Every gruelling kilometre will turn into a pathway for graduates to finally claim their degrees and kickstart their futures, as nine UP runners tackle the Comrades Marathon to help clear historical student debt.
Pretoria, South Africa (05 June 2026) – This year’s Comrades Marathon starting line will include nine compassionate hearts driven to help graduates whose futures remain on hold because of financial barriers.
On Sunday, 14 June, eight University of Pretoria (UP) staff members and one student will become fundraising champions for the ‘Degrees Delivered’ campaign, as they run the iconic race to help UP graduates clear historical debt and finally access their degree certificates.
The University currently holds a substantial number of certificates for graduates who successfully completed their studies but were unable to receive their qualifications because of unpaid fees.
Through the Degrees Delivered campaign, the University aims to mobilise alumni, staff, students, donors, corporate partners and the broader public to help clear historical debt and deliver opportunity for deserving graduates.
The campaign’s powerful core message captures its purpose succinctly: “They finished the work. Now we deliver their degree.”
Unlike other fundraising initiatives focused on future projects, this campaign creates immediate and measurable impact. Every contribution helps a graduate receive their degree certificate, enabling easier access to employment opportunities, professional registration and entrance to postgraduate studies.
The campaign’s first public fundraising event will see the UP community members running the Comrades Marathon as fundraising champions, and all funds raised will go towards assisting graduates whose degree certificates remain in safekeeping.
Meet the Fundraising Champions
Audrey Lenoge, OR Tambo Law Library Manager at UP, will proudly run her 12th Comrades Marathon this year.
Bianca Frost, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) and Head of Residence at The Tower, returns as a fundraising champion after helping to raise more than R23 000 for students in need during UP’s 2025 fundraising campaign.
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Doris Mokgokolo, Postgraduate Coordinator in the Faculty of Theology and Religion, describes this year’s race as her own second chance after an accident prevented her from running in 2024.
Enriqué Francis, a Temporary Skills Lab Lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences, will run his very first Comrades Marathon this year.
Josiah Mavundla, Senior Manager: Advancement and Database in the Department of Institutional Advancement, returns as a fundraising champion after raising more than R18 000 in 2025.
Matsimele Mphahlele, Senior Accountant in the Department of Library Services, began running to improve his health, and has since completed more than 40 marathons and five Comrades races.
Qiniso Sithole, a final-year master’s student in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (NAS), will run his first Comrades Marathon while also bringing the lived experience of financially vulnerable students to the campaign.
Schalk Grobbelaar, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and IT (EBIT), says supporting the campaign is personal, because he too once benefited from financial support during his studies.
Tlou Mathiba, Senior Coordinator in the Department of Library Services, understands the uncertainty students face because he relied on National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding during his studies.
Deputy Director of Fundraising and Alumni Relations at UP, Deidre Adams, expressed gratitude to the runners for stepping forward to support this important cause.
“What makes this group especially impactful is that it reflects the breadth of the UP community: eight of our nine champions are staff members, one is a current student, and six are UP alumni. Their willingness to dedicate months of training and take on one of the world’s most demanding ultramarathons demonstrates the deep commitment our community has to helping fellow graduates succeed.”
How You Can Help Deliver Degrees
Supporters will be able to donate directly to their preferred fundraising champion through individual profiles online (as linked above).
Each donation will go towards the University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) new three-year fundraising campaign, ‘Degrees Delivered’.
By contributing to the campaign, donors are not simply helping to settle debt. They are restoring dignity, unlocking access to opportunity, and investing in South Africa’s future workforce.
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