Students will gain due knowledge

MBOMBELA – The University of Mpumalanga (UMP) received a R40 000 cash donation from Sanlam on Monday. The money will go towards the purchase of books for the university’s library.

Speaking during the handover, Sanlam’s regional general manager, Mr Willem van Zyl, said Sanlam recognises that a university environment represents a thinking fraternity where a hunger for knowledge exists.

“We could therefore have not come up with a more worthwhile donation than funding the purchase of books for your library,” he said.

According to Van Zyl, Sanlam has been instrumental in empowering South Africans with financial skills, knowledge and solutions for almost a century.

He added that the company is a believer in empowerment, particularly in the case of a new university like UMP. “Whether it’s an academic journal or a classic novel, may your students find the best of what they need in the library, may books be their friends,” added Van Zyl.

He also said that as a new university, UMP needed all the help it can get in order to be the kind of institution where true learning happens and where people can grow to become better individuals.

Prof Rick Bernard, deputy vice-chancellor, received the donation on behalf of the university. He mentioned that the university will complete its main library before the end of 2016 to accommodate a greater number of students.

“A library is an intellectual hub for the society and the university is grateful for receiving the donation from Sanlam,” he said.

He also said that the donation will go a long way in empowering students with the skills and knowledge they will need to become empowered human beings.

Prof John Shongwe said they are building sports facilities for the students. Among these are a tennis and volleyball court. We are also in negotiations with the Pumas rugby team to train our rugby team,” he added.

The university is also constructing new buildings to accommodate more learners. It also hopes to increase its enrolment.