The second episode of Trialogue Social Impact Stories, featured on SABC 3’s Afternoon Express featured the inspiring story of Itumeleng Legoete, who, thanks to crowdfunding platform Feenix in partnership with Standard Bank, was able to graduate from Wits University debt-free, despite facing financial hurdles.
Trialogue’s Social Impact Stories highlight how companies build a better South Africa. They celebrate how business, non-profits, and civil society can work together and how strategic corporate social investment can create a lasting positive impact on society. Collaborations such as the one between Standard Bank and Feenix can be key to positive change in South Africa, as quality education is the cornerstone of any successful and thriving society.
Itumeleng Legoete faced financial barriers to accessing education
Born into circumstances where tertiary education seemed like an unreachable dream, Itumeleng faced numerous financial hurdles along his path to success as a legal practitioner. Like many South Africans, Itumeleng came up against the barrier of the cost of tertiary education. However, thanks to Feenix, he was able to raise over R150k in his final year and pay off his outstanding fees.
Today, Itumeleng is the Acting District Court Control Public Prosecutor at the National Prosecuting Authority. In 2019, he returned to Feenix as a “Pay It Forward” student, donating to support other students in need. His story beautifully illustrates how acts of generosity can create a ripple effect of positive change.
Itumeleng says that the main reason he wanted to practice law is because the objective of his life has always been to make a difference in the lives of other people. However, he had financial challenges. “My upbringing, you could say that it was bittersweet. I was born to my mother who was a domestic worker, then my father passed on when I was in grade four, leaving my mother to fend for us.”
“I’ve always excelled in my studies and that gave me joy, that gave me fulfilment, gave me a hope for a better future. I believe that future that I had hope for is the future that I’m now living in and experiencing and it’s wonderful.”
Itumeleng Legoete
“During my varsity days, I had financial struggles. I couldn’t afford university life. I couldn’t afford my tertiary education, including textbooks,” he notes.
Feenix’s role in Itumeleng’s career success
In 2017, Itumeleng came across an article about Feenix, a social crowdfunding platform. He followed the platform’s funding process to assist him with settling his student debt in his final year. He received a call from Feenix to inform him that his fees would be paid. “I just jumped, I was so excited and so grateful. I even cried. It was a huge relief when I received the news,” he says.
“But for Feenix, I wouldn’t have graduated from university debt-free. Consequently, I would not have been able to qualify as a legal practitioner, as a lawyer. I would not have been able to serve as a public prosecutor as I’m currently doing. It has been an amazing journey,” says Itumeleng. “I decided to go back to Feenix as a donor to give back, because I’m someone who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others.”
How Feenix and their partners assist students
To date, Feenix has raised over 172 million rand, impacting thousands of lives, including Itumeleng’s. Cara-Jean Peterson, the CEO of Feenix, says: “We all know about #FeesMustFall that happened in 2015 and 2016. The private sector got together to discuss how to be a part of the solution. Standard Bank put up their hand and said that they are willing to invest in developing technology and a non-profit organisation that could lead that charge, and so Feenix was birthed.”
Feenix started off as a crowdfunding platform to help students fundraise for their studies. It has since evolved into a community that helps with business bursaries. It also offers wrap-around support so that students learn how to be financially literate and money smart. The students partake in personal and professional development so that they can thrive, not just in their studies, but also the working world.
Standard Bank’s partnership with Feenix to transform education
Pearl Phoolo, the Corporate Social Investment Senior Manager at Standard Bank, says: “The decision to support and invest in Feenix is anchored around our purpose, which is: ‘Africa is our home, and we drive her growth.’ We believe that we live our purpose and action by supporting education programs. We start from early learning and early childhood development right through to tertiary and post-learning.
“We realised that no one person can do it by themselves and Feenix provides a platform for everyone to collaborate: businesses, individuals, you and I. Every cent counts. I think it’s quite inspirational to see stories like Itumeleng’s and what our contribution can do to make sure that we create Itumelengs of the future.”
Pearl Phoolo
Standard Bank believes that investing in education impacts economic success, and, especially considering South Africa’s history, there is still a need to invest in education to drive socioeconomic development and to drive change.
“If we educate, particularly at tertiary level, we are producing skills that would ideally answer for the skills shortage in the country,” says Pearl. “If you look at what we are doing as a bank, beyond Feenix, we do provide opportunities for young people, for learning, so that they become employable or creators of jobs.”
She notes South Africa’s high unemployment rate, and particularly the high youth unemployment rate. The statistics show that youth with degrees have a higher chance at becoming employable and independent and contributing to South Africa’s success.
How to get involved with Feenix to support education
For students dealing with outstanding debt at a South African university, Cara-Jean advises that students should believe that their story matters and use a platform like Feenix to showcase it, to raise funds for their studies, and ask for community support. Individuals can also donate to Feenix and support students on feenix.org.
Access to education should not be dependent on wealth. Education is key to driving growth and development. As Standard Bank and Feenix have demonstrated, investing in youth and education has ripple effects and the power to transform lives. Itumeleng’s story is just one example of how partnerships and collaboration between companies and implementing partners can inspire waves of positive change and build a better society.
