The Gender Forum team, in partnership with the Department of Hospitality and Tourism at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) gathered to commemorate  Mandela Month to create an unforgettable day of community service, compassion and culinary creativity.

The Gender Forum’s Chairperson, Dr Rosaline Govender said, “The Gender Forum leads different community initiatives like this throughout the year which is in keeping with one of  the strategic directives of the Forum which is to not forget partnerships and networks within the community.” The Gender Forum’s, Deputy Chairperson and lecturer in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism, Dr Rekha Maniram believes that combining the generosity of the Gender Forum with the culinary passion and flavours of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism truly acts as a catalyst for hope and small joys, especially for the less privileged orphans at St Theresa’s Home in Durban which is home to 60 orphaned boys, aged 3 to 15.

This heartfelt initiative, led by Dr Maniram, encouraged second-year Diploma in Catering Management students to don their chef whites and transform simple ingredients sponsored by the Gender Forum into heartwarming delights.  The enthusiasm and love shown by Chef Dawn and Thola, along with the support of Gender Forum EXCO members Mr Kyle Fitzgerald and Dr Nereshnee Govender, transformed the culinary classroom into a space of creativity, compassion, and joyful purpose.

““This wasn’t just about baking, it was about connection. The team spent 67 minutes honouring Nelson Mandela’s legacy by demonstrating that service, especially in the hospitality world, is fundamentally grounded in care and humanity. As the kitchen filled with the scent of vanilla and the sound of laughter, what rose wasn’t just the dough,  it was the warmth of purpose and giving, because at DUT, education extends beyond the classroom, it reaches into the community, where learning becomes service, and service becomes love in action,” said Dr Maniram.

By blending hospitality expertise with social advocacy, the Gender Forum and Department of Hospitality and Tourism showed that even small contributions, measured in minutes or cupcakes can yield lasting impact. Dr Maniram added that they did not just bake, they built hope, knitted community bonds, and carried forward Nelson Mandela’s legacy of service.

Pictured: Second-year Diploma in Catering Management students don their chef whites and transform simple ingredients into heartwarming delights.

Dr Rekha Maniram