A young man from Nyavini village, Amadiba A/A in Bizana under the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality has decided to do something sundry with his bursary funds and build his home.
After losing his parents at a younger age, Lungisani Mbuthuma aged 24 years was raised by his grandmother who later passed away. He then lived with his uncle who also passed on, he was then left alone. Mbuthuma was then assisted by some of his friends to apply for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which is a South African government financial aid scheme that provides financial aid to students to help pay for their tertiary level education after completing high school level.
When his allowances paid out, he took a portion of his funds and purchased building material. He sacrificed wearing expensive clothes and dining in eateries so that he may see his dream of having a shelter over his head come through. In April 2024 he will obtain his Bachelor of Education but says won’t be attending the graduation ceremony because he does not have money to cover the events costs.
Mbuthuma says he has encountered predicaments while trying to build his home as there were times where the funds would not be allocated, that forced him to stop the building project until he has money again, and he once lost his building material receipt.
I would like to encourage young people especially students who are thinking about dropping out in school because of their situations back at home to keep pressing on, as long as they are doing well in their academics. NSFAS is there to support needy students after matric level, which means one would be in no financial constraints until they finish their studies. –Â says Mbutuma.
