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A category of students referred to as the missing middle, who previously could not qualify for financial aid provided by the National Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), can now apply for a student loan. 

This follows an announcement that the Department of Higher Education made in January this year regarding measures to support students who were previously not supported by the NSFAS bursary and funding policy. 

The department said government has set aside R3.8 billion to support ‘missing middle’ students through the NSFAS Loan Scheme. 

Bawinile Mokgonyana is quickly establishing herself as a standout talent in the rail industry.

Within just two years of starting as a Gautrain driver, she has earned a reputation as one of the top performers in operating Gauteng’s high-speed train system. 

As South Africa celebrates Transport Month this October, Vuk’uzenzele shines a light on Mokgonyana’s inspiring career journey. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a death knell to an event organising business in 2020, a couple from Umsunduzi in KwaZulu-Natal tapped on their passion for interior design.

Barely three years later, the husband and wife duo are reaping the rewards, creating much-needed employment along the way.

This is the story of Busisekile and Sibonga Shelembe, the directors of BDesigns Furniture in Merrivale.

Speaking to Vuk’uzenzele about their journey, Busisekile said this venture started in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown.

A budding farmer in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg KwaZulu-Natal is looking to spread her wings after experiencing rapid growth in her chicken farming operation.

Ntobeko Mafu, 23, is the founder and managing director of Madame Clucks A Lot, a small-scale farming enterprise, employing seven people. 

An emotional and befitting ceremony to honour the men and women who died in exile while fighting for the freedom that South Africans enjoy today was recently held in Pretoria, Phrases such as “you have fought a good fight and “you have finished the race,” were the order of the day at the ceremony held for those who lost their lives in the fight for South Africa’s liberation.

This as government hosted the repatriation and restitution homecoming ceremony of 42 South African freedom fighters who perished in Zambia and Zimbabwe during the apartheid era.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has officially opened the 2025 application process.

Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, launched the opening of the application process during a media briefing held recently in Pretoria.

Applications opened on the 20th of September and will close on 15 December 2024.