The plight of students who struggle to pay their university fees is one of the most pressing challenges tertiary education faces in South Africa in 2024. To address this issue, Stellenbosch University (SU) is intensifying efforts to end student debt.
On 3 February 2024 the first fundraising activity of the year will be hosted by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) through their #Action4Inclusion Social Justice Walk.
Over the past five years, the hike has become a major bridge-building initiative that brings together diverse stakeholders. Prof Thuli Madonsela, Director of the CSJ, will be joined by members of SU’s Student Representative Council (SRC) for an early morning 12 km walk in the beautiful Banhoek Conservancy in Kylemore near Stellenbosch.
Missing middle students
All proceeds from the walk will be used to ensure academic inclusion and the clearance of historical debt for deserving students.
#Action4Inclusion is aligned to SU’s Vice-Chancellor’s #BridgeTheGap initiative aimed at plugging the gap regarding tertiary academic financial support, particularly targeting the so-called “missing middle” students with a view to ensure no deserving student is left behind.
One of the students who recently benefitted directly from #Action4Inclusion’s support is Zwelethu Mtumtum, who completed an Advanced Diploma in public accountability at SU. “Facing family challenges in 2021, I struggled academically, but #Action4Inclusion became a lifeline,” Mtumtum explains. “The financial assistance facilitated my registration for the 2022 academic year, allowing me to graduate and #Action4Inclusion also cleared my outstanding debt in 2023, enabling me to obtain my qualification.” Grateful for the support, Mtumtum now aspires to a BA Honours in public administration at SU.
The Social Justice Walk on 3 February will also be an activation of Madonsela’s Pilgrimage of Hope hike from Franschhoek to Cape Agulhas, a distance of 300 km. The Pilgrimage of Hope symbolises the daunting path some students tread in their pursuit of education. In August 2023 Madonsela completed the first two stages of the route from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek.
Level playing field
Madonsela says the upcoming Social Justice Walk is an opportunity to get hiking exercise for the Pilgrimage of Hope while sharing thoughts with participants on the challenges of student debt before the academic year begins. “Students must have stable lives to compete on a level playing field with their peers. The support from participants means the world to the affected students and the small team that has been driving the quest. With your support and innovative ideas, we believe 2024 will be a breakthrough year,” says Madonsela.
Also supporting the Social Justice Hike is SU’s Maties Connect, a student-led fundraising initiative. The largest event organised by Maties Connect is Vensters, an annual open-air theatre spectacle for newcomers at SU. Vensters 2024 will be a family-friendly spectacle hosted at Coetzenburg Stadium on 14 February themed “A Whole New World”.
Save the Date
All participants of the Social Justice Walk must meet at Bethlehem Farm in 1 Rooi Street, Kylemore at 07:00 on 3 February. The guided hike will start at 07:30 and should be completed by 11:00. Hikers can look forward to a moderately difficult walk in a glorious setting. Wear a hat and pack your own water and snacks. More details and logistics will be communicated to participants who bought tickets.
- Tickets costs R500 per person and can be purchased online at Quicket: https://qkt.io/Thuli3Feb
- For registration and further information, please contact Thembalethu Seyisi at tseyisi@sun.ac.za or +27 72 785 3218.
