Chemistry of compassion: A student's triumph through mentorship and community support

Cyclist from the Wheels of Opportunity takes a water break at Rooibergpas while heading to Stellenbosch, raising funds for struggling students. (Photo: Supplied)

By Siyabonga Goni

10 Apr 2025

Blessed Muyanga, a chemistry student at Stellenbosch University, says he was on the brink of homelessness when Dr Lutz, a lecturer, raised funds to help him by cycling 600km from George to Stellenbosch.

The first few months of 2022 were tough for Blessed Muyanga, a Stellenbosch student who had been going from door to door trying to get help as he was without a roof over his head.

Born in Johannesburg, Muyanga is a chemistry student who will graduate this year after facing many hardships. Daily Maverick spoke to Muyanga, who explained how he got assistance from a campaign driven by Dr Marietjie Lutz, a passionate Stellenbosch University chemistry lecturer.

Explaining his love for chemistry, Muyanga said: “I am studying Applied and Sustainable Chemistry at Stellenbosch University. I would say that the Physical Science teachers that I had in high school inspired me to study chemistry. Their ability to break down complex concepts in the most lucid way piqued my interest in chemistry.”

A cyclist from Wheels of Opportunity takes a water break at Rooibergpas while heading to Stellenbosch to raise funds for struggling students. (Photo: Supplied)

However, despite his love for chemistry, he endured difficulties in his journey at Stellenbosch.

“Before I set foot in Stellenbosch, my family assured me that my needs would be met, but they didn’t stay true to their word. As a result of that, I faced great hardships. The fact that I had no bursary meant that I had to travel from Atlantis (where I stayed with my uncle) to Stellenbosch to attend lectures. The travelling took its toll on my health,” said Muyanga.

Seeking help

After moving to Stellenbosch, Muyanga found it difficult to pay for rent and other expenses. He went to seek help from his lecturer.

“When I got to Dr Lutz’s office, I received a warm reception from her. She created a safe space for me to open up about my struggles. I didn’t expect anything major to materialise from that encounter. My breakthrough came in April 2022 when Dr Lutz helped me to secure funding that covered the rent, groceries and tuition fees,” said Muyanga.

It is this encounter that led to the start of the Wheels Of Opportunity campaign. Daily Maverick previously spoke to Dr Lutz, who said that she came up with the idea to combine her passion for cycling with a campaign to raise funds for students facing challenges. Recognising that some students don’t have the support of their parents, which makes their journey even harder, she decided to take action.

Read more: Dr Marietjie Lutz: Stellenbosch chemistry lecturer to cycle 600km to raise funds for struggling students

Last year, she launched her first campaign that raised more than R70,000 by cycling 600km from George to Stellenbosch with her husband and her children. This year she aims to raise R100,000 for students by cycling the same 600km route.

On Tuesday, 1 April 2025, Dr Lutz, told Daily Maverick that she had so far managed to raise R42,000. Muyanga said these donations helped him tremendously and hoped that the campaign could help more students.

“To Dr Lutz, I want to say thank you for being there for me when days were dark. Besides being my chemistry lecturer, she’s my close friend, my mentor, and a mother figure. I will forever be indebted to her,” said Muyanga. DM

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