THE hall echoed with ululations and praise songs when the hardworking, dedicated students were awarded scholarships.
The University of KwaZulu-Natal was holding its annual scholarship ceremony at the Westville campus.
CEO of the National Research Foundation of South Africa, Dr Molapo Qhobela, told the 107 students who received scholarships that there was no limit to excellence.
“We know that you did very well in your studies this year but this must not be the end of the road.
“We want to see you walking onto this stage again next year to accept another scholarship.
“Treat this opportunity as a journey, a beginning of great things.
“The future of this country is in your hands. So we need people like you who will excel in whatever they do to rescue the future of this country.
“Don’t get too comfortable at the university because the world is waiting for you.”
One of the scholarship recipients, James Ndlovu (26), who’s doing his masters in conflict transformation and peace studies, said he was so happy to receive the scholarship for the second time in a row.
“I believe they gave us this opportunity because they believe that with education we can face any challenges and defeat them.
“I urge all the students who received a scholarship to study hard and go out to change the world.”
Another recipient, Mduduzi Zulu (27) from Mtubatuba, northern KZN who is doing a degree in civil engineering, said he was so excited because the scholarship would help him graduate.
UKZN dean of teaching and learning, Professor Naven Chetty, said: “Go out to the world and show them what we do here at UKZN and don’t make us regret giving you this scholarship.”
