Page 31 - Winning Women 2017

BWASA 31

PHOTOS: ISTOCK

Easing the

FINANCIAL
FINANCIAL

BURDEN
BURDEN

for young women

PHELOKAZI MBUDE

n 2015, for the first time in
democratic South Africa, students
Itook to the streets to fight for
access to education that excludes the
poor through high tuition fees. In the
same year the Businesswomen’s
Association awarded two young girls
bursaries to study at university.
Fatima Goga and Nodumiso Biyela
were both in Grade 11 at the time and
were not aware that their outstanding
essays on unity would earn them the
opportunity to be granted a bursary.
“Little did we know that our teacher
intended submitting these essays to the
Businesswomen’s Association,” said
Goga. “I was overwhelmed with shock
and excitement when I found out.”
Receiving the bursary relieved the
financial burden on Goga’s parents, who
would have used their savings to fund
her tertiary education.
“I have two schoolgoing siblings, so
the bursary eased my parents’ financial young age, so they can be ambassadors
Businesswomen’s Association, one that “ “ she said.
who share our vision in carrying out
stress,” said Goga.
Biyela, who is studying accounting,
our mandate to inspire and empower,”
said she was glad to have received a
“We will continue to not only guide
bursary to begin her first year.
“Being in university has taught me
younger female leaders but, where we
We are building up
can, we will aid that journey.”
how tough it is to get funding and how
leaders from a young
And the spark is igniting. Both
important tertiary education is,” she
bursary recipients feel the need to give
said.
age, so they can be
In her high school days, Biyela had
ambassadors who share
“I believe at this stage of my life, the
another encounter with the
best way I can give back and show my
changed her life. our vision in carrying out back in some way.
gratitude towards the Businesswomen’s
our mandate to inspire
“What initially intrigued me was the Association is by studying hard and
specific attention paid to young women. and empower focusing on obtaining my degree in
The Businesswomen of Tomorrow event order to become a productive member
[See Page 33], for instance, was the of society,” said Gogo.
most beneficial ‘career expo’ I attended the bursaries allowed them to not only Biyela said she would like to
during my high school years,” she said. empower and inspire young women, emulate the financial assistance she
Elaine Chetty, chairperson of the but also help them pursue their careers. received and start her own bursary
association’s Zululand branch, said that “We are building up leaders from a fund one day.