College of Humanities Boasts Eight Denis Hurley Scholarship Recipients

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The Archbishop Denis Hurley Scholarship - dedicated to disadvantaged but academically excellent candidates - has been awarded to eight students from the College of Humanities. 

This year’s recipients are: Ms Thabile Zuma, Mr Tigere Muringa, Ms Slindile Mbatha, Mr Siyabonga Mbambo, Ms Samkelisiwe Zungu, Mr Bongani Mhlongo, Mr Lindani Maphumulo and Mr Leballo Tjemolane.  

Many of them were previously struggling with financial difficulties but were thrilled to hear they were scholarship winners.   

Community Development (Honours) student Maphumulo shared his story: ‘My parents passed away when I was in primary school and I had been paying for my education by selling items on the street at the Durban station and at taxi ranks.  

‘My family is struggling. There’s no-one working. I am the last born and last hope. For someone who lived on the street to be where I am now, and seeing the future ahead of me, this scholarship is a breakthrough.’ 

Explaining her situation, Zuma said: ‘I grew up without parents in a family of five. My eldest brother is the sole breadwinner. I decided to change my life by being a hard working student with goals in life. 

‘Being awarded this scholarship has changed my life as I will be able to continue with my studies and become the very first academic in the family.’ 

Committee member for UKZN’s Central Men’s Forum and an active student in programmes in the Campus HIV and AIDS Support Unit, Mbambo said: ‘I had no funding after NSFAS told me that it was unable to fund me as a postgraduate student. I could not even get registration fees or access to a monthly meal allowance. To get this scholarship now is a blessing.’ 

Theology Honours student Tjemolane says the Scholarship was a miracle. ‘I had been faced with challenges and financial difficulties around paying my rent and my fees. Getting the Scholarship has lifted the burden so it will now be easier for me to focus on my studies.’ 

Honours student Muringa added: ‘This Scholarship is pivotal because it ensures we are all given an opportunity to discover and exploit our potential and become whatever we want to be.’ 

Giving advice to other students, Social Sciences student Zungu said: ‘Grab all opportunities presented to you and make the most of them. Study hard and be good to others.’ 

Melissa Mungroo