In the heart of the West Rand, amidst the joyous celebrations of Heritage Day, the 22nd of September 2023 will forever be etched in the memory of the youth of Rand West Local Municipality. The event, held in Randfontein, a historic gold mining town, was a day marked not only by cultural pride but also by the incredible generosity of
MaxProf and EST Sourcing. Together, they celebrated ten outstanding bursary recipients, turning dreams into reality.
The festivities kicked off with an electric atmosphere, pulsating with music, dance, and boundless excitement, with the Executive Mayor leading the charge. Renusha Ramdas, the CEO of EST-Sourcing, provided a glimpse into MaxProf’s corporate social initiative, a noble endeavour that earmarks approximately R1.2 million in bursaries for the youth across 25 municipal clients each year. Over the past two years, the Rand West Local Municipality’s youth had already benefited from R160,000 in bursaries, supporting eight promising students. This year, MaxProf took it a step further, contributing an additional R43,000 to ensure that two more students, Gabriel Chulayo and Charles Macuaua, could chase their dreams. In total, MaxProf’s contribution to the Rand West LM youth soared to an impressive R203,000.
Amidst the celebrations, Ayanda Kunene, a former bursary recipient who is currently pursuing a Diploma in Education at MJR College, shared her inspirational journey. With unwavering determination, she exclaimed, “I knew I was destined for greatness, but coming from a disadvantaged background, I faced uncertainties.” Ayanda attributed her success to the power of prayer and the law of attraction, underscoring how these forces illuminated her path and gave her the opportunity to pursue her dreams. Her story serves as a testament to the belief that with faith, determination, and a positive mindset, one can conquer even the most formidable obstacles. Ayanda’s remarkable academic achievements also earned her high praise from the Principal of MJR College.
The event was charged with emotion as a young man, Gabriel Chulayo, on the cusp of taking his board exams in pursuit of becoming a Chartered Accountant, took the stage. Despite past setbacks, he summoned the strength to chase his dream, a feat made possible through the unwavering support of MaxProf and EST-Sourcing. In his heartfelt testimony, he expressed profound gratitude towards MaxProf and EST-Sourcing for not only making his mother proud but also elevating the standing of the Rand West Local Municipality.
Draped in resplendent traditional attire, the Executive Mayor, Cllr Gladys Khoza, delivered a stirring keynote address, commending MaxProf for their unwavering commitment to the growth of Rand West Municipality’s youth. She recounted the initial call from EST-Sourcing two years ago, outlining their vision to provide bursaries to the municipality’s youth. Cllr Khoza emphasized the significance of education, aligning it with the principles of the Freedom Charter, stating, “The doors of learning and culture shall be open to all.”
She acknowledged the unique challenges faced by the youth in a rural municipality like Rand West, who are in dire need of such opportunities, and urged the students to become professionals who would contribute to building a better South Africa. Her closing remarks resonated with all in attendance: “We are beautiful in our diversity,” a powerful reminder to embrace our heritage and the unity it represents.
In sum, this celebration was an unforgettable testament to the profound impact of corporate social responsibility, highlighting how it can transform the lives of young individuals as they embark on their journey towards realizing their dreams.
