Student Funding Office Staff Members Graduate

BY: .

Dedication, hard work and patience paid off for two staff members from the College of Humanities Student Funding office, Ms Fikisiwe Mngadi and Mr Sizwe Hadebe, who graduated with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and a Bachelor of Social Science degree respectively.

Hadebe, the first of his family to graduate, is from a single-parent household with many family members. His mother is a pensioner.

He chose to complete his degree in Social Sciences to understand the difficulties of human society and the importance of responsible citizenship. ‘My undergraduate academic years were both good and bad. I managed to do my degree even when it got hectic, I enjoyed the pressure,’ said Hadebe.

He also faced many obstacles, suffering a broken leg during a soccer game in 2013.

Hadebe managed to secure funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to complete his degree and the support he received from family and friends further enabled him to finish his degree on time. ‘I would like to thank everyone who supported me especially my mother for her love and support.’

He believes that education is important and is the key to success.

Mngadi also had to deal with financial difficulties before receiving the R35 000 Emma Smith bursary.

Despite having a BSc Geography and Environment Management degree, Mngadi felt this was not enough, choosing to do her PGCE.

She said her family and friends supported her emotionally with her mom also offering financial support, encouragement and constant motivation. ‘I would like to thank my family, especially my mother for the ongoing support. Their support enables me to achieve more. I love them so much for all that they do for me,’ said Mngadi.

She plans to do an honours degree in BSc: Geography Environment Management.

Nomcebo Mncube