The University of Witwatersrand Students Representative Council (SRC) aims to raise R10 million by the end of February to assist students with outstanding debt at the institution.
Wits SRC general secretary Fasiha Hassan said on Wednesday the funds would be used to pay the debt of students who were unable to pay their own fees.
“These students are just above the National Student Financial Aid Scheme threshold that are still unable to pay for higher education on their own. What we found is that these students are on the crux and they are the ones with large amounts of debt outstanding,” said Hassan
The Wits SRC campaign had already received more than R3 million from donors.
“Music artist Ifani donated R50,000 to the campaign and went on to challenge other celebrities in the field. Cassper Nyovest responded to that call and he also donated R50,000.”
South African musician Mzayifani Mzondeleli “Ifani” Boltina said: “I know being there wondering where the money will come from. If NSFAS had not come through for me, then my dreams would have stopped halfway.”
The SRC has placed a large jar on the campus for students to donate cash for the campaign.
“If people cannot make a cash donation, then we also have banking details for EFTs and a website where you can pay online. Everything is tax deductible,” Hassan added.
Hassan emphasised that fundraising was not a solution to the problem, but merely an urgent response to the student financial crisis.
“As student leaders, we could not sit back and do nothing. We had to be proactive because we cannot let R8,000 students go home on our watch.”
The SRC said the structural issue in higher education remained free and quality education for the poor.
– African News Agency (ANA)
Wits SRC to raise R10 million by end of February
The University of Witwatersrand Students Representative Council (SRC) aims to raise R10 million by the end of February to assist students with outstanding debt at the institution.
Wits SRC general secretary Fasiha Hassan said on Wednesday the funds would be used to pay the debt of students who were unable to pay their own fees.
“These students are just above the National Student Financial Aid Scheme threshold that are still unable to pay for higher education on their own. What we found is that these students are on the crux and they are the ones with large amounts of debt outstanding,” said Hassan
The Wits SRC campaign had already received more than R3 million from donors.
“Music artist Ifani donated R50,000 to the campaign and went on to challenge other celebrities in the field. Cassper Nyovest responded to that call and he also donated R50,000.”
South African musician Mzayifani Mzondeleli “Ifani” Boltina said: “I know being there wondering where the money will come from. If NSFAS had not come through for me, then my dreams would have stopped halfway.”
The SRC has placed a large jar on the campus for students to donate cash for the campaign.
“If people cannot make a cash donation, then we also have banking details for EFTs and a website where you can pay online. Everything is tax deductible,” Hassan added.
Hassan emphasised that fundraising was not a solution to the problem, but merely an urgent response to the student financial crisis.
“As student leaders, we could not sit back and do nothing. We had to be proactive because we cannot let R8,000 students go home on our watch.”
The SRC said the structural issue in higher education remained free and quality education for the poor.
– African News Agency (ANA)
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