Celebrating Africa Month and other updates

Dear colleagues and students

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is hosting several events to commemorate Africa Month. Read about this and other recent developments on campus.

1. Africa Month panel discussion on language and music

The university will host a two-part panel discussion, in collaboration with the International Jazz Day South Africa (IJDSA), on Thursday, 26 May 2022 at the Baxter Theatre, Lower Campus.

The first panel discussion is themed “Language and music as agents of liberation and continental integration”. It is scheduled to take place from 10:00 to 12:00 SAST and will feature renowned scholars, who will discuss the contemporary role of Kiswahili for integration on the continent.

The insightful panellists include Professor Aldin Mutembei (the Julius Nyerere Chair of Kiswahili Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam), Associate Professor Montoa Motinyane (Linguistics Department, Faculty of Arts, University of the Western Cape), Professor John Akokpari (Department of Political Studies, UCT) and Dr Xolisa Guzula (Lecturer in Applied Language and Literacy Studies, School of Education, UCT). The session will be moderated by Dr Rethabile Possa-Mogoera, author and academic in African Languages and Literature.

In addition, the IJDSA will host a master class for Cape Town school learners at the South African College of Music.

The second part of the panel discussion, pencilled to start at 14:00 until 16:00 SAST, will feature prominent artists and academics who will examine and celebrate the legacy of Miriam Makeba in the year of what would have been her 90th birthday. It will also feature a special musical tribute.

Comprising this expert panel will be Dr Letta Mbulu (South Africa's pre-eminent performing artist), Dr Gcina Mhlophe (celebrated author and storyteller), Ms Thandiswa Mazwai (award-winning vocalist and songwriter), Ms Judith Sephuma (acclaimed songstress and multi award-winning artist) and Ms Nikiwe Bikitsha (leading journalist and accomplished media and communications professional). The session will be moderated by multi-award winning jazz vocalist, composer and educator, Ms Nomfundo Xaluva-Dyantyis.

• Register to attend the panel discussion sessions.
• Read the recent VC Desk for more on UCT’s Africa Month commemoration events.

2. Student support services available through SWS

As the examinations are approaching, Student Wellness Service (SWS) reminds students of the available health support services. Students can download the SWS ICAS App to obtain confidential, independent and practical counselling support and advice in 11 languages at their fingertips 24/7/365.

The App can be used by UCT students for immediate counselling and to reach out to a professional from wherever they are. Students can access a counsellor through the App or contact ICAS on 0800 87 26 76. The SWS’s 24-hour telephonic counselling services are also available through the UCT SADAG Careline (call 0800 24 25 26 or text 31393), Higher Health Counselling (call 0800 36 36 36), or ER24 UCT collaboration line (call 010 205 3010).

• Read the full Campus Announcement.
• Read the FAQs or download the SWS ICAS App.

3. Nominations for the UCT Open Textbook Award

Nominations are now open for the 2022 UCT Open Textbook Award. Launched in 2020, the award incentivises innovation in teaching and learning, recognises efforts of open textbook authors, and promotes the creation and reuse of open educational resources. Nominations can be submitted either by open textbook authors or by a third party.

The deadline for nominations is 15 August 2022.

• Read more on how to submit a nomination.
• Read the DVC Desk: Nominations for the 2022 UCT Open Textbook Award.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements