The Beast Foundation, in collaboration with eta College, awarded two tertiary education scholarships valued at R393,000 at two campuses of eta College, Pretoria and Bloemfontein.
We opened the scholarship applications in October 2021 on International Day Of The Girl Child, and more than 250 applications were received. The final scholarships were awarded to Thando Ngonyama from Katlehong in Ekurhuleni, who will start her first year doing a Diploma in Sports & Recreation Management, and Karabelo Duiker from Bloemfontein, who will be studying towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports & Exercise.
The scholarship covers tuition fees, stationary and textbooks for the duration of the chosen qualification by the beneficiaries with Thando receiving R196, 500 and Karabelo receiving R131,000 towards their fees.
Responding to questions asked about how she feels being a recipient of the scholarship, Thando said: “I am happy that my dreams will finally come true because I used to play girls football in high school and I am currently managing K-1 Beaters, a netball team in Katlehong; and my dream is to one day own a netball team with the aim of empowering and creating opportunities for young women through sports.”
The Beast Foundation is the brainchild and lifelong dream of former Rugby World Cup winning player, Tendai (The Beast) Mtawarira who was present at the scholarship handover ceremony alongside eta College Pretoria Campus Director, Daniel Hlabangane and the family of Thando Ngonyama.
“I am beyond thrilled that eta College has partnered with us to advance sports and education to empower the youth. I am quite excited hearing that Thando wants to one day own a netball team where she will be empowering other young women. I would like to encourage her to continue working hard and as The Beast Foundation, we are committed to making sure we assist her in making her dreams come true.” said Mtawarira.
Echoing Mtawariria’s sentiments; Daniel Hlabangane, eta College Pretoria Campus Director, added “I would like to take this opportunity to thank The Beast Foundation for heading our call when we asked to partner with them and change the narrative especially in sports as it is largely dominated by males. We are proud to have Thando and Karabelo as the first Beast Foundation and eta scholarship beneficiaries and we wish these young ladies the best of luck in their studies.”
These scholarships are part of The Beast Foundation’s ongoing commitment to providing equal education opportunities to both young girls and boys across Africa, and, as such, additional scholarship programs will be launched with other prominent learning institutions throughout the year.
“Education is a very powerful tool and it is one of the reasons I am where I am in life today. As a child someone decided to open the door for me and through The Beast Foundation, I aim to pay it forward. Our primary focus is to create many educational and sporting opportunities for the next generation to thrive on and off the field. Thank you to eta College who have partnered with us to make this a reality. I would like to wish our two Beast Foundation and eta scholarship beneficiaries, Thando and Karabelo, well as they embark on this new journey.” concluded Mtawarira.
