Bursaries for Ugu’s top achievers

Ready to roll: Preparing for a brighter future after receiving bursaries from the ANCYL for their tuition fees are (from left) Ntokozo Zungu, Nondumiso …

Ready to roll: Preparing for a brighter future after receiving bursaries from the ANCYL for their tuition fees are (from left) Ntokozo Zungu, Nondumiso Sikobi and Lindelwa Ndabankulu, of Port Shepstone.

Ready to roll: Preparing for a brighter future after receiving bursaries from the ANCYL for their tuition fees are (from left) Ntokozo Zungu, Nondumiso Sikobi and Lindelwa Ndabankulu, of Port Shepstone.

IT’S that time of the year again when studious matrics are gearing up to take a giant leap in their careers. Those fortunate to have acceptance letters from various universities and financial backing from parents will be heading off into a scary, but exciting new world.

But what of those who are deserving, but cannot afford it?

At least 20 students from the Ugu District have had a helping hand, thanks to the ANC Youth League’s Port Shepstone branch.

On Tuesday this week, they were overjoyed to receive full assistance with fees and accommodation.

Nkazimulo Mavundla, regional secretary, said that this was not just a mere opportunity to empower the young people, but a chance for them to come back and change their communities for the better.

Regional chairman Mfanafuthi Ngwabe urged these students to stay away from excessive consumption of alcohol and not to engage in other activities distracting them from their studies.

One of the recipients, Nobuhle Mkhize, said she planned to study at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Nelson Mandela School of Medicine. “It’s a dream come true,” she said. Her mother, Lalli Mkhize, could not hold back her tears of joy.

“It was a very stressful time for me and I felt helpless,” she said.