Skip to content
  • Home
  • Matie shop
  • Maties Connect
  • Media
  • Contact
  • Visit Sun.ac
  • Afrikaans
Menu
  • Home
  • Matie shop
  • Maties Connect
  • Media
  • Contact
  • Visit Sun.ac
  • Afrikaans

Menu

  • English
  • Afrikaans

Stellenbosch University (SU) is intensifying its efforts to ensure that no student is denied access to higher education based on their financial struggles. The SU has therefore teamed up with the Feenix online crowdfunding platform to raise funds for the University’s #Action4Inclusion initiative to pay off Matie students’ debt.

Not all students requiring financial assistance receive sufficient funding for their studies and they often experience a shortfall, resulting in the accumulation of debt. Debt is increasingly becoming the biggest obstacle for many students in higher education, with some forced to abandon their studies because they are unable to pay student fees.

The #Action4Inclusion initiative, launched in 2020, was conceptualised by SU’s Student Representative Council, Prof Thuli Madonsela, SU’s Law Trust Chair in Social Justice, Prof Sonia Human, former Dean of SU’s Faculty of Law, and Social Justice Ambassadors. The funds raised via #Action4Inclusion are used to support students who cannot register for the next academic year owing to outstanding fees, as well as graduates who cannot access their academic records upon graduation, thereby hampering their capacity to contribute to a talented workforce.

“Stellenbosch University firmly believes that no deserving student should be denied access to higher education based on their financial struggles,” says Prof Wim de Villiers, SU’s Rector and Vice-Chancellor.

He continues: “SU commits a substantial portion of its income – generated through state subsidies and student fees – to student bursaries each year. However, the University is experiencing increased financial strain as state subsidies for universities have progressively declined. Significant amounts of outstanding student debt further exacerbate our concerns as we cannot write off the money owed to the University because it is crucial to sustaining our operations.



“Therefore, contributions to #Action4Inclusion firstly help talented students overcome financial strain and give them the opportunity to pursue professional careers without the strain of student debt, and secondly ensure SU’s sustainability as an institution,” Prof de Villiers explains.

Prof Thuli Madonsela says, “The plight of students who are overwhelmed by university fees debt is of great concern. Many students from under-resourced backgrounds struggle to pay their university fees and are often at risk of dropping out. Through the #Action4Inclusion campaign we seek to ensure academic inclusion of all our students by clearing their debt.

“I firmly believe that a lack of funding should not inhibit success and access to education should not be dependent on wealth. Together we can help students to earn their degrees without the burden of debt. I therefore challenge all SU alumni, members of the public, companies, and captains of industry to give a ‘democracy dividend’ to young people striving to get a university qualification.”

Feenix was launched in June 2017 as a response to the #FeesMustFall movement that spread across campuses in South Africa in 2015 and 2016. Since its launch in 2017, over R80 million has been raised on the platform towards the student debt of more than 2 131 university students. Feenix connects students who owe university fees with funder communities to assist them to fundraise for their student debt via an online crowdfunding platform.

HOW YOU CAN SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

Those who wish to donate and ease the burden of student debt can go to feenix.org. There you may choose to support an individual student or donate to the overall #Action4Inclusion campaign. All funds raised are paid directly to the University.

For a quick and easy way to donate, just scan this SnapCode with your SnapScan app!

Donate on the online giving platform, GivenGain. All contributions, no matter how small, are welcomed and will be greatly appreciated.

Givengain


If you are not yet registered on our Maties Connect platform — what are you waiting for? There you can share your expertise, see what your fellow Maties are up to, and advance your career. Click here to join

FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Name: Candice Egan
E-mail: eganc@sun.ac.za
Cell phone number: 083 235 3160

 
Name: Thembalethu Seyisi
E-mail: 22301763@sun.ac.za
Cell phone number: 072 785 3218

  • Homecoming
    • Homecoming 2022
    • Homecoming 2020
  • Campaigns
    • 2021
      • Law Faculty Dean’s Fund
      • Covid-19 Relief Funds
      • Train4Fees
      • Masked Masterpieces
      • Thank You
    • 2022
      • #Action4inclusion
      • Bridge The Gap Annual Fund
      • #SciMathus
      • Move4Food
  • Hubs & Clubs
    • USA
    • UK
    • North America
    • Namibia
    • London
    • KwaZulu Natal
    • Ireland
    • Hong Kong
    • Gauteng
    • Europe
    • Canada
    • Breede River Valley
  • Alumni Flagship Programmes
    • PreAlumni
    • Swan
    • Young Alumni
  • Events
    • Alumni Engagement Calendar
    • Events
    • Maties Events
      • Annual Events
      • Birthday reunions
      • Crest Talks
      • Maties Sports
      • Peer-to-Peer
      • Public Lectures
      • Residences
  • Convocation
  • Donate
    • Donate
    • Impact Reports
  • Get informed
    • Alumni Clubhouse
    • Contact
    • Get Informed
    • Maties Wine Club
  • Volunteering at SU
Once a Matie, Always a Matie
  • Home
  • Matie shop
  • Maties Connect
  • Media
  • Contact
  • Visit Sun.ac
  • Afrikaans

Stellenbosch
Private Bag X1
Matieland
South Africa

+27(0)21 808 9265 alumni@sun.ac.za

Facebook Linkedin Instagram Twitter

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. View our Privacy Policy

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

Google Analytics

This website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site, and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

Please enable Strictly Necessary Cookies first so that we can save your preferences!