Joseph Chirume
There is hope that South African students may not pay tuition fees at universities and technical colleges after the bitter Fees Must Fall struggles. But a young Zimbabwean star student may have to end her studies because she has run out of money.
Triphin Mudzvengi grew up in the North West and is in her second year at Wits studying a BSc in Civil Engineering. Her parents, who do piece work, do not have the means to pay for her studies.
Mudzvengi was one of the top achievers in the North West Province in 2020, achieving a number of distinctions. She was assisted by well-wishers who paid for her registration and tuition fees at the university.
In her first year she made her intentions clear when she bagged distinctions in all ten of her courses.
“I managed to register for this year using money that was left from last year’s donations though there is still a shortfall of R3,000.
“But as of now, I don’t have any money,” she said.
“I pray that I get donations for the remaining two years so that I can concentrate my efforts on studying without being worried about funds.
“It is more concerning especially when you are a foreign student because you have to pay 75% of the fees in order to be admitted for studies. I face a high risk of being excluded from the university in the next academic year if I don’t get a sponsor.”
