​​In showing their concern for missing student, Palesa Madiba, the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Student Life & Governance; and the SRC from UJ’s Soweto Campus (SWC) launched a campaign to help find her.​​​​​

On Friday 18th October 2013, students and staff members walked around the SWC, singing prayers and distributing pamphlets to UJ students and employees in a bid to help find the still missing student.

The walk-about was aimed to mobilise the community to double their efforts and go the extra mile in locating Palesa and others who are facing a similar situation in South Africa.

​​​Says, campaign organizer, Mr Derrick Bvuma a Student Development Practitioner from UJ’s Student Life & Governance; “I was inspired by statistics from the Missing Person Bureau of South Africa to assist the families of missing people in our country. One child disappears every six hours. To date more than 900 persons remain missing and their family don’t know whether they are still alive.”

Ms Motswagae, from the SWC Arts and Culture, who represented the office of the Campus Director, opened the campaign with words of support and comfort. Mr Bvuma also spoke to the students and encouraged them to be vigilant and to keep their eyes peeled for any clues to help find Palesa.

UJ showed their support to the family who was present on the day and Malesela Moshidi, a family representative, spoke to the students about their concern and hope to find Palesa.

​​​The Campaign was well received by students and staff, and showed a united front with UJ’s SRC, Student Affairs, Protection Services and Palesa’s family joining hands in the quest to bring Palesa home safely. Says Bvuma; “This campaign demonstrates that UJ cares, and that UJ staff members will go an extra mile in support of our students regardless of whether the students were victimised on or off campus.”

Palesa Madiba went missing off campus more than two months ago, and her family is still hopeful that she will be found. The University is supporting the family and asks anyone who has any information that can assist police, to come forward.​