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 The Community Engagement department of the North-West University's (NWU's) Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (F-EMS) gave back to the community through the Mandela Day Food Parcels Project on 12 August 2022.

The objective of this project was to provide basic foodstuffs to needy families and NWU students in and around Mahikeng, and to contribute towards the eradication of food insecurity that affects many South Africans. In the end 25 food parcels were handed to different beneficiaries and 21 parcels were shared with students, with some grocery packages being distributed by NPOs.

Lecturer Dr Martin Chanza said this voluntary and annual project give them an opportunity to make a difference.

With a high unemployment rate and major food insecurity among community members in Mahikeng, the NWU Mandela Day Food Parcels project had a huge impact in making sure that food needs were met. The faculty’s Mahikeng Community Engagement organising committee was grateful to all the F-EMS colleagues who donated food parcels towards this event.

The Mandela Day Phase I project also provided staff and students at the F-EMS in Mahikeng with an opportunity to exercise, play together, engage and interact at the sports ground. Dr Chanza said that this event was a valuable experience for NWU staff and students, the greater Mahikeng community and external stakeholders, namely the Itsoseng NPO, Chuck Dee Foundation, Danville Church of Christ, Legae Child Care Centre and Men For Real.

Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences representatives getting ready to give back to the community.

​NWU Mascot Eagi, Prof Ntebo Moroke, deputy dean for community engagement and stakeholder relations, and the faculty student academic chapter on the Mahikeng Campus are celebrating Mandela day in style.