Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley has given in to the demands of students by agreeing to provide them with a meal every day at lunchtime.

The subsidised food scheme by the university came into effect on Monday (13/5) and will run for the remaining seven months of the academic year.

On-campus students are to receive their R1,300 allowances from NSFAS and one meal per day during lunchtime, and off-campus students were given the option to receive food parcels, which consist of rice, maize meal, tinned food such as fish, and baked beans, to name a few.

‘As an unfunded student, I'm not pleased with the system’

“I am satisfied with the food parcels but I feel like if they could add toiletries as well, it would be helpful,” said one of the beneficiaries of the food packs.

“As an unfunded student, I'm not pleased with the system because, in terms of the one free meal per day, I feel like the funded students get one free meal ticket and can still afford to buy themselves breakfast and lunch. And I, as an unfunded student, can't afford to purchase breakfast and supper and only rely on the free meal at lunch,” said one of the unfunded students who received a meal at lunch. 

“The food is of good quality, I have no complaints overall about the food.”

‘The subsidised food scheme was implemented after students protested’

The decision to implement the subsidised food scheme was taken after students protested on Monday 6 May due to unhappiness with the changes made to the catering model and forced academic activities to be moved online.

“The catering model entailed converting the university’s dining halls into retail outlets, operated by outsourced service providers so that students had access to a greater variety of catering options,” said SPU acting director of institutional advancement Kashini Maistry.

“We are sympathetic to the plight of students, which is why all students in university-owned and managed residences, irrespective of their funding status, will receive a daily lunch meal provided by the institution.”

‘The proposal by the SRC is unfair and unconstitutional’

“The proposal by the SRC to receive the full NSFAS allowance whilst also benefitting from the two-meal subsidisation is unfair and unconstitutional,” claimed Maistry.

The university remains committed to supporting vulnerable and needy students through its food security and social relief programmes. “However, students who receive monthly living allowances or are self-funded will be expected to manage their finances in a manner that does not lead to their future food insecurity.”

The catering model will be implemented next year to give students enough time to adjust to the new system.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame cg