Thursday, July 25, 2024
In July scholarship recipients, funded by the Southern Highveld Community Development Trust (SHCDT), a CSI initiative of Graceland Hotel Casino & Country Club and the Peermont Education Trust (PET) attended a mentorship workshop at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park. The CSI programme for students pursuing their Hospitality Management degrees under the administration of the Peermont Community Benefit Trust (PCBT) are afforded valuable mentorship programmes, as well as tuition, accommodation expenses, books, a laptop and a stipend.

The three-day workshop focused on coping and development skills during their time at university to increase their chances of graduating. After being welcomed by Trust Manager, Thomas Masango on the students were given a presentation on personal branding by Trustee and Peermont Group Training & Development Manager, Malebo Mpepele before Trustee Vusi Zwane discussed emotional intelligence to employability. Alumni, Mike Sibeko, who hails from Leandra, also shared his road to owning his own company since being the first SHCDT bursary recipient back in 2001, to end the day.

Clinical Psychologist Asanda Madi addressed students on navigating university life highlighting time and stress management, adjustment challenges, emotional regulation, coping strategies, identifying mental health difficulties and help seeking behaviour and resources. That was followed by mindfulness journaling and reflection sessions with the students. Madi also spoke about dialectical behavioural therapy activities about understanding emotional patterns and experiences and triggers.

PET Alumni John Maseko, Executive Director of Operations at CE Africa also addressed the students on teamwork, initiative taking and dependability skills. Trust Manager, Masango introduced several multi-drawer challenges with PET Alumni, Nthabiseng Malaka who shared her story on becoming the resident scenographer and costume designer at the Centre for The Less Good Idea (CFTLGI) in Maboneng, and being one of three emerging designers chosen last year to be part of an international mentorship programme and travelling to the USA and South America to work on a musical celebrating Disney’s 100^th birthday. She also shared her experiences on a trip to Benin (Porto-Novo) and Europe, all thanks largely to the start she got through receiving the ‘Rolls-Royce' of bursaries as she calls the scholarship she received from the PET.

Tshepo Mdluli was the last PET Alumni to share, and is currently working for Wood as a Civil Engineer. Tshepo spoke to the students about the importance of taking their studies serious and that they should value the scholarship. Tshepo also discussed his experience with the Trust.

Students that benefited from the workshop were Ekurhuleni youngsters, Sandile Nkosi (Tsakane), Malwande Nomnasi (Katlehong), Boitumelo Phahlane (Vosloorus), Bulelwa Masoka (Germiston), Khensani Khoza (Boksburg), Diana Bingani (Vosloorus), Sipho Kubheka (Vosloorus), Kwanele Mangqishi (Tembisa), Lifa Masina (Katlehong), Kamohelo Tsotetsi (Vosloorus), Percy Sambo (Brakpan), Samkelo Shezi (Kwa-Thema), Velaphe Melamo (Katlehong), Kateline Visser (Boksburg), Faith Hartman (Clayville), Sisipho Duku (Boksburg), Michaela De Klerk (Boksburg) and Neo Mojapelo (Tembisa).

Among the SHCDT bursary recipients that attended were Owethusonke Radebe, Siyethemba Myeni, Busisiwe Mahlambi, Sizwe Mahlangu, Zothile Zwane, Unathi Radebe, Buhle Mokase. Siphamandla Mabena, Philisiwe Mayaba and Makwana Matladi who are from Embalenhle, Leander, Leslie and Bethal