?The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences' (FMHS) Vice Dean: Learning and Teaching, Prof Karin Baatjes, is serious about education. So serious, in fact, that she not only walks the talk, she runs it.
Her annual Birthday for Bursaries (B4B) campaign, launched each year around her birthday on 31 January, brings together the FMHS community for a worthy cause. The campaign's third instalment features participants walking, running, and – new for this year – cycling to raise funds for student bursaries. Baatjes and her team of champions will participate in the Tyger Run/Walk on 21 March and the Cape Town Cycle Tour on 9 March under the B4B banner.
“I believe education has the power to transform lives, and no educational dream should remain unfulfilled due to financial constraints," says Baatjes. “This campaign provides crucial support to deserving students throughout their degree programmes through bursaries."
This year's B4B campaign aims to raise R80 000 for the Ithemba Bursary Fund, which provides financial assistance to health sciences students at the FMHS. Supporters can follow Baatjes and the B4B Champions' training journeys on social media and contribute to the project through our donation portal?.
“Each year, I'm moved by the generosity of individuals, colleagues, friends, family, and corporate supporters who embrace this campaign," says Baatjes. “Their contributions reflect their faith in our youth and the future of healthcare professionals."
Since its launch in 2023, the campaign has attracted notable support from the educational community. Distinguished participants have included Prof Wim de Villiers (SU Rector and Vice Chancellor), Prof Thuli Madonsela (Law Faculty Trust Chair in Social Justice and Law), and Prof Lionel Green-Thompson (Dean at UCT's Health Sciences Faculty). The initiative has also garnered support from prominent figures including FMHS alumnus Dr Darren Green and renowned South African chef Reuben Riffel.
To follow the 2025 B4B Campaign's progress, visit our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) or track Prof Baatjes' training journey on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Also see what the other B4B Champions are up to. They are:
- Dr Chanell Marthinussen
- Dr Anstea Meyer
- Suhayl Khalfey (MBChB III)
- Chumisa Yaphi (MBChB IV)
- Dr Casper Joubert (Mmed Occ Med)
- Dr Riaan van Tonder (MMed Radiology)
- Dr Pieter Kotze (MMed Radiology)
