GRATEFUL: Recipients of Masana bursaries appreciate the opportunity to receive funds that will help support their studies.
By Isaack Duba – ulpublications@ul.ac.za
As part of nurturing its relationships with key stakeholders, the University of Limpopo (UL) recently facilitated a meeting between students and Masana Petroleum Solutions, a long-standing bursary sponsor at the institution, expressing satisfaction with the relationship
Masana Petroleum Solutions, supporting UL students since 2019, established the Masana Bursary Scheme for students in the Faculty of Management and Law. The sponsorship has amounted to R4 million, impacting 40 students, with R800,000 allocated for the 2024 academic year.
The visit from Masana Petroleum Solutions provided an invaluable opportunity for students to meet their sponsors in person and reflect on the comprehensive support provided, including mentoring, tutoring, and psychological support. Derryl Thompson, Head of Human Capital Management at Masana, expressed her satisfaction with the student’s progress. “It is heartening to see that our funds are being utilised effectively, and we are particularly impressed with the first-year students who are performing exceptionally well. This aligns with our vision to positively contribute to society by investing in education,” Thompson said.
Thompson further reaffirmed Masana Petroleum Solutions’ commitment to continuing their financial support and collaboration with UL. She emphasised their dedication to empowering students and making a meaningful impact on their lives.
Prof Richard Madadzhe, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at UL, conveyed his gratitude for the funding provided by the Masana Bursary Scheme. “This initiative has bridged the gap for students who could not qualify for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) due to financial constraints, allowing them to pursue their qualifications without the burden of fees.” He extended his appreciation to Masana Petroleum Solutions for their unwavering commitment to empowering students to succeed, both academically and personally.
One of the beneficiaries, Wilma Matloga, a first-year BCom Economics student, expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the bursary. Reflecting on her experience, she noted that continuing her studies would have been significantly more challenging without the bursary due to her disadvantaged background. “I am thrilled that my parents are no longer burdened with the cost of tuition fees, allowing me to focus on my academics and perform well,” Matloga shared.
McDonald Mabasa, an Honours student in Accounting, also praised the support mechanisms of the bursary scheme, such as mentorship and tutoring. “I appreciate the fact that I can contact them at any time for clarification and guidance, which has eased my mental pressure and motivated me to complete my postgraduate studies in record time,” Mabasa revealed.