BRIDGING Gaps Foundation (BGF) has granted fully paid scholarships to 20 excelling students from across the country.
Founded by businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei and his wife Sandra, BGF picked two top students from Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces to support.
Among the recipients are law and medicine undergraduates, all of whom have been accepted and registered by the University of Zimbabwe (UZ).
“This is not by luck, it is sheer excellence and that is what Zimbabwe needs,” said BGF chief executive officer (CEO) Mberikwazvo Chitambo, who spoke on behalf of Tagwirei.
“We are happy to be complementing government efforts through empowerment of the most vulnerable communities.”
Named the Reghardt Scholarship Programme, it will cover tuition, accommodation at the university, food, transport and a monthly stipend for each of the recipients, who expressed appreciation for benefitting from the scholarships.
“It was difficult for my mother to afford school fees as my father was not around. I used to beg school authorities each time to be allow access into the school without paying, so this will be a huge change for me,” said Welcome Thabiso Ndebele from Bulawayo’s Maranatha Adventist High School.
Ndebele will be doing medicine.
Olga Sitotombe from Gokwe, who will be studying law said the opportunity was life changing as she will be the first in her family to attend university.
“This is big, I am the first one to go to university,” said Sitotombe.
“My parents are very happy; they are very proud of me because I worked hard for this.”
Recipients will also be expected to adopt an underprivileged student from their home area to mentor.
“This is a life changing opportunity for our students, some of whom gave us headaches each year after passing with flying colours because we knew we could not cater for them all,” said Deputy Minister of Education Angeline Gata.
“This initiative shows that talent exists in every community and every child deserves the chance to fulfill their potential.
“This opportunity has opened doors for 20 talented students to study law and medicine at the UZ, who will contribute immensely to the development of Zimbabwe.
“As you embark on this journey you carry the hopes of the minister, your families and the Tagwireis. Strive for excellence and uphold the lessons you will learn.”
