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UCT leadership commemorates one year of COVID-19 lockdown
26 March 2021 | Story Nicole Forrest. Photos Jean Claude Nsabimana. Director Lerato Maduna. Videography Evan Zerf, Craig Prins, Ashwin Marescia. Video Edit Oatmeal Productions. Lighting Sight & Sound. Read time 4 min.
At 19:30 on Thursday, 25 March 2021, the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) leadership gathered in front of the Sarah Baartman Hall to commemorate one year of the COVID-19 lockdown and to acknowledge the effect the pandemic has had on the lives of UCT students and staff.
There was a sense of cautious optimism on upper campus on Thursday evening, a year on from the eve of the start of lockdown Level 5 in South Africa. Students milled around between recently reopened residences Fuller Hall and Smuts Hall, and UCT leadership greeted one another, tapping elbows in front of the floodlit façade of the Sarah Baartman Hall.
Flickering lights from 100 candles and a grouping of trees and plants, representing the spirits and bodies of those who have been affected by COVID-19, created a backdrop for the evening’s activities. Twenty-one candles in black lanterns were placed along the edges of a blue ceremonial runner to symbolise and pay respect to the lives of UCT staff and students lost over the past year, but to also pay homage to those who have not only endured but worked tirelessly despite significant challenges, and held the institution, and each other, over the past year.
It was not only the dressing of the venue that held symbolic significance, but also the location of the vigil. As Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng and then-chair of Council Sipho M Pityana emphasised in an open letter announcing the renaming of the building in 2018, the Sarah Baartman Hall itself is “a place of restoration, healing, growth and compassion”.
Paying respect
Led by Professor Phakeng, members of the university’s leadership filed onto the steps of the hall to the sounds of composer Philip Bliss’s “It Is Well With My Soul”. The hymn, played by cellist Nicola McLachlan, was written and composed as a testament to the power that faith has in helping us to overcome unpredictable and challenging times.
“As we look back, the people we have lost are like trees that have fallen, like lights that have gone off. We acknowledge all of those who served as a light in the times of darkness and provided shade when we needed it. Tonight we create this space as an opportunity to acknowledge what we have lost as a community, for us to commit ourselves to act as trees and as lights for one another,” said Phakeng in her address.
Following a candle-lighting ceremony and a moment of silence, the vice-chancellor highlighted the significance of the event. “As a community, the pandemic has affected us a lot: our people, our colleagues, our friends. We are here to commemorate the lives that have been lost during this time and also to acknowledge those who have served us during the lockdown: healthcare workers at the front line, essential workers who took care of our campus, researchers who worked to understand the virus and develop a vaccine,” she said.
Light among the darkness
Despite the challenges that the pandemic has brought, Phakeng noted that it has also provided an unmatched opportunity for growth. “It has forced us to be innovative; to talk about virtual communities of practice. It has challenged us to reimagine and rethink how we collaborate and how we do our work. We’re no longer asking, ‘Can it work?’ We’re asking, ‘How can we make it work?’ ”
“This has pushed us to implement our online [and] blended-learning strategy at a much faster pace than we would ever have imagined. As much as fast-tracking this transition was stressful, we now have an online and blended-learning system that ensures we are able to support our students to succeed – and this will be valuable even after the pandemic.”
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UCT’s response to COVID-19 in 2021
COVID-19 is a global pandemic that caused President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare a national disaster in South Africa on 15 March 2020 and to implement a national lockdown from 26 March 2020.
UCT is taking the threat of infection in our university community extremely seriously, and this page will be updated regularly with the latest COVID-19 information. Please note that the information on this page is subject to change depending on current lockdown regulations.
Global Citizen Asks: Are COVID-19 Vaccines Safe & Effective?
UCT’s Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM) collaborated with Global Citizen, speaking to trusted experts to dispel vaccine misinformation.
If you have further questions about the COVID-19 vaccine check out the FAQ produced by the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF). The DTHF has developed a dedicated chat function where you can ask your vaccine-related questions on the bottom right hand corner of the website.
IDM YouTube channel | IDM website
UCT Community of Hope Vaccination Centre
The University of Cape Town in partnership with the Western Cape Government (WCG) have reinforced our commitment to bringing hope to the residents of the Mother City with the launch of the world‑class Community of Hope Vaccination Centre that opened its doors on Monday, 30 August 2021.
The site is located on Main Road in Mowbray – in the Forest Hill Residence – and access is from Broad Street. The site is open every Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 15:00 and on Saturday from 09:00 to 13:00. Please allow time for attending to COVID-19 protocols and arrive as early as possible at the vaccination centre.
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UCT statements related to COVID-19 vaccinations
This is a space created for all formal bodies and structures within the university community to share their opinions on the need for a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy. Please note that some editorial judgement may be applied if the received statements go against any constitutional rights, and that no correspondence will be entered into, statements will be posted unedited and as received. Statements can be sent to opinions@uct.ac.za.
Commemorating a year of COVID-19
At midnight on 26 March 2020, South Africa went into the first nationwide hard lockdown. A year later, we remember those who have died and those who have been affected by COVID-19, as well as the pandemic’s effects across society and campus. We are especially grateful for the front-line health workers who have done so much for so many.
#UCTCOVIDPledge – social media elements
Customised Facebook frames and Instagram stickers are now available on those social media platforms. Watch the tutorial videos here to see how easily you can show your support for the #UCTCOVIDPledge.
In an email to the UCT community, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng said:
“COVID-19, caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, is a rapidly changing epidemic. [...] Information [...] will be updated as and when new information becomes available.”
We are continuing to monitor the situation and we will be updating the UCT community regularly – as and when there are further updates. If you are concerned or need more information, students can contact the Student Wellness Service on 021 650 5620 or 021 650 1271 (after hours), while staff can contact 021 650 5685.