CAPE TOWN – A talented Muizenberg High School matriculant was selected to experience a once-in-a-lifetime educational tour to Dubai but is appealing to the community to assist her with funding for her flight ticket.
Thabisa Mswenya is a Grade 12 learner at Muizenberg High school. She is among 1 000 learners who have been selected for the 11th Annual Academic Achievers Tour in December.
The tour is hosted by Travel and Sport – a South African school tour specialists company.
The company invites the country’s top academic performers for an educational tour abroad and exposes them to a variety of top-class institutions, cultures, history and unique experiences.
Thabisa says she was born and raised in Masiphumelele.
She previously made headlines for her entrepreneurship skills where she was among five girls who won R20 000 for their school after excelling at the Accounting Top Investors Challenge held by Coronation last year (“MHS girls invest well”, People’s Post, 9 September 2025).
ALSO READ: Future business leaders: Muizenberg High girls win R20K in investment challenge
“Being featured in the People’s Post newspaper motivated me to excel even more in my studies and because of that, I was chosen as 1 of the 1 000 high-school learners in South Africa to take part in an academic and cultural fulfilling tour in either the United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), Dubai or Australia. Dubai being the most affordable and realistic destination, I decided to partake in the Dubai tour.
PHOTO: KEANAN HARMSE.
“But even the amount to be paid is too much for my parents, they don’t have the financial capacity to pay these fees,” Mswenya explained.
Costly exercise
Mswenya says her name was recommended to Travel and Sport by her school.
“As I was one of the academic achievers at school, I was invited to their Annual Academic Achievers Tour. I’ll be able to experience a number of expeditions to iconic sites, as well as three private lectures at some of Dubai’s leading universities, with sessions tailored to the requirements of the group and chosen from the following topics: AI, anthropology, economics, international relations, global business challenges and E-commerce,” she says.
The qualifiers for this trip needed a 75% average or above on their final term report.
The tour is valued at R59 990 and includes flights, accommodation, meals, activities and educational programmes.
Comprehensive educational experience
“The tour includes a guided city tour, where I’ll visit and get to experience the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, a desert safari, etc.
It’ll also include an information session, guided tour and private lectures at Dubai’s biggest universities, namely the British University of Dubai, Heriot-Watt University and Middlesex University.”
Mswenya says her family hasn’t been able to raise any funds.
“I have reached out to organisations I know personally, the Coronation Team, Kirsten Goss Jewellery Team and have even started a Back-a-buddy campaign, which hasn’t received any contributions yet, but I’m still hopeful that contributions will come in.
My parents aren’t happy that they can’t afford the trip and they are devastated that they can’t meet the necessary financial needs.
But I find gratitude in knowing that they are trying just as hard as I am to get contributions and supporting me in every way they can,” Mswenya explained.
Future career aspirations
Mswenya hopes the tour can help inform her future career goals.
“I hope to gain fixed insight on my dream career path, gain a deeper understanding of international education opportunities, further develop my leadership and communication skills, and better understand how global systems operate beyond South Africa,” she adds.
She hopes to pursue a career in forensic pathology one day.
For details or to assist email siziphiwethabisa721@gmail.com or visit her Back-a-buddy campaign at https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/operationtakethabisatodubai
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