Law and Management Studies Students Participate in Community Outreach for Mandela Day

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The College of Law and Management Studies’ Teaching and Learning Unit, in collaboration with student association, the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Africa (ABASA) commemorated Mandela Day by donating donating blankets, food, toys and clothing to the Natal Settlers Memorial Homes.

This community outreach initiative is part of the Unit’s First Year Experience Mentorship Programme. The pilot programme aims to bridge the gap between high school and university for first-year students by pairing them with a senior student to mentor them through a series of education, academic support and other events.

Programme co-ordinator, Mr Sthabiso Mkhonza, said that they are proud that they were able to assist the charity and that the University community supported their donation drive.

‘We hosted donation drives at Howard College and the Westville and Pietermaritzburg campuses where we collected items from clothing to food from students, lecturers, and university employees who gave willingly and gracefully. Natal Settlers was our charity of choice because they take care of children and the elderly living with disabilities and their cause is close to our hearts. Our students also assisted with cleaning the yard and swings, feeding children, washing dishes and also played with the children. We would like to thank all our donors for their contributions and for helping us to bring smiles to the children’s faces as well as keep them warm this winter. We look forward to further support for our donate a pillow or mattress initiative,’ said Mkhonza.

Natal Settler’s Nursing Administrator, Ms Simone Swarts, said that the home is grateful for the donations and the assistance.

‘We are really grateful to the students for choosing our charity and not only helping us keep our children warm but also taking the time to play with them. We hope to see more young people get involved in such initiatives as we can use all the help we can get,’ she said.

Words: Thandiwe Jumo

Photograph: Supplied