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Former President Nelson Mandel once said, “education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.”
With these words, Newcastle Mayor, Cllr Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, addressed aspiring students at the Newcastle Town Hall on Saturday morning, 12 March 2021. The event focused on The Mayoral Bursary, which aims to empower ambitious scholars and promote education at a tertiary level. The event saw the mayor and his team awarding 109 students bursaries.
Explaining the qualification method, Newcastle Municipality states they embarked on a selection process to determine which community members showed promise yet, required assistance to achieve their goals.
With the bursaries handed out and enthusiastic students listening, Cllr Dr Mahlaba wished all the successful applicants well for their studies. Furthermore, the mayor referenced his message to last year’s successful applicants. “The world is now your oyster. Go out there and shine. Put Newcastle on the map for all the right reasons. We have a history and culture of producing intellectuals. Some of the country’s finest minds come from our municipality. In whatever you do, remain humble, and remember where you come from. We are one municipality which encourages learning at all material times.”
During the event, the mayor emphasised it is essential that the students take their learning seriously. “You applied because you are in need of assistance, which is why it is important for you to get a quality education.” Concluding, Cllr Dr Mahlaba pointed out, “The sky is the limit, only you can limit yourself. Congratulations and God bless.”
With the students now setting their sights on furthering their education, what are your thoughts?
Share your views with us in the comment section below.
2 Responses
That is what we call leadership, through education poverty can indeed be gradually eradicated. Thanks to our mayor and the entire leadership collective.
Inhle kakhulu imizamo ka Moyer wethu nakuba ezinye zezinto umoyer asiza ngazo sizithola isikhathi sesedlule sinezingane eziphothule ibanga leshumi kodwa kusenzima siqhubekele phambili siyethemba nathi solandela imizamo ye Moyer kuze kulunge