We are a group of 15 students tackling this challenging walk, consisting of 3 ladies and 12 men. We range from 1st year of study, most of us in our 2nd or final year of study (our first degree!), whilst some are already doing post-graduate studies, such as Honours in Mathematics. A diverse range of study courses are covered, such as Accounting Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Social Sciences, Aeronautical engineering; Actuarial Sciences, Psychology and more!
We originate from all over South Africa, such as Soweto, Johannesburg, Tshepisong, Mabopane, Ganyesa (North West), Kwadlangezwa (KZN), Madodonga Village (Limpopo), KwaMhlanga (Mpumalanga) and more..
Herewith some commentary as to why we want to invest our time and energy into this initiative :
“I understand and can relate to having no financial support to fund your dreams. I believe education can change anyone our circumstances (speaking from experience). I used to walk to school every day and so I want other deserving students, not have their dreams shattered due to lack of funds.”
“I have friends that can’t go the university, because of lack of funding. I believe this walk can help people like them to get the funding they deserve”.
“I want to help give back. I want to help all the learners who are still in high school and doing very good, to get funding to get to university.”
“It is a chance to change a life! I had been given a helping hand and it is now time for me to lend a helping hand.”
“To help others and ensure that current and coming students get the privilege of higher education. I will also do this walk in honour of my late dad, who had an immense love for education.”
“To create future breadwinners”
“We are digging wells so that others may drink.”
“To quote Abraham Lincoln : “The best way to predict the future is to create it”.”
Name: Thabang Lucky Makomoto
Age: 22
Course: Accounting Science
Year of Study: 1
Sponsor: Investec
Home: Mamelodi, Pretoria
I am from a rural village called Moloto, which is located near KwaMhlanga at Mpumalanga. I come from a family of five siblings, being the last born and nurtured by a single parent. I am a highly self-driven, motived and steadfast individual, who believes that the only way to seize success is to put in work and put your mind all into it what you want to achieve. One of the reason I am reigning in my lane it is because of resilience and not being fearsome of competition but moulded to conquer.
I am doing this out of the passion of helping other students by raising funds, because I love giving back to the community.
Name: Nkosingiphile Mnguni
Age: 21
Course: Honours in Mathematics
Year of Study: Post Grad
Sponsor: Sasol Inzalo Foundation
Home: Kwadlangezwa/Richard’s Bay
I come from the rural areas of Kwadlangezwa and live with my parents, three sisters, niece and nephew. I studied at Matshangule primary, Lembe secondary and Khula High. In grade 11 & 12 I was part of the promaths programme. I have a BSc degree in mathematical science with my majors being Mathematics and Computational & applied mathematics obtained at wits in 2015.
I want to be part of a group that help put academically deserving students through university. This course is important because I have seen a lot of people and close friends being financially excluded or having to struggle in order to raise funds for registration at the beginning of the year.
Name: Thabo Thulare
Age: 22
Course: Biomedical Science
Year of Study: 3
Sponsor: StudyTrust Private donors
Home: Johannesburg
I come from Jozi West; a huge fan of Big Bang Theory and I love laughing a lot. I matriculated from Florida Park High School and a proud graduate of Promaths. I aspire to be a teacher, medical scientist and motivational speaker…. Impossible??? – I don’t think so.
I am an aspiring philanthropist and humanitarian with a passion for education and healthcare. This walk will help me live my big dream of affording someone the same opportunities as I was afforded.
Name: Nic Le Roux
Age: 22
Course: BA
Year of Study: 3
Sponsor: Privately Funded
Home: Johannesburg
I am currently studying a BA in Philosophy and International Relations at Wits. I am going to start a postgrad LLB next year. I’m not sure yet what application of law I’d like to get into, but hope to one day make a meaningful difference in the world.
I like to think of myself as an enthusiastic amateur photographer. Photography is about capturing a moment and I try to reflect that moment in my photos.
We can make a difference to the lives of people. We have the chance to give back and I feel I can make a genuine contribution. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of Feet4Fees and I’m looking forward to getting started!
Name: Gakeinee Thue
Age: 28
Course: Bachelor Social Work
Year of Study: 4
Sponsor: Pick ‘n Pay
Home: Ganyesa, North West
N/A
I have a passion for this venture and I want to be part of the revolution that will change lives.
Name: Orapeleng Mputle
Age: 22
Course: Aeronautical Engineering
Year of Study: 3
Sponsor: StudyTrust Private donors
Home: Johannesburg
I come from a township named “Tshepisong”. I live with my mom, sisters and nephew. I studied at the local high school “Raymond Mhlaba Secondary School” where I matriculated. I was part of Promaths, when I was in grades 11 & 12.
It is a great initiative in an attempt to raise bursary funds. I have friends that cannot go to university because of lack of funding. I believe that being part of this walk I can actually help my friends and people like them to get the funding they deserve.
Name: Charme Lishivha
Age: 20
Course: BSc General
Year of Study: 2
Sponsor: StudyTrust Private donors
Home: Makhado (Limpopo)
I grew up in Madodonga Village in Limpopo. Completed primary school in Mmberegeni and High School at Sinthumule Secondary. I did a lot of public speaking in high school and enjoy working with people.
I understand and can relate to having no financial support to fund your dreams. I believe education can change anyone our circumstances (speaking from experience). I used to walk to school every day and so I want other students like me who deserve to be at school to be funded and not have their dreams shattered due to lack of funds.
Name: Thabo Mashile
Age: 19
Course: BSc Applied Mathematics
Year of Study: 2
Sponsor: FNB
Home: Soweto, Zola 2
I am a humble, smart young man who comes from a god fearing family.
I believe the walk is for a great cause especiallly at this time in our country and I am ready, both physically and mentally to tackle this walk.
Name: Fungile Msibi
Age: 20
Course: Bachelor Economic Sciences
Year of Study: 3
Sponsor: Standard Bank
Home: Johannesburg
I am from the sleepy town of Roodepoort. I middle class child that knows both the pain of poverty and the comfort of affording. My Civil Servants parents have always championed education as being the key to success. This walk is a tribute to them and to my little cousins who will embark on the journey of academic excellence.
This is an amazing opportunity as the thought of putting in the work (the walk) to reap the fruits of sponsored education for students who are deserving, is humbling.
Name: Tshiamo Sebolai
Age: 20
Course: Biological Sciences
Year of Study: 1
Sponsor: StudyTrust Private donors
Home: Soweto
I am the eldest of three and a bit shy. I’m a tennis player; enjoy watching movies and I am an alter server at church. I love children and want to open/fund a children’s home, one day. I would also love to travel when I finish my degree.
I want to help give back. I want to help all the learners who are still in high school and doing very good, to get funding to get to university.
Name: Andries Kgokane
Age: 20
Course: BA General
Year of Study: 2
Sponsor: RLRU
Home: Mabopane
I grew up in Mabopane, on the far north of Pretoria. I am the last born of two children and live with my mother and brother. I believe that by studying one finds out what you are really good at. It is a space to discover one’s real passion and abilities and to pursue them. I believe that studying gives a person a sense of purpose.
There is nothing that feels greater than knowing that you are doing something for the benefit of others. I want to do the walk to help other people have funding for higher education.
Name: Shadrack Khorombi
Age: 21
Course: BsC Construction
Year of Study: 2
Sponsor: StudyTrust Private donors
Home: Venda
I am from Phadzima Dzumbathoho, a village in Nzhelele Venda.
As soon as I heard about the walk, I immediately signed up, because of the idea behind the walk. I thought I would seize the opportunity to do something to help someone – a change to change a life. I had been given a helping hand and it was now time for me to lend a helping hand.
Name: Reuben Oosthuysen
Age: 21
Course: BA Psychology
Year of Study: 2
Sponsor: Privately Funded
Home: Johannesburg
I am currently in the final year of my undergrad degree in psychology, philosophy and history at Wits, and hope to become a qualified therapist. Other than being a student, I am a Lifegroup leader, and worship musician at Liberty Church. When I am not studying or in church, I love listening to music and discovering new albums.
The #FeesMustFall movement is clearly a call to action for South Africans to address the state, and expense, of all education. Feet4Fees (1000km walk) is a response to that call. We hope to create a consciousness of this cause and begin to mobilise South Africa for the sake of current and future generations. We are digging wells so that others may drink.
Name: Wilson Pokwane Mampane
Age: 18
Course: BSc Actuarial Science
Year of Study: 1
Sponsor: Standard Bank
Home: Jane Furse, Limpopo
I was born in a family of four children, an older sister and brother and twin sister. I am a sport fanatic, a Christian and I enjoy reading novels. I live by Abraham Lincoln’s quote which says “The best way to predict the future is to create it” – and I have a teddy bear type of personality.
To help ensure others coming or current students get the privilege of higher education and not have funds as a hindrance. I also want to do the walk to honour my late dad who had an immense love for education.
Name: Siphamandla Bongwana
Age: 23
Course: Psychology
Year of Study: 3
Sponsor: Collins family through Kliptown Youth Programme (KYP)
Home: Kliptown, Soweto
I am from Kliptown, Soweto, and was fortunate to become involved in the Kliptown Youth Programme (KYP). Through the initiatives of the KYP I managed to get into university, sponsored by the Collins family. The KYP also assisted me in joining a film club called Eat My Dust Collective. My interest in documentary film-making got a boost and the film Soweto – Times of Wrath made by me and my friends was screened in 2016 at Encounters, the Durban International Film Festival, and the Joburg Film Festival. After completing my BA Psychology at UJ this year I would like to study documentary film-making.
Because I would like to see other students having the same opportunity that I have of studying and make a difference in one’s life. I also want to join this walk because I would like to see more students accessing financial help for their studies through StudyTrust.
