Across South Africa, community spaces are more than just patches of land or playgrounds they are symbols of shared hope, belonging, and care. But when these spaces fall into neglect, they often mirror a fading sense of unity. That is where Retsa Tsela steps in, not only to clean, but to rebuild pride, build-ing tomorrow and creating an impact that matters.

Recently, the Student Campus Council on the Potchef-stroom Campus and our beloved mascot Eagi joined hands with Retsa Tsela to help them grow their reach and continue their work of hope, contributing R30 000 toward the organisation’s mission. This act of generosity reflects the heart of the NWU, leader-ship through service and collaboration.

It all started with one spade, one shovel, and one wheelbarrow. That is how project manager and founder Peterson Sebati describes his journey to starting Retsa Tsela, a non-profit organisation found-ed in Potchefstroom and dedicated to restoring pub-lic spaces and fostering community responsibility.

Retsa Sela, meaning “Save the Road” or “Keep the Path,” perfectly captures its mission to guide com-munities back toward collective stewardship and sus-tainable living. What began as a small local clean-up has grown into a grassroots movement that inspires people to stand up and be the change they wish to see, a living example of unity in action.

For Retsa Tsela, cleanliness is not just about appear-ances, it is about dignity, safety, and pride. The proj-ect focuses on reclaiming abandoned public areas that have become dumping grounds, transforming them into safe, eco-friendly spaces once again.

Volunteers have renovated schools, repainted bath-rooms, and supported elderly residents by maintain-ing their surroundings. Each restored space tells a

story of transformation and is proof that small acts of service can create ripples of lasting change.

At the heart of Retsa Tsela are its people. Peterson and his dedicated team believe that real transfor-mation begins when communities take ownership of their environment. “Hope that is lost can be hope re-kindled,” Peterson often says, a reminder that every clean-up is more than physical work; it’s a step to-ward rebuilding identity and hope.

Through training, mentorship, and collaboration, Ret-sa Tsela equips young people with practical skills and a renewed sense of civic responsibility, shaping citi-zens who are literally building tomorrow through their everyday actions. Currently, over 30 volunteers are recruited each month to assist in schools, public ar-eas, and elderly homes. This consistent participation has transformed Retsa Tsela into a model of sustain-able community engagement.

Inclusivity remains central to the project. Volunteers come from diverse racial, cultural, and denomination-al backgrounds, a reflection of South Africa’s unity in action. The project welcomes people with disabilities and creates opportunities for all to contribute mean-ingfully.

When the NWU joined the Retsa Tsela family at Tsh-upane Primary School in Potchefstroom, it became clear that this partnership was more than symbolic. It brought together two groups of young changemak-ers, the youth driving Retsa Tsela’s vision and the NWU’s own student leaders who embody the spirit of service that defines the university.

In an age where environmental awareness and com-munity cohesion are vital, Retsa Tsela reminds us that change does not need to start big, it just needs to start somewhere.

IMPACT@NWU December 2025