MBChB Student Receives New Award

BY: .

Former recipient of the Pius Langa Scholarship, Ms Usha Govind received the newly-created Malegapuru William Makgoba Award at the 2015 Awards ceremony. 

Govind, one of four students who received the scholarship, said: ‘I am extremely grateful and privileged to be a recipient of this prestigious award. My parents feel very proud and are pleased to know that UKZN values its students’ achievements.’ 

The award is made to the five top-ranked undergraduates proceeding from first year to second year study in each of the four Colleges. The recipients are therefore the top students among several thousand colleagues in each College of the University.   

Govind said the award served as a reminder that ‘there is no substitute for hard work and it will certainly motivate me to achieve more and to help others wherever I can. Each year, I will strive to maintain a high academic standard in order to be re-awarded this scholarship and to excel in my career as a doctor.' 

Govind’s family and friends play a huge role in her life, supporting and motivating her in whatever she does. ‘I am driven by both my achievements and failures as they motivate me to work harder.’ 

Recreational activities such as spending time with friends, exercising, dancing and watching TV keep the 19-year-old very busy.  

She advised fellow students to always strive to improve themselves, keep working hard and to enjoy what they did.  Govind, who completed her matric at Durban Girls’ College, is from a very medically involved family - her father is an anaesthetist and her mother a pharmacist.  

Govind’s brother is currently a sixth-year medical student at UKZN.  

Nombuso Dlamini