UMTHOMBO NEWSLETTER 2025
Author: Umthombo Youth Development Foundation (UYDF)
93% of students passed all their subjects, while 11 failed one subject, and were promoted (they’ll carry the subject).
Over 300 distinctions were earned. One first-year Physiotherapy student wrote 14 exams and achieved 11 distinctions, a first-year medical student wrote eight exams and achieved seven distinctions, whilst numerous preclinical medical students only achieved distinctions! Why is this so impressive? Because all these students matriculated from non-fee-paying rural schools!
Twenty- six students completed their degrees and have gone into employment – the first step to lifting themselves and their families out of poverty. Of the 26 new graduates, 85% (22) completed in the minimum time with one dental student needing one additional year, two students needing two additional years (one medical and one occupational therapy student), and one medical student needing three additional years. This is a remarkable achievement as all, but two, of the new graduates attended non-fee-paying rural schools! One medical student and one nursing student completed their degrees Cum Laude! Total graduate numbers now stand at 619.
We had planned to select 30 new students this year, however, due to funding constraints, including uncertainty regarding the actual amount we can expect from some of our current funders, we have made a decision not to accept any new students. It is unfortunate as we received in excess of 200 applications. Another factor that influenced our decision is the uncertainty regarding the actual shortfall in the accommodation cost that we will need to pay, as NSFAS has capped their contribution. Students who have an outstanding balance are not able to register. We will be supporting 180 students this year, of which two medical students will complete at the end of February, and one at the end of April.
We appeal to Companies, Trusts, Foundations and Individuals to consider supporting our rural students to obtain an education that leads to employment, allowing them to lift their families out of poverty whilst serving their communities with their new skills. The total cost per student is R54 000 a year, which provides top-up financial support to their National Student Financial Aid (NSFAS) bursary, as well as the critical academic and social mentoring support, enabling them to overcome their challenges and succeed.