University of Pretoria (UP) master’s student Qiniso Sithole will run his first Comrades Marathon on Sunday, 14 June 2026, to raise funds for graduates who are unable to access their degree certificates due to historical student debt.
Sithole, who is completing an MSc in Agricultural Plant Pathology, will take on the 90km ultramarathon in support of UP’s Degrees Delivered campaign. The initiative assists graduates who have completed their studies but cannot receive their certificates because of outstanding fees.
The cause is personal for Sithole. Earlier this year, he faced uncertainty when funding applications were unsuccessful and he was left with outstanding fees that prevented him from registering for his final year.
He described the experience as overwhelming and said the possibility of not completing his degree was distressing.
With support from his supervisors, he was eventually able to settle the fees and continue his studies. He is now in the write-up phase of his master’s degree. However, he said pursuing postgraduate studies without secured funding has been challenging.
“Lack of funding can feel like being unable to fund your dreams,” he said.
Unlike scholarship drives aimed at covering future tuition, Degrees Delivered focuses specifically on settling historical debt so that graduates can immediately access their qualifications.
Without official certificates, graduates are often unable to register with professional bodies, apply for certain jobs or pursue further studies.
Sithole said that when his funding fell through, his greatest fear was not being able to move forward with his career.
“That’s why this campaign is so personal to me. I understand the pressure that comes with financial uncertainty,” he said.
Several students interviewed said the initiative offers hope to graduates who might otherwise feel stuck. They added that studying without funding can be isolating, particularly when peers have financial support. The frustration, they said, is even greater when a student completes their studies but cannot obtain their certificate or pursue a dream job due to unpaid fees.
Sithole said preparing for the Comrades Marathon and navigating academic challenges require similar determination.
“Both demand that you refuse to quit when things get tough,” he said. “If I can help even one graduate move forward, every kilometre will be worth it.”
