AN OPEN LETTER TO BILL GATES

Madam,

I have heard someone say that Bill Gates' net worth stands at US$105 billion in 2024. They further suggested that he could afford to give a US$1 billion to everyone in the world without feeling a pinch as he makes money far more than most developing countries.

Another suggested that despite being a millionaire a thousand times over, the Microsoft co-founder-turned-global-philanthropist promised to part with ‘virtually all’ of his money in his lifetime. According to TheStreet, in a blog post published shortly before the birth of his first grandchild, Bill Gates took stock of his life achievements and concluded that money wasn’t really that important, after all. “Being wealthy makes my life much more comfortable, but not more fulfilling,” Gates was quoted as saying, adding that there are only three things in life he needs to feel satisfied: His family, his friends and doing work that mattered.

How can people suffer from poverty due to unemployment when someone in the world is so wealthy? As much as it is a viable suggestion made by this individual, my concern is not centred around the world, but rather on the University of Eswatini (UNESWA). Would I be wrong to ask one of the richest people in the world to donate at least E500 million (US$27.4m) to the institution? It has been reported recently that this institution needs close to E300 million (US$16.4m) to function normally. That is small change compared to what Mr Gates is earning this year. The university has been dysfunctional for the entirety of 2024 due to a thousand issues.

Institution

To mention a few, the institution is faced with a massive water bill, and lecturers' medical aid bills, have not been paid since 2018. Additionally, students have not been receiving their allowances on time. There have been abrupt closures of the Kwaluseni and Luyengo campuses from time to time, as water is a necessity for survival. Lecturers with PhDs and doctorates have been demanding their money from the university through protests. Students have been committing suicide regularly due to hunger—there are zero means of survival without a stipend at university, as parents are struggling as well. Students are not only dying in droves; they are changing for the worse—engaging in sexual activities with people they do not love just for money.

Can you blame them, though? Gates, do something, and do it quickly! After striving for so long for a bright future, watching it crumble is the most devastating experience currently faced by UNESWA students. Donating this amount would not only restore hope to the hopeless, but it would also provide purpose to many. It is known that a specific procedure has to be followed when donating money to a country, but I would urge Mr Gates not to follow it in this case. This money would be utilised for its intended purpose only if not given to those in authority in the country. The State has tried and ‘failed’ to rescue the university from its plight, so would it be financially responsible in handling such a lump sum?

Since this letter is from one of the UNESWA students to Bill Gates, it would only make sense for him to give the donation to the university instead of the State!

Siyanda Mzolo

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