UKZN awards R50 million worth of scholarships

The University of KwaZulu-Natal has awarded more than R50 million in scholarships to 1,289 top-performing undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Of this cohort of recipients, the top 82 students received their prestigious awards at the Annual Scholarships Award Ceremony held in uMhlanga on Wednesday, August 21st, 2024.

Of the 82 scholarships awarded at the ceremony, 10 awards were to students who have excelled in sports, while 72 were to students who have excelled in their studies.

The ten students received the UKZN Prestige Sports Scholarship Award for outstanding achievement in sports at international, national or provincial levels in volleyball, cricket, netball, karate, table tennis, basketball and rugby.

Over the past five years, UKZN has awarded scholarships worth a combined R220 million to 6000 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Parents, guardians, family members, educators, school principals, donors, members of the UKZN Council, executive management, student leaders, and members of Convocation attended Wednesday’s ceremony.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, UKZN Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Professor Thabo Msibi, said the awards reaffirmed the University’s commitment to excellence, adding that investing in its students contributed towards securing a brighter future for the University.

The chairperson of the UKZN council, Mrs Khomotso Mthimunye, said the University’s investment in education reflects its belief in education’s transformative power and the institution’s commitment to supporting the most deserving and outstanding scholars in their academic journeys.

“Each of these scholarship recipients has demonstrated exceptional potential and determination. They are the future leaders, innovators, and change-makers who will drive our society forward. Therefore, tonight, we also celebrate the promise they hold and the impact they will have on the world,” Mthimunye said.

The scholarships are named after South African luminaries and benefactors who have significantly contributed to society.

Retired Judge of the Constitutional Court and the last Chancellor of the erstwhile University of Durban-Westville, Judge Zac Yacoob, attended the event and personally presented the Zac Yacoob Scholarship award to Saarisha Govender. Saarisha is studying towards a Bachelor of Science Honours in Physics. This prestigious award goes to the single best Honours student in the University.

Past Scholarship recipient Ms Humaaira Moosa, currently completing her MSc in Sustainability, Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford, said this year’s awardees have achieved something to be proud of.

“I am sure that, like myself, you have experienced failure and challenges on your journey. Moments of uncertainty, confusion and loneliness. Perhaps even despair. From my journey, I have realised that we achieve success, not despite these failures, but sometimes because of them! Our achievements are all the more sweet when we realise what it has taken to get us here,” she said.

She added that the awarded have a duty and responsibility to do more. “Identify what needs to be done and let that spur you on. Reflect on your journey, and I am looking forward to seeing what you all go on to achieve,” she concluded.

The UKZN Scholarships Committee oversees the allocation of University scholarships and merit awards.

This Committee is responsible for facilitating the fair and equitable selection, recognition and distribution of these prestigious awards across all four Colleges.

This selection is made according to Senate-approved criteria and conditions that align with the University’s vision, mission and strategic goals.

As one of the leading research-led institutions on the continent, UKZN continues to encourage, support, and recognise excellence among our students at all developmental levels.