Page 135 - KZN Top Business Portfolio-eBook 2022

FUNDING ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION an investment in students’ participation in higher
education should be regarded as a win-win situation.
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Foundation By investing in university education, they are also
is the fundraising arm of the institution. The investing in the culture and skills of their future work
Foundation is headed up by the executive director force and creating a pipeline of new employees. In
Steve Camp who was appointed in an acting capacity addition, no teaching can take place in a vacuum and
in 2021. the relationship between knowledge and practice
is undisputed. Students require work experience,
“The primary function of the Foundation is to provide which may be acquired through internships or
a professional fund raising service that benefits all holiday employment, which then lead to permanent
our stakeholders, including students, academics, employment.
society and the various strategic projects of UKZN,”
said Camp. Excellence in university education standards also
need to be continually maintained. Students require
Of importance is that the Foundation strives to access to the latest equipment and best facilities
cultivate a strong relationship with all donors, which in order to remain up to date with the advances in
typically consists of trusts, foundations, businesses, the various fields of academia as well as to research
high net worth individuals, alumni and the general solutions to the many new challenges facing society.
public. This relationship is well coordinated through All university stakeholders have no difficulty in
regular interactions. Said Camp, “Maintaining recognising that educated graduates are critical
these relationships is essential to driving the UKZN to society’s future. Financial support of higher
Foundation’s fundraising programme.” education is an investment in South Africa’s future.
The Foundation provides a one stop shop for donors At this year’s graduation ceremonies, 63% of UKZN’s
as well as undertakes all administration functions, graduates were women and 69% were African. This
including providing tax certificates and paperwork can only bode well to satisfy the urgent need for more
for Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment female and African professionals in the workplace in
(B-BBEE) spend. As a non-profit organisation, the South Africa. This also confirms that the University of
UKZN Foundation is a section 18A entity so donations KwaZulu-Natal is responsive to the needs of South
are tax deductible. In addition, spending may be African society and thus plays an active role to correct
claimed for B-BBEE scorecard points.
the imbalances brought about by our painful past.
While the UKZN Foundation is generally well Camp concluded, “It does not matter the size of the
supported, the current economic climate has donation, big or small. UKZN needs the support of
resulted in many budgets being cut, which has the business community, our alumni and civil society
reduced the corporate social investment (CSI) spend. to engage more effectively and to invest in the city,
“It is important to note that there is more to giving the province of KZN and ultimately the country.”
than just meeting B-BBEE scorecard goals. There are
also intangible rewards. This is apparent in the ‘feel
good’ that results from giving. Giving is good not
only for yourself but also for society. Potential and
current donors are encouraged to give the gift of
knowledge,” said Camp.
Often the need for investment in higher education
is overlooked when CSI spend is allocated. However,
in order for the South African economy to grow, as
well as to address the limitations for industry sectors
where scare skills exist, higher education must
continue to be a priority. Educating our citizens is not
only vital for our country’s economic growth but also
empowers many of our youth to move beyond the
constraints of poverty.
Resolving this situation needs to be perceived as
the joint responsibility of government, the business
sector and civil society. For the business sector,

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