UNICEF UJ Chapters

  By Thato Lee-Ann Vululwandle – Former Career Development Officer (2024) Our former Career Development Officer, Thato Lee-Ann Vululwandle Leading the Career Development Programme taught me resilience, time management, and adaptability. Balancing university life and leadership responsibilities required sacrifices, but the rewards were immeasurable. The journey was not without its obstacles, but the rewards far outweighed the challenges, I would do it all over again. I still remember the day UNICEF UJ launched its recruitment campaign on campus. I was seeking experience and a chance to give back to the community. As a registered volunteer of UNICEF UJ, I chose Career Development, inspired by the University of Johannesburg’s career expo that visited my high school in 2021. The career expo sparked my passion for studying law at tertiary level because very few learners from my community make it to university, so I wanted to make a difference. Our first meeting as the Career Development...

  By Waborena Harmony Madisha, Former Climate Change Program Officer (2024), UNICEF UJ UNICEF UJ Volunteers with Padel Green, City of Johannesburg, JMPD and UJ Community Engagement Volunteers after cleaning Hillbrow Recreation Center                                               SOWING SEEDS OF SUST AINABILITY Being a volunteer, leader, and Climate Change Program Officer under UNICEF UJ has been an extraordinary journey of growth, collaboration, and impact. It has shown me that meaningful change requires more than just ideas, it takes hands in the soil, teamwork, and a commitment to sustainability. Reflecting on the initiatives we’ve championed; I feel both humbled and inspired by what we’ve accomplished together.    Cultivating Leadership Through Action  In leadership, I’ve discovered that growth comes from doing. Whether organizing a clean-up or planti...

By Thulani Khumalo - Former President (2024).  "The mere exposure effect was not  mere;  it was intentional than mere.”                                                   Our Volunteers with children during play break. The Mere Exposure Effect has summarized my volunteer experience with the UNICEF Campus Club at the University of Johannesburg for 2 years, it has revealed what we were supposed to achieve in 2023, and it explains what we have achieved in 2024. Find the link to the 2023 achievements and challenges here:  Click Here .  I am a second year Psychology student, and the Mere Exposure Effect is a theory I  encountered  in Social Psychology, and it has been implicated in studies that show how people form friendships, relationships and fall in love. In 2023, I wrote an article reflecting on our impact as volunteers on the chi...

       By Nkhensani Kgamedi                  08 September 2024 “Children are the seeds of greatness; and education is the soil in which they grow.” – Desmond Tutu.   Ready, Set, grab your blue t-shirt and read!!! Welcome to a world where words weave worlds, as the ink leaves the pen and flows and as the pages turn, a universe of opportunities arise, brightening up the path to a brighter tomorrow. In this dimension of written words, magic happens and with every sentence, a bridge is built, connecting hearts, minds, and souls, building communities of readers, and dreamers. As we celebrate International Literacy Day, we are all reminded of the great importance of education especially for children . Now imagine a world where curiosity is nurtured, dreams are ignited, and every child has the chance to explore the endless opportunities that awaits them. Many children have heard great leaders and role models say, “Th...

  By  Hlalani Mdunge, Okuhle S Cetyiwe, Thaboeteng Ncube, Thandiswa Ngolothi and Mamello Mpiti. Throughout history, women have made significant contributions to society, yet their efforts are often overlooked. Their roles encompass various aspects of life, from being caregivers within their families to economic contributors, entrepreneurs, leaders of innovation, social change agents challenging societal norms, and community builders. Women continue to give their all in every aspect. On August 9th, 1956, 20,000 women made history by marching to the Union Buildings in Pretoria with over 100,000 signatures on petition documents. Their campaign aimed to bring an end to the pass laws implemented by the apartheid government. The women left the petition forms at the Prime Minister's office and then gathered outside the building to sing the protest song, "Wathinta abafazi, wathinta imbokodo," which translates to "You have touched women, you have struck a rock." These wo...

A major part of the life of Nelson Mandela, a legendary figure in the struggle against apartheid and a symbol of justice and equality, was devoted to the welfare of children. His committed campaign for advancing children’s rights was motivated by his belief that youth can create a better future. Raising awareness of education as a powerful tool for social change, Mandela’s legacy continues to inspire movements around the world that work to improve children’s lives. This article examines Mandela’s lasting influence on children’s rights and education, showcasing current projects that uphold his principles. MANDELA’S DEVOTION TO CHILDREN’S RIGHTS, EDUCATION AND PROTECTION Mandela’s dedication to children’s rights and their education was unwavering. His commitment is evident in his actions and the organisations he established. In 1995 Mandela founded the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, this organisation was aimed to improve the lives of children in South Africa. The fund focused o...