Dear CUT Community 

On the 18th of July each year, we commemorate Nelson Mandela's Day—the birthday of a global icon, Mr Nelson Mandela, the first black President of a democratic South Africa. The day is celebrated globally, following its official declaration by the United Nations in November 2009, with the first UN Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010. It is a celebration of a global statesman, a father of our nation, and a champion of the disadvantaged and marginalised. Among the values that he held dear were peace, justice, and equality. These are the true values that are the hallmark of a free nation, and CUT is proud to honour them on this day by celebrating Tata Nelson Mandela’s birthday. 

This year’s theme, 'Combating poverty and inequality is in our hands,’ challenges us all to consider our contributions to our communities' greater good. On behalf of the university community, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on how we, as a university, are advancing Tata Mandela's selfless life, values, and principles to make a positive impact in our surrounding communities. 

In honour of Mandela Day, the CUT Library and Information Services (LIS) team, under the stewardship of Ms Betsy Eister, has dedicated 67 minutes to visiting Ihobe Primary School on Moshoeshoe Road in Phahameng. The idea of ‘67 Minutes’ provides people with an opportunity to take part in short, action-based projects in service of their communities, in recognition of the number of years Tata Nelson Mandela spent campaigning for social justice. During the visit by Ms Eister and her team, a fully functional library was set up, and books for leisure reading were donated. The team has guided learners in identifying book titles, authors, and other library functions. 

As part of this commemoration, the Welkom Campus will host a Mandela Month celebration on 29 July 2024 for the first time. Under the leadership of Campus Principal Dr Joe Molete, the Welkom campus team is collaborating with the Department of Social Development to forge a partnership to donate collected items to households, especially children affected by gender-based violence. We urge everyone to support this drive by bringing non-perishable food items to the Communications and Marketing Section in ZR Mahabane, Office# 16 at Bloemfontein Campus and the Wellness Centre, Office# N116A at Welkom Campus as part of your contribution to our shared acts of kindness. 

The Information Technology Department in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and IT has already provided robotics workshops and mentorship to unemployed youth and learners from primary and secondary schools in the Free State. This initiative has revolutionised the way STEM robotics is taught and learned in the province, making us all proud of the significant impact the university is making in the lives of these young people. 

CUT is implementing several programmes and initiatives jointly with various departments in the Free State province, including the Pothole Eradication Programme, which aims to improve road safety and quality while creating about 650 jobs for the province's unemployed youth 

In this hour of need for many of our communities, we are grateful for the initiatives our colleagues have taken to make this day meaningful. They make us believe that we have something we, too, can share with the less fortunate. We are most grateful to CUT colleagues for their instrumental role in realising CUT's wish to contribute to Tata Mandela's legacy. Your work exemplifies how CUT has provided social and technological solutions to help uplift our communities. 

I encourage all members of the CUT community to heed the call of Mandela Day and dedicate their 67 minutes to volunteerism or random acts of kindness. Let's make a difference in the lives of others and show the world the spirit of CUT. 

MAKE EVERY DAY A MANDELA DAY

#MandelaDay2024 #ItIsInYourHands

Prof Pamela Dube: Vice-Chancellor and Principal