Shaping future leaders through Eastern Cape community engagements

On 16 and 18 June 2025, Unisa’s Ethics Management Division (EMD), in collaboration with the Gqeberha Office, Mthatha Office, and regional stakeholders, led powerful community engagement initiatives to empower young people through ethics and dignity.

Mthatha community members

These outreach activities were made possible through strong partnerships forged by EMD with  Daya Raseela, Regional Coordinator for Gqeberha, Fezeka Dakada, Acting Supervisor: Student Administration (Gqeberha), Unathi Zono RSRC Postgraduate Representative: Eastern Cape, and Akhona Nongawuza, Unisa Mthatha alumni candidate.

Together, these leaders extended Unisa’s ethical mission beyond the institution into communities, churches, schools, and local development projects.

Gqeberha community members

As part of Unisa's catalytic niche areas, with a mission rooted in ethics and humanity, EMD plays an important role in shaping a future grounded in integrity, social responsibility, and ethical leadership. The June engagements aligned with the Youth Month campaign, focused on youth, both young men and women, across different levels of education.

The team delivered motivational and values-based talks under the following themes:

• Building a future on an ethical foundation
• Unisa: A centre for shaping the future through ethical behaviour

Mthatha community: Morality and dignity through outreach

On 16 June 2025, EMD partnered with the City of God Church in Mthatha, reaching out to disadvantaged students from Walter Sisulu University, Silverton High School, and Jumba High School. EMD delivered an inspiring ethics-focused address and distributed hygiene packages to the students, offering support, dignity, and care.

Gqeberha community: Serving with purpose

On 18 June 2025, the engagement continued in Gqeberha through the Likusasa Lomama Community Project. Founded in 2012 by Phumla Dyafta, the initiative began humbly in a garage and grew through community contributions and volunteerism. Today, it provides daily meals, homework support, study spaces, gardening skills, and youth development for vulnerable children.

EMD, led by Zibuyile Jafta, Deputy Director, Ethics Management, and the Gqeberha Office, led by  Daya Raseela and Fezeka Dakada, supported this remarkable initiative by contributing an empowerment programme and hygiene care packages, especially in support of the girl child.

Beneficiaries included learners from Kwamagxaki High School, Lungisa High School, E.Z. Kabane High School, Spencer Mabija Primary, Ndzondelelo High School, Joe Slovo Primary, St. James High School, and St. Thomas High School.

Through these heartfelt initiatives, EMD successfully reached students from ten high schools and one university, many of whom come from under-resourced backgrounds. These efforts affirmed Unisa’s commitment to supporting South Africa's future leaders' dignity, education, and ethical development while building a moral populace.

As one of the leading universities on the continent, Unisa firmly believes that its existence is intertwined with the well-being of the communities it serves. Ethical engagement is not a project; it is part of our DNA.

We are not merely imparting ethics; we also embody it by engaging with our students and walking side by side with our communities.

* By Zodidi Pinde, Ethics Management Division: Deputy Registrar Governance