i am because you are : Ayanda’s Journey from Ekasi to Grad school

Dear Funders

I am writing with pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted into Ayanda's Journey from Ekasi to Grad School Fundraiser (AJEGSF) . At AJEGSF we believe firmly in the African philosophy of Ubuntu, that is ; I am because, You are and it is with this consideration in which we believe your contribution will have the greatest impact in changing a life. We look forward to hearing from you as we embark on changing one life at a time.

In the Spirit of Ubuntu and Kindness

AJEGSF

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My name is Ayanda Ndaba and I'd like to contextualize my request for R 45000 (3288.37 USD) in university funding. At beginning of 2016, just after the Fees Must Fall protest that stunned South African higher education institutions, I decided to start a new by registering for a BA degree at the University of Johannesburg. In my foolishness however, I had somehow convinced myself that 3 years’ worth of education would be sufficient in preparing me to develop a career in the big world of work. But the reality is that a mere undergraduate, worse still in the humanities, is not enough in equipping one in being a well prepared and competitive graduate within the South African economy, so I had no option but to explore the possibility of doing a postgraduate upon the completion of my undergraduate.

Fortunately for me, while in my 3rd and final year of studying, something quite remarkable happened, I somehow fell deeply in love with my degree and this came rather as a surprise even to myself considering the tumultuous relationship with academia that had led me here. It seemed to me that for the first time in a long while something in me was unlocked. Now, more than ever I am hungry to learn more, to think deeper and more broadly about South African society and the African continent at large but more importantly to begin to contribute meaningfully in the fields of social development, governance and policy research . Yet to do so, I need to gain access to Graduate school.

As of today, I can proudly say, not only have I officially obtained my degree, I have subsequently been accepted for my post-graduate honours in Social Anthropology and awarded a bursary. This is despite the major challenges I’ve had to endure, including traveling 4 hours in 6 different taxis between home and campus nearly every other day for 3 years as well as getting part-time employment in hopes to assist paying for my fees last year. However, even with these efforts, I’ve had to grapple with issues concerning the financing of my school fees and I find myself once again in a similar predicament that sits as a major stumbling block in the realization of my dreams. The reality is that, while I belong to the fees must fall generation of scholars, several of us have fallen in between the cracks of financing higher education, accumulating debt as we try to change our lives and those of our families and communities

And this is the part where I need your help.

While I’ve been accepted for honours in Social Anthropology and have been awarded a bursary for my tuition, however, I will not be permitted to graduate nor register for my honours unless 50% of the total R 45000 (3288.37 USD )of my University fees are paid before the 1st of February 2019. As such, I’d really appreciate your assistance in raising R 22,500 (1644.18 USD) in the bold attempt at registering for my post-graduate just in time for the first Semester of 2019. This I ask of you in the African philosophy of umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu, that is upon the realization that I am because you are. I look forward to any cash or in-kind donations to help in my journey from ekasi to postgraduate eventually towards a PhD. While I may not not have any tangible rewards for your contribution , I intend to pay your goodness forward , to the many passionate and spirited young people from disadvantaged background hoping to change their lives

Ayanda Ndaba