​Thembisa Shologu
The Gauteng Provincial Government has set aside R450 million to invest in the education of a young people who did exceptionally  well in the 2020 matric year. 
The (GCRA) bursary scheme established in 2009 is aimed at investing in the education of young people has so far spent R2.2 billion since its inception and has seen 27 000 young people graduate.
Speaking at the bursary hand-over  at Birchwood hotel, in Ekurhuleni on Tuesday, Premier David Makhura said investing in education would not be enough if government was not interested in whether these young people  become productive citizens and get their skills and passion channelled and refined.
"These young people will not reach their full potential unless we take them to the next level where they discover their  talent , and match it with passion. 
"The good thing about investing in education is that you can take anybody from wherever they are and from whatever set of circumstances and turn them into gold and turn them into the best asset that a society needs," said Makhura.
Premier Makhura said there could possibly be no development higher than investing in people, better than technology or gold because nothing could beat asset called human capital investment.
"You are part of a country that is waging many battles but wage yours.  You might be the first generation to go to tertiary institutions, and the first to graduate but you cannot be the last because when you have been there you are going to be the one responsible for lifting others up.
"The only thing we want in return from you is your commitment to continue to fight on many fronts so that this country is transformed and  contribute your energy and your own money to the struggle for change so that we can have a better country," he added.  
MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi said there should be no child that has demonstrated capability and talent that must be denied an opportunity because of where they were born.
"Those that have shown capability to succeed must be rewarded. Gone are the days where a child who has shown capability must stay at home because there is no government institution that cares," said  Lesufi.