Annual maiden and awareness ceremony kwaDlangezwa Empangeni

27 April 2022

The University of Zululand (UNIZULU) community engagement office participated at KwaMkhwanazi annual maiden awareness ceremony that was held at kwaDlangezwa sports ground. The purpose of the ceremonial was to encourage and re-unite all the maidens post covid-19 period.

During the ceremony uNdlunkulu- MaNxumalo Mkhwanazi and other known leaders for maidens shared their word of advice, and encouragement. through provoking all social aspect to young women. The university was invited to encourage maidens and further introduce them to various opportunities in various institutions and courses.

UNIZULU shared the stage with other higher education institutions such as uMfolozi college and other NGOs (Eyethu scholars). The maidens were given advise on entry points of programs offered at the institution of higher learning… Emphasis on  the importance of education, culture, tradition and overall respect and dignity among the maidens was also given.

The maidens were further engaged through career guidance, social support and other related issues significant to young women including Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The matriculants  were taught about various platforms to make applications through CAO and directly to universities. Moreover, maidens were introduced to how they should use CAO handbook. During the ceremony, pamphlets were distributed to the audience of maidens who aspires to further their studies in universities.

Nokubonga Mbatha

Assessing the impact of career guidance offered by UNIZULU at Kwa Mkhwanazi annual maiden ceremony

The career guidance offered by UNIZULU at KwaMkhwanazi annual maiden and awareness ceremony had positive impact to the community of KwaDlangezwa. School learners need career guidance to explore and plan for future career endeavors based on their individual interests, skills, and values. The participation of learners in the initiative helped them enhance linkages of academic and career experiences and thus, improved their career preparation and management process.

Career guidance provided learners with various techniques such as acquiring self-knowledge, developing specific career and educational goals, developing problem-solving and decision-making skills, coping with the outcome of decisions, and enhancing social, emotional, and cognitive skills.

It made learners to become more aware of career options and their interests. In that sense it means that they would be able to make effective decisions when choosing a career to pursue. It further exposed them to all the channels of applying for higher institutions enrollment space and further exposed them to all the channels of funding towards their education.