By: Zethu Gweva
At least 78 students were awarded the Mayoral Bursary Fund for the 2020 academic year, by Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Executive Mayor Xola Pakati at the Osner Hotel today.
Talking about the number of students funded, Xola Pakati said 25 new students and 37 continuing students have received the Bursary Fund for the 2020 academic year.
He also boasted that the bursary covers tuition, accommodation, registration fee, meal allowance, study material, and prescribed textbooks.
“What we want the students to do is study and we will cover the rest because education is a societal matter and it opens doors to a brighter future,” said Pakati.
He added that education is very essential in the programme of societal transformation.
“If we want to get out of intergenerational poverty, one needs to invest in one’s education,” said Pakati.
Speaking at the event, former Bursary Fund beneficiary from King William’s Town, Dr. Zimkhita Soji said she received her bursary in 2010 to study B.Agriculture at the University of Fort Hare and graduated Cum Laude in 2014.
“I did not have money to study and I was sure I was going to drop out in the middle of the year as I lacked funds. A lady showed me the Bursary Fund advert in a local newspaper and I applied. The bursary changed my life and brought hope and relief in my home,” said Dr. Soji.
One of the new Bursary Fund recipients, Sifiso Rhumbu (21), who matriculated from Nowonga Junior Secondary School in Mdantsane said he will study BSc in Computer Science at the University of Western Cape and he is grateful for the opportunity.
“It will help me complete my studies without worrying about finances and I will be able to graduate, get a job and support my family,” said Rhumbu.