WSU Convocation Graduate Debt Clearance Fund

Context

Our fundraising campaign has a goal of clearing graduate debt at Walter Sisulu University. Currently, WSU has a student debt of 1.5 billion, an increase from last year’s R1.4 billion. Behind this debt are real individuals, predominantly from rural areas; they are poor not by choice and are therefore unable to pay off their debts withheld by the university. Worse, without a certificate in hand, job hunting is even more difficult for them: employers usually want certificates upfront, nothing less. Moreover, competition in the labour market is fierce, especially for WSU graduates.

Hence the decision of the Convocation Executive to coordinate a fundraising activity.

Who can contribute?

Everyone of small or big purse: business people, working class, politicians, foundations, NGO’s, and individuals. We believe that the graduate debt crisis is a responsibility of all members of society, so are the consequences of the problem. We are a calling on all people who believe in the right to education and equal opportunity for job hunters to contribute whatever little they can contribute in the Convocation account.

How much can one contribute?

From a little as R100 per month to millions or rand will be appreciated. We believe in the Swahili proverb: “Michango midogo inaweza kuleta mabadiliko,” which loosely means that it is small contributions that have great effect.

For how long can you make a contribution?

We would appreciate it if you could make monthly contributions to the account, particularly if you want to make the most minimum contribution of R100. However, we would also greatly appreciate larger, lump sum contributions. For your contributions, we pledge to write official letters of acknowledgements to you for purposes of filing for tax returns.

Where can you contribute?

Convocation has opened the account under WSU for fundraising to clear graduate debt.

NB: The funds you will contribute will not be used for any other purposes except graduate debt clearance. Beneficiaries from disbursements of your contributions will be made publicly available for accountability.

Conclusion

Your contribution, no matter how small you perceive it to be, will go a long way. Just from as little as R100 per month, you may change the life of someone forever. We are eternally indebted to your kindness, and we thank you in advance for your contributions.