Kerri-Anne Swanepoel
Amani Cassim
On 24 July, the University of Pretoria kicked off UP-Topia on Hatfield Campus. The piazza was buzzing with students and music, yet, behind all the games and complimentary items, the true goal for this event was made clear. UP-Topia is a series of events hosted across the campuses as part of the second annual UP Giving Matters campaign. The university is aiming to raise R100 million over three years. This year’s campaign focuses on raising funds for undergraduate and postgraduate students who fall under the “missing middle”. PDBY wanted to hear from those at the event how they saw it.
According to UP-Way spokesperson Jan Koketso Ndlovu, the aim of the programme is to attract students and to show them the ropes of UP-Way through each stall. At the UP-Way Department, they are trying to inform students
about what UP-Way is and what they do. “I think this event kind of explains what UP-Way is all about,” said Ndlovu.
Brendon Pelwan, who hosted the graffiti wall during UP-Topia, stated that these campaigns are “aimed [at] the students” and that “literally every single cent [of donations] goes back to the students”. The aim of UP-Topia is to “make students more aware of how the social and economic problems do affect us” and to show that “if [students] do need help, all they have to do is shout out”.
Tech founder and student entrepreneur Sethu Nzimande, who is funded by TuksNovation, also shared his thoughts. “I think today is a day for us to – as a UP society – show us, show the university. It shows solidarity with the students
and all the offerings that we have in terms of all the financial aid and everything that UP can help with,” said Nzimande. “I like how we’re doing this, especially since we’re starting the second
semester – such a stressful and intense one – [and] having [UP’s] support is one thing that is
important.”
During the 2022 campaign, only R19.3 million was raised – not even a fifth of the goal. This leaves one question to ponder: will UP-Topia 2023 make or break the campaign?