A Helping Hand: Todani 70 Foundation Donates Food to UNIVEN Students

Friday, 24 October 2025 – The University of Venda (UNIVEN), through its Thoho ya Nzie initiative, received a generous donation of food parcels from the Todani 70 Foundation. The handover ceremony took place at the Centre for Higher Education Teaching and Learning (CHETL) Boardroom, with the aim of providing much-needed food support to students facing financial hardship.

Welcoming attendees, Dr Caroline Takalani, Student Counsellor at UNIVEN, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the foundation and acknowledged the challenges many students encounter.

“You coming here is really one of the blessings in my life,” she said. Dr Takalani thanked the SRC President, Mr Tirani Mathye, for his ongoing support and the Todani 70 Foundation for their kindness, noting, “Your coming has really melted our hearts.” She emphasised the need for continued collaboration to assist struggling students, adding, “We really need to find ways and means of helping those students.”

Mr Tirani Mathye, UNIVEN SRC President, spoke candidly about the realities many students face. “Most of our students come from disadvantaged backgrounds and struggle to buy food, some-times going to bed without eating anything,” he said. He highlighted the importance of initiatives like this one, stating, “You are going to be in a space where you are able to save the future of students who say, ‘I can’t take it anymore because I don’t have energy.’” Mr Mathye expressed appreciation for the foundation’s generosity, adding, “We should really appreciate that not every-one is willing to do something for free.”

Speaking on the broader impact of hunger, Dr Pila Nemutandani, Head of the Student Counsel-ling Unit, remarked, “There is no dignity in hunger.” She discussed how food insecurity can make students vulnerable and lead to harmful coping mechanisms, stressing, “We need to protect that dignity, that small dignity.” Dr Nemutandani expressed gratitude for the foundation’s support and noted that their contribution would have a lasting impact. “The impact of this goes a long way and for generations to come,” she said, concluding with a prayer of blessing for the foundation.

Representing the Todani 70 Foundation, Dr Nyadzani David Mamburu underscored the need for holistic student support. “We need a variety of support here, not just food,” he said as he officially handed over the donation. The foundation donated food parcels, two cows, and five pigs to the University. “We have brought some small buckets of maize, tinned food, two cows, and five pigs,” Dr Mamburu added, noting the foundation’s intention to collaborate further with the University on research and student development initiatives.
In closing, Ms Tsakane Nkuna, Student Counsellor at UNIVEN, thanked the Todani 70 Foundation for their generosity. “A donation can never be a small thing; what matters is the impact it has on those receiving it,” she said. Ms Nkuna highlighted that the partnership between the University and the foundation represents more than a once-off gesture.

“The establishment of this relationship between the foundation and the University gave me that perspective to say it’s not just about what is happening today,” she added. Expressing her deep appreciation, she concluded, “We really thank you and we appreciate.”

Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811