UNIZULU student bestowed notable Abe Bailey Travel Bursary

University of Zululand (UNIZULU) Student, Kwanele Karabo Davidson who is doing his master’s in industrial Sociology, in the faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences has been selected as a recipient of the 2023 Abe Bailey Travel Bursary. The selection was made based on his exceptional leadership qualities and community service.

Davidson, along with a group of South African students and young academics selected for the bursary will travel to the United Kingdom in November where they will participate in a four-week educational tour hosted by the Goodenough College in London.

The Abe Bailey Travel Bursary aims at developing open minded leaders of the future that will engage on issues and work on viable solutions to the Socio-economic issues faced in South Africa. This year’s group comprises sixteen students from various South African universities.

This bursary was established in terms of the will of Sir Abe Bailey who died in 1940, the travel bursary funded by the Abe Bailey Trust is awarded annually to outstanding students and academics who are 25 years old or younger and have shown exceptional leadership qualities at their universities and within the community.

The bursary seeks to broaden the views of young South Africans and effect greater cooperation and understanding of different viewpoints and opinions among those with various language and cultural backgrounds and encourages leadership that demonstrates open debate and mutual respect for others.

Unpacking the itinerary for the tour “The tour will commence on 28 November 2023 in Cape Town, spend a few days before departing for London on 2 December and end in Scottland on 22 December 2o23.” Explained Davidson.

Davidson’s selection comes as no surprise as he has portrayed excellent leadership qualities as a student.

He attributes his success to Professor Paul Stewart for believing in him believing in him and presenting him with opportunities outside Academic activities.”  His guidance has contributed to my personal growth and development. He also helped develop my research abilities and to identify a research focus that is interesting to me. Collaborating with him as really brought out the best in me and he constantly guides me even during retirement. With his efforts i believed he enabled the academic in me, it is for that reason that I am perusing academia as a career. His hard work, consistency, and commitment to the field of Sociology has encouraged me to become like him and even more.” Said Davidson.

His Senior Lecturer and Head of Department of Sociology also played a pivotal, “Dr Simangele Cele is the reason I applied again this year for this bursary. She has always believed that I could go far and always reminded me that I have the right discipline and determination to go places and the opportunities are always available when you move in relevant circles.”

Davidson is looking forward to being in a foreign country “especially one that has had such major influence on South African history, and it is my first time travelling overseas. I have only visited Southern African countries prior to this.”

• Precious Shamase