Durban, 31 January 2026 – The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has today officially awarded full academic bursaries to 14 outstanding students from across the province. This initiative is a cornerstone of the Department’s strategy to address the critical shortage of scarce skills within the local government sector.
The comprehensive bursaries, facilitated through the Office of the MEC, cover all essential costs, including tuition fees, accommodation, and prescribed learning materials. Unlike general financial aid, this programme is a deliberate intervention to build a sustainable pipeline of professionals—such as civil engineers, town planners, and internal auditors—who are equipped to strengthen governance and service delivery at the municipal level.
In his keynote address at the handover ceremony, MEC Buthelezi congratulated the recipients while stressing the strategic importance of their fields of study. He noted that the Department is prioritising qualifications that directly align with the technical needs of KwaZulu-Natal’s municipalities.
“We are not merely funding education; we are investing in the administrative and technical backbone of our province. These bursaries target scarce skills that are currently in short supply within our local government sphere. By supporting these 14 bright minds, we are ensuring that our municipalities will eventually be led by qualified professionals who understand the complexities of service delivery,” said MEC Buthelezi.
The MEC further urged the students to maintain strict academic discipline as they transition to higher education institutions. “To our students, this next chapter carries both freedom and immense responsibility.
You are the future architects of our governance systems. It is vital to remain focused, choose your associations wisely, and remember that the Department will be monitoring your progress closely to ensure this investment yields the desired results for our communities,” he added.
The 14 recipients represent a broad geographical spread, including the districts of uMkhanyakude, Zululand, King Cetshwayo, and the eThekwini Metro. This reflects COGTA’s commitment to equitable skill distribution across the province. This year’s cohort follows the success of the previous cycle, which saw 17 students successfully placed in various institutions.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Ayanda Zungu expressed profound gratitude: “Everything changed in one day when COGTA came through for me. This opportunity has transformed my life and given me the chance to eventually contribute to the development of our province.”
Representing the parents, Ms Ntuli thanked the MEC for the life-changing intervention: “We hope our children will remember where they come from and return to uplift their communities using the skills they acquire.”
In a gesture of additional support, Mr Sandile Zungu, the Chairman of AmaZulu FC, donated R2,000 Woolworths clothing vouchers to each recipient to assist with their preparations for the academic year.
