Mr Umesh Mudhav (middle) officially handing over the cheque to Univen Executive Management and some of SRC members
On Thursday, 01 November 2018, the University of Venda hosted their long -standing partner ABSA at the University’ Council chambers. The delegates from ABSA met with the Executive Management of the University and members of the Student Representative Council for the ABSA Scholarship cheque handover to the value of R4.4 million.
In her welcome address, the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Senior Prof Base Khoza shared her gratitude and appreciation to the amount donated by ABSA and assured them that the money will work towards improving the University’s core business which is teaching and learning, research and community engagement projects.
Speaking on behalf of ABSA, Head of Relationship Banking Limpopo, Mr Umesh Mudhav explained how honoured they are to have partnered with Univen given that they are one of the biggest funders of education in Limpopo and they acknowledge the role they have played in living up to Univen’s intent of
creating future leaders. “From a partnership point, we are looking forward to being part of this journey of development and growth with Univen” said Mudhav.
Responding to the generosity of ABSA was the Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Jan Crafford. In his remarks, Prof Crafford highlighted the student hunger as a serious challenge at Univen. He further said that the matter of student hunger was one of the causes of the five-week disruption of the academic programme at the University in the second semester of 2018 due to the delay of the disbursement of student meal allowances from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). However, Prof Crafford pointed out that the University was doing its best to engage with partners locally and abroad for student support which include tuition fees, food allowances, books and accommodation.
One of the beneficiaries of ABSA’s financial support, Slindile Mhlongo, who is doing her third year in BCom Accounting in the School of Management Sciences shared her experience from the support of ABSA in the academic year 2017. She shared her testimony of how she was financially excluded and how her single parent couldn’t afford to pay for her fees and ABSA came to her rescue. Mhlongo said that she will forever be grateful for the support she continues to receive from ABSA.
Univen’s Financial Aid Manager, Tshilidzi Ramulondi gave the vote of thanks. She emphasised how poverty is a reality that affects Univen students and indicated that students lack basic needs due to lack of funding.
Issued by: Department of Communications & Marketing
University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525
Date: 05 November 2018
