UP takes part in Mandela Day in Mamelodi

The University of Pretoria and the community of Mamelodi celebrated Mandela Day by hosting a 67-minute clean-up in the area surrounding the University’s Mamelodi Campus.

The clean-up was done in cooperation with local schools and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as University staff and students. The main objective of the event was to increase awareness of environmental conservation and waste recycling in the community of Mamelodi.

When addressing the school learners and members of the Mamelodi community, Prof Cheryl de la Rey, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria, said that the University celebrated the day as an acknowledgement of its commitment to the values that the former President of South Africa, Mr Nelson Mandela, has upheld throughout his life. She said that the event symbolised those values and was meant to serve as a catalyst to help people realise that each person has the ability to bring about positive change in the lives of others.

She said the University of Pretoria made a commitment with the Mamelodi community to create environmental awareness, particularly around the importance of recycling. “Excessive waste production and waste disposal have become serious problems in our communities and we need to learn the skills of proper waste management. The success of recycling programmes depends on the active and sustained participation of committed community members,” said Prof De la Rey.

The University’s clean-up campaign promoted the importance of accepting the green economy, with environmental awareness being a key focus. The drive encouraged the community to work together in advancing the recycling of waste in a manner that does not only keep their surroundings clean, but also protects the environment.

The University of Pretoria is committed to sustainability, and strives to balance the economic, social and biophysical needs of the environment in which we exist.

      
The Principal, Prof Cheryl de la Rey, gives             Prof Jerry Swan, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences,
her 67 minutes for Mandela Day.                            tackles the rubbish in a little stream.