We are proud to announce that the Textiles (TKS 411) Clothes To Good community engagement project under the leadership of Dr. Nadine Sonnenberg has been awarded the prestigious Institutional Community Engagement Award for 2024/2025. This initiative bridges academic learning with real-world impact. Under Dr Sonnenberg's guidance, this project has empowered students to apply their knowledge of textiles and sustainability to support inclusive recycling initiatives and micro-enterprise development in partnership with Clothes To Good. Through this collaboration, the project not only addresses critical issues of textile waste but also fosters social and economic empowerment in local communities.

Dr. Sonnenberg’s commitment to social change extends beyond the Textile 411 Clothes To Good project. As chairperson of the Rethink @ NAS Outreach sub-committee, her passion for community development has led to a number of broader community outreach initiatives within the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. 

In the words of Dr Sonnenberg: "It takes a community of like-minded people to inspire change." In the Department of Consumer and Food Sciences, we have a team of lecturers and students dedicated to transformative education and community upliftment through various partners, including Clothes To Good, PatchUP, and Mapula Embroideries. 

Congratulations, Dr. Sonnenberg, the Clothes To Good community and the Textiles 411 students on this well-deserved honor! We are excited to see how the Textile 411 Clothes To Good project continues to grow and inspire.