Each year in South Africa, when universities begin new academic calendars, the issue of student funding dominates the national debate as more challenges arise. Among the affected group of students facing financial 'exclusion' is the 'Missing Middle', whose families or guardians neither fall within the income threshold that qualifies for government funding nor can they afford to pay tuition fees. To assist these students, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) has launched the Double our Future Impact, a campaign to assist as many as 10 000 students with their 2023 registration fees. We spoke to UJ's Vice-Chancellor Designate, Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi