STUDENTS who will be pursuing their academic activities in various tertiary institutions should channel their energy only on studying and come back with academic records rather than criminal records.
That was the message from the Mayor of the City of uMhlathuze, Cllr Mduduzi Mhlongo. The Mayor was speaking during an announcement of Beneficiaries of University Registration Assistance Programme, held last week at Hlanganani Community Hall, in eSikhaleni.
Mhlongo appealed to all the 100 beneficiaries to continue ‘waging a war against poverty’ through education.
‘As we congratulate you on the assistance you have received from the municipality, use it profitably. As you go to universities don’t get drunk by the freedom you will enjoy there. Go out there to be good ambassadors and represent us well. Remember your parents and the world is waiting for you to make the lives of our people better. As a port and industrial city, we rely on you to make use of the opportunities available in the maritime and engineering studies to stimulate our economic growth,’ he said.
Poor matric results
The Mayor also lashed out at the schools under uMhlathuze Municipality, who had poor matric results.
‘We have not fully recovered from the disappointing performance of our schools. It was shocking to say the least. The reality is that schools around uMhlathuze, in particular here in eSikhaleni should be excelling in their matric, given the many resources these schools enjoy.
‘I find it hard to believe that the best performing schools in the district come from Nkandla, where few households have access to things such as DSTV. Our learners should make use of the resources they enjoy to improve the quality of education,’ added Mhlongo.
This was the municipality’s second programme to offer registration assistance to students who come from poor backgrounds and cannot afford to pay registration fees.
According to the City Speaker Cllr Mfundo Mthenjana, the municipality started allocating R100 000 funding last year, but owing to the high demand of needy students they increased the funding to R600 000 for the benefit of 100 students throughout the city.
Municipal assistance
Speaking on behalf of the Department of Education, uThungulu District Director David Chonco heaped praise at the municipality, for coming on board to help, rather than being spectators, in improving the quality of education.
‘We need to applaud the leadership of uMhlathuze for showing passion in the education of our children.’
Nokukhanya Mthiyane, speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries said the financial assistance could not have come at a better time.
‘Registration fees have been a major hindrance to many of us, who come from poor families. We are grateful, and we hope we will not disappoint,’ she said.
The event was also attended by the Deputy Mayor of uThungulu District Municipality, Nonhle Mkhulisi and uMhlathuze Youth Council Chairperson Skhumbuzo Mabaso.
Mabaso said he was pleased that the municipality has responded to some of the resolutions taken in their Youth Council Summit last year.
‘What is left now is the implementation of free tertiary education,’ he said.
