Eight of the 12 recipients of UKZN’s Frene Ginwala Prestige Entrant Equity Scholarships enrolled to study Medicine at the University.
The scholarship is awarded annually to the Top African female entrants who register at UKZN with recipients being able to keep the R20 000 they all receive for the next year of undergraduate study if they score at least 70% on a weighted average basis in a normal full-year subject load.
Grateful and humbled to receive the assistance which reduces the load of tuition fees for their parents or benefactors, the eight students are Ms Snethezekile Dludla, Ms Thabile Gumede, Ms Sikelela Mkize, Ms Nonkululeko Mthembu, Ms Phelisa Ndala, Ms Anele Ntanzi, Ms Andile Xaba and Ms Singathiwe Zondo.
They were all thrilled to be accepted into Medicine and determined to retain the scholarship and graduate in record time.
Dludla who matriculated from Imbilane High said like the others she was determined to study Medicine and that is what motivated her to get distinctions in all seven of her matric subjects. She felt that the MBChB programme was demanding but said she would persevere and make herself and her parents proud.
Also enrolled in the College of Health Sciences are recipients, Ms Nompilo Shange (Bachelor of Pharmacy) and Ms Luyanda Dlamini (Bachelor of Dental Therapy). Ms Mbalenhle Hlophe enrolled for a Bachelor of Education and Ms Ziphozenkosi Mntambo is a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting student.
Dlamini from Mabaso Senior Secondary said Dental Therapy had been an obvious choice for her as she had always been passionate about healthcare and oral hygiene. The three-year programme aims to train dental professionals as part of an oral health team in order to play preventive, promotive, supportive, curative and rehabilitative roles in the public and private sectors.
‘So far, so good,’ said Shange when asked about her journey thus far. Matriculating from Sibusisiwe Secondary School she said she was grateful for the scholarship with her aim being to graduate as one of the top students in Pharmaceutical Sciences at UKZN.
Most of the recipients matriculated from less privileged high schools, saying the scholarships not only rewarded their hard work but also provided financial relief.
Words: Lunga Memela
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini