For final-year University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) student Ms Anovuyo Blom, a bursary from Spring Light Gas (SLG) (Pty) Ltd was more than just financial aid, it considerably lightened her load and put a spring back in her step.
‘Most bursaries only cater to first-year students,’ she said. ‘But as a senior student, I struggled year after year to cover my debt. This bursary gave me complete peace of mind and assurance that my academic journey – past and present – was financially secure. It’s allowed my family and I to breathe easier.’
Blom, who is from Cape Town and is completing her BSc in Environmental Science, described the bursary as ‘exceptionally valuable’, not just because it covered her current tuition fees, but because it also cleared her outstanding student debt.
Blom’s journey to financial stability has not been easy. Raised by entrepreneurial parents – both first-generation university graduates – her family’s income has fluctuated, making consistent financial support a challenge. ‘Being the child of entrepreneurs means sometimes the work doesn’t come, or worse, they work and don’t get paid. While they’ve been able to help with my residence fees, covering tuition has always felt like an impossible feat,’ she said.
Despite these challenges, Blom remained determined. For three years, she applied for bursaries without success, growing all too familiar with rejection emails. In both her second and third years, she and her family had to sign acknowledgment of debt agreements with UKZN. ‘The fear of not graduating because of student debt was very real. I was terrified that I would carry that debt into my future,’ she said.
But everything changed when she reached out to the UKZN Student Fees Office, who connected her with the UKZN Foundation to facilitate funding through SLG and the BEE Chamber. ‘I had almost given up hope when I went to them, but the staff were so supportive and the partnership with the BEE Chamber and SLG restored my faith. Their investment in me inspired me to work even harder and take full ownership of my academic journey.’
Blom’s passion for science and learning was sparked in high school, where she created her first research project for a life sciences class. ‘Formulating my own question and discovering how the world works was exhilarating. I knew then I wanted to become a researcher – and eventually earn a PhD in environmental science.’
Now in her final year, Blom is thriving in her studies. She is currently completing interdisciplinary modules that include biology, geography and ecological systems. She plans to pursue her honours degree in 2026 and gain work experience in the environmental field thereafter. ‘I want a future in conservation research, and this bursary has made that vision clearer and more attainable,’ she said.
Outside the lab and lecture halls, Blom enjoys reading, crochet, running and spending time with friends and family. But it’s her resilience and quiet determination that truly set her apart. ‘I always say – ask for help. The student fees office and the UKZN Foundation helped me, and the support of my family and friends got me through. But most importantly, having a clear vision of your goals makes the journey easier. When your purpose is clear, you stay motivated.’
Spring Light Gas (Pty) Ltd is one of South Africa’s larger piped-gas traders and southern Africa’s largest compressed natural gas (CNG) facility.
