16 July 2026
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Story Tshepo Tsotetsi and Chrystal Francis
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Photo Kaleidoscope Studios
Support the Ubuntu Giving campaign this Mandela Month by investing in the VC-ISRC Imbewu Legacy Fund and the No Student Hungry Programme, helping more UFS students access opportunities, succeed in their studies, and build brighter futures.
Every student arrives at university carrying more than just books and lecture notes. For many, they also carry the hopes of their families, the expectations of their communities, and the determination to build a future that previous generations could only dream of. Yet for some, financial hardship and food insecurity can make that journey far more difficult than it should be.
Through the
Ubuntu Giving campaign, the University of the Free State is inviting staff, alumni, partners, and friends of the university to help remove some of those barriers by supporting the
VC-ISRC Imbewu Legacy Fund and the
No Student Hungry Programme. Every contribution helps ensure that more students have the opportunity to not only access higher education, but to also complete their studies with dignity and realise their full potential.
For
Dr Temba Hlasho, Executive Director: Student Affairs, Sport, Arts and Culture, student success is about creating the conditions that allow every student to reach their full potential, regardless of the challenges they face.
“Levelling the playing field for students is critical. When students are insulated from the anxieties associated with a lack of necessities, they can focus on the Academic Project. Supporting student well-being is therefore not separate from academic excellence. It is one of the conditions that makes excellence possible.”
Every contribution creates opportunity
Every year, the
Division of Student Affairs, Sport, Arts and Culture works alongside students navigating financial pressure, food insecurity, and personal challenges that often remain unseen. While many persevere despite these circumstances, support from the university community can make the difference between merely surviving university and truly thriving.
For many UFS students, particularly those who are the first in their families to attend university, earning a degree represents far more than an individual achievement. It opens doors for families, creates opportunities for communities, and changes the trajectory of future generations.
This is particularly evident for students who are the first in their families to attend university.
“For many first-generation students, a university degree becomes far more than an individual achievement. It becomes a family degree. A community degree.”
The VC-ISRC Imbewu Legacy Fund and the No Student Hungry Programme were established with exactly this purpose in mind. While one provides financial support to students facing hardship, the other helps address food insecurity, ensuring that students can focus on learning without worrying about where their next meal will come from.
At the heart of these initiatives is the understanding that supporting students extends beyond the classroom.
“A university must invest not only in excellent teaching, but also in student well-being. When students are supported holistically, they are better equipped to achieve academic success and develop into graduates who contribute meaningfully to society.”
The spirit of Ubuntu is at the heart of these initiatives. It is reflected not only in financial contributions, but also in the collective commitment of staff, alumni, donors, and partners who choose to invest in the success of others.
For Dr Hlasho, this commitment is reflected in the everyday choices the university makes to support its students.
“At the University of the Free State, Ubuntu is not rhetorical. It is lived. It is reflected in the way we care for our students and in our commitment to ensuring that no student is left behind because of circumstances they did not choose.”
The name Imbewu, meaning seed, serves as a reminder that every act of generosity has the potential to grow into something much greater. Every donation is an investment not only in meeting a student’s immediate needs, but also in developing future graduates who will strengthen families, communities, and society.
Looking ahead, Dr Hlasho believes that the true value of giving lies not only in meeting immediate needs, but also in the future it helps to create.
“Every contribution to the Imbewu Legacy Fund is an investment in future leaders, stronger communities, and responsible societal futures. When we invest in our students today, we help shape the society they will build tomorrow.”
Whether you choose to give R67, R670, R6 700 or any amount you are able to contribute, your support helps ensure that financial hardship does not stand in the way of a student’s future. Together, the University of the Free State community, alongside its alumni, partners, and friends, can help create opportunities that will continue to make a difference for years to come.
Watch Dr Temba Hlasho’s message on why investing in students matters: