Rhodes University has established a bursary in memory of murdered student Lelona Thembakazi Fufu.
Rhodes University has established a bursary in memory of murdered student Lelona Thembakazi Fufu.
Fufu was murdered en-route to her graduation ceremony at the University in 2012. She was to receive an Honours degree with a joint major in Maths and Mathematical Statistics. She was found with stab wounds and had been hitch-hiking from her hometown Port Elizabeth to Grahamstown.
The bursary was established by members of the Rhodes Science faculty, the Research Office and the alumni office.
Rhodes communications officer Zamuxolo Matiwana said Fufu had come through the Science Foundation Programme to complete a BSc in mathematics and mathematical statistics and in 2011, a joint Honours in mathematics and mathematical statistics.
The University decided that a memorial prize in her name would be an appropriate way to remember her.
"The Lelona Thembakazi Fufu Memorial Prize is awarded annually at graduation to a student graduating in science with a BSc or BSc (Hons) who has overcome educational hardships to achieve very good results," Matiwana said.
"This year the Prize was awarded to Masakheke Mafu, who is from the Eastern Cape."
"Mafu received an amount of R8 000." In addition, a Lelona Thembakazi Fufu scholarship fund has been established.
The full scholarship, which will be awarded for the first time next year, amounts to R90 000.
"Since its inception, various Rhodes staff members have generously contributed to the fund," Matiwana said. The annual scholarship is intended to cover the student's travel expenses to graduation.
"The first memorial scholarship will be awarded next year during graduation," Matiwana said.
The memorial scholarship will go towards a Bsc graduate who will study for an Honours degree in mathematical or statistical sciences.
