Annual UKZN Scholarship Awards Celebrate Student Excellence

Annual UKZN Scholarship Awards Celebrate Student Excellence

This year, the University of KwaZulu-Natal awarded more than R50 million worth of scholarships to 1 289 top-performing undergraduate and postgraduate students in honour of their achievements. 

The top 82 students received their awards at the University’s annual Scholarships Awards ceremony held on Wednesday, 21 August – among them were 72 who had excelled academically and 10 who had demonstrated exceptional sporting abilities. 

In his welcome address, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Teaching and Learning and Chair of the Scholarships Committee, Professor Thabo Msibi, said the ceremony was a tribute to the exceptional young men and women who had distinguished themselves through excellent academic and sporting achievements. 

Msibi said the University prioritised providing financial support to deserving students as a commitment to the Institution’s broader mission of fostering academic excellence, promoting innovation and making a meaningful social impact. ‘As a leading Institution, UKZN is investing in our talented students by contributing to the bright future envisioned in our University Strategic Plan 2023-2032 which is dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning, enhancing the student experience, conducting meaningful research, driving innovation, engaging with communities and advancing internationalisation.’ 

Applauding the excellent calibre of applications received, Msibi said the task of selecting the award winners was a challenging but fulfilling endeavour. He acknowledged the unwavering commitment of the Scholarships Committee members and Scholarships Office who meticulously reviewed hundreds of applications to identify the most deserving candidates. 

UKZN Chair of Council and guest speaker Mrs Khomotso Mthimunye outlined South Africa’s daunting realities which included the staggering rates of unemployment, saying the country’s hope lay in the youth. ‘It is the young people, including the students we celebrate today, who we entrust to drive the change we so desperately need.’ 

Addressing the recipients, she said: ‘We recognise your potential as powerful agents of change dependent upon your empowerment through education therefore these scholarships aren’t just financial aid but a strategic investment in your potential as individuals.’ 

Ms Humaaira Moosa, a past scholarship recipient currently completing her MSc in Sustainability, Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford in England, shared her journey of acquiring multiple scholarships including the Abe Bailey Travel Bursary for her honours studies which have propelled her to where she is today. She encouraged all recipients to embrace their failures because that was what shaped them for future success. 

In his vote of thanks, Dean of Research Professor Neil Koorbanally acknowledged all stakeholders, including parents and guardians, award recipients, educators and school principals, donors and benefactors, members of Council and Convocation, executives and student leaders. 

‘Your attendance speaks volumes to the value placed on education and your supportive efforts in creating conditions to ensure every student reaches their full potential,’ said Koorbanally. 

Highlights of the evening included the attendance of retired Constitutional Court Judge and the last Chancellor of the former University of Durban-Westville Justice Zac Yacoob who presented the Zac Yacoob Scholarship to the top Honours student Ms Saarisha Govender.

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini