DSA Welcome Festival and other updates

Dear colleagues and students

The Department of Student Affairs (DSA) will host the annual DSA Welcome Festival, an exciting event where the blue carpet will be rolled out for all students registered at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in 2024. Read about this and other developments on campus.

1. DSA Welcome Festival

The annual DSA Welcome Festival will take place from 10:00 to 16:00 on Thursday, 8 February, on the Green Mile, upper campus. This year’s festival will be open to all students and offers first-year and returning students an opportunity to interact with and sign up for sports clubs and societies. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) will also be present to assist students who are yet to register for the upcoming national elections.

In addition, there will be food trucks available, with UCT Radio broadcasting live and keeping students entertained. There will also be performances by music bands and dancers, DJs and competition giveaways.

Join the DSA on the Green Mile, meet new people, and form new friendships.

2. Student debt appeals for 2023

A reminder to all undergraduate students that there are only two days left before the deadline for the 2023 debt appeals. The appeals process will close on Friday, 9 February 2024, and no late appeal applications will be accepted. Students can expect an outcome by Thursday, 15 February 2024.

The university has actively fundraised and set aside limited funding from its own resources to assist students with fee debt or who have not met the academic performance renewal requirements for financial aid and UCT GAP funding. Funds are limited and specific criteria will be applied to ensure fair and equitable access.

It is therefore important to submit a detailed appeal with supporting documents as soon as possible so that decisions can be communicated as soon as reasonably possible.

• Read the full VC Desk: Student debt appeals for 2023 and financial aid for 2024.
• View the financial aid infographic.

3. SAP to be unavailable due to upgrade

ICTS will implement E-invoicing into SAP over the weekend of Friday, 9 February to Sunday, 11 February 2024. SAP will be unavailable for this period, but Employee and Manager Self-Service functionality (such as applying for leave and updating personal information) will only be offline from 4:00 until 18:00 on Friday, 9 February.

Staff are advised to check the schedule.

4. State of the Nation Address (SONA) road closures

Please note that commuting to and from campus on Thursday, 8 February 2024 might be impacted due to the City of Cape Town’s notice of road closures published ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA). Closures will last until Thursday, 15 February 2024, mainly affecting the central business district. Traffic disruptions are expected in the city bowl. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes.

5. NSFAS applications extended

Students are advised that the closing date for submission of applications for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding for the 2024 academic year has been extended to Thursday,15 February 2024. Students who were unable to apply by the initial deadline are encouraged to submit their applications.

Please also be reminded that it is mandatory for applicants to download and upload a completed consent form on the NSFAS website, portal or mobile app.

Communication and Marketing Department