UKZN Alumnus Supports Deserving Students with Bursary Funding

BY: .

UKZN alumnus Ms Simangele Msweli-Ratsoana is giving back to her alma mater by providing an annual bursary of R25 000 for three consecutive years to support Honours students in Biological Sciences.

Msweli-Ratsoana, senior manager of the Charles R. Wall Youth Leadership Program at the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), understands first-hand the financial struggles that many students face.

‘I know how financial barriers can limit opportunities. By providing this funding, I hope to alleviate some of the burdens that students carry and allow them to focus on their studies and personal growth,’ she said.

Having experienced financial hardship in her own educational journey, Msweli-Ratsoana recalls the uncertainty of funding her Honours degree in Biological Sciences at UKZN.

Though she received a scholarship from Isimangaliso Wetland Park for her undergraduate studies, she found herself without financial support for postgraduate education.

Fortunately, through the support of her lecturer, Professor Steven Johnson, she secured funding for her honours and later earned a prestigious Mandela Rhodes Scholarship for her Master’s in Biology.

The assistance she received inspired her lifelong commitment to paying it forward.

Raised in the rural village of Mfekayi in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Msweli-Ratsoana was brought up by her grandmother while her young mother worked as a cashier earning a modest income.

She was determined from an early age that education would be her pathway to a better future.

Msweli-Ratsoana’s passion for environmental conservation began at Masibonisane High School, where she joined the Environmental Club.

What started as an alternative to sports soon became her life’s calling, as she realised the impact of environmental changes on her home village.

‘The club gave me a sense of purpose, showing me how I could contribute to preserving our rivers, plants, and animals,’ she said.

As the eldest of three children, Msweli-Ratsoana was determined to succeed and support her family. Even during her undergraduate studies, she sent part of her scholarship stipend home. Her resilience helped her through challenging times, including her grandmother’s illness and financial hardship.

Through perseverance and hard work, she earned scholarships that allowed her to pursue her studies and ultimately build a successful career in conservation and youth leadership.

Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledges the role UKZN played in shaping her career.

‘UKZN gave me the tools I needed to engage with critical issues in biodiversity conservation - from science and policy to practice - and I want to make sure the next generation has the same opportunities I did,’ she said.

Now an established leader in conservation and youth leadership, Msweli-Ratsoana oversees significant initiatives such as the AWF Youth Leadership Program, which nurtures young leaders to become environmental champions.

She is actively involved in empowering Africa’s youth through projects like the Kenya Conservation Education Project and high-profile global engagements, ensuring young voices contribute to shaping environmental policies.

Her work connects young leaders to platforms like the Africa Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

‘I believe that youth are the key to solving some of the most pressing issues in conservation. If we equip them with the right skills and opportunities, they will change the world,’ she emphasised.

By funding bursaries at UKZN, Msweli-Ratsoana is helping aspiring scientists from disadvantaged backgrounds pursue their dreams without financial worries.

Words: Melissa Mungroo

Photograph: African Wildlife Foundation