Over R1 million was raised for the NMMU Trust Bursary Legacy Campaign via Prof Swartz’s #climb4nmmu. This means an additional 10 financially-needy but academically deserving students will have the opportunity to study at the university for four years.
The NMMU Alumni Association contributed R50 000 to the VC Climb4nmmu Campaign apart from the R200 000 the Association already allocated as part of its Bursary Fund. The Association wishes to thank all alumni and friends for supporting its various projects and events. Every small contribution allows the Association to support the institution in various meaningful ways. Their monthly and annual contributions as well as support for the various Alumni fundraising activities make it possible for the Association to make sizable contributions to institutional areas of need.
“The Association thanks Prof Swartz for his role in leading NMMU and raising funds for financial needy and deserving students ”, says NMMU Alumni Association President Dr Randall Jonas.
The #climb4nmmu campaign also served to highlight the extent of the need, and showcase how individuals can collectively make a huge difference. The original Ignite a Candle concept was launched in August last year with the #climb4nmmu initiative giving the Trust Bursary Legacy Campaign a massive boost.
Staff and students contributed over R360 000 with various individuals, departments and societies pooling their resources through various fund-raising initiatives. The Accounting PinnAcle leadership group and Vice-Chancellors students, for example, had their own R10 campaign and raised just under R20 000. The SRC also did a whip round for funds at the annual Societies’ Breakfast and collected just over R300.
The climb also broke new ground for Prof Swartz, who himself was a bursary recipient, as he conquered the social media channels of Instagram and Twitter in order to keep followers in touch with his progress.
Read more about the #climb4nmmu campaign and Prof Swartz’s experience on the NMMU website: http://trust.nmmu.ac.za/VCs-Climb-Campaign