Bursaries change lives in Thulamela region

LIMPOPO – LEARNERS from the Thulamela area in the Vhembe region whose parents cannot afford to pay for their tertiary education will no longer have to suffer, thanks to the mayor bursary fund.

“Education can defeat poverty and unemployment hindering our rural communities and we cannot stand on the sidelines as a municipality without helping poor children so that they can realise their dreams. We understand that some children want to further their studies after matric, but they don’t have enough money,” Thulamela mayor, Grace Mahosi, explained as she handed out some bursaries at a function held in the municipal council chamber last Tuesday.

She told the children who received the bursaries that they had to work hard so that they could change their disadvantaged backgrounds for the better.

“You have to change your life to better yourself by taking education seriously. I advise you that, with good matric results, the doors of learning are wide open as there are many bursaries available out there,” she added.

According to Mahosi, the municipality had set aside over R500 000 this financial year to finance poor students who were determined to change their lives. The bursaries covered tuition fees, books and accommodation.

“We received a pile of applications, but we chose students who passed maths, science, commerce and technology. Successful learners will be liable to repay 100% of the bursary in reasonable instalments when they get employment after their studies,” Mahosi further said.

One of the students who benefitted, Tlangelan Ngobeni, is currently doing her bachelor’s degree in administration at the University of Venda. She said studying would improve her situation at home for the better as her parents are unemployed.