COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES IN 2018

INTRODUCTION

This report includes 10 Community Engagement (CE) initiatives carried out by students and volunteers of the School of Public Management, Governance and Public Policy (SPMGPP) during 2018, focussing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

CE 1: PMG visit to Africa House College, a high school in Johannesburg CBD The first CE activity took place on 23 February 2018 and involved PMG students who went to the Africa House College School in Johannesburg CBD to motivate Grade 12 learners in their final year journey so that they can make an informed decision when choosing to study PMG at University. PMG students gave a presentation to grade 12 learners about what the PMG programme is about, the need for PMG in our society, how to apply for PMG and so forth. We also gave motivational speeches to the grade 12 learners. CE1 is directly linked to SDG 4: Quality education, and SDG 5: Gender equality. Photo 1: Some of the Grade 12 learners and teachers at Africa House College School and SPMGP volunteers on 23 February 2018

CE 2: PMG students visited the Johannesburg Zoo to learn about sustainable development The second CE activity took place on 24 February 2018 and involved PMG students who were taken to the Johannesburg Zoo to learn about sustainable development, caring about the world and the environment through cleaning the animal shelters. This was a fun day for the disadvantaged SPMGP students who also had an opportunity to walk around the zoo and to see the animals for the first time.

CE 2 is directly associated with SDG 15: Life on land. Photo 2: PMG students who participated in CE at the Johannesburg Zoo to learn about sustainable development on 24 February 2018

CE 3: PMG students work at Refilwe Community Project, an orphanage for children in Lanseria The third CE initiative involved taking our PMG students to visit an orphanage for children in Lanseria called the Refilwe Community Project. The visit took place on 24 March 2018. During this encounter our students had the opportunity to distribute food and assisted in feeding the children. Our students also took the opportunity to engage with the children by playing games with them and assisted the school-going children with their homework. We are not allowed to show photos of the children but the following photo shows some of the PMG volunteers who participated in this project. This CE activity is directly linked to SDG 2: Zero hunger and SDG 4: Quality education. Photo 3: PMG students at Refilwe Community Project, an orphanage for children in Lanseria on 24 March 2018

CE 4: PMG students worked with Pickitup and the City of Johannesburg in their monthly community programme called ARE SEBETSENG The fourth CE initiative took place on 21 April 2018. PMG students worked together with Pickitup and the City of Johannesburg in their monthly community programme called ARE SEBETSENG. This is a monthly activity every third week of the month to clean the streets and collect refuse bags together with Pickitup and other residents of the City of Johannesburg. The purpose of this particular project was to raise awareness while also educating and encouraging residents to manage waste effectively and to take care of the environment. As future Public Managers and also as residents of Johannesburg, it was a good opportunity for PMG students to participate in this project. This CE initiative is directly associated with SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities. Photo 4: SPMG Volunteers with Pickitup and the City of Johannesburg in their monthly community programme called ARE SEBETSENG on 21 April 2018

CE 5: PMG students donating time to the “Dare To Read Project” at the Coronation Recreation Centre

The fifth CE initiative took place on 19 May 2018 and involved donating time to the “Dare To Read Project” at the Coronation Recreation Centre. The Dare To Read project is aimed at assisting primary school learners with reading. This initiative created a wonderful opportunity for PMG students to give back to the underprivileged children and cultivating a culture of reading among children.

This CE is linked to SDG 4: Quality education.

Photo 5: PMG volunteers donating time to the “Dare To Read Project” at the Coronation Recreation Centre on 19 May 2018

CE 6: The CBE Mandela Day Sandwich Project in partnership with CommunityHours PMG students, tutors and Prof Uwizeyimana were part of the CBE volunteers who participated in the CBE Mandela Day Sandwich Project in partnership with CommunityHours on 18 July 2018. It was reported that “In partnership with King David Linksfield, Reddam House Bedfordview and Blue Label, 15 740 sandwiches were delivered to shelters and organisations in need with the help of Meals on Wheels & Walking with Winners” as a result of this CBE community initiative.

This CE is linked to SGD 2: Zero hunger.

CE 7: SPMG Mandela Day at the Africa House College (112 Kerk Street, JHB CBD)

In addition, to the CBE Mandela Day Sandwich Project in partnership with CommunityHours the SPMGP also celebrated the Mandela Day at Africa House College (112 Kerk Street, JHB CBD). On Wednesday, 18 July 2018, our PMG students were involved in 67 minutes of Mandela day at the Africa House College. The activity was organised to encourage our students to learn how to serve their communities. It is a way to honour a great icon that fought for freedom in South Africa. We asked our students to take action and inspire change by making a difference in their communities mainly in the Johannesburg CBD. The main reason for choosing the CBD was because it is very impoverished and requires a lot of assistance from the government. We as young people, future government officials, decided to assist even in the smallest possible way.

Our students assisted the school in preparing for the new school semester by doing the following: • Cleaning graffiti from the school walls/classrooms • Cleaning teachers’ offices • Arranging documents on shelves • Cleaning furniture • Cleaning windows • Arranging old documents in boxes • Cleaning the school yard • Arranging classrooms • Mopping the floor • Cleaning the cupboards

This CE is linked to SGD 2: Zero hunger and SDG 4: Quality education.

CE 8: SPMGP participated in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature's grade 12 Careers EXPO: Wednesday, 22 August 2018 at Walter Sisulu Square (Kliptown) Soweto PMG Students and volunteers were involved in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature's grade 12 Careers EXPO on Wednesday, 22 August 2018 at Walter Sisulu Square (Kliptown) Soweto. This event involved over 1 200 Grade 12 girl learners from around Gauteng Province. The SPMG volunteers took this opportunity to market UJ, CBE and PMGP at the EXPO by displaying the UJ, CBE and SPMGP banners and almost all the participants were given flyers and CBE brochures with information on the different undergraduate and postgraduate programmes offered in the CBE at UJ. High school students, teachers and members of the community were very interested in the UJ programmes during this event. This CE is linked to SDG 4: Quality education and SDG 5: Gender equality. Photo 6: PMG tutors engaging with the students, teachers, members of the GPL and communities on Wednesday, 22 August 2018 at Walter Sisulu Square (Kliptown) Soweto

CE 9: PMGP conducted: The Empower the Future Woman Workshop On 31 August 2018 PMG students and volunteers in partnership with Africa House College, City Rand College, UJ, and the TEARS Foundation conducted a workshop to teach Grade 12 female learners about: drug addiction, gender violence, sex and sexuality, career advice, relationships, teenage pregnancy and many more. PMG students and UJ volunteers and our partners used this opportunity to do the following:

Provide clear understanding about Gender-Based Violence

Provide a support system to young girls

Form a bond between sisters

Motivate young girls to dream about the future

Create time and space for young girls to reflect and become more self-aware

Use this as a base for young women to feel empowered to understand themselves at their best and enhance current support opportunities

Discover education, employment and training opportunities. Culminating in commitment to the first steps towards aspirations.

The TEARS Foundation which is an NGO that represents victims of rape, arranged for Ms Nonhlahla Tshabalala who spoke about sexual harassment and gender-based violence. Ms Lemogang Mthlong spoke about drug abuse, Ms Sebongile, also a UJ student spoke about teenage pregnancy. The UJ clinic sent a representative who spoke about contraception. Mr Christian Kayembe, a PMG Master’s candidate and host of this event spoke to the girls about choosing a career path. In addition, Ms Maipato gave a motivational talk and finally the learners were paired up with female PMG students who shared their experiences with the young girls and answered some of their questions. During the workshop, each speaker was given a certain amount of time to discuss their topic and to take questions from the young girls. Food and refreshments were provided throughout the day. At the end of the project, the learners received hampers and a list of contacts for future use. These hampers had five hygienic female items such as sanitary pads, toothpaste, tooth-brush, facecloth and deodorant. These items were collected from different people on campus who volunteered to donate as part of givin to the underprivileged community. This CE is linked to SDG 4: Quality education and SDG 5: Gender equality. Photo 7: Some of the Grade 12 Girls who participated in the SPMGP Empower the Future Woman Workshop on 31 August 2018

CE 10: PMG students and lecturers’ visit to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) Sitting on 28 September 2018 PMG third year and Honours students as well as lecturers attended the Gauteng Provincial Government Parliament House Sitting on 28 September and the GPG provided all the transport to and from UJ to the GPG. The purpose of the UJ students' visit was to gain first-hand experience on how members of the GPL debate and make decisions on public issues. This visit provided our students with a rare opportunity to observe members of the GPL in action. As future Public Managers and also citizens of South Africa, it was a good opportunity for PMG students to learn how members of the GPL hold public officials of this province accountable. The questions from members of the GPL and answers provided by members of the Gauteng Provincial Government Executive Council helped the students to see the principles of good governance in practice. Many thanks to the GPG for providing the transport from UJ to the GPG. It was a very successful event for the students to experience governance in practice. This CE is linked to SDG 4: Quality education and SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions. Photo 8: PMG students and lecturers who visited the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) Sitting on 28 September 2018