Bursary boost for five Zululanders

NOTHANI Education Trust has opened the door to tertiary education for five bright young members from local households earning less than R6 000 a month.

The trust is contributing between R60 000 and R100 000 per student per year to help them realise their career dreams by covering their tuition, board and lodging.

Accepting their bursaries in Richards Bay on Thursday, Sphulakahle Gumede from Mabhenza (outside Empangeni), Philani Gumede from eSikhaleni, Sibonelo Mncwango from Port Durnford and Lindekuhle Ndebele from eMkhobosa thanked the trustees and chair present at the event, for the support.

‘I was so excited receiving the news at 7pm last night,’ said Philani.

‘I can now look forward to studying electrical engineering at the University of KZN, which I would never have been able to do without this bursary.’

Sphulakahle, who will study clinical technology at the Durban University of Technology said she is ‘beyond excited and grateful’.

‘This is a lifetime opportunity,’ added Sibonelo, who will study metallurgical engineering at the University of Witwatersrand.

Lindokuhle also said he is thankful to now be able to study chemical engineering at UKZN.

Nothani trustee Lindiwe Ngcobo said the contributions are crucial to the betterment of the lives of young Zululanders.

‘They are our future. For many, without this kind of support, it would be impossible to reach their full potential.’

Chairman Musa Makhunga said it is not only about the students, but inspiring them to give back to their communities.

‘We do not just hand over the money, but meet and build relationships with them so they would always reach out to us for mentorship and get the sense of social consciousness to one day also help their fellow community members.’

Since 2013, the trust has handed over bursaries to nine students.

‘It is exciting to see their growth from start to finish and proudly watching our bursary recipients graduate,’ said trustee Tandeka Dabula.

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