The annual bursary awards ceremony took place in Kempton Park, on January 28.
Unity Secondary School pupil Pheziwe Mkhalane was taken in by one of her teachers in order to provide a conducive study environment.
As a result, Mkhalane achieved eight distinctions in her final matric examinations.
“Discovering that the municipality will be awarding me a bursary was by far the best news I have ever received, more than the eight distinctions I obtained,” said Pheziwe Mkhalane.
Hiresha Naidoo, a Benoni High School pupil, was also awarded a bursary for obtaining eight distinctions.
“I am very excited and appreciate being awarded this bursary because this will assist with my studies financially,” said Naidoo.
Both matriculants were featured on the front page of the City Times earlier this year, following their sterling matric achievements.
Addressing the top achievers, Gungubele encouraged the shining stars to use the education they will receive to bring change in the world and to achieve that for which they are destined.
“You must be where you want to be and not where people want you to be,” said Gungubele.
“Use the education you will receive to help us bring harmony, solutions and clarity in the world.”
He further stated that the municipality will do its best to ensure that a university is built in the City of Ekurhuleni in the future and that more deserving students are awarded bursaries.
In total, Ekurhuleni has awarded 848 deserving students with bursaries this year, in addition to the 403 students whose studies are already being funded by the municipality.
The mayor also awarded the best performing school, the best performing school in a priority area and the most improved school with a total of R15 000 each, towards a developmental project of their choice.
The bursaries will cover the learners’ tertiary registration fees, tuition fees as well as accommodation.
Each of them was also presented with a laptop and Ekurhuleni sporting gear.