Staff Reporter

More than 200 Nelson Mandela University staff and students have joined a 5km walk to raise awareness and support for students facing hunger.

The Mandela Walk for Student Hunger, which looped between the university’s South and North campuses, was organised by the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, Professor Muki Moeng.

The university said the walk drew staff and students from various faculties and departments.

“This event was important, to highlight the plight of many students, which has an impact on their participation in the academic programme. We are living out our values and our humanness which is connected to our students’ dignity,” Moeng said.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations Luthando Jack, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation Professor Azwinndini Muronga, and Moeng were among those who participated in the walk.

The university said Karen Snyman, from Student Governance, decided to prioritise the initiative after witnessing students fainting from hunger.

Participants were encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable food items, sanitary products, toiletries or monetary contributions for the university’s nutrition project, which supports students who rely on daily donations.

Business and Economic Sciences Professor Ronnie Ncadi said the initiative reflected the university community’s concern for students.

“This was a beautiful uniting of our University community, well done to our institution for creating such a healthy environment, to highlight the seriousness of caring for our students, without food,” Ncadi said.

Student Representative Council president Somila Komani said she found the walk and the care shown by staff “both meaningful and refreshing”.

The university said donations for the project should be dropped off at the offices of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching on the 17th floor of the Main Building on South Campus.

Monetary donations may also be made through the university’s Giving Campaign or by direct deposit. The university said donors should include the cost centre “X180” in the transaction description.

The account name is Nelson Mandela University Trust. The bank is ABSA, branch code 632005, account number 16 4017 2998. The Swift Code for international payments is ABSAZAJJ.

INSIDE EDUCATION