Coffee Drive Initiative creates space for student voices

By Mthobisi Mhlanga 

Twitter: Mthobisi Mhlanga 

Email:mthobisimhlanga73@gmail.com 

Students gathered at Building 3 on Tshwane University of Technology’s North Campus on 6 May for the ANCYWL-YWD TUT Branch Coffee Drive initiative. The purpose of the event was to create conversation around youth issues affecting students on campus.

Students receiving coffee and scones.This picture was taken by Mthobisi Mhlanga.

Students, branch leaders, and SRC representatives attended the initiative over coffee and discussed challenges students face, such as academic stress, financial pressures and the importance of unity among students. Coffee was handed to them respectively by SRC representatives.

Beshley Disoloane, Phalane mkanzi and Senzo Ndlovu. Picture taken by Mthobisi Mhlanga 

Sunshine Myende, the event organiser from the African National Congress Youth Women’s League-Young Women’s Desk, explained that the gathering was to address issues affecting students daily. “We realised that students are having problems with personal, academic and financial challenges. The initiative was not aimed only to bring coffee to students, but it was also aimed to bring students together to talk and support one another,” she said.

Students engaged in discussions, networking and exchanging ideas on how they can contribute positively to campus life as students. Some students discussed the common challenge of balancing studies with financial responsibilities, while others addressed the issue of unemployment among graduate students.

Students having discussions while others receiving coffee. Picture taken by Mthobisi Mhlanga 

Beshley Disoloane, SRC member and Student Representative Council, said that student organisations must create platforms for openly discussing youth issues. “As a student leader, we cannot act like we do not see the challenges students face every day. Conversations like these help us understand what students are facing so we can represent them as their leaders. Said Beshley Disoloane.

Watch the video:https://youtube.com/shorts/2ylXgnqJH0Q?si=n0HJEqK3fnTAFadG

 According to Zinhle Thwala, the student attendees found the event meaningful, saying it helped them address their issues. “Sometimes we keep our problems to ourselves because we feel like no one will understand them, but today's meeting gave us a chance to express our feelings and speak freely about the problems we are facing daily as students, some of us are having issues of not receiving the NSFAS allowances, we find it difficult to balance our studies while we are dealing with huger”, she said.

Another issue addressed during the event was students' mental health. Students discussed the emotional pressure they face due to academic workloads and social challenges. Organisers encouraged students to support one another and to seek help if needed.

Thabani Ntsele, one of the organisers, said, "We hope the initiative will become a regular programme to raise awareness of issues affecting university students."