26 scholarships awarded by Peermont Trusts

February 2025

For over 25 years Peermont Hotels, Casinos and Resorts (previously Global Resorts) has been in the business of making the tertiary education dreams of hundreds of deserving young people become a reality through the various CSI programmes supported by the well-known hospitality and entertainment company’s properties.

This year is no exception with the Southern Highveld Community Development Trust (SHCDT) which is supported by Graceland Hotel Casino & Country Club  and the Peermont Education Trust (PET) and Peermont Community Benefit Trust (PCBT), two community social investment initiatives of Emperors Palace, awarding a combined 26 all-expenses paid scholarships, valued at over R170 000 each, to worthy youngster from the Gert Sibande region in Mpumalanga and Ekurhuleni.

After a stringent selection and interview process nine candidates were selected for the SHCDT bursary “Class of 2025” while 11 applicants will receive funding from the PET and six from the PCBT. In addition, the three Trusts also renewed their support of 26 students already in the scholarship programme.

Much to the delight of the new recipients they received their scholarship letters, laptops, clothing vouchers and education packs when they attended an induction ceremony at the Palace of Dreams on Saturday morning, February 15.

Addressing the students, their families, current bursars and guests from the Department of Education and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality was Peermont HR Executive and Head of CSI, Fihliwe Molefi who said, “Today is more than just a ceremony, it is a celebration of potential, perseverance and the power of education to transform Lives.

“It is a reaffirmation of Peermont’s unwavering commitment to empowering young minds and building a brighter future for our communities. Education is the foundation upon which nations are built and through these bursaries we are investing in the future leaders, problem-solvers and changemakers of tomorrow.”

 

 Southern Highveld Community Development Trust (SHCDT)

On had to induct the thrilled SHCDT scholarship recipients into the “Peermont Bursary Family” was SHCDT Chairman, JP Mlangeni, Graceland’s General Manager, Charlene Ludick and the Resort and Casino’s Financial Manager, Lindiwe Pieterse.

First to get his scholarship letter, pack and laptop was Leandra resident and Vukuqhakaze Secondary School matriculant, Mfundo Zulu, who is doing a BEng Tech Mechanical Engineering degree at UJ.

Also heading to UJ thanks to the Trust is another Vukuqhakaze matriculant, Thokozile Simphiwe Skhosana who has his sights set on a BEng Chemical Engineering degree while Trichardt youngster, Gift Ntando Nkosi is doing a BSc in Mining Engineering degree at Wits.

The remaining bursars, all from Embalenhle, include former KI Twala Secondary School learners Ntombizodwa Cynthia Maseko, who is off to follow her dreams of studying for a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Aeronautical) degree at Wits and Noluthando Ngcobo who is heading to the University of Pretoria to do a BSc in Computer Science degree.

Thomas Nhlabathi Secondary School matriculants, Happy Ntombenhle Mtsweni and Njabulo Mhlanga are thrilled they can now respectively study BSc in Chemical Engineering at Wits and Bachelor of Accounting at UJ without any financial worries.

Rounding out the SHCDT new bursary group from Embalenhle were Osizweni Secondary School’s Khanyisile Precious Sikhosana who will do a BSc in Mining Engineering at Wits and former Kiriyatswane Secondary School learner, Nhlanhla Prince Hadebe who is attending UJ to do a BSc in Life Environment Sc in Botany & Zoology.

Speaking at the conclusion of the SHCDT inductions the Trust’s chairperson, JP Mlangeni said that the impact of this scholarships goes far beyond numbers. “What we see unfolding before us is the beginning of generational change. Through the Southern Highveld Community Development Trust, we are investing not only in individual students but in the future of families and entire communities. These bursaries are opening doors for young people who might not otherwise have had the opportunity to pursue higher education, giving them the tools to break cycles of poverty, expand their horizons, and contribute meaningfully to society.”

Mlangeni also made mention of Mike Sibeko, the first SHCDT bursary recipient back in 2000. “Mike’s story is one of resilience and determination, and today, as he walks alongside many others who have followed in his footsteps, he represents the hope and potential that the Trust envisioned when it began. Graduates like him are not only equipped with knowledge and skills but have become role models, showing others that their dreams are within reach. As they transition into the workforce, they take with them the values of dedication and excellence—values that will shape the communities they return to and, indeed, influence our society at large.”

 

Peermont Community Benefit Trust (PCBT)

Six Ekurhuleni youngsters who have visions of successful careers in the hospitality and tourism industry were inducted into the “PCBT Class of 2025” by Peermont HR Operations Manager, Tebogo Matlhakola and Emperors Palace’s Groups and Conventions Manager, Chantal Croaster.

The six deserving candidates already checked into the Swiss Hotel School’s residence in Johannesburg on Saturday, February 1 to start their journey towards obtaining their Bachelor of Hospitality degrees.

Among the six are former Tembisa Commerce and Entrepreneurship School of Specialisation with focus on Hospitality and Tourism learners, Thato Mnguni and Khaya Yende.

After matriculating in 2023 Mnguni decided to open a mini coffee bar next to his old school called the Cosy Corner Café. After gaining some experience running his own business, he decided to apply for a PET bursary as he felt it was time to study and gain more knowledge of the hospitality industry. After impressing the PET Trustees during the interview process this budding young entrepreneur can now follow his dream of obtaining a Bachelor of Hospitality degree without any financial concerns.

Yende, who enjoys baking, matriculated last year from Tembisa SOS with a distinction in Tourism and has dreams of working in the aviation industry after completing her degree while Vosloorus resident Providence Phillemon, who matriculated at Masithwalisane Secondary School in 2020 has already shown his passion for the hospitality industry having been employed as a Commis Chef at Emperors Palace’s Reign Restaurant at the time of being granted a PCBT scholarship.

Joining the above three at the Swiss Hotel School are 2024 matriculants Thando Mbuli who finished her schooling at Zimisele Secondary School in Kwa-Thema, Tsakane resident Ntombi Hlenyetwa who went to the Gekombineerde Skool Noordelig Skool in Putfontein and Tsakane’s Tshehofatso Malefane, who went to St Francis College in Benoni and has an interest in the financial side of the hospitality industry.

 

Peermont Education Trust (PET)

Before going on to assist in inducting the 11 PET bursars with Trust Chairperson, Tshidi Madima and Peermont HR Executive and Head of CSI, Fihliwe Molefi, Emperors Palace CFO and PET and PCBT Trustee, Thembekile Makhoba imparted some words of wisdom with the scholarship inductees.

“The road ahead will require dedication, resilience, and hard work, but remember that you are not alone. You have an entire community behind you, you also have Trust Manager, Thomas Masango as your mentor and he is there to assist you navigate the challenges of higher education and life.”

Of the 11, eight will start their tertiary educations this year while three recipients, Petunia Mailula of Katlehong will proceed to do her second year BCom Accounting degree studies at UJ, Daveyton’s Kapano Leboho will be able to do her fourth year BCom Accounting (changing to the CA stream) at UJ and Lerato Madonsela of Katlehong will do her second year BCom finance degree also at UJ thanks to the Trust.

Among the first-year recipients are Katlehong’s, Nosihle Zinyane (BSc in Biomedical Engineering at Wits) and Ntethelelo Nhleko (Bachelor of Education in Senior Phase and FET at Wits) while Numusa Sogwayi of Kwa-Thema is also off to Wits to do a LLB in Law degree.

Thembisa’s Godwill Shabalala will study a BSc in Computer Science at UP with Tshepiso Kola heading to Wits to do a BSc in Mining Engineering degree. Dinwiddie High School matriculant, Danyell Resinamhodzi will start her Bachelor of Arts degree at Wits where she will be joined by Daveyton’s Sandiselwe Zwane who will do a Bachelor of Laws degree while Springs resident, Siyabonga Zwane will head to UP to study BEng Civil Engineering.

Not only does the scholarship programme cover all the bursars’ tuition and accommodation expenses, books, a laptop and a stipend all three Trusts also provide a comprehensive mentorship programme to enable the students to cope and develop new skills during their time at university. Regular mentorship meetings and workshops are also held with the students to ensure that they receive the much-needed socio-psychological support to increase their chances of graduating.

Speaking on behalf of the inductees, new bursar Noluthando Ngcobo said, “Education is a powerful tool that can transform lives, and Peermont’s commitment to supporting students like us demonstrates a profound belief in the potential we hold.

“This bursary not only alleviates the financial burdens that often accompany our studies but also empowers us to focus on our academic pursuits without the constant worry of financial strain. For many of us, this bursary means the difference between pursuing our dreams and being held back by financial limitations. It allows us to dedicate ourselves fully to our studies, to immerse ourselves in the learning process and to seize opportunities that we might otherwise have missed. We understand that education is not just about acquiring knowledge; it is about preparing to make meaningful contribution to society and your (Peermont’s) support plays an important role in this journey.

“With your generosity we can envision a world where our dreams are within reach. We can aspire to become leaders in our fields, innovators and change-makers who will positively impact our communities and the world at large. Your investment in our education is an investment in a brighter future, not just for us individually, but for society as a whole.”

ENDS