The Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) Advancement and Partnerships Office (APO) has launched a dynamic and impactful initiative, the #Twentyfrom20 fundraising campaign, aimed at raising R1.2 million in support of three vital University projects: the Ndumo Community project in KZN; the ICT Intervarsity Hackathon Series; and the Grade R Centre of Excellence: Early Childhood Development, aimed at providing access to quality early childhood education for learners from disadvantaged communities.
Sharing more background about the campaign, Phumla Msibi, Senior Development Officer at APO and Campaign Manager, said the campaign will run from 2 September to 31 November.
“We will seek the generosity of 60 companies, each committing to a donation of R20 000,” she continued.
She added that these companies will have the option of choosing one of the three projects to donate towards. “The funds raised, will be channelled towards the identified projects, which will significantly benefit communities and increase the culture of philanthropy among our stakeholders,” said Msibi.
She explained what the projects are:
Ndumo Community Project - The TUT Environmental Education Centre, nestled in the heart of the Ndumo Game Reserve in KZN, educates thousands of learners annually on nature conservation, water sustainability and environmental stewardship. Beyond education, the programme addresses critical issues such as malnutrition by providing meals to learners, while it also actively works to alleviate gender-based violence and poor health, which are barriers to learning. The centre provides hands-on learning for more than 5 000 learners monthly and the community workshops further the outreach to communities. This centre serves as a hub for research in several critical areas within Nature Conservation and Sustainability.
Project Leader: Dr Cheryl Ogilvie, Faculty of Science
ICT Intervarsity Hackathon Series - Our collective goal is to foster digital solutions with a social impact, particularly within educational spheres. The three-day event will take place in three different provinces between September and October. More than 500 students from various TUT faculties, campuses as well as other universities will engage in the challenge. This event not only introduces neighbouring high schools to diverse opportunities in technology but also underscores how entrepreneurship, the arts and engineering contribute to innovative digital solutions. It also showcases the span of career paths within these fields and encourages students to tackle real-life challenges posed by industry towards finding solutions.
Project Leader: Mr Mash Phurutsi, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology
TUT Grade R Centre of Excellence: Early Childhood Development - The Grade R Centre of Excellence is an initiative focused on providing access to quality early childhood education for learners from disadvantaged communities, in addressing critical challenges within the Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector. The centre will be fully equipped with the latest technologies, teaching aids and resources, ensuring that learners have an enriching, engaging and stimulating educational experience. The centre has a robotics centre, an interactive learning room, a music room, a reading room and an art room. It was completed in 2022 and requires teaching and learning resources to become fully operational.
Learners from Soshanguve and surrounding primary schools will benefit from this centre that will ensure early exposure to science and technology, as well as prepare Grade R learners for future success. The centre will also be used to conduct continuous research for the sector.
Project Leader: Prof Lydia Mphahlele, Associate Prof in Primary Education, Faculty of Humanities.
Visit www.20from20.org for more information about the #Twentyfrom20 fundraising campaign or contact Phumla Msibi on
