Ambassadors from University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) visited two secondary schools in Mbizana last week, with the aim of motivating learners.
They visited Marelane Senior Secondary School and OR Tambo Technical High School in Mbizana.
According to the head of communications for Winnie Madikizela Local Municipality, Tamsanqa Cib, one of these ambassadors, Nomandla Baka, is from Mbizana.
“They were advising learners about how to apply to this university and what is needed to be accepted by this institution,” said Cibi.
Baka, who is now working as a senior laboratory technician, said learners mostly do not apply for tertiary levels because of lack of knowledge.
“You find that when the year begins, they do not know what to do because they did not apply, and it is hard for universities to accept people who did not apply on time.
“We then decided to assist those who are willing by giving them the information and helping them where we could,” said Baka. She added that, nowadays, students are applying via the Central Applications Office (CAO), so it is important for them to ensure that they work hard, especially in Grade 11 because they use those results when applying.
Baka added that they were not concentrating on those two schools only, but on all schools, both in the rural and urban areas.
“We will be communicating with the principals of these two schools that we visited so that we can find all the documents that we need from these learners. It is important to apply on time because the competition is very tough.” Winnie Madikizela Local Municipality Mayor, Councillor Daniswa Mafumbata, also handed over sanitary products to these learners.
