“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”- Mother Teresa
Student Services and Development unit at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) established the Phakimpilo food security programme which aims to assist students who are not funded by the NSFAS or have any other financial assistance. Phakimpilo is an ongoing programme which relies on donations and sponsors.
The Advancement and Alumni Relations Unit (AARU) adopted the Phakimpilo programme into their operational plan as it aligned with the mission and vision of the Unit as well as ENVISION2030. This past year the AARU has hosted events and ran campaigns to streamline donations into the Phakimpilo food security programme. There were appeals made to the DUT Community and the answer to that plea was admirable – special mention must be made to the DUT Chemistry Department: Dr Ajay Mishra, Prof Bisetty, Dr Paul, Dr Ncube, Dr Mokhothu and Dr Ndlela, the DUT Gender Forum, Refresha Trading, Comfort Zone Tissues, DUT Staff, Alumni and Students. Through these collections as well as the Barnyard Theatre event, Mandela Day initiative and International Day of Charity campaign the Unit was able to handover much needed food hampers to the Department of Student Services and Development for distribution to students.
Mr Zwakele Ngubane, the Director: Advancement and Alumni Relations, thanked the Student Services Department for being the platform that supports the students in various ways and the Phakimpilo programme being one of those ways. “This is a result of several initiatives, and we hope that by doing this and instilling this seed, our students will also have the means to give back when they are Alumni and CEO’s,” said Ngubane.
Dr Naseem Haniff, the Director: Student Counselling and Health, said that there was a previous security programme where students were swiping with their student cards at the campus food court, and it served its purpose at the time. “There was a severe need especially during the Covid-19 pandemic where students did not have access to the university. We needed to think of how they were going to obtain food items to meet their basic needs.”
Dr Clement Moreku, the Dean of Student Services, said that food security is a serious challenge not only in the institution but throughout the world. “I would love to thank Student Counselling and Health through Phakimpilo project for taking it upon themselves to ensure that we have healthy and active students through the vouchers,” said Dr Moreku.
He further thanked the DUT staff and students for the contributions that they make towards Phakimpilo, which is a way to show that we do care for our students. “We hope that our students will appreciate the effort that is being made by the institution in ensuring that they have food security,” he concluded.
Should you be a student in need take note of the following requirements for the Phakimpilo Programme:
- The beneficiary must be a registered DUT student, with no other external funding (NSFAS or Bursary)
- They must have proof of inadequate access to food, for example, no funding, guardian is a pensioner or a SASSA beneficiary.
Those wishing to donate to the programme or seeking more information, can email: ronellel@dut.ac.za.
Pictured: Alumni interns with Dr Naseem Haniff, Mr Zwakele Ngubane, and Dr Clement Moreku at the Food Hamper handover ceremony.
Patience Makhaye/Ronelle Lyson
