Testimonials:

I am one of the students awarded a Foskor bursary. This bursary covers registration fees, tuition fees and prescribed material. During my high school years at Maphokwane High I attended the Foundation’s Learner Support programme at Leboneng education centre in Namakgale. It really helped me and challenged me to do better in school. I studied hard and made sure that I got good marks during my matric year. I am now enrolled for a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences at the University of Witwatersrand.

I am one of the students that has been given a chance to further my studies by Foskor through a bursary that covers my tuition, registration and prescribed study materials. A lot of students compete for the same opportunity and there is no way to guarantee that you will get selected, but I worked hard at school and applied early. I am studying Geological Science at the University of the Witwatersrand. I am interested in the processes that shape the earth and also the origin and development of our landscape. I was supported and encouraged by the Foundation as I completed my matric at Maphokwane High School which is in the village of Mashishimale. I had joined Technokidz while in primary school. This program was very helpful to me academically and improved my confidence. Five years from now I would love to have completed my honors degree and one day I would like to earn a PhD.

“I want my future to be bright and the Palabora Foundation is helping me to make it so.”

Eulandah Mathebula (23) left school in Grade 11, but found her way back into the class room through the Adult Education Training programme at the Palabora Foundation. She has already completed English Level 4 and will do Level 4 in Life Orientation, Mathematics and Nature Science this year.

“I like the way we learn, the way the teacher encourages us and the practicals we do.”

But what inspired and motivated her most was the graduation ceremony in April where she and her mom both received certificates. “I could see myself where I wanted to go, that there is a new life around the corner for me. I was really proud of myself ”

Eulandah lives with her parents. She has a son, Blessing (4) and two younger siblings, both still at school.

“When you see me again I will be driving a big car and have my own business.”

Benjamin Mawasha, trainee mason at the Phalaborwa Foundation, may be dreaming big, but he is adamant that he will not be working for the government, or indeed any other boss one day. He will have his own company and he will be helping others make a living; probably in his home village of Motupa, that is in the Bolobedu area near Tzaneen.

Benjamin also knows the certificate he will receive on completion of his current training course at the Palabora Foundation is just another step, that already includes a Grade 12 pass and a driver’s licence that will take him to the top.

“After I finish here, I want to do a business plan and register a CK (small business).” Benjamin is committed to his own his future and to help others become a part of his story.

“I want to have beautiful things and I know it is only when I have my own company that I can be rich and I want to be rich.”

“I am grateful for this opportunity at the Palabora Foundation and love learning to work with my hands here.”

Tinyiko Mboweni (21) is a bright and enthusiastic trainee Masonry at the Palabora Foundation, grinding her hands (and mind) towards the tricks of the trade that will frame and form her future. Some of her friends may think she’s risking a man’s world, but not her. “Nowadays, there is nothing like a man’s job anymore, and I wanted to do something where I work with my hands.”

Tinyiko passed Grade 12 in 2014 in Julesburg, near Tzaneen. She is the oldest of three children and hopes to start a business once she has nished the training. She has family in Johannesburg, where she plans to lay her life foundations.

A very special ‘THANK YOU’ with sincere appreciation and best wishes

To Palabora Foundation

This is just to inform you that your efforts as Palabora Foundation paid off.

My daughter Nnana Margaret Shai who benefited from a Career Wise bursary facilitated by PROTEC completed her BA Accounting degree (cum laude) and later Honours. She served articles at Pricewaterhousecoopers in Polokwane. She has now passed her final board exam and is registered as a Chartered Accountant.

From Mrs K.M.Shai

Letter of Appreciation

I would like to thank you, Protec and the Palabora Foundation for selecting me to be part of this outstanding educational support programme. I was selected as a young man originating from Maseke Village to be one of the Grade 8 Protec students in 2008. At that time, we did not even own a single computer at home, but Protec gave me an opportunity to be taught by the best teachers in Phalaborwa and South Africa. Their work is proven to be of National to International standards due to high matric results they achieve and how competitive Protec students are in International Ranked Universities like Wits, UP, UCT, and etc.

After completing my Matric in 2012, I was accepted to study at the University of the Witwatersrand in January 2013, thanks to Protec. My family could not afford to pay a single cent at this institution but Protec and Foskor managed to settle my fees for four years. My biggest appreciation is to Protec because they were not obliged to do anything for me but because you could not let my future and dreams to be limited due to my financial status. It was not and never about money but you spent thousands of Rands on my academics and that for me was enough motivation not to disappoint you. There is a lot I can say, but with a lack of better terms “You Are the Best”.

Today as a final year student, I am about to become a mining engineer due to your unbelievable trust, confidence and hope you had and still have in me. I would like to thank everyone from the cleaners to management at Palabora Foundation for all the things I achieved at and through Protec. I will remain loyal to you and I am available to give back to this programme at possible encounters.

“An Investment in Knowledge Pays the Best Interest”, Benjamin Franklin

Yours Faithfully,

Reply Maluleke