The annual UCT Phonathon sees UCT students call alumni to chat about their time as students, update contact details and discuss donating to a critical student-support programme at the university.

Organised by the Development and Alumni Department, the Phonathon runs during the June/ July holiday.

The 2019 Phonathon supports UCT’s Food Programme. Many of our students go hungry, and UCT is not immune to the country’s rampant socio-economic challenges.

Student hunger is hidden and stigmatised. Our response is to eliminate that stigma and to promote, instead, students’ dignity, agency and ability to broaden their minds without uncertainty about their next meal.

Our current food programme has been operating since January 2019, while smaller versions operated in 2018. Presently, 600 packed lunches are provided daily to students on all UCT campuses. The UCT Food Connect service pre-packages and delivers these lunches daily and a team of volunteers ensures the distribution of these lunches on all campuses.

From 2020, students will receive vouchers that they may redeem at UCT Food and Connect outlets. Vouchers open a range of choices for students at lunchtime and removes the indignity of food security being regarded as a handout.

One advantage of the voucher system is that students can choose from a range of lunch options.

A daily voucher for one student costs R32.00, as per 2019 costs. Some 600 students are currently funded. We estimate that the number of affected students is higher.

With 80 teaching and exam days in total, we need to raise at least R 1 536 000 to fund the programme for one semester in 2020.

2019 Student Callers

Alexander October	Alistair Mkhize	Anathi Seyisi	Andrew Hlupo	Aneeka Davids
Anele Hoza	Awonke Goso	Brian Badiroang	Chwayita Thobela	Fagmeedah Wentzel
Katleho Moloi	Khumbulani Ntuli	Lance August	Landile Mchunu	Lerato Jaca
Ludwe Qosho	Nathi Nono	Nolitha Ngamlana	Nomonde Phukwana	Nuraan Nackerdien
Qasif Isaacs	Qhama Daka	Rachael Mutgaana	Rani Wiswedel	Shanine_Meyer
Silungile Mngadi	Simphiwe Sithebe	Sinesipho Somwahla	Siphenathi Khunyana	Siyanda Bokwe
Tendai_Mbanje	Zayaan Adams	Zolani Sophethe