The Emfuleni Local Municipality reaffirmed its commitment to community engagement and student success by awarding bursaries to two North-West University (NWU) students during a ceremony held recently at its offices in Vanderbijlpark.
Hosted in partnership with MAXPROF and EST Sourcing, the event celebrated academic excellence while reinforcing the shared responsibility of government, higher education and industry to invest in young people and strengthen local communities through education.
Representing NWU were Prof. Jeffrey Mphahlele, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research & Innovation, Community Engagement and Postgraduate Studies, with assigned functions for the Vanderbijlpark Campus; Andiswa Msi, Chief Director of the Vanderbijlpark Campus; and Silvanus Welcome, Director of Development and Fundraising, highlighting the university’s strong commitment to regional development and youth empowerment.
Prof. Mphahlele emphasised the broader impact of collaborative education initiatives. “At NWU we believe education is a powerful catalyst for community development. Partnerships such as these allow us to extend our impact beyond the classroom and support students in becoming agents of change within their communities.”
The two NWU bursary recipients highlighted the real-life impact of the support. Mbali Maseko, a first-year BCom Marketing Management Sciences student from Bophelong studying at the Vanderbijlpark Campus, expressed deep gratitude for the assistance. With her father as the sole breadwinner, she described the financial pressures her family faces and said the bursary offers renewed hope. “I am very thankful for this opportunity and will make the best of it,” she said.
The second recipient, Thandolwami Vavane from Sebokeng, is a third-year BA Public Governance with Public Administration student. Raised by a single mother caring for three children, she explained that the bursary comes as a significant relief during a challenging period. “I have the chance to complete my qualification, and I am so grateful to the sponsors. To other young students out there, I encourage you to pursue your goals relentlessly; through hard work, dedication, and patience, you can turn your aspirations into reality.”
Addressing attendees, Executive Mayor Councillor Sipho Radebe highlighted the importance of education as a foundation for long-term community resilience and economic growth.
“Education is the cornerstone of a resilient Emfuleni. This bursary handover reflects our shared investment in youth and our belief that strong public-private partnerships can
turn dreams into reality. I am proud of the collaboration with MAXProf and EST Sourcing, and I look forward to seeing these students thrive and give back to our community.”
Speaking on behalf of industry partners, Mr Pratish Ramdes, CEO of MAXProf, underscored the value of sustained collaboration. “Public-private partnerships are essential in empowering and advancing our youth. We look forward to continuing this partnership and following the academic journeys of the recipients.”
Councillor Regina Makgala Lesoane, MMC for Health and Social Development, echoed the importance of collaboration, noting that collective efforts between government, academia and industry help build resilient communities.
Reflecting on the initiative, Andiswa Msi said supporting local students demonstrates the tangible impact of partnerships in expanding access to education and opportunity. Silvanus Welcome added that sustained collaboration remains key to unlocking student potential and strengthening communities through education.
The ceremony served as a reminder that meaningful partnerships can open doors for students and create lasting impact; not only for individual beneficiaries but also for the broader communities they will one day serve as graduates, professionals and leaders.
Executive CCLR Mayor Sipho Radebe and Prof. Jeffrey Mphahlel
