Alumni
Read through these testimonials from former students about their experience in our access programmes.
Read through these testimonials from former students about their experience in our access programmes.
Dr Anele Mkanya obtained his PhD at the age of 29. He was born and raised in Mount Frere in the Eastern Cape. He started school in 1995 at Sandlulube J.S.S in the deepest rural area called Mbizeni location of dusty Mount Frere in the Eastern Cape, whereby the school would borrow houses and use them for teaching purposes. This school had few facilities such as doors, window frames, chalkboards and desks to enhance learning. For 8 years Dr Mkanya was taught at this school. He then moved to further his learning at Umzimkulu J.S.S, Ibisi S.S.S and then Clydesdale S.S.S. He matriculated in 2006 from Clydesdale S.S.S with merit and came to UKZN in 2007 to join augmented program.
For a ‘farm’ boy from a disadvantaged background, adjusting and adapting to UKZN was never an easy task, but he soldiered on because of the dreams and goals he had set for himself.
Today he is amongst a small group who have earned their PhD Physics. He has proved to himself and others that it is possible, that everything is possible, if one keeps focus on one’s dreams, has a good support system and if one is not demotivated by one’s background or upbringing. Mkanya believes there is always more to learn and achieve.
It was the Augmented Programme that opened doors to Dr Mkanya’s dreams and they turned out to be successful.
My name is Mzungezi Mthembu, I am a senior technician in the school of Chemistry and Physics PMB campus and I’m doing a PhD in Physics. I am one of the graduates from the Access program.
Access program helped me a lot in life. I am where I am today because of the Access Program. I am coming from the rural area called Mafahlawane which is under Dannhauser in KwaZulu-Natal. Coming to University was one of the dreams coming true. The university life is hard special for someone coming from the rural area, the first challenge you face is the language barrier. In our school almost, every subject was taught in IsiZulu.
The access program helps me to overcome most of the challenges I was facing. Starting with the modules, the foundation I have learned there inspired me to do physics. The link between the theory and practical helped a lot to understand the module better. Most of us we were lacking the essential skills special in mathematics, the basic mathematics that we learned there have helped me a lot to overcome my studies through my degree. I strongly believe that without this basic mathematics it was not going to be easy for me to understand mathematics and physics moving forward.
The counselors help us to speak up about the challenges we were facing. The life skills which equipped us with skills to deal with university life. The way it was structured it made it easy for a student to adapt to the university.
My name is Mbalenhle Chamane and I was part of the UNITE program in 2011.
My UNITE year was probably the most crucial of my life. For me, it came with a lot of work and dedication, but there was always support and encouragement coming from all sides and that can never be underestimated in contributing to building a successful Engineer. The experience not only assisted me in realising my dreams as an Engineer, but also prepared me in unpredictable ways for my career.
It’s been eight years after completing the program; it’s difficult to remember specific moments. But I still do recall a sense of slowing down and a growing appreciation for the breadth of the UNITE program and its professors. UNITE will always be a big part of who I am today.
After a challenging but very fruitful journey with UNITE, I went on to complete my BSc in Electrical Engineering in 2015. I then also continued with my studies, pursuing an MSc in Electrical Engineering that I completed in 2018. I now work as a Field Services Engineer at Eskom under the Vryburg sector in the North-West province.
I, Nceba Gagaza, graduated for BSc Honours (statistics), and currently doing a Master of Science (statistics). Year 2014 I was doing a BSc 4 foundation and which made me realize my capabilities.
With no doubts, starting from access programme (BSc 4 foundation) was a wake-up call that there is more in life than what you see.
With self-discipline, I managed to make it to where I am.