Like many institutions and companies countrywide, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) heeded the call to pledge time for community outreach initiatives, commemorating Nelson Mandela’s birthday.

This year was no exception as the UJ community joined millions across the globe to honour Madiba through altruistic deeds by volunteering at least 67 minutes of their time to communities surrounding the University in a commitment to better the lives of others.

“The University values – Imagination, Conversation, Regeneration and Ethical Foundation – were inspired by none other than Nelson Mandela. Madiba inspired South Africans to imagine a better future. He taught us that conversation is powerful and that people can accomplish more by engaging with each other. Regeneration reinforces the belief that there can be growth and our value of Ethical Foundation speaks to the life that Tata Madiba lived,” said Ms Ernestine Meyer-Adams, Head of UJ’s Community Engagement Unit.

UJ staff and students dedicated their time by cleaning, cooking, washing, painting, and other services aligned to the Nelson Mandela Foundation pillars of #FightAgainstPoverty. UJ volunteers donated children’s reading books, non-perishable foods as well as prepared food, which were distributed to children in orphanages and hospitals. They walked through the Chris Hani Academic Hospital (Soweto), the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital (Johannesburg), and the Helen Joseph Hospital (Auckland Park), reading and chatting to surprised young patients, helping the elderly and conducting surveys before getting her hands dirty.