The DUT departments of Student Housing and Student Recruitment as well as House Committees and students living at the DUT residences have been hard at work in rural Northern KZN where they have been motivating pupils to study further as well as informing them of all the requirements for a good tertiary education.

Pupils in high schools situated in marginalised areas are seen to lack knowledge about tertiary application procedures and are not exposed to career opportunities. Without the right knowledge, many of these students struggle to enter into higher education institutions.

Sifundo Nkosi, Residence Adviser of the Berea Residence together with students dwelling in the residence recently visited high schools in the Amajuba District in Newcastle.

Here they gave pupils career guidance while motivating them to excel in their studies. They also informed them of appropriate procedures to follow when applying to tertiary institutions and distributed CAO forms and DUT brochures.

The motive behind this initiative, Nkosi said, was to empower grade 12 pupils, better prepare them for the tertiary environment as well as to decrease walk-ins at the beginning of the year.

“Last year, Berea Residence with Student Housing Department visited 11 Schools in Madadeni Township in Newcastle. This year we targeted high schools that are situated in remote areas like Danhouser and Utrecht. We hosted 19 high schools in two days,” said Nkosi.

The talks were jam packed. Pupils were also given information about bursaries and financial aid and were told about important deadlines. The DUT students shared their own experiences about residence life at the University.

When the Department of Student Housing introduced the idea of community engagement to students in residents back in 2010, it was with an intention to make this an ongoing activity. Sure enough, students in the various DUT residences have engaged in this initiative, effecting change in high schools back in their communities.

Nkosi extended his gratitude towards all those who were involved in this project.

–Naledi Hlefane
Caption:Matric pupils at Mzokhanyayo High School, one of 19 high schools visited by the DUT Berea Residence team.