The MEC for the department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mandla Msibi received a special award from the South African Union of Students (SAUS).
This took place during an award ceremony held at the University of the Western Cape on Friday where Msibi won the Special Award for his role in assisting students from disadvantaged backgrounds to enrol at different institutions. He was nominated by the students for the award.
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Msibi’s philanthropic initiatives in helping the students reached their desired dreams of studying at different institutions of higher learning started in 2003 when he raised funds to help students to register.
“I started in 2003 to assist students whose plight caught my attention. The level of poverty is high in our province and education, as Mandela once opined, is such a powerful weapon to change the world. I have also learned that when you help one student, you have actually helped the whole family and this will be for the benefit of the municipality and the entire province. When they complete their studies, they come back to plough back where they come from,” said Msibi.
He appealed to the private sector and individuals to identify students from disadvantaged backgrounds for intervention. He says in this way, the plight of communities in Mpumalanga will be turned around.