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12 May 2021 | Story Nonsindiso Qwabe | Photo Supplied
Puseletso Moqomo

A tale of sheer resistance and of never giving up, is what best describes University of the Free State student Puseletso Moqomo’s academic journey.

From changing studies three times, losing NSFAS funding, and not being able to pay her fees, to working as a cashier at a Bloemfontein filling station to fund her education, Moqomo has seen and done it all, and she says she wouldn’t change a single thing about her journey.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Genetics in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences during the 2021 April virtual graduation ceremony. When asked what kept her going, she said, “I told myself that I would study hard and obtain my degree; no matter what came my way, I wouldn’t give up. I would be tired and unable to study, but I told my mind that I had to do what I had to do to advance.”

Moqomo first encountered financial exclusion when her application for NSFAS funding was not approved in 2016. She did not have the R6 830 that was required for registration, and therefore had to pause her studies indefinitely. She decided to look for a job to pay her fees, and in June of that year she was employed as a temporary cashier at the Engen filling station at Northridge Mall in Noordhoek. “I was embarrassed and ashamed when I lost my NSFAS funding but giving up was not one of the things on my mind. When I started working, I made it very clear that I didn’t want to be a permanent employee; I simply wanted to work enough to have money to pay my fees.”

Juggling work and school paid off 

She saved enough to be able to register again in January 2017, but she had to change degree programmes along the way. “After writing my November exams, I would go back to Engen so that I could save money for the following year’s registration. I would fail my modules but still try again,” she said.

NSFAS continued to pay for the rest of her fees, but in 2020, during her final year, she was told that she had exceeded the number of years she could receive funding. “I began working full time because I knew I might not get NSFAS funding even after appealing, so I would work night shifts from Friday to Sunday, then take a bath at work and go to class on Monday mornings. Through all of this, I told myself that I would pass, and I would pass well.”

Fortunately, after relating her whole story to NSFAS during her appeal, she received funding for her final year – which came on time too, as she had to be laid off work temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She went back to work again in November 2020 and saved enough money to register for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), which she is currently pursuing. She is also currently completing her teaching practical at Ikaelelo Senior Secondary School, where she matriculated in 2013. “I knew I wanted to continue with my studies, so I worked hard.”

“Giving up is not an option; some things do not come easily – not even a degree. For some it might be easy, but for others there will be hurdles that they will have to overcome, but you have to keep going.”

News Archive

Right to Learn cyclists cross the finish line
2017-12-05

 Description: R2L Finish  Tags: cyclists, Right to Learn, Cape Town, Paarl, GivenGain Foundation, donations 

The Right to Learn cycling team are happy and thankful that they have completed
their journey.
Photo: Mike Rose

After a seven-day journey, the Right to Learn cycling team have finally reached their destination. Having travelled for over a 1 000 kilometres from Bloemfontein, they arrived safely in the Paarl on Monday 4 December 2017. During their final stretch, they travelled 130 kilometres from Montagu to Paarl, where they ended the Right to Learn Cycling Tour.
 
Gratitude for support
Asive Dlanjwa, Bloemfontein Campus SRC President, says, “It's been good, it's been tough, and it’s been an amazing journey.” He expressed his gratitude to everyone who has been supporting them throughout the journey. “Thank you so much for every cent that you have given, for every prayer, and every thought.”
 
Thulasizwe Mxenge, one of the guest cyclists from Johannesburg, says, “Asive had informed us that most students struggle with access to higher education, and we saw the need to assist and take part in the initiative.” He says the journey was tough, because they had to cycle for about five hours every time they went on the road. “I’m very tired but also happy to have completed the journey.”

Donations received
Since the beginning of the Right to Learn initiative, they have managed to raise R80 000 through corporate giving, R15 584 on Dlanjwa’s GivenGain page, and $500 (about R6 845) from the GivenGain Foundation as part of the #GivingTuesday Twitter campaign which took place on 28 November 2017.
 
Annamia van den Heever, Director: Institutional Advancement, says, “Congratulations to Asive and the team!  It has been an absolute pleasure to work with such positive and passionate young people.” She also thanked all donors to the Right to Learn campaign for their support, saying it will ensure that talented students who cannot afford university fees will have access to the UFS next year. “We are hoping that more people will donate now that the tour has been successfully completed. There is no better Christmas gift,” she says.

Dlanjwa says, “We are committed to helping learners who are coming to the UFS next year. The trip was amazing and I feel stronger than I expected. I’d definitely do this again.”
The community is still encouraged to donate towards the initiative, using the following details:

EFT transaction:
Please use the following bank details:
Bank: ABSA Bank
Account Number: 1570850721
Branch Code: 632005
Account Type: Cheque
Reference: R2L: Right to Learn
Send the proof of payment to Rinda Duraan: duraanmj@ufs.ac.za

Debit order: Download the form and email it to Rinda Duraan

All donations are tax deductible in terms of South African income tax legislation.  

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