By: Chubeka Kulu (Development Fundraiser)
“You don’t have to come from a big city or have it all figured out. You just need to believe in yourself and take that first step. Your dreams matter. Apply for that bursary. Take the chance. You can do this.” – Emihle Mazeka.
At just 20 years old, Emihle Mazeka is driven by a calling that extends beyond the classroom. A second-year Pharmacy student at Rhodes University, Emihle is passionate about improving healthcare access, especially for women and rural communities. Her journey from a small town in the Eastern Cape to one of South Africa’s top universities is a testament to resilience, faith, and the life-changing power of opportunity.
Raised in a modest household in Stutterheim, with only one parent employed, the rising cost of higher education placed university almost out of reach. Despite her strong academic record and determination, financial constraints loomed large. Her family could not afford tuition, textbooks, or other essential resources. While they offered unwavering emotional support, the lack of income meant that pursuing further education would have remained a distant dream without external help.
The Kistefos Bursary changed that reality. It removed the most significant barrier to her studies, financial insecurity. “Even though I had worked hard to qualify for university, I didn’t have the means to register or continue,” she shares. The bursary allowed her to stay enrolled and focused, restoring her belief that her goals were valid and achievable. For Emihle, the support is more than just funding; it is a vote of confidence in her potential and a reminder that she does not walk this path alone.
“Growing up in a rural area, I witnessed firsthand how the lack of access to healthcare and education could limit people's lives,” she says. “It made me want to be part of the solution.” These early experiences planted the seed for her future in healthcare. Inspired by the quote, “Be the person you needed when you were younger,” Emihle strives to be a guiding light for others, especially young people who, like her, may feel unseen or discouraged.
Her dream of becoming a Pharmacist began to take shape when she was awarded the Kistefos Bursary in 2024. The support covers her tuition and living expenses, but for Emihle, it is much more than financial aid. “This bursary lifted a huge burden off my shoulders. It reminded me that someone believes in me. That is powerful, it gave me the freedom to focus, grow, and plan,” she says.
And Emihle is not waiting until graduation to start giving back. At Rhodes University, she plays an active role in MethSoc (Methodist Student Society), championing outreach projects like the Pads Drive, which provides sanitary products to girls who would otherwise go without. She also contributes to the Ready to Help Campaign, supporting students in need with school supplies and emotional encouragement.
“Giving back is a way of honouring the help I’ve received. It’s about ensuring no one is left behind,” Emihle reflects.
Her long-term goal is to work in public health, specifically in under-resourced rural areas with limited access to medication and health education. With a special interest in women’s health and youth outreach, she hopes to be a pharmacist who treats patients and advocates for better systems and lasting change.
To the funders who make bursaries like hers possible, she shares: “Your support does not just fund degrees, it fuels dreams. You are helping shape future leaders, caregivers, and change-makers. We carry our communities with us. What you give today echoes for generations.”
As #GivingTuesday approaches, celebrated globally at the end of November, we are reminded of the impact of generosity when we come together. It is more than a day; it is a movement that invites people everywhere to give back, invest in hope, and uplift the future of our students.
Emihle’s story proves what’s possible when generosity meets potential. You can help more students like Emihle achieve their dreams by contributing to the Rhodes University student bursary fund:
Unlocking Futures – RU’s Student Debt Fundraising Campaign