Trevor Manuel urges private sector and individuals to support fundraising drive for Mitchell’s Plain Bursary and Role Model Trust
MITCHELL’S PLAIN BURSARY AND ROLE MODEL TRUST ANNOUNCES ART AUCTION AND GOLF DAY AS PART OF FUNDRAISING DRIVE IN SUPPORT OF NEEDY STUDENTS
Trevor Manuel has called on the private sector and individuals to support the Mitchell’s Plain Bursary and Role Model Trust (“the Trust) as it launches a new fundraising drive to support deserving matriculants who cannot afford to study further.
The Trust will be hosting an art auction and a golf day during the month of March as part of efforts to boost its coffers in support of new matriculants and students who were already pursuing tertiary studies. Greeff Properties has joined forces with the Leonardo Da Vinci Art Gallery in the Cape Town city centre in support of the art auction, due to take place at the Taj Hotel on 16 March 2016. A golf day will follow on 17 March at the Rondebosch Golf Course. The proceeds of both events will go to the Trust.
Speaking at a press conference in Cape Town, Mr. Manuel urged private companies and individuals to rally behind the Trust and other community-based organisations who were helping young people to realise their dreams.
“Our country’s youth have immense potential, but for them to realise their dreams we need a bigger push to support those who triumph against considerable odds to make it into the classes of universities, technikons and colleges,” said Mr. Manuel.
“Education is one of the critical factors in changing the society in which we live and ensuring that young people from poor communities are able to study at tertiary institutions will go a long way toward building the South Africa that so many people sacrificed and died for. The Mitchell’s Plain Bursary and Role Model Trust is one example of a community-based organisation that is working to make it possible for deserving matriculants and students to pursue their dreams,” he said.
“The Trust is launching a new fundraising drive, with the first two events being an Art Auction and a Golf Day. Companies and individuals alike can help, either by supporting our fundraising events or simply by donating to the Trust via our website www.mpbursarytrust.org.za – just a few clicks to make a contribution,” said Mr. Manuel.
Mike Greeff, the founder of Greeff Properties and key sponsor of the Art Auction, said his company was proud to be assisting the Trust in its fundraising drive.
“Arts and culture are at the very heart of the Mother City and to be nurturing emerging talent is an honour and a delight for Greeff Properties,” said Mr. Greeff. “Greeff Properties has a history of supporting Cape-based artists from previously disadvantaged communities and it is an honour to be able to assist Mr. Manuel and the Mitchell’s Plain Bursary and Role Model Trust.”
Catherine Timotei, owner of the Leonardo Da Vinci Art Gallery, said the auction was a unique way for art collectors to support the Trust and its bursary recipients from Mitchell’s Plain.
“Art is an extraordinary vehicle for young people to express themselves and with the life experience of youth who are growing up in Mitchell’s Plain, there is great potential for them to develop artistic skills,” said Ms. Timotei. “At the same time, it really is rewarding to be able to help raise funds for the Mitchell’s Plain Bursary and Role Model Trust through an art auction which will ultimately benefit students from the area.”
The Trust’s Golf Day, dubbed ‘Tee off with Trevor’, takes place on Thursday 17 March and a luxury BMW is up for grabs as a prize for a hole in one, courtesy of Auric Auto.
Mr. Manuel is the Founding Patron of the Trust, which provides bursaries to matriculants from Mitchell’s Plain who want to pursue tertiary studies. Mitchell’s Plain is a predominantly poor area on the Cape Flats with 17 high schools serving approximately one-million people.
ENDS
CONTACT: Jeremy Michaels (082 939 4812) or info@mpbursarytrust.org.za
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Mitchell’s Plain Bursary and Role Model Trust (“the Trust) was established by Trevor Manuel in 2010 when, as a Member of Parliament, he was deployed by the African National Congress (ANC) to its Mitchell’s Plain Constituency Office. The Trust is a South African registered Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) in terms of both section 30 and 18A of the Income Tax Act.
The Trust has, since its inception, assisted many young people from Mitchell’s Plain to study at universities, technikons and colleges. In 2015 alone, the Trust awarded more than R1-million in bursaries covering tuition and/or registration fees to 82 matriculants and current students.
In the 2014 academic year, for the first time in Mitchell’s Plain’s 35-year history, Spine Road High School achieved a 100% matric pass rate and Glendale High School learner Jayson George matriculated with eight distinctions.
In the 2015 academic year Mitchell’s Plain high schools registered an 85% average pass rate, compared to 76% in 2014.
This shows what is possible in spite of the considerable odds which learners from Mitchell’s Plain encounter on a daily basis, including gang wars, poverty and high crime levels in their communities.
For info on the Trust see www.mpbursarytrust.org.za
For info on Greeff Properties see www.greeff.co.za
For more info on the Da Vinci Art Gallery www.davincigallery.co.za
ISSUED BY THE MITCHELL’S PLAIN BURSARY & ROLE MODEL TRUST
