UKZN Foundation’s Donor Relationship Manager and Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduate Mr Tebelo Kokoropo hopes to use insights gathered from his research to strengthen the University’s fundraising initiatives, which are critical for the development of opportunities for students.
Kokoropo’s MBA study titled: Investigating the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the University of KwaZulu-Natal Foundation’s Fundraising Efforts, was supervised by Dr Nomkhosi Luthuli. It focused on the Higher Education fundraising landscape, in the context of UKZN, in relation to COVID-19, to establish challenges and opportunities created by the pandemic.
‘The study identified possible opportunities and ways in which UKZN can generate more revenue to support its strategic programmes. Therefore, it has both a community and societal appeal to it since it aims to identify how the University can generate more revenue, particularly on how we can secure more funds for bursaries for our students,’ said Kokoropo.
With extensive business development and fundraising experience having worked as a fundraiser in the United Kingdom for charities including the British Red Cross, Shelter, Friends of the Earth, Oxfam, and Amnesty International, Kokoropo is excited about using his newly acquired critical thinking and leadership skills to enhance his career.
‘The more revenue we generate the more revenue for our students meaning more of our youth will be educated, trained, and skilled to ultimately contribute to the development of our communities and our country,’ he said.
‘I’m very passionate about youth development, entrepreneurship and community development hence my research encompasses these critical areas and assists with strategies to advance in them. An MBA empowers one with skills to use to grow and sustain organisations. I would recommend it to anyone who intends to one day run a business or an organisation.’
Individuals or organisations that would like to donate to the UKZN Foundation should email Mr Tebelo Kokoropo at kokoropot@ukzn.ac.za or visit https://foundation.ukzn.ac.za/ for more information.
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
Photograph: Supplied
