Exams under way and other updates

Dear students and colleagues

This campus announcement aims to inform members of the University of Cape Town community about:

1. Exams under way

End-of-year examinations started on Monday, 29 October 2018. By the end of the week (including Saturday, 3 November), 22 987 students will have written 23 516 papers at 214 venues. Exams will continue for the next two weeks, with 30 923 students set to sit for 30 034 sessions at 341 venues. The last exams will be written on Wednesday, 14 November 2018. Vice-Chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng and the Leadership Lekgotla have wished all students writing exams the best of luck.

2. Update on executive appointments

The UCT Leadership Lekgotla comprises 23 members, with 16 of the positions currently filled by permanent appointees. The remaining seven posts are occupied on an acting or interim basis. Five executive positions have been filled since Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, took office on 1 July 2018.

• Read the VC Desk for the full update on executive appointments.

3. Supporting SHAWCO

The recent donation drive to assist local communities left homeless in a series of devastating fires saw the Students’ Health and Welfare Centres Organisation (SHAWCO) deliver essential items, including clothing, shoes, blankets, food and stationery, as well as workbooks for grade 10 to 12 learners, to those in need.

For SHAWCO, however, giving and assisting communities in need is a continuous process. UCT staff and students are asked to assist by donating clothes, shoes and other items that are still in good condition. Donations can be dropped off at the SHAWCO office (Braemar Cottage, UCT Medical Campus). The SHAWCO team will deliver the items to the affected families on Friday, 9 November 2018.

• Donate to SHAWCO.

4. USAf call for comments on draft Employment Equity Amendment Bill

The Employment Equity Amendment Bill 2018 (EE Bill), along with the Employment Equity Regulations (Draft Regulations), were published for public comment on 21 September 2018. Interested and affected parties are invited to submit written representations on the proposed amendments to the Department of Labour by 20 November 2018.

Universities South Africa (USAf) has initiated a process to develop a high-level discussion document for assessing the potential implications on public universities of the proposed amendments set out in the EE Bill and the Draft Regulations. Universities can submit their comments to USAf by no later than Friday, 9 November 2018. Comments and inputs received will be considered in the finalisation of the USAf submission to the Department of Labour.

Please submit your comments to Ursula Fisher at Ursula@usaf.ac.za by no later than Wednesday, 7 November 2018.

• Read the USAf discussion document on the Employment Equity Amendment Bill.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements