DUT students who are part of the University’s Green Campus Initiative (DUT GCI), together with staff from the university’s Student Housing and Resident Life Department, donated 67 minutes of their time as part of giving back to the community and honouring the late president Nelson Mandela this past weekend by revamping and cleaning the University’s garden behind the Berea Residence on the Steve Biko Campus.

The DUT GCI did this work on Saturday, 18 July 2015, as part of the annual international Mandela Day celebrations in honour of SA former president Nelson Mandela. July 18 is the icon’s birthday and the day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, with the first UN Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010.

Siyanda Dube, DUT GCI Chairman, said for the organisation (DUT GCI), donating 67 minutes of their time in honour of Nelson Mandela means doing something positive for the environment. “We are giving back to the community what we should preserve,” Dube said.

Dube also spoke about the late Mandela, saying the organisation is emulating many of the icon’s teachings and qualities in doing its work. “We have learnt not to give up in what we believe is right, which for us is fighting for environmental sustainability,” said Dube.

Dube added that the organisation wants to get support from the all the University stakeholders in promoting a green lifestyle.

– Mxolisi Ntanzi

Pictured: DUT GCI and staff from the University’s Student Housing and Resident Life Department hard at work at the University’s garden behind the Berea Residence on the Steve Biko Campus. This was part of goodwill efforts on Mandela Day.