“If we act together, if we act now, and if we act decisively, we will overcome it.”
This page is dedicated to this call to action by President Cyril Ramaphosa and our own institutional commitment in limiting the effects of the coronavirus on our people, our metro, province and country.
We can do so by volunteering our time and talents throughout our metro and beyond and by sharing stories of what we as staff, students and alumni are doing. The latter will hopefully serve to inspire and encourage others to play their part.
The University is facilitating a volunteer process in seeking the expertise of professionals (health professionals, academics, manufacturing specialists, ICT technicians etc.) and any others who wish to help. It is working in partnership with other organisations across the metro and province, like business and the medical fraternity, to this end. Individuals will be contacted as and when needed in line with supporting governance processes. Attached is a volunteer form that you may be required to sign going forward: Standard Operating Procedures - General Volunteers.
Do you have a heartwarming story to tell?
Are you, as a Mandela University student, staff member or alumni, helping to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, or know of other Madibaz who are doing their bit? If so, please share your stories and ideas by emailing us.
Volunteer your professional service
Do you have skills, expertise or time to volunteer in fighting the pandemic?
If so, please complete this form.
Frontline staff series: healthy food and meeting people
Catering Services Chef Nyaniso Tshiki, cashier Linda Cikido and driver Barcelona Mvinjelwa are working hard on campus. Here are their stories.
Frontline staff series: safe campus transport
Transport Services staff members Luthando Rafani, Thanduxolo Booi and Thanduxolo Rasi organise the safe transport of staff and students.
Frontline staff series: loving their work
Occupational Health Centre staff members Sister Zubrina Baartman, Inga Gule and Fiona Magnus share their stories about doing the work they love.
Visual Art and #MaskupMandela continue to serve micro communities
A total of 44 residents and 26 staff members of Cheshire Home in Cleary Park recently received much needed PPEs from the #MaskupMandela team.
Life is short, live healthy and stay calm
“I have learned that one must live healthy and take responsibility, life is short. A healthy body has good immunity, so now I eat my veggies, which I did not do before. Also stress makes one sick, one has to breathe and stay calm.
Me? COVID-19? How? - Allison shares her story
COVID-19 hit Nelson Mandela University Events Manager Allison Olivier hard in July, as treatment for the illness was further complicated, due to an ongoing blood-clotting disorder.
Frontline series: All hands on deck at Computing Sciences
Computing Sciences frontline staff have been working hard to ensure student access, man stations and step up for one another if somebody is ill. They have all also taken on extra responsibilities since the beginning of lockdown. They share their stories.
When a community comes together
“If Ubuntu could be given a location, it would have to be the small community of Zone 7 eThembalethu in George.”
Collaborating on solutions to some of the Bay’s informal settlement challenges
The scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the poor, in particular, has once again highlighted the need for intervention in the country’s most vulnerable communities.
Frontline staff series: Teamwork making a difference
Occupational Health Centre staff members Zilla Shaw, Natalie Meyer and Keenan Magielies form part of those going the extra mile on campus.
Staff Stories of Hope and Courage
The Coronavirus pandemic has touched lives across the globe. Here at home, in South Africa, case numbers are rising and have reached Nelson Mandela University.
Gaining experience
Lulama Zweni, 59, is very happy working at the University’s Occupational Health Services as she feels that she is gaining lots of experience, especially in this time of the pandemic.
A jack of all trades
Kobus Magielies has been at the University’s Occupational Health Services (OCH) since 2007 and calls himself a “jack of all trades” as he captures official staff health statistics, especially those needed for the VC’s Office, Communication and Marketing, HR and ICT Services.
Honouring Mandela University’s Frontline Staff
Ensuring that Nelson Mandela University’s campuses are safe and functioning while striving to complete the academic year, in the midst of a global pandemic takes a team.
Social Work student creates soup kitchen to feed 60 children
“I always wanted to make a difference, no matter how small, says third-year Social Work student Alicia Daniels, who stays in Tiryville, a township within Uitenhage, where there is lots of poverty.
Mandela volunteers assist in packing 220 food parcels
After calling for student and staff volunteers to assist in packing food parcels for communities and organisations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Nelson Mandela University’s Convergence Fund Deployment Committee (CFDC) recently managed the delivery of 220 food parcels.