Page 11 - Thetha Issue 7

#MANDELAUNIVERSITYGIVING

5000 PLUS
Food parcels are needed every month but the
University is currently able to distribute only 1 100

current demand.
Even with
additional funding,
she said, SHS was
still unable to supply
to all unfunded students.
Furthermore, those who do receive
food parcels report that the hampers
do not last a full month.
“The clinic has an online booking
Growing Need for system which worked well in the
past. However, students waiting for
FOOD PARCELS an outcome of their application for
funding are unable to book, as the
booking system is linked to financial
aid. This creates a gap in the booking
system,” said Sister Hawkins.
The Faculty of Law offers
tudent hunger is a serious insecurity on different levels. an Ubuntu pop-up coffee bar where
threat to student success At Mandela University, more than students are given a free sandwich
at universities across the two-thirds of the student body of and a hot drink, as long as stocks last.
Scountry, and Nelson Mandela 31 747 received financial aid in 2022, Coffee bar coordinator Lindi
University is exploring all options to with the rest either funded by their Coetzee explained how demand has
address this issue. families or unfunded. grown for the simple meal of peanut
Despite distributing 1 100 food While there is no direct correlation butter and jam on two slices of bread.
parcels every month, the University is between funding source and student “It is devastating when the
struggling to keep up with the need. hunger, unfunded students whose sandwiches, tea and coffee are
In response, the Mandela families are unable to provide financial finished, and we must show students
University Food Systems programme support are likely to be at greater risk. away. In the past we could afford to
established a student hunger sub- Funded students could also be have the pop-up coffee bar most
group in 2022. This aims to tackle at risk due to administrative errors, days of the week but from this year
student hunger through student- delayed payments or perhaps the need has increased to such an
centred and sustainable approaches. receiving funding that covers tuition extent that we can only offer it once
“More students are requesting but not the cost of daily living. a week,” said Coetzee.
assistance with food parcels and the The distribution of food parcels to Before COVID-19, the Agriculture
demand has grown,” said Dr Natalie unfunded students via Student Health Department and Higher Health had
Mansvelt of Social Development Services (SHS) clinics is part of the two gardens running, and these are
Professions. University’s response. being actively resuscitated.
She said research studies over According to SHS deputy director, It is clear that long-term, sustainable
the past 10 years had confirmed Sister Althea Hawkins, this short-term intervention is needed to prevent
that nearly one-third (30%) of South strategy provides immediate relief over-reliance on immediate relief and
African students struggle with food to students but is not meeting the donations.

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