Stellenbosch University (SU) staff and students pitched in their 67 minutes in celebration of former president Nelson Mandela's legacy and life's work, on Tuesday (18 July).
Members of the SU Golden Key International Honour society and various academic departments scrambled to make as many sandwiches as possible during the 'Toasties for Tummies' initiative. The sandwiches will be handed out to schools and organisations in and around Stellenbosch.
“We are trying to make 8500 sandwiches," said Ricardo Smart, vice-president of the Golden Key chapter in Stellenbosch. “We're also donating a thousand sandwiches to the Khayelitsha Project that is also running on Mandela Day. We really want to say thank you to all our sponsors. Stellenbosch University wants to make a difference. Although this is just a small project, our vision is that other people will do the same in their own communties. We can change someone's world. Our big target is 10 000 sandwiches, because we also have Tygerberg doing 1 500 sandwiches that's going to the patients at Tygerberg. We're really trying to go big with this project."
Non-perishable food items and toiletries were also collected for students in need.
Meanwhile, the Stellenbosch University Facilities Management team devoted their time and expertise to assist the Kuyasa Horizon Development programme in Kayamandi, outside Stellenbosch, along with teams of service providers. Kuyasa (meaning “daybreak") aims to uplift the local community by empowering the youth via feeding schemes, learning centres, sport, performing arts and leadership development.
More than a hundred people worked together to repair broken roof tiles, conduct electrical repairs to faulty plugs and lights, paint the front of the main building and library space, remove rubble and work on the garden, among other things. A successful clothing collection drive was also organised.
“I am immensely proud of the contribution that the Facilities Management team has made to Kuyasa. We are passionately committed to uplifting our local community, and the efforts of our staff members – on Mandela Day and in preparation for their visit – will enhance the vital upliftment and education programmes that Kuyasa offers to the youth in the area. I was overwhelmed by the huge contribution from our service providers. Thank you to them. A total of 120 people worked on site today and will continue throughout the week to finish the work," says Facilities Management chief director Nicolette van den Eijkel.
“The turnout today is overwhelming, we are speechless. We always want to do these things, but don't have the people with the skills to do it. The amount of resources invested in making this possible is really such a blessing. It is amazing," said Nkosinathi Sixabayi, a pastor at the Khanya Community Ministry in Kayamandi and Director of Kuyasa Horizon Empowerment.
