PROTEC - a national non-profit career development programme for high school learners from disadvantaged communities – celebrates 35 years of uplifting education in South Africa this year.

“To honour this milestone, PROTEC past graduates gathered at Alumni functions held in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, “states Balan Moodley, CEO of PROTEC. “We are enormously proud of our students, who are committed to paving a bright career for themselves and who are also determined to make a difference to the future of our country. Our learners achieve excellence, not only because of their consistently hard work during a normal school week, but they also sacrifice Saturdays and holidays to attend PROTEC classes.

“PROTEC’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education programme was established in 1982 in recognition of the need to improve the critical shortage of engineers in South Africa. This programme, which runs in conjunction with provincial education departments, relies entirely on funding from sponsors to support the growth and development of technologically skilled learners throughout the country.

“Impeccable results are achieved by our learners every year, under the guidance of our dedicated tutors. PROTEC 2016 Matriculants from eight permanent branches achieved a 100% pass rate, of which over 80% of pupils were eligible for a Bachelors programme at university. This admirable achievement is testament to hard work and determination to succeed.”

The PROTEC programme begins in Grade 10 and continues through tertiary education and provides support in the early years of the work place. PROTEC also supplies school materials, including stationery and scientific calculators, to help learners cope with difficult financial circumstances.

Learners benefit from academic support, social skills training and career counselling and are also given the opportunity to enjoy work experience and receive assistance in securing bursaries for further studies.

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Recent PROTEC initiatives include the Post School Programme (PSP) which addresses the need for holistic support and mentorship to ease the transition between Matric and tertiary education institutions, thus reducing the ‘drop out’ rate during their first year of post-school study. PROTEC PSP is a mentorship programme that provides on-going counselling, support and assistance to students at tertiary institutions.

PROTEC is committed to expanding its footprint throughout the country by empowering young South Africans to achieve their full potential and pursue successful careers as engineers, scientists, doctors, educators and entrepreneurs.

PROTEC is registered as an educational fund in terms of Section 18A (3) of the Income Tax Act of 1962. (reg. 18/9/2/11/262) and as a non-profit organisation in terms of the Non Profit Organisation act of 1997 (reg. 0001-335-NPO) All grants and donations are tax exempt.

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PROTEC - a national non-profit career development programme for senior school students from disadvantaged communities – celebrates 35 years of uplifting education in South Africa this year.
PROTEC managers from left: Sharon Khan, fundraising manager, Nivashni Govender, GM, finance and Zelda Pottier, manager of PROTEC Umlazi branch

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To honour this milestone, PROTEC Alumni gathered at a KZN Alumni function held in KwaZulu-Natal recently.
PROTEC Alumni, Lungani Simamene

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From left : Nivashni Govender, GM, PROTEC finance, Snothando Mzobe, PROTEC Alumni and guest speaker and Sharon Kahn, PROTEC fundraising manager. Snothando is a mechanical engineer at funder Tongaat Hulett and a recipient of the Nelson Mandela Fellowship Award this year.

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From left: PROTEC Alumni, Bhekithemba Mhlane and Nhlanhla Gumede getting re-acquainted after they matriculated 22 years ago. Bheki, mechanical engineer, is now a sugar farmer on KZN’s South Coast and Nhlanhla is a Paediatrician.

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PROTEC Tongaat branch manager, Marion Takis and Siphamandla Ngcobo, PROTEC Alumni and filmmaker

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MC of the event, Dr Gcina Mhlope with funder representative and guest speaker from Sappi, Elijah Masondo