The Advancement and Alumni Relations unit (AARU) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) is appealing to potential individuals and organisational donors for financial support and non-perishable food items on their 450 Campaign aimed to tackle food insecurity amongst DUT students.
Many students face significant financial barriers, making it difficult for them to access regular, nutritious meals. This impacts their academic performance, overall well-being, and ability to focus on their studies.
Considering the critical issue of food insecurity faced by many students within the DUT community, in 2024 AARU implemented this initiative to address this challenge head-on.
Elaborating more on this significant initiative the Advancement and Alumni Relations Coordinator, Ronelle Lyson said that this initiative is designed to provide immediate relief to those students who are facing hunger.
“The primary objective of this project is to alleviate food insecurity among students of DUT by distributing food hampers. Therefore, we are reaching out to compassionate individuals and organisations to help us make a tangible difference. With a donation of just R450, you can help feed a student for a month. At DUT we believe that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed academically and personally, but for many, the challenge of securing adequate nutrition is a barrier to their well-being and performance,’’ she elaborated.
The 450 Campaign aligns with DUT’s Phakimpilo Food Security Programme, a broader institutional effort that recognises food insecurity as a pressing social issue affecting many South African households, including those within the DUT community. Phakimpilo works with civil society partners to assist students who have not received financial aid or are awaiting funding, ensuring that no student is left without essential resources for their survival and success.
Furthermore, this campaign a MACE Award at the MACE Excellence Awards in 2024 for outstanding performance among practitioners in marketing, advancement and communication in the higher education sector.
This initiative is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students who are facing food insecurity. While the campaign primarily supports undergraduate students, postgraduate students in need are also eligible to receive assistance. The initiative ensures that any DUT student experiencing food insecurity can access support, regardless of their academic level.
Students who wish to benefit from the 450 Campaign must meet the following requirements:
-Experiencing Food Insecurity
-Registered DUT Student
-Referral and Verification Process -Beneficiaries are identified and approved through Student Counselling, ensuring that support reaches those most in need.
All financial donations will qualify for S18A Tax Certificates. Alternatively, you may choose to donate non-perishable food items such as rice, sugar, cooking oil, canned goods, and more.
The banking details for donations:
Standard Bank Account name: DUT Donor Funding Branch Code: 051001, Acc Number:050239007, Reference: cell no. 450Campaign.
Should you have any questions or require further information on how you can contribute, contact Ms Ronelle Lyson on ronellel@dut.ac.za.
Picture: Supplied.
Vukani Langa
