A walking stick called Hope
Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo said hope was the walking stick that carried people through life and could only be found in education.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” said Nelson Mandela.
Since its creation in 1965 against the backdrop of the apartheid government denying black people education in maths, science and English, the Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) has awarded more than 10 000 tertiary education bursaries to people in sugar growing areas.
The foundation celebrated its 50th birthday with a black tie gala dinner at the Durban ICC on Thursday, April 7 where 40 bursaries were awarded to tertiary students and handed over by high ranking SITFE alumni. Special guests included KZN premier, Senzo Mchunu; Western Cape judge president, John Hlophe; ANC treasurer general Zweli Mkhize; higher education and training minister, Blade Nzimande and KZN health MEC, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo.
SITFE alumni Hlophe, Nzimande, Dr Dhlomo and many other bursary beneficiaries have used the tools given to them by the fund to earn themselves a game changing future through education.
“Education opened doors for me. I would not be where I am today without the financial contribution by SITFE,” said Hlope, who started working on a sugar cane farm as a general worker when he was 13 years old and today holds a doctorate in law from Cambridge university and runs the second biggest court in the country.
Stella Mthembu advised girls receiving bursaries to focus on their studies.
“Leave partying and baby-making for later,” Mthembu said.
Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo said hope was the walking stick that carried people through life and could only be found in education.
“Learning empowers people, gives them hope and brings change,” said Dhlomo.
Sincerely grateful to SITFE, one of the bursary recipients, Sanele Talent Makhubo, said the fund’s investment in him was an investment in South Africa.
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