As MUT wraps up July, the Institution is looking back at a month defined by compassion, active citizenship, and profound community transformation. Driven by the call of South Africa’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, MUT staff and students united to execute a comprehensive, month-long programme coordinated by the Community Engagement and Development Directorate (CEAD).
Officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, Mandela Day inspired MUT to expand its observance into a robust, month-long initiative starting with a prayer on 1 July 2026, and culminating in a vibrant sports day on 31 July 2026. The 2026 campaign heavily emphasized student exposure and active participation, generating widespread coverage across social media, online platforms, community radio, and local print media.
The Mandela Month activities kicked off on 2 July 2026 with an official collaborative community prayer service at Christ Assemblies Church in Umlazi’s E Section. Organised alongside Imbumba Yokholo, an association of local Ward 8 pastors, the gathering brought together University representatives, church and civil society leaders, the Independent Electoral Commission, and local youth to tackle critical challenges facing the township.
Throughout the month, MUT departments and student groups delivered tangible support across multiple sectors. On 14 July 2026, Sister Gasa and the MUT Campus Clinic team, alongside CEAD staff and students, visited the Denis Hurley Centre. Volunteers prepared and served breakfast and lunch to homeless individuals, an experience that deeply moved participating students regarding the realities of hardship.
Also led by student assistant Nomalungelo Ngcingolo from the Department of Agriculture, MUT hosted the Young Scientists Educational Day on 16 July 2026. In partnership with Lamontville High School and A.J. Mwelase Secondary School, learners engaged in hands-on STEM activities designed to spark innovation and critical thinking beyond the classroom.
And Dr Sithembile Nkosi’s student-led initiative, WildConnect, executed four distinct programmes. These included cleaning and restoring the Home of the Blind in Emhlabeni, hosting a motivational Fun Day at the Umlazi Child and Youth Care Centre, donating school shoes at Isaiah 54 Children’s Sanctuary, and clearing invasive alien plants on the MUT campus for ecological restoration.
The highlight of the month took place on 17 July 2026 at the Vukani Community Services Centre in Umlazi C Section. Supported by the AIDS Foundation, which donated paint and a security alarm installation, partners including Gracefully Crafted Furniture Interiors, UbhushuwamaMpondo, and local community members painted, cleaned, and revitalised the centre. Concurrently, the MUT Marketing department contributed fresh fruit to the centre’s early childhood development unit.
Addressing critical societal issues, Director of the CEAD, Professor Busisiwe Nkonki-Mandleni led a powerful community mobilisation campaign against substance abuse on 23 July 2026 under the theme Ubuntu action against substance abuse. This was followed on 24 July 2026 by a green climate change initiative led by the CEAD’s Deputy Director, Dr Mfanozelwe Shozi. Joined by eThekwini Municipality representatives and cleaning companies, students and staff participated in an educational clean-up campaign to deepen campus and community sustainability efforts.
Finally, from 27 to 31 July 2026, the CEAD hosted a collaborative contact week focused on Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Research, advancing social justice and community-based participatory research. Reflecting on the success of the 2026 initiative, Professor Nkonki-Mandleni noted that the programme successfully deepened the ethos of volunteering among students and staff while strengthening vital community partnerships.