UKZN and Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme Celebrate Academic Excellence and Student Success

The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) celebrated the achievements of its beneficiaries at a recent award ceremony. Held at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), graduates and undergraduates who had excelled academically through the programme’s comprehensive financial and wraparound support model were honoured.

ISFAP was established in response to the Fees Must Fall movement in 2016. The aim was to support the “missing middle” households earning between R350 000 and R600 000 annually who do not qualify for government funding. The programme began at UKZN in 2017 with its first cohort in the College of Health Sciences (CHS), led by programme coordinator Ms Sinegugu Khuzwayo.

In his opening remarks, Director of Professional Services in CHS, Professor Fanie Botha commended the programme’s rapid growth, noting its expansion to the Colleges of Agriculture, Engineering and Sciences (CAES), and Law and Management Studies (LMS).

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the CHSs, Professor Busisiwe Ncama, lauded the success of ISFAP-funded students, highlighting that 115 beneficiaries in the College had completed their studies despite difficult socio-economic barriers. Ncama applauded the wraparound support model for producing “confident, compassionate graduates who serve their communities with excellence”.

ISFAP CEO Mr Werner Abrahams said the ceremony celebrated not only academic achievement but personal transformation, noting that while many students could master theory, ISFAP equipped its beneficiaries with the soft skills, resilience and emotional intelligence employers seek. “You are not just graduates – you are the return on a vision that combines equity, excellence and empowerment,” said Abrahams.

Several students shared heartfelt recollections of their journeys. BCom final-year student Mr Suvaan Sookdeo described ISFAP as his “second family,” saying the organisation’s academic, emotional and life-skills support carried him through moments of doubt and difficulty. He encouraged fellow students to believe in their potential, surround themselves with the right influences, and “pay it forward” by uplifting others.

Final-year medical student Ms Sibusisiwe Gcwensa delivered a deeply moving tribute to ISFAP, telling how the support she received helped her navigate academic pressure, personal loss, illness and the challenges of the COVID-19 lockdown. Now a top student in Internal Medicine for 2025 awardee, Gcwensa credited ISFAP’s consistent financial and emotional support for much of her success. Testimonies from several other medical students echoed gratitude for being able to study without financial burden and for the organisation’s investment in their well-being.

UKZN alumnus Dr Tshepo Choke praised ISFAP’s student-centred model, particularly its strong emphasis on mental health support. Choke encouraged students to carry forward the values instilled in them and to become agents of change in their communities, especially in underserved rural areas.

The guest speaker, co-founder of B&K Solar, Mrs Zanele Sibiya, told of her journey from “student side-hustles” to leading a successful solar company. She urged students to embrace resilience, start small, and cultivate a positive mindset. “Your greatest asset will be you,” she said. “Believe in your vision, take it one step at a time, and never underestimate the power of your own attitude.”

The ceremony ended with a strong message of gratitude, empowerment and renewed commitment to transforming South African communities through education with UKZN and ISFAP reaffirming their shared dedication to supporting talented students and preparing them to lead with competence, compassion and purpose.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photo: Supplied