Former Water and Sanitation Bursary Recipient Turns Opportunity Into a Lifeline for Other Young South Africans

A former Department of Water and Sanitation bursary recipient is turning his own education journey into a platform for others, proving that one well-placed opportunity can grow into a movement of hope, mentorship and social impact. Kagiso Komane, a 32-year-old PhD candidate in Chemistry at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, says the bursary he received from the Department of Water and Sanitation changed the direction of his life and inspired him to help young people who are facing the same financial and informational barriers he once experienced. Born and raised in Kgobokwane, outside Dennilton in Limpopo, Komane did not have a smooth academic path. After matriculating at Ramatshagala High School in 2011 with below-average Mathematics and Science results, he spent two years improving his marks before qualifying to study Analytical Chemistry at Tshwane University of Technology. His breakthrough came in 2019, when he received a comprehensive DWS bursary that funded his B-Tech and master's qualifications, covering tuition, accommodation, meals, books, stationery and a monthly stipend. That support, Komane says, did far more than pay for his studies; it gave him the space to focus, grow and imagine a future beyond financial hardship. Now, through his newly established non-profit organisation, Edukheshin for All, he is working to remove the obstacles that keep many young South Africans from accessing higher education. Founded in 2026, the organisation assists learners with study applications, provides information about bursaries and funding opportunities, offers mentorship and delivers practical support to vulnerable learners. Since its official launch at a gala dinner on 1 May 2026, Edukheshin for All has already helped learners with education applications and distributed school shoes and sanitary towels to those in need. The organisation is also preparing to host a Career Expo on 26 June 2026 at Pilditch Stadium in Tshwane as part of Youth Month commemorations, bringing together higher education institutions, government stakeholders and private sector organisations to guide young people on study options, bursaries, career pathways and skills development programmes. Komane describes the organisation as a direct way of "paying forward" the support he received from the department. He says funding is important, but young people also need guidance, encouragement and someone who can help them navigate unfamiliar systems. His story reflects the broader purpose of the Department of Water and Sanitation Learning Academy, which was established in 2007 to address scarce and critical skills in the water and sanitation sector through bursaries in science, engineering and related disciplines. Beyond financial support, the academy also provides graduates with workplace exposure and development opportunities to prepare them for professional registration and careers in the sector. Komane's journey from a struggling learner to a master's graduate, PhD candidate and community leader shows the long-term value of investing in young people. As South Africa marks Youth Month and the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising, his work carries a powerful message: education remains one of the strongest tools for dignity, confidence and possibility, but access to that education must be widened. His advice to young people is simple but urgent - when an opportunity comes, grab it with both hands, use it to change your own life, and then create opportunities for those who come after you.