WITS ALUMNUS and Ernest Oppenheimer (EOH) 1969 house committee chairperson, David Hudgson, has donated R 150 000 to the all-male residence.
The announcement was made at EOH’s 50th anniversary celebration on September 16.
The donation was made via email to the residence’s senior warden, Naziem Randera, who could not to disclose the details of the email to Wits Vuvuzela.
All he was prepared to say was that, “We as the EOH community are extremely grateful for the donation and believe that it will encourage other alumni to donate and give back to the Wits community,” he said.
Randera said the money would be put in EOH’s trust fund, and will assist students with financial difficulties to pay fees, accommodation or any other issues students may encounter.
Among the attendees at the celebration were EOH alumni, current residents, Dr Brendon Matthews, author of Ernest, a book about the residence and Wits vice-principal Dr Tawana Kupe.
Njabulo Mbatha, EOH resident and second-year BEd student, told Wits Vuvuzela that he thought the donation was a great gesture and that it would be helpful for the residence.
He added, however, that he was hoping the money would be used for renovations at the residence. “I hope they’ll use a portion of the money to renovate some rooms like mine, because they are not in such a great condition.”
Former chairperson of the house committee and third-year Medical student, Tafadzwa Kufazvinei, said they were appreciative of the donation because it will contribute to the trust which will impact the lives of EOH students.
“The donation is also an inspiration for us as students to do more to keep and boost the trust fund,” he told Wits Vuvuzela.
Hudgson could not be reached for comment as he is travelling abroad on business. Director and Head of Residence Life Robert Sharman would not comment on the donation, saying that he had not spoken to Hudgson.
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