The commemoration of Nelson Mandela Day this year took place in the context of an unrelenting global pandemic that continues to wreak havoc on already dysfunctional and strained social systems. With the devastation of the economy, the strain on an already weak health care system, a colossal rise in unemployment, food insecurity, chronic poverty, political uncertainty, gender violence, and corruption, institutions of higher education have had to commit themselves to the pursuit of knowledge that will support comprehensive and sustainable development outcomes.

Unisa commemorated the 12^th annual Nelson Mandela Day with an event that sought to communicate the institution’s vision of engaged scholarship as a critical asset in nation-building, sustainable development, Covid-19 disaster management, and recovery efforts, showcase Unisa’s engaged scholar contributions to teaching, learning, research, and sustainable development, and to share how the university’s community engagement projects overcame lockdown challenges to continue their service to partners and engaged networks in government, business, civil society and communities in rural and urban areas.

In her welcome address, Professor Puleng LenkaBula, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Unisa, noted that nothing captures the essence and spirit of Nelson Mandela Day than the mantra, “take action, inspire change and make every day a Mandela Day.” Unisa is a fully engaged university strongly rooted in its mission to support national development and social justice. The university, in partnership with communities, makes valuable contributions to deepen the legacy of Nelson Mandela and produce a society that is just, caring, and transformed. Through its community engagement (CE) projects, Unisa is not limited to celebrating just one day or 67 minutes for Mandela Day; instead, it is invested in a continuous drive to live up to the ideals, legacy, and values to which Madiba aspired. LenkaBula stressed that: “We as Unisa must prioritise that we draw from Madiba’s wise words that there cannot be a greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to others without expecting anything back.”

Speaking of community engagement at Unisa, Dr Genevieve James, Deputy Director of Community Engagement at Unisa, explained that: “Unisa is an engaged university which actively develops strong relationships with communities and brings skills to bear on the improvement of community members while advancing and enhancing scholarship.”

All Unisa departments grow a culture of innovation and create the climate for innovative thinking to work with the nation in resolving scholarly and developmental problems. Unisa promotes social justice through its community engagement projects, James adds that: “We act to defuse the liberating and life-giving principles and practices of social justice which are the creation of just relationships at system levels.

At Unisa, community engagement is more than a requirement of the South African Higher Education Act; it is an indispensable academic method breaking the barriers between society and the academy, liberating the consciousness and rousing action towards the sustained progress of communities and the enhancement of scholarship.

Overview of projects

Even throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and its restrictions, Unisa colleges have found innovative ways to remain in touch with their community stakeholders and continue with their project operations:

• The College of Law runs a Moot Court which forms an integral part of the college. The purpose of the Moot Court is to bring the court experience to Unisa Law students by bridging the gap between theory and practice. The initiative also helps students to enhance their written and communication skills.
• The College of Economic Management Sciences has 19 projects which speak to the needs of the National Development Plan, Africa 2063. During the discourse needed for economic justice and economic recovery, the college seeks to reflect on the economic, administrative, and management systems needed for equality and justice. Through its projects, the college discerns the relevance and effectiveness of the curriculum and research it produces and also builds effective partnerships to support and enrich economic activity in the African context.
• The College of Science, Engineering and Technology is addressing energy needs through its communities and sustainable energy project. The project seeks to decentralise renewable and sustainable energy sources.
• The College of Accounting Sciences runs the Motheo Financial Dialogues MOOC project which aims to create a living lab for financial education. The lab intends to enhance the financial competence of young adults during their transitioning phase from financial dependence to financial independence.
• The College of Human Sciences has among other projects the Inside-Out-Outside-In project which seeks o rehabilitate correctional services offenders. Through this project, they have sub-projects like the Fatherhood project where offenders meet weekly to share experiences and offer support for incarcerated fathers. There’s also a Spirituality project where offenders also meet weekly to discuss and debate spirituality and religious perspectives.
• The College of Education engaged scholars target focus area is to make an impact on the basic education and post-school system. The college offers significant support to schools and TVET sectors through efforts like introducing novel ideas for teaching, learning, and research to improve education outcomes among other efforts.

These make a summary of an extensive list of community engagement at Unisa. Through various projects, Unisa connects with society in a meaningful manner, and the results have been significant for society. Some community leaders across the country made time at the commemoration to present some feedback from their communities. Pastor George Page from Mitchells Plain in Cape Town said that he was grateful to Unisa and a team of staff that he and his community have had a six-year relationship with. Page explains that: “They came down to Cape Town with great programmes for the youth and the unemployed; we are truly grateful to Unisa for the opportunities brought in our community,” he said.

A community leader from the DRC immigrant community said: “I would like to thank Unisa for assisting immigrants as a vulnerable community. When we needed help from the community, Unisa spared no effort to rescue immigrants through programmes like the Chance-2-Advance. Our community has benefited from skills and knowledge transfer which allowed them to integrate socially and economically.”

Another community leader from Alexandra said: “Our community has been collaborating with Unisa for the past five years and our relationship has resulted in us being a community which is actively involved in its affairs. I would like to encourage Unisa to continue to support organisations which seek to improve different communities.”

Unisa is an engaged university which promotes community engagement through its mission, values, resources, and programmes. The university actively develops strong relationships with communities and bring resources to bear on the improvement of life for community members while advancing and enhancing scholarship.

#MandelaDay2021

*By Tshimangadzo Mphaphuli, Senior Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement