Home News SPU welcomes top-performing NC pupils to talent programme

SPU welcomes top-performing NC pupils to talent programme

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Seventy-eight school pupils from across the Northern Cape will participate in the Talent Pipeline Programme (TPP) hosted by the Sol Plaatje University in collaboration with De Beers.

Picture: Supplied

SEVENTY-eight school pupils from across the Northern Cape will participate in the Talent Pipeline Programme (TPP) hosted by the Sol Plaatje University (SPU) in collaboration with De Beers.

SPU senior manager Kashini Maistry said the top-performing pupils in grades 10, 11 and 12 from across the Province were identified to be part of the programme.

“The TPP was launched in October 2021 and aims to identify the top-performing high school learners in grades 10, 11 and 12 from a broad range of schools across the Province. These learners are invited to enrol in a school holiday programme at SPU during which they receive refresher courses on their school curriculum and take part in psycho-social educational enrichment programmes to prepare them for tertiary studies,” said Maistry.

“The 37 new learners in the latest intake join last year’s Grade 10 learners (who are now in Grade 11) and last year’s Grade 11 learners who are now in Grade 12. The new learners include top performers from Daniëlskuil High School, Umso High School in Colesberg, De Aar and Monwabisi high schools in De Aar, and Hoërskool Diamantveld, Kimberley High School, Tetlanyo Secondary School, Borestse High School and Vuyolwethu High School in Kimberley.”

Maistry said the vice-chancellor and principal of SPU, Andrew Crouch, highlighted that the aim of the programme is to give pupils an advantage when they are at the end of their school careers.

“Some of the learners will participate over a two- or three-year period. Professor Crouch said we aim to create a pool of learners who have a better opportunity to pass matric with a Bachelor’s pass, thereby enabling the learner to enter into university, and we hope they will choose SPU.

“He told the learners that research has shown that a single graduate from a university has an immediate impact on the lives of 10 others when they return to their communities. One graduate from a rural community can therefore be seen to be a catalyst for economic growth in that environment. This is important to break the cycle of poverty and inequality in our Province and our country.”

The TPP patron and chair of council, Judge Yvonne Mokgoro, encouraged the pupils to not only enjoy the opportunity but to use it to improve their character as well.

“In this world, you can be anyone you want to be. I have always been part of this town. I have been everywhere … and I am still part of this town. I look at you and I see myself in you. I want you to remember that it’s possible to go anywhere and be anything,” Mokgoro told the pupils.

“You must make an effort so that this programme becomes a legacy for those that come after you. However, to make a success of yourself and those around you, you must want to succeed. You must grow a passion to want to succeed. When you reach that stage where things seem impossible, persevere and want it even more. When you want it so badly, you will make it because of your effort.

“We started this programme to make young people servants of the world, so in everything you do make sure that you do it to serve the world,” Mokgoro advised.

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