For the longest time, the creative arts industry has played a pivotal role in society but can sometimes be undervalued in certain societies. Hence the F.A.M. Academy was established in 2017 in response to the challenges creative industry professionals face in building lucrative and sustainable business models.
The Fashion. Art. Music. (F.A.M) Academy recently joined forces with Feenix, to launch a student crowdfunding campaign to provide financial support for South African creative arts students. The campaign comes at a critical time for students, amidst a backdrop of nationwide student protests around financing issues.
F.A.M is founded by Laduma Ngxokolo, founder of acclaimed knitwear brand MAXHOSA AFRICA, visionary fine artist Nelson Makamo and DJ and stalwart of modern African Music, Black Coffee.The #FAMTagYouIt student fund aims to raise R3 million in two weeks with a focus on creative arts undergraduate students and graduates with historic debt.
âWe believe in the right to quality education for the African child and that through opportunities in creative industries; this sector will be a sustainable and powerful contributor to the African economy. In Feenix, we have found a partner whose ethos, vision and transparency align closely with our own and who has the reach and know-how to strategically network and successfully implement this student relief fundâ, said Lungie Maphumulo from the F.A.M. Academy.
Launched in 2017 in response to the #FeesMustFall movement, Feenix is a public benefit organisation that works with all 26 public universities to ensure a future of debt-free education. Through the power of crowdfunding, Feenix has disbursed over R76 million to more than 1910 studentsâ university fee accounts.
âWe believe that access to education should not be dependent on wealth. Our model connects communities, providing a tool for students to formalise their fundraising efforts and a channel for South Africans to find students that they wish to supportâ, explained Feenixâs Chief Executive Officer, Leana de Beer.
âWe seek to cherish and nurture our young artists; to make sure they have a place at the economic table and are valued in a way that is commensurate with their vital contribution to our lived reality, and a good place to start is in ensuring they are able to study without worrying about student debtâ, added Maphumulo.
If you would like to donate towards the #FamTagYouIt fund,you can do it via Feenixâs safe and secure online platform on www.feenix.org, using PayFast, SnapScan, Zapper, or by direct bank deposit.
Once a donation has been made, individuals can tag their friends and family by using the #FAMTagYouIt and nominate them to make a donation too. While the majority of the money raised through the crowdfunding campaign will be dedicated to students in the creative arts, a portion will be set aside to support the general student population.
To qualify to register on the Feenix platform, students need to have South African Citizenship, Permanent Residence, or Refugee and Asylum seeker status; registered at a South African public university with current and/or historical debt; and have a combined household income below R600 000 per year.
