R3 523 735.10. It is an amount that changes lives, it is an amount that makes a bleak day a better one. It is a record amount that was distributed to various individuals, schools, projects and welfare institutions during the North-West University’s (NWU’s) annual Student Rag Community Service (SRCS) pay-out function.

Founded in 1977, SRCS is an initiative like no other and one of the biggest of its kind in the world. It is run by students at the Potchefstroom Campus of the NWU who aspire to serve the university’s surrounding community and those in need of assistance.

SRCS, in partnership with RAG, has a specific focus on the communities of Ikageng and Promosa and this is reflected in the distribution of funds.

One of the needs of pre-primary schools are clean and private bathrooms as buckets are sometimes used for lavatory purposes. For the upgrade of their facilities the schools of Agape and Thuto Boswa received R10 000 and R7 000 respectively. Restoration to play areas is also a need of many schools and to assist with this, funds were given to Tshepanang (R10 000), Lesedi La Thuto (R10 000), Dan Thloome (R16 000), Reagola (R3 500) and PNBC pre-school (R10 000). Tshupane Primary School received R40 000 for the construction of a kitchen that will provide food for 1 200 children on a daily basis. Witrand Hospital (R10 000), Promosa 1 (R3 200) and Droomhuis (R10 000) received funding for the renovation of infrastructure, while the primary schools of President Pretorius (R5 000) and Promosa (R4 076) received funds for the purchase of sporting equipment.

The Bafenyi Trust received R55 000 to build a classroom for the training of early childhood development teachers. Other beneficiaries include Child Welfare (R20 000), Families South Africa (FAMSA, R20 000), Free State Care in Action: Vredefort (R10 000) and Nappy Run South Africa (R5 000).

The iDUC project, a multileveled initiative that focuses on job creation, community upliftment and the provision of support to rape victims, received R35 000. With the iDUC project, unemployed women in less fortunate communities are identified according to their skill sets; the primary demand being skills in hand work and sewing. These ladies are then employed and paid to make little stuffed animals and hooded robes.

The Pedal for Poverty project and Musikhane project also received R15 000 and R45 000 respectively. 

A special payment of R50 000 was made to Jane Letsapa for the building of kitchen and a sickbay. Jane Letsapa is located in the Essie district about 35km from Potchefstroom.

A sum of R1 481 000 was paid out to needy students to help with registration, outstanding debt and bursaries.

These are just some of a multitude of projects and initiatives that SRCS contribute funds to. Throughout the year there are numerous collecting activities for food, clothes and much, much more.

“I want to thank the RAG and SRCS teams for all their hard work. It is privilege to be able to work with each and every one of you. All your effort is enriching the lives of young and old in this wonderful community of ours. Most importantly I want to thank our community. Without their donations, their help and their sincerity we won’t be able to achieve our goals,” Janine Möller, SRCS chairperson, explains.

“Every year we succeed in improving on the funds we collect and distribute, and thanks to the generosity of the community we know we can continue to do so.”

 The mascot of the Potchefstroom Campus, Pukki, with the acting rector, Prof Fika Janse van Rensburg, one of the founding members of SRCS, Prof Annette Combrink, and SRCS chairperson, Janine Möller.