This year, ten (10) elated students will enter the Berea Tech classroom ready to follow their dreams without worrying about paying their fees. On receiving the great news that they were selected from hundreds of applications, their bright eyes and broad smiles said it all. The bursary fund is a programme in collaboration with Ilanga newspaper to assist deserving students in their chosen field of study. This fund is significant given the importance of education in positively improving children’s lives and empowering adults.
The four-year bursary partnership has changed the lives of many students over the years, with bursaries of over R3 million awarded.
The bursary recipients were chosen based on an Ilanga newspaper competition in which readers were invited to enter.
Seven of our 10 winners, from left Thobelani Mkhwanazi, Mcebisi Ndebele, Nduduzo Mthethwa and Nompumelelo Msomi. MIDDLE: Phelokazi Nomvalo, Mr Sagran Reddy and Mr Mohil Ramgovind, Berea Tech Staff. Far Right: Zwelasembo Mkhize, Fezeka Ndlovu and Nontuthuko Zulu.
The bursaries were awarded to the recipients by HOD for Engineering, Mr Sagran Reddy, HOD for Hospitality and Catering, Mr Mohil Ramgovind and Phelokazi Nomvalo, Berea Technical College’s marketing team representative. The live draw was held at the Offices of Berea College of Technology.
Pic 1: Nomakhwezi Hadebe (Public Relations) & Zwelasembo Mkhize (Business Management)
Pic 2: Nonjabulo Sijadu (Human Resource Management)
The winners selected courses from a wide bouquet at Berea Technical College and Berea College of Technology and will study Business Management, IT., Hospitality and Catering, Public Relations, Human Resource Management and Mechanical Engineering.
“It is through our long-standing partnership with Ilanga Newspapers that we have once again been able to help so many deserving students. The COVID pandemic has put a financial burden on many families, and we are glad that Ilanga has continued to work with us to help make the dreams of these children possible,” said Mr S Magwaza, Head of Sales and Marketing at Berea Tech.
Nduduzo Mthethwa, 21, of Lakeside, Vryheid, was one of the lucky students who received a bursary to further his studies in Mechanical Engineering. Mthethwa is a mechanical engineering student at Berea Tech who completed his N1, N2, N3 and N4 and is looking forward to completing his N5 and N6.
“I completed my N1 through N4 studies in 2020, during a challenging time when COVID-19 was first introduced and at its peak, but I passed, thanks in large part to my math’s lecturer, Yusuf Mia’s YouTube lessons, as I struggled with mathematics at home. This bursary will help me to complete my N6. Thank you, ” said a grateful Mthethwa.