Academics Take To Streets To Raise Tuition Funds For The Underprivileged

Young professionals, graduates, and academics have gathered at intersections in Pretoria to raise funds for tuition fees to assist underprivileged students. Operating under the banner of the Thusa Ngwana Geno Foundation, the group aims to raise at least R2 million before the start of the 2025 academic year.

In addition to fundraising, the foundation also supports students with NSFAS applications, learners' licenses, and runs a community computer lab in Soshanguve.

Over the years, more than 700 students have been helped with registration fees or settling historic academic debt. Many of these beneficiaries, who are now volunteers, view the fundraising effort as a way of paying it forward.

"The frustration of passing matric, applying to universities, being accepted, and then finding out you cant register because you dont have the money - its heartbreaking," said one of the fundraisers.

"Thanks to the organization, I was able to pay my registration fees for two years. Now, I just want to come back and give that opportunity to others," said another volunteer.