The University of Johannesburg (UJ) hosted its annual Community Engagement Day (CE Day) on Friday, 4 April 2025, under the theme ‘UJ@20: Reimagining CE for Societal Impact.’
Despite the rainy, cold weather, UJ’s Auckland Park Kingsway Campus was alive with activity as learners, students, staff, and partners filled the walkways to showcase community engagement projects aimed at driving meaningful change.
Community Engagement Day serves as a platform to highlight UJ’s community engagement initiatives, as well as collaborative projects involving community-based organisations (CBOs), businesses, government, and civil society partners.
Speaking at the event, Ms Fiona Mahlori, Senior Manager: Community Engagement, emphasised the importance of recognising and celebrating these efforts.
“We must never forget where we come from or the impact of our work on families, communities, and society. At UJ, we are committed to making a tangible difference, particularly in underprivileged communities.”
A legacy of Community Engagement
Prof Bongani Ngqulunga, Senior Executive Director: University Relations, Student Affairs and UJ Sport, highlighted the significant scale of UJ’s volunteer programme:
“With 20,000 students enrolled in the Community Engagement volunteering programme, UJ runs the largest initiative of its kind—not just in South Africa, but across the African continent. For nearly two decades, UJ has been uplifting communities, and our Management Executive Committee is fully committed to this work. Societal impact is central to our Strategic Plan 2035, reinforcing that this is the time for community engagement.”
This year’s event held special significance as part of UJ’s 20-year celebrations.
A message from the Vice-Chancellor
Although unable to attend due to travel commitments, UJ Vice-Chancellor Prof Letlhokwa Mpedi sent a video message reaffirming UJ’s dedication to societal transformation:
“Community Engagement Day is a testament to UJ’s commitment to building strong, resilient, and sustainable communities. This mission is deeply embedded in our drive to serve humanity through innovation and the collective pursuit of knowledge.
Engagement is the heart of a university that cares—it is through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and active participation that we empower communities and create a lasting impact.”
He further reflected on UJ’s two-decade journey as a leader in innovation, transformation, and excellence.
Industry partnerships for social good
A key partner at the event was inDrive, a global ride-hailing app, which reaffirmed its commitment to long-term collaboration with UJ.
“We believe students are the future, and we are committed to giving back to the community,” said inDrive Country Representative, Ashif Black.
“Last year, we launched a safety campaign, and we are now focusing on long-term initiatives aligned with our mission—particularly tackling Gender-Based Violence. We aim to work closely with UJ to enhance safety on our platform and in broader society.”
Driving global and African development agendas
UJ continues to align its community engagement efforts with global and continental priorities, particularly the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) for 2030 and the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 Aspirations and Goals.
Through strategic partnerships and innovative programmes, UJ remains steadfast in its mission to create transformative societal impact—reinforcing its role as a leader in higher education and community engagement.
