outh Africans and people across the world celebrated former President Nelson Mandela’s birthday on Saturday, 18 July 2020 by dedicating 67 or more minutes of their time to helping others for this year’s International Mandela Day. The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Community Engagement Unit marked Mandela Day by donating various packages containing items such as blankets, face masks, fruits and non-perishable foods to local communities, children’s and old age homes as well as hospitals in Johannesburg.

Mandela Day gives people the opportunity to heed the call to action, to make an imprint and change the world around them. In 2020, as the world continues to respond to the enduring problems of poverty, education and health in our country, worsened now by the pandemic, institutions and individual volunteers continued focusing on pillars aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Education and Literacy, Food and Nutrition, and Shelter.

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Although Mandela Day takes place on 18 July annually, people are encouraged to make each day a Mandela Day. To contribute to efforts or make donations towards empowering others through UJ, contact the following Community Engagement specialists:

• Ms Lebogang Mawelela: lebogangm@uj.ac.za, 011 559 1227 (Auckland Park Bunting Road Campus & Soweto Campus)
• Ms Tseleng Modjadji: tselengm@uj.ac.za, 011 559 2004 (Auckland Park Kingsway Campus & Doornfontein Campus)