Search for missing student and other updates

Dear students and colleagues

1. UCT intensifies search for missing student

Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, the Executive Director for Student Affairs and various university leaders met with the family of our missing student Ms Uyinene Mrwetyana. The university is working closely with the family and all law-enforcement authorities in the search for her.

Anyone who has any information that might assist with the search is urged to please contact Campus Protection Services on 080 650 2222 or the South African Police Service on 021 657 2250.

• Read the VC Desk: UCT and Mrwetyana family intensify search for missing student.

2. UCT case reporting portal

The Office for Inclusivity and Change (OIC) has created an online portal where survivors and/or those close to them can report an incident of rape, sexual assault and/or discrimination. Students and staff are still able to access the OIC by visiting the office to receive individual support and referral information. Anyone who needs immediate medical assistance or advice following a rape and/or sexual assault should call, SMS or send a missed call to the standby number: 072 393 7824.

For telephonic counselling, please call one of the following options: Rape Crisis: 021 447 9762 or the South African Depression and Anxiety Group: 0800 24 25 26.

• Visit the case reporting website.

3. UCT’s Conference Management Centre

All departments and staff members who organise conferences or workshops, no matter the size, are encouraged to use the services offered by the UCT Conference Management Centre (CMC). The CMCʼs professional conference organising unit, which has been planning conferences for local and international clients for more than 25 years, boasts a hard-working team with over 50 years of collective experience.

With their team managing the logistics and planning of an event, the CMC ensures that the hosting departments or staff need to focus only on the programme. A reminder that proposals for any potential conferences or workshops exceeding R1 million should be accompanied by three quotes, one of which needs to be from the CMC. These quotes will then be reviewed by Finance in keeping with UCT’s policy.

• Read the full correspondence on the CMC.

4. Sanlam Cape Town Marathon road closures 15 September

Due to the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon on Sunday, 15 September 2019, there will be a number of road closures in areas surrounding the university. These roads include Main, Campground, Sandown, Park, Milner, Klipfontein and Liesbeek.

• Read the full list of closures and alternative routes.
• Read the press release about road closures.

5. ICTS system upgrade

Information and Communication Technology Services (ICTS) will complete a system upgrade this Saturday, 31 August 2019, from 08:00 to 13:00. During this period, Netstorage will be unavailable and Windows users will not be able to log in to the UCT network via their work computers.

• Learn more about the upgrade.

6. SRC and faculty council elections

As it is election season for both the Students’ Representative Council and faculty councils, the Election Operations Office has arranged various events. Join them for the Great Debate in Sarah Baartman Hall on Wednesday, 4 September, from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 15:00; and for the #VukaUCTVote Festival on Thursday, 5 September, on Jammie Plaza from 13:00.

Voting starts Monday, 9 September, at 09:00 and closes on Friday, 13 September. You can vote online or at the relevant voting stations across all campuses.

• View the campaign week events.
• Vote online.

7. Florence and Wine in the Wilderness at the Baxter Theatre

The Baxter Theatre is offering a R50 special to UCT staff and students for the double bill of Florence and Wine in the Wilderness for performances at 19:30 on 29 and 31 August. Booking can be made via Webtickets or at any Pick n Pay store.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements