The University of Pretoria (UP) is proud of the fact that its alumni include students who were awarded bursaries by the Keith Bothongo Foundation. The first two students who benefited from this programme graduated during this year’s autumn graduation ceremonies. Keoagile (Louisa) Montwedi graduated cum laude after completing one of UP’s most notoriously rigorous degrees, namely BCom (Accounting Sciences). Kamogelo Legane completed the same course successfully.

Keoagile, who wishes to qualify as a chartered accountant, plans to pursue an honours degree in Accounting Sciences. She is relieved and happy that she passed cum laude. Kamogelo will also proceed with an honours degree and is very grateful to the Foundation for making it possible for him to study.

These two students had to be committed to their studies and work hard to excel in a challenging tertiary education environment, and this would not have been possible without the support of the Keith Bothongo Foundation.

The Foundation’s commitment to ensuring the success of each student was demonstrated by the fact that executive members of the Foundation flew in from London to attend the graduation ceremony and meet the students and their families. Speaking after the graduation, Mrs Olga Bothongo, chairperson of the Foundation, said: ‘Education is key for South Africa and we make it a priority to support students in every way so that they can focus on their studies and excel. Our bursaries cover all costs for deserving students who have shown academic strength, but whose only challenge is finding money to pursue their career dreams. We hope that by giving to the students, we will encourage them to give back to South Africa in their own way through mentorship, by inspiring others to succeed, or through donations to the University to allow others to study too.’

The University of Pretoria would like to thank the Keith Bothongo Foundation for their continued support of our students through bursary initiatives. It is through their generosity and belief in the potential of young people in South Africa that students from all walks of life who have the will to learn and succeed are given the opportunity to ‘make today matter’.