​​​​“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead." – Nelson Mandela

The Division for Social Impact, Transformation Office, Human Resources Employee Wellbeing, The Language Centre, Student Communities and The Student Representative Council invite the SU student and staff community to reflect, participate and partner with us as we emphasize (1) the need for sustainable food environments on our campus as well as (2) the vital connection between staff and student wellbeing and active citizenship.

This year marks the 10^th anniversary of Madiba's passing in December 2013. To commemorate this, the Nelson Mandela Foundation has themed the 10-Year Remembrance call to action “The Legacy Lives on Through You". We are reminded to embrace the call that Madiba's legacy truly lives through us.

The call to action for Nelson Mandela International Day 2023 is “Climate, Food & Solidarity" and empathizes the world's most critical needs.  The focus on creating sustainable food environments speaks directly to the aim of SU states that,

“At Stellenbosch University (SU) we believe that no student should be burdened with the stress of food insecurity and for this reason, the University has implemented long-term and sustainable food security programmes that can be accessed by all students" (Stellenbosch University, 2023[1]).

This Mandela Day we are reminded of the call to devote 67 minutes of our time to positively impact our communities and society in transformative ways. In the fast-paced world of today, well-being has emerged as an essential component of a fulfilling and balanced life as well as our ability to give to others. It includes not only physical well-being but all mental, emotional, and social aspects. At Stellenbosch University, well-being is essential to promoting academic success, personal development, and a thriving campus community. This is highlighted as a significant priority in the Stellenbosch University Staff Health and Wellbeing Plan (SHWP, February 2021[2]) “to heed the call to prioritise health and wellbeing" which enables a university to fulfil its vision of being in service in service of society.

“The public university has a role to play in creating a more equal society and by placing a high priority on wellbeing, Stellenbosch University may not only enhance the general health and well-being of its staff and students, but also cultivate a culture of social justice and active citizenship that goes beyond the campus" says the Deputy Director for Social Impact Renee Hector Kannemeyer

This year the 25^th of July is marked as SU's official date to commemorate Nelson Mandela Day. The Division for Social Impact and collaborators are calling on the SU community to participate in Mandela Day and to inform us of all planned activities during the month of July.  Staff and students can send details of planned activities to Chevaan Peters – chevaan@sun.ac.za by Wednesday, 5 July 2023. The information must include the following:

A paragraph indicating-

• who is involved (SU stakeholder/s and partner/s)
• where it is taking place
• what is/are the activity/ies
• when (date and time)
• an invitation for involvement
• contact person and contact details

The information will be used to compile a list of all Mandela Day activities for July, which will be placed on the SU website.

Below is an outline of activities planned:

30 June – 21 July

Faculty, departments, and environments are encouraged to build boxes or fill trolleys in support of student wellness until 21 July 2023. Items may include the following: -

Faculty, departments, and environments who wish to make a financial contribution towards the cause, such internal commitments can be facilitated using cost centre R6771 and reference “Mandela Day".  The funds will be consolidated and utilised towards the purchasing of the items listed above. For more information, contact Mr. Adean Schippers – schippers@sun.ac.za or Ms. Shibu Mamabolo – shibu@sun.ac.za

Contact and drop points are as follows: -

Stellenbosch Campus

• Division for Social Impact, Banghoek Road, Ou Lückhoff School building. Contact: Mr. Chevaan Peters – chevaan@sun.ac.za
• The Language Centre, Contact Ms. Cheryl Cornelissen – cherylc@sun.ac.za
• IT Department, Contact Ms. Mariana Fourie – mpv@sun.ac.za
• Human Resource Employee Wellbeing, Contact Mr. Adean Schippers – schippers@sun.ac.za or Ms. Shibu Mamabolo – shibu@sun.ac.za
• Faculty of AgriSciences, JS Marais Building, Room 1033, Contact Ms. Monika Basson – mh@sun.ac.za
• Stellenbosch Library and Information Services. Contact: Mr. Jeremiah Pietersen – jeremiahp@sun.ac.za ​
  

Tygerberg Campus

• Contact Mr Timilehin Aderibigbe – timilehin@sun.ac.za or Ms. Isabella Turner - 22904131@sun.ac.za
• Medicine and Health Sciences Library. Contact: Mr. Jeremiah Pietersen – jeremiahp@sun.ac.za ​
  

The Tygerberg Pantry Project

The various residence pantries on campus form the backbone of short-term food security for the Tygerberg campus students. These pantries offer food items to students in need and are managed by dedicated house committee members.

The Tygerberg Pantry Project contributes to this effort by supporting the residence pantries with additional products collected via donation drives. This collaborative effort ensures a noteworthy stride towards food security on Tygerberg Campus.

Should you be interested in getting involved, please contact Ms. Isabella Turner -22904131@sun.ac.za for more information.

25 July – Staff and Student Wellness Experience

Venue: Endler Foyer

Time: 11:00am – 14:00pm

A Wellness Experience for staff and students will be available from 11:00am – 14:00pm. An interactive screening where key body metrics and blood tests can be performed. Wellness screenings are important because you will find out about your current health and lifestyle risks and receive advice on what to do about identified risks. A full screening takes between 35 to 40 minutes to complete. You will receive a comprehensive report on your health and wellness after the screening.

A professional Wellness Specialist will perform the following screening assessments:

• Glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure tests
• A postural assessment
• Weight, height and body mass index (BMI) measurements
• An HIV test

If you choose to have an HIV test done, the Wellness Specialist will provide counselling before and after you take the test. Both Wellness screening and HIV test results are kept completely confidential.

In an effort to help us to ensure a pleasant experience kindly indicate your interest by clicking here or book your seat now for the Discovery Wellness Experience.

All you need to know

• Bring your medical aid membership card and ID or driver's license
• Dress comfortably - you need to be barefoot for some checks (no socks or stockings)
• For the Discovery Wellness Experience, you will need to complete the pre-assessment questionnaire beforehand. You will receive a link to the questionnaire with your booking confirmation.

Student Well-being

From 12:30pm – 13:30pm a short message for staff and students in support of well-being will be delivered, which includes the build a box or fill a trolley initiative, towards tackling the food insecurity experienced by Students on SU campuses.

Staff and Students will be treated to coffee and pancakes, hand, shoulder or head massages and receive vouchers on a first come first serve basis.

Other Activities of Mandela Month include: -

25 July – BASC (Bachelor of Arts Student Committee) Sandwich Drive

The Bachelor of Arts Student Committee in partnership with the Disaster Unit of the Stellenbosch Municipality will for 67 minutes prepare 67 Chicken Mayo Sandwiches. The sandwiches will be packaged and delivered by the students to vulnerable persons.

The sandwich drive will take place at the Arts and Social Sciences building. For more information you can contact: Ms. Eyethu Mbele - 24950467@sun.ac.za

26 July - Knitting Circle (Tygerberg Campus)

From 12:00pm – 16:00pm the Tygerberg Medicine and Health Sciences Library will be hosting a knitting circle which will knit items in commemoration of Nelson Mandela. For more information contact; Mr. Jeremiah Pietersen – jeremiahp@sun.ac.za and Mr. Timilehin Aderibigbe – timilehin@sun.ac.za

26 July – Mandela Day Lecture (Transformation Office)

From 17:00pm – 19:30pm at the Stellenbosch Museum, the Transformation Office will host the Mandela Day lecture.  More details and information regarding the lecture will be shared. For more information and inquiries contact; Ms. Shanté Neff – shante@sun.ac.za

[1] https://www.sun.ac.za/english/access-food-security-programmes

[2] https://www.sun.ac.za/english/human-resources/Documents/Wellness/SU%20Staff%20Health%20and%20Wellbeing%20Plan%20Approved.pdf

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