The visiting team included Dr Maura Adshead (Head of Community Engagement), Tracey Gleeson, and Niamh O’Sullivan (Community Engagement Facilitator).
Farm visit and strategic conversations
The visit began at the Valley of Grace farm in Bronkhorstspruit, where the delegation joined an engagement session with The Hope Revolution Vision (THRV), Central University of Technology, and Prof Paul Sutherland, Honorary Professor at Mandela University and founder of the STEPi Foundation.
The session focused on building translocal learning ecosystems, addressing youth vulnerability, and advancing wellness-oriented approaches to community support, as it relates to substance abuse.
Campus immersion: Missionvale
At Missionvale Campus, the delegation was welcomed with an orientation by the Senior Director of Missionvale, Bird Street, and Second Avenue Campus Sharon Masiza, who outlined the campus’s strategic role in university-community convergence. Highlights included:
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A visit to the Medical School and indigenous medicinal garden
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Insights into the free STEM education programmes supporting local learners and teachers
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An overview of Mandela University’s seven engagement clusters, which include Education, Health, Human Rights, Sustainability, Civil Society & Governance, Sports, Arts & Culture and Local Economic Development.
Zwide engagement: Partnership in practice
In Zwide, the group visited the Zwide Development Forum (ZDF) and engaged with community leaders and residents.
SAPS accompanied the delegation to ensure their safety. Discussions focused on challenges such as:
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The repeated vandalism of the local library
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Deteriorating infrastructure at Zwide Primary School, risking its closure and
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The expansion of a school food garden to meet growing needs
Community members expressed deep appreciation for the partnership with Mandela University, especially through the ZDF- the first local organisation to formally collaborate with the University. However, frustration was voiced over administrative delays in project rollouts.
Programmes in sports, arts, and culture were highlighted as critical tools for steering youth away from drugs and crime.
Reflective engagement: K4C, COIL, and student participation
UL Engage also had the opportunity to meet with staff and students involved in the EU-Limerick K4C online programme (Oct 2024 to Jan 2025).
This programme included a residency component at the University of Limerick, which was attended by Mandela University staff from the Engagement Office, the Senior Director of Missionvale, Bird Street, and Second Avenue campuses’ Office and the Faculties of Law, Science, and Humanities.
The session also welcomed students forming part of the Hubs of Convergence (HoC) initiative, reinforcing the University’s commitment to collaborative knowledge production across generations. Existing partnerships in Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) were revisited and new opportunities were explored for the upcoming academic year at UL.
Closing appreciation
The visit concluded with an appreciation gathering, honouring both the spirit of international collaboration and celebrating the Engagement Office colleagues, who have recently transitioned into permanent positions into industry and other sectors.
The event offered a moment to reflect on the evolving journey of the Office and its ongoing contribution to building a University truly in service to society.