With the aim of providing a bright future to South African youth, Absa Bank has donated R1.6 million in scholarships to help fund the Durban University of Technology (DUT) students.
Speaking during the cheque handover ceremony at the DUT Hotel School Conference Centre, Absa Provincial Managing Executive in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, Ronnie Mbatsane said it is through education that youth can realise their potential.
“Absa has the ambition to be an effective force for good in society, ensuring that we become the cartels and drive growth in our society. Our scholarship fund is built to do just that,” said Mbatsane.
A recipient of a bursary himself during his tertiary days, Mbatsane said he understands the struggle of having no funds to pay tuition or having a proper accommodation to stay on.
“If I had not received a bursary, I do not think that I would be actually standing here and talking to professors and people who run businesses. But today, I am here sent by the bank, to solidify our partnership with DUT- further demonstrating our commitment to this institution,” said Mbatsane.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of DUT, Professor Thandwa Mthembu expressed his excitement on the thriving partnership with Absa bank and urged the students to take full advantage of the scholarship.
“I really want to thank Absa bank for helping to provide a better environment where hard working young people could better themselves. We really need shining stars and not young people who will pass their modules or programmes with 50%. We need students who will lead by example among other students,” said Prof Mthembu.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Professor Sibusiso Moyo signified the importance of the scholarship to DUT students and emphasized the need for the partnership to continue beyond providing scholarships.
“Some of the donations do not always need to be money, but it can also be opportunities for students to spend time on the actual job so that they can also have the work ethic and get the experience that is needed when they get their degrees,” she said.
The cheque handover ceremony was also graced by the attendance of DUT Alumnus and Entrepreneur, Siyabonga Ndwalane, whose wireless Bluetooth speakers have taken the technology space by storm. Ndwalane said the students should treat the scholarship with respect and understand that it represents the society where they come from.
“This scholarship is for your mother and dad who could not receive an opportunity to study at a University, whoever in your society who has not received a chance to be here, you are representing them. This scholarship belongs to wherever you come from, use that scholarship perfectly, it will make a huge difference to you and lastly, make DUT proud of you,” he said.
Since 2017, Absa bank has given R3.6 million to DUT and this fund has supported over 103 students within a space of two years.
Pictured: Absa bank Provincial Managing Executive in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, Ronnie Mbatsane handing over a cheque of R1.6 million to the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of DUT, Professor Thandwa Mthembu.
Sandile Lukhozi
