Mandela Day at Rhodes becomes a week-long celebration

Rhodes University is clocking up the hours to keep Nelson Mandela’s legacy alive by doing more than 267 hours of community upliftment instead of the usual 67 minutes.

Started three years ago, Trading Live for Mandela Day has evolved into a week-long outreach that benefits local community organisations as well as university volunteers.

Vice-chancellor Sizwe Mabizela yesterday said he was deeply grateful to all students and staff who gave their time to contribute skills, knowledge and expertise to try and create a better Grahamstown for all.

“I know they are not doing this as an act of charity or an expression of goodwill intended to warm their heart and make them feel special.

“They are doing it as a public affirmation and acknowledgement of our common bond of humanness with a shared destiny.”

According to Mabizela, South Africans needed to work together to make every day a Mandela Day instead of just doing 67 minutes of community outreach on his July 18 birthday.

Activities include everything from painting school roofs, exercising with the elderly, telling stories to the youth, teaching selfdefence to the vulnerable, learning how to grow vegetables, career guidance and community clean-ups.