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By Sisho Magagula | 2018-09-10
BEING bold and courageous has landed an indigent 26-year-old female student a scholarship to pursue her tertiary studies.
Mpilwenhle Matsebula, a first year student at the Southern Africa Nazarene University (SANU) surprised many people last Saturday when she suddenly emerged from nowhere, unnoticed and knelt before His Majesty King Mswati III and literally begged for a scholarship. This was during the official opening of the Eswatini International Trade Fair. the incident occurred when the king and his entourage were touring the stands.
grabbed
As the king made a stop in one of the stands, the student did a Hlob’sile Ndlovu, grabbed the opportunity and suddenly knelt before him and made a passionate plea to be granted a scholarship.
Ndlovu, a couple of years back jumped at an opportunity and pleaded for employment from the King. The king is still looking into her request.
Brief as the moment was, Matsebula was able to grab the King’s attention as she relayed her story. His Majesty then gave an instruction to former minister of commerce, industry and trade Jabulani ‘Buy Cash’ Mabuza to ensure that the student’s needs are catered for.
In an interview, Matsebula said she decided to approach the King because she was desperate for help.
“I am an orphan. My father died when I was very young and I do not know who my mother is because my father died before giving me the identity of the woman who gave birth to me. Life has always been a struggle for me.
I was then adopted by a female good Samaritan who took me in when I was young and has been assisting me with a lot of things over the years,” she said.
stayed
Matsebula completed high school in 2016 and stayed home for the whole of 2017 because of lack funds to pursue her education.
She was accepted at SANU this academic year but she has still not paid her tuition fee because she did not get a government scholarship and has no money to pay for herself.
“That is the reason I did what I did before the King that day,” she said.
It seems His Majesty King Mswati III was very touched by the student’s predicament and has given an instruction that she should be granted her wish.
In an interview, former minister Mabuza confirmed the instruction from the King.
“Lengingakusho kutsi umntfwana utawusitakala. Inkhosi yasinika leyo mandate,” Mabuza said briefly.
When Matsebula was called late yesterday, she said she had received a phone call from the ministry of labour and social security, calling upon her to make herself available at the ministry this morning.
This is the ministry responsible for the granting of government scholarships to tertiary students.
“I think my problems will be over soon. This is a positive step and I shall forever remain indebted to the king. Ngekhuta lwandle ngitsi Bayethewena Waphakathi,” she said.
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