Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba’s portrait image auctioned for R150 000

The famous portrait image by the mouth paint artist Kamow, which made rounds on social media was auctioned for R150 000 to the highest bidder Mr Victor Chipape on Thursday the 27th of February 2025 at Euphoria Golf Estate during the Premier Bursary Trust Fund Galla Dinner.

The amount of action was part of the 3 million pledges made by business communities to invest in future leaders, by reaffirming commitment to education for the less privileged youth of Limpopo to have access to higher education.

The Premier Bursary Trust Fund was established in 2006 by then, Premier Advocate Ngoako Ramahlodi and has already assisted more than 300 qualifying students from the Limpopo province.

Thanking sponsors, Dr Ramathubu said the province had set 2 million target but ended up surpassing to 3 million which is a progressive commitment to invest in young people’s academic future that will change their lives and that of their family members.

“ I stand here and acknowledge my predecessor Advocate Ngoako Ramahlodi because of positive impact this initiative has done. It has changed the lives of ordinary rural young people’s dreams to reality.

The aim of this Trust Fund is to develop skills, and with the money from our sponsors, we will be able to fund more students.

We can never have learners from the Limpopo province who attained more than 5 distinctions in matric not register at higher education institutions because they are still awaiting the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). We must pay for their registration fees to the institution of their choice where they are accepted.” Empahsised Dr Ramathuba

Margaret Masithi, a Limpopo Bursary Trust Fund beneficiary is the third child of six children of a domestic worker who was awarded bursary in 2019 and had an opportunity to study and obtained a degree in Education with the University of the North West.

Her academic credentials made it possible by the Bursary Trust Fund ripped fruits of hope as she is now permanently employed by the department of Education as a foundation phase educator.

“I am a testimony that it is not true that you can get assistance in government only if you know someone or connected. After my brother who cared for us passed away, I was left with no hope to realise my dreams, but someone told me to approach Office of The Premier.

I went there to enquire about the process and submitted documents needed the following day. The rest is history because I stand here as a graduate made possible by the Limpopo Premier Bursary Trust Fund. I would like to thank the province and the Premier for the contribution they have made to our lives, I speak on behalf of those that received funding since its inception”.

Premier Ramathuba encouraged those that have benefited to come forward to encourage others that the Limpopo government is committed to ensuring that young people are given opportunities without any connection but rather based on criteria set for deserving youth. EC