VC Open Lecture and other updates

Dear colleagues and students

The first Vice-Chancellor’s Open Lecture in 2022 will be presented by Mr Fred Swaniker, founder and chief executive officer of African Leadership Group, on 13 April. Read more on this and other updates below.

1. VC’s Open Lecture: Fred Swaniker

Mr Fred Swaniker will present a lecture titled “The impact of the African youth on the 4th industrial revolution” as part of the Vice-Chancellor’s Open Lecture series, which will take place on the Microsoft Teams platform at 18:00 SAST.

• Read the VC Desk: VC’s Open Lecture: Fred Swaniker.
• Join the event (at 18:00 SAST).

2. Road closures for Two Oceans Marathon

The Two Oceans Marathon will take place over two days, Saturday, 16 April (half marathon) and Sunday, 17 April 2022 (ultra-marathon). Due to COVID-19 regulations, no spectators will be allowed. All students, staff and valid parking disc holders will be allowed on campus on both days of the event.

The following road closures will apply:

• On Thursday, 14 April from 09:00 Madiba Circle East will be closed intermittently. Please expect delays. Traffic officials will assist to control traffic until Tuesday, 19 April 2022.
• On Saturday, 16 April Upper/ Middle Campus will be closed from 04:30 to 14:00. The traffic department and CPS will control access.
• On Sunday, 17 April Upper/ Middle Campus will be closed from 04:00 to 14:00. The traffic department and CPS will control access.
• South Entrance from the M3 will be closed from 04:00 to 15:00 on both 16 and 17 April 2022 (race days). Expect delays from the North side on the day.
• The P1, P4, P5, P6 and P17 areas on Upper Campus will be closed from 18:00 on 16 April 2022 until 17 April 2022.
• The P6, P7, P8, P15, P16, Tennis Court area and Madiba Circle West areas will be used as prepaid parking.
• The P10, P11, P12, P14, P17 and Madiba Circle West areas will be reserved for UCT parking disc holders only on marathon day.
• Middle Campus P1, Economics and All Africa House will be used as prepaid parking. P2 will be reserved for Two Oceans Marathon.

3. UCT services to be impacted by ICTS maintenance

Please note that on Saturday, 30 April and Sunday, 1 May the Information and Communication Technology Services (ICTS) department will perform important data centre maintenance as part of the UCT Network Renewal Project. UCT email, Teams, and other Microsoft services will not be impacted, but Vula, PeopleSoft, and many others will be intermittently available during this period.

• Visit the ICTS website for further information.

4. Library access over the long weekend

UCT Libraries will be closed from Friday, 15 April to Monday, 18 April. The Hlanganani 24/7 study space, the Law 24/7 study space and Impilo Junction will be open.

5. UCT vaccination site to be closed this weekend

Please note that the UCT Community of Hope Vaccination Centre will be closed over the long weekend from 15–18 April 2022. The centre will reopen on Tuesday, 19 April 2022.

6. Update for postgraduate students and their supervisors

In almost all instances, obtaining a postgraduate degree is not a straightforward process. It can be costly, not just financially but also in the considerable dedication, commitment and, at times, emotional energy required to get over the finish line.

UCT has many important resources and services that postgraduate students can access to help make the process easier.

• Read the DVC Desk: Update for postgraduate students and their supervisors.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements