24 June 2025 | Story By: Tyron Mhlongo | Picture: Sifiso Nomzaza
3 minutes read time.
The Class of 1993 Rantsane Secondary School alumni group has once again demonstrated the profound impact of giving back to one’s roots. On 13 June 2025, this dedicated group of former learners and staff, who have consistently supported their alma mater for over a decade, returned to Rantsane Secondary School in Makwane, QwaQwa, in the Free State with life-changing donations. Their collective efforts gathered 72 pairs of shoes and uniforms for underprivileged pupils, addressing a critical need that directly impacts educational outcomes.
The Alumni Relations unit of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) enhanced this contribution with corporate gifts, nutritional packs, meal packages, and essential marketing and recruitment materials. They also conducted valuable career guidance sessions for Grade 12 learners, helping them explore different career paths, understand their strengths and interests, and make informed decisions about their futures.
This remarkable event represents just one success story within a much broader initiative that began years ago. Alumni Relations launched this transformative programme to support schools and communities linked to VUT, in collaboration with alumni chapters and specialised alumni groupings. Since 2010, they have been actively reconnecting with former students, staff, and communities across South Africa and beyond through dedicated alumni chapters.
In 2012, the “Dress a School Child” initiative was formally established to support underprivileged learners with school shoes, uniforms, hygiene packs, and sanitary towels. The process begins with individual alumni identifying schools in their hometowns and engaging with them to assess specific needs and potential areas of assistance. These alumni then lead collection campaigns, partnering with businesses and organisations to source donations. Alumni Relations further supports these campaigns by organising fundraising events such as golf days, seminars, workshops, and reunions, creating opportunities to raise funds and build enduring relationships.
The impact of these initiatives extends far beyond material donations. Research shows that similar school uniform programmes can increase pupil attendance by 37% and reduce absenteeism by 55%, creating a direct pathway to improved academic performance. When learners have proper uniforms and essential supplies, they experience greater confidence, reduced social stigma, and are better able to concentrate on their studies rather than their circumstances.
Mr Mpopebi Lekoro, a member of the Class of 1993 and a current teacher at Rantsane, spoke passionately about the initiative’s impact: “I am standing here proud because I can see the outcome of our efforts. Therefore, I’d like to plead with you to hold fast so that tomorrow, you may be the one who will reinforce this team and remember where you come from.” His dual perspective as both an alumnus and educator offers compelling testimony to the programme’s effectiveness. Mr Lekoro further emphasised the ongoing value of regular visits by former pupils, who continue to provide both material support and career guidance.
Mr Peter Masombuka, Head of Alumni Relations, sees these activities as central to VUT’s stakeholder engagement strategy. “This is yet one of the active channels we embrace to connect VUT, corporates, NGOs, government institutions, and communities in stakeholder engagement,” he explained. This collaborative model creates a sustainable ecosystem where education, business, and community development are pursued hand in hand.
Through the active involvement of its alumni, VUT has shaped a dynamic blueprint for community upliftment, one that not only responds to immediate challenges but also lays the foundation for long-term change. The work of Alumni Relations affirms a simple but powerful truth: when we cultivate a culture of giving back, we inspire recipients to become the next generation of change-makers, ensuring that the legacy continues to empower and uplift for years to come.