Phophi Mudau, at her graduation ceremony at Stellenbosch University. PICTURE: STEFAN ELS
Burdened with considerable student debt, Stellenbosch University (SU) final-year BCom Management Sciences student Phophi Mudau walked many kilometres to sell packets of sweets to raise the funds she needed so that she could graduate this month.
At the beginning of December, shortly after hearing that she had passed all her subjects and would indeed be graduating this year, Phophi still had at least 750 packets of sweets to sell to meet her ambitious target of R47 000.
She was anticipating a busy month as she hustled to sell the remaining packets, until Johannesburg radio station HOT 102.7 FM showed up at her residence. Phophi thought they were coming to find out more about her entrepreneurial skills, which they were. But they also surprised her with the incredible news that, as part of their “Hot Cares Christmas” campaign, they would buy all her stock – thereby settling her substantial student debt in full. They also agreed to fly her mother and sister to attend Phophi’s graduation.
The 23-year-old student who hails from Limpopo says the sweet side hustle was her “last resort” to settle the shortfall incurred when the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) stopped her funding earlier this year.
Determined to make her mother proud and graduate, she decided to buy sweets from Makro and repackage them to sell for R60 a mixed bag. Phophi advertised her sweets to students and the Stellenbosch community on various social media platforms throughout the year. Comments from satisfied customers included praise her for quick delivery and generous size of the bags.
She managed to sell R18 000 worth of sweets with her venture, often walking kilometres to Cloetesville and surrounding areas from her accommodation near Victoria Street, Stellenbosch to deliver orders.
“Sometimes, I was so tired that I just cried.”
Phophi’s family does not have the financial means to support her. Her mother is unemployed, and her father left when she was a toddler. Undeterred by her circumstances, Phophi found a way to help herself.
The interest in her small business, she says, was overwhelming. “I have met so many amazing and kind people who not only supported me financially, they also offered me the encouragement that has kept me going this far. I am eternally grateful to everyone who has supported my initiative.”
Despite her own need, Phophi says the highlight of her small business was when someone bought sweets for a children’s nonprofit organisation. “It made me happy that my seeking help opened the door for others to have a bit of joy.”
The final-year student is part of the University’s Extended Curriculum Programme which helps students acquire the academic skills they need to successfully complete their degree. Falling short of the academic requirements to qualify for various bursaries, Phophi has taken her financial future into her own hands so that she can finish what she started at Stellenbosch University.
Her small enterprise is already opening career doors for her. Phophi says that she has already received a few offers of employment from companies she encountered while selling sweets.
Although she admits that her academic journey “hasn’t been easy”, she declines to dwell on the details, saying rather, “I am grateful for the journey and the beautiful parts of it outweighs all the bad”.
Dr Leslie van Rooi, SU’s acting Senior Director: Student Affairs, praised Phophi for her tenacity and resilience. “We have many students in need and as a university community we help where we can. But this is not always sufficient.
“Phophi showed initiative and found a way. She managed to raise funds while studying. This determination and resilience are skills that will stand her in good stead throughout her life. We are immensely proud of what she has achieved, and we wish her and her family well.”
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