Five Medical students at UKZN’s College of Health Sciences (CHS) were awarded prestigious Malegapuru W. Makgoba Scholarships.
Named after the first Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UKZN, the scholarship is awarded to five top-ranked undergraduates in each of the four Colleges at UKZN.
The recipients were Mr Sinqobile Gusana who joined UKZN from Jumba Senior Secondary School in Umtata, Ms Modjadji Makwela of the Ben Vorster Secondary School in Tzaneen, Mr Simamkele Mbongwana of St Johns College in the Eastern Cape, Ms Abusiswe Ncwane of Umzinto Secondary School, and Mr Unathi Njabulo Nya of Olwandle High School in Port Shepstone – all of whom have moved smoothly into their second year of study.
‘It was thrilling to receive the news regarding the scholarship,’ said Gusana whose family was just as thrilled, thanking him for his hard work and the University for supporting his studies.
With his favourite subject being Anatomy, he says it is fascinating to learn about the human body and its functions.
Scoring five distinctions in matric, Makwela, said receiving the scholarship was both humbling and motivating. ‘In all honesty it came as a complete shock, it was not something I had been expecting. However, receiving the scholarship is a reward for all the effort I’ve put into my studies and eases some of the financial pressures, allowing me to concentrate more on my studies. This support is a valuable encouragement and helps reinforce my commitment to my goals. Overall, it’s a significant boost to my confidence and determination,’ she said.
Driven by a deep passion for science and a strong desire to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Makwela says her journey at UKZN has been demanding and rewarding. ‘The curriculum is intense, but it is also incredibly enriching. Highlights for me have been anatomy and acquiring clinical skills as well as learning more about the human body, checking vital signs, approaches to interviewing a patient, and conducting CPR.’
‘I was completely overwhelmed,’ said Mbongwana. ‘It felt surreal but I was honoured beyond measure. It brought home the fact that my efforts and dedication to my studies had yielded positive results.’
Mbongwana, who earned seven distinctions in matric, thanked his mother for her unyielding support.
Ncwane and Njeya were both grateful to the University for the scholarship and said it was a motivating factor for them to aim high and keep excelling in the MBChB programme.
Words: Lunga Memela
Photographs: Sethu Dlamini