University of South Africa’s NSRC members aim to support fund-raising campaign to reduce student debt

The Unisa National Student Representative Council (NSRC) and the Unisa Foundation initiated a campaign to help curb Unisa’s student debt, which comprises historic debt accrued because students could not fully settle their fees.

Eight members of the NSRC recently pledged to contribute R100 monthly towards the student debt campaign until the end of their term in August this year. They encourage fellow students, staff, alumni and donors to contribute to the campaign to ensure that students can graduate and progress to the next level of their lives.

Shatadi Phoshoko, Unisa NSRC Secretary General, says the council is concerned about Unisa students who do not have the funds to complete their studies. “It means there are no opportunities for them outside the university to advance further. As a result, some of them end up engaging in criminal and other negative activities to finance their studies,” she states.

Phoshoko adds that the NSRC hopes to bridge the societal gap through this initiative with the support of Unisa students, staff, alumni and donors.

To commemorate Unisa’s 150th anniversary, the campaign hopes to raise R1,5 million, which will be spawned into student bursaries. Pledges of members of the regional student representative councils will follow the pledge made by the NSRC members. The campaign is ongoing and is running on Unisa’s media platforms.