​Lerato Mailoane
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi on Sunday unveiled a R560 million bursary fund to support the educational pursuits of over 4000 high-achieving matriculants from no-fee schools and institutions catering to learners with special needs in the Gauteng region. 
The fund, administered by the Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA), aims to eliminate financial barriers and nurture the academic potential of these students.
Addressing the packed auditorium at Vodaworld in Midrand, Premier Lesufi commended the learners, saying, "I didn't invite you here; you invited yourself with your marks."
Emphasising the uniqueness of the GCRA Bursary, he declared, "A bursary that does not have any limits, other bursaries will tell you they are giving you this X amount of money. The GCRA Bursary, we will pay if you want to study a course which will cost you R300 000.
"The reasons are simple: we want you to be the best we care about. You are highly talented; this talent must be nurtured, guided, and supported. I want you to be ambassadors of the GCRA."
The premier highlighted the need to develop skills to drive the Gauteng economy and implored the youth to pursue scarce skills to drive Gauteng's Master Skills Plan. 
"GCRA is established to reverse this tendency of everyday products and solutions being sourced from outside of the country; we must reverse that and ensure that it is all made in South Africa, proudly Gauteng."
Expressing the need for homegrown solutions to end poverty, Lesufi urged the youth to focus on engineering solutions for the country. 
Premier Lesufi also expressed gratitude to former premier David Makhura for initiating the bursary fund by selling his state house, demonstrating a commitment to funding students' education.
The GCRA is the skills development arm of the Gauteng Department of Education, responsible for assisting students by managing bursaries, internships and career guidance progammes.
The GCRA, as the skills development arm of the Gauteng Department of Education, oversees the management of bursaries, internships, and career guidance programs to assist students in their educational journey.
MEC for Education Matome Chiloane, senior government officials, parents, teachers, and learners were among the attendees. MEC Chiloane lauded the class of 2023, celebrating their resilience and record-breaking achievements with an 82% pass rate.
Proud beneficiary Hope Sowoya from Seanamarena Secondary School shared her success story, achieving 100% in Business Studies and earning five distinctions. 
She encouraged fellow learners, saying, "Hard work pays off today. I have a bursary that was given to me for free. Although it's not an easy journey, all you have to do is maybe plan your schedule and plan all the time because it is essential to know what to do and when to do it."