The Caro Wiese bursary recently honoured two CPUT students for succeeding against all odds at CPUT.
This award is given to two CPUT students (one female and one male) who have succeeded in overcoming extremely difficult circumstances to realise their full academic potential. They have a track record of high achievement despite the most formidable social, physical, or other personal challenges.
The 2017 recipients are Ntombimazondwa Ndaku and Motlhabani Moremi. Both students have focussed their attention on their studies and achieved excellent results relative to the opportunities they have had.
Prof Joseph Kioko, who was on the selection panel, says an award of this nature doesn’t just stop with a financial benefit.
“Students like these inspire us and the people around them. It says that ‘if they can make it then it means that I can too’. It’s like a pebble in a pool, if one person succeeds in spite of challenges it makes a difference to them and to everyone else in their communities,”
Ntombimazondwa, who is a fourth year Radiography student, says the bursary has eased the pressure on her, her sister who is also a CPUT student and her elderly father back home. Setting her mind on one day serving her community, she plans to own a mobile truck with x-ray machines which she can take to the far-flung rural areas to assist her extended community.
“Today I have very little stress apart from the academics. Today is a big step forward towards achieving what I always dreamed of and I am really grateful for that,” she says.
Motlhabani a third year Mechanical Engineering student, says there have been three significant individuals at CPUT who have cared for him and these are: Mr Luvuyo Kekaza – the Student Engagement Co-ordinator of the Faculty of Engineering; and Mr Simpiwe Nqabisa, a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering and his house parent Zukiswa Sebokedi. He also thanked Mrs Wiese for this incredible opportunity.
Committee Chair, Prof Janet Condy, reflected on the selection process saying it was a difficult task to select only two recipients out of a large pool of students who have achieved academically and yet are needy candidates.
“It was pleasing to see so many students apply for this Caro Wiese Award. We received 36 applications from females and 46 from males. This list was reduced to 4 males and 4 females and after a day of interviewing the candidates we had to finally make a decision. These two students came out tops!” she says.
The Caro Wiese Committee members wish these students well with their futures. The next Caro Wiese award will be awarded in 2020 and only to one student.