NUM and JB Marks Education Trust Fund to honour 95 graduates at Emperors Palace tomorrow

Press Statement, 17 August 2023

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) together with the JB Marks Education Trust Fund will once again honour 95 graduates at its prestigious 12th Annual JB Marks Graduates Awards Ceremony, which will be held at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park coming Friday (18 August 2023) starting at 6 pm.

The JB Marks Education Trust Fund was founded in 1997 by the NUM and named after its first president of the African Miners Union JB Marks. The Trust is also celebrating its 26th anniversary and has so far spent R600 million in funding bursaries for its members and dependents. Over the past two decades, JB Marks Education Trust Fund has provided bursaries for members of the NUM and their families; ultimately enabling 1, 812 bursars to graduate with mainstream qualifications (including 26 medical doctors and 4 Pilots).

For this year’s graduation ceremony, the main speaker is Dr Pali Lehohla who has served 17 years as South Africa's Statistician-General with roles at UN and Oxford University. An advocate for enhancing Africa's Civil Registration and Vital Statistics systems. He is a professor at the University of Johannesburg.

"For those who have graduated amidst the challenges, it is important to remain humble and recognise that there are greater challenges ahead. The earth can be dark or bright, but it is a vicious place, your skills will be tested and refined as you navigate its obstacles," said Jako Mokgosi, Principal Officer JB Marks Education Trust Fund.

Educating and empowering young Southern Africans is the centrepiece of the NUM strategy meant to break the yoke of the triple evils of poverty, unemployment, and inequality.

These bursaries are an effort of educating and empowering the dependents of NUM members. The education of an individual is by definition the education of a society.

The NUM through the JB Marks Education Trust Fund will continue to educate its members and their dependents.

The NUM is inviting members of the media to attend and report.

For more detailed information, please contact:

Jako Mokgosi, JB Marks Education Trust Fund Principal Officer, 082 380 8630

Livhuwani Mammburu, NUM National Spokesperson, 083 809 3257

Luphert Chilwane, NUM Media Officer, 083 809 3255

The National Union of Mineworkers
7 Rissik Street.
Cnr Frederick Johannesburg
Tel: 011 377 2111 Cell: 083 809 3257
Twitter: @Num_Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NUM/100860023402167