Page 1 of 4

UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG SOWETO CAMPUS TOPS COMMERCE

MATRIC RESULTS!

(GLORY TO THEIR PARTNERSHIP WITH DE BEERS CONSOLIDATED MINES LTD)

Jh

On Saturday, 22 January 2011 UJ Soweto Campus and the Soweto community at large had a privilege

to welcome Mr. Phillip Barton (CEO of De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd) and Professor Amanda

Dempsey (Dean: Faculty of Economic and Financial sciences) who joined them in celebrating the

outstanding performance of the class of 2010. These learners attended extra classes in Mathematics;

English; Accounting; Economics and Physical Science at De Beers – UJ Saturday School at Soweto

Campus.

According to Blessy Sekome, the coordinator

of the Commerce Arm of the Saturday school,

out of the 32 learners who enrolled in the

commerce class in 2010, 31 passed grade

twelve while 28 qualify to be enrolled for

bachelor’s degrees at universities. Out of 13

learners who received certificates of

excellence at this ceremony, seven are

commerce students with distinctions ranging

from Mathematics, English, Accounting and

Page 2 of 4

Economics. The Commerce Arm pride itself with the performance of their learners especially Ms.

Londiwe Sigudu (Red dress) who obtained three distinctions in Accounting, Economics and

Mathematics and three B’s; Mr. Vincent Khumalo (three distinctions and four B’s) and Ms. Jabulile

Ngubane (two distinctions and five B’s).

To add to the joy of the learners, Mr. Barton announced that all learners who passed from this

Saturday School qualify for financial assistance programme carried out by De Beers Consolidated

Mines Ltd. Meanwhile other students who were on UJ waiting list almost broke in tears of joy when

Prof. Dempsey announced that they have been accepted to study B Com Accounting at Auckland

Park Kingsway Campus. In her speech, Professor Dempsey named De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd

one of the friends of the UJ Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences.

More joy from the science side of the school.

The whole Saturday school salute the

performance of Mr. Matimba Mabonda (right)

who obtained 100% in Mathematics and a

total of six distinctions. He reportedly secured

a R400 000 bursary from AccelorMittal to

study chemical engineering at University of

Cape Town. Mr. Leon Matshingana (left)

obtained five distinctions and a “B” in English.

He is off to study Acturial Science at Wits

University. Standing in the middle is Mr.

Luvuyo Njari a B Com Accounting graduate

from SWC who volunteered to teach grade 10

accounting from January 2009. The school

remains grateful to have volunteering young

stars like him.

Sharing her experiences at the Saturday

School is Ms. Keabetswe Tlhotlhole (right)

who obtained five distinctions and two B’s.

Keabetswe is going to study Civil Engineering

at Wits University. Of all, Keabetswe thanked

University of Johannesburg and De Beers

Consoldated Mines Ltd for their partnership

that gave her this lifetime opportunity to

unleash her academic skills.

Page 3 of 4

he road ahead! In the name of community service, the attendees applauded the speech by

Professor A. Muronga (number two in second row reading from right) from UJ Faculty of

Science who is the director of the new Science Centre that will operate from Soweto Campus

under the auspice of the Faculty of Science that has the same objective of enhancing and

encouraging learners to take mathematics and science by providing extra-lessons in these areas on

Fridays and Saturdays for learners in grade 10 to 12.

While the interaction between grade twelve learners with the university lecturers is blamed for

attracting all top learners in commerce to make UJ their first choice, the same cannot be said about

top learners in science from the Saturday school. It is believed that the opening of the new science

centre will impact the learner’s choice of universities assuming all other variables remain constant.

mongst others, the distinguished guests and speakers who attended the awards ceremony

included - First row (left to right): Mr. Sakhile Ngcobo & sons (Head: Corporate & Public

Affairs –De Beers); Ms. Nomaswazi (Admin Manager: UJ Science Centre); Mr. Blessy Sekome

(Lecturer: Department of Accountancy – UJ / Gr 12 Accounting Volunteer Teacher and Coordinator);

Prof. Amanda Dempsey (Dean: Faculty of Financial Sciences – UJ); Mr. Phillip Barton (CEO: De Beers

Consolidated Mines Ltd); Ms. Sonke (Technical Assistant to Mr. Barton); Ms. Keabetswe Tlhotlhole

(Wits Student / Saturday School Class of 2010); Dr. Mokgadi Maleka-Lekganyane (Senior Lecturer:

Department of Economics – UJ / Gr 12 Economics Volunteer Teacher); Ms. Victoria Mashiqi (Vice

Principal: Phafogang Secondary School / Saturday School English Teacher).

Second row (left to right): Mr. Dewald Joubert (Senior Lecturer: Department of Accounting – UJ);

skip everyone including students holding certificates, Mr. Blessing Zwane (black t-shirt) (Former

Engineer at De Beers / Grade 10 Maths Volunteer Teacher); Mr. Mashapa Sekome (Senior Lecturer:

Department of Economics – UJ / Gr 11 Economics Volunteer Teacher); Prof. Azwindini Muronga

(Director: UJ Science Centre); Mr. Thabang Molise (Project Manager – Sci-Bono / Saturday School

Physics Teacher).

Last row (left to right): Prof. Lorraine Greyling (Professor of Economics: Department of Economics –

UJ); Mr. Matimba Mabonda (UCT student / Saturday School Class of 2010); Skip one; Mr. Majalefa

September (UJ B Com (Economics) Graduate / Grade 10 Economics Volunteer Teacher); skip two

students; Ms. Londiwe Sigudu (UJ student / Saturday School Class of 2010); skip one; Mr. Tsepo

Monaledi (Manager: Corporate and Public Affairs – De Beers / Saturday School Committee

Chairperson ); Mr. Mphoya Thobela (Social Specialist – De Beers / Saturday School Principal).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND VOTES OF THANKS

While acknowledging the hard work done by all our teachers in achieving the good results, we

cannot overlook the dedication and commitment by the learners themselves.

Similarly, as De Beers – UJ Saturday School, we remain indebted to our main sponsors who make this

dream of nurturing the young talents a reality, namely University of Johannesburg Soweto Campus

T

A

Page 4 of 4

for providing the venues and other facilities and De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd for their generous

financial support to our learners.

Despite their absence from the ceremony, certain individuals played and continue to play a vital role

in making the school a success. To name just few, Mr. Dirkie Van Der Watt (Senior Lecturer:

Department of Accounting); Mr. Tsepo Monaledi (Manager: Public & Corporate Affairs –De Beers);

Mr. Tshediso Konese (Marketing Manager: UJ SWC); Dr. Joe Manyaka (Campus Director: UJ Soweto

Campus); Ms. Seabi Mokoena (Senior Lecturer: Department of Accountancy - UJ) & Mr. Neville

Dlamini (Lecturer: Department of Accountancy - UJ).

For further information about De Beers – UJ Saturday School contact:

Mr. Blessy Sekome blessys@uj.ac.za

Mr. Mphoya Thobela mphoya.thobela@debeersgroup.com