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A tale of sheer resistance and of never giving up

12 May 2021 | Story Nonsindiso Qwabe | Photo Supplied

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

Access meets quality in UFS-Varsity College partnership for law degree

2012-07-30

At the event were, from the left: Mr Frank Thompson, CEO of ADvTECH, Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, and Prof. Johan Henning, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the UFS.
Photo: Johan Roux
30 July 2012

The University of the Free State (UFS) and Varsity College this week officially launched a partnership whereby the university’s Faculty of Law will offer a four-year Bachelor of Law qualification through the UFS School of Open Learning on eight Varsity College campuses nationwide. This new degree will be offered as early as 2013.

This is the fulfilment of a dream, said Prof. Johan Henning, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the university. He was one of the speakers at the event that was attended by staff members and management from the, Faculty of Law, the university’s South Campus, Varsity College and ADvTECH.

The UFS Faculty of Law is one of the oldest and most distinguished faculties of law in South Africa, and has a close association with several overseas universities which ensures that the institution is internationally recognised.

“I am very positive and enthusiastic about this new partnership. We want to make this an enriching experience for staff and students from both the university as well as Varsity College,” Prof. Henning said.

The CEO of ADvTECH, Mr Frank Thompson, said he is overjoyed about the project and its potential. Varsity College is a brand of the ADvTECH Group, a JSE listed company invested in human capital.

“This is a new beginning for Varsity College and the UFS. Learning together, the slogan for this project, is very appropriate. We are excited to add new students to the university and Varsity College’s line-up,” Mr Thompson said.

Varsity College is part of the Independent Institute of Education (IIE), the leading provider of private higher education in South Africa. According to Dr Felicity Coughlan, Director of the IIE, the partnership between the IIE and the university is an example of the potential that is inherent in public-private partnerships to increase the range of high quality options available to students.

Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, who also was one of the speakers at this event, said with this partnership, students will get the best of both worlds in accessing higher education.

The Faculty of Law will ensure that students obtain both a thorough grounding in legal theory, as well as a solid practical foundation, and Varsity College, through a strong commitment to innovative teaching and learning, will empower more students to become legal graduates of the highest calibre. Thus, the innovative partnership between the UFS and Varsity College will produce a Bachelor of Law degree that is highly sought after in the legal profession.

This partnership is the first of its kind, paving the way for increased collaboration between public and private tertiary institutions to best serve the education sector and the future of graduates.

“This is what is possible when two dynamic partners like the university and Varsity College come together,” Prof. Jansen said.

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