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On 2 July, representatives from the University of Zululand and the University of the Western Cape met as part of the Unizulu-led UCDP site visit. The meeting focused on laying the groundwork for the collaborative project, Community Engagement Ethics and Research Methodology, and provided an opportunity to discuss collaboration between the participating institutions. Among those in attendance was Dr. Samantha van Schalkwyk, Acting Director of the UWC Community Engagement Unit, together with Prof. Peter Njuho (University of Zululand), Prof. Bolyn Selepe (UWC), Prof. Jesika Singh ( Director Research Development and Postgraduate Support , UWC), and Ms. Kristena Reddy. Pictured from left: Prof. Bolyn Selepe, Prof. Peter Njuho, Prof. Jesika Singh, Ms. Kristena Reddy, and Dr. Samantha van Schalkwyk.

Winter has a special way of reminding us that small acts of kindness can create lasting warmth. Our Project Winter Hope initiative in Garies, Northern Cape, was an incredible success, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed, partnered with us, and helped make a meaningful impact in the lives of community members. On behalf of the Community Engagement Unit (CEU), we would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our partners from the UWC Library, particularly Khanyisa Yekwani and Gerald Louw, for their dedication and support throughout this initiative. A special thank you goes to Dr Shirlene Neerputh, Director of the UWC Library, and Shehaamah Mohamed, Deputy Director Learning and Teaching, Library Services, for the valuable partnership and collaboration that made this project possible. We would also like to acknowledge and thank our internal support team and leadership: our Acting Director, Dr Samantha Van Schalkwyk, Nathan Lawrence from the UWC Centre of Performing Arts (CPA), and Damaris Kiewiets, our Community Liaison Officer, for their commitment and contributions. To our valued partners, Change Agents South Africa NPO, thank you for walking this journey with us. Special appreciation goes to Olin Kiewietz, who led this project with passion and dedication, as well as Change Agents South Africa Chairperson, Jayson George, for the continued support and commitment to promoting social impact. Throughout our visit to JJ Lambert Primary School, facilitated by Juffrou Fagmieya Januarie and her team, and the Garies Town Hall, a number of meaningful activities took place that touched the lives of many community members. The Community Engagement Unit (CEU) led a workshop, “Die Stem van Garies,” which focused on community mapping and centring the voices of community members. This workshop was facilitated by Nathan Lawrence (UWC Centre for Performing Arts), Damaris Kiewiets (CEU Community Liaison Officer) and Dr. Samantha van Schalkwyk (Acting Director, CEU). Khanyisa Yekwani and Gerald Louw from the UWC Library also facilitated a workshop for youth and their parents on the dangers of the online world and digital safety awareness. One of the highlights of the programme was the Dignity Clothes Shop initiative led by Change Agents South Africa. Donations were carefully displayed, and community members were given the opportunity to choose items according to their needs and preferences. Children selected toys of their choice, individuals picked clothing items and shoes, while adults also received blankets, soup, socks, and other essential winter items. A particularly touching moment was reaching out directly to vulnerable members of the community. Five elderly community members were visited in their homes, with the oldest being 91 years old. These moments reminded us that community engagement is not only about providing material support, but also about restoring dignity, sharing compassion, and building human connection. Our outreach also extended to Joe Slovo Community Health Centre-ER, where we donated baby clothing and boxes of sanitary pads to support families and address important community needs. This initiative demonstrated the true power of collaboration, compassion, and collective action. Together, we did more than provide warmth this winter; we shared hope, restored dignity, inspired smiles, and fostered a genuine sense of belonging. Thank you to every donor, volunteer, staff member, student, and partner who contributed towards making this initiative a success. Together, we continue to build stronger communities and create meaningful change.

Dr Samantha van Schalkwyk (Acting Director): The first half of 2026 has been a period of transition and growth for the Community Engagement Unit (CEU). Since assuming the role of Acting Director in January 2026, a key focus has been to enhance the visibility of community engagement initiatives within the CEU and across UWC. This commitment is aligned with UWC's IOP 2026–2030 and its vision of developing graduates who embody Ubuntu through ethical leadership and social responsibility. Read More ... https://tinyurl.com/48e7jrcs

Faculty of Arts & Humanities (5 Aug 2026) Get exposure to the Foundations of SoE-SI (Scholarship of Engagement for societal Impact) Learn how to capture, showcase, and evidence your engagement work for recognition, reporting, and impact.

YouTube clip: For those who were unable to attend or join Seminar 2, the full session recording is now available on YouTube. You are welcome to watch the recording and engage with the valuable discussions, insights, and knowledge shared during the seminar. Thank you to everyone who participated, and we look forward to your continued engagement in the upcoming CEU Seminar Series sessions. Watch the full seminar here: https://youtu.be/qQg6soD0I-Y

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) Community Engagement Unit (CEU) and Library are partnering with Change Agents South Africa to make a difference in Garies (Northern Cape). This winter let’s come together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most. The UWC Community Engagement Unit and UWC Library, in partnership with Change Agents South Africa, are collecting donations of warm clothing, blankets, non-perishable food items, toys, and children’s books and stationery. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps bring warmth, comfort, hope, and smiles to individuals and families during the colder months. Join us in making a positive impact because every donation counts. #WinterDrive #DonationDrive #UWC #CommunityEngagement #MakingADifference #EveryDonationCounts

This seminar examines the co-creation of knowledge as a critical practice within the Scholarship of Engagement, drawing on a Participatory Action Research (PAR) study conducted in Lambert’s Bay, South Africa. In a context shaped by inequality, marginalisation, and limited access to services, the study foregrounds community members as co-researchers and co-designers of a community-based substance abuse intervention programme. Through iterative cycles of engagement including needs identification, capacity strengthening, community mapping, and stakeholder collaboration the research demonstrates how locally grounded knowledge can inform contextually relevant and sustainable responses to complex social challenges. The findings highlight that meaningful participation fosters ownership, strengthens social cohesion, and builds community capacity, while also challenging conventional expert-driven models of intervention. Engaging with Bronfenbrenner’s socio-ecological framework, the seminar illustrates how substance abuse is embedded within interconnected systems of poverty, inequality, and social dislocation, requiring multi-level, collaborative responses. The study further reflects on the tensions inherent in co-creating knowledge, including power dynamics, competing agendas, and the practical complexities of participatory work. Positioned within post-apartheid South Africa, this seminar argues that universities have an ethical and transformative role in facilitating engaged scholarship that centres community voice, disrupts knowledge hierarchies, and advances social justice. It offers critical insights for scholars and practitioners seeking to build equitable partnerships and coproduce knowledge that leads to meaningful, sustained change. Click here to view his BIO

Community Engagement Database Showcase community engagement activities. Serve as a promotional/marketing tool as it presents viewers (on and off-campus) with information pertaining to your community engagement activities and development. Present an opportunity to access information about engagement activities on and off-campus Provides cross-links and references to community engagement activities. Provides a platform for knowledge sharing and coordination. Provides potential development of partnerships on and off-campus. Scholarship of Engagement (SoE) Database Highlights the Community Engagement citation from 2015 to 2020. The publications captured represents engaged research by UWC scholars from all faculties, support units, divisions and centres at UWC. How to gain Access The link https://ceudatabase.uwc.ac.za/portal Takes you directly to the UWC CEU Databases To view the Community Engagement Programmes, click on the left menu bar for, Public Access, Staff Access, and Executive Access. Follow instruction. You will access to both Community Engagement and Scholarship of Engagement (SoE) Databases

The annual Colloquium hosted by the CEU at the University of the Western Cape: 18 - 19 May (from 2pm - 4.30pm)

Community Engagement Report Annually the report is published to acknowledge the dedication to CE at UWC. Scholarship of Engagement (SoE) Report The citations captured represents engaged research by UWC scholars from all faculties, support units, divisions and centres at UWC. CE@UWC Newsletter The newsletter is published biannually and feature exciting and relevant engagements and narratives. The publications above can be found on the CEU Website https://www.ceu.uwc.ac.za/archives Substance Misuse Case Study Manual This case study manual is an outcome of the first five modules of the substance abuse course developed by the Community Engagement Unit at the University of the Western Cape. Context is a significant aspect of any substance abuse intervention. The manual was therefore created in collaboration with participants from the course. Their specific context, which was identified as an essential component of the training material, was highlighted. Please contact Pearl September-Brown pseptemberbrown@uwc.ac.za if you would like more information on the manual.

This is a brief outline of 'how to' access the content on our new Website. Visit our Website or click anywhere on the image above. When prompted, please enter a valid email address to sign-up or Login to our Website At the bottom of any page on our website, click on Site Map (the outline of our website) Select the (underlined) main page to go to the information of your choice If in doubt, type what you are looking for in our 'Search' space provided (top of every page) #CEUcontent #CEUevent

Graduate Development Programme (GDP) The Graduate Development Programme (GDP) supports first-year students in academic, personal, and social adjustment at UWC. GDP is infused into the Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP), as it bridges the Academic and Co-curricular engagement at UWC. Through its year-long curriculum, workshops and individualised coaching, the programme aims to facilitate students’ growth and the acquisition of the university’s graduate attributes. GDP also helps enhance the personal awareness of factors that influence academic achievement; it provides students with the tools to be more prepared to face daily challenges at university and to actualise their potential. By supporting students holistically, GDP helps to manage the university throughput and to assist in containing student attrition more effectively, as students learn and practice the skills necessary to stay afloat in a university environment. The Office for Academic Support (OAS) provides learning support programmes, engagements, and scaffolding skills to students across different levels at UWC. This project can be accessed on the CE Database https://ceudatabase.uwc.ac.za/portal