Earlier this year, Stellenbosch University (SU) Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers completed the Cape Town Cycle Tour to raise money for student bursaries. Now he intends running the Cape Town Marathon on 23 September 2018 to fight student hunger on our campuses.
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He is one of 110 staff members, alumni, students and friends of the University who have registered for various races hosted this weekend by the Sanlam Cape Town marathon as part of SU's #Move4Food campaign.
Prof De Villiers will be running the full marathon (42,2 km). He has created a fundraising page on the GivenGain platform, where he explains as follows:
“Why is this even necessary? Has the state not increased its funding to students? Yes, that's true, but not all students in need of support get it, and those who do often find it does not go far enough to cover meals and other living costs.
“A recent study by the National Research Foundation revealed that more than 30% of university students are food insecure. And this affects not only their academic results, but their fundamental human dignity.
“Students at SU decided to do something about it. They are creating food banks to ensure that none of their mates go to class on an empty stomach. Along with our Division for Development and Alumni Relations, they have launched a campaign to raise R10 million in 100 days to make it sustainable over three years. The campaign started on 20 August, and will conclude on Giving Tuesday, 27 November.
“The initiative is called #Move4Food, and it has my full support. I would greatly appreciate yours."
