Your student card is your magic wand

Musa Mngomezulu

Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo, those discounts were made for you. Yes, you as a student have gained access to not only campus with your student card but also more discount opportunities than you could have ever imagined. Now, as a cheapskate and a student who is always on a budget, I made a point of it to always find deals on my purchases, which is how I discovered that our student cards are our magic wands when it comes to discounts.

their meals are affordable. Furthermore, Zanzou offers free drinks for ladies almost all evening for a good night out that will not cost an arm or leg.

As first-years you will realise that the cost of living is quite expensive, especially now that some financial responsibility falls on you. But, there are quite a few options to choose from for better deals on food, travel (Gautrain), and other activities. PDBY interviewed a few students who have taken advantage of these discounts. Amanda Mphuti said, “I have been using Varsity Vibe since 2021 and it is safe to say that it has made my life easier.” She also mentioned that she can dress for any occasion because of the clothing deals the app offers. Another student found signing up for Varsity Vibe to be quick and user friendly, and now often uses her discount points on the app when travelling via the Gautrain. “I use the freemium version because I cannot afford premium, but the deals still work for me,” said Koketso Mabidilala.

Image: Cleo Qin

Discounts and specials can be found on trusted student discount apps, where businesses partner with different stores to make services and goods affordable to students. These apps cover deals in a range of areas, from clothing and entertainment to technology. A well-known app is Varsity Vibe, which offers discounts on food, fashion, travel, and more. All you need to sign up is a valid student ID card for the (slightly limited) freemium version, or you can pay a once-off fee of R200 for a premium account; students who have a Standard Bank account can receive premium access at no extra cost. There is also the Van Schaik Rewards app, which offers discounts on academic textbooks purchased at Van Schaik bookstores and allows users to earn points that you can redeem in-store. It also offers computer equipment such as laptops and hard drives at lower prices. Both apps are available on the Google Play Store and Apple Store. Discounts can be found at restaurants such as Vida e Caffè, Burger King, Del Forno, and Hard Rock Café, who are all aware of students’ day-to-day 2-minute noodle struggles. This led them to partner up with Varsity Vibe to offer students the best deals on meals. Other food outlets like Spur, Springbok and Mystic, which are a short distance from the University of Pretoria, offer student meals which are affordable and filling. As students we are bound to go to clubs or pubs to unwind with friends once in a while, and places such as Block 22, The Blue Room and eKhaya offer student nights and more where most of

With that being said, your student card does not only unlock deals limited to university adjacent business, but also discounts connected to different recreational activities all over South Africa. SANParks offers deals of 30% off various activities, camping, and accommodation, while Gold Reef City provides a student discount on “thrill rider tickets”, while Computicket has deals for when your favourite artist performs. It is very important that you do your research before you visit any establishment because some places charge a significantly decreased entrance fee if you are a student. Some of these places would ask you as you enter if there are any students in the group, while you need to directly request a discount at others that also offer specials. There are also specials that are more hidden than others, so be sure to do your research.

Sometimes it is nice being a student, as long as you ignore all the academic pressure and intense study load.