Mawaba whizzkid offered bursary

BULAWAYO - Nkosana George Mazibisa, the School Development Committee chairperson of Mawaba primary school has disclosed that he has helped Mbongeni Masuku - the boy who was initially denied results by his former school for defaulting fees payment get a bursary to continue with his studies.

Yesterday Bulawayo24.com and The Citizen Bulletin reported the matter after learning about the plight of the boy through an 'Qoki Manina Amahle'. The story touched several well-wishers who pledged financial assistance to the boy's mother Sithembiso Masuku.

However, in response to the matter which went viral online Mazibisa said he was surprised that a parent would seek recourse over a matter concerning the school through the press instead of engaging relevant authorities from the school.

"As the chairman of the school (Mawaba) I am surprised that parents are still not familiar with protocol and procedures. I am there to represent their interests but not via the press," he said.

"We are waiting for the parent to come as we have been looking for them for the past three days so that they boy starts school. Results are there waiting for them to collect."

"We are waiting for the parent to come as we have been looking for them for the past three days so that they boy starts school. Results are there waiting for them to collect." He added.

Mazibisa said he has since secured a bursary for the boy but the his (the boy) mother preferred a school which does not fall within schools which were catered for by the (Bulawayo) Mayor's fund.

"I secured the mayor's bursary for this boy (Mbongeni) first term 2016 and I called the mother and told her. This week the welfare department confirmed that it is paying for the boy and again I called the mother and told her to collect a letter to Sikhulile because Lobengula welfare pays for those in ward 14 schools."

"She told us that they wanted Masotsha (High School). I advised them that if he goes to Masotsha he will lose the bursary. I have even registered the boy at Sikhulile. They are waiting for him as we speak. I never saw the mother," Mazibisa explained.

The Citizen Bulletin yesterday spoke to the parent who was at pains to explain how the school had denied her the results for her kid unless if she pays $US 442 she owes the school. The Citizen Bulletin is in possession of a letter dated 10 January, 2017 and signed off by the school's headmistress Maureen Dlamini confirming the debt.

Mazibisa said, although the school would release the boy's results, this did not absolve the parent from paying the debt.

"We have enlisted the mother on community work initiatives so that she raises money to pay the debt," he said.

The Citizen Bulletin was not able to reach out to the family to confirm whether or not they accept the bursary since it is only limited to a school recommended by the boy's former learning institution.