Trailblazing project aids study dreams
DREAMS of finishing their academic studies at NMMU were reignited yesterday for 34 financially struggling students who had dropped out.
The students were awarded #TrailBlazing scholarships at the institution.
They will now be able to complete their degrees and diplomas, thanks to vice-chancellor Professor Derrick Swartz and 23 others who climbed Machu Picchu in South America last year.
The group raised R2.3-million to ensure students who had dropped out due to financial reasons could return to NMMU to finish their studies.
Zintle Bobelo, 25, of Queenstown, was forced to drop out in her final year of a public management diploma in 2014 due to financial reasons.
The recipient described the moment when she received a telephone call from the university as an unimaginable moment.
“My academic journey was anything but smooth sailing,” Bobelo said.
“I was faced with financial challenges and I was forced to take a gap year after I matriculated.
“I completed my first and second year, but my education was once again at a standstill as I could not finance my third year.”
Bobelo said she was grateful for the opportunity to finish her diploma. Another recipient, Zangeziwe Siqaza, 24 of Beaufort West, said a module payment paired with expensive registration fees stood in the way of her completing a BTech in tourism management.
She was forced to drop out in 2015.
“I tried to get the money to register that single module but I could not,” Siqaza said.
“To be so close to finishing your studies but circumstances force you to drop out makes one lose hope.”
Addressing the group of students, Swartz said he was concerned that they would struggle to find employment, even after finishing their qualifications.
“Today it is much easier to get an education than it is to get a job,” he said.
He suggested the students start a small business in their first year to also equip themselves for an entrepreneurial career.