Volunteerism is still not a part of South Africa’s social fabric, yet it is one of the human traits that defines us as human beings. There is a reason for people to dedicate their time and effort to others without expecting to be paid. There is always a gap in society when this does not happen. Therefore, two MUT divisions decided to collaborate and ask students to volunteer their time and knowledge. Engaging in voluntary work provides students with a deeper understanding of what a society, at its smallest portion, is like. Usually, university students do not have any idea what happens to those not close to them. This is what was highlighted by one of the students who volunteered at a centre that houses the homeless last year. This year the CEAD and the Department of Student Affairs continued with the same project, at the same place.
Dr Mfanozelwe Shozi, Deputy Director: CEAD, said that on 15 March 2025, 27 students attended the induction workshop at the Denis Hurley Centre in the Durban CBD to create a unique opportunity to grow through volunteering in a practical way to help homeless people; learning about one of the pressing and visible social problems in the city, and reflecting on what students have learned about themselves and the city.
MUT students were later joined by 12 homeless people to share their experiences of being homeless. At the commencement of the workshop, students were asked why they chose to volunteer at Denis Hurley. Dr Shozi said most students indicated that it has been always their desire to help needy people.
The highlight of the workshop was when students were divided into four groups which were paired with at least two homeless people. Homeless people shared their life experiences, and these conversations dispelled several myths about homelessness. The homeless people say that the biggest contributor to homelessness in Durban, is unemployment and poverty, which leads to them living in a very unequal society. The students learned that the life expectancy of homeless people is lower due to the hardships these people find themselves facing. They also learned that it was also not true that people who live on the streets are all drug users and criminals.
Dr Shozi said that in 2025, there will be two segments of the project. The first segment will run from the 22 March to the end of May. The volunteering opportunities each week are 2.5-hour sessions, every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, from 8 am-10.30 am and/or from 10.30 am-1 pm. At the end of the first segment, students will send a TikTok video, reflecting on their experience of volunteering at Denis Hurleyc. A certificate of participation will be awarded to all students who complete 10 registered hours and post a Tik-Tok video.