Former Rhodian launches fund for students in need
Seeing many students let down by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, Google SA country director Dr Alistair Mokoena is using his savings to pledge R100,000 a year for youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds to study at Rhodes University.
The Alistair Mokoena Education Fund was officially launched during the Rhodes University Alumni Grand Ball at the 1820 Settlers National Monument on Friday evening.
Mokoena, a seasoned marketing and advertising professional who is studying towards his second PhD in Artificial Intelligence, said all South Africans were aware there was a gap in tertiary funding.
Coming from a family of teachers, he grew up with the firm belief that education was the best gift you could give someone.
He said education had the potential to open doors and create opportunities.
Deciding to be part of the movement that says “I will make a difference”, he said he wanted to give back to his alma mater.
“We hear every day about the National Student Financial Aid Scheme not having enough funds to educate everybody.
“As a result, many children with great potential are excluded.
“I decided to put away some money and create the Alistair Mokoena Education Fund so that I can help to plug the gap.
“Rhodes will find the area of need and make recommendations to me.
“It’s off the ground and I am super-excited,” Mokoena said.
Mokoena was the chief executive of Ogilvy SA before his appointment at Google SA, where he oversees the commercial side of the business.
He has also worked at Absa, SA Breweries, Tiger Brands and Mondelez over the years.
He holds an LLB from Rhodes, an MBA from Mancosa and is working towards a PhD from the North West University School of Business.
He said it was important to constantly add to one’s qualifications, especially in the world
of AI which was rapidly changing.
Mokoena also shared some of his memories of his time at Rhodes and explained why he had chosen the institution as the beneficiary of his fund.
“I spent five years at Rhodes from 1993-1997.
“I remember being part of a small community of about 4,000 students.
“Rhodes was not as big when I was doing my LLB.
“There were only about 30 people in the class. We all knew each other.
“The lecturer-to-student ratio was so small. You could have a relationship with your lecturer.
“That is what you need — personalised education — and that is what Rhodes did for me,” Mokoena said.
“I really felt that mattered and to this day I belong to social media groups of former Rhodians.
“We are still very close. I have a great life and career.
“I come from a place of privilege since having a career.
“That is why I decided to dedicate my life to serving others, hence the creation of this education fund.”
Rhodes vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela said they were thrilled that someone would want to give back to their alma mater.
“There are many children who are academically capable, but the problem is there is no money.
“We are grateful for people like Dr Mokoena.
“He wants other young people to have the same education he had.
“We have young people who can make this country work.
“They just need an opportunity to acquire an education.
“What we need more of is opportunities for them.”