To assist struggling final-year students at North-West University (NWU), the Alumni Relations office hosted various events and successfully raised R90 000. This helps students with outstanding debts of R5 000 or less to clear their financial obligations and graduate in 2024.

The cheque was presented to Prof Sonia Swanepoel, deputy vice-chancellor for community engagement and Mahikeng Campus operations, during the staff year-end function on 24 November 2023.

“Paid events hosted by the Alumni Relations office served as a key fundraising mechanism,” says Keabetswe Gopane, alumni relations practitioner at the Mahikeng Campus.

“We encouraged our alumni to attend these events, and the proceeds generated over the years were dedicated to establishing a fund specifically aimed at assisting graduating students with financial constraints,” she adds.

Keabetswe says the decision to support students with modest outstanding debts aligns with the office's mission to encourage alumni to give back to the university in various forms.

“This contribution will aid the upcoming generation of alumni and significantly contribute to fostering a culture of alumni giving.

“Beyond financial contributions, we also ask our alumni to make other contributions - such as offering their time through mentoring, participating in motivational talks, providing training, delivering public lectures, and connecting NWU students with various opportunities,” says Keabetswe.

From left are Maxwell Dyasi, Mahikeng Campus Alumni Committee member, Bongani Mahlangu from the NWU Convocation, Prof Sonia Swanepoel, deputy vice-chancellor for community engagement and Mahikeng Campus operations, Keabetswe Gopane, alumni relations practitioner, and Jean Stidworthy, director of marketing and student recruitment, with the cheque for R90 000.