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22 July 2025 | Story Nontobeko Nxumalo | Photo Supplied
Mandela Day
The DiMTEC team marked Mandela Day by planting indigenous trees on campus, promoting sustainability and community resilience through nature-based solutions.

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) Centre for Disaster Management Training and Education Centre (DiMTEC) commemorated Nelson Mandela International Day on 18 July by planting trees that help embed nature-based solutions at the heart of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

“It’s a simple act, yet deeply symbolic – a commitment to sustainability, climate resilience, and future generations,” said Dr Tlou Raphela-Masuku, a Senior Lecturer at DiMTEC. “Nature-based solutions, such as planting indigenous trees, are not just theoretical strategies; they are practical tools to reduce disaster risk, restore ecosystems, and build community resilience.” 

One of the trees planted, the indigenous, resilient Wild Olive (Olea europaea subsp. africana), known locally as Mohlware, embodies the drive to place nature-based solutions at the forefront of disaster risk reduction. “This tree is drought-tolerant and well-adapted to Bloemfontein’s semi-arid climate,” Dr Raphela-Masuku explained. “It stabilises soil, prevents erosion, supports biodiversity, and cools urban spaces. Its thick canopy shelters birds and small mammals, while its deep roots nourish and protect the earth. In a warming world, every Wild Olive planted is a small act of resistance against climate change.” 

 

Collaborative programme

Dr Raphela-Masuku said the tree-planting programme, a collaboration with UFS Protection Services and University Estates, ties directly into the principles the centre teaches in its Master's of Disaster Management module Ecosystem-Based Disaster Risk Reduction (ECO-DRR). 

“From the viewpoint of the African Union’s Science and Technology Advisory Group, it is befitting that as part of the work dedicated to disaster risk reduction initiatives in the African continent, this day is a reminder that we promote community service, resilience and social justice in the ‘Africa we want’. Furthermore, Mandela Day activities align with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR)’s priorities of understanding risks and strengthening disaster governance at all levels,” remarked Prof Alice Ncube, an Associate Professor at DiMTEC.

She added that, “In a city like Bloemfontein, which is not exempt from drought accelerating frequently and temperatures rising yearly, choosing to plant climate-resilient, indigenous species isn’t merely wise, it’s necessary. Trees like the Wild Olive don’t just provide shade and beauty; they help cool urban environments, support biodiversity, and protect our university community from floods and storms. They represent a forward-thinking investment in a sustainable, climate-adapted future. Mandela Day reminds us that service should be continuous, not confined to a single day. A tree planted today will outlive us, offering shade, shelter, and hope to those who come after. As Mandela himself said, ‘The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.’”

 

Commitment to change

Mandela Day also fits in with the UFS’ Vision 130 strategic intent. It is a day that reminds us that everyone has the power to make a difference. In the spirit of Madiba’s legacy, we can commit to fostering social justice, human dignity, and sustainable development through academic excellence and meaningful community engagement. In the face of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation, each seed we plant becomes an act of defiance as well as an act of hope.

Prof Samuel Adelabu, Vice-Dean: Postgraduate and Research in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, applauded the team’s efforts. “We are planting trees that represent sustainability, things that can stay for long. I believe we are all practising sustainability in this initiative we are doing today to show that the university, as well as the faculties, are in line with sustainability.” 

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Cultural immersion programme for Rutgers University students
2014-07-29

 

After a community engagement induction, Rutgers University students head out to visit communities.
Photo: Supplied

The International Office and the Department for Community Engagement will host a week-long cultural immersion programme for eight students of Rutgers University from 27 July – 2 August 2014. The Rutgers Graduate School of Education's South Africa Initiative (SAI) bridges cultures, connects educators and provides hope for learners and students from South Africa and the United States.

This interdisciplinary programme provides teachers and students on both sides of the world with the opportunity to exchange information through service learning, training and distance technology. This leads to educational gains for students and educators in both countries.

The Rutgers group of master’s, PhD and undergraduate students will visit two NGOs working with children at risk in the community of Heidedal, namely Tshepo Foundation and Lebone Village. The week-long programme will include lectures on the social, cultural and historical background of pre- and post-apartheid South Africa. Speakers from various departments and faculties of the UFS will feature during this event. These include the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice, the Postgraduate School, the Department of History, African Languages, as well as Education.

Prof André Keet, Director of the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice, will share the transformation story of our university with the group. Dr Henriette van den Berg will speak on mentoring postgraduate students to become successful researchers of the future.

This year marks the 12th anniversary of the SAI Cultural Immersion Program and a fruitful partnership with the UFS and other South African universities. Over the years SAI has provided tonnes of school books and supplies which have been shared with more than 2 000 learners in South Africa. Special projects such as the Literacy Through Photography and Brielle Digital Stories Project have been conducted by SAI alumni in schools. These have resulted in thousands of dollars of support given directly to South African schools.


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