By Mzwandile Ndlovu

Leaving their books and computers on campus, students from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus picked up brooms and refuse bags and headed into the community.

At they entered the gates of Mahikeng Primary on 13 February, they rolled up their sleeves and marked the school’s build-up to its 131-year anniversary in August with a clean-up drive.

The initiative was led by the Khayalethu Residence in partnership with the GoAllOut organisation. It forms part of the residence community engagement programme aimed at service partnerships with local institutions in Mahikeng.

Students cleaned the grounds, collected litter and supported maintenance staff with upkeep. All spruced up, the school was ready to celebrate its anniversary and show off its position at the entrance to the city.

Keep Mahikeng clean

Tony Mhlongo, community engagement officer of the Khayalethu house committee, said the residence joined the school’s celebration through service. “Given its history and location at the entrance of Mahikeng, there is a need to keep it clean to promote the message of ‘keep Mahikeng clean’,” he said.

Tony added that the project focused on practical support. “We selected this project as a way to give back in a hands-on manner. By assisting with the cleaning and upkeep of Mahikeng Primary School, we aimed to support the groundsmen by easing their workload and help create an environment for learners,” he said.

Students with a sense of civic duty

Thabang Mogorosi from GoAllOut said the partnership links student life with civic duty. “GoAllOut is intentional about leadership and community development because we believe the best classroom for a university student is often the one without walls. By partnering with residences like Khayalethu, we are turning campus energy into a force that benefits neighbours. It is about moving past ‘student’ as a title and toward ‘citizen’ as a practice, ensuring these young men and women leave with the grit and empathy to build up any community they call home,” he said.

Karien Klynsmith, principal of Mahikeng Primary, said the clean-up positively shaped learner conduct. “The learners will learn to care for and take care of their environment. It will teach them responsibility. Parents noticed the difference, and their reaction will influence the attitude of learners,” she said.

Khayalethu Residence students demonstrate civic duty through hands-on service in Mahikeng.