High School Scholars

“This program has given me the chance to go to a better school. Now I have a dream I did not have before. I want to be a scientist…or an engineer. And I want to play cricket for South Africa.” – Mzido, age 13

Between 2001 and 2004, top students from Masiphumelele Primary School were selected to receive bursaries and other support services so that they could successfully attend better schools in nearby Fish Hoek . 

In 2005 the program was changed and two of the graduating class from Masiphumelele High School were awarded scholarships to attend a nearby college. See Better Futures

In 2001, Masiphumelele Corporation selected two girls from Grade 6 at Masiphumelele Primary School to attend Fish Hoek Middle School. The girls, Vuyiseke and Viwe, have now grqaduated from Grade 12 at Fish Hoek High School and are attending colleges. Lungile, our 2002 scholar, is now in Grade 12 at False Bay College. Our 2003 boys, Mzido and Loyiso are currently in Grade 11 and our youngest scholar, Xolisa, is in his first year at the High School in Grade 10.

Scholars face numerous challenges in their transition from a township primary school to a predominantly white middle school in another community. To help navigate the transition, Masi Corp provides the following services:
  • Purchase and ongoing upkeep of uniforms and other necessary clothing;
  • Stationery, books, pens, pencils, locker fees, padlocks, etc.;
  • Funds for school trips, school sports, extracurriculars, and individual outings;
  • Lunch, and breakfast if necessary;
  • Bicycles to get from the township to school;
  • Tutoring and library help after school;
  • Advocacy for the child at school conferences;
  • Counseling and support for issues at home, including unemployment, domestic violence and alcoholism.

Highlights:

An outing to Cape Point with Jane Philippi and Lyn Ferrara

In addition to keeping up schoolwork, scholars play on cricket, tennis, soccer and track teams. 

In 2003, Lungile, was selected by his classmates and teachers to attend a five day youth leadership conference in Johannesburg sponsored by the Partnership Foundation Trust. It was Lungile’s first airplane trip and his first time to Johannesburg. He was also nominated for Class President and on graduating from the Middle School received the “Dux Ludi” prize as the best leader in the Middle School.

At the end of his 8th grade year, Lungile was awarded the Anderson Trophy for Perseverance. Regarded as one of the most important awards at the school, it recognize an individual who has achieved against great odds. Lungile also won two trophies for cross country running.

Mzido won an award at the end of his first year (Grade 7) for “most improved learner.”

At the end of both Grades 7 and 8, Loyiso won the Stuart-Findley Family trophy for "effort and enthusiasm.”

Viwe and Vuyiseka were runners-up for an award for "the most involved in the community". Vuyiseka won the 10th grade prize for Business Economics; Viwe was runner-up.

In 2005 it cost, on average, $3580 per year to support a Masiphumelele scholar at Fish Hoek School. Only $1141 of this cost were the actual school fees; the remainder covered all the additional wrap-around services the scholars needed to succeed at school. Each scholar is sponsored by a Friend of Masiphumelele in the US. Sponsors cover approximately 2/3 of the cost; Masi Corp covers the rest. 

“At my old school we did not have books and I had to share my desk with three other students. Sometimes I did not go to school at all because my grandfather needed help with his goats. Now I am at a good school and I can run on the athletics team after school. I want to help people when I get older. I’d like to be a doctor in general practice.”   - Xolisa, age 12