Help Mahlatse finish final year

My name is Mahlatse Moeketsi and I’m 21 years old. I am currently studying a BA majoring in film and television and media and writing at the University of Cape Town. 2024 will be my final year and I will be graduating in 2025. In all the years that I’ve been in university I’ve made sure to provide quality work by not being mediocre and ensuring that I am consistent in getting the desired good grades. I pride myself in being a hard-worker, resilient and capable. I am one to face my challenges head on with the support of my family. 

In 2021 I failed to get the NSFAS bursary as I am part of the missing middle income students meaning that my mother’s annual income is not enough to cover tuition fees but we are part of the middle income household that can afford our needs. Varsity fees also increase annually therefore my mother cannot keep up and has exhausted her funds paying for a student loan. Due to being a missing middle income student I was financially excluded in 2022 and I had to get a student loan to continue with my studies. In 2023 I was part of the students that got defunded by NSFAS in the middle of the year leaving me in student debt. Although I tried other means to pay for my fees it was not enough to cover the outstanding fees. 

I am an aspiring film director, editor and screenwriter. Film and television has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I love capturing significant moments and telling stories through videography and pictures. I’m a big storyteller at heart. I have had the opportunity to work on my own short film which was a learning curve for me as I learnt more about the ‘ behind the scenes’ of a film production. I have also worked with the Encounters Film international Documentary festival and the NFVF as an intern which positively impacted me as I became more confident in my work and stepped outside of my comfort zone more. Working with people, analysing films, writing scripts and getting to be a creative is always a joy for me. 

With a Film and Television degree and funding I believe I’ll have more opportunities, even if it’s starting from the bottom and working my way to the top which I will do because I have goals that I need to achieve. I intend to be the best in the film industry and all this will happen with hard work, perseverance and dedication.

I want the world to see the real South Africa and I want every South African to relate more to the stories/films that are played on TV and getting funding will bring me a step closer to my goals. I strive for what I want with hope, faith and putting my mind into a positive mind-set. I am a firm believer in achieving goals that I have set for myself and one of the goals is to get funding for 2024 and cover my outstanding fees as life as a student without funding can be debilitating to one’s mental health. 

Obtaining my qualification will make me a better mentor to the young women aspiring to be in the film industry as it is usually difficult to step into such spaces. The creative space is welcoming and building the creative space in South Africa will be beneficial for future generations to come. Funding and donations will be greatly appreciated towards my outstanding fees. Thank you.