R11.6 Million Debt Cleared: 141 CPUT Graduates Finally Receive Their Certificates
The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and BANKSETA have settled over R11.6 million in historical student debt, unlocking graduation certificates for 141 graduates whose qualifications had been withheld. This decisive intervention removes a financial barrier that had kept these graduates from accessing the full value of their academic achievements.
Despite participating in graduation ceremonies and earning their degrees, these graduates had returned home with only confirmation letters. Their physical diplomas remained inaccessible, trapped behind unpaid historical fees. On Friday, that changed. A total of 141 graduates received their certificates for the first time, restoring access to careers, professional registration, and further study.
Why this debt relief matters for South African graduates
In a country with a persistently high unemployment rate, a certificate is far more than a piece of paper. It is a gateway to employment, career advancement, and lifelong opportunities. For Black South African graduates, particularly those from working-class backgrounds, the inability to collect a certificate after years of hard work is not just an administrative challenge. It is a barrier to professional growth and economic mobility.
Mr. Mandla Maseko, Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations at CPUT, said:
“At CPUT, we believe that no graduate's future should be limited by historical financial barriers. For many of our graduates, the inability to collect a certificate after years of hard work is not just an administrative challenge. It's a barrier to employment, professional growth, and further study.”
Maseko emphasized that this initiative speaks to a commitment to restoring dignity, unlocking opportunity, and transforming lives through education. He added:
“Our partnership with BANKSETA demonstrates what is possible when higher education and industry come together with a common purpose. Each year, more than 7,000 students graduate from CPUT.”
Addressing the legacy of financial exclusion in higher education
Thousands of students remain unable to receive their diplomas due to unpaid historical fees. This is a direct consequence of the systemic economic inequality that apartheid and colonialism entrenched in South African society. Collaborations such as the one with BANKSETA aim to eliminate these obstacles, ensuring that graduates can obtain the qualifications they have rightfully earned.
Lolwethu Luthuli, CPUT Convocation Executive and Focus Leader for Fundraising, Partnerships, and Engagement, framed the issue in stark terms:
“South Africa faces a high unemployment rate, and for many graduates, not having access to their certificate creates yet another barrier to opportunity. Education is the equaliser.”
Luthuli noted that each graduate awarded a certificate serves as a reminder of the vital importance of strategic partnerships. Every qualification earned reflects a journey marked by perseverance, sacrifice, and resolve. She said:
“Through partnerships like this, we are not only handing over certificates, we are restoring hope, unlocking opportunity, and investing in the future of our country.”
What does the #CPUTReleaseCertificate campaign aim to achieve?
This ceremony is an integral element of the #CPUTReleaseCertificate Campaign. The broader commitment is to secure sustainable funding and strategic partnerships to pave the way forward for graduates burdened by historical debt. The campaign recognizes that education is a fundamental equaliser in a society still grappling with the economic scars of apartheid.
Frequently asked questions about CPUT's debt relief initiative
How many graduates benefited from the CPUT and BANKSETA partnership?
A total of 141 graduates received their certificates after CPUT and BANKSETA cleared R11.6 million in historical student debt.
What kind of debt was cleared in this initiative?
The initiative settled historical student debt, which refers to outstanding fees accumulated over previous academic years that had prevented graduates from collecting their certificates.
Why is the certificate handover significant beyond the ceremony?
The certificates unlock access to employment, professional registration, and further study. Without them, graduates face additional barriers in a competitive job market with high unemployment rates.