“VUT is recognised by the Rotary Club of Riverside for its impactful role in the Mapheo Early Childhood Development Project, supporting 27 centres in Zamdela.”
02 December 2025 | Story by: Staff Reporter | Picture by: Supplied
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The Rotary Club of Riverside hosted an Appreciation Lunch on Monday, 24 November 2025, to honour organisations and partners who have played a pivotal role in the Mapheo Early Childhood Educational Project. Among the valued partners recognised at the event was the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), celebrated for its sustained contributions to strengthening Early Childhood Development (ECD) in the Zamdela community.
The Mapheo Project, spearheaded by Mr Philip Hoff of the Rotary Club of Riverside, currently supports 27 ECD centres through targeted initiatives aimed at improving early childhood development practices, enhancing practitioner capacity, upgrading centre facilities, and promoting nutrition and sustainable food production.
Speaking at the event, Mr Hoff expressed gratitude to all contributing partners. “This project is a testament to what collaboration can achieve. Each partner brings invaluable expertise, and together we are transforming the learning environments of young children across Zamdela,” she said. She also highlighted the vital role of MIP Process Technologies, noting that their ongoing support “continues to strengthen the stability and long-term impact of the Mapheo initiative.”
Since joining the initiative in November 2022 and following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on 22 August 2024, VUT’s Department of Tourism and Integrated Communication has emerged as a key partner in driving meaningful improvements across the supported centres.
The University’s involvement includes monthly training and capacity-building sessions for ECD practitioners, food handlers, and gardeners. These sessions have focused on nutrition, food-based dietary guidelines, food safety, waste reduction, environmental education, and sustainable food systems.
Prof Jeanette Kearney, Associate Professor of the Food Service Management programme at VUT, delivered a special address on behalf of the institution and emphasised its dedication to community upliftment. “Our partnership with Rotary and the Mapheo centres reflects VUT’s commitment to social impact. By sharing knowledge and practical skills, we aim to support healthier, more resilient ECD environments,” she said. She added that the initiative “also strengthens the academic journey of our students, who benefit tremendously from engaging directly with communities.”
As part of the collaboration, VUT has developed educational posters to reinforce classroom learning, conducted recipe demonstrations led by Hospitality students and staff, and created a tailored recipe booklet aimed at supporting nutritious and cost-effective meal planning. The University has also advanced sustainable gardening practices through training in soil enrichment, crop rotation, vermiculture, and environmental awareness.
Initiatives such as the Mapheo Project also contribute significantly to the development of VUT students, particularly those in the Faculty of Human Sciences. By integrating academic learning with hands-on community engagement and collaboration with external partners, such as Rotary, students are exposed to real-world challenges that strengthen their practical competencies, problem-solving abilities, and interpersonal communication skills. Participation in recipe demonstrations and resource development deepens their understanding of nutrition, sustainability, and community health. Importantly, these experiences cultivate social responsibility and empathy, helping students recognise the societal impact of their professions and preparing them to become graduates who are both skilled and socially conscious.
Looking ahead, the University plans to conduct soil analysis feedback sessions in early 2026, host focus group discussions, explore soy-based food awareness and recipe development, and introduce teacher wellness workshops. Engagements with additional VUT departments are planned to broaden skills development opportunities for ECD staff.
For VUT, recognition at the event reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. The collaboration continues to strengthen relationships between the University, industry partners, and community structures, embodying the spirit of Ubuntu and shared responsibility.
As the project evolves, the contributions of organisations like VUT remain essential in enabling sustainable, community-centred solutions that benefit both young learners and the professionals who support them.