Award
10 September 2006
Anele Yako, a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBCHB) student
from the University of Transkei, became the 50th person to receive a bursary
from the Manto Tshabalala-Msimang (MTM) Health Professionals Bursary Trust at a
bursary awards ceremony in Cape Town on Saturday, 9 September. A total of 11
health sciences students received bursary awards at the ceremony.
The Manto Tshabalala-Msimang Health Professionals Bursary Trust was
established in 2000 with the support of companies in the private healthcare
sector. The trust includes representatives from the Department of Health and
major private sector partners including Pathcare, Aspen Pharmacare, Pfizer
Laboratories, Biotech Laboratories and Sekunjalo Health Care.
Addressing the 11 recipients for 2006, Health Minister Dr Manto
Tshabalala-Msimang highlighted the need for trained health professionals to
tackle the escalating demands for healthcare in South Africa. She said the
Department of Health has developed a Human Resource Plan for Health which
provides the framework for addressing the challenges of supply, distribution
and capacity of human resources in the health sector.
"All categories of health workers play central roles in the delivery of
health services. They are the most critical factor in ensuring the health
system functions. I sincerely wish to thank those assisting these young people
who have the will to complete health professional studies," Minister
Tshabalala-Msimang said.
Individual bursaries up to an amount of R15 000 per student were awarded to
the 11 students, who are enrolled for either MBChB or Physiotherapy at eight
universities in South Africa. Funds are administered by the student's
university administration and student recipients are encouraged to support and
network with each other. Sekunjalo has seconded a trust administrator, Nawahl
Ismail, to provide a further level of student support.
Dr Iqbal Survé, the Chairman and CEO of Sekunjalo and elected Chairman of
the trust, said he was very conscious of the role these bursaries played in the
lives of the students. "All of them come from very challenging circumstances
and have made it to university despite the disadvantages they have experienced.
These bursaries have had a very positive impact on all the students evidenced
by the excellent 90% pass rate that we have had since its inception," he
said.
The 2006 recipients are:
Manyoha Hulisane, MBCHB, University of Cape Town
Tshepo Mokitimi, BSc Physiotherapy,University of Cape Town
Nondumiso Hlophe, MBCHB, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Nkone Leteane, MBCHB, University of the Free State
Conran Joseph, BSc Physiotherapy, University of the Western Cape
Wongalethu Qwanyaza, MBCHB, University of Stellenbosch
Mantombi Mpuzeni, BSc Physiotherapy, University of Pretoria
Dipuo Sefodi, MBCHB, University of Pretoria
Mothusi Setshogoe, MBCHB, University of Limpopo (Medunsa)
Zonke Mavumengwana, MBCHB, University of Transkei (Unitra)
Anele Yako, MBCHB, University of Transkei (Unitra)
Contact:
Charity Bhengu
Department of Health
Cell: 083 679 7424
Dr Iqbal Survé
The Manto Tshabalala-Msimang Health Professionals Bursary Trust
Tell: (021) 658 2700
Zenariah Barends
Sekunjalo Corporate Services
Tel: (021) 702 7700
Cell: 082 441 0433
Issued by: Department of Health
10 September 2006
