Aluncedo Zikhali, a master’s student in public administration from Walter Sisulu University (WSU), has been picked for the prestigious Abe Bailey Travel Bursary to the United Kingdom.
Zikhali is part of a cohort of students and junior academic staff from South African institutions of higher learning who have met the stringent requirements for the bursary.
The annual Abe Bailey Travel Bursary runs for three weeks and takes participants through a multitude of activities framed around themes such as personal leadership and career development, and understanding the British higher education system, as well as shaping a new perspective on South Africa’s place in the world.
Qualification criteria for bursars involve academic excellence and a proven track record of leadership and community service.
“Outside of work and school, I have been involved in the Fort Hare Autumn School. I have also been helping learners from my community to apply to universities and offering career guidance to them because education has played a very important role in my own life,” explained Zikhali.
Zikhali, who hails from Bizana, is set on blazing a trail for those who come from similar backgrounds.
WSU’s writing centre co-ordinator, Dr Stenford Matenda, who mentored Zikhali during her application process for the bursary, hailed her as a highly motivated and eager learner who will soon reach great heights academically and professionally.
“Aluncedo is a young woman who has set her eyes onto great heights.
“She is popularly known by her colleagues as Prof Zikhali, and I believe that is a dream that will become a reality for her.
“She has a passion for assisting other young people and will stretch herself in doing so,” said Matenda.
“I am planning to make use of this opportunity by learning from the programme as much as I can.
“I want to understand how things are done in the UK; how I can implement what I have learned during the trip to create opportunities for myself; to make a difference in the lives of the people around me and to even contribute to growing and making South Africa a better place,” concluded Zikhali.
