UCT students celebrate after a successful Phonathon where alumni pledged over R461 000 to the Unlocking Futures Bursary fund.

For two weeks in March, a group of University of Cape Town (UCT) students spent their evenings doing something that takes both courage and commitment: calling alumni and asking them to help change the lives of fellow students.

The campaign is part of UCT’s annual fundraising initiatives, in which trained student callers reach out to alumni to raise funds for projects that support students in need. This year’s campaign focused on a single cause, Unlocking Futures Bursary, which helps students who have completed their studies but are unable to graduate because of outstanding fees.

According to Phonathon coordinator Lwando Nteya, the response from alumni this year has been particularly encouraging.

“This year has actually been quite interesting,” Nteya explained. “Previously, there was always some resistance from alumni at the beginning of the calls. But this year, about 90 per cent of the calls have been positive, with alumni willing to listen and support the cause.”

The Unlocking Futures Bursary was a deliberate choice as it coincides with UCT’s graduation season. Unlike many funding programmes that support students during their studies, this bursary helps those who have already completed their qualifications but cannot graduate because of unpaid fees.

“It’s almost like a risk-free bursary,” Nteya said. “These are students who have already finished their degrees and just need that final push. Alumni understand this because many of them have been through similar challenges themselves or know someone who has.”

The campaign started on 2 March and ran until 14 March, with student callers working evenings to connect with graduates around the world. On average, the team secures pledges of close to R50 000 per day, although the work continues behind the scenes to ensure pledges are converted into actual contributions.

Bachelor of Law postgraduate student April-Leigh Jordaan said many alumni are pleasantly surprised when they receive the calls.

“When we introduce ourselves and say we’re calling from the UCT Development and Alumni Department, people are actually very receptive,” Jordaan said. “We reassure them that they can verify us through the university website, where our names and photos appear.”

Owethu Mngomezulu, who is a Bachelor of Science Honours student, said the conversations often reveal the diverse journeys alumni have taken since leaving UCT.

“You get different characters,” Mngomezulu said. “Some people are excited to speak to you; others are not so excited. 

Many of these conversations extend beyond fundraising. Alumni often share advice about careers and life after university, creating moments of encouragement for the student callers themselves.

Mngomezulu continues: “Sometimes alumni give you advice about things you’ve been wondering about. And when someone says they’re willing to donate R1 000, it’s really special because it shows that someone actually cares.”

Bachelor of Science Honours student Emihle Mgwangqa said the calls also highlight the importance of graduates supporting future generations of students.

“Graduating changes your life,” Mgwangqa said. “But there are students who have completed their studies and still can’t receive their degrees because they owe fees. If alumni answer the call and help, they’re giving someone else the chance to reach that moment.”

Samkelo Mazibuko, who is a Bachelor of Social Science student, believes the campaign carries a stronger meaning because many students come from communities where education is seen as a pathway to opportunity.

“If someone answers that call and contributes, they are helping change more than one life,” Mazibuko said. “They’re helping a family and sometimes even a community.”

Nteya concluded that the campaign is also significant because some of the students making the calls are themselves navigating the financial pressures of higher education.

“Some of our callers are also experiencing difficulties when it comes to their own fees,” he said. “But they are still willing to help other students who are facing the same challenge.”

At the close of the Phonathon, students contacted over 3 000 alumni who collectively pledged over R461 000.