A Durban University of University (DUT) community outreach initiative was held at Wiggins Secondary High School where role players such as the International Education and Partnerships, the International Students’ Executive Committee, DUT local students, Green Campus Initiative, Housing and Residence Life, Dean of Students office, Student Counselling, the eThekwini Municipality and leader of the Project, Ms Anita Mbekephi devoted their 67 minutes to clean up dirt from the school premises of Wiggins Secondary High School, scrub graffiti off the walls and repaint the basketball court.

Celebrating such an initiative, yesterday, 18 July 2023, formed part of the Mandela Day 67 minutes of helping a community and making a difference whether it be a clean-up, painting, decorating a classroom or just being able to use one’s skill to do good in one’s community. This all is in line with the DUT ENVISION2030 strategy which highlights DUT as an engaged university. In honour of Mandela Day, the International Education and Partnerships international student relations officer, Philliswa Mncube, along with the various stakeholders hosted an education session with the Grade 12 pupils showcasing what DUT has to offer as well as other bursaries, learnerships that are on offer from the various stakeholders.

After the education session, the clean-up operation ensued with DUT staff and students in conjunction with various role players taking time out to devote 67 minutes of their time to cleaning up the Wiggins Secondary High School.

Team leader, Ms Anita Mbekephi said that all the role players are hoping to make a difference in the school and encouraged everyone to do the same wherever they are.

DUT’s Mncube mentioned that prior to the clean-up, a talk was held with the Grade 12 learners to encourage them to apply at tertiary institutions. Some parts of the clean-up entailed sweeping and painting the school premise.

Other stakeholders such as eThekwini municipality’s Nosipho Dinga, Noxolo Nsimande from Checkers Davenport reiterated the need to be part of such a wonderful initiative to give back to the community.

Principal Mrs M P Sithole from Wiggins Secondary High School also received the sum of R500 from DUT’s International Students Organisation to help with the purchasing of bins for the school.

“We really appreciate all the help that was given by DUT and all stakeholders, and we hope that this initiative is going to make sure that even outside of this initiative will see the value of what we have done and contribute towards growing our school to a direction that is going to take our school to higher places,” she said.

The day concluded with the second segment of the Mandela Day initiative with the hosting of the International Nelson Mandela Day Guest Lecture via Microsoft teams at 14h00.

The Programme Director was Lindelwa Vernon Mkhize who gave insight into the webinar which featured on celebrating a legend who has made a huge impact on peoples’ lives on the history on South Africa and on the world.

“Mandela Day is a day of action. It’s is a day to inspire change and we are very happy to welcome you all,” she said.

DUT’s Professor Godfrey Geoffrey who is from the International Centre of Nonviolence and Peace Building programme gave the welcome of the day and spoke of the need of mentors to inspire everyone like the late Nelson Mandela.

“The lessons in the life that the late Nelson Mandela promotes is really important for all of us, even me personally, in my own life. We have to find a way of making every day Mandela Day. Our country needs it. Our global village needs it and we are 29 years into our democracy and there are some things that Tata Madiba would not be happy about. Things like gender based violence, the level of unemployment, poverty and the rampant corruption that we see at in the public and the private sector, particularly in the public sector, because the public sector is supposed to serve and protect people,” said Mr Eric Applegren, the head of department from the International and Governance Relations, eThekwini municipality said.

He concluded by saying that to make every day a Mandela Day, will contribute to a better global village.

Mr Eric Applegren, the head of department from the International and Governance Relations, eThekwini municipality, addressing the webinar.

The highlight was the talk by Mrs Mathabo Kunene , an activist, a business woman, a social entrepreneur, a community worker, and who alongside Professor Mazisi Kunene, was actively involved in the anti-apartheid movement in the United Kingdom and the United States between 1976 and 1994.

She spoke on the legacy and ethos of Nelson Mandela as well as the Mazisi Kunene Foundation. She further relayed on choosing a corner, making that space work and finding examples within and outside of the community, as means of shifting things.

Giving the vote of thanks was Carol Newman who thanked Mrs Kunene for speaking about her sacrifices and her contributions that will never be forgotten.

“You continue to inspire us and make our country a better place and for generations to come because we’re thinking of future generations. This is the legacy. What I take away is to do more in my own community and to make it a better place,” she said.

Pictured: Philliswa Mncube with a DUT student, cleaning up the garden patch at Wiggins Secondary Primary School.

Waheeda Peters