Named after the first Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UKZN, the Malegapuru W. Makgoba Scholarship is awarded to the five top-ranked undergraduates proceeding from first to second year in the University’s four Colleges.

Mr Sandile Dlamini, Ms Laiken Tatchell, Ms Mpilwenhle Manzini and Ms Samaisha Singh have been awarded this scholarship in the College of Humanities.

Mr Sandile Dlamini who is pursuing a Bachelor of Education said that receiving the scholarship will help him to fulfil his dream of continuing his studies to PhD level. His future plans also include securing a teaching position; exploring new teaching approaches, and nurturing new skills that will enhance students’ abilities.

He added that Makgoba’s dedication to excellence has served as an inspiration to him. He is currently employed as a tutor, helping Grade 12 learners to improve their mathematics literacy with an initiative of his own,Sandi-Lit Projects, which offers customised teaching geared towards community needs.

Ms Laiken Tatchell, in her second year of studying towards a Bachelor of Education degree, said that her experience as a student at the University has inspired her to one day become a lecturer at UKZN. ‘I want to become a huge influence, working together with an organisation that develops its community through shaping their future,’ she said.

She hopes to get involved in HIV and AIDS programmes at the University and externally as a way of giving back to her community.

Second-year Bachelor of Education student, Ms Mpilwenhle Manzini is overjoyed to receive the scholarship: ‘There is no greater feeling than being recognised for your effort.’ She said that, apart from the financial support, this achievement inspires a profound sense of validation. She hopes to follow in Makgoba’s footsteps and offer similar assistance to young people in her community in the future.

For aspiring neuropsychologist, Ms Samaisha Singh, the scholarship and the Dean’s Commendation she received in 2022 are her finest academic achievements. Her future aspirations include establishing a neuropsychology research centre at UKZN. She described the scholarship as an investment in her future and plans to pay it forward by one day assisting deserving students.