We brought together a house full of stakeholders in celebration of our new brand as well as the achievements of our teacher bursary students.

The event held on 22 June 2018 at the Fortis Hotel in Evander had a double purpose. It was put together in an effort to gain exposure and create understanding of the new Osizweni brand. It was also an opportunity for us to award our teacher bursary students for their academic achievement in 2017.

The majority of the audience were aspiring teacher students or teachers already in the field. It was befitting that the Osizweni brand be launched to this audience as it is these people who are the testimonies and products of the impact that Osizweni has in the community. These people proudly carry the our with them as they follow their dreams to become teachers or to upskill themselves in an effort to uplift education in our community.

To share with you what the new brand stands for a breakdown of the logo follows. The logo represented has 2 strong colours namely the blue and the green. It highlights a sense of life, a renewal, a representation of Science, Maths and education in general. The colours are restful, familiar and comfortable - giving viewers a brand sense that is trustworthy, friendly, inviting yet professional & innovative.

The actual logo represents all Osizweni is about as a brand, it showcases Science through its use of atoms in its construction and Maths symbols, in the words which strongly makes up Osizweni.

The second part of the event focused on awarding deserving Osizweni bursary holders for their academic performance in 2017. Awards are determined by applying a weighted average formula wherein modules registered, modules passed and number of distinctions have been considered. Awardees received trophies, certificates and cash vouchers.

The results follow…

Undergraduate Awards

·  Full-time teacher bursary students Awards: Best Teacher Bursary Full-time Student Class of 2017

1^st Place: Natasha Laufs (12 distinction out of 14 modules with an overall average of 79%)

2^nd Place: Leandri van der Merwe (5 distinction out of 13 modules with an overall average of 71%)

3rd Place: Nokuthula Shabangu (1 distinction out of 6 modules with an overall average of 71%)

·  Part-time teacher bursary students Awards: Best Teacher Bursary Part-time Student Class of 2017

1st Place: Lauriska Visser (8 distinction out of 10 modules with an overall average of 78%)

2nd Place: Jana Marnaweck (7 distinction out of 10 modules with an overall average of 77%)

3rd Place: Marissa Olivier (7 distinction out of 11 modules with an overall average of 77%)

·  Teachers that have completed their undergraduate

Natasha Laufs completed Bachelor of Educations Degree

Lauriska Visser completed Bachelor of Educations Degree

Post graduate Awards

·  Teachers that have completed their Postgraduate Awards

Pulane Letsoko completed Post Graduate Certificate in Education

Jerry Maphumulo completed Bachelor of Education Honours

“ In 2005 Osizweni changed its strategy to focus on the upliftment of Mathematics and Science Education. What we needed, was to identify the most sustainable manner in which to do this. We identified that by investing in our greatest resource within schools, the teacher, we would surely yield a meaningful impact.

One of the greatest challenges facing the South African education system is acquiring  sufficient qualified, competent teachers, who can provide quality teaching for all school subjects and phases.

To date we have 151 graduates for ACE, B.Sc., B. Ed, PGCE, B.Ed Hons and Matsers combined. We are currently funding 38 teachers in the 2018 academic year.” said Mr Velaphi Gumbi, Osizweni general Manager.

Pulane Ndlovu is awarded by Mashudu Ndou, Sasol representative, Velaphi Gumbi, Osizweni representative and Rethabile Ndjibu, Sasol representative, for completing her Post Graduate Certificate in Education qualification.