Two outstanding students from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation's Dell Young Leaders programme - which seeks to level the playing fields for high-potential but disadvantaged students - get their degrees this month.?

Empowered: Dell Young Leaders Snegugu Vilikazi (above/left) and Bianca Lawrence.

Snegugu Vilikazi gets her BCom (accounting), while Bianca Lawrence graduates with a BSocSci (politics and gender studies).

The Dell Young Leaders Programme works with exceptional students who have a track record of overcoming adversity, and who have the potential to become leaders in their professional lives and communities.

The comprehensive support these students receive takes them through to graduation and into meaningful employment in their chosen professions. (The programme is currently offered at UCT and the University of Pretoria.)

Lawrence says the programme meant "hope, possibilities and endless opportunities".

"In my first year, when I wasn't part of the programme, I was constantly worried by financial burdens. Since my second year the Dell Young Leader's Programme has provided me and my peers with more than just financial support. I was always supported through skills development sessions, outings, mentorship training, and other programmes."

Vilikazi agrees. "The programme provides support for all aspects of a student's life, including their academic and personal well-being. Dell provides all the resources a student needs for academic assistance, and even counselling, medical assistance and financial support."