By: Nosipho Haya-Komisa
As part of Buffalo City Metro’s initiative to develop young people in the Metro, Buffalo City Metro Executive Mayor Xola Pakati is offering financial assistance to needy students in the Metro to further their studies.
The 2021 academic year Mayoral Bursary Fund application forms are available at any Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Youth Advisory Centres within the Community Support Centres in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
Buffalo City Metro spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said this is one of the initiatives by the Metro to support and develop youth in the Metro.
“This is an Executive Mayoral driven initiative which is done as part of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality’s development of human capital, and applications are invited from students of previously disadvantaged backgrounds,” said Ngwenya.
Ngwenya said the fund is going to play a major role in covering all the costs for their studies including accommodation and registration fee.
“The Bursary Fund is intended to assist current or prospective students and shall be used towards covering tuition and registration fees, prescribed books, study material and accommodation,” he said.
He added that the Metro’s major focus will be on students who have been admitted to TVET Colleges in the province for the 2021 academic year.
“Successful applicants are expected to study at any accredited South African Tertiary Institution preferably Eastern Cape-based in 2021. Preference will be given to students who have been admitted to a TVET College,” said Ngwenya.
Ngwenya further said in order for their application forms to be considered they must submit all the required documents.
“Applicants must be South African citizens, permanently residing in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Have proof of residence when applying for the bursary, provide proof of income of their family household, be willing to work within Buffalo City after completing their studies,” he said.
Ngwenya has urged students with disabilities to apply for the bursary fund.
“The municipality is committed to advancing Employment Equity including persons with disabilities and encourages students with disabilities to apply to the Bursary Fund.”
“Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality wishes to advise that students are personally responsible for their admission to a tertiary institution,” he said.
Application forms are available at any Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Youth Advisory Centres within the Community Support Centres in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.