@Mahikeng Campus
Mandela Day is an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrating democracy and the pursuit of a fair society. In remembering Mandela’s values, the NWU Mafikeng LIS team supported pre-schoolers at Boikamoso Day Care Center by donating non-perishable food and creating a food garden. Accompanying the library staff were colleagues from NWU Corporate Relations and Marketing and a representative from UNICEF. The NWU Mascot Eagle was also there to entertain the kids and donate groceries.
Colleagues and the NWU Mascot got their hands dirty by planting vegetable seedlings and handing groceries to the crèche. The NWU and Boikamoso Day Care staff members danced together with the kids in appreciation of the day.
Love, excitement, and determination fuelled the efforts. The difference made in the children’s and preschool staff’s lives is extremely inspiring. Let us continue to honour Mandela’s legacy by raising awareness about climate change, food security, and unity. Working together, we can make the world a better place.
“Make everyday a Mandela Day” Ban Ki Moon.
#ItIsInYourHands
Contributors: Phethani Budeli, Mavis Nani, Sebo Sebolai, Emilio Stuurman, Crown Botlhoko, Tumisho Mooketsi, & Maphefo Maake
@ Vanderbijlpark Campus
As part of Nelson Mandela Day celebrations, Deputy Vice-chancellor: Planning and Vanderbijlpark Campus Operation, Prof Linda Du Plessis suggested that NWU support the “Hanging a Jacket in a tree” initiative. The initiative encourages NWU Staff and students to donate and hang old jackets on the Steel Acacia tree in front of the library at VC Campus. The SCC will collect all jackets and donate them to a needy organisation.
The NWU VC Library staff converged at the Steel Acacia tree on Tuesday, 18 July 2023 @09h00 am to hang the jackets donated by library staff. The NWU LIS team also played a video on the electronic screens displaying powerful and favourite quotations from Nelson Mandela. This was done to honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela and to reflect on his values and principles, which are to positively impact the community.
Well done, VC Library staff. The theme of this year’s Mandela Day is “It Is In Your Hands, and the future is truly in our hands, but also in our hands together. It can only be in our hands if it is within our reach” – Prof Bismark Tyobeka, NWU Principal and Vice-Chancellor.
Empowering Minds: NWU Vanderbijlpark Campus LIS Extends a Helping Hand to Phiritona Public Library and Sediba-Thuto Secondary School on Mandela Day
As part of the esteemed 67 minutes for Mandela Day initiative, the North-West University (NWU) Vanderbijlpark campus Library and Information Services (LIS) embarked on a heartening mission to positively impact the community. The team, consisting of colleagues from the Loan Service and Information Services, paid visits to Phiritona Public Library and Sediba-Thuto Secondary School, generously donating books to nurture the love for reading and learning.
At Phiritona Public Library, the warm reception from Mr. Tshabalala, the librarian, exuded gratitude for the NWU LIS’s visit. It’s worth noting that Mr. Tshabalala is a former intern of the Vanderbijlpark campus LIS, having undergone a valuable internship experience in 2019. The meaningful connection between the NWU LIS and Mr. Tshabalala further strengthened the spirit of collaboration and dedication to knowledge dissemination.
Similarly, the teachers at Sediba-Thuto Secondary School eagerly embraced the NWU LIS team’s arrival, thrilled to receive the generous book donation for their school library. The LIS team actively assisted in setting up the library, fostering a sense of camaraderie and building lasting relationships. The team pledged continuous support in revitalising the school library, aligning with the school’s vision for creating a flourishing learning space.
Furthermore, it was heart-warming to learn that the Phiritona community, which the libraries serve, significantly includes many NWU students during recess. The strong bond between the university and the community highlights the shared commitment to education and knowledge enrichment.
In conclusion, the NWU Vanderbijlpark Campus LIS demonstrated the essence of giving back to society by donating books and providing much-needed support to Phiritona Public Library and Sediba-Thuto Secondary School. Through these endeavours, the NWU LIS continues to honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela by empowering minds and spreading the light of knowledge to uplift communities and foster a brighter future.
#Make Everyday a Mandela Day
#ItIsInYourHands
Contributors: Tebane Khoza, Nthabiseng Maseko, Siyabonga Sithole, Matela Buthelezi, Malose Langa.
NWU: Library and Information Service News 