Philanthropy@UKZN   |   

The Moses Kotane Institute (MKI) places strong emphasis on skills development and research on economic development.

As part of executing its mandate, the MKI offers bursaries to predominantly post-graduate South African students who reside in KwaZulu-Natal, but may enroll at any tertiary institution in South Africa.

The institute is an entity of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government through the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA). Its mandate is to provide internationally recognised quality research, driving economic development and innovation in the province.

It does this by providing timely and accurate research to support the attainment of radically transformed, inclusive and sustainable economic growth for the province in partnerships with public and private sector. It is also funded mainly by EDTEA and other stakeholders.

“MKI’s support for students is geared towards enhancing research output in the province that is related to the six sectors that are areas of focus for MKI. They are Information Communication Technology (ICT), maritime and ocean economy, manufacturing, agriculture, rural and township economy, and green economy.

“MKI is interested in building quality researchers whose research is able to influence policy change in the province. All MKI bursary recipients are expected to be ambassadors for MKI,” said Dr Thembinkosi Twalo, manager of skills development, research and partnership at the MKI.

One of the bursary recipients, Mr Sandile Ntuli, 22, said he had no idea where he would have been without the support of MKI.

The third year UKZN chemical engineering student said thanks to the bursary he does not have to stress about his fees and never goes to bed hungry.

“My mother who is a single parent could not afford to even pay the registration fee. All she managed to pay was my transport cost to Durban from our home in Mbazwana, in northern KwaZulu-Natal near Sodwana Bay.

“The institute is helping me achieve my dreams. It’s not easy getting bursary’s from companies, especially from where I come, even if you have the potential. I worked very hard in high school. Thankfully my principal gave me the forms to apply for the bursary from the institute,” said Ntuli.

He said obtaining the degree was not just for him.

“I want to get a job and help my mother, who has worked very hard for us. I want to build her a home,” he said.

The MKI was established in 2007 as the South African National Liberation Institute of Technology, Philosophy and Political Science (SANLITPPS).

In 2009, it was formally registered as a non-profit company in terms of the Companies Act, 2008.

It has been providing support to students with a focus on science and technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). While funding in this regard is still continuing, MKI’s focus is now on research, hence the funding of research initiatives, namely master’s and doctoral students.   

MKI has an Experiential Learning Programme where postgraduate students are employed to acquire or sharpen their research skills.  

“This is good exposure for MKI bursary recipients to gain experience in an environment that is essential for their career development,” said Dr Twalo. 

Words: Taschica Pillay