Dear students
Over the last seven months you have challenged yourselves to adapt to virtual lectures and remote campus communities. Despite the interruptions to your academic year, I applaud your brave spirit in continuing to persevere.
At this stage it’s difficult to predict what the future of work will entail. But this also means that you have extraordinary influence to determine what the world will look like going forward. You are the generation that will shape the skills of the future, elevate the industries that hold value, and establish the culture that will enable shared prosperity and social justice for all.
We must be mindful that we are still in the midst of the pandemic as you navigate this examination period. It is imperative that you remain optimistic about what lies ahead, letting your courage – not fear – motivate you through this phase. Please preserve the resilience and purpose that has guided you thus far.
In my personal and professional journey, I have learnt that we do our best when we don’t give up, regardless of the anxieties we may feel when the end goal is in sight. In life, uncertainty may be one of the few things that are certain. By maintaining your peace during unsettling times, and embracing fearlessness to continue pursuing your dreams, you become an inspiration to many others.
I urge you to stay focused, and wish you all the best. Together with everyone in the UCT community, you are in our thoughts and prayers during this time.
Warm regards
Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe
UCT Chancellor
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COVID-19 is a global pandemic that caused President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare a national disaster in South Africa on 15 March and implement a national lockdown from 26 March.
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.
Getting credible, evidence-based, accessible information and recommendations relating to COVID-19
The Department of Medicine at the University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, are producing educational video material for use on digital platforms and in multiple languages. The information contained in these videos is authenticated and endorsed by the team of experts based in the Department of Medicine. Many of the recommendations are based on current best evidence and are aligned to provincial, national and international guidelines. For more information on UCT’s Department of Medicine, please visit the website.
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As the COVID-19 crisis drags on and evolves, civil society groups are responding to growing and diversifying needs – just when access to resources is becoming more insecure, writes UCT’s Prof Ralph Hamann.
03 Jul 2020 - 6 min read RepublishedThe Covid-19 crisis has reinforced the global consequences of fragmented, inadequate and inequitable healthcare systems and the damage caused by hesitant and poorly communicated responses.
24 Jun 2020 - >10 min read OpinionOur scientists must not practise in isolation, but be encouraged to be creative and increase our knowledge of the needs of developing economies, write Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, vice-chancellor of UCT, and Professor Thokozani Majozi from the University of the Witwatersrand.
09 Jun 2020 - 6 min read RepublishedSouth Africa has been recognised globally for its success in flattening the curve, which came as a result of President Ramaphosa responding quickly to the crisis, writes Prof Alan Hirsch.
28 Apr 2020 - 6 min read RepublishedIn 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.