During Nelson Mandela Month, the University of the Free State (UFS) Ubuntu Giving campaign is calling on the university community to turn collective care into practical support for students.
For students facing food insecurity, a meal can make the difference between struggling to cope and focusing on their studies. Through the No Student Hungry Programme, students receive more than food – they gain dignity, stability, and the reassurance that they are not alone.
The experiences of UFS graduate Sibongile Dhlamini and current student Mnqobi Cebekhulu show why supporting Ubuntu Giving during Nelson Mandela Month matters. Meeting a student’s basic needs can strengthen well-being, improve academic focus, and inspire beneficiaries to support others in the future.
Dhlamini’s interest in Accounting began at school. Her decision to pursue the field was further shaped by the limited number of black accounting professionals she encountered in her community.
She enrolled for a BCom Accounting degree at the UFS and later completed a postgraduate qualification in Accountancy in 2020.
Although she was committed to completing her studies, financial pressure affected her student experience. A bursary, secured with assistance from the Financial Aid Office, helped cover her studies, but the daily cost of food remained a concern.
During her final year in 2019, Dhlamini learned about the No Student Hungry Programme. The support enabled her to redirect her attention from meeting an immediate need to progressing academically.
“My focus shifted from worrying about where my next meal would come from to focusing on my academic work. Once my application was approved, I could concentrate wholeheartedly on my studies,” she said.
The programme also eased her parents’ anxiety about whether she had enough to eat. Knowing that support was available gave Dhlamini greater confidence as she worked towards completing her qualification.
Ubuntu in action
For Cebekhulu, the weekday meals provided through the food bursary represent hope, dignity, and care. The support eases the pressure associated with coming from a financially challenged background and enables him to approach his studies with greater focus.
During Nelson Mandela Month, his experience reflects the spirit behind Ubuntu Giving and the principle of ‘I am because we are’. It demonstrates what individuals and organisations can achieve when they recognise that no student should have to choose between education and hunger.
“The bursary eases a significant burden and allows me to focus on my studies without constantly worrying about where my next meal will come from,” he said.
The support motivates Cebekhulu to work towards academic success while reminding him that he is not alone. It has also strengthened his hope of giving back one day and assisting students facing similar challenges.
Giving that creates a lasting impact
For both Dhlamini and Cebekhulu, the programme’s impact extends beyond the meals they received. It protects students’ dignity, supports their academic aspirations, and encourages beneficiaries to continue the cycle of giving.
Dhlamini believes that donors may not always see the immediate results of their contributions, but their generosity can influence students, families, and future generations. Cebekhulu similarly views the bursary as support that nourishes not only his body, but also his dreams.
Their stories show that student success depends on more than academic ability. When students’ basic needs are met, they are better able to learn, participate in university life, and complete their qualifications.
By supporting Ubuntu Giving during Nelson Mandela Month, UFS staff, alumni, partners, and friends of the university can help ensure that hunger does not stand between a student and the opportunity to succeed.