Neliswa Mahlangu and Kelley Felix-Julie
Communication and Marketing won a silver award in the Community and Social Responsibility Campaign category for “The Afrika Week Celebration” campaign and a bronze award for the Stakeholder Engagement Campaign, "Empowered Women, Empowering the Future."
The Afrika Week campaign was a collaboration between Arts, Culture and Heritage, the International Office, and Madibaz Radio featuring initiatives, such as the Africa Day Arts Festival, Happy Africa Day videos, and the #MyAfricaDayOutfitChallenge.
These events showcased the University's commitment to Ubuntu, diversity, and social justice, creating spaces where the University community could celebrate and embrace African culture, said Neliswa Mahlangu, Societies Officer in Arts, Culture and Heritage, who received the award on behalf of the team.
It also highlights the University's dedication to fostering inclusivity and celebrating African heritage, while addressing vital social issues like xenophobia.
“Representing my department at the awards was a proud moment, as it allowed us to showcase the effort, we put into creating a vibrant and inclusive University for our students. Receiving recognition for our work was exciting, and it was equally inspiring to exchange ideas and learn from other universities.
"This acknowledgment highlights the teamwork and dedication behind the project and motivates us to continue developing meaningful initiatives that strengthen our University’s community and values."
The Women's Month initiative included videos, articles and images on social media and other University platforms and shone a light on the achievements of women across diverse fields, embodying the spirit of empowerment and collaboration. Receiving this recognition was a proud moment for the University, affirming its commitment to influential campaigns that inspire and unite, said Kelley Felix-Julie, who led the campaign.
Inspired by the creativity and dedication displayed by other universities in the competition, the team expressed hope for future entries and greater achievements. The award not only celebrates past success but fuels the ambition for even greater success in years to come, Kelley said.