Campus gym changes it payment plan.
A Wits University campus gym has been forced to change their payment policy owing to non-payment by its student members.
Zenzele Fitness, on the Braamfontein campus, says it will no longer charge students through their student fee accounts but will directly debit personal bank accounts.
Since 2017, when the gym opened, students had the option of paying for their memberships through their student accounts or via a direct debit order.
Tumi Phake, CEO and founder of Zenzele Fitness, told Wits Vuvuzela that “a change in payment policy was necessary due to a high number of students not paying for their memberships”.
“Zenzele communicated the change in payment method to all members in order to ensure that they are well aware that payment cannot be made via their student fee accounts in 2019”, said Phake.
A Wits postgraduate student, Bongani Ncube, renewed his gym membership at the beginning of the academic year and signed a contract which stated that he would pay for his membership via his student account.
Ncube told Wits Vuvuzela “I was made aware about the change in payment policy when I tried to go to the gym in April. They told me that my membership was blocked because I was paying for my membership via my student account and were no longer using that form as payment”.
“I think they should have told us when we signed our contract at the beginning of the year that there will be a change. This change affects my relationship with the gym”, the 23-year-old said.
Fourth year Civil Engineering student, Brandon Naidoo was informed by Zenzele Fitness’ change in payment policy via an email sent by the facility.
“I believe in customer loyalty. I pleaded with the gym so that I can continue pay for my membership via my student account”, Naidoo said.
Naidoo told Wits Vuvuzela: “I understand where they are coming from, but each student has different circumstances and they should accommodate every student.”
FEATURED IMAGE: Wits students using the facilities at Zenzele Fitness. Photo: Tumelo Modiba
