“This bursary came at a time when I couldn’t go to university without funding. NSFAS had rejected my application, and there was no way my parents could afford university fees because I have siblings at home who are still in fee-paying primary schools,” said 21-year-old Mahle Qina from Gonubie, a second-year BCom Accounting student at the University of Fort Hare, studying towards a Chartered Accountant career.
“I can now study knowing that I have funding that will support me. I don’t have to stress about fee-related matters; I can now focus on my academics.”
Mahle is one of the 85 students who received bursaries for the 2025 academic year from Buffalo City Metro Executive Mayor Councillor Princess Faku at the East London International Convention Centre on 20th February.
Staying true to her mandate of actively working to stimulate development, address poverty, and generate job opportunities for the people in the metro, the Executive Mayor Councillor Princess Faku handed over R9.9 million in bursaries that will transform the academic dreams of 85 deserving students into a tangible reality for the 2025 academic year.
The multi-million-rand fund will be used to pay for study tuition and registration fees, study materials, prescribed books, meals, and accommodation.
Delivering her keynote address at the ceremony, Executive Mayor Faku said she was humbled to witness the transformative efforts the Metro is making to change the lives of the youth through the Mayoral Bursary Fund Programme.
“The Bursary Fund is an annual, self-funded initiative that reflects the Metro’s unwavering commitment to investing in the youth of our community. Through financial assistance, we support deserving students in fields identified as critical to our future, including Engineering, Finance, Planning and Scientific Services,” she said.
Faku further highlighted that beyond providing financial assistance, the Bursary Fund offers beneficiaries an opportunity to gain practical experience through experiential learning placements and internships within the Metro.
“However, it is important to note that these placements do not create an automatic expectation of permanent employment within the Metro,” said Faku.
