More than 120 staff members of Stellenbosch University's (SU) Division of Facilities Management, its contractors and staff of the Purchasing and Provision Services Division at SU ascended onto Kuyasa Horizon Development, a community project in Kayamandi in Stellenbosch, this week as part of Mandela Day celebrations.

Amongst others the volunteers upgraded the vegetable garden and its fencing, removed rubble removal, did various plumbing and rainwater tank maintenance, planted trees, repaired roof leaks, did paintwork, established a fire evacuation plan and provided a fire training course to employees, did electrical repairs and donated computers to the computer training facility.

The Director of Kuyasa, Pastor Nkosinathi Sixabayi, said that Kayamandi, because of poverty and crime, doesn't always experience the “sweetness of home". (Kayamandi means sweet home in isiXhosa). “We want to make sure that the next generation of children experience a sweet home. So I really want to thank the University and its service providers for the amazing work done this week and in fact in 2017. What has been put in place here today in terms of money and resources is probably way more than R300 000. This helps us a lot as most of our resources is going to towards serving the needs of the children. This is really something special to us."

He also made mention of Nelson Mandela who said that he should not be elevated, but the team. “And we are partnering as black, white and coloured."

Ms Aloma Fourie, Manager Planned Maintenance and organiser of Facilities Management's Mandela Day project, says that they are “extremely grateful and blessed to work with a team who, over the past few weeks, contributed not only materially, but their valuable time and energy to do repair work at Kuyasa. We truly believe in the work this centre is doing in their community and the impact it has in the community. This was a great opportunity for SU staff and contractors to unite in the true spirit of the legacy of Madiba. Thank you to each and every one!"

Kuyasa, meaning “day break" in isiXhosa, aims to improve the community by empowering the youth. Programmes include a Child Sponsorship Program, a Feeding Scheme, a Learning Centre, Performing Arts, Sport and leadership development.

Staff and students of Stellenbosch University (SU) celebrate International Mandela Day with various projects and initiatives. Activities kicked off on 17 July, but the majority will take place in the week of 27 July when students are back on campus. 

• Click here for more information.