CPUT staff and students got into the spirit of Mandela Day by dedicating 67 minutes of their time to not one but three underprivileged communities. 

Under the auspices of the Civic Engagement department, the institution is teaming up with other corporates like Vodacom, Prasa, Asla, African Pride Crystal Towers hotel and Spa and the Black business Chamber to work in Khayelitsha, Tafelsig and Manenberg yesterday.  The Siyabonga Madiba initiative agitates for change in the township through infrastructure development and education.  In Khayelitsha volunteers cleaned the grounds of the Chris Hani High School, supplied paint and supplies  and promised to return for a sports intitiative that will introduce handball to the students. 

At the same time a separate group started building a crèche in Tafelsig from scratch.  In Manenberg, a smaller group, was tasked with cleaning the Sarah Baartman centre which is home to abused women and children.  Siyabonga Madiba head Yvonne Lungcuzo says she cried tears of joy when she heard CPUT was on board.  “I just want to say thank you to absolutely everyone for joining,” she says.  Civic Engagement’s Buntu Gwija says it was an honour to share the day with Yvonne and her team.  “This isn’t just a once off, it’s a long term commitment,” he says.

Written by CPUT News
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Learners from three Cape Town schools had a ball when CPUT and the Parliament Squash Club joined forces to teach them basic squash skills in celebration of Mandela Day.

The theme for the event, which was held at the CPUT Sports Centre on the Cape Town campus, was "Parliament Squash and CPUT Celebrating Mandela Through Action."

Learners from Holy Cross, Good Hope and Intshayelelo primary schools participated in the event.

The objective was to familiarise the learners with the game of squash as it supports physical and mental fitness. Forbes magazine has rated squash as one of the healthiest sporting codes to be active in.

“You are our VVIP’s (very, very important people). Tata Madiba used to love to spend time with kids,” Kholekile Gorata, chairman of the Parliament Squash Club, told the learners.

CPUT Sport Development Officer, Quinton Summers says the university was privileged to be part of this celebration.

Before participating in a squash demonstration and clinic, the pupils received a motivational talk from top professional squash player, Siyoli Waters.

Mandela Day is celebrated on July 18, (Mandela’s birthday) every year and commemorates the lifetime of service the late Nelson Mandela gave to South Africa and the world.

The Mandela Day campaign encourages South Africans to spend 67 minutes to support a charity or serve in their local community. The 67 minutes symbolically represent the number of years the former President fought for human rights and the abolition of apartheid.

CPUT’s official Mandela Day activity will take place at the old Horticulture Building at the Cape Town campus. Staff, students and members of the public are invited to help clean the site in preparation for its eventual restoration.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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