At the University of the Free State (UFS), Mandela Month was more than a commemorative gesture. Across campuses, students and staff engaged directly with communities, answering this year’s Mandela Month call to action: ‘It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity’. Through practical support and committed partnerships, UFS reaffirmed its responsibility to contribute meaningfully to society, in line with its Vision 130 focus on creating maximum societal impact through sustainable relationships.

Students lead with service and solidarity

On the Bloemfontein Campus, the Active Community Citizens through Engaged Scholarship for Sustainability (ACCESS) programme coordinated a series of outreach initiatives driven by student-led compassion and hands-on involvement.

On Mandela Day (18 July), students visited Talitha Cumi Baby House, where they painted the playground, helped clean the space, and spent time with the children. The same day, another group travelled to Reenboog Old Age Home, assisting with mural painting, planting vegetable beds, and receiving earthworm farm training.

Later in the month, on 25 July, students from ACCESS joined residences and student organisations including House Lehakwe, House ConLaures, CommUnity, and Kovsie Netball for a visit to Iphahamiseng Orphanage. There, they supported the vegetable garden project, donated garden tools and netball balls, and spent time engaging with the children. A follow-up visit to Talitha Cumi included haircare sessions and interactive activities.

“One of the major activities involved was gardening,” said Gernus Terblanche, Assistant Researcher and Head of the Engaged Scholarship Office in the UFS Division of Student Affairs. “This is a way for communities to become self-sustainable and grow their own vegetables. This speaks directly to food security and poverty.”

Terblanche added that the emphasis was on building sustainable relationships rather than one-off outreach. “In the space of ACCESS we believe that every day should be treated as Mandela Day, where we all do our small part to have an impact on others and the environment.”

Partnering with purpose in Qwaqwa

At the Qwaqwa Campus, the Office of the Campus Principal, in collaboration with the Directorate of Community Engagement and the Office for International Affairs, led an outreach initiative to Team Spirit Orphanage Care Centre in Mmakwane, Phuthaditjhaba. The day began with the Department of Health providing basic healthcare services and dental screenings to the children. Volunteers revitalised the orphanage grounds with painting and cleaning, and the UFS Community Engagement Office donated 25 mattresses.

The day was marked by human connection alongside material contributions. Volunteers played games, spent time with the children, and brought a sense of joy to the space.

Reflecting on the day, Campus Principal Prof Prince Ngobeni said: “We are here to support Team Spirit as part of our community engagement projects under the Memorandum of Understanding. I am pleased to see various stakeholders uniting to bring happiness to the children. As the African proverb says, ‘Motho ke motho ka batho’ – I am because we are.”