Paseka Sikhosana, Student Representative Council President, making his contribution during the Right to Learn campaign launch at the Qwaqwa Campus.
Photo: Thabo Kessah

Together with his cabinet, staff, and students on University of the Free State Qwaqwa Campus, Paseka Sikhosana, President of the Student Representative Council (SRC), had raised over R10 000 for the Right to Learn (R2L) campaign by Wednesday 16 March 2016. The SRC made contributions from their own pockets at the launch of the campaign

The campaign was designed to ensure that academically-deserving yet financially-needy students are not de-registered, can afford textbooks, and are food secure. It was first launched on 30 October 2016, following widespread #FeesMustFall protests. In the first few months, a total of R1.2 million was collected from various sponsors.

“We firmly believe that higher education is the key to success, and remains imperative in the fight against inequality. All the donations are an investment not only in needy students, but in the future of the country,” Sikhosana said.

Deregistration

Monday 4 April 2016 was the day in which de-registration of provisionally registered students was expected. However, the university announced that no student would be de-registered on that day, thus allowing more time for students to source funding.

Fund-raising initiatives

The SRC, various associations, residences, and individual students have been organising events in support of the campaign.  Events such as Party with a Purpose, the FEES (Free Education for Every Student) Festival, the Golf Day, the Annual Oscar Night, Inspired by Greatness, and Hand to Hand’s fund-raising are among the tireless efforts to safeguard the futures of underprivileged students.

An SMS campaign was also introduced prior to the de-registration date. Sponsors can SMS “UFS” to 40010 to donate R20. The SRC aims to raise R10 million in total.