University raises funds on the streets to help needy students

In 2015, the lecturer in public administration at the University of Mpumalanga and head of the Bachelor of Administration program founded Thusangwanageno, a non-profit organization raising funds for higher education for needy students. Putting on his red and black doctoral graduation gowns, Molepo has become a common feature at major junctions in Pretoria, begging motorists to help him move needy students into higher education. To date, Thusangwanageno, which is registered with the Department of Social Development, has enabled more than 600 needy students to pursue higher education and has helped many more obtain driver’s licenses. The youngster from the sprawling suburb of Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, knows exactly how …

In 2015, the lecturer in public administration at the University of Mpumalanga and head of the Bachelor of Administration program founded Thusangwanageno, a non-profit organization raising funds for higher education for needy students.

Doning his red and black doctoral graduation gowns, Molepo has become a common feature at major junctions in Pretoria, begging motorists to help him move needy students into higher education.

To date, Thusangwanageno, which is registered with the Department of Social Development, has enabled more than 600 needy students to pursue higher education and has helped many more obtain driver’s licenses.

The youngster from the sprawling suburb of Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, knows exactly what it feels like to aspire to education but has no way to access it – and he has vowed to devote his life to breaking the cycle of poverty.

Molepo, the executive director of the SA Association for Public Administration and Management (Saapam), is also a proud example of the power of education, of how it lifted it out of poverty and gave it a place in society.

“I went through higher education through community members, relatives and teachers up to the master’s level of my studies,” said the 31-year-old.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the people who have contributed to my studies.”

Molepo, a devout Christian who never misses a Sunday church service, said the compassion and selflessness of the people who made his education possible were the greatest motivation for his mission.

He said that aside from the lecturers, many of the people who contributed to his studies were not wealthy, but low-paid people like domestic workers, security guards, street vendors and hawkers.

“That’s why you will find me at intersections to collect anything I can, from R5 coins to R10 bills. They go far. I know how these small contributions have enabled me to go to school and put food on the table, ”Molepo said.

It all started in 2012, during her first job as a graduate officer at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), when a needy student lamented that she had to drop out due to financial hardship.

Molepo said he couldn’t bear to see the student leave campus and therefore decided to pay for his studies out of his own pocket. But it turned out to be more and more unsustainable on his entry salary, so he asked for outside help – and that’s how Thusangwanageno was born.

“In addition to collecting at intersections, I have coworkers who give a lot and I am grateful for their kindness. Much remains to be done as many needy students still do not have access to higher education. Not because they are not academically gifted and have no potential, but simply because they are poor. It’s sad.”

With the help of his mentor, Professor Mashupye Maserumule, and Charles Mnisi, Thusangwanageno grew up painting seven schools, donating mini-libraries, and helping over 150 students obtain learner’s and driver’s licenses.

The organization has also covered funding for student books from more than 300 schools across the country.

Explaining how Thusangwanageno got his name, he says he was inspired by a friend who always harassed him for money.

“Whenever I told the friend that I didn’t have any money, he would protest and scold me saying Ga obatle go soa ngwanageno, which means ‘I didn’t want to help my brother’ in Setswana.

“I took the name from there that we have to help our brothers.”

Molepo has not gone unnoticed. He said he was awarded an award by Parliament and the Presidency for his immense contribution to his community.

Last year, he ranked 42nd among the 100 most influential South Africans young people by Avance Media, taking third place in the education category.

After graduating from Reitumetse High School in 2007, Molepo enrolled in a Public Administration Diploma with TUT, the academic path he pursued up to PhD level in 2019.

He started his career in 2012 as a volunteer student assistant in his alma mater before being appointed tutor.

He then worked for six months as an administrator of the National Student Financial Assistance Scheme before being appointed a postgraduate officer.

During a journey he described as “punctuated by hard work and determination,” Molepo was promoted to associate professor and head of the municipal management program at North West University.

He joined the University of Mpumalanga in 2020 as a lecturer and later as the head of the Bachelor of Administration program.

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