SA`s Top 18 Matriculants Honoured by President Mbeki; Awarded Notebooks by Lenovo

South Africa`s top 18 matriculants were the guests of honour at a private luncheon with President Thabo Mbeki held at the Presidential Guest House on Friday 27 January where, in recognition of their outstanding achievements, they were each awarded a top-of-the-range Lenovo ThinkPad T43 notebook computer.

The matriculants, who represent the top two students from each of South Africa`s nine provinces, were transported to Pretoria from around the Country.Trust. In addition to President Mbeki, the ceremony was attended by the Minister of Education, Mrs Naledi Pandor and the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Thabo Mbeki Education Trust, Dr Hasmukh Gajjar.

Rashid Wally, Lenovo Country General Manager: South and Central Africa, commended the young men and women on reaching the pinnacle of success in their school careers. "It takes commitment, dedication and especially hard work to reach the top - and I say it`s now your time. It was our own Nelson Mandela who said that `Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world`.

"So, armed with your Lenovo notebook and the qualities that made you succeed and brought you here today, go out into the world and make your mark in the global village of today`s Information Age."

Although the 2005 matriculants were the first group to benefit from the liaison between the Thabo Mbeki Education Trust and Lenovo South Africa, the ceremony and recognition of the country`s top students is set to be an annual event in the years to come.

Trek to the summit

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"Our objective is to encourage the future leaders of our country, regardless of the careers they may choose," Wally says. "The Trust is in the process of creating a portal which will enable us to communicate with the winners so that we can see the progress they are making, and Lenovo is committed to providing them with career guidance wherever necessary. We believe this group will be role models for the next generation."

As the world`s third-largest personal computing company, Lenovo`s business model is built on innovation, operational efficiency and investment in emerging markets. Formed by Lenovo Group`s acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, it develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services worldwide.

The Lenovo ThinkPad T43 is one of the world fastest performing notebook computers available. It creates a new level of virus protection with its ThinkVantage technology, Rescue and Recovery 2.0 and Antidote Delivery Manager. Equipped with a new layered approached to virus protection and the industry`s most advanced mobility, security, data recovery and power management features, it is designed for users who demand performance, security, and new levels of control.