Mandela Day
Every year on the 18th July, the Nelson Mandela University partners with the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF), alongside anchor partners in celebration of the momentous International Mandela Day commemorations. In 2022, Mandela Day celebrations were hosted in the community of Zwide in Gqeberha. Nelson Mandela Day 2022 embraced the central theme of "do what you can, with what you have, where you are" by focusing on three sub-themes: promoting community and homebased gardens, supporting fruit and indigenous tree planting, and creating awareness of the intersections between food security and climate change. The activities for the month were facilitated through Transect Walk Dialogues (TWDs). The TWDs are led by the community, through conversation among participants, guided by specific questions linked to a sub-theme. The TWDs presented an opportunity to identify the various assets in a community through the eyes of the community while engaging with contemporary challenges faced by the community and society. Critical conversations occurring during the walk and the dialogue were and presented in the closing event, The Herald Community Dialogue the following month.
In 2023, the University and NMF, in collaboration with the Community Chest, and the Gelvandale community celebrated Mandela Day by reimagining Gelvandale High School Hostel as a hub of hope. Under the NMF’s theme of “Climate, Food and Solidarity,” the event was a collaborative endeavor aimed to honor the enduring legacy of Nelson Mandela and create a positive impact on the lives of the hostel's learners. The day commenced with a sense of purpose and unity as volunteers from diverse backgrounds, including Mandela University’s International Students and members from various faculties, gathered at the hostel. Equipped with an array of cleaning supplies and materials, they embarked on a multitude of activities designed to rejuvenate the hostel and transform it into a more conducive and pleasant environment for the students.