Star School Project: Our 2024 stars!

With the 2024 academic year behind us, we wanted to take a moment to congratulate our nation’s matriculants, particularly those in our Star School Programme, sponsored by our Selati Sugar business in partnership with AgriSETA.

The continued success of this year’s students is a testament to this programme This includes the likes of our top 5 performers of 2024, Endinakho Gojo, Amen Ntimane, Silindile Manzini, Njabulo Mahlangu and Asanda Ndwandwe. These individuals have proven their dedication and academic talents, inspiring their peers within their schools and communities to pursue education as a means for a brighter tomorrow.

Top student, Endinakho Gojo saw her hard work rewarded when she received 7 matric distinctions and was recognised as the second-best learner in the district. In recognition of her achievement she received a brand-new laptop, including software, from RCL FOODS – setting her up for further success at University. Her fellow students Njabulo Mahlangu and Amen Ntimane achieved 6 distinctions each, with other students receiving 5 distinctions.

Results that speak for themselves

It’s both an honour and privilege to see these students perform way above national standards! Every year, the top 5 students are invited to visit the company and celebrate with Sugar’s senior leadership, and past programme students (who are now at university).

We had the pleasure of inviting Rick Nkosi to our recent leadership celebrations. Rick was the top Star school student in 2021 and will be doing his 4th and final year in BCom Accounting this year at UCT. During his time at UCT, he has received the Dean’s merit 3 years in a row… a merit that comes with a significant financial reward!  He has also secured an offer from one of South Africa’s top accounting firms for his articles due to commence in 2026.

The Star Schools Programme has produced many professionals, including several doctors, who are positively contributing to our economy, some of them even locally in Nkomazi. Many have even gone on to work for RCL FOODS, some at senior leadership level.

Background

Started in 2006, the programme is run in partnership with the Star School company that is based in Braamfontein, having more than 60 similar projects country-wide, run in partnership with several organisations.

In 2022, AgriSETA joined the partnership, and have extended this partnership contract until 2026.

The project allows selected students to be taught Mathematics, Physical sciences, English and Agricultural sciences (a subject introduced as a result of the partnership with AgriSETA). The goal is to encourage learners to take these key subjects and excel in them so that they can progress in their chosen fields of tertiary study.

The participating students, from numerous schools in the Nkomazi area, begin the programme in grade 10 and remain until grade 12, with learning conducted on weekends and school holidays by contracted teachers.

With 40 students in each grade and 120 students taking part annually, it’s clear just how many futures are impacted by the programme. Once a year, in October, RCL FOODS, AgriSETA, and Star School hold an awards ceremony to celebrate trial exam results and give learners their well wishes ahead of finals.

Now that the matrics of 2024 have completed and excelled in the Star School Programme, we can’t wait to see them go boldly in pursuit of their dreams. With 2025 in full swing, this year’s batch of matriculants are seizing their time to step up and shine, and we have no doubt that their future will be stellar, too.