“Thank you all for these donations,” said UP Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe during a recent donor appreciation webinar. “You have shown that despite all the emotional hardships we may have faced, you have internalised the spirit of ubuntu by ensuring that no student was left behind. When COVID-19 hit, some students did not have laptops and data to continue with their studies and these donations came in handy.”

“This event has a special place in my heart because it is a strong reminder of the community that has been built at UP,” he added. “One of our roles as a university is to produce graduates that not only excel in their chosen fields of study, but are also able to go out into communities and use their skills to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of this country, our continent and any other place in the world. A challenge that could make this dream not come true is [lack of] access to higher education.”

Prof Kupe further indicated that, given the increasing gap in South Africa between rich and poor, a degree or any other form of education remains a dream for many in the country; COVID-19 has exacerbated this challenge. “This is where you come in: your efforts and donating in various way to the establishment of different grants and bursaries have been the perfect example of leading from the front to contribute to solving the student funding crises. Between 2019 and 2021, we have had about 244 staff donors contributing to various projects on campus – these contributions amounted to more than a million rand.”

Panellist and scholarship recipient Hassan Skaf, who obtained a BSc degree in Actuarial and Financial Mathematics (distinction) and a BSc (Hons) from UP, is currently working for Liberty and said he is now financially liberated. “I enjoyed studying at UP. Completing my degree on time was a massive challenge due to financial constraints, but I am happy that I pushed through, and I am grateful for the scholarship I received that helped me to realise my dreams”.

Lebogang Mnguni, who holds a BCom degree in Financial Sciences from UP and is a graduate trainee at the Development Bank of South Africa, said she is grateful for the scholarship she received. “The scholarship should be advertised so that other students can apply as well. I am happy to have received this scholarship; thank you to every staff member who contributes. I hope to give back as well.”

Boris Wamba, a fourth-year medical student at UP who hails from Cameroon and also received a scholarship, said he enjoys studying at UP because the lecturers are approachable. “The support I have received from the scholarship really changed my life; I am achieving my goal. It hurt me to realise that I had good marks to study for a medical degree, but that my financial background could have denied me that opportunity. The scholarship came through for me and I am grateful.”

During the webinar, Gugu Ihenacho, Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid at UP, urged staff members to become donors. “To become a donor, staff members can go to the UP Portal, click on the HR option, then ‘My remuneration’, and then on ‘How to become a contributor’ to select your choice. The money will be deducted from your payslip and you will get a TAX benefit.