UNIZULU dedicates Mandela Day to cleaning its premises
IN CELEBRATION of Mandela Day, on July 18, University of Zululand (UNIZULU) students and staff lived out the “charity begins at home” saying by embarking on a drive to clean up the institution.
Nelson Mandela is remembered for his selfless nature, peace and reconciliation efforts and, most importantly, his humanitarian acts. In honour of the late statesman’s legacy, on Mandela Day, and every other day, the global population is encouraged to dedicate 67 minutes to making a positive change by being of service to their communities, the same way Madiba was of service to his people.
For the most part of the internationally celebrated day, various UNIZULU student societies and staff, clad in their cleaning gear, devoted their time to taking care of one of the university’s most important resources – its environment. From picking up litter to sweeping and mopping lecture rooms and student residences, the university community did it all.
Student Representative Council secretary-general Mduduzi Mnqayi said: “We were commemorating the life of Nelson Mandela through the cleaning campaign. We promised the university that we will mobilise all structures and societies to comply with the national call.”
For Bachelor of Arts student Lungelo Zulu and other second- and third-year students in the Creative Arts Department spring-cleaning the Drama Theatre was their way of “showing appreciation” to the department’s designated cleaners “by giving them a break because Mandela taught us to be humble, respect each other and work together”.
UNIZULU’s Green Campus Initiative team, which strives to preserve the institution’s environmental-friendliness, not only spent the day picking up litter around the KwaDlangezwa Campus, but they also raised awareness about the impacts of harming nature.
Also, the team educated fellow students about the various job opportunities available in the waste management industry.