“I am a proud ‘Canyonite’ who is deeply grateful for the opportunity that Canyon Coal gave me.  Through Canyon Coal’s support I was one of the top performing candidates including making it onto the Dean’s List (Dean's List recognises the top 10% of students in each degree programme, provided that a minimum average mark of at least 70% is obtained) and later on managed to be part of the UJ Genius Club, known as UJenius (Students who have achieved a year average of 75% in the preceding year, on a full course load, and with no module below 70%, are nominated for membership into the UJenius Club). The bursary covered tuition fees, study material, accommodation fees and meals for a period of 4 years. Canyon offered me emotional support through their ‘’Change Your World’’ course and mentorship programme. Moreover, I was given a learnership to cover the gap year I had to take while I am applying at the institution of my choice. The mine supported my academics through vacation work, which helped me to balance philosophy and practicality. And at the end of my programme, I was given an internship. My career aspiration is to firstly attain a Mine Managers Certificate of Competency (MMC) and longer term, to establish a consulting company and an academy to mentor graduates.”