Durban -
Two KwaZulu-Natal matriculants have been given a chance to further their academic careers through the Wits Equality Scholarship.
The scholarships are part of an equality initiative, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education, which give 10 matriculants nationally, from quintile one and two schools, the opportunity to study at Wits University.
The schools are classified “no fee” schools and are located in the most disadvantaged communities.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshegka said pupils from these schools often battled to access bursaries.
“The financial struggles of previously disadvantaged students who perhaps go to class and go to bed on an empty stomach are a real concern. The Wits Equality Scholarships take these challenges into account.”
The scholarships are worth about R100 000 a year for the duration of the recipients’ undergraduate degrees, provided they continue to excel.
Kwanele Sishi, 18, from Swayimana, near Pietermaritzburg, and Thembinkosi Qwabe, 19, from Amajuba, near Newcastle, were delighted to learn that their prayers had been answered.
Sishi – who received seven distinctions and was placed third nationally in quintile two schools – said it was “amazing” to hear she had been selected.
Talking to the Daily News while on her way to university, Sishi said: “I couldn’t believe it. I actually cried when I heard. Without it, I would have had to try to get loans to pay for university.”
Sishi, who attended Masijabule High School, said she had always been strong academically, got 100 percent in life sciences.
Her older sister, Zama, currently in her fourth year of studying medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, achieved five distinctions.
Sishi said she was sad to be leaving her family to go far away, but looked forward to studying actuarial science.
Qwabe, who attended Zama Secondary School, said he found matric “very challenging”, but had worked hard to achieve his seven distinctions.
“In Grade 11, I started working hard.
“It feels great getting this scholarship. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have studied.”
Qwabe will be studying chemical engineering at Wits.