“VUT’s Green Campus Initiative and Residence Staff celebrated Mandela Day by transforming the residence garden through sustainable planting and community service.”
28 July 2026 | Story by: Staff Reporter | Picture: Supplied
2 minutes read time.
The Vaal University of Technology’s (VUT) Department of Living and Learning marked Mandela Day through a community engagement initiative that brought together the Green Campus Initiative (GCI) and residence staff to improve and beautify the residence environment on 24 July 2026.
The initiative reflected the spirit of Nelson Mandela’s legacy by encouraging participants to dedicate their time and effort to creating a positive and lasting impact within the residence community.
Students and staff worked together to prepare garden beds and plant vegetables, flowers and trees. The vegetable garden is expected to provide fresh produce while promoting environmental awareness, food security and responsible stewardship of shared spaces.
Volunteers also planted flowers in the residence flower beds, creating a more welcoming and attractive environment for students, staff and visitors. The activity highlighted the value of maintaining green spaces that contribute to wellbeing and foster a sense of pride within the residential community.
The initiative demonstrated the power of teamwork, with GCI and residence staff working towards a common goal of building a greener, healthier and more supportive campus community.
Mr Pakiso Tjotjo, Residence Life Officer, said the initiative showed what can be achieved when people work together.
“Mandela Day showed the power of working together. By cleaning our space, planting vegetables in our garden and taking care of our flower beds, we are creating a greener campus and supporting food security for students in need. Every seed planted today is an investment in a better tomorrow,” he said.
Mr Andrew Sambo, a GCI Executive Member, said meaningful change begins with practical action.
“Real change starts with small actions. Through this gardening and tree-planting initiative, we are promoting sustainability, strengthening food security and building a campus culture of care. Together, we can grow a healthier and more supportive community,” he said.
Student Programme Officer Mr Life Rihlampfu added that the initiative demonstrated the value of collective action.
“Today’s activity proved that when students and staff unite, positive change happens. Our garden and new trees will benefit both people and the environment. Let us continue to volunteer, protect our green spaces and make a lasting difference on campus,” he said.
As the event concluded, the transformed residence garden stood as a symbol of growth, unity and hope. Through the leadership of the Department of Living and Learning and the commitment of GCI and residence staff, the initiative has created a living legacy that reflects Mandela’s values of service, collaboration and positive community impact.