University of Pretoria helps graduates pay debt to get their degrees

The University of Pretoria (UP) is giving a second chance to students who finished their studies but cannot get their degree certificates because they owe money. The university started a campaign called Degrees Delivered to raise R50 million between 2026 and 2028. This money will help qualifying graduates pay their debt and unlock access to jobs, professional registration, and further studies.

Student debt at UP alone is over R1 billion and keeps growing. Across South Africa, universities were owed about R24 billion by the end of 2024. Of that, around R15.3 billion (64%) is unlikely to ever be paid.

Rikus Delport, who is in charge of fundraising at UP, said the campaign was created because student debt is a growing problem. He explained that many students finish their studies but cannot afford to pay the fees they owe. The university set a target of R50 million because it is realistic and achievable over three years. If they raise more, they can help even more students.

At first, the campaign will focus on undergraduate students who have completed their studies but do not have jobs yet. Delport said they want these graduates to enter the job market quickly without the burden of debt.

The campaign has already raised over R100,000 from the Comrades Marathon and about R9 million from corporate donors. Members of the public can donate through the university's website or by scanning a QR code. Delport said this is just one of several ways the university is helping students. Students can also make repayment agreements with the university or other financial institutions.

This article was originally published on Sowetan.