UCT fundraising initiatives tap into new avenues

New avenues: Students Elisabeth Jengo, Mzo Daphula and Mzwah Kweyama participated in the testing phase of the UCT Annual Fund - Phonathon.

Nervous but excited was how students felt as they kick-started the testing phase of the "historical" UCT Annual Fund '“ Phonathon project on 23 November.

With some having wrapped up their studies this month, about 20 students from across the faculties were recruited to call alumni over a two-week trial period. The initiative, driven by the Development and Alumni Department (DAD), aims to keep in contact with alumni, update their contact details, inform them about campus developments and events, and fundraise.

The results of the testing phase will indicate whether or not a full phonathon should be pursued in 2010.

Lungile Jacobs, DAD's senior manager, said as the usual sources of income are drying up because of the global financial crisis, they have had to find new ways of fundraising. "And this initiative is one of them," he said.

Phonathons had been successful in some parts of the world, he added. Jacobs urged participants to be proud and passionate about participating in the historical initiative, which would bring change to the university and benefit many students. It would also expose them to the work environment.

One of the team members is James Biwi, a chemistry and human biology student, who said participating would sharpen his communication skills. "I could learn a lot from this," he said.

Fellow student Nthabiseng Mofokeng, a BSc in actuarial science student on financial aid, said the phonathon provided her with an opportunity to give back and help other students.