No power means no food for Braam based students  

by | May 8, 2024 | News

Despite contingency measures, the electricity crisis persists, leaving some students hungry, and desperate.  

Hundreds of students, primarily those living off campus have had a tough week without consistent access to electricity. The Wits Students Law Council stepped in to help those who have been going to bed and class hungry on Tuesday, May 8.  

A note to students reads: “Parcels limited, law students priority” on a door in the Olive Schreiner building. A harsh reality check as resources are stretched thin amidst the ongoing electricity crisis. Photo: Katlego Mtshali

Between 08:00 and 10:00 in the Oliver Schreiner building, council members handed out grocery hampers containing non-perishable food items. Muhammed Takolia, a Community Development subcommittee member, reached out to Ashraful Aid to make the initiative possible.  

Ntiyiso Chauke, a second-year LLB student, said: “I can no longer afford to rely on takeaways as a daily solution, as it is financially straining.”

Salim Nkosi, an Honours in Journalism student said that he has exceeded his usual expenses, “I’ve used R900 in 6 days, which is normally what I would spend in two weeks.” 

First-year Bachelor of Accounting student, Sandile Gumede, said while grateful for the food, preparing it will prove difficult. The generator in his residence building is currently only operational between 08:00 and 10:00, which is when he plans to prepare his meals as he must also ensure his attendance at his morning classes. Having to make a choice between cold food and his attendance record.  

During the handover, Wits Vuvuzela watched as some students had to be turned away. Katleho Ledibone, a third-year LLB student and Social Outreach and Community Development officer, explained that the council had prioritised law students, but would help students living off campus if they had leftovers or received more donations. 

One of the students who had to leave was Tshepo Mathonsi who said, “It has been difficult, and I am disappointed I could not get a grocery hamper.” 

Paballo Sethathi, a third-year LLB student said he has been borrowing money to get by and has fallen behind with his studies. “Libraries are full because so many of us are affected… some close early therefore I cannot work for as long as I want.” He added that all his textbooks are in PDF format, so he needs his electronic devices to be fully charged to read.  

First-year Arts and Performance students Londeka Ndwandwe and Sylvia Sotomela said that while South Africans are accustomed to loadshedding, “we cannot normalize being in the dark for days…it should also be considered that we come from different homes/backgrounds our parents cannot give us money for food every day now that our groceries are spoilt.” 

The Wits Senior Executive Team acknowledged the impact of the electricity crisis on students, particularly those in off-campus residences like Noswall Hall, and various South Point buildings, and is working to provide support through the Division of Student Affairs and accredited service providers. Additionally, the Wits Citizenship and Community Outreach Unit is offering extra meals and food assistance to students in need.  

“We are in contact with the relevant utilities, departments, and we are hopeful that power will be restored fully in the next day or two,” the university said in a statement.  

The Wits Students Law Council has promised to organise more hampers and has asked students to remain patient and be on the lookout for announcements regarding future distributions.

FEATURED IMAGE: Students affected by the power outage clutch essential grocery parcels on May 8, 2024, a beacon of hope in time of need. Photo : Katlego Mtshali

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Most Wits eateries to remain affordable amid soaring food prices

by | Feb 2, 2023 | News

The financial pressure on students at Wits will not come from what they eat this year, if buying exclusively from on-campus restaurants.

Food outlets at Wits University have maintained 2022’s prices despite a 12,4% increase in the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages over the last year, as noted by the Stats SA Consumer Price Index (CPI) report , released in January 2023. Kara Nichha’s, on Wits’ East campus sells various Indian foods, including samosas at R4.00 and a soya burger at R20.00. It remains one of the most affordable places to grab a meal on campus.

The latest Food Basket Price Monthly Report by the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) shows that the price of onions, an ingredient in some samosas, increased by 47% while sunflower oil prices increased by 28.1% year-on-year. Manager, Malvina Mogano, said that the restaurant’s strategy to keep prices low includes using soy instead of meat.

Generous servings keep students coming back to Kara Nicha’s. Photo: Mpho Hlakudi
A customer getting their daily fix. Photo: Mpho Hlakudi

Kutlwano Serame, a regular customer, said, “Kara Nichha’s is a good place for [buying food], especially when you want to introduce first years that are struggling financially, especially in terms of having access to food because you can literally come here for R20.00 and you’re sorted for lunch.”

At Wethu Coffee Shop, in Solomon Mahlangu House, directly sourcing from farms is how costs are kept low said café manager, Valentine Nomvuyo.

The coffee bar is open weekly from 7am to 5pm and serves coffee and hot meals. Food prices range from R15.00 for a date and raisin muffin to R55.00 for a lunch meal. Nomvuyo said their breakfast combo special, the americano coffee and breakfast wrap, which costs R48.50, is among their best-selling items.

However, according to the NAMC study, the price of white bread, the main ingredient of their toasted sandwich, has increased by 20,4% year-on-year. Thando Gasa, a regular customer at Wethu Coffee shop, said, “They have really nice wraps, and they are affordable.”

But Jimmy’s Varsity, with outlets on East and West campuses, has announced that their prices will go up in the middle of February. The eatery sells various Halaal foods, from their Original Kota at R19.00 to a Hot Chicks family meal at R199.

The restaurant’s West Campus manager, Sandile Simango, said they are forced to raise menu prices because of skyrocketing costs from their suppliers. “Prices are getting higher and [inflation] is rising, making it harder to make a profit,” said Simango.

Lauretta Masiya, an employee at Jimmy’s, said that they have been told to “watch” portion sizes when orders are prepared, in an effort to remain profitable. “It’s not going well because customers tend to complain a lot… and we want the customer to be happy [but] at the same time, we also want the boss to be happy. It’s very challenging,” said Masiya. Unfortunately, the Bureau for Food and Agriculture Policy (BFAP)’s latest food inflation brief suggests that food prices could rise even higher, which may force many more campus eateries to raise their prices.

FEATURED IMAGE: A barrister prepares coffee for a customer at Wethu Coffee Shop. Photo: Mpho Hlakudi

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