The UJ Choir sings the national anthem
On Friday 18 July, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) played its part in Nelson Mandela International Day.
The official opening of the Nelson Mandela International Day initiative was held at the Auckland Park campus of UJ, where there was an air of action and anticipation.
The chairs on the lawn outside the APK Student Centre were quickly filled, while many more students and staff stood beyond them under gazebos as several speakers and the UJ choir welcomed everyone to the Mandela Day initiative at the university.
Towards the end of the ceremony, Prof Tinyiko Maluleke, deputy vice-chancellor of the university, invited all those present to do their part for Mandela Day, saying, “Let’s come together and answer the question, ‘Who is Nelson Mandela?’ by doing something that would make Nelson Mandela smile.”
Natasha, one of the volunteers who went to to Helen Joseph Hospital
Following the opening addresses, students and staff alike split into three groups, each volunteering at a particular venue.
One group went to clean up Westdene Dam, another to clean Hursthill Park, and the third to help at Helen Joseph Hospital.
“[Mandela Day] is about serving people,” said Natasha, one of the volunteers.
She said she did not know where she was going to volunteer, but happened to be standing with the group going to Helen Joseph Hospital, so she said, “It was meant to be for me to go to be at Helen Joseph.”
“Mandela gave us a platform; it’s for us to take up where he left off” - Phindi
Phindi, a secretary in the Community Engagement Department (which coordinated and facilitated the event) said, “Mandela gave us a platform; it’s for us to take up where he left off.”
Phindi chose to spend her time on Mandela Day cleaning the park, because she wanted to be able to march to the park with the other volunteers and enjoy the spirit of Mandela Day.
Andrew and Gugulethu, students at the university, decided to volunteer to clean up Westdene Dam because they knew it would be hard work, and the sort of thing where some physical strength would be needed.
Another volunteer on his way to Helen Joseph Hospital was Lubuto, who studied at UJ and is now involved in its alumni marketing projects. Lubuto said he was moved by the speech from Nikkie Mboweni, the first female president of the UJ Student Representative Council, which he described as being “a powerful speech about how giving selflessly empowers people”.
UJ students, Andrew and Gugulethu