More than 100 University of Fort Hare students who have not been able to get their certificates on account of owing money are over the moon after their debts were cleared by the university’s alumni chapter executive.
Several of the elated 130 former students said they lacked words to thank the alumni for clearing their debts.
The Dispatch reported in July that the chapter managed to raise over R300,000 during the launch of the initiative to help graduates who owed the university money to get their certificates.
They managed to raise R360,000 towards paying the debts.
One of the beneficiaries of the initiative is bachelor of education graduate Mandilakhe Krila, who completed his degree in 2019.
“We are planning phase two of this initiative where we hope we will come back with more ways of raising money to help more students.”
He told the Dispatch he had been funded by NSFAS, but in 2016 his tuition was not paid, adding that he did not understand how that happened.
Krila, from Cofimvaba, a physical science teacher in Komani, said he used his academic record to apply for jobs until he was permanently employed last year.
“I did not go to the graduation because of personal problems,” he said.
“I’m happy that as I will be graduating for my honours degree this year, I will also have my certificate after completing the degree so many years ago.
“I will even slaughter a sheep for it.
“I’m eternally grateful to the chapter for clearing my debt and I want to encourage them to continue doing this good work because the struggle of students being in debt is immense and needs all kinds of interventions.
“I will also be contributing towards this course and attend most of their events in support.”
SRC president Aphelele Matinise said: “The SRC extends heartfelt gratitude to the University of Fort Hare EC alumni chapter for their generous efforts in raising funds to assist students with debts.
“Their contribution has alleviated financial burdens on students, enabling them to obtain degree certificates and reduce their debts for registration purposes.
“As the SRC, we are actively hunting for other additional fundraising initiatives to support students who are still facing financial challenges.
“Furthermore, we plan to knock on the office of the premier to seek assistance in alleviating student debts and reducing debts for those who might have huge debts.”
Chapter chair Mosuli Cwele said they planned to carry out the initiative this year on a bigger and better scale.
“After the gala dinner [launch of the initiative], people kept on donating what they could,” Cwele said.
“Having helped 130 students for us is a dream, realising that we have managed, as a chapter, to ensure that we plough back and contribute towards students being able to look for jobs and work for the betterment of their families.
“The situation, more especially when it comes to the rate of unemployment in the province and the country, is very bad, so withholding certificates doesn’t sit well with us.
“It is our wish that those we have helped can contribute towards this initiative, but this is not the end of it.
“We are planning phase two of this initiative where we hope we will come back with more ways of raising money to help more students.”
The chapter’s term of office comes to an end by early next year.
Cwele said they wanted the initiative to be a legacy and to continue to help students in need, even after their term.
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