Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
11 December 2023 | 20:46 CAT

Image: No Kid Hungry

Student hunger is a huge problem across SA higher education institutions, but no legislative framework addresses it.

Many forums are filled with families with kids who will be starting University next year or returning, asking about a budget for food and what the current funding covers.

For the last few years, student councils have highlighted that many students face many challenges at University, including going to bed hungry. In SA, a study found that 64.5% of University of Free State students were at risk of hunger, while 65% of UKZN students were at risk.

Radio Islam International discussed the extent of student hunger with Professor Darelle van Greunen, who leads a research, engagement and innovation group at Nelson Mandela University, namely the Centre for Community Technologies (CCT). Prof van Greunen is recognised as one of a handful of innovators for the people and is affectionately known as “the people’s professor” who has managed to introduce smart technologies to the man in the street.

According to Professor van Greunen, it has been detected at different universities that there is a major issue with students needing more food supplies.

“The hunger situation at universities is largely underestimated at this point in time as most of their funds go towards fees and accommodation,” she said.

Professor van Greunen said that the NSFAS bursary and stipends students receive exacerbate the problem.

“Many of the universities are now having to look at how they can support their students because of the reality of this matter, which has a knock-on effect,” she added.

Nelson Mandela University has launched a Giving Tuesday Campaign to raise funds to tackle student hunger and provide bursaries for its postgraduate students.

The Giving Tuesday Campaign is part of the University’s global Giving Campaign, launched on 3 July 2023, with the endorsement of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Funds raised will go to the Mandela University Food Systems programme’s student hunger sub-group, tackling student hunger through student-centred and sustainable approaches.

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.