A wave of relief has washed over 800 students who fall in the “missing middle” category over this week as Wits cleared a staggering R63 million in student debt! This incredible act of generosity means 336 students can now graduate, while the rest can register for the 2025 academic year.
Johannesburg, South Africa (02 February 2025) – If you know the experience of being a self-funded student in the “missing middle”, you’ll understand that the struggle to afford varsity fees is real. Thankfully, for 800 Witwatersrand students, this heavyweight has been lifted off their shoulders!
This week, 800 talented Wits students had their student debt cleared by the university, amounting to a staggering R63 million collectively!
These are academically excellent students (undergraduate and postgraduate) who have passed with an average of 65% or higher, many of whom fall into the missing middle category (struggling working class), and who do not have the means to pay their fees in full.
Of the 800 students, 336 will be able to graduate now that their fees have been paid, whilst the remaining students will be able to register for the 2025 academic year.
A fourth-year Wits medical student, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared how she has been able to register successfully this year, thanks to the discretionary funding that has cleared her debt.
“It has provided much relief and I am now able to pay full attention to my studies. I would like to express my sincere and profound gratitude to all those who made this possible and I will forever be grateful for the difference you made in my life. I will always remember this moment with the deepest gratitude.”
This is just one of hundreds of students who will benefit from this generous funding.
“These are all students who registered for discretionary funding at Wits. We established a portal to assist students, many of whom fall into the missing middle so that we could link academically excellent students with potential individual and corporate donors,” says Prof Zeblon Vilakazi.
“The funding of students in the missing middle remains a challenge and we remain committed to working with all stakeholders, including the SRC, to help academically deserving students access higher education, as far as our resources allow.”
Despite this boon, there is still a need for further student support. The Wits Dean of Student Affairs, Jerome September, says this initiative brings relief to some students who can progress with their studies and graduate.
“However, there are many more deserving students in need of support, and we are working with the SRC to continue fundraising for students,” September explains.
The Wits SRC President Nombulelo Chiya encourages the public and private sector to donate towards the Kobo yaThutho SRC Legacy Fund.
“This helps students access higher education, regardless of their financial background. This is a fundraising campaign and a call to action to assist our students to achieve their dreams.”
Sources: Supplied
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