The mayor of Musina Municipality, Cllr Caroline Mahasela, has urged the 30 recipients of study donations to study harder and acquire the much-needed skills that will enhance service delivery in the municipality.

Mahasela was speaking during an event where 30 study grants were handed over to academically deserving students who excelled in the 2009 examinations. The function took place at the municipality’s show ground hall on Friday evening.

Speaking before a capacity crowd, Mahasela said education was one of the key pillars of development in the world. She said her municipality was committed to development and they knew that there would not be development without education.

“Education plays a critical role in the development of our nation and has been identified as one of the key priority areas by our ANC-led government. As a municipality, we believe that we also have a role to play in the development of education in our society. That is why we are allocating these study donations to students who will be studying at various tertiary institutions this year,” she said.

She added that many learners did well in examinations, but found themselves roaming the streets, with nowhere to go, because of a lack of funds. “As a responsible municipality, we could not just look at the future of our country being wasted away. The youth are the future of this country and we have to assist them in realizing their dreams. We are doing this in the name of nation building,” she said.

The acting executive mayor of Vhembe, Cllr Mike Makhado, said it was their duty as government to take care of needy but deserving students. He said the students they were giving the grants to would study and come back fully equipped with skills that could change the face of the municipality.

“Please go out there and make the best of yourselves in order to come back and add value to society. Many of you come from disadvantaged families and this is a way of assisting you in realizing your dreams,” he said.

One of the recipients, Ms Phophi Malange, said the donation could not have come at a bettr time as she is about to register at the University of Cape Town. She said even though she was sure that she would get a study bursary, because of her good results, the money would assist her in one way or another. Malange obtained distinctions in all her subjects and was top student at Mopani Intermediate School in the 2009 examinations. The municipality is offering R4 500 to students studying towards a degree, R3 500 for those studying towards diplomas. R4 000 is being offered to each of the best performing 2009 Grade 12 learner in Musina High School, Eric Louw and Mopane Intermediate School.

Since last year, 89 grants have been given to deserving students and a database is soon to be set out for all who benefitted to monitor their progress.