The Trustees of the OD Union’s Invest in Our Future Foundation (IIOFF) have announced the newest recipients of the IIOFF Bursaries.  They are Gabriel Dyssell-Hofinger (2021K) and Solomzi Tshiki (2021M) of the Matric Class of 2021.

Gabriel’s bursary will allow him to supplement an already awarded bursary from University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) in the United States where he will be  undertaking a dual degree programme - a BSE Computer Science (Bachelor of Science in Engineering) and a BSEcon (Bachelor of Science in Economics) from the Wharton Business School.

Solomzi is presently studying for a Bachelor of Education at Stellenbosch University and his bursary will provide funds for his tuition.

In their own words:

About Gabriel Dyssel-Hofinger

Last year, I matriculated from Bishops. While at the college, I made a few notable achievements which reflect my academic ability. After writing the scholarship examination, the Theron Scholarship, which is the top academic scholarship at Bishops, was awarded to me to attend the school.

In grades 7, 9 and 10, I was selected for the South African Mathematics Team to compete internationally at competitions hosted in Hong Kong, Bulgaria, and Durban. In grade 11, I was ranked 18th out of over 100,000 participants in the Southern African Mathematics Olympiad.

In my final year, I studied and wrote 10 subjects, which is 3 additional subjects to the basic requirement of 7 subjects, and I was awarded distinctions for 9 of them.

At the end of my final year, I was placed 9th out of over 57,000 students in the Western Cape province for my NSC results with an average of 95.5%. My most notable results were 100% for Mathematics, 99% for Physical Sciences, 98% for Economics and 98% for AP (advanced program) Mathematics which is a significantly more rigorous curriculum done through IEB and is equivalent to first year university mathematics.

In my final year, I was selected to be a member of the ‘Ten Club’, which is the most prestigious and academic society at Bishops consisting of the ten most academically and culturally gifted individuals. After being an avid debater throughout school, I was also selected in my final year to compete at the South African debating nationals.

At Bishops, I was very involved in the Rowing Club. Despite only beginning the sport in grade 10, I was the only individual who rowed for both the senior 2nd eight as well as my u16 age group that year. The following year, I was 1 of only 2 juniors in our entire age group who were selected to row in the senior 1st team.

In my final year, I rowed for the senior 1st team again, and I was selected for the senior 1st pair. Moreover, I was nominated as vice-captain and boatman of the rowing club, and using my leadership position, I helped to preserve the spirit of the club through Covid.

I hope that my academic record and achievements stand testament not only to my prior work- ethic, but also to my future ability to excel and willingness to take advantage of every opportunity at UPenn.

About Solomzi Tshiki

I have been a member of the Bishops family for 13 years of my life. I have been through good and bad experiences at the school. There have been positive and negative experiences that I have gone through as any boy like me does.

At Prep. I was part of Bramley House and at College, I was at Mallett house.

I enjoyed most activities/ sports at the school, with rugby being my favourite. I played cricket, did judo until I reached the green belt level.

At College I was part of rugby until the interest was affected by Covid 19.

I was in the U18 4th team, and also played basketball in Matric.

despite what Covid 19 tried, to break us, we came out strong.

From grade 11, I led the Social Sustainability Committee at Mallett House, and was part of the Culture and Arts Committee. I was also part of the leadership in the AAP, Arts Accelerated Programme.

I was part of the Transformation Committee, leading it at Mallett House. My objective and purpose in this committee was to ensure that all boys of colour, different sexual orientation and religion felt safe and part of the school.

My interest has always been to effect positive change for everyone in the Bishops environment, which would lead to contribution to good citizenry in South Africa.

My involvement in all these linked committees even led to my persuading my father and mother to join the Transformation committee and the PA committee respectively. I am proud to say that even though I have left Bishops, my father is happy to continue contributing to the well-being of Bishops in the Transformation committee.

I matriculated in 2021, with a 65% Bachelors pass and obtained 1 distinction, two B’s and two C’s for my finals.

I am currently studying at Stellenbosch University in the Education Department/BA. I am really enjoying my studies and the university environment and have confidence given to me at Bishops, that I can succeed and make a difference in South Africa.

Both Gabriel and Solomzi are clearly exceptional young men and are a credit to Bishops, their families and themselves.

The OD Union wishes both ODs  well in their studies and, along with the first Bursary recipient Nassar de Kock (2021W), are sure to become enthusiastic OD Ambassadors for the IIOFF and encourage other young ODs to follow their dreams.

A note of thanks to the Prep Parents' Association for donations made to the IIOFF 

One of the Strategic Objectives of the OD Union is to forge positive and constructive relationships with the respective Parents’ Associations, the School and its staff.

Consequently, we are thrilled to announce that the Preparatory School Parents’ Association have awarded the IIOFF a donation of R50,000. These proceeds come from various fund-raising activities they have been undertaking, such as the recent Bishops Carnival.

James Sedgwick (1976F) the Chairman of the IIOFF Trustees in thanking the Parents’ Association said,

We are most grateful to the Association for this donation, and for the recognition they have given the ODU and the IIOFF as a meaningful and relevant project. We look forward to working together on many more events and initiatives.

Read All About the IIOFF HERE