THE Department of Higher Education has called on KZN’s Uthukela mayor Dudu Mazibuko to scrap the controversial maidens bursary next year.
Minister Blade Nzimande’s spokesman Khaye Nkwanyana said he believed the mayor had crossed the line by creating a bursary category for girls who had remained virgins.
“As much as we appreciate what the mayor did, we believe the maidens bursary should not be continued. We will talk to the mayor and ask her to scrap this category,” he said.
The Commission for Gender Equality has also criticised the mayor and called for the awards to be stopped.
Commission spokesman Javu Baloyi said last week that they’d write to mayor Mazibuko to demand an explanation.
However, the KZN Traditional Affairs Department has hit back at those criticising the bursary. Department spokesman Lennox Mabaso called opponents of the bursary “desktop intellectuals” who will never support traditional solutions to Africa’s problems. He said the mayor should be supported by everyone.
