Thursday, 21 May
21 May 202012:00
When the University of Cape Town (UCT) embarked on online learning, we knew it would not be an easy transition.
We have seen the resilience, perseverance and determination many students have demonstrated, along with all the hard work put in, driven by the shared commitment to completing the academic year.
The university wants to walk this journey with you as much as possible, so we want you to know about the types of student support available during the lockdown through the Student Wellness Service (SWS) and the Office for Inclusivity & Change (OIC).
Peer counselling
Dynamic peer counsellors in the SWS provide support to students (in English, isiXhosa and Afrikaans) through four focus areas:
- counselling
- health and wellness
- socio-emotional adjustment
- academic support.
More information is available via these channels:
- The UCT Peer Counsellors Instagram page
- SWS services
- A multilingual video where you can meet the peer counsellors.
Survivor support
To continue supporting survivors of sexual assault, the OIC is running a weekly online Survivor Support Group every Tuesday evening from 17:30 to 19:30.
The UCT executive is committed to continuing to support you as much as possible.
11:00
Africa Day, commemorated each year on 25 May, is an important day on the University of Cape Town (UCT) calendar – even more so this year, under the unusual conditions faced under COVID-19. Now more than ever, Africans need to take up the challenges shared with each other and the world, and apply creativity and experience to help develop solutions.
In this spirit, the African Union’s African Peer Review Mechanism, 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 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.
Each panel of Pan-African experts will focus on responses by African countries to the COVID-19 pandemic, in relation to governance and development. They will explore the actions required to fulfil African shared values and principles.
These discussions are important for all. Your questions and observations will contribute to perspectives on each topic. So, engage with these panellists even if you can only do so in one or two sessions.
Please RSVP to attend these webinars.
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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.