Zandile Bekwa, who matriculated from St Mary's in 2006, has been awarded a full undergraduate Scholarship to study at Amherst College in Massachusetts, USA. Only two South Africans have been awarded this prestigious scholarship, which is part of the Mandela Scholars Programme. Zandile obtained an A-aggregate in her final matric exams with four distinctions in English, isiZulu, Mathematics and Speech and Drama. Zandile was a School Prefect, Head of House and had her Academic Honours Blazer for her consistent outstanding academic achievements. Zandile was Deputy Head of the School Choir and was Captain of the Netball Team.

Zandile attended Orange Grove Primary School and was awarded a scholarship to attend St Mary’s through the Student Sponsorship Programme (SSP).

Meg Fargher, St Mary's Headmistress believes Zandile is a most deserving candidate for this scholarship. "Zandile is courteous, determined, serene and intelligent and will do justice to any career, particularly one which is intellectually demanding."  "We will watch this young woman with great interest."