In yet another example of students pulling together in a time of need, fifth-year medical student Sibongumezi Mtshali has started a campaign to help students from underprivileged backgrounds buy data to access their online studies during the lockdown.

So far, the Connecta Skeem Campaign has raised more than R3000 and helped 17 students from a range of institutions around South Africa to buy data for the month of April. 

Mtshali, who originally comes from Newcastle in KZN, first thought of starting the campaign after a conversation with friends at other campuses in South Africa. 

“They told me about their classmates who lived in very rural areas who were struggling to access their studies online because their parents are unemployed." 

She put word out through the social media and asked classmates and friends to help her share the campaign. 

“The project entails providing students in need with data and it is purely funded through donations. The minimum amount that can be donated is R10 which goes towards purchasing data for the month for a student." 

She found there was an overwhelmingly big need. “The first student we helped was the son of a domestic worker who is without employment during the lockdown.

“I've received over a hundred requests for assistance from students all over the country. Every day, I go through almost 20 new messages from students in need," Mtshali said.

She said the students are all screened before they can receive assistance. “They have to provide information, including proof of registration at a tertiary institution, proof of location, background info and motivation of their need for data.

“Once money has been collected, I discuss with the students the data promotions they have on their specific networks and transfer enough airtime to their cell numbers to be able to buy data for the month. 

“Alternatively, donors can request the student's number and directly transfer the funds to them. This has been a method preferred by many of our donors."

So far, the campaign has helped students from the University of Cape Town, Nelson Mandela University, University of Pretoria, Durban University of Technology, University of the Western Cape and the University of Zululand.

Mtshali said she has been overwhelmed by the positive responses she has received to the campaign. “It really feels good to be able to impact someone's life so deeply. I'm passionate about helping people. I started this campaign to ensure no student is left behind because of reasons beyond their control. The reality of our country is that majority of people live below the poverty line and those same families are relying on their children in university as a key to a better life. Many universities have not been able to provide data to their students. This is only a form of emergency funding until this need is addressed."

The former head girl has plans to practise in rural medicine for a few years once she has qualified and then specialize in a surgical field.  She also plans to start a mentorship program for girls of school-going age and a foundation that supports families struggling with mental health problems.