Vision

Community engagement at

UNIVEN endeavour to be the

global hub for best practices in

Higher Education Community

Engagement programmes

Mission

The Directorate of Community

Engagement drives community

engagement as a core value for

Teaching and Learning, Re-

search and Innovation in the

rural development work of the

Celebrating the 5th of December an international Volunteer day: A Tribute to President Nelson Mandela

They know enough who know how to learn

Henry Brooks Adams, American, 1838 - 1918

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talent-ed, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear.

STUDENTS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

NEWSLETTER

December 2013,

Issue 1

A TRIBUTE TO TATA MADIBA

This was indeed an opportune issue for us to pay tribute to our departed hero the former

Statesman President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela whose life entrenched on us ambitions

to play big and serve the world, to be educated and to be in charge of our destiny. We

are indebted to our hero, the global icon and the epitome of Ubuntu.

This issue consists of activities of students’ volunteer group who formed part of the cele-

bration of the International Volunteer day, the 5th of December 2013 at the Senate

chamber. It was on the eve of this day when President Mandela departed. We will dear-

ly miss him.

STUDENTS ORGANIZATIONS

The first portrait in this issue is of Davha Agricultural Development Agency. Lufuno

Ramabulana, a UNIVEN MA student volunteer his time to transfer skills and encourage

Agricultural innovation starting from Nzhelele with the hope of rolling out to the whole

of South Africa one day. In his volunteering commitment he saw the need to help the

youth with computer skills that he acquired from University of Venda as a student. He

worked with the community with how to write business plan. Women who participated

in his Programme are now able to write business plans, send and receive emails, etc. His

organisation received funding support from government departments and other organi-

zations. The CE directorate provided other forms of support , mentoring and encour-

agement.

On page six, Vhamanndafhadzi Foundation, a Non-Profit Organization which aimed on

bridging the educational gap between rural schools and their urban counterparts outline

their journey and aspirations

Third in this issue is a portrait of the Amplifying Community Voices Students Associa-

tion. A student-based organization established to promote democracy in rural communi-

ty development through adhering to the principles and philosophy of the ACVOSA artic-

ulated in the latter’s Charter of Positive Values.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

A Tribute to Nelson

Mandela………………..2

International Volun-

teer Day 2013 celebra-

tion ………………………..3

-Mvelaphanda Youth

Development Centre..4

-Mulisa Wa Ndele

Drop-in Centre………..4

-United Nations Asso-

ciation of South Africa

Univen Chapter……….5

-Amplifying Communi-

ty Voices Students As-

sociation………………...5

Davha Agricultural

Development Agency

contributes positively

to social development

……………………………...6

A Holistic Approach to

Learner Development

……………………………...7

Positive story on vol-

unteerism……………….7

Scholarship Opportu-

nities……………………..9

SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST

SAMP initiative

Scholarships

Opportunities

Lufuno Ramabulana, speaks dur-

ing International Volunteer Day Vhamanndafhadzi team preparing to go

to Makakavhale Secondary school

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela

2

Students who assisted to facilitate the presen-

tations during the event.

INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER

DAY 2013 CELEBRATION

International Volunteer Day for Eco-

nomic and Social Development, a day

that is scheduled by the United Nations

in 1985. This vital day is regarded as the

day for recognition of tangible and

positive contribution made by the vol-

unteers throughout the world.

Community Engagement Office orga-

nized an event to observe the day with

other Non-Profit Organization, stu-

dents’ organizations and individuals

who are volunteering their precious

time to community and around the

campus. Several organizations were

present to celebrate their work and to

encourage others to take part in volun-

teering.

Young people were encouraged to do

presentations as a way to see how the

volunteering is helping them on aca-

demic and personal level. Several

groups presented about what they do

and how volunteerism has helped them.

Save That Child presented about the

importance of childhood education and

the value of books. Save that Child, is

the group of students aiming on devel-

oping the reading and vocabulary of the

leaners from the childhood throw creat-

ing a- student’s library sort of by chang-

ing the unused facilities sort of class-

rooms and change it into the usable

facilities the main aim is to make sure

they know the use of the book and care

about books and also the value of the

book, our motto also says the infor-

mation is always valuable even if the

book is Old.

Enactus also contributed positively on

presentations with the notion of how

volunteerism has helped them person-

ally and collectively as a group. To be

young and willing to help other takes

courage and kindness. As an African

proverb goes he who leans, teaches.

Enactus take a better road to educate

and empower the local communities

with entrepreneurial skills. . Enactus is

a Non-profit organization that brings

students, academic and business lead-

ers who are committed to using the

power of entrepreneurial action to im-

prove the quality of life and standard of

living for people in need.

Volunteerism gives someone a mean-

ing, focus and a purpose at the same

time enjoying life to the fullest. Learn-

ing and working with others one discov-

ers the pleasure of learning and work-

ing with others and be a life-long learn-

er. It may also help one find a career

they never expected through volunteer-

ism. It also helps one to learn to serve

by the unselfish acts of participating on

the work that benefit others hence a

good way of discovering joy and emo-

tional liberty. Through committed stu-

dents, voluntarily facilitating business

workshops for local vendors to gain eco

-business skills with the help from the

Thulamela Municipality, The Univen

staff and Small enterprise development

Agency (SEDA) and the students. 3

Receiving prize gifts is the active

member of Enactus for participating

in the celebration of IVD 2013

Khathutshelo Mukwevho presents

about the significance of ruralisation

of education

Tendo Maphume presents about the importance of volunteerism to

vulnerable children. Humbulani Kwinda presents about early childhood reading

Mulisa wa Ndele Drop-in Centre also played a vital role on the day by pointing out that volunteering time to children can give internal peace of mind. Mulisa wa Ndele Drop-in Centre is a NPO which has undertaken the responsibility to care for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) from the ages of five (5) to seventeen (17) years. The last census performed revealed that 76 children were under the care of the drop in Centre. As of March 2013 the organization has been trying to intro-duce a sustainability factor to its operations by brainstorm-ing ways in which it can generate the necessary revenue while also skilling, up-skilling and re-skilling its volunteers for sustainable development. It seeks to be the model for sustainable of socio-economic development by means of ap-plying multi-pronged solutions.

Mvelaphanda Youth Development Centre also delivered their

presentation led by Masindi Charles, a young man who is eager

to learn more about how to develop his community. Mvelaphan-

da Youth Development is responsible for promoting a holistic

sustainable development of youth (18-35) and children (12-17),

from Lamvi and the surrounding villages in all aspects/ areas of

youth development, through information dissemination and

skills development.

The secondary objectives of Mvelaphanda Youth Development

Centre include: to encourage youth in education; to provide

youth with an access to technology; to promote healthy lifestyle

to the youth; to equip youth to face and cope with personal/

social challenges as they come across them; to encourage youth

to participate in a crime free society; to link youth to participate

with employment opportunities; creating a sustainable environ-

ment; to promote physical fitness to the youth and to promote

moral regeneration/vhavenda cultural practices

MVELAPHANDA YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

4

MULISA WA NDELE DROP-IN CENTRE

Charles Masindi presents about the challenges faced by the youth

UNITED NA-

TIONS ASSOCIA-

TION OF SOUTH

AFRICA

United Nations Associa-

tion of South Africa

Univen Chapter. Their

primary focus is on cre-

ating awareness and a

stable network between

the university, the UN

and the community at

large. Project involves

teaching high school

kids how to debate us-

ing the United Nations

format, the project in-

volves training them on

how the debate will run,

how to research for the

debate and how to pre-

pare their information

for their position pa-

pers. They then organize

a Mini Model United

Nations debate where

they are given a topic

and country to repre-

sent for the debate. The

aim of this project is to

help children have a

better understanding of

international relations,

how decisions made by

state leaders affect other

states and the interac-

tions between various

countries while promot-

ing the concept of a

global village to them.

AMPLIFYING COMMUNITY VOICES STUDENTS

ASSOCIATION

The Amplifying Community Voices Students Association

(ACVOSA) delivered powerful PowerPoint presentation.

ACVOSA is a voluntary/charitable, University of Venda

(UNIVEN) student-based organization established to promote

democracy in rural community development through adhering

to the principles and philosophy of the Amplifying Community

Voices Programme articulated in the latter’s Charter of Posi-

tive Values. In pursuit of these noble aims and objectives, the

association shall not deny a person membership on the basis

of race, colour, ethnicity, sex, gender, pregnancy, religion,

creed, marital status, nationality, disability or any other legal-

ly protected status.

A UN volunteer shares her story on volunteerism.

5

ACVOSA member receives a gift from Prof. V O Netshandama and Mrs. Mamugudubi

DAVHA AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

CONTRIBUTES POSITIVELY TO SOCIAL DAVHA AG-

RICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY CONTRIB-

L ufuno Ramabulana formed a Non-Profit Organization

which is called Davha Agricultural Development Agency.

Their vision is to empower communities through agricul-

tural initiatives. Their Mission is to develop communities

so that they improve and maintain healthy, not dependent lifestyles

through the improvement in quality of life. The organization’s main

objectives are to provide community service to all the communities

regarding Agricultural Development and other related Agricultural

Support. They also want to bring back the culture of gardening in

our schools and thus achieving food security in our schools. They

intend to promote farming among the youth in order to develop

future farmers and agriculturalist. The organisation's secondary

objective is to work in collaboration with other organizations that

deal with Agricultural Development

At this time Davha Agricultural Development Agency has two pro-

grams: “LEBATOGCA” meaning Learners Back to Garden Cam-

paign and their second Programme is called “GoFaYo” meaning Go

Farming Youth Programme. They are in the

pilot phase of this Programme.

The Department of Education gave them per-

mission to work with their schools. In April

2001 they piloted Shura Combined primary

school until November 2011. The pilot results

were very successful. The program is now rolled

out to twenty one schools. Learners are the vital

core in disseminating information to the com-

munity. All 21 schools are far apart from one

another, they range from Tshiavha to Pfumbada

Primary schools. Transport becomes a challenge

and it hampers their volunteering activities.

Sometimes they walk long distances. Depending

on availability of funds, they would like to take

the program to the provincial level.

MASDT (Mobile Agricultural Skills Develop-

ment Training) in Mpumalanga recognized their

voluntary work with learners and helped them

with some agricultural imputes .

SABC 2 realized and recognized their volunteerism and they broad-

casted their work on Living Land Programme last year. Garden

Goods Company appreciated their passion as well and they provid-

ed them with legume seeds to improve soil structures.

“The lesson that I learned is that if you have fear, you are not going

to be a successful volunteer. Remember that there is no remunera-

tion or salary on what we are doing, we keep on telling our selves

that our payments is when we see kids so excited and filled with joy

in their school garden. The bonus part is when we see future farm-

ers and Agriculturalist in the next ten years to come because that

shows that the volunteering seed we planted has been grown” said

Lufuno.

6

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO

LEARNER DEVELOPMENT

Vhutshilo Makananise also known as Maluleke is a second year student at Univen, study-

ing Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. He is also a volunteer at Vhamann-

dafhadzi Foundation. Vhamanndafhadzi foundation is a Non-Profit Organization that has

been set up largely by university students. They intend on building and uplifting the con-

ditions of rural-based learners who have the potential of furthering their studies. They

therefore believe that they will be able to address challenges faced by the rural based

schools through motivating learners to choose their preferred career paths, helping them

apply for these paths at preferred institutions (of higher learning).

Secondly they hope to tutor these identified learners so that they can achieve better re-

sults (academic excellence). As an advanced aspect they also intend on helping them

adapt to student life once admitted into institutions of higher learning. The primary ob-

jectives of Vhamanndafhadzi Foundation include: career guidance; motivational talks;

distribution of application forms; organizing advanced classes and tutoring and mentor-

ing.

Vhutshilo gained and learned many things just in short span of time by volunteering his

time and efforts to rural education. He said that he came up with Vhamanndafhadzi

Foundation concept as a vehicle to achieve full participation in volunteering. He under-

stood the responsibilities and duties of a citizen. For our country to achieve great things it

needs us as citizens to carry out the mandate as responsible citizens.

While on the process of implementation, Vhutshilo met voluminous young and old pro-

gressive people who are anxious about the status quo. As a person who is eager to learn

new things every time, he made it his personal ultimate goal to learn from experienced

people like Prof. V O Netshandama and Mrs N. Nemadodzi, erudite and courageous wom-

en. Everyone needs a mentor!

POSITIVE STORY ON

VOLUNTEERISM

A volunteer is someone who knows

that it takes collective effort from

both government and individuals

to reach full social and economic

development. A citizen must play

his/her role. Just imagine a society

made up by people who are keen to

make change to other people’s

lives. "Ask not what your country

can do for you, ask what you can

do for your country" – John F

Kennedy. Those sagacious words

mean a lot to Vhutshilo. To help a

group of grade 12 learners with

information about bursaries, how

to apply for varsity and motivate

them, and never expect any re-

ward, that's what Africa - needs in

order to prosper. Though it sounds

liberal its content sounds good to

me.

“Personally I don't think here in

Africa we have a leadership crisis, I

think our biggest problem is that

we have too many political analysts

and very few volunteers. I am a

solution-oriented and I have no

interest in their analyses. Whenev-

er I see a gap in development, I

don't think about whose fault it is.

I think of a potential solution and

practical ways of implementing

that solution. In that manner we

still have to raise awareness to

promote volunteerism in Africa.”

said Vhutshilo.

He told himself that he will gather

information and give back to his

community. This makes him real-

ized that people don't give because

they have much but they do be-

cause it’s the moral thing to do.

The information he gave to 567

grade 12 learners around Vhembe

District contributed positively to

social development. He believes

that when a person has the funda-

mental knowledge and critical facts

when addressing any situation in

life, that person stands a very good

chance of making a much more

informed decision.

Vhamanndafhadzi team preparing to go to Makakavhale sec

7

8

Who:

First Year Students

2014

What:

Group work 2 days/week

Sports Service Skill

Be The Best

Be one of 60 hand-

picked Univen first

year students and

challenge each other

How:

Apply in the Office of

Community Engagement

Deadline:

29 January 2014

Be More

Build skills every

week to be ready for

and to succeed in the

world

Apply Now

S tudent

A cademic

M entoring

P rogram

FIRST YEAR STUDENTS

To promote your student organi-

zation or students based projects

contact Vhutshilo Makananise:

vmakananise89@yahoo.com

Global Undergraduate Exchange

Program (UGRAD)

This Program offers scholar-

ships for a full academic year of

non-degree study in the United

States to undergraduate emerg-

ing student leaders from un-

derrepresented sectors of select-

ed countries in different world

regions. The program also in-

cludes community service activi-

ties and internships. Space usu-

ally is limited to a few slots. Ap-

plications close in March.

TechWomen: Professional Men-

torship and Exchange Program

The TechWomen program will

identify approximately 80 wom-

en who are emerging leaders

and entrepreneurs working in

STEM (science, technology, en-

gineering and math) from the

Middle East & Africa for a five-

week program in the fall of 2013,

including mentorships and pro-

fessional exchanges at leading

companies in Silicon Valley,

California, concluding with

workshops, networking events

and meetings in Washington,

D.C. Applications Close in Feb-

ruary. For more information and

eligibility requirements please

visit: http://

www.techwomen.org/how-to-

apply/

STRIVE TO DO YOUR BEST!!!!

APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

9

Take full advantage of these exciting opportunities to study

abroad. For more information don’t hesitate to visit Office of

the Community Engagement and International Relations.

Main Administration building Office No: 37 and 12.

The Abe Bailey tour in the UK has helped me to unleash my leadership potentials and skills. The pro-

gram was an eye opener for me. I had the opportunity of engaging with a variety of individuals rang-

ing from the field of politics, diplomacy, business and academic. These people were very motivating

and inspiring. Through them I learnt the fundamental significance of strong leadership attributes

and how they can build one’s self esteem in striving for change. Most importantly, my engagement

with these individuals helped me question my own intellectual capacity as a young South African. I

also realized that leadership is not all about executive duties, but, rather, it is about making an im-

pact and influencing people positively. In this way anyone can become a leader, if they are goal ori-

ented and have a vision.

I also learnt a lot from other students who represented South African Universities, who participated

in the tour. From such South African student I have learnt that young people in south

Africa have so much potential in elevating and leading South Africa to be a better country

regardless of colour, age or gender because, after all, South Africa belongs to all who live in it. For that reason, it is in our hands to make

positive impacts on our surrounding societies.

As part of the major highlight from the tour, I had the privilege to meet a variety of South African students who are pursuing their studies in

universities found in the UK such as Oxford University. During our engagement, I was really inspired and highly motivated to see young

South Africans who were so determined about pursuing their studies and meeting them has also helped consider my options of pursuing

my studies in the UK as well. My message to UNIVEN students is that they should try by all means to unleash their potential and they will

be astonished at what they are capable of. They should also take into consideration that,

’’Potential which is unrealized can turn into pain.’’ Robin Sharma.

Radingoana Kholofelo (Abe Bailey Ambassador)

Sources: Lufuno

Ramabulana, Humbulani

Kwinda, Thendo Mapume,

Manner Tawanda Mukucha,

Languta Matshebe, Charles

Masindi and Radingoana

Kholofelo

Written by Vhutshilo

Makananise aka Maluleke

If you have a community

engagement article send it

to:

vmakananise89@yahoo.com

10

CALL FOR APPLICATION: ABE BAILEY TRAVEL BURSARY 2014

The Trustees of the Abe Bailey Trust are calling for applications for the annual travel bursary to the United Kingdom. The Bursary is available for a suitable student or a junior academic member of the University. The main aim of the Abe Bailey Travel Bursary is leadership development to-wards nation building.

Conditions for application:

Senior students / junior lecturer (third year and above)

South African national and must be in a position to obtain a valid South African passport.

Applicants must be age 25 or less at the start of the tour.

Applicants have strong academic record and has proven record of community participation/public service ethic

Applicants must demonstrate all round of leadership qualities with a good track record not only on campus but also in a wider social context and who are able to function as part of a select and highly skilled group

Requirements for Applications:

- A completed application form

- A current CV

- A personal letter of motivation as to why you are applying for the bursary

- Three letters of reference, none older than three years

- Copies of ID, matric certificate and University academic record

- Details of leadership roles in the community, at school and at the University

For further enquiry and collection of the application forms please contact the office of the Deans and the School Community Engagement Representative or the following offices:

Directorate of Community Engagement

Office No.37, Main Admin Building

Tel: 015 962 8236

Contact person. Ms. Naki Nemadodzi (nakisani.nemadodzi@univen.ac.za or nemadn@univen.ac.za)