It came as a sigh of relief for numerous students who did not have any sponsorships for their studies when the Student Representative Council (SRC) at the University of Limpopo (UL) handed over food parcels to students on campus

The SRC President, Nicodemus Mojela said the donation came after the SRC realised that many students who are categorised as the “missing middle” are struggling because they do not have funding or any source of support in the form of bursaries, scholarships or NSFAS funding.

Mojela said the 1 500 students had just returned to campus after the easing of lockdown restrictions to level 2. “We cannot allow students to go to bed on empty stomachs and expect them to study and pass,” he said, alluding that some students will soon be returning as part of the phased-in re-opening.

Each student received a package of food stuff comprising 2kg mixed portion chicken, cooking oil, maize meal, canned food, milk powder, washing powder, washing liquid, beef, rice, tomato sauce, mayonnaise, and sugar.

An Honours student in Statistics, Hlayisani Khoza, said he did not have any means to buy groceries. He stated that, “I am excited about this food package and would like to thank the SRC for assisting me during these dire economic conditions.”

Another beneficiary pursuing a Masters degree in Animal Nutrition, Victor Makofane said, “Receiving food parcels will save me frequent trips to the shops to buy food, which involves risking contracting the virus, in addition,  my parents are not able to assist me financially.”

Appreciating the SRC gesture, Veronica Machete – from the English Studies (Honours) class, said she was thrilled that the SRC recognised the missing middle students “and did not leave us to suffer while on campus.” Machete further said such a quality food parcel would only mean one thing to her, that the university cares about the health and wellbeing of students. “Everything in the food package is original, I am thrilled,” she chuckled.

Machete’s classmate, Dimakatso Monana could not agree more. She said that, when she first heard about the donation she did not believe it. “This is a huge relief for me because I do not have funding. The food will be of great help,” she said in appreciation.