Ndlambe assists students to register
5`1 recipients given bursaries to help them start or continue university journey
Fifty-one students received registration funding bursaries totalling R297,000 from the Ndlambe Municipality at a special handover occasion at the Port Alfred Civic Centre on Thursday February 1.
The cohort consisting of mostly firstyear students from previously disadvantaged communities but not limited to first-years only were chosen based on matric and university exam results.
The group listened intently as Ndlambe Municipality mayor Khululwa Ncamiso, HR manager Unathi Nondzube and director of corporate services Lazola Payi gave them words of encouragement and explained the criteria used in choosing the applicants.
Payi said: “The money is from the public purse so we need to disclose everything we have done. We don’t need your IDs or cell numbers but we do need the list of names so at least fairness and transparency is conveyed.
“An advert was released in December calling for mayoral bursaries [registration funding] we do it every year. The most important issue we look at is whether you are from the previously disadvantaged community
and we do our best to make sure that the criteria we use reflects this.
“We don’t know you but we rely on the documentation we receive from you. The money we allocate you will be going straight to your school; so you must take your letter to the school [so that registration money can be paid].”
Payi said post-graduate students were not up for consideration for the funding. However, there are circumstances where a post-graduate student has performed consistently well that the mayor will step in and consider such an application.
“This is at her [mayor’s] discretion.” Ncamiso in her address to students said that recipients of the funding had now “graduated from pupils to students”.
“You are going to an open door is now up to you to decide to finish your course. No parent will be there to look after you. No teachers would be spoonfeeding you. it
“You have to familiarise yourself with laptops and computers and you will have to work independently.
“The challenge for parents when you as students are there is that you will be overwhelmed by the situation; everything is new [experience at university].
“We trust you, we know you are going to university and we pray for you.
“Please be always vigilant you’ll be exposed to a lot. Don’t give in to peer pressure and friends, make sure you focus on your studies, otherwise you will have to explain to your parents if you do not make it,” Ncamiso said.
She had a further warning to young women in the audience to be vigilant of the dangers they may be subjected to as students.
“Don’t go to places alone you must be able to phone someone if you are in danger or at risk and remember your family must be your closest friend.
“Someone close to you must have your contact details so they can ask around should you not return at an appointed time.”
Nondzube said the students would hopefully appreciate the opportunity afforded them.
“I don’t think there is any other municipality that is doing what we are doing here for Ndlambe students, so count yourself as fortunate and don’t play with this opportunity,” Nondzube said.
“The future is in your own hands, without education you won’t make it in this country.
“Please behave, be humble, respect your parents and respect your elders. Travel safely and make sure you contact your parents all the time.”
I don’t think there is any other municipality that is doing what we are doing here for Ndlambe students, so count yourself as fortunate and don’t play with this opportunity