Dear colleagues
I am writing to inform you that the University of Cape Town (UCT) has taken the important decision to adopt an integrated approach to address the overlapping findings of three critical reports: the 2019 Staff Inclusivity Survey (IS), Professor Bongani Mayosi’s Panel Enquiry (MPE), and the Institutional Reconciliation and Transformation Commission (IRTC).
We were persuaded of the importance of taking this step, despite the differing scope of these reports, because of the seriousness with which we view the key common points of contention that emerged. These include Bullying, Emotional Wellbeing, Racial and other forms of discrimination and harassment, and Retention, Advancement and Leadership.
As we continue to grapple with the full implications of the contents, let me say that UCT’s chosen approach paves the way to integrate the work of our DVC: Transformation Professor Loretta Feris and Chief Operating Officer, Dr Reno Morar. They will in turn enjoy the support of an Inclusivity Strategy Advisory Group (ISAG), tasked with monitoring our university’s response, and an Inclusivity Strategy Working Group (ISWG) who will have oversight for implementing appropriate interventions.
At the same time, the university leadership recognises that there are also issues that are specific to particular faculties and departments. The complexity and uniqueness of these necessitates a bespoke approach, and members of leadership teams will assume responsibility here. I encourage them to consult the Transformation Benchmarks and their respective Transformation Committees for insight, and to communicate details of any initiatives for change to all staff, in the interests of transparency.
I also encourage them to contact the ISWG through Nina Barnes, our Institutional Culture Specialist with the Office for Inclusivity & Change (OIC) at nina.barnes@uct.ac.za, for clarity on the development of their individual strategies in line with the Template: Individualised Indicators of Success. The deadline for the inclusion plans is set for 30 November 2020, but I am cognisant of the constraints associated with off-campus operations due to the lockdown. If faculties or departments are struggling to complete their inclusion plans, they can contact the OIC at director.oic@uct.ac.za for support. Inclusion plans are to be approved by the Deans or Executive Directors and submitted to the DVC/COO to which the faculty or department reports.
All three reports have served up hard truths and highlighted avoidable mistakes. But they also provided invaluable insights, important lessons, and recommendations for improvement. As such, our intention is to conduct similar surveys to build on this baseline data and to assess our consequent interventions at the end of 2023, unless the COVID-19 situation dictates otherwise.
Sincerely
Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng
Vice-Chancellor
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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 with the latest COVID-19 information. Please note that the information on this page is subject to change depending on current lockdown regulations.
Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, has in June 2022 repealed some of South Africa’s remaining COVID-19 regulations: namely, sections 16A, 16B and 16C of the Regulations Relating to the Surveillance and the Control of Notifiable Medical Conditions under the National Health Act. We are now no longer required to wear masks or limit gatherings. Venue restrictions and checks for travellers coming into South Africa have now also been removed.
On Wednesday, 20 July, staff from the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Faculty of Health Sciences came together with representatives from the Western Cape Government at the UCT Community of Hope Vaccination Centre at Forest Hill Residence to acknowledge the centre’s significance in the fight against COVID-19 and to thank its staff for their contributions. The centre opened on 1 September 2021 with the aim of providing quality vaccination services to UCT staff, students and the nearby communities, as well as to create an opportunity for medical students from the Faculty of Health Sciences to gain practical public health skills. The vaccination centre ceased operations on Friday, 29 July 2022.
With the closure of the UCT Community of Hope Vaccination Centre, if you still require access to a COVID-19 vaccination site please visit the CovidComms SA website to find an alternative.
“After almost a year of operation, the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Community of Hope Vaccination Centre, located at the Forest Hill residence complex in Mowbray, will close on Friday, 29 July 2022. I am extremely grateful and proud of all staff, students and everyone involved in this important project.”
– Vice-Chancellor Prof Mamokgethi PhakengWith the closure of the UCT Community of Hope Vaccination Centre, if you still require access to a COVID-19 vaccination site please visit the CovidComms SA website to find an alternative.
UCT’s Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM) collaborated with Global Citizen, speaking to trusted experts to dispel vaccine misinformation.
If you have further questions about the COVID-19 vaccine check out the FAQ produced by the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF). The DTHF has developed a dedicated chat function where you can ask your vaccine-related questions on the bottom right hand corner of the website.
IDM YouTube channel | IDM website
“As a contact university, we look forward to readjusting our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in 2023 as the COVID-19 regulations have been repealed.”
– Prof Harsha Kathard, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning
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.