Giving pupils wings to succeed
STORY: Lesley Stephenson
Teachers, parents, Africa Centre staff and pupils from schools in the Mtubatuba area celebrate with the two pupils who received full scholarships from Africa Centre - Phindile Mabaso and Halalisani Mpungose (standing with the cheque). Alongside them are (left) Africa Centre Training Officer - Nelisiwe Mbatha and (right) Africa Centre Director - Prof Marie-Louise Newell
Nsizwenye Mkhwanazi (centre) who obtained five distinctions, was awarded a scholarship for medicine at UKZN. With him are Africa Centre Training Officer - Nelisiwe Mbatha, Assistant Director - John Imrie, Director - Prof Marie-Louise Newell and Community Liaison Manager - Mduduzi Mahlinza
Young potential scientists, doctors and demographers are being given a chance to rise above their circumstances through mentorship and financial support from the Africa Centre at Mtubatuba.
An initiative of the Director of the Africa Centre, Prof Marie-Louise Newell, which began in 2009, the Grade 12 Project is aimed at developing young people from the local community and is focused on mathematics and science.
The project incorporated ten pupils from Siyaqala, Madwaleni, Nkosana, Silethukukhanya, Emthulasizwe, Ikusasalethu, Isolezwe, Masibonisane Esiqiwini and Umfolozi high schools.
Each Principal was requested to identify the best science and mathematics pupils.
Ten pupils attended a five-day winter school at the University of KwaZulu-Natal where they received teaching in mathematics and science.
They further attended National Science Week activities at Empangeni and visited the University of Zululand’s Science Centre in Richards Bay. The two pupils who excelled above the rest were able to secure full scholarships from Africa Centre towards their studies.
Halalisani Mpungose from Nkosana High School is going to study B Sc in Mathematical Science and Phindile Mabaso from Silethukukhanya High School is going to do a B Sc in Zoology.
Separate from the group, another pupil was identified to have excelled in the Matric examinations
Nsizwenye Mkhwanazi, who obtained five distinctions, was awarded a full scholarship to study medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. ‘These learners will have to work hard. Africa Centre will continue helping them only if they work hard and pass well,’ said Africa Centre spokesperson, Mammusa Lekoa.
