Education is the immediate equaliser,

says founder of Mduduzi Manana Foundation

“It is important to get an education because having an educated society means less poverty, lower unemployment, and less inequality,”

“Iam very passionate about education. We must get more of our young people to get educated. I hope I will set an example for many others to follow,“said Mduduzi Manana, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in International Politics from the University of South Africa, on Monday May 8. “Education is an immediate equaliser. It is important to get an education because having an educated society means less poverty, lower unemployment, and less inequality,” he added. More than 250 students graduated at the university’s main campus in Pretoria with doctorate, masters, honours, and bachelor’s degrees in varying disciplines including education, business, human resources and nursing. In addition to helping improve South African education through his ministerial mandate, Manana is using his foundation, the Mduduzi Manana Foundation, to ensure young people have access to books, registration fees, and ultimately access both high school and tertiary institutions so they can get the necessary skills to find jobs and contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s economy. He established the foundation to help destitute children, especially youth from childheaded homes and impoverished families. The foundation offers bursaries and mentorship support to deserving beneficiaries. “Government has the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which helps thousands of students. But when I looked at the money that is allocated for student funding [by the government] and the actual need, I realised that we need to organise other efforts to mobilise additional resources to augment the contribution made by governnment,” said Manana. “In the beginning I would use part of my salary to assist struggling students. And then I decided to establish the foundation and mobilise resources from business and other sources to educate as many youth as we can reach,” he added. Manana said juggling his ministerial duties and studies wasn’t easy but in the end it was rewarding. “I registered when the Fees Must Fall campaign was a burning issue. I began studying in early 2016. And that’s the time I was meeting students and stakeholders to bring calm to our colleges and universities. At the same time, I had to prepare for exams and various assignments,” he said. “It is not easy but it is worth it. You have to manage your time very well.” Manana, who obtained his undergraduate degree in politics and sociology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, plans to further his studies soon. He plans to stay true to his passion and commitment to serving the public and further advancing the gains of the country’s democracy. “I will pursue my master’s degree in political studies.”