STUDENT DEBT CLEARANCE WINS ULTIMATE PRIZE AT INAUGURAL WSU CONVOCATION HALF-MARATHON

Over 100 runners from across the Eastern Cape recently descended upon the WSU Buffalo City Campus's Potsdam Site to participate in the university's inaugural Convocation Half-Marathon and Fun Run to raise funds to help alleviate student debt. 

The Nedbank Running Club outdid themselves on the day of the main race, the 21 km half-marathon, as two of their runners, Habtamo Mishamo Desale in the men’s category, and Carmen Schaefer in the women’s category, outpaced the competition to the finish line to earn top honours in their respective categories, walking away with a handsome R3 000 each.

To the WSU Convocation president, Dr Lunga Mantashe, however, the heralding of an event that was the first of its kind in the Eastern Cape, claimed the ultimate prize, not least because of the noble cause that it represents.

“This day marks a significant day in the WSU calendar as it illustrates the potential and importance of advocacy for a cause that will break the shackles of student debt, and the highlighting and creating of awareness to the public about the massive issue of student debt that oppresses our students due to their inability to secure their certificates because of outstanding debt," said Mantashe.

WSU Registrar, Dr Lulamile Ntonzima, also weighed in on the day’s events, stressing the potential of such events to help the university alleviate the scourge of the “ballooning” student debt.

Over and above overcoming the imminent threat of student debt, Ntonzima said the day's festivities also signified the importance of health and wellness, and the enhancement of WSU's profile as a university steeped in sporting agency and excellence.

“It’s been great to witness the enthusiasm and participation of the Eastern Cape community in this race. Remember, places like East London and Mthatha are running cities so it's no surprise that we were able to draw runners of this number and this caliber. As for the debt, the government must help us clear it, because it can't cleared by runners," he said.

Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC) MEC, Sibulele Ngongo, a graduate of WSU’s Butterworth Campus, was also an integral part of the historic event as she pulled the trigger on the starting pistol.

Like so many before and after her, Ngongo herself fell victim to the detrimental effects of student debt as she also couldn’t gain access to her certificate due to an outstanding debt.

“It excites me to see the Convocation of WSU being decisive and taking charge in fundraising to help settle some of the students’ debts so that those students can go out there with certificates in hand to look for jobs and hopefully change the lives of themselves and their families for the better,” she said.

By Thando Cezula