The University of Venda in collaboration with Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), Universal Greening Organization (UGO), Vhembe Biosphere Reserve (VBR), Vhembe TVET College and some companies involved in waste recycling, held an awareness and clean-up campaign aimed at educating the University community about waste management and recycling. The clean-up campaign took place on Friday, 26 July 2024. The two-phased programme commenced and ended at the Freedom Square. Cleaning covered the entire campus, proceeding up to the robots next to Khoroni hotel. This is an on-going campaign, which was launched on 13 March 2023 under the theme, “Cleaning Citizen Mindsets to Trigger Responsible Action”.
The cleaning campaign was well-championed by UNIVEN’s Institute for Rural Development (IRD), Directorate of Facilities Management and Department of Student Affairs, revealing that the spirit of Ubuntu is alive at UNIVEN. In addition, it marks the university’s belief in shared humanity and collective responsibility.
Delivering welcome remarks to the 233 people who participated in the cleaning campaign, the Deputy Vice- Chancellor Corporate Services, Dr Robert Martin revealed that the cleaning campaign would play a crucial role in educating the university community and grassroots communities regarding the importance of responsible waste management and recycling.
Sharing the purpose of the campaign, Ms Makhadzi Makheda who is the Manager of Waste at UNIVEN, indicated that the aim of the campaign was to raise awareness about the importance of proper waste disposal, encourage recycling, and develop a culture of sustainability. Through this initiative, UNIVEN sought to empower students and staff to actively participate in reducing waste and conserving resources, ultimately contributing to creating a cleaner and more sustainable environment for all.
Prof Nosisi Feza, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Postgraduate Studies, University of Venda explained that “This campaign aligns well with the global vision of Sustainable Development Goals, African Union Agenda 2063: the Africa We Want, our national aspirations as outlined in the National Development Plan Vision 2030 and District Development Model, among other strategic intents.” Continuing with her speech, Prof Feza called upon society to be more responsible for protecting our precious land and environment, saying “We must create inclusive, resilient and sustainable communities in accordance with all of these principles. The university’s strategic plan, which emphasises student-centeredness, engaged scholarship, creating an entrepreneurial spirit and generating societal impact, eloquently echoes these ideals.”
Prof. Feza emphasised that the scope of the cleanup initiative extended beyond the immediate surroundings and mere physical environmental cleaning. She recognised the importance of the “Cleaning Citizen Mindsets to Trigger Responsible Action,” which is a metaphor that applied to addressing broader societal ills such as gender-based violence, corrupt practices, indifferent care of the less privileged and apathy towards participating in decision making platforms, amongst others. “Let’s be cognisant that this campaign offers opportunities for us to unlock innovative solutions for job creation and reducing unemployment,” she clarified the extended value of the cleaning campaign as a bedrock of the local circular economy.
Turning to the Thohoyandou as a university town initiative, Prof Feza clarified that urban renewal and beautification were at the core of our goal to make Thohoyandou a thriving, internationally recognised university town. “We really pledge to uphold the cleanliness and beauty of our town. We’ll make sure it doesn’t degrade and pass away while we’re watching,’ she promised.
As Prof Feza concluded her talk, she stressed that, “This campaign embodies that our belief in engaged scholarship is not a mere talk. Indeed, community activity and academic understanding must intersect. It is important to highlight that through this campaign, we are firmly on the path towards bringing meaning to our circular economy.”
Soon after the DVC Research and Postgraduate Studies speech, the Mayor of Thulamela Local Municipality Hon. Cllr Sarah Rambuda delivered her message of support and commitment to the campaign. She started by declaring that, “We gather here not only to celebrate but to reaffirm our collective commitment to a cleaner, more vibrant Thohoyandou that we all hold tightly close to our chests.” She noted that UNIVEN was exemplifying what it means to be a people’s university and a genuine broad community partner. “It is clear that we have a strong shared vision because of your unwavering commitment to our cleaning campaigns, especially after we went on joint field trips with the Institute for Rural Development to different parts of our Local Municipality.”
The Mayor went on to note that the passion, commitment and shared responsibility of the entire community were the key reasons why Thulamela Municipality was growing admirably. She con-cluded her speech by urging citizens of the Municipality to clean up physical and mental clutter. In doing so, it was crucial to strengthen the focus of the campaign on contributing to producing competent graduates that are locally relevant and globally competitive for a cleaner future.
Words of support came from the following: UNIVEN Student Representative Council Mr Tsireledzo Munzhedzi, Minister of Health Safety and Security; Ms Shudufhadzo Muravha of the Vhembe TVET College; Mr Tonderai Makoni representing the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve (VBR); Mr Shavhani Neluvhola of the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LE-DET); and Universal Greening Organization (UGO) represented by Mr Lindelani Maraganedzha who is also a former UNIVEN student and Green ZA Company.
The Director of the Institute Rural Development, Prof Joseph Francis, proposed a vote of thanks.
As the University continues to contribute to taking the campaign to grassroots communities, Dr Agnes Mathaulula who is a Senior Lecturer in the IRD, announced that the next cleaning campaign would take place at Dzimauli on 30 July 2024. She called upon more people to join the campaign to spread it more widely.
Issued by:
Department Marketing, Branding and Communication University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
