Every year on the 18th of July, South Africans honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela through acts of service, solidarity and justice.
This year, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) volunteers showed their spirit of active citizenship at several hospitals and community organisations around the City on Friday, 17 July, and made their 67 minutes count.
The programme officially started at Helen Joseph Tertiary Hospital, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.
Speaking at the Helen Joseph Tertiary Hospital, Community Engagement Senior Manager Fiona Mahlori encouraged the student and staff volunteers to remember the value of ubuntu.
“Tata Mandela instilled this in us. We do not just do 67 minutes. We do more than that. We make it Mandela year every year.”
Acting CEO at Helen Joseph, Dr Lenny Modisane expressed gratitude for the community engagement. He acknowledged the efforts of UJ and hospital management for organising the activities and encouraged a giving attitude throughout the year.
“Tata Mandela was a giving person and encouraged us to give. This is a show from UJ that you want to continue making a difference. I hope this ricochets with you throughout the year. As long as you have a helpful attitude, that counts.”
Volunteers gave their time to help with painting various sections of the hospital, helped with food service and laundry and cleaned up the chapel.
With over 2000 volunteers spread across the City, the orange army showed how societal impact is at the core of the University.
The UJ Library joined UJ Community Engagement and UJSOS at the Kliptown Youth Programme Centre to celebrate the spirit of Mandela Day through service, learning and community impact.
There, volunteers helped clean up the library, cook food, and donate clothing, blankets and shoes to those in need.
Thulani Madondo, co-founder and executive director of the programme, said he appreciated the effort from UJ.
“We want to build a community where young children want to be the architects of their exit strategy from poverty.”
The programme assists children with homework and aftercare, helps them apply for Identity Documents, and helps with access to tertiary institutions.
The orange army also flooded the DP World Wanderers stadium to help pack hundreds of food parcels that will bring hope and support to families in need.
At the iKamva Methodist Church in Ebony Park, volunteers helped with the soup kitchen while in Westbury, UJ students helped to prepare 300 sandwiches. In Roodepoort, volunteers gave of their time to assist non-profit organisation Africa Food For Thought (AFFT).
In Devland, Soweto, teams from UJ divisions – HCM and Facilities – helped to revive the gardens at Freedom Park Secondary School. UJ CE Community-Based Organisation, Innovation of Excellence in Hillbrow, also received assistance.
The DFC Student Volunteer Champions support the Innovation of Excellence every Saturday.
In keeping with the spirit of active citizenship throughout the month, the UJ community is encouraged to participate in the Annual Mandela Day Walk & Run to honour the legacy of Tata Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Participants can join virtually from anywhere in the world or take part in the physical event at DP World Wanderers Stadium on Sunday, 19 July 2026, choosing between a 5 km walk, 10 km run, or 21 km run. Registration for both virtual and physical participation is available on the Mandela Day website.
The Community Engagement unit is calling all staff, students and alumni to honour the 2026 Nelson Mandela Day by taking concrete action to combat poverty and inequality through giving to the less fortunate.
“We encourage you to contribute by donating essential items such as non-perishable food, clothing, blankets, books, stationery, toiletries, electronics, etc. Each campus will have an Orange Wheelie Bin at the main entrance for collections until Friday, 31 July 2026. You can also drop your donations at the community engagement office on your campus,” said Community Engagement Specialist Lebogang Ayobiojo.
She added: “The University has ongoing Community Engagement Projects that are making a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable members of society and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As a member of the UJ community, you can adopt a community engagement project and create a lasting impact by offering your time and resources during Mandela Month. If you would like to adopt a community engagement project or join a faculty/division outreach, please email: info-ce@uj.ac.za or the community engagement office at your campus.”
