06 February 2025 | Story: Nontobeko Moimane. Photo: Peter Masela.
3 minute read time.
As part of its ongoing commitment to community upliftment, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), through its Alumni Relations Office within the Marketing and Communication Department, extended a helping hand to the Kitso Information Development Centre in Sharpeville. On 4 February 2025, representatives from VUT donated food parcels to the centre, reinforcing the university’s dedication to engaging with and supporting its surrounding communities.
Initially, the drive to make a meaningful impact began on a small scale with a donation of garden plants, based on a wish list from the centre. However, due to the limited space prepared for planting, only a few seedlings were planted.
“This project was meant to happen last year, but due to various challenges, we could only make it happen now,” said Peter Masombuka, Head of Alumni Relations. “This is part of our broader mission to uplift communities by adopting different centres that provide crucial support. We were introduced to Kitso Centre by our colleague, Mr Joseph Radebe, the Acting Director of Community Engagement at VUT, and previously collaborated with them on a successful garden drive.”
Mr Tankiso Machaba, the Centre Manager at Kitso, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the donation, acknowledging the significance of the gesture. “This may seem small to some, but it makes a huge difference to us. We deeply appreciate VUT’s generosity,” he said.
The Kitso Information Development Centre board members echoed Mr Machaba’s sentiments, extending their appreciation for VUT’s support. They emphasised the importance of sustaining such efforts and appealed for continued assistance, particularly in securing potential funding opportunities that could contribute to the centre’s long-term sustainability.
This donation marks another step in VUT’s commitment to fostering meaningful relationships with the local community and supporting initiatives that bring about lasting change.