CHS Students make their Families Proud with Scholarship Award

BY: .

Three students from the College of Health Sciences were awarded the Malegapuru William Makgoba Scholarship for their outstanding academic performance. 

The students are Ms Casey Lee Naude, Ms Azra Haroon Paruk and Ms Sabiha Bassa. 

Naude is from Biokinetics Sports and Leisure Science (BELS) while Paruk and Bassa are Pharmacy students. 

Named after the former Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UKZN, the scholarship is awarded to five top-ranked undergraduates proceeding from first-year to second-year of study in each of the four Colleges. The recipients are therefore the top students selected among thousands of their colleagues in each College of the University.  

‘I am very grateful to have received this award. I dedicate a lot of my time into my studies and it is such an honour to be awarded for my hard work,’ said Naude. 

She said her family has supported her throughout her academic career and is proud that she was awarded the scholarship. ‘This scholarship means as much to them as it does to me,’ said an elated Naude. 

She invests a lot of time and effort into her books. ‘It’s also a great financial help as both my brother and I are studying at tertiary institutions and I work part-time to assist my parents.’ 

Naude’s future plan is to establish her own Biokinetics practice. She advised her fellow students to work hard and do their best. ‘That doesn’t mean that everyone has to aim to be one of the top achievers but always make sure that you are proud of your work.’ 

Paruk said the award was proof that hard work pays off. 

‘I feel blessed to be able to receive such a prestigious award. I am already fortunate enough to be studying at this outstanding Institution and studying what I love,’ said Paruk. 

She said her family is her biggest anchor ‘What also keeps me going is that I am not afraid to work hard for what I want. I continuously set goals and strive to achieve them. My religion is important, it keeps me grounded and humble.’ 

Bassa, who comes from a family of high achievers said being awarded the scholarship has made her family proud. 

‘Dad’s crowing about it to anyone who will lend him an ear,’ said Bassa. 

‘It has taken me by complete surprise and now I have higher goals to achieve. It drives a desire in me to be the best I can possibly be!’ she continued. 

Bass always strives to be the best she can be. 

She thanked the funders of the scholarship, ‘The acknowledgement will be etched in my memoirs forever. Thank you for contributing in such an awesome manner to my life’s journey. 

Nombuso Dlamini