Turning hope into action at Gelvandale High School for Mandela Day 2025
On 18 July 2025, Nelson Mandela Day, Nelson Mandela University will return to Gelvandale High School in Helenvale, Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape, to deepen its partnership with the school’s Hostel of Hope.
This initiative, supported by TruFM as the official radio partner, is a powerful response to the Mandela Day theme, "It is still in your hands to combat poverty and inequity."
Located in an area facing systemic poverty, food insecurity, and crime, the Hostel of Hope is being transformed into a safe, dignified space where learners can thrive. This year’s activation builds on the success of 2023 and focuses on long-term, community-driven change.
The 2025 Mandela Day plans include:
- Expanding the food garden and hostel kitchen support
- Improving infrastructure and painting dormitories
- Installing digital learning tools and internet access
- Hosting safety, peer support, and wellness workshops
- Collecting essentials such as toiletries, food, and stationery
Nelson Mandela University is rallying students, alumni, staff, and local partners to bring Gelvandale’s vision of a safe and supportive space to life.
You can support by:
- Donating food, toiletries, or school supplies
- Volunteering professional skills in security, IT, or health
- Contributing financially or in-kind to long-term projects
- Joining the hands-on activation on Mandela Day
Contact: Ms Nompilo Makamu
📧 Noppy.Makamu@mandela.ac.za | 📞 041 504 460
Together, we can grow a space of love, safety, and dignity where young people can thrive.
“Mandela Week challenges us to live out Madiba’s values. This initiative is our way of walking alongside our communities, rebuilding what was lost, and reigniting what was always there: our shared humanity.” – Wensley Jackson, Project Coordinator