MEC Addresses Bursary and Internship Programme Recipients

BY: .

KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and UKZN alumnus, Mrs Nomusa Dube-Ncube, recently visited the University to address students funded by the Department and those hired as interns. 

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Humanities, Professor Nhlanhla Mkhize thanked CoGTA for its initiatives to support young people. He added that it is important to create links between government, Higher Education and society at large.

The bursary funding, offered to students registered in Higher Education Institutions around the province, covers their tuition, accommodation, meals and books; while the internship and skills development programme offers a one year work experience opportunity to unemployed graduates. 

Chief Director: Human Resources, Mr Kisa Dlamini said CoGTA prides itself on being the only department in the province to have taken in more people with disabilities. 

A number of students, mostly from rural KZN, shared their tough experiences of gaining access to Higher Education, while some talked of the challenges of being the only hope for their siblings and families. They thanked CoGTA for believing in them. 

Third-year UKZN Accounting student, Ms Nikita Naicker shared her joy upon receiving the call notifying her about the funding. The eldest of three siblings, she thanked the Department for giving her the opportunity to study and for easing the financial strain on her parents. 

Dube-Ncube thanked the students for sharing their experiences and congratulated them for continuing to walk tall in the face of adversity. 

She encouraged students to not wait for a job but rather continue to study. She advised the interns to grab the opportunity with both hands. ‘Work hard, make yourselves irreplaceable and take the opportunity to understand CoGTA better to bring value to the organisation.’ 

Words: Sithembile Shabangu 

Photograph: Albert Hirasen