Rick Turner Scholarship - An Answered Prayer for these Recipients

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The Rick Turner Scholarship was established to honour Dr Richard Turner’s memory and his contribution to UKZN as well as his much wider contribution to civil society. 

The award is for excellent postgraduate students who also exhibit a depth of community engagement, strong leadership skills and a passion for community work. 

Three College of Humanities students were awarded the scholarship - Ms Xoliswa Kunene, Ms Andiswa Luswazi and Ms Zanele Thela. 

Kunene knows what it takes to achieve academic success in the face of great challenges. Her determination and strength of character, combined with her outstanding results and merit certificates, made her a worthy recipient of the Rick Turner Scholarship Award. 

The Master of Social Science student’s postgraduate journey has involved both joy and difficulty. “My first semester was intensive, yet fascinating, requiring adjustment and extreme commitment. It’s been five years since I was a student, and this time I was also a full-time employee,” explained Kunene. 

A juggling act was required to find a good balance and ensure an exhilarating and challenging experience for Kunene. However, her academic goals became more distant when she was retrenched during the semester, adding to her emotional stress. 

Nevertheless, she persevered and through sheer determination, completed the semester and achieved outstanding marks with an average of 75%, achieving two out of three merit certificates. 

“My life experiences have helped me develop a deep passion for mental health services and realise how much mental and emotional support is needed in our communities. Therefore, I hope to specialise in clinical social work and perhaps pursue a PhD in Public Health.” 

Kunene aims to support the most vulnerable communities that lack empowerment and access to mental health services, believing that healthy, healed and conscious individuals are crucial in a society with many social and structural adversities. “I aspire to develop strong leadership and project management skills before opening a practice that will focus on rendering psychosocial and mental health services.” 

This enabling opportunity became a reality for Kunene after she realised her potential through the lens of lecturers who believed in her. “I had incredible lecturers who were not only focused on academic outcomes but also extended support throughout the process. This helped form my philosophy of how well people can do if they receive adequate support. They were the light I needed to tap into my greatness and for that I am grateful,” said Kunene.

“Hope, relief, and validation.” That is what being awarded the Rick Turner Scholarship meant to Luswazi, currently pursuing a Master’s in Development Studies. “The scholarship came at a time when I truly needed support, and it showed me that my hard work is seen and valued,” she said. 

Fraught with challenges, Luswazi reveals that her academic journey has not been easy. “I have had to fight silent battles using strength I did not know I had, and moments that tested everything in me.” However, to her credit, she chose not to give up and instead used those painful moments as fuel. Slowly, she found her rhythm, worked harder, asked for help when needed, and showed up even when she was exhausted. 

“Being awarded this scholarship means more than just financial support; it validates my journey and hard work. Today, I stand with pride, not because it was easy, but because I made it through. Each challenge has shaped me, and every accolade has reminded me why I began,” said Luswazi. 

Her time at UKZN has been empowering and has given her the opportunity to engage with brilliant minds and grow in ways she never imagined. “UKZN has given me more than an education; it has given me purpose and direction,” she says. Beyond her studies, Luswazi has served as a tutor, mentor for first-year students, and class representative, allowing her to guide and support fellow students. These experiences taught her the value of leadership, patience, and empathy, while also strengthening her ability to advocate for others. 

Looking ahead to life after her master’s study, Luswazi would like to pursue her PhD in Development Studies. “I feel passionately about using my qualifications, expertise, and time in a role that aligns with my interest in community development, criminology, and development studies. I also hope to contribute meaningfully to academic spaces through research, publishing, and possibly lecturing, creating inclusive platforms where students, particularly those from underrepresented communities, can be empowered to thrive and lead,” Luswazi said. 

Luswazi acknowledged her lecturers and supervisors for helping her navigate her way out of turbulent times. “I want to thank them for seeing something in me and giving me the space to grow. To my family, thank you for your constant love and prayers. And to the brothers and sisters I found at UKZN, thank you for being my home away from home. Your support and presence carried me through some of my toughest days. Each of you has played a vital role in shaping the person I am today, and I am truly thankful. I would not have made it this far without you.” 

She looks forward to giving back to the UKZN community in the future and implores current students to stay grounded and not be afraid to ask for help. “Stay focused and believe in your journey even when it gets hard. Use every available resource; remember, your voice and story matter.” 

This scholarship is a vote of confidence in my potential, says Thela, who is studying for a Master of Social Science degree in Criminology and Forensic Studies.

“The scholarship means more than just financial support to me. It is a vote of confidence in my potential and allows me to focus fully on my academic goals, motivating me to work harder and make the most of the opportunity I’ve been given,” said Thela. 

A deep commitment to excellence and resilience has been the hallmark of Thela’s academic journey, having faced personal and financial challenges throughout. 

However, she has shown strength of character and determination highlighted by completing her undergraduate degree with distinction, an achievement that affirmed her dedication to academic excellence. 

“I have worked hard to produce good academic results and received a scholarship at honours level as well. These awards have not only provided much-needed financial relief but have also motivated me to continue striving towards academic and personal growth,” said Thela. 

Being a scholarship recipient has made her realise the importance of giving back to the UKZN community. “To show my gratitude and appreciation, I looked for ways to be of assistance to my peers and found it in 2024 when I was appointed student mentor and then as a tutor at the beginning of this year. These roles have allowed me to contribute meaningfully to the academic development of undergraduate students while deepening my understanding of the discipline,” Thela said. 

Thela takes her tutoring role seriously and uses it as a platform to mentor, uplift and support fellow students. She finds purpose in helping new students adjust to university life, build study discipline and access academic resources effectively. 

Drawing strength from her vision of her future, Thela remains committed to her academic goals which include contributing to the fields of criminology, social justice and forensic research. Intending to pursue a PhD in the same discipline, Thela looks forward to postgraduate seminars, knowledge-sharing sessions and collaborative research projects saying: “I want to help make criminology and forensic studies more accessible and relevant to real-life issues, especially in communities affected by crime and social injustice.” 

Outside of her time at UKZN, Thela is an avid jogger and cyclist, recognising the importance of maintaining both physical health and mental well-being. 

She enjoys spending time with her family, who have supported and enabled her on this journey. Her UKZN family includes passionate lecturers and driven peers who have inspired her to aim higher and believe in her ability to make a meaningful impact, both in her community and in the field of criminology and forensic studies.

Words: Jennene Naidu

Photograph: Andile Ndlovu