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Walter Sisulu University's impact and dedication to graduating students from disadvantaged backgrounds is evident in the success stories of its graduates, who often rise from challenging circumstances to become professionals, civil servants and community leaders.
Coupled with its proactive approach to debt clearance, this agenda goes beyond just policy, but a tangible intervention that helped support many graduates during WSU's 2024 Autumn graduation in May.
One of the most compelling examples of WSU's impact on its students is the story of Abulele Nontsonto, an Advanced Diploma in Tourism Management graduate who initially joined the university in 2007 before having to drop out due to financial challenges. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, he returned in 2015 to complete his qualification.
“I lost my mother at the start of my first semester exams and I had to drop out again. I went back to work until 2017 when I met with the HOD and asked him for another chance to finish my studies. With the Lord's mercy, he agreed. I had no source of income or funding, life was even more difficult for me and my brother. I recognised that my marks were starting to drop and I was losing myself because of that,” said Nontsonto.
With next to no support from anybody in helping him face his challenges at school and home, delayed post-traumatic depression began to creep in and eventually overwhelmed him, leading to academic struggles.
Nontsonto knew he couldn’t languish in misery and despair for too long – he had to fight for both himself and his family and so he sought counselling services from the university, and by so doing, he was able to maintain good grades in 2018.
“I got help from the Directorate of Learning and Teaching, and the whole WSU community in Butterworth from then until now. I graduated my undergraduate diploma in 2022, after struggling to get a placement for my in-service training, but with God's help, I got placed and I graduated in spring 2022 and now in 2024 I graduated for my advanced diploma. Thank you to Birch's academic attires for assisting with the graduation attire free-of-charge,” concluded Nontsonto.
WSU's commitment to its students extends beyond graduation. Recognising the burden of student debt as a significant barrier to post-graduation success, the university's Convocation Executive launched a ground-breaking Student Debt Clearance Initiative in March 2023.
Student Debt Clearance beneficiary and Bachelor of Education graduate, Mbalenhle Gugulethu Zwane, said: “When I graduated in 2022, I struggled to find a job because I didn't have my qualification on hand, and the process of requesting proof of graduation was lengthy and discouraging. However, when the debt clearance initiative started, many people encouraged me to apply. My debt was cleared in 2023, and that’s when things began to improve, ultimately leading to me securing a substitute position.
WSU's unwavering commitment to supporting the underprivileged and its innovative debt clearance initiative stand as a testament to its mission of transforming lives through education.
By Anita Roji
