The Thrift@UP initiative, hosted by FLY@UP, once again proved that small acts of generosity can ripple into big waves of change. This year’s event was the biggest yet, combining student support, academic resources, and a celebration of community spirit under one roof. With donations streaming in from staff, students, and alumni, the event showcased how shared contributions can clothe bodies, lift spirits, and ease student life.
The Purpose Behind Thrift@UP
According to Dina Maboko, FLY@UP Intern, the event addresses a fundamental need: “The main purpose of the event is that we are trying to bridge the gap for students who do not have clothing. We usually have a lot of students come to us and ask for clothing because they come from underprivileged households. So, we collect the clothes to give them back, to bridge that gap.” The process starts months in advance with donation drives. Employees are encouraged to donate first, followed by students. Once the collection is underway, the team rolls out posters, notice boards, and social media campaigns. On the day, volunteers guide students, keep queues flowing, and ensure everyone has a fair chance at their ten free items of clothing.
What It Means on the Ground
PDBY spoke to students attending the event, and the responses revealed not just appreciation, but also the broader social impact of the thrift. Debbie Govender, BA General first year, was excited about the simple joy of browsing: “I’m looking at the variety of clothing because I think it’s going to be fun. There’s so much stuff we get stuck with in life, this makes it feel lighter.”
Mncedisi Nyembe, BCom Informatics second year, focused on dignity: “It’s important because it helps most students… Many can’t manage to pay for clothes and look decent. So, this event helps hide that and brings equality.” Rachel Smith, BA General first year, found her dream dress: “It looks like something from Queenspark, normally out of my price range. But here, I can get it easily.” Bokang Raboshakga, BEd first year, highlighted its role in access: “This is important because some people, they don’t have clothes. They come here and support the event as well.”
Phindile Ndlovu, Political Sciences second year, noted the timing: “It takes away the stress for the upcoming test week. We’re having fun, but also getting things we need. And we’re learning about support services too.” Students discovered the event through Instagram, emails, and word-of-mouth, proof of FLY@UP’s strong campus outreach.
Beyond the Clothes
Tayla Jonker, FLY@UP Coordinator, explained that this year marked a new direction: “We’re trying to make it more of an experiential event. Students now also speak to their academic success coaches, connect with the Department of Student Affairs, build an exam ‘space case’ with free stationery, and then enter the thrift. Plus, we’ve added therapy dogs at the amphitheatre. It’s about giving students more in exchange for their time.” The expansion reflects a holistic vision: support not just for physical needs, but for mental health and academic success too.
The Origin Story
The seed for Thrift@UP came from an international exchange. Hestie Byles, FLY@UP Manager, recalls: “I visited the University of Michigan, where they wanted to start a bring-a-coat initiative. I thought, why not do something similar, but for all clothes? We began as a winter project before exams. Then we added a spring edition. Since then, it’s grown exponentially.”
Today, the thrift is more than just a clothing drive, it’s a campus tradition, blending community, equality, and innovation. Thrift@UP is a reminder that support services do not have to be transactional, they can be transformational. As FLY@UP grows the initiative year by year, the formula remains simple: incoming donations, outgoing smiles.
