On Friday, 23 August 2024, the University of Venda (UNIVEN) hosted the Convocation Fundraising Gala Dinner to support the University’s unfunded and indebted students. The Convocation Fundraising Gala Dinner took place at Protea Hotel, Fire and Ice in Menlyn, Pretoria.
The gala dinner was graced by the presence of various companies, provincial and national government departments, SETAs, convocation members, alumni, parastatals and other compassionate individuals who are keen on making a lasting impact on the lives of needy students. Through this initiative, the University aims to raise funds that will pave the way for deserving students to continue their educational pursuits without the weight of financial uncertainty.
UNIVEN Chancellor, Adv Mojanku Gumbi said there are things that help us to wake up every morning and one of them is to wake up and fight to make our lives a better living. “We fight to make our lives better and for our future including fighting for our children’s future. We are all fighting to create a better life for our country and the world.” Adv Gumbi said education is at the core of nation-building. She said education has a string coronation for human development. “Education fosters the ability to adjust to new technology and promotes understanding. It also reduces poverty. It is a key factor in poverty reduction. We need to invest in education if we are serious about solving many challenges with which we are faced. We need to solve these challenges ourselves. We should not expect other people to come and solve our challenges. We need to take primary measures to solve our challenges.” She continued to express that the best volunteers in the world have invested in education. We must also take primary responsibility of educating our own children. She said the support from our government is always there, but it will never be enough.
When addressing attendees on challenges of student funding in historically disadvantaged universities, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Bernard Nthambeleni opened his talk by expressing his heartfelt appreciation to all attendees for sparing their time and spending their money to support the ideals and vision of this University. He told them that their support is a testament to their unwavering support and commitment to UNIVEN. Prof Nthambeleni paid tribute to the late Professor Gessler Muxe Nkondo, whom he described as a giant who has made immense contributions to the making of UNIVEN. Prof Nkondo is the first UNIVEN Vice-Chancellor and Principal since the advent of democracy in 1994.
When talking about the role of alumni and convocation in shaping the future of the university, Prof Nthambeleni mentioned that events such as Convocation Fundraising Gala Dinner are crucial. He said they are not just important in so far as fundraising is concerned. “They are crucial because they give us a platform to reconnect with each other. We use these gatherings to reflect on the progress we are making in pursuit of our strategic objectives. These occasions also provide us with an opportunity to listen to the views of alumni and convocation on how best we can move our university forward.”
As he was talking about student funding challenges for historically disadvantaged universities, Prof Nthambeleni pointed out that a historically disadvantaged university does not enjoy the privilege of large endowments and wealth funds characteristic of historically advantaged institutions.
“Our university largely depends on government subsidy and student fees to support and sustain its academic project. Meanwhile, the cost of teaching, learning, and research has been on the rise, increasing the burden of tuition on students and management.”
He continued to indicate that the responsibility to find alternative streams of income is now imperative; no university can survive without it. “That responsibility weighs even more heavily for a university such as ours.”
Prof Nthambeleni said that the higher education sector is faced with a crisis. This crisis is characterised by a decline in higher education funding, rising student debt, and the challenge of missing middle students.
“Government funding for higher education has been in decline for years now. A report by PricewaterhouseCoopers revealed that state contributions to university education declined from 49% at the beginning of the century to 40% by 2012. This trend has not been reversed since,” he said.
When talking about the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, Prof Nthambeleni mentioned that NSFAS has produced more beneficiaries than can be counted and this changed the fortunes of many black students. “Since the advent of democracy, our Post School Education and Training sector has seen an increase in access to higher education.
The sector has grown from 750 000 students in 2005, to 1 109 000 students in 2022. What is more encouraging is the growth of Black (African, Coloured, and Indian) students, which grew from 75% in 2005 to 89% in 2022.”
Prof Nthambeleni further told the audience that the governance challenges that have plagued NSFAS must not be allowed to ruin an institution that has delivered hope to most of our students since the dawn of democracy than any other institution.
In his opening remarks, the President of Convocation, Mr Sylvester Motadi revealed that there are over 560 000 students who owe universities today. He said this challenge keeps surging despite pronouncements for free higher education. Mr Motadi said while there is increased access to education, about which we must be happy, funding from the government cannot keep up with the demand for higher education and the increasing costs of education. “It goes without saying that the challenge of student debt is huge and requires a bold effort. It also requires action and contextual levels, such as fundraising gala dinners. Each student in debt is an individual. He or she is not simply part of over 500 000 students who are currently in debt. That student is a child of his or her parents and comes from a community which has the social responsibility to nurture.” Motadi said he is happy because the number of alumni, sponsors and donors that were in attendance affirmed his views that we need collective efforts to find solutions for this challenge.
When welcoming attendees, the Secretary to Gauteng Alumni Chapter, Dr Fhatuwani Mutuvhi said they were in attendance carrying a slogan- failure is not an option to them. He told attendees that their commitment and choice to be part of this fundraising gala dinner are rooted in their desire to change the lives of young needy students who represent the future generation.
In a call to donate, Prof Sylvester Mpandeli, who is the Executive Manager at the Water Research Commission, said his first degree is from UNIVEN and if it was not because of UNIVEN, he would not be where he is today. He said he has made a commitment that he will sponsor three final-year students for the next ten years. “Today, I am regarded as one of the global experts because of UNIVEN.” He encouraged attendees and other alumni of this university to also donate whatever will assist students, including gadgets such as laptops, calculators and so on. “Use your strategic positions to channel resources to where you come from. This is our university, and no one will come from outside and rescue our university. Let us appreciate what we have and take care of what we have. Let us help our brothers and sisters to be where we are today. With whatever little resources we have, let us share because sharing is caring. Let us give without expecting anything in return. Use your networks to mobilise resources.”
In his vote of thanks message, the Deputy President of Convocation, Mr Rudzani Mushweu told attendees that it is not how much they give, but about how much that donation makes a difference in someone’s life.
Issued by: Department Marketing, Branding & Communication.
University Of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
Date: 31 August 2024
