Alumni Ambassador encourages students to turn gratitude into lasting legacy

Zilke Heys, Critical Care Technologist and newly appointed Alumni Fund Ambassador for the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), is encouraging graduates to turn gratitude into a lasting legacy by investing in future generations of students. She believes every donation creates opportunities and strengthens lifelong connections between alumni and their alma mater.

Zilke Heys, Alumni Fund Ambassador and Critical Care Technologist. According to Heys, graduation was not the end of her relationship with TUT. For her, it marks the beginning of a lifelong commitment to giving back and helping others to succeed.

Her appointment as Alumni Fund Ambassador reflects that commitment. She now encourages fellow alumni to support the Alumni Fund and invest in future generations of students.

"Giving back is much more than a gesture, it is a continuation of the journey that shaped us. Your legacy lives through every opportunity you help create," she said.

Speaking about the importance of the Alumni Fund, Heys said it reflects a lifelong bond between TUT and its graduates. It enables alumni to create meaningful change by supporting deserving students and strengthening the University community.

“Every contribution helps provide financial support to students, strengthens student welfare initiatives and enables TUT to enhance academic resources, learning support and campus facilities,” she said.

The fund also supports alumni programmes, communication platforms and digital engagement initiatives that keep graduates connected to their alma mater long after completing their studies.

Heys believes every contribution matters because each gift helps remove financial barriers that may prevent talented students from achieving their dreams. Alumni support enriches student experience, improves graduation outcomes and contributes to developing future leaders.

She encourages graduates to see every donation as an investment in future and an opportunity to pay forward the benefits they once received.

Supporting the Alumni Fund demonstrates that TUT's legacy continues beyond graduation. It lives on in graduates who remain connected, uplift others and help shape the University's future.

The Alumni Fund is a powerful vehicle for building a culture of excellence, community and opportunity. Alumni can contribute from as little as R50, knowing that every gift creates opportunities, leaves a lasting impact and ensures their legacy lives through giving.