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Ithuba Scholarship Intake Ceremony 2021
ITHUBA in partnership with the Eric and Charmaine Mabuza Foundation gives 26 students a once- in-a lifetime opportunity to further their studies.
On the 05 March 2021, ITHUBA in partnership with the Eric and Charmaine Mabuza Foundation, Awarded 26 students with full time university scholarships, bringing the 2021 intake to 41 students.
The ITHUBA Scholarship Intake Ceremony for the 2021 academic year, where Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande was a keynote speaker, saw the youngsters being presented with an opportunity to make their dreams become a reality.
In his address, the Minister expressed the importance of collaborative efforts to ensure a better future for the youth of South Africa: “I have decided to support this event primarily because it is important to mobilise the whole of South Africa, especially those of us with resources to join in the effort of educating our youth and therefore educating the nation - albeit holding it under difficult circumstances of the Coronavirus pandemic. It is pleasing to see ITHUBA, our National Lottery Operator prioritising the education of our youth by awarding them with bursaries that covers full university tuition, housing and living expenses in order for them to pursue their dreams in their chosen fields of study. Much as government has, and continues to, put billions of rands into education, and that our single highest budget expenditure is for education, government alone will not be able to tackle the enormity of the education challenge. Hence the importance and significance of the role played by foundations like yours (the Ithuba Scholarship)”, said Minister Blade Nzimande.
In its 21 years of existence, the Scholarship Foundation has funded the education of more than 200 students. The Eric and Charmaine Mabuza Scholarship Foundation, which started in Mpumalanga, spread its reach to the rest of South Africa in 2015, in partnership with ITHUBA, the National Lottery Operator.
The intake ceremony and assessment week held at the beginning of each academic year is extremely important to ITHUBA as it reflects the Operator’s commitment to continue contributing actively and positively towards developing South African communities. In addition, this initiative forms part of the Operator’s recognition of the importance of a solid foundation of a career path, bearing in mind the Vision 2030 National Skills Development Plan (NSDP) strategy.
Speaking at the scholarship intake ceremony, Group CEO Charmaine Mabuza said: “The partnership with ITHUBA, the National Lottery Operator, in 2015 amplified and accelerated the reach and impact of this initiative. Yet, even after so many years, each time we award a young person with a scholarship, it feels like it is the first”, said Mabuza.
- https://www.forbesafrica.com/brand-voice/2021/03/09/south-african-lottery-operator-ithuba-going-above-and-beyond-its-mandate-to-prioritise-education/
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- ITHUBA in partnership with the Eric and Charmaine Mabuza Foundation gives 26 students a once- in-a lifetime opportunity to further their studies (mypr.co.za)
- ITHUBA in partnership with the Eric and Charmaine Mabuza Foundation gives 26 students a once- in-a lifetime opportunity to further their studies | South Africa Today
- Meet Nazi Kalase South African's future Accountant, one of the 26 Students to Be Awarded with A Full-time University Scholarships | gauteng lifestyle mag
- Meet Nazi Kalase South African’s future Accountant, one of the 26 Students to Be Awarded with A Full-time University Scholarships (mypr.co.za)
- Meet Nazi Kalase South African’s future Accountant, one of the 26 Students to Be Awarded with A Full-time University Scholarships | South Africa Today
- Eastern Cape teen a step closer to becoming the first chartered accountant in her family - 247News.Africa
Golden Key Awards
In 2017 three of the Eric and Charmaine Mabuza Foundations recipients were awarded Golden Key Awards from their respective Universities, namely; Lesedi Martha Ndlovu from the University of Witwatersrand, Siyabonga Shongwe from the North-West University and Mmathapelo Maringa from the University of Witwatersrand. In addition to the above, two more recipients from the Foundation were awarded Golden Key Awards in 2020 from their respective Universities. These recipients are, Aliyah Shaikh from the University of Witwatersrand and Stian Van Wyk from the University of the Free State. The Golden Key award is awarded to students in the top 15% of their academic programme. This was a pivotal moment in the above students’ lives because it proved that hard work does pay off and does not go unnoticed. This was testament to the high academic standards the Eric and Charmaine Mabuza Foundation sets. We are proud of the above students and encourage them to continue challenging themselves to be top achieving scholars.
Graduates
Notes of Appreciation
Dear Mr and Mrs Mabuza
Not only did you pay for my tuition fees, but also for accommodation and meals throughout my studying period. With the economic problems that this country is facing, tuition fees are becoming expensive each and every year and in addition, a lot of students are going to campus on an empty stomach. I have personally seen students dropping out of school due to financial reasons and the lack of basic supplies. I am grateful to the Lord for bringing people like you into this world, people who are willing to share their hard earned fortune with those in need. I have learned so much from this journey, and will forever be grateful.
Kind Regards,
Neville Mbulawa Accounting graduate, Durban University of Technology, 2019
Bcom Accounting Graduate
Wits 2019
Dear Mr and Mrs Mabuza
I hope that this note finds you well.
I received an offer letter for my post graduate qualification today. I just want to take this opportunity to thank you for believing in me and granting me an opportunity to fulfil my dreams. I cannot even begin to explain how this scholarship changed my life and university experience. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity you afforded me.
Thank you
Kind Regards,
Martha Lesedi Ndlovu
Bcom Accounting Graduate
Wits 2019
Dear Mr and Mrs Mabuza
I would like to take this moment to thank you for your gracious giving. Words alone cannot describe what your assistance has done for me.
The situation at home has not been comfortable nor pleasant to live in. We are renting a backroom in Westbury, where the crime rate is high. I knew that in order to break the cycle of poverty, I had to get educated. Considering my financial situation at home, it would have been stressful for my parents to cover my university expenses (books, tuition, accommodation and meals) and still manage to maintain the household. I had applied for several bursaries with no positive response, but I kept on praying and searching.
I found out about the scholarship through my mother who saw an advertisement on Daily Sun newspaper. When I received a call that I had been awarded the scholarship, I knew that I had received my breakthrough.
The scholarship helped to lift the financial burden off my parents’ shoulders and made me study with ease knowing that all my essential needs were taken care of.
It is through your support that I am a step closer towards my dreams of becoming a Chartered Accountant, having obtained my Degree in Bachelor of Accounting. With this qualification, I am confident that I will be able to better the situation at home for my family and I. May your support not end with me, and I too, intend to lend a helping hand to others, just as you have done for me.
Kind Regards,
Khethiwe Kosa- Bachelor of Accounting, University of the Free State 2019.
Dear Mr and Mrs Mabuza
It has been a pleasure to be one of the beneficiaries of the Eric and Charmaine Mabuza Scholarship Foundation. Being a part of the Foundation made me feel that I have a group of people who are always ready to support me through my journey, all I had to do was focus on my studies. You helped me get my degree and I will forever be grateful for that. God bless you.
Thapelo Mojela - graduated Bsc Computer Science – University of Limpopo, 2019.