13 March 2020 Volume :8 Issue :6

Motivating Young Achievers to Make the Best Choices

UKZN staff inspire greatness to KZN’s top-performing Grade 12 learners.

UKZN, in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education (DoE), ran Leadership and Career Development Seminars for top-performing Grade 12 learners at quintile one to three schools in Hluhluwe and Durban.

Welcoming the learners, Ms Hazel Langa of UKZN, said the main goal of the seminars was to enlighten the high achievers on career choices and also to provide information to help them make informed decisions when selecting study programmes to pursue at tertiary level.

Mr Niranjan Bridglall of the DoE encouraged learners to use Higher Education as a tool to transform their lives and later contribute to prosperity in the KwaZulu-Natal region.

The University supported the event through motivational addresses, presentations and exhibitions organised by current students, alumni, and individuals and organisations from the public and private sectors. Other institutions of higher learning were represented at the seminars.

UKZN’s Bachelor of Business Science student and entrepreneur, Mr Jabulani Nyembe, shared his motivating life story and passion for healthcare and entrepreneurship which led him to establish Clinalytics (Pty) Ltd, a healthcare tech start up business that harnesses the power of technology to help improve the state of healthcare. ‘UKZN not only helped me with education, but with putting into practice what I had learned,’ said Nyembe. He encouraged the learners to be problem-solving orientated and business minded.

UKZN alumnus and Audiologist at Mseleni Hospital, Mr Sphamandla Mdletshe introduced learners to the field of Audiology, while Chartered Accountant, and UKZN lecturer, Ms Hlengiwe Ndlela spoke on the accounting profession and the Thuthuka Bursary Fund, an all-expenses paid bursary fund aimed at transforming the profession.

Medical Intern at the Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital and UKZN alumnus Dr Ntokozo Maphanga delivered an inspirational address about her journey to realizing her dream to become a medical doctor which started when she obtained a Bachelor of Nursing degree in 2010 before completing her MBChB degree in 2019.

Learners were entertained with presentations by UKZN PhD student in Astrophysics, Ms Sinenhlanhla Sikhosana; UKZN alumnus, Clinical Psychologist and TV personality, Ms Nozi Nyawose; Mr Mzwamandla Sosibo of the South African Maritime Safety Authority, and Mr Makhosandile Mnyandu of Imisebe Scarce Skills Awareness programme who spoke on careers in aviation.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photographs: Supplied

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