Through its Soccer Academy, the hotel company has caught the attention of the likes of a young Dannyboy Motshaone from Kagiso.
Danny, just like any aspiring township born, is a football fanatic-which some of us from the dusty streets of Soweto then- used it as means to fight poverty and avoid troubles that any young boy was proned to.
Instead, the 25 year-old who is a bookworm and academy product approached Silverstar Casino -part of Tsogo Sun- for funding to pursue his B.Com Marketing degree at the University of Johannesburg.
But preceding that Dannyboy’s future was seeing himself in the Marketing and Branding career, but due to funding challenges he had to put his passion on hold and opted to get a part time job as a sales consultant at a local
retailer.
Yes, one can safely state categorically that Danny was at the right place, at the right time!
“From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank Silverstar Casino for the opportunity they’ve given me.
My dream was always to further my education and make my family especially, my grandmother, proud. After watching her struggle to raise me and my siblings, I want to be able to give back to her and support her.
Being the first to graduate in my family, I hope that my story will inspire my other family members and the youth to not give up on their dreams,” says Dannyboy, who approached the company upon enrollment of his first year and Silverstar Casino was looking to invest in the tertiary education of one person.
In 2016, Dannyboy completed his three-year degree.
“When Dannyboy approached us for funding, the passion he had was tangible and he had a certain drive in his eyes. It humbled us, and so we proudly offered him the support and ensured he was able to complete his marketing degree.
At Silverstar we are committed to empowering our local residents. This is just one success story that leaves us wanting to see even more successes in the community,” says Shane Collinson, Director of Operations and Complex General Manager at Silverstar Casino.
Going forward Dannyboy would like to assist his community in Kagiso and help in mentoring young children, like his former self, and aid in getting the funding and education they need to turn their lives around.
Just like our former great Statesman Dr Nelson Mandela once opined: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” we believe Silvestar Casino took a gamble and today they’re reaping the rewards.
The graduate intends reinvesting back in the company by completing his honours degree in Finance since he has passion for Accounting.
We hope the likes of Dannyboy would also be productive in rooting out financial shambles that has beset the West Rand communities- just a thought!
