Africa Month webinars and other updates

21 May 2020 | Campus Announcement

Dear students

This campus announcement aims to inform the UCT community about recent developments on campus.

1. Invitation to join important Africa Day webinars

In commemorating Africa Month, the African Union’s African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), in collaboration with UCT Convocation and the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, will host a three-day Africa Month public symposium under the theme “Africa’s innovations in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic”. From Wednesday, 27 May to Friday, 29 May 2020, five webinars will discuss – among others – knowledge systems and knowledge production on the continent, best practice examples in Africa, the climate change and development nexus in Africa, Pan-African reflections on leadership and good governance during COVID-19, and COVID-19 philanthropy on the continent.


2. UCT student support services during lockdown

The process of transitioning to online learning due to the lockdown has not been an easy one for students. The UCT executive acknowledges the vastly different socio-economic conditions under which students are learning. There is a wide range of support available to support each student dealing with varied and complex challenges, through the Student Wellness Service and the Office for Inclusivity and Change. The executive is committed to continuing to support students as much as possible.


3. Monthly data provisioning

Please note that the next monthly data top up for students will be provisioned on 22 May 2020. All UCT students with a South African cell number on PeopleSoft with the four networks – Cell C, MTN, Telkom and Vodacom – will receive the monthly 30GB or 40GB top up data.

Thank you to all students who have already opted out of getting data bundles from UCT. If you have adequate internet access at home and don’t need a data bundle, please opt out of receiving future data top ups. This will ensure that UCT can continue to assist students who don’t have sufficient resources for online learning.

 

Communication and Marketing Department


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UCT’s response to COVID-19 in 2021

COVID-19 is a global pandemic that caused President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare a national disaster in South Africa on 15 March 2020 and to implement a national lockdown from 26 March 2020.

UCT is taking the threat of infection in our university community extremely seriously, and this page will be updated regularly with the latest COVID-19 information. Please note that the information on this page is subject to change depending on current lockdown regulations.

 

Commemorating a year of COVID-19

At midnight on 26 March 2020, South African went into the first nationwide hard lockdown. A year later, we remember those who have died and those who have been affected by COVID-19, as well as the pandemic’s effects across society and campus. We are especially grateful for the front-line health workers who have done so much for so many.

Frequently asked questions

 
 

In an email to the UCT community, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng said:
“COVID-19, caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, is a rapidly changing epidemic. [...] Information [...] will be updated as and when new information becomes available.”

 

We are continuing to monitor the situation and we will be updating the UCT community regularly – as and when there are further updates. If you are concerned or need more information, students can contact the Student Wellness Service on 021 650 5620 or 021 650 1271 (after hours), while staff can contact 021 650 5685.