Useful resources

04 November 2022

Useful resources on TDI at UCT

	A quick video introduction to the OIC.
	Download this zine developed by young people in Cape Town reflecting their experiences of inequality and oppression.
	Disability Services provides support to students with disability. Learn more about available services or watch training videos.
	The OIC in partnership with the Organisational Psychology department at UCT has developed a resource on unconscious bias. Click the link to use the training tool.
	Watch a video about youth using arts-based methods to respond to inequalities in Cape Town.
	“Student Inclusion… Periodt!” is a new toolkit developed by the OIC which offers a constellation of resources on transformation, inclusivity and diversity.
	Explore a timeline which captures historic moments in the fight for gender equality globally.
	The OIC provides support to survivors of sexual violence. Find out about available support using the following infographics.
	COVID-19 has had a huge impact on access to education. The “Leaving No One Behind” toolkit and a panel discussion on transformation during crises and emergencies explore what can be done to make education more accessible
	Want to join the ongoing conversation about decolonisation and anti-racism? Watch this video on or this panel discussion on decolonisation. or this panel discussion on combating racism.
	Read the “Another World: queer, decolonial feminist and anti-racist dreams for higher education” zine to learn more about creative and decolonial approaches to TDI.

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Transformation Report

UCT Transformation Report 2021

04 Nov 2022

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Mama Thembi – one of the three Thembis of Phillippi by women sculptors Angela Mac Pherson, Jen Bam and Sean Mac Pherson. Commissioned by the UCT GSB, the concept is a celebration of women as holders and creators of safe spaces. The vision was for these sculptures to create areas in the open back area of Phillippi Village to seed the future garden, and to create places of safety for plants, birds and people to gather and grow in the harsh climate. Monwabisi Dasi did the welding work with the help of 36 other artists and artisans from Phillippi, Napier and Muizenberg.

An introduction to the 2021 Transformation Report

The UCT Transformation Report 2021 is titled “Fear, flame and metamorphosis: transformation, diversity and inclusion in uncertain times”. It is titled to reflect that in 2021, the UCT community was challenged with racism, queer- and transphobia, and socio-economic disparities. The fire in the Jagger Reading Room brought forward important questions about how coloniality and gatekeeping continue to frame UCT as an exclusive and inaccessible space. Yet even with these challenges the university, through transformation agents, was able to transform these difficult realities through tactical and innovative actions. Through cohesive inclusivity strategy initiations in faculties and departments; developments in succession planning, retention and recruitment; recognition of the voluntary work of transformation committees through the inclusion of key performance areas for transformation, inclusion and diversity work in job descriptions; dialogical spaces, seminars, capacity strengthening, training and other events-based interventions, campaigns and curated art interventions; and innovations in research, teaching and learning, current realities were metamorphosised into safer and more affirming spaces.

Message from the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng

Message from the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng.

04 Nov 2022

Introduction by Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Emeritus Professor Martin Hall

The UCT Transformation Report 2021 seeks to map the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) transformation journey over rough new terrain.

04 Nov 2022

How to read the 2021 Transformation Report

Please click and slide/swipe to the left to see the next point:

1
The 2021 Transformation Report provides a partial reflection on the different ways transformation, diversity and inclusion (TDI) is programmed, implemented and monitored at UCT. Faculties and non-academic departments are invited to report on their work each year in December. They report their actions against the transformation benchmarks, which allows the report to capture how transformation is mainstreamed within teaching and learning, research, and operations.

2
The 2021 report is based on analysis of the benchmark results and reports received from transformation special and institutional projects. Transformation special and institutional projects refer to transformation work which occurs in addition to the work of transformation committees and work occurring at an institutional level, for example the work of the OIC, the Special Tribunal on Sexual Misconduct, and the work of committees dealing with language, works of art, and the naming of buildings and other infrastructure on campus.

3
Since 2019, UCT has used the transformation benchmarks to systematically shape transformation programming and to monitor the progress of these actions coherently. The benchmarks provide a snapshot of progress aligned with the Framework for Transformation (2018). The transformation benchmarks have been implemented for three years now, and the university is able to identify some trends related to transformation programming. Section 3 provides a deeper explanation of the benchmarks.

4
The benchmark results can be useful in indicating the direction the university is going in terms of transformation. At the same time, the narratives provided by faculties and non-academic departments, and special and institutional project reports share the broader and deeper story of the direction, pace and quality of transformation efforts.

5
In 2021, 13 benchmark reports were received from seven faculties and six non-academic departments. This matched the 13 reports received in 2020, and the 12 received in 2019. In addition, transformation special and institutional projects submitted reports on their work. However, over the first three years of implementing the transformation benchmarks, some departments have not submitted reports on their work. This indicates that work still needs to be done to put in place a shared appreciation of the importance of the university’s overall transformation project.

6
Even with these challenges, this report provides a snapshot of transformation at UCT. The report also invites you as the reader, as well as the UCT community, to reflect on our collective contribution to transformation. This report is intended as an exercise in self-reflection, and such self-reflection is a key part of our transformation praxis.

An overview of transformation

Setting the scene for the 2021 Transformation Report.

Highlights and challenges

Transformation, inclusivity and diversity are interconnected yet distinct concepts.

04 Nov 2022

Governance

Effective governance clearly maps out pathways to achieving transformation, inclusivity and diversity at UCT.

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Benchmark results for 2021

Introducing UCT’s transformation benchmarks.

Looking back at the benchmarks: 2019–2021

The transformation benchmarks were assessed for a third time in 2021.

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Overview of benchmark results

Thirteen departments and faculties submitted completed benchmark results in 2021.

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Strategic integration of transformation

Within the institution, how well is transformation mainstreamed in basic strategic actions?

04 Nov 2022

Student access, support and success

How is the institution supporting diverse students with disparate backgrounds to be included, to fully participate and to succeed within UCT?

04 Nov 2022

Staff access, support and success

How is the institution supporting diverse staff members from disparate backgrounds to be included, to fully participate and to grow within UCT?

04 Nov 2022

Place and space: language, names, symbols, artwork and identity

How is the university affirming the dignity, acknowledging the contributions and experiences, and placing special attention on those who have been historically marginalised?

04 Nov 2022

Institutional responses to discrimination, harassment and violence

How is the university practising its zero-tolerance approach to any form of unfair discrimination, harassment, sexual violence and behaviour that demeans others?

04 Nov 2022

Community engagement: anchoring UCT in the community

How is the university supporting, building solidarity with and providing professional services to communities?

04 Nov 2022

Curriculum support: decolonisation, marginalisation and accessibility

To what extent are the curriculum and pedagogy employed meeting the needs of and accessible to marginalised persons? How have the curriculum, pedagogy and the broader learning environment been decolonised?

04 Nov 2022

Owning UCTʼs african identity

How is the university centring its African identity through scholarship, teaching and learning practices, or activist initiatives?

04 Nov 2022

Innovations, alternative approaches and best practices in transformation, inclusivity and diversity

What are the innovations and best practices which have been employed to further transformation, inclusivity and diversity?

04 Nov 2022

UCT Works of Art Collection

In 2021, WOAC focused on the development of a curatorial policy and continued to ensure that artworks on campus are relevant to marginalised groups and respond to their realities

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Looking ahead

The conclusion and recommendations of the 2021 Transformation Report.

Reflecting on the year

Even in uncertain times transformation agents found new paths to inclusivity and built resilient networks pushing for positive change.

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Where to from here?

Building on our successes and facing our challenges, what path can we chart for transformation at UCT?

04 Nov 2022

Transformation resources and references

Transformation, inclusivity, and diversity is based on continual growth and development. Listed below are the articles and poems referenced in this report, and some other useful texts to help make sense of 2021.

Useful resources

Useful resources on transformation, diversity and inclusion at UCT.

04 Nov 2022

Bibliography and contributors

The articles and poems referenced in this report, as well as the contributors to the report.

04 Nov 2022

Useful resources