MADIKIZELA CALLS FOR COLLECTIVE EFFORT TO COMBAT STUDENT HUNGER

WSU’s Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC) President, Balungile Madikizela has issued an urgent call for the WSU community and broader public to contribute to the fight against student hunger.

This follows the ISRC’s successful drive earlier this week where they distributed food parcels to 600 unfunded students across the institution’s four campuses.

The food parcel drive, financed through the ISRC’s coffers and a generous donation from the Vice-Chancellor’s office, is a concerted effort by the ISRC to ensure that no student suffers academically due to a lack of basic needs.

“WSU, as a historically disadvantaged university, caters to students who largely depend on NSFAS due to financial constraints and poor backgrounds who cannot afford fees or a monthly food allowance. When students lose NSFAS funding or do not get bursaries, it seems like the end of the world because they can't afford accommodation or groceries and other necessities. While we can't address every issue, this is our way of bridging the gap between funded students and those who are unfunded,” said Madikizela.

While the response from students has been positive, the ISRC is committed to continuing this vital work and has extended a call for support from the WSU community, local businesses and other entities.

Madikizela said that although they wished to have the initiative bi-monthly, they could only continue with it with the support of WSU staff and students, as well as the broader community and business sector.

“Our budget as the ISRC is unfortunately limited, but it does not mean that it's the end of a programme that is so impactful. When we speak of programmes of this nature that seek donations, many students always expect that it's something that will be done by big entities like supermarkets. But that's not the idea behind it. Even regular students can assist by as little as 10-rand, it can definitely make a difference,” she said.

Madikizela ascertained that they would continue engaging local businesses for support, and urged the public to get involved by donating cash or food items through the #NoToStudentHunger Campaign.

By Yanga Ziwele