It is that time of the year again, when Rhodes University and Grahamstown gear up to participate in Trading Live for Mandela Week. Over 140 events took place in 2017 where student organisations, departments and community organisations participated in the institutional community engagement initiative and made it a phenomenal success.
This year, Trading Live for Mandela Week will take place on the 18th – 24th of July from 08:00-17:00 each day.
In line with the central objective of Mandela Day, this initiative provides staff at Rhodes with an opportunity ”to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good.”
The Trading Live concept is that all staff, students and community organizations, businesses and schools offer at least 67 minutes of their time from the 18th - 24th of July 2018 to building new relationships of reciprocity in the Grahamstown community. This is achieved by making and accepting offers to trade their skills, talents, interests or hobbies with other interested parties. Ideas include presenting a lecture or workshop or sports clinic, running a cooking or sewing or toy making class, or spring cleaning service, giving a musical or choir or drama performance, producing a delicious traditional cultural food dish with an explanation of why this dish is important to your culture. We all have something to offer our community and each other: you are encouraged to be creative! You can even get together with other staff in your department and offer something as a group. Trading Live is also, about what you would like to receive, so get thinking about your wish list and identify that special something!
HoDs, Managers, and Student leaders will be contacted and requested to encourage and facilitate involvement in this initiative. The trade will start on Wednesday the18th until Tuesday the 24th of July 2018 between 08h00 to 17h00 so the support of managers and HoD’s is needed to determine what is feasible in terms of staff being away from work for 67 minutes to offer their trade and/or 67 minutes to receive a trade. It is recognized that some staff may not be able to participate at particular times due to work commitments. While Rhodes is seeking to facilitate this project, the initiative seeks to encourage all people in Grahamstown to use of their time and talents to benefit and learn from one another.
Forms are available on the RUCE Website: http://www.ru.ac.za/communityengagement/tradingliveformandela/ or at the Community Engagement Office.
For more information on how to take part please contact the RU Community Engagement (RUCE) office: Nosipho Nkwinti on 046 603 7482, or email your queries to tradinglive@ru.ac.za