Learners to ‘compete’ for 10k reward

Learners from 14 schools under Umuziwabantu Municipality had the opportunity to explore different careers at the first annual Career Day held at Mlamulankunzi Sports Field in KwaMachi on Tuesday last week.

Higher learning institutions such as Mangosuthu University of Technology and Esayidi TVET College encouraged learners from Grades 11 and 12 to apply early to secure a spot for the 2026 academic year.

The event was organised by the KZN Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.

KZN MEC for Sports, Arts, and Culture, Mntomuhle Khawula, said Inkosi Ntamonde Machi wanted the initiative for the area.

“In January this year, we were tasked with visiting different schools, and I was deployed to Umuziwabantu. When we visited Jolwayo High, Inkosi Machi raised concerns about learners achieving a 100% pass mark and not studying further. This may be due to a lack of access to information and living far away from towns,” he said.

Khawula said they decided to collaborate with the Department of Education to host the day.

Government departments such as the Saps, Department of Health, Government Communications and Information Systems, Land Reform, and other organisations delivered presentations.

“I am happy because this is rural development in practice. Being far away from big towns and cities does not mean you should have limited access to information,” he said.

Khawula promised to give the top 10 performing learners R10 000 each.

He explained that the money would not be given to a school or the learner, but it would be deposited into the account of the university they have been accepted into.

He added that only learners who will be admitted to a KZN-based university would receive the money.

“This is our way to encourage the children. They must know that their hard work will be rewarded,” he said.

Sehole Secondary learner, Sinikeziwe Mtungwana, said she will study hard to win the money and get accepted into the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Umuziwabantu Municipality, Siboniso Zungu, said they appreciate Inkosi Machi for reaching out to the department asking for this initiative.

“MEC Khawula emphasised the importance of education. Some learners are discouraged from furthering their studies because there are no job opportunities. The MEC said that even when job opportunities arise, they do not wait for you to go and get your qualification; only those who are ready with their qualifications will benefit,” he said.

He said that as the municipality, they also assist learners who have received university acceptance letters with registration fees.

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