Help Me Pedal Towards a Brighter Future – One Student at a Time

Hi, I am Robert Watkins, a proud alumnus of Stellenbosch University, situated in the majestic winelands of South Africa. Throughout my upbringing in South Africa, and especially during my time at Stellenbosch University, I was surrounded by people committed to creating a better future. That spirit of resilience and purpose was especially evident during the Fees Must Fall chapter, when I was both a student and a member of the Listen, Live and Learn (LLL) initiative. I graduated alongside peers who believed deeply that what we do today can shape a better tomorrow. At Stellenbosch, we challenged ourselves both inside and outside the lecture halls—from the classroom to the rugby pitch, where grit, camaraderie and comeback wins were part of the daily rhythm. These experiences taught me lessons that extended well beyond academics. Lessons that helped carry me through challenges, including the financial toll of COVID-19, which saw me take on more debt than my original tuition. And yet, it was the soft skills—resilience, humility, and the ability to adapt—that I honed at Stellenbosch that enabled me to keep going. Those same skills have shaped my career, from working on vital engineering projects with Thames Water in London to cutting-edge autonomous mobility initiatives in Singapore and elsewhere in the UK. Now, I’m taking on the London to Brighton cycle challenge to raise £500 for the UK-EU Bursary Fund, which helps Stellenbosch students reduce their debt and focus on reaching their potential. Because I know what it’s like to face financial hurdles—and how crucial it is to have the freedom to pursue your dreams without being weighed down by student loans. South Africans are known for two things: we know how to braai, and we know how to step up and get things done. I’m stepping up, and I invite you to help me. Please support my ride by donating towards the UK-EU Bursary Fund—together we can help the next generation of Maties take on the world, debt-free.