R560m in bursaries given to disadvantaged top performers

The province has invested R560 million through the Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA).

The awarding ceremony took place in Midrand on Sunday. 

Lesufi said more than 4000 matriculants will benefit from the program.

"Students, I am bringing to you a bursary that is unmatched. A bursary that doesn't have any limit. If you want to study a course that costs R300,000, we will pay.

"The reasons are simple, we want you to be the best, we care a lot and you are highly talented and this talent must be nurtured," said Lesufi.

The premier sais the skills from the matriculants will be reinvested in building the province's economy when they graduate.

"We want to be the first province to build a train that will travel from Gauteng to Limpopo in 60 minutes, so you are the generation that must build that train," he said. 

The bursary covers tuition, books, accommodation, transport allowance, a once off laptop allowance, and a living allowance. 

It also covers undergraduate studies, as well as postgraduate studies. 

Lesufi says the GCRA Bursary remains one of the most comprehensive provincial bursary schemes across the country, supporting students in various fields of studies, from aviation to medicine and IT.

“Through the GCRA Bursary Scheme, we are investing in the development of skills of the future. 

"We are arming our youth with the skills which will ensure our country is competitive and contribute to the economic development of Gauteng. 

"We have challenges in society that only these learners can fix for us. 

"This will be the generation that provides new ideas, local products and solutions for our province,” added Lesufi.

Meanwhile, MEC Chiloane expressed his pride in the class of 2023.

"This performance is also a testament to the dedication and hard work of our educators, as well as the critical upbringing role played by parents,”  he said.