Wits SRCs push for R21 million

Wits University SRC looking to raise R21 million for financially strained students.

The University of the Witwatersrand Students Representative Council (SRC) recently launch their collaborative campaign for students who have been financially excluded.

According to the SRC president Mpendulo Mfeka, the 21 million in 2021 Campaign is established to ensure that financially at-risk students are allowed to register and continue the academic course and will try to achieve this by raising R21 million.

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A statement released by the SRC read, ‘Covid-19 has brought tertiary institutions which were already under much financial strain to a near breaking point. For many students, education is the key out of poverty but when education becomes inaccessible it is no longer a door out of poverty but a gatekeeper against a better life.

Currently, there are over 8 000 students who will not be returning to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) for the academic year of 2021 solely on the basis of finances. These are students who are academically qualifying, students who have successfully completed their academic course in the most difficult year in recent history.

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This is an unprecedented number of students who will be excluded and it is this unprecedented crisis that has birthed the need for an unprecedented campaign.’

The SRC, with the endorsement of the University’s chancellor Dr Judy Dlamini, former chancellor Justice Richard Goldstone, former deputy Chief Justice and former chancellor Dikgang Moseneke, and award-winning entrepreneur and Wits alumnus Adrian Gore, are pleading with the public to participate in the fundraising campaign.

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Mfeka stated that along with the partnership of Ubuma Leadership and the South Africa Student Solidarity Foundation for Education will be looking to assist 8 142 students to register for the 2021 academic year.

Wits University SRC president Mpendulo Mfeka on the #21MillionIn2021 fundraising campaign:
https://www.facebook.com/Wits-SRC-2162279720688378/videos/249459650170806

Those interested and able to help are advised to contact Wits SRC president Mpendulo Mfeka or its secretary-general Nhlonipho Nxumalo via email.

Details: Mpendulo Mfeka src.president@students.wits.ac.za; Nhlonipho Nxumalo src.secretarygeneral@students.wits.ac.za

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