Absa has donated R2 million towards helping fund students at the Durban University of Technology (DUT).

The Absa 2017 Scholarship Fund forms part of the education and skills development pillar of Barclays Africas’ shared growth strategy through which it has undertaken to invest R1,4 billion towards education and skills training between 2017 and 2018.

DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu received the donation from Absa on behalf of the University. Upon acceptance of the donation, Professor Mthembu expressed his excitement to have Absa as part of the solution for funding students, since funding in higher education was a national crisis, raised by students during the 2015 Fees Must Fall protests.

“On behalf of the University, I thank Absa for this contribution. Education is both a private and a public good and society gains a lot from educated individuals. It is great that Absa recognises this and has availed itself to join us in working towards the solution of funding,” said Professor Mthembu.

DUT SRC President Zama Mncube extended her gratitude on behalf of the students. Mncube said she was happy to see the private sector was playing a role in funding education.

“As the DUT student body, we are grateful to Absa for showing that they care for the future of our country. We will urge students that they honour Absa by making sure they succeed academically,” added Mncube.
The Absa 2017 Scholarship Fund allocation is in partnership with 21 universities in South Africa and several in nine markets in the African continent.

Pictured: Professor Thandwa Mthembu (DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal) receives a cheque from Mr Rajiv Singh (Absa Provincial Executive Retail Banking).

–Bongani Gema