This year marks three years since the Sport Administration unit at Durban University of Technology (DUT) started with the Mandela Day outreach programme. The DUT Sport Administration unit had an incredible Mandela Day outreach at St Monica’s Orphanage on Saturday, 20 July 2024.
“The DUT Sport Administration unit introduced the Mandela Day initiative in the year 2022 where they give back to one of the schools that they had the privilege to recruit one of their good players but this year we tried something different and went to an orphanage,” said Takalani Mfamadi: DUT Sport Officer.
The unit does not only want to give back but would want to consider future partnerships where everyone may win while still acting in the students and communities’ best interests.
Mfamadi also shared that celebrating Mandela Day in sport holds a significant importance because it can bring communities together, encouraging participation in physical activities and fostering a sense of community spirit and cooperation.
“Mandela’s legacy of perseverance, leadership, and dedication to social justice can inspire athletes and sports enthusiasts to embody these values in their lives and careers”, she alluded.
On this incredible day, the unit had coaching clinics with learners who were playing Netball, Aerobics, Football, and Indigenous games together with the coaches, care-takers and DUT Staff.
The unit donated the following equipment that will help develop young athletes and keep them active:
- Netball Kit
- 10x Hoola Hoops
- Football and Netball balls
- Football and Netball nets
- Give away of gifts for competition/quiz winners.
The Sport Administration unit also donated sanitary towels to under previledged students. The sanitary towels donated came from the DUT Pad Drive that was held in commemoration of the Mandela Day outreach.
“Special thanks to everyone that donated sanitary towels. It felt so good seeing those smiles, you made an impact,” said Mfamadi.
“We thank you so much for everything and we promise to keep you updated on the progress of our youngsters, especially in sports,”said Amarencha Nadar, the orphanage Receptionist/Administrator
In the words of Nelson Mandela, “Sport has the power to change the world, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. Sport can awaken hope where there was previously only despair. Sport speaks to people in a language they can understand.”
TOGETHER IN SPORT!!TOGETHER WE WIN!!
Pictured: The DUT Sport Administration unit staff with children at the St Monica’s Orphanage.
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile.
Sinethemba Njoko
