TUITION MATTERS: EVERY CENT COUNTS

Wilma Ernst

@_wilhelmiena_enstig_

 

In recent years, the increasing cost of higher education in South Africa has become a major issue, leading to nationwide debates and protests. With NSFAS and other bursary payments being delayed, as well as students being dropped by their bursary agencies, many students’ dreams of earning a degree are overshadowed by the harsh challenge of financial difficulties.

 

The Student Campus Council (SCC) aims to tackle this issue and has planned a fundraiser to assist students in settling their outstanding fees. This fundraiser will take place on the RAG farm on the 15th of March 2025, with tickets costing R150 each.

 

Reuben Coetzer, the SCC Chairperson, shared the idea behind this fundraiser with Wapad, “In 2023 with the Rugby World Cup final we held a similar event to raise funds for students with outstanding tuition fees. This year we plan to raise even more money to help students who cannot graduate because of outstanding payments for a few last modules that they cannot pay themselves.” 

 

Coetzer explained that there are a great number of financially struggling students and that this event has the potential to help them finish their studies, thereby granting them a chance at finding jobs. “So, when we decide on the beneficiaries, we will be looking at academic performance and reward those students that really deserve and need the financial help. That is why we are selling about 2500 tickets and have asked for donations from businesses – to raise as much funds as possible.”

 

Dricus Du Plessis, the current UFC Middleweight Champion from South Africa, will be the main attraction of this event. “We talked to multiple people and ultimately Dricus stood out. He wants to give back to the community,” said Coetzer. 

 

The RAG farm gates will open at 07:30 to give people enough time to enter and get seating. The pre-show, which will consist of Battle of the Bands performances, will start at 09:00 and afterwards some of Du Plessis’ signed memorabilia will be auctioned off to the crowd. The main event will be the appearance of Dricus with his legendary UFC belt, inspiring the crowd with his life story, followed by a chance for the crowd to ask questions and be interactive. “Ideally we’d have him fight someone, but unfortunately that was not possible,” joked Coetzer. 

 

“This is a public event and we made sure that families as well as students would be able to enjoy it,” promised Coetzer. “I think this event is a first of its kind in Potchefstroom. It is going to be a fun outing for students and families and they can come and just enjoy themselves.” Food and alcohol will also be sold and there will be benches and chairs for the event goers.

 

Coetzer shares his final thoughts, “These funds will go to a good cause. How many of us know someone who is struggling, or worse, doesn’t know the people around us that [are] struggling?”