Dimension Data has partnered with the City of Johannesburg to sponsor top performing students through the City’s Student Programme.
The City of Johannesburg Student Programme is an initiative set up by the City to recognise and reward the achievements of the top Mmatriculants at 20 of the city’s highest achieving “no-fee” township schools – the South African Schools Act of 1996 allows for learners from poor families to be exempted from paying school fees.
Dimension Data has been a part of this initiative by the City of Johannesburg for the past three years and has this year doubled its contribution to R200 000. This will be in the form of cash grants to the students to assist with registration at a tertiary institution of their choice, textbook vouchers, laptops and smartphones.
Education is a top priority for Dimension Data. The company’s focus is on supplementary education with emphasis on Mathematics and Science and providing additional learning and teaching resources to previously disadvantaged pupils and public high schools in underserved communities across South Africa.
Baxolile Mabinya, service provider executive for Dimension Data Middle East and Africa says, “Education is a basic right as set out in the South African constitution and we are happy that the City has taken serious strides in recognising learners from marginalised and previously disadvantaged communities. These students’ achievements are testament to the fact that determination, hard work and ambition can pave the way for a brighter future. Through our education initiatives, Dimension Data remains committed to helping young South Africans take active steps towards accelerating their ambitions and change their lives. We are honoured to be a part of this initiative and look forward to seeing these young people shine in the future.”
The City’s executive mayor, Councillor Parks Tau says, “These students have made us proud by achieving excellent results in their final year of study in 2015. Skills acquisition is significant as the world we live in is constantly evolving. We are part of a global knowledge-driven economy and it is mastering elements in this knowledge that will ensure our development and the prosperity of our people. Human skills development is important for our country’s youth in order to uplift our communities and play a meaningful role in the overall development agenda as captured in the national development plan.’
