellenbosch; and Oosthuizen will pursue a BSc Computer Science, at the University of Pretoria.

Speaking at the scholarship handover, Department of Education director-general Duncan Hindle thanked the students for their hard work during their schooling.

"This is a good day for us in education. And anyone who reads the newspapers knows that not everyday is a successful day for us. In her budget speech last year, our minister urged us to recognise and celebrate excellence where it occurs. This is what we are doing today. These students did not let us down," he said.

The scholarships, now in their third year, are aimed at covering the normal expenses relating to tuition, registration fees, books, boarding and meals, transportation and communications equipment. There is also a discretionary portion to ensure the recipients are "suitably resourced" to cope with their studies.

Said Knott-Craig: "I don't care what you study, or where you study. I don't even mind if you decide to study outside SA. All I'm interested in is helping to create an environment where you are able to concentrate on your studies without having to work in a bar or a restaurant."

All the same, the "kids" should try to maintain a balanced life while studying, added Knott-Craig.

"These should be the best years of your life. Please, visit the bars, make friends and don't neglect your boyfriends or girlfriends," he admonished.

Recipients of the 2006 and 2007 scholarships continue to perform well, says Vodacom. "All have passed their first and second years of study with distinctions."