Thobile and Gcinile receive Bambisanani Partnership University Bursaries

Thobile Prudence Nsibande and Gcinile Msweli have received university study bursaries from the UK based charity, The Bambisanani Partnership.

Both students were delighted with the news that will now allow them to pursue courses to become teachers through the University of South Africa (UNISA). Thobile is studying IsiZulu (Home Language), Natural Sciences, Life Sciences (Biology) and Business Studies. Gcinile is studying Biology and English.

Gcinile said:

“I would like to first thank the Bambisanani Partnership for giving me the financial aid as I have struggled in the past to pay for my studies. The reason I want to become a teacher is that I have witnessed the joy that teaching someone brings. It is great to know that you have taught a new concept to a learner. I also want to offer learners a chance to study the science subjects so that they can be innovators in the future by creating prototypes to deal with problems in our society, such as energy supply and health issues. I also enjoy using information technology in my classes through the computer lab which was also provided by the Bambisanani Partnership and Rotary partners. My dream is to be one of the best Biology teachers.  Next year I will be completing my degree and I am grateful of the bursary as it has taken the burden of a debt from me and will allow me to complete the course. 

I know I will be a fully-fledged teacher one day and I hope to change lives in the area I live in by hopefully producing students who will become scientists that can develop cures for different diseases. 

Words cannot express how I feel right now. My thanks to the Bambisanani team; you are angels without wings who are helping me to realise my dreams. May God bless you.”

Thobile added:

“Education nurtures an individual and supplies them with the ability to think, act and grow in life. Education also empowers people and helps them become efficient in all aspects of living and experience in respective fields of work. As Mr Nelson Mandela said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." This indeed emphasises that education allows us to better understand the world in which we live. Through education, we have become thoughtful about what happens around us. We observe things from multiple perspectives and not only from the one they tell us. Education interconnects and equates us as a species. Different people have different ambitions in life such as doctors, engineers, pilots, soldiers, etc. But I always wanted to be a teacher because I feel really blissful when I teach people around me. From my childhood I taught others whatever I learnt in school. By educating people around us we can uplift society. I want to be a compassionate teacher who nurtures the students with knowledge. I was inspired by my English high school teacher, Mr Xulu, may his soul continue resting in peace. He was so passionate with his students; we all passed his subject very well. He was indeed called to this profession. After my Matric Exams in 2020, I applied for teaching at the University of South Africa (UNISA). I remember when I found out that I was accepted, I was so over the moon. Unfortunately, a family crisis and financial issues meant that this do not work out and regrettably I had to drop out of the course. The fact that I come from a disadvantaged background meant that I knew it was going to be very hard for me to continue to fund my studies. Things were very hard for me and I was slowly giving up on my dreams until I met my former teacher Mrs Pk Zondi last year (2021) who told me about the possibility of applying for Bambisanani Partnership bursary.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the team for making the Bambisanani Partnership bursary possible. I was thrilled to learn of my selection for this honour, and I am deeply appreciative of your support. I hope to become a high school teacher after graduating from UNISA. The financial assistant I received from the partnership programme will help me to complete my Bachelor of Education degree. Your generosity and support are greatly appreciated. This experience has taught me a great lesson in life that, "a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle." I take this as a challenge and a great lesson on the importance of giving back and helping others without expecting anything in return.” Thank you to so much to everyone involved with the Bambisanani Partnership.”

David Geldart from the partnership said, “The Bambisanani Partnership is honoured to be able to support two such remarkable young ladies in their ambition to become teachers. Both Thobile and Gcinile have faced enormous challenges in their lives to achieve what they have to date. Their determination, persistence and resilience are inspirational and certainly others could learn from their approach. They are committed to education, changing lives and making the world a better place; the world needs teachers with this motivation. Massive thanks must go to Mrs Pk Zondi at Mnyakanya who never ceases to go above and beyond for her students. Thanks also to Nick Phillips, from Eshowe Rotary Club for his valuable assistance in making all this happen. Good luck Thobile and Gcinile; you deserve every success!”