The initiative included a clean-up campaign along the R75 and Old Uitenhage Road, outside the University's Missionvale Campus.
Mandela Day volunteers
The initiative reflected the spirit of Nelson Mandela's legacy by bringing together government, the University, community organisations and residents to improve the environment, while encouraging shared responsibility for cleaner and safer neighbourhoods.
_1?width=600&height=403)
From left, Yolisa Jongilanga (MMC: Roads & Transport), Babalwa Lobishe (NMB Executive Mayor), Sharon Masiza (SD: Missionvale, Second Avenue, & Bird Street Campuses), Dr Johan Malherbe (Tidy NMB), and Thsonono Buyeye.
Among the volunteers were Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor, Councillor Babalwa Lobishe, Senior Director for Missionvale, Second Avenue and Bird Street Campuses, Sharon Masiza, Tidy NMB Founder, Dr Johan Malherbe, MMC for Roads and Transport Yolisa Jongilanga and MMC for Public Health Thsonono Buyeye.
Addressing volunteers and community members after the clean-up, Councillor Lobishe announced that the Municipality has committed to a three-month clean-up programme to transform the area surrounding the University.
"We have set a three-month plan to make sure that the face of this [area] is changed. Remember, there are international visitors who come to the University, and there are children growing up in this [Missionvale] community." she said.
Cleaning Missionvale
She also encouraged residents to take ownership of their neighbourhoods and continue protecting and maintaining public spaces long after Mandela Day.
Echoing these sentiments, Masiza said the clean-up campaign was about leading by example and inspiring communities to recognise the impact of waste on people and the environment as the initiatives speaks to the university’s strategy.
"We want to demonstrate that waste has no place in our communities. By working together, we can create cleaner, healthier and more welcoming spaces for everyone. It starts with each of us taking responsibility for the environment we live in," she said.
“This initiative also talks to our strategy of sustainability as the University,” she explained.
Dr Malherbe highlighted Tidy NMB's vision of building a cleaner metro through collective action.
"Our goal is to unite the metro. We are working towards becoming the tidiest metro in South Africa by the end of 2028, a title we lost in 2002," he said.
The Mandela Day clean-up also marked the launch of the Tidy NMB Community Clean-Up Programme, an initiative that encourages communities across Nelson Mandela Bay to participate in regular clean-up activities.
The cleanest participating area will be announced in September, with prizes awarded to the winning community.
Councillor Lobishe concluded by calling on residents to continue caring for their surroundings and to make cleanliness a daily commitment rather than a once-off event.
Nelson Mandela University commemorates Mandela Day annually through community-focused initiatives that honour Madiba's legacy of service, collaboration and social responsibility, also strengthening partnerships that contribute to sustainable community development.