{"id":42618,"date":"2026-09-04T07:47:05","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T07:47:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/?p=42618"},"modified":"2026-09-04T10:49:44","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T10:49:44","slug":"bankseta-investment-empowers-vut-accountancy-students-with-bursaries-and-laptops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vut.ac.za\/nso\/bankseta-investment-empowers-vut-accountancy-students-with-bursaries-and-laptops\/","title":{"rendered":"BANKSETA investment empowers VUT accountancy students with bursaries and laptops"},"content":{"rendered":"

“VUT Accountancy students receive BANKSETA bursaries and laptops, removing financial and technological barriers while empowering future accounting professionals to succeed”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

04 September | Story by: Ntebogeleng Digasu | Picture: Sifiso Nomzaza<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 minutes read time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Front centre: VUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Dr Grace Kanakana-Katumba, with faculty leadership, lecturers and students who received BANKSETA-funded bursaries and laptops.\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is a milestone for you. This will help you pursue your studies without obstacles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These words from Prof Gauta Johannes Maseko, Head of the Department of Accountancy at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), captured the significance of a recent bursary and laptop handover aimed at empowering students to succeed academically and professionally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Held on 31 August 2026, the initiative, facilitated through a partnership between VUT’s Department of Accountancy and the Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (BANKSETA), provided bursaries and laptops to students facing financial challenges and limited access to essential technology for their studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The intervention followed a concerted effort by the Department of Accountancy to identify first-year students who were not receiving funding and assist them in securing BANKSETA bursary support. Beyond easing financial pressures, the initiative ensures that students have access to critical digital tools required for modern teaching, learning and professional development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressing the beneficiaries, Prof Maseko encouraged students to make the most of the opportunity and to value the resources entrusted to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Please don’t sell them. Treat them as a treasure,” he said, referring to the laptops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further assured students that the devices had been evaluated by VUT’s Information Technology Department and met the necessary quality standards to support their academic needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prof Chengedzai Mafini, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to student success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We are very happy for you, our clients, because without you, we would not have any jobs. We are here for you, and the most important thing is to see you thriving in your studies,” said Prof Mafini.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Grace Kanakana-Katumba, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, also encouraged students to seize the opportunity and use it as a stepping stone towards academic excellence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We are very privileged to have Accountancy in the house. Take this opportunity and run with it. It is your time to shine,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many recipients, the support represents more than financial assistance. It provides peace of mind and the means to fully participate in their academic journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms Nomhle Nkuna, a Diploma in Internal Auditing student, said receiving the bursary brought a sense of relief to both her and her family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I felt deeply grateful and relieved when I received the BANKSETA bursary, knowing that the financial burden my parents and I had has been lifted,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nkuna added that the laptop would enable her to attend online classes, complete assessments and access learning resources without worrying about access to a suitable device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Tekatso Matlala, a Diploma in Financial Information Systems student, explained how his previous laptop had restricted his mobility because it could only function while connected to a charger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The new laptop is going to help me with studying and being mobile. It’s also going to help with the project I have in Financial Information Systems because it’s a group project and we must use our laptops,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As technology becomes increasingly central to higher education and the workplace, access to reliable digital devices plays a crucial role in enhancing student success and employability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mrs Cecilia Mothemba Mokoena, Lecturer in the Department of Accountancy, encouraged students to view the laptops as investments in their future careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“These laptops are more than just devices. View them as tools that will transform and improve your digital skills, which are critical for the accounting profession,” she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The initiative demonstrates the impact that strategic partnerships between higher education institutions and industry stakeholders can have in addressing barriers to student success. By combining financial assistance with access to technology, VUT and BANKSETA are helping students focus on what matters most: completing their qualifications, developing future-ready skills and preparing for rewarding careers in the accounting profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through initiatives such as these, VUT continues to advance its commitment to student success, employability and inclusive access to quality higher education, ensuring that talented students are equipped with the resources they need to realise their full potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catch the full experience on Flickr <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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