UMKHOKHA: The Curse actress Hope Mbhele has a message for the 2023 matriculants from Mthwalume, southern KZN.
She encouraged them to stay focused and not put themselves under pressure because depression is real.
Hope was speaking during a ceremony to award bursaries to five matrics from different schools in the area who obtained top marks in the 2023 exams.
The bursaries were awarded by Mathulini Communal Property Association (MCPA) on Saturday, 27 January.
"You might know what you want to study but please do your own research. View yourself as bring chosen. Make sure that you are focused and not be easily influenced by other students," said Hope.
The actress appealed to the beneficiaries to take themselves seriously. She also challenged them to ensure that they'll meet her again in 2028 after finishing their studies.
The bursaries cover studies at any tertiary institution in Mzansi, and focus on courses such as agriculture, information technology, finance and accounting, mechanical engineering, business management, uuman resources, real estate and property management.
The full-time bursaries will also cover tuition fees, accommodation and monthly allowance to the value of R100 000 per student.
All five students will also receive a laptop each. In addition, MCPA will help an additional 10 students with registration fee to the value of R6 000 each towards any course of their choice.
Speaking at the ceremony, the standing member of MCPA Inkosi Bhekizizwe Luthuli said: "The purpose of the bursaries is for young people in Mathulini to be educated. I want to die and leave a legacy behind. We give you these bursaries because we trust you. When you finish you will come back and find jobs."
He also asked the beneficiaries to stay away from protests at the Universities.
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Bursary recipient Thembeka Nyawose (17) said she can't explain how she feels at the moment.
"I would have had to apply for Nsfas if it wasn't for this bursary. I'm going to study for a diploma in Accounting at the Durban University of Technology (DUT)," she said.
Another bursary recipient, Eyethu Duma (17), said she's going to study Bcom in economics and banking at the University of Zululand.
"I will focus and make sure that I pass my studies," she said.
