ONLY a week after a Sowetan report that five Ekurhuleni pupils were in desperate need of help to further their studies, the Ekurhuleni district municipality has pledged to pay for their studies.

Nasiphi Hlalele, Napo Sehloho, Palesa Khane and Vuyisile Tshangela of Katlehong all faced a bleak future despite having done well in their studies. They all scored six matric distinctions but a lack of funds meant they could not further their studies.

A local businessman, Lebohang Khitsane of Bataung Memorials, a tombstone manufacturing company, sent out a rallying call to fellow businessmen in the area to help the students.

"I am happy that the municipality has come aboard and pledged to help these wonderful and bright children," Khitsane said.

Napo Sehloho, who will study actuarial science at the University of Cape Town, was ecstatic.

"This is a dream come true for me. I will make sure I study hard and do not disappoint all the people who believed in me and supported me," Sehloho said.

Khitsane said his business partners would also give the students laptops and phones.

Zweli Dlamini of the municipality said they decided to invest in the future of the children after they realised what tremendous potential they had.