In the true spirit of Nelson Mandela International Day, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) partnered with the Mahatma Gandhi Phoenix Settlement on 18 July to give back to the community through a meaningful day of volunteer service.
Staff, students and community volunteers joined forces at the historic Phoenix Settlement, dedicating their time and energy to preserving one of South Africa’s most treasured heritage sites. The initiative embodied the spirit of Mandela Day, which encourages individuals to devote at least 67 minutes to making a positive difference in their communities.
Approximately 35 to 40 volunteers participated in a range of clean-up and maintenance activities across the settlement. Teams undertook various tasks, including sweeping the indoor and outdoor areas, organising the compost heap, separating pine needles from dry leaves for use as mulch, arranging books in the library, and preparing lunch for everyone involved.
Reflecting on the day’s activities, Ms Ela Gandhi expressed her appreciation for the collective effort.
“About 35 to 40 of us worked really hard today. One team swept inside and outside Phoenix Settlement, another team organised our compost heap, a third meticulously separated needles from dry leaves so that we can use the needles as mulch, another organised our books, and the final team prepared lunch for everyone. This work took away more than 67 minutes and is not yet over. It never will be. As we were reaching our departure time, discussions moved to meeting again soon to continue refining the organisation of our library and contribute to other aspects of the work at Phoenix Settlement. A heartfelt thank you to all the groups and individuals that supported us today,” she said.
The day’s activities extended well beyond the symbolic 67 minutes, reflecting the volunteers’ commitment to environmental sustainability, heritage preservation and community service. As the programme concluded, participants were already discussing plans to return and continue supporting the Phoenix Settlement through future volunteer initiatives.
The partnership between DUT and the Mahatma Gandhi Phoenix Settlement reflects the University’s commitment to social responsibility, active citizenship and meaningful community engagement. By working alongside the local community, DUT continues to foster a culture of volunteerism while honouring the enduring legacies of Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, whose lives were dedicated to justice, service and the upliftment of humanity.
The Mandela Day initiative served as a powerful reminder that meaningful change begins with collective action and that every contribution, no matter how small, can make a lasting impact on communities and future generations.
Pictured: Staff, students and community volunteers at the historic Phoenix Settlement
Thubelihle Dumakude
