Published: 16th October, 2019

Johannesburg, South Africa, 22 October 2019: Fifteen academically and financially deserving postgraduate students from Nelson Mandela University (NMU) were recently given scholarships from Tata International in Africa worth more than R500 000.

The recipients, who graduated with Honours, Masters and Doctoral Degrees in the disciplines of Business and Economics, Sciences, Information Technology and the Arts were selected on the basis of financial need and academic excellence in their chosen field of study.

“Education is extremely empowering and transformative,” says Len Brand, CEO of Tata International Africa. “It has an amazing ripple effect, with the potential to not only uplift individuals, but the communities in which they live and work, and ultimately society at large.”

Scholarship recipients are not contractually bound to Tata once they complete their studies. All fields of study and faculties are taken into consideration and students must be accepted via the respective university’s academic or development foundation. The students must also pass the university’s academic criteria for acceptance.

The amount that each student receives covers the student’s tuition fees, stipend (living costs), books and accommodation for the year of study. Tata postgraduate scholarships contribute to the country’s objective of increasing the number of postgraduate scholars primed to take up leadership positions in business, government, and civil society in the country.

“Tata is committed to making a significant and sustainable impact on the continent by nurturing South Africa’s rich pool of young talent and growing a culture of giving back,” concludes Brand.

This year’s NMU scholarship recipients are: Jumba Ayabonga (BTech Honours – IT), Inga Jikwana (Honours – Business and Economic Sciences), Bidli Zenande (BTech – Public Relations), Buhle Mnyenyevu (BTech – Public Management), Chumani Dlabongo ((BTech – Public Management), Kali Noxolo (Honours – Business and Economic Sciences), Thandazani Nofingxana (BTech – Textile Design), Avukile Jeke (Masters – MA isiXhosa Research), Mphumzi Ngozi (Masters – Information Technology), Xolisile Dingiswayo (Masters – Agriculture), Tharollo Machili (Masters – Economics), Anelisa Pezisa (Masters – Development Studies), Prashana Ramjee (Doctors – Psychology), Sifiso Kanyo Santi (Doctors – Public Management) and Sinoyolo Ngongo (Doctors – Physics).