Thetha - Nelson Mandela University

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Thetha - Nelson Mandela University
Thetha Alumni & Friends Magazine
           Special Covid-19 Edition
                                           October 2020

Your legacy will live on,

Our pandemic
heroes
Keeping campus safe
and running

#MaskUpMandela campaign
Change behaviour, save lives

Tourism Trends
Weathering the perfect storm

Convergence Fund
A pandemic lifeline

Back to business
Ad-man Mike Abel on
advertising’s future

ICT solutions break new ground

IN SERVICE TO OTHERS
Mandela University steps up to the plate

NO STUDENT
LEFT BEHIND
Bold plan to rescue 2020
academic year
Thetha - Nelson Mandela University
CONTENTS
TRIBUTE

Your legacy will live on, Lungile............................................................. 5
IN SERVICE TO OTHERS
                                                                                                                             42
                                                                                                                                                                                          Navigating COVID-19’s
                                                                                                                                                                                           unchartered waters
                                                                                                                                                                             Welcome to this, the fourth edition of Thetha, our alumni and friends’ magazine, with its special
                                                                                                                                                                             focus on COVID-19 – the global pandemic that has irrevocably changed our lives forever.
                                                                                                                                                                             Like every individual, organisation, community and country, Nelson Mandela University has
                                                                                                                                                                             been navigating the unchartered waters unleashed by an invisible enemy whose presence
#MaskUpMandela campaign................................................................. 8                                                                                   continues to impact lives and livelihoods.
Convergence Fund............................................................................... 10
Together We Can...................................................................... 12                                                                                        With no roadmap or how-to guide, each of us has, in some form or another, been adapting
Wear a Mask, Save a Life..................................................................... 12                                                                                or adjusting to new ways of living, working and studying. Or to use the quote, “we’re
Walk the talk, wear the mask!.............................................................. 13                                                                                     building a boat, while sailing”.
Science, statistics and saving lives...................................................... 14                                                                                            This edition reflects that journey to date – the building of our boat, of its many
Digital solutions save the day.............................................................. 14                                                                                       captains and heroic crew members, of our sailing partners within and beyond our
Plotting a disease................................................................................. 15                                                                                shores, and of the many lessons learnt as we endeavour to enable all 28 000-plus
E-learning project reaps rewards........................................................ 15                                                                                            students to complete the 2020 academic year under very trying circumstances.
Helping hands for health..................................................................... 15
                                                                                                                                                                                            It’s not been easy. We have lost much, including those nearest and dearest to us,
Working against the clock................................................................... 16
                                                                                                                                                                                        like our own Executive Dean of Health Sciences, Professor Lungile Pepeta, whose
Intubation unit deployed to hospitals................................................ 17
                                                                                                                                                                                        memory will live on in the positive impact he had on so many (see page 5).
Service above self................................................................................. 18
                                                                                                                                                                                            But we have grown, too.
IN SERVICE TO OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS
                                                                                                                                                                                          Automation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence have become fundamental
A Shot in the arm for digital transformation...................................... 19                                                                                                  drivers of our new reality. What we are experiencing today is no longer just the
Students Leading the Way................................................................... 23                                                                                                 screenwriters’ script for a sci-fi movie. And, our crew – our staff, students and
No Student Left Behind....................................................................... 26                                                                                                   alumni – have rapidly adapted to acquire the new digital skills to continue
The show must go on........................................................................... 28                                                                                                       sailing while working and studying remotely.
COVID-19 HEROES                                                                                                                                                                                               As a university in the service of society, however, it can never

                                                                                                                             46
                                                                                                                                                                                                          just be about us, but rather what we can do with and for others.
Keeping the campus functioning and safe......................................... 31
                                                                                                                                                                                                           When the National State of Disaster was announced and life
COVID-19 HEROES – OUR ALUMNI
                                                                                                                                                                                                            under lockdown began in March, staff, students and alumni
COVID-19: changing lives & needs..................................................... 34                                                                                                                     needed no reminder. Many dived straight in, offering their time,
Building a low-cost ventilator in a month.......................................... 36                                                                                                                                      talents and finances to support and develop
Alumni step up...................................................................................... 38                                                                                                                        innovative solutions to the many challenges
TRIBUTE                                                                                                                                                                                                                        triggered by the pandemic. Read about that
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               response on pages 8–39.
Tribute to the late Cumngce Gawe..................................................... 40
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Read too about the frontline heroes; those who
WHAT TO EXPECT POST COVID-19
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          are keeping the campus safe and functional under
Brave new world................................................................................... 41                                                                                                                 the COVID-19 compliance regulations (pages 31-33).
Global car industry: ‘Game on’!.......................................................... 42                                                                                                                         While we do not know when the present choppy waters
Tourism: Where to now?...................................................................... 46                                                                                                                will become calmer and we eventually find a safe harbour, we
Healthcare lessons on price tariffs...................................................... 48                                                                                                                  do know that the world will never be the same again.
Alumni Relations: embracing change................................................. 50                                                                                                                         To this end, leading alumni from the automotive industry,
SPORT                                                                                                                                                                                                  tourism and marketing share their predictions for the future, along
Lockdown lessons learnt...................................................................... 53                                                                                                   with our own futurist guru, Professor Chris Adendorff
Madibaz back in the big time.............................................................. 55                                                                                                        (page 41). Their efforts make us proud.
                                                                                                                                                                                                           We hope these stories, and the ongoing efforts of the Alumni
                                                                                                                                                                                                       Relations Office, will inspire you too.

Publisher: Paul Geswindt
                                                                                                                                                                                                          For more, go to www.mandela.ac.za/coronavirus
Editor: Debbie Derry
Sub-editors: Beth Cooper Howell and Gillian McAinsh                                                       PO Box 77000, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth, 6031                                Debbie Derry
Writers: Beth Cooper Howell, Gillian McAinsh, Debbie Derry,                                                                    T +27 41 504 3935
                                                                                                                                                                                                       Editor
Nicky Willemse, Lize Hayward, Coetzee Gouws                                                                                 E alumni@mandela.ac.za
and Cathy Dippnall
Production: Lyndall Sa Joe-Derrocks
Design: Juliana Jangara
Photography: Many thanks to all who contributed images to this publication                                                  alumni.mandela.ac.za
Cover image: The Mandela Bench – public art piece situated on the

                                                                                                                                                                                             23
University’s South Campus
Disclaimer: All information contained herein was correct at the time of going to print. The University cannot be held responsible for any changes or developments that may                                                                     October 2020 | mandela.ac.za | 3
take place.
Thetha - Nelson Mandela University
TRIBUTE                                                                                                                  TRIBUTE

                                                                                                    Your legacy will live on,

                                                                                                                                        Lungile
                                                                                                                                               (1974 – 2020)

                                                                                              Vice-Chancellor Professor Sibongile Muthwa pays tribute to Nelson Mandela
                                                                                              University’s Executive Dean of Health Sciences Professor Lungile Pepeta, who
                                                                                              passed away from COVID-19 on 7 August, aged 46.

                                                                                              I can still hear Professor Lungile        A giant among us                         inspiring and one of the top thinkers,
                                                                                              Pepeta saying, “I almost don’t            Paying homage to Lungile, Health         a brilliant mind, an outstanding
                                                                                              believe that we have come this far”       Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said: “South    academic and a pioneering
                                                                                              while he was standing in one of the       Africa has lost one of her best sons –   researcher. He was a visionary who
                                                                                              University’s lecture halls for our        confident, knowledgeable, articulate,    held high hopes for our country and
                                                                                              new medical school. He had worked                                                  an innovator who always harboured
                                                                                              tirelessly to get the medical school                                               dreams of a better South Africa and
                                                                                              off the ground.                                                                    spent time figuring out strategies to
                                                                                                   At the beginning of 2021, when                                                take this nation to the future of his
                                                                                              we are due to enrol the first cohort                                               ideals.”
                                                                                              of students for our MBChB degree,                                                       Lungile personified everything
                                                                                              we will be looking for Prof Pepeta, or                                             that is good about our country. Born,
                                                                                              Lungile as we called him, to see his
                                                                                                                                           The loss of                           raised and schooled in Mbizana in

                            University Shop
                                                                                              youthful smile and shining presence                                                the rural Eastern Cape, where he was
                                                                                              acknowledging, “We have done it!”
                                                                                                   Lungile was a paediatric
                                                                                                                                           Lungile is a                          laid to rest, he pursued his dreams
                                                                                                                                                                                 and showed what can be achieved.
                                                                                              cardiologist, Professor and Executive
                                                                                              Dean of our Faculty of Health
                                                                                                                                           loss for the                               Dr Basil Brown, the former Head
                                                                                                                                                                                 of the Department of Cardiology at
                                                                                              Sciences, with its approximately 4000
                                                                                              students. The loss of Lungile is a loss
                                                                                                                                          whole higher                           Port Elizabeth Provincial Hospital
                                                                                                                                                                                 worked with Lungile from 2009 to
  Your one stop shop for all your Nelson Mandela University branded                           for the whole higher education sector         education                            2017, when Lungile was Head of the
           clothing, corporate gifts, bags and memorabilia!                                   and country, and Nelson Mandela                                                    Department of Paediatrics at Dora
                                                                                              University is devastated that he is          sector and                            Nginza Hospital in Port Elizabeth.
                                                                                              gone. To think that we will never see                                              Dr Brown described the impact that
                                                                                              him again is too hard to bear, and          country, and                           Lungile made on the delivery of
                                                                                              all our students and staff members                                                 paediatric cardiology services:
                  T +27 41 504 4371   E Shop@mandela.ac.za   W shop.mandela.ac.za             feel it deeply. As has been said in the    Nelson Mandela                          • Since 2009, the number of cardiac

                                                                                                                                          University is
                                                                                              many tributes to Lungile, a giant tree                                                catheterisations done increased
                     @UniversityShopMandelaUni         @UniversityShop_MandelaUni
                                                                                              has fallen.                                                                           from 10-20 a year to more than 150
                                                                                                   Our hearts are with his wife
                                                                                              Dr Vuyo Pepeta, and his daughter           devastated that                            a year
                                                                                                                                                                                 • The number of open-heart
                                                                                              Kungawo and son Lungaka. He loved
                                                                                              his family and community, and we            he is gone.”                              operations on children doubled
                                                                                                                                                                                    from about 30 to around 60 a year
                                      Sanlam Student Village                                  loved him. He was not only our Dean,                                               • The HPCSA accredited his
                                                                                              he was a rare, shining presence in so                                                 department for the training of
                                                                                              much darkness.                                                                        paediatric cardiologists and under

4 | Thetha | October 2020                                                                                                                                                               October 2020 | mandela.ac.za | 5
Thetha - Nelson Mandela University
TRIBUTE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 TRIBUTE

  his tutelage at least four paediatric   better serve all South Africans. Our    – from our cities to our deep rural         01   Prof Lungile Pepeta
  cardiologists have qualified while      new medical school, according to his    areas.”                                     02   Prof Lungile Pepeta and Dr Khanyisa Makamba in Cuba                                                                      01
  working at Dora Nginza and              vision, is based on a comprehensive          Reverend George Makhabeni of           03   Prof Lungile Pepeta on the building site of the medical school
                                                                                                                                   on Missionvale Campus
  other provincial hospitals. One of      approach to medicine that focuses       the Methodist Church in Mbizana,
                                                                                                                              04   Prof Lungile Pepeta and Dr Khanyisa Makamba with South
  these, Dr Adele Greyling, went          equally on the four pillars of          who spoke at Lungile’s funeral, called           African students at the Medical University of Sancti Spiritus
  for further training overseas and       medicine − disease prevention,          him “one of that rare breed of good              in Cuba
  qualified as the first paediatric       health promotion, treatment and         men”. He said: “Good men rise up in
  electrophysiologist in South Africa     rehabilitative medicine. He was clear   difficult situations. Lungile was one
• He supervised the training of at        that “the system will produce well-     of them. It was in his nature to help
  least 20 specialist paediatricians at   rounded general physicians, trained     and to speak out.”
  Dora Nginza                             to practise in diverse communities           Lungile was outspoken about
• He pioneered the use of devices                                                 how politicians needed to put aside
  for repairing cardiac defects,                                                  their differences and unite in the
  establishing himself as one of the                                              battle against COVID-19. He was
  best interventional paediatric                                                  equally outspoken about how the
  cardiologists in the country.                                                   pandemic had exposed weaknesses             Fighting the good fight
                                                                                   in the health system in the Eastern        In collaboration with Dr Litha                                                                    One of our political science
A University                                                                        Cape and nationally.                      Matiwane, Deputy Director-General                                                             postgraduate students, Asemahle
pioneer                                                                                    In several articles in the         of the Eastern Cape Department                                                                Gwala, said in his tribute: “What set
Lungile had similar impact                                                            media, written in collaboration         of Health, whom Health Minister Dr                                                            Prof Pepeta apart was his unmatched
at Nelson Mandela                                                                      with Professor Fikile Nomvete,         Zweli Mkhize deployed to the Nelson                        Lungile                            love for humanity that propelled
University when he took                                                                gastroenterologist and Medical         Mandela Bay Metro in April this                                                               those who could not fly to soar to the
up his post as Executive                                                                Programme Director of our             year, Lungile led our whole Faculty                      personified                          sky.”
Dean in 2017.                                                                           Medical School, they stated:          of Health Sciences in working with                                                                There is so much to say about
    He championed                                                                       “The clinicians and all the health    clinicians and health workers to                       everything that                        Lungile, and the difference he
the Faculty of Health                                                                   services teams in our hospitals       support them and respond to the                                                               has made to so many lives. He
Sciences’ interprofessional                                                             are in direct contact with            needs of the public health service.                    is good about                          established a legacy that will live on
education approach,                                                                     COVID-19 patients; they are at            He strongly appealed for critical                                                         through our staff and students. His
in which all health                                                                      the frontline of the fight against   vacancies for nurses, radiographers,                    our country.”                         spirit is soaring to the highest now
professionals train                                                                      the pandemic, yet their voices       clinical physicians and clinical                                                              and at the same time he will always
and work together. He                                                                  are not being sufficiently heard in    epidemiologists in our public                                                                 be with us and we will make sure that
emphasised how their                                                                  terms of what is happening, what        hospitals to be filled.                                                                       his bright light never dims.
scope of practice would                                                                   is needed and the support they          He was in constant contact with                  Lungile led from the front and
be enhanced by the medical                                                                    need.”                          government officials, urging that the            his constant exposure to the virus
school, as every discipline will                                                                                              COVID-19 guidelines be changed                   in hospitals and communities, as is                                            03
have a presence in the clinical                                                                                               to enable effective containment                  the case with all our health services
space, and all health sciences                                                                                                of the pandemic through stratified               professionals, was just too great.
professionals will be working                                                                                                 testing, with the most at-risk groups            Many lives have been claimed and he
together as equals and feel equally                                                                                           prioritised.                                     was taken from us on 7 August.
valued and heard.
    He was a pioneer and
innovator, opting for
new approaches to

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       02                                     04

6 | Thetha | October 2020                                                                                                                                                                                                          October 2020 | mandela.ac.za | 7
Thetha - Nelson Mandela University
IN SERVICE TO OTHERS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     IN SERVICE TO OTHERS

                 Zikhusele.
                 Ukhusele nabanye.                                                                                                                                                           Protect yourself.
                                                                                                                                                                                             Protect others.
                 Ngokunxiba kwakho i maski awukhuseli ubomi bakho
                 kuphela, kodwa ukhusela ubomi babanye abantu
                 obakhathalelayo kakhulu. Zibandakanye kwi ntshukumo
                                                                                                                                                                                             By wearing a mask you not only protect your life, but
                 i #MaskUpMandela ukwenzela ukubonakalisa inxaso
                 yakho kwabo bancamayo, bencamela ukusisebenzela
                                                                                                                                                                                             also the lives of those you care about the most. Join

                 thina kunye nelizwe lethu ngelixesha. Lena                                                                                                                                  the #MaskUpMandela movement and show your
                 ngenye yendlela ezininzi esidlala indima kwi                                                                                                                                support to those who are sacrificing to
                 #FlattenTheCurve.
                                                                                                                                                                                             serve us and our country during this time.
                                                                                                                                                                                             This is one of many ways we are playing our
                 UKUQUBUKA KWE CORONAVIRUS TSALELA
                 UMNXEBA KWI NOMBOLO KA ZWELONKE:                                                                                                                                            part to #FlattenTheCurve.
                 0 800 029 999
                 08h00 - 16h00 (Ngomvulo-Ngolwesihlanu)
                                                                                                                                                                                             CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK national
                                                                                                                                                                                             HOTLINE: 0 800 029 999
                                                                                                                                                                                             08h00 - 16h00 (Monday - Friday)

                              Yinxibe xa uphuma          Zama            Yihlambe qho emva      Qinisekisa ukuba
                                    endlini       ukungayiphathaphathi   kweentsuku ezimbini   yogquma impumlo
                                                                                                   nomlomo

#MaskUpMandela campaign
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Wear it when you   Try not to touch it   Wash it every 2 days               Make sure it covers
                                                                                                                                                                                                             go out                                                                    nose & mouth

 The awareness stories, calls for volunteers, free
 posters and mask patterns and advertising
 have one goal in mind – changing behaviours
 to save lives, writes Debbie Derry of the                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Beskerm jouself.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Beskerm andere.
 University’s #MaskUpMandela campaign                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Deur ‘n masker te dra, beskerm jy nie net jou
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            lewe nie, maar ook die lewens van diegene

                                                                                                                                                       • A site for volunteering services                                                                                                                 vir wie jy die meeste omgee. Sluit aan by die
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           #MaskUpMandela-beweging en wys jou

 If we can change behaviour, we can                                   And so, as an institution                    established a webpage that houses   • A cartoon series, in three                                                                                                                        ondersteuning aan diegene wat opofferings
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          maak om ons en ons land te dien. Dit is een
 save lives.                                                      of higher learning whose core                    #MaskUpMandela webpage (https://      languages, called the eRona                                                                                                                       van die vele maniere hoe ons ons deel doen
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   in #FlattenTheCurve.
     It’s as simple and as difficult as                           business is education, Nelson                    www.mandela.ac.za/News-and-           Times, demonstrating prevention
 that. If we are able to get a nation                             Mandela University initiated its                 Events/Coronavirus-Information/-      measures as our best defence                                                                                                                       CORONAVIRUS-UITBREKING NASIONALE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 NOODLYN: 0 800 029 999

 to wash and sanitise their hands,                                #MaskUpMandela campaign early                    MaskUpMandela) educational            against the virus.                                                                                                                                            08h00 - 16h00 (Maandag - Vrydag)

 practise social distancing and wear                              in March to create awareness                     resources:                              In addition, the University is
 a mask, we can make a marked                                     and call staff, students and the                 • Free posters in all languages     running an extensive regional
 difference in saving lives amidst                                wider community to “mask up” in                  • Mask patterns to download         marketing campaign in the province,
 the COVID-19 pandemic, as those                                  protecting themselves and others.                • Educational and inspirational     which has been a COVID-19 hotspot,                                                                   Dra dit as jy uitgaan
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Probeer om nie
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    daaraan te raak nie    Was dit elke 2 dae
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Maak seker dit
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                bedek neus & mond

 countries already accustomed to                                      To aid the University as part                  stories about those who are       under the tagline of “It is in your
 “masking up” can attest.                                         of a national call to this end, it                 making and receiving masks        hands”.

 8 | Thetha | October 2020                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       October 2020 | mandela.ac.za | 9
Thetha - Nelson Mandela University
IN SERVICE TO OTHERS                                                                                                                                                                                         IN SERVICE TO OTHERS

Given the historical,
innate aloofness of                                                                                                                                                Caring for the                   the glaring socio-economic
                                                                                                                                                                                                    inequalities weaved into South
higher education                                                                                                                                                    community                       Africa’s fabric.
                                                                                                                                                                                                         The University stepped up to
institutions, focusing
                                                                                                                                                               Nelson Mandela University            the plate, dramatically escalating its
Nelson Mandela                                                                                                                                                 played a critical role in the        engagement efforts in response to
University on                                                                                                                                                  pandemic response, working           COVID-19 challenges.
                                                                                                                                                               closely with government,                 The University is also part
genuinely working in                                                                                                                                                                                of national and global research
                                                                                                                                                               individuals, companies and
service of society is                                                                                                                                          local communities to provide         networks and programmes, serves
not an easy task – but                                                                                                                                         solutions.                           on both the Eastern Cape’s and
                                                                                                                                                                                                    Nelson Mandela Metro’s Extended
this is exactly what we                                                                                                                                        • Engineering network.
                                                                                                                                                                                                    Provincial Command Councils, and
                                                                                                                                                                 Ventilator production, face
are doing.                                                                                                                                                       shields and sanitisers, etc.       offers advisory support and services
                                                                                                                                                                 Currently, in partnership with     in education, health, economic and
By Professor André Keet                                                                                                                                          SASOL, sanitiser production        human settlement spheres.
                                                                                                                                                                 focuses on donations
Re-positioning Mandela University in the service of society                                                                                                      and distribution to the            More than a lifeline

   Convergence Fund
                                                                                                                                                                 community.
                                                                                                                                                               • ICT solutions. A range of          During this challenging year, poverty,
                                                                                                                                                                 apps and programmes were           hunger and food insecurity, together
                                                                                                                                                                 developed and employed,            with other forms of deprivation, were
                                                                                                                                                                 most notably a paperless,          again underscored as a critical area
Almost all universities claim to                                                                                                                                 cloud-based solution for           of social suffering for the materially
‘engage’ society, but they may                                                                                                                                   the field hospital in Port         poor, who are otherwise rich and
do so in the form of patronising,                                                                                                                                Elizabeth.                         valuable communities forced into
paternalistic charity. Ironically, this        Two years ago, Vice-            intervention in the University’s overall   risk of defaulting on chronic        • Academic expertise. Our            even greater hardship through
‘pseudo-engagement’ increases             Chancellor Sibongile Muthwa          project.                                   medication, due to hunger.             Faculty of Health Sciences         unemployment and job losses in
social distance between institutions      challenged the University                The Fund provides an                   Resource allocation elsewhere          was involved in several            both formal and informal sectors.
and the very communities that they        community, asking: how can we        opportunity for people to cultivate        also applies, based on advice          interventions, while scientists        These everyday struggles for
wish to serve – and marginalises the      drive social justice and serve       humanity through their contributions.      from implementing partners.            and academics across all           survival are central to the renewed
wealth of education offered by the        the public good, together with       The equalising and humanising                   The Fund is managed               faculties offered their skills,    consciousness and spirit of the
people in those communities.              a strong, robust and relevant        coming-together of University and          through the Mandela University         research and programme             University.
     Universities miss out on the         academic project?                    community is a key organising              Trust, which is independently          initiatives – all based on             While the state plays a central
key learnings offered by society,              The answer, she said, was       principle of the Fund.                     audited, and overseen by               social relevance.                  role, it is proven that social
and which are based on real life          to interact fully with the vibrant        Since its launch, in mid-May          trustees who ensure that there is    • Online events. Seminars            action, steered by communities
and the everyday; most public             communities which we serve,          this year, the Fund has raised more        accountability and transparency        and community discussions          in collaborative relationships with
customary knowledge is therefore          in fluid and equalising ways,        than half a million rand from staff        in its deployment.                     were a core focus, with the        others, is the most productive and
not absorbed, understood or suitably      through hubs of convergence.         and the broader University family.                                                community convergence              ethically-sound way to approach
utilised.                                      Prof Muthwa further             The funding has been utilised in           Moving forward                         workstream gathering               community-based work.
                                          challenged the University to         partnership with credible civil society                                           several crucial projects under         Our engagement approach is
Bucking the trend                         reimagine engagement as the co-      structures in the Nelson Mandela                 Our Vice-Chancellor’s daring     a collaborative engagement         informed by our conviction that
                                          creation of platforms, places and    Bay Metro and George. The initial          proposition to reverse, undo,          umbrella.                          communities are innately resilient
Universities generally view their local   spaces, where the community-         interventions focused on safe food         re-think and reconstitute has        • Community projects. These          and enterprising, and that partnering
communities – and the work they           society-university converge to       and other material relief because          been central to the University’s       include, inter alia, counselling   with them is an equalising and
do ‘for’ communities – as part of a       collectively respond to the harsh    that need was – and continues to be        academic and social project over       support for community              mutually beneficial relationship for
branding exercise, rooted in ongoing      challenges of our times.             – urgent.                                  the past two years.                    healthcare workers,                both parties, enabling the University
institutional competition and with the                                             Current interventions have                  As the COVID-19 pandemic          solidarity-based engagement        to sharpen its social justice intentions
aim of gaining ‘points’.                  Emergence of                         expanded the safe food relief              swept the globe and country,           around sustained, co-              with, hopefully, a pragmatic and
    This unhealthy obsession with an      convergence                          concept with an eye to longer-term         it reinforced and made more            operative community food           lasting impact.
almost meaningless rating regime                                               sustainability, particularly through       urgent Nelson Mandela                  systems, building an archive           For more information about the
also disrupts the potential for a new,    The establishment of                 supporting community kitchens and          University’s commitment to be          of resources to support            work of the Convergence Fund,
community-oriented, social justice-       the Mandela University               food gardening teams to strengthen         ‘in service to society’.               activists and organisations,       please visit www.mandela.ac.za/
led character for the South Africa        Convergence Fund, which is           local, collective and solidarity-based          The pandemic proved to            promoting citizen reporting        News-and-Events/Coronavirus-
university sector.                        aimed at supporting vulnerable       food systems.                              be more than a health crisis.          and exploring food and             Information/Convergence-Fund or
    Mandela University, however, is       communities adversely affected           Other areas of focus include           The unprecedented occurrence           material relief efforts.           contact Dr Ossie Franks on email:
committed to working against these        by a myriad of socio-economic        the elderly, survivors of gender-          in the history of our young                                               oswald.franks@mandela.ac.za or
trends.                                   challenges, is a central             based violence and people at               country’s democracy highlighted                                           mobile: +27 082 889 6967.

10 | Thetha | October 2020                                                                                                                                                                               October 2020 | mandela.ac.za | 11
Thetha - Nelson Mandela University
IN SERVICE TO OTHERS                                                                                                                                                                               IN SERVICE TO OTHERS

                     Our external response to the community during COVID-19

Together WE CAN                                                                         By Beth Cooper Howell
                                                                                                                           Walk the talk,
                                                                                                                           wear the mask!                                               ALL SMILES
                                                                                                                                                                                     Third-year media and
Mandela University’s ongoing pledge to being in service to society sprang
                                                                                                                           The Nelson Mandela University Psychology
                                                                                                                                                                               communication students created
                                                                                                                           Society posed a challenge to students, staff
into action during the gruelling first months of coronavirus, as the COVID-19                                              and the South African public at large: to take     exciting ideas for children’s masks,
Co-ordinating Committee (CCC) harnessed our knowledge and expertise to                                                     part in its mask selfie competition.               then designed and delivered them
                                                                                                                               Running on social media, the competition –
partner with others in beating the pandemic.                                                                               “nmumaskupchallenge” – challenged entrants          to Alfonso Arries Primary School
                                                                                                                           to take a creative mask selfie, post it to their     in Bethelsdorp. Staff in various
These pages showcase a selection of the sterling                availability and a mobile testing unit.                    Facebook or Instagram pages, and challenge a
innovations and initiatives offered by our staff and          • Research and engagement. Our microbiologists               friend to do the same.                                  faculties signed up to sew
students, from feats of engineering in the design and           provided expertise in virology and pandemic response;                                                            masks, while an appeal to the
production of critical health resources, leading-edge ICT       faculties partnered to create ICT solutions for COVID-19
solutions and food aid, to futuristic data modelling and        management (track and trace, case identification) and
                                                                                                                                                                                    public to get sewing was
creative, compassionate campaigns designed to educate           our senior academics offered skills and round-table                                                                      also successful.
and empower local communities. Because together, we             discussions on the critical role of data modelling and
can.                                                            how to respond to the disease’s impact on both basic
                                                                and higher education.
Call to action                                                    “We are known as a University in the service of
Nelson Mandela University rallied its troops in the early     society,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Sibongile Muthwa.
days of COVID-19, providing a suite of skills and expertise       “As public universities, we have three missions:
to support local and provincial government’s efforts.         research and innovation, learning and teaching, and
• Health resources. Design, production and distribution       engagement. Therefore, we have an obligation to
  of hand sanitisers, face shields and masks, goggles, lab    respond, to stand and raise our hands – particularly as we
  gowns, gloves, intubation boxes, ventilators, 3D printing   are named after Madiba.”

Wear a Mask, Save a Life
The #MaskupMandela campaign touched the lives of thousands of individuals and
organisations throughout the greater Nelson Mandela Bay area.

                 WE CARE
       Over 100 masks were
        donated to staff and
 residents of Cheshire Homes in
 Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth,
   by the Faculty of Humanities,
represented here by Prof Pieter
 Binsbergen (back, second from
  left) as part of the University’s
         #MaskUpMandela
             campaign.

12 | Thetha | October 2020                                                                                                                                                                      October 2020 | mandela.ac.za | 13
Thetha - Nelson Mandela University
IN SERVICE TO OTHERS                                                                                                                                                                                                                        IN SERVICE TO OTHERS

Science, statistics and saving lives                                                                                                                                           Plotting a disease
                                                                                                                                   Research plays a pivotal role
Behavioural change remains key in the fight against COVID-19.                                                                      in pandemic prevention and
    Mandela University took the lead in research and discussions around data                                                       management – and the work of
modelling. This is because it is a vital tool for answering the burning question in                                                students can pave the way for
any disease pandemic: when is the peak?                                                                                            significant developments in this field.
    The institution hosted a webinar in June to address the role of data                                                               Geographical Information Systems
modelling in trying to predict an answer to this question, using various data
                                                                                               Predictions                         honours’ student Michelle Lee, for
models.                                                                                    made through data                       example, came up with the goods by
    Predictions made through data modelling have been key to the national                  modelling have been                     creating an operational dashboard for
response to the pandemic. They have helped predict the scale of the pandemic’s                                                     COVID-19 in South Africa.
impact relative to the country’s health system capacity, while also being used
                                                                                            key to the national                        The map is similar to the famous
to gauge the success of government’s policy regulations and intervention                     response to the                       John Hopkins University map.
strategies.                                                                                     pandemic.                              While still in development, Lee’s
    The answer to that ‘burning question’ remained a simple one, according to                                                      study will assess the role of interactive
Nelson Mandela University Professors Azwinndini Muronga, Darelle van Greunen                                                       mapping for disease surveillance.            The COVID-19 mapping dashboard being developed by Geography honours’ student Michelle Lee.
and the late Lungile Pepeta: “It is in our hands.”
                                                                                                                                                                               E-learning project reaps rewards
                                                                                                                                   The Accounting Sciences Department piloted an online                       During the pilot, the students were seated in the

Digital solutions save the day
                                                                                                                                   tutorial project to promote online learning in their                   normal tutorial venue, whereas the tutor, who would
                                                                                                                                   department – with excellent results.                                   normally conduct a face-to-face tutorial, was instead
                                                                                                                                       Staff members Tarish Jagwanth, Lee-Ann MacPherson                  located in the lecturer’s office.
                                                                                                                                   and Feroza Oliveria, in conjunction with e-technologist                    The interactive session was a nod to the future of
The Centre for Community Technologies (CCT) took                  for the Nelson Mandela Metro                                     Andrew Thuo, conducted extensive research to launch                    blended education, with physical and virtual teaching and
centre stage in pioneering technological innovations over         on the Joint Operating                                           the tutorial during lockdown via the Microsoft Teams Live              learning a likely duet.
COVID-19.                                                         Committee.                                                       Event Function.
     The urgent need for digital solutions became a priority      ICT projects included:
worldwide, with the CTT leading the local charge.                 • Online COVID-19
    “There is recognition in the importance of how                  self-screening
technology can assist us to make far quicker decisions
and to be more ready (for fighting COVID-19),” said CCT
                                                                    tool for staff and
                                                                    students
                                                                                                                                   Helping hands
Director Professor Darelle van Greunen.
    Apart from the team’s work as part of the University’s
                                                                  • Automated
                                                                    facilities                                                     for health
Coronavirus Co-ordinating Committee’s collective                    and stock
response to the COVID-19 challenges, Prof Van Greunen               management                                                     Mandela University geared
also facilitated the work of the IT and Data workstream             tool to better                                                 up to help plug health system
                                                                    manage                                                         gaps in the Eastern Cape and
                                                                    provincial stock                                               nationally.
                                                                    and
                                                                    equipment,       JUST ONE CLICK: Prof Darelle van Greunen,     The Faculty of Health Sciences
                                                                                     Director of the CCT, demonstrates the newly
                                                                    such as          created Yabelana app.
                                                                                                                                   teamed up with provincial health
                                                                    beds,                                                          department deputy director general
                                                                    medical machinery and personal                                 Dr Litha Matiwane to investigate the
                                                                    protective equipment                                           needs of medical staff, hospitals and          TEAM EFFORT: Displaying the hand sanitiser donated by Nelson Mandela University to the
                                                                                                                                                                                  Eastern Cape Government are (from left) Vice-Chancellor Prof Sibongile Muthwa, Premier
                                                                  • A COVID-19 contact trace and track tool                        healthcare institutions.
                                                                                                                                                                                  Oscar Mabuyane, Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science
                                                                  • The Yabelana App, helping older people to access                    Within days of the pandemic               Prof Azwinndini Muronga.
                                                                    services and information in South Africa’s largest             hitting South Africa’s shores,
                                                                    townships                                                      the Coronavirus Co-ordinating                  • Participation in the World Health            • Using 3D printing technology to
                                                                  • ICE Readiness of Schools app to help schools assess            Committee and its teams got to work              Organisation’s Global Solidarity               manufacture and distribute health
                                                                    their readiness for e-learning                                 on projects such as:                             Trial, in the search for treatments            equipment, such as visors
                                                                  • TjopTjop, an app co-designed by Nelson Mandela                 • Provision of critical resources such         • Provision of the University’s large          • Thousands of litres of hand
                                                                    University and North-West University, aimed at assisting         as face shields, ventilators and face          mobile clinic, Zanempilo (“bringing            sanitiser manufactured and
                                                                    schools and businesses with faster entrance point                masks                                          health”), bringing to seven the                distributed by the University to
 TECH SAVVY: The TjopTjop app helps schools and businesses to       screening and accurate digital records.                        • Fast-tracking screening apps and               number of units deployed across                provincial government, community
 screen faster – and more accurately – at entrance points.
                                                                                                                                     capturing data on comorbidities                the province                                   organisations and institutions.

14 | Thetha | October 2020                                                                                                                                                                                                             October 2020 | mandela.ac.za | 15
Thetha - Nelson Mandela University
IN SERVICE TO OTHERS                                                                                                                 IN SERVICE TO OTHERS

Working against the clock                               TOGETHER WE
                                                        CAN: Mandela
                                                        University-designed
InnoVenton, the University’s                            intubation units
Institute for Chemical Technology,                      played an important
produced its first batch of 200                         role in the use of
litres of hand sanitiser within two                     respiratory equipment
working days.
                                                        to treat COVID-19
“We had to make do with what
                                                        patients. Pictured at
we had, taking into account the                         the foot-shaking for
urgency,” said InnoVenton’s Dr                          the handover of the
Nicole Vorster.                                         intubation units at
    First, the team had to develop a                    Livingstone Hospital
recipe at laboratory scale, and then                    were (from left)
source the ingredients. The country’s
                                                        Cecil Frost (Shibah
alcohol shortage proved a challenge,
but fortunately, other ingredients
                                                        Engineering), Dr Marnè
– glycerol, for example, to soften                      Page, Dr Lorenzo
the liquid’s effect on hands, water,                    Boretti and Dr Lynn-
colourant and perfume – were readily                    Hay Frewen.
available.

                                                                                 Intubation unit deployed
                                                                                 to hospitals
                                                               The                   The anaesthesiology staff              organised the manufacturing of the
                                                        Department of            at Livingstone Hospital recently
                                                                                 received the first four intubation
                                                                                                                            intubation units.
                                                                                                                                These units encompass the
                                                        Mechatronics             units designed by Nelson Mandela           intubation box, including the vacuum
                                                                                 University’s Advanced Engineering          extraction units and custom-made
                                                        stepped up to            Design Group (AEDG).                       connections and adaptors for quick

                                                        the plate with               PE Hospital Group
                                                                                 anaesthesiologist for COVID-19
                                                                                                                            installation and use in theatre. They
                                                                                                                            have been tested for efficiency in in-
                                                          face shields           response Dr Lorenzo Boretti had            theatre training sessions.
                                                                                 earlier this year asked the University’s       After some delay with
                                                          for frontline          AEDG students to design an                 administrative issues, the first units
                                                                                 intubation unit for the hospital           have been delivered as an additional
                                                            workers,             group. This request was due to the         layer of protection for our healthcare
                                                           provincial            pandemic and the strain it placed on
                                                                                 the city’s hospitals.
                                                                                                                            professionals, says Clive Hands,
                                                                                                                            AEDG project manager.
                                                         hospital staff,             Prof Danie Hattingh, Director of           National funding is now being
                                                                                 the Innovation through Engineering         sought so that units can be deployed
                                                           the South
                                         “We had to                              Institute housed at Nelson Mandela         to hospitals across the country, says

                                                        African Police           University, secured funding from the       Hands.
                                        make do with                             Mandela Bay Development Agency                 For more information about the
                                                         Services and            to build the intubation units. This        development of the intubation units,
                                        what we had.”                            enabled several to be supplied             including the trials and tribulations
                                                            charities.           across the PE Hospital Group.              encountered along the way, see the
                                                                                                                            AEDG website:
                                                                                     In addition, Nelson Mandela            aedg.mandela.ac.za/Projects/
                                                                                 University alumnus Cecil Frost,            Intubation-Unit-Accesories
                                                                                 director of Shibah Engineering,

16 | Thetha | October 2020                                                                                                       October 2020 | mandela.ac.za | 17
Thetha - Nelson Mandela University
IN SERVICE TO OTHERS                                                                                                                                   IN SERVICE TO OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS

                Mandela University cleaning teams led the way so that other staff and
                students could safely return to campus in a phased approach.
                   A 20-strong team of cleaners sanitised areas from the get-go,
                received COVID-19 training and adhered to strict hygiene protocols.
                   They, together with other frontline staff – protective services,
                essential workers and other essential employees – played a                                A Shot in the Arm for

                                                                                                          DIGITAL
                fundamental role in helping the University fulfil its safety mandate: to
                prepare, prevent and protect.

Service above self                                                                                        Transformation
Social work student steps forward
Third-year Social Work student Alicia Daniels always wanted to make a                                     In light of the critical role that ICTs play in
difference, no matter how small.
A resident of Tiryville informal settlement in Uitenhage, Daniels was one of
                                                                                             “The         aiding continuity of learning and business
dozens of Mandela Uni students who opened their hearts and gave of their time              children,      during COVID-19, universities and colleges
to help the less fortunate during COVID-19.
                                                                                        especially, are   worldwide need to prioritise the technologies
     “The children, especially, are so close to my heart and so I decided to look
                                                                                                          required for a seismic structural shift in
for sponsors among my friends and family to have a little soup kitchen for them.”
    Alicia found 10 sponsors to provide four meals of soup and bread for 60
                                                                                        so close to my    higher education. By Dr Samuel Bosire, Chief
children ranging in age from 3-16, over two weeks.
    “I know that two weeks will never be enough, but the smiles and the joy I saw
                                                                                          heart ... ”     Information Officer, Nelson Mandela University
on the children’s faces brought joy to my heart.
     “I come from a poor background and I know exactly how it feels to be
hungry, and therefore I am making it my mission to finish my studies and make a
difference in my community.”

                                               LENDING A HAND: Student volunteers
                                               packing food parcels for communities
                                               and organisations on behalf of Nelson
                                               Mandela University’s Convergence Fund.

18 | Thetha | October 2020                                                                                                                                          October 2020 | mandela.ac.za | 19
IN SERVICE TO OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS                                                                                                                                                                            IN SERVICE TO OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS

                                                                                                                             transformation as the vehicle.
                                                                                                                                 In our view, the herculean task
                                                                                                                             of salvaging the academic year
                                                                                                                             is possible in partnership with
                                                                                              The fact                       government, the private sector and
                                                                                                                             communities. The matter of digital
                                                                                             is that the                     access has demonstrated that so
                                                                                               ground                        much more can be achieved – and
                                                                                                                             so much faster – when we all work
                                                                                              of online                      collaboratively.
                                                                                            learning or
                                                                                                                             Challenges we faced included:
                                                                                             e-learning                      • Limited time for expanding digital
                                                                                            has shifted                        access, content creation and
                                                                                                                               course design
                                                                                            irrevocably                      • Strict adherence to best practices
                                                                                                                             • Support and training of lecturers in
                                                                                                                               facilitating online learning
                                                                                                                             • Addressing the question: what
                                                                                                                               about students with limited or no
                                                                                                                               connectivity and devices?

                                                                                                                             A team effort
                                                                                                                             The ease with which any institution
                                                                                                                             transitions to operating remotely
                                                                                                                             using digital platforms is directly
                                                                                   Photo: Lunga Ngcabashe (@lubrapictures)
                                                                                                                             proportional to the number of
                                                                                                                             years of deliberate planning and
Risk management experts describe                                            transform since the start of the                 development it has invested in
the global pandemic as a black swan      Solutions for students             pandemic has been described as                   people, technology and support           Photo: Lunga Ngcabashe (@lubrapictures)
event – rare, but high in impact.        Many Mandela University            “emergency remote teaching and                   infrastructure.
     The need for rapid digital          students live in townships,        learning”.                                           The fact is that the ground
transformation in higher education       informal settlements and                Buoyed by great generosity                  of online learning or e-learning
was thrown into focus following the      rural areas – how are they to      from software vendors and                        has shifted irrevocably. And this
closure of campuses across South         access the internet, let alone     telecommunications companies, the                transformation will not produce the
Africa.                                  learn and study in a suitable      option to launch online became more              desired outcome unless barriers to
     Calls for online solutions are      environment?                       viable and affordable.                           participation are eliminated and no
now en vogue, with universities and           We immediately adopted             Some traditional assumptions                student is left behind.
colleges working hard to achieve         a flexible pathway approach        have also been debunked. Most                        In a nutshell, wherever higher
the end-goal of catching up and          to ensure that all students        telling among these is that students             education institutions might be on
completing the 2020 academic year        had access to materials and        are either on campus or working                  this curve, they need to radically
in limited time.                         support, whether online or via     elsewhere with unlimited access to               ramp up their digital
     Technological strategies and        work packs, and revamped our       data and connectivity.                           transformation
solutions became a critical factor       entire learning and teaching            This is simply not the case – and           strategies.
in delivering learning and teaching,     process, from assessments and      higher education institutions have
and supportive return-to-campus          academic timelines to support      had to think on their feet to ensure                                     “Higher
protocols; and will continue to do so.
     Increasingly, platforms that
                                         and teaching methods. (See
                                         page 26)
                                                                            that no student is left behind.
                                                                                 The fact is that digital                                           education
previously supplemented face-
to-face lectures have become a
                                              In addition, Mandela
                                         University’s ICT team produced
                                                                            transformation won’t work unless
                                                                            barriers to participation are
                                                                                                                                                institutions have
primary learning portal. Even before
COVID-19, institutions had begun
                                         an array of solutions addressing   eliminated. All stakeholders in the
                                                                            higher education system require
                                                                                                                                              had to think on their
                                         administrative and practical
grappling with blended learning (a       issues such as transport, meals,   quality access to digital resources.                               feet to ensure that
hybrid of contact and technology-        residential return, cleaning and
enhanced learning and teaching).         screening.                         Unity is strength                                                   no student is left
                                                                            This pandemic has presented an
Unprecedented times                                                         opportunity for South African                                           behind.”
The scale and speed at which the                                            universities to demonstrate
sector has been required to digitally                                       resilience and innovation, with digital                                                                                                 Dr Samuel Bosire

20 | Thetha | October 2020                                                                                                                                                                                                         October 2020 | mandela.ac.za | 21
IN SERVICE TO OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS                                                                              IN SERVICE TO OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS

                                          ICT SOLUTIONS
                             The impact of COVID-19 has fast-tracked much, including these
                             new automated solutions in making life simpler and safer:

                             Online COVID-19 self-screening tool: Staff and students can
                             take responsibility for their own well-being with the screening
                             information also fed directly to the University’s health officials for
                             overall monitoring. (http://webapps.mandela.ac.za/Screening/)

                             Students invited back to campus: This integrated system
                             notifying those students identified to return to campus enabled
                             students to agree to the new on-campus terms and conditions
                             and sign up and receive their study travel permits all online.

                             Meals: Students may select their meals, collection points and
                             times online across all Port Elizabeth campuses.

                             Food parcels: Students who are part of the nutrition programme
                             can now discreetly arrange to collect their food parcels using the
                             new online booking system.

                             Timetable venue booking: This new system not only allows
                             lecturers to book face-to-face venues and classes on a weekly
                             basis but has developed to prevent clashes and cater for
                             multiple class groups of fewer students per class. The booking is
                             automatically emailed to the affected students who then show
                             the information as their permission to visit campus or enter the
                             facilities.

                             Cleaning: An online form has been developed for staff to request
                             the sanitisation of venues to assist the University with its cleaning
                             processes and response times.

                             Student transport: Working with the returning student

                                                                                                      STUDENTS
                             information, along with the lecturer venue requests and the
                             individual students preferred pick-up point, the new integrated
                             student transport will enable a more efficient service.

                             Lab bookings: A general lab booking system is now in place,
                             giving students the opportunity to pre-book their 90-minute slot

                                                                                                      LEADING
                             in labs that have been reconfigured to comply with all COVID-19
                             compliance measures.

                             Attendance confirmation: Students invited to campus for a
                             face-to-face class can confirm or decline their attendance. The

                                                                                                        the way
                             system also prompts the student to confirm his or her pick-up
                             location should they require transport.

22 | Thetha | October 2020                                                                                                     October 2020 | mandela.ac.za | 23
IN SERVICE TO OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS                                                                                                                                                          IN SERVICE TO OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS

                                                                                                                                                                     He is aware that many students
                                                                                                                                                                face additional pressures over and
                                                                                                                          Don’t take life                       above the pandemic.
                                                                                                                           for granted                               “Some of them are poverty
                                                                                                                                                                stricken. They may have food when
                                                                                                                         “COVID also made                       they are at university because we
                                                                                                                         us realise the value of                support them, but back home
                                                                                                                         something that we took for             there is no food. So, they would be
                                                                                                                         granted: life,” says Jack.             distressed by that.”
                                                                                                                             “Health and education                   Virtual classes and online
                                                                                                                         are bedrocks and if you                learning are another challenge.
                                                                                                                         have an unhealthy nation,
                                                                                                                                                                Just as staff have had to adapt
                                                                                                                         everything has to adjust
                                                                                                                                                                how they teach, students also
                                                                                                                         around that or it will fall
                                                                                                                                                                have had to adapt how they
                                                                                                                         apart.”
                                                                                                                                                                learn.
                                                                                                                                                                     Nelson Mandela University
                                                                                                                      – but what about the year after? You      has put in place short-term
                                                                                                                      need a certain level of education now     contracts with major cellphone
                                                                                                                      to get into matric in 2021, and so on,    service providers and supplies
                                                                                                                      and so on.                                students with 30GB data each
                                                                                                                          “We need basic education (to          month. It also has handed over more
                                                                                                                      function) because without that we         than 5000 laptops to those with no
                                                                                                                      cannot exist.”                            suitable device on which to work.
                                                                                                                                                                     Many students living and
                                                                                                                      Student Counselling                       studying remotely off campus have
                                                                                                                                                                not had access to computer labs, so
                                                                                                                      It’s been an immensely stressful few      these new laptops have helped
                                                                                                                      months for students.                      immensely.
                                                                                                                           “We asked our Student                     Messages such as
                                                                                                                      Counselling to provide the necessary      “My laptop is with me,
                                                                                                                      support and to be flexible. They          I’ve charged it and
                                                                                                                      strive to go beyond the call of duty      I’m getting down to
                                                                                                                      even if it is after hours and of course   work” are music to
                                                                                                                      to provide online support.                Jack’s ears.
                                                                                                                           “At the same time, our students                                                                             Luthando Jack
                                                                                                                      have also been equally appreciative
                                                                                                                      of the support we’re providing.                  What to do differently in future
                                                                                                                      Some have even written to thank
                                                                                                                      us.”
                                                                                                                           In a personal touch, Jack has        “We need to reflect honestly and ask: ‘What are those things that worked?’
                                                                                                                      phoned each student the University        and consolidate them. Also, what the pitfalls were – and then try to correct
                                                                                                                      knows has contracted the virus. He        them. Embed all the best practices that we’ve taken out of COVID and save
Nelson Mandela                       indeed, their entire campus life for   adjustments’.                             has been surprised at how many of         them, holistically, into our own systems as the University.
University Dean of                   the rest of 2020 and ahead.                 “The difficulty is that the          them know his name and humbled                 “Let us learn to live with the virus. Let us no longer make it an add-on in
                                          Along with the unpredictability   only thing that is certain now is         by reactions to his simple yet caring     our work – rather let it be embedded in all our processes at the University,
Students Luthando
                                     brought by the COVID-19 pandemic,      uncertainty.”                             gesture.                                  for students and staff, because some of the things that the virus reminded
Jack looks at how                    Jack is addressing these concerns by        He knows the dire effect the              “Those who have been in              us to do are centred around basic, healthy lifestyles.
students are coping                  striving to empower students while     coronavirus has had on the academic       quarantine with us say ‘we feel we             “That is the first thing that we need to do.
                                     giving the necessary support along     year, not only at tertiary institutions   are at a home away from home’. So,             The second thing is to up the game in terms of public education about
as they embrace new                  the way.                               but also at school level. Which leads     that type of total support system,        living healthy lives and taking full responsibility.
ways of living and                        “My passion is unleashing the     to the question: what happens             especially as they undergo this                “All of us have to adapt and realise that we live in a changing,
learning, writes Gillian             potential of young people and their    to universities and their students        difficult period, is necessary and it     connected world largely driven by technology. The focus of our leadership
                                     assets,” says Jack.                    if schools and their learners are         must be an ongoing support until we       development programme is to encourage these attributes in our students.
McAinsh                                   “What this period requires from   delayed?                                  get through this.”                             “They need to be prepared to reinvent themselves in an ever-changing
                                     us is to communicate authentically          “We will have continuing students         Between 18 June, when university     world. Which means that the purpose of the University is to teach them how
Dean of Students Luthando Jack has   and to keep on saying ‘what we share   but we also need that pipeline for new    re-opened, and the end of July, there     to learn.
a tough task on his hands: Mandela   with you is based on what we know      students, so the pandemic talks to the    were around 20 student coronavirus              “The university of the future must be built now, not tomorrow. If we
Uni students want to know what       now. Things may change and so we       entire schooling system,” says Jack.      cases and Jack is happy to report         build it only tomorrow, we’re going to be irrelevant tomorrow.”
is happening to their studies and,   may have to come back to you with           “Yes, we can push the matrics out    that most are now well.

24 | Thetha | October 2020                                                                                                                                                                                         October 2020 | mandela.ac.za | 25
IN SERVICE TO OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS                                                                                                                                                                  IN SERVICE TO OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS

No Student Left Behind
With the 2020 academic year in disarray following the global pandemic,                                                                                                                           10 KEY LEARNINGS
Mandela University was forced to send students home on an extended recess                                                                                                                        1.  In complex, disruptive situations: the value of
in March. This heralded a challenge – how to restart learning and teaching                                                                                                                           “shrinking the change”, “smoothing the path”,
                                                                                                                                                                                                     finding the “bright spots”, monitoring progress,
with 29 000 students dispersed across the country and globe. Professor                                                                                                                               and being flexible and adaptable to plot and
Cheryl Foxcroft, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning & Teaching, reports.                                                                                                                               adjust our plans.
                                                                                                                                                                                                 2. Positive relationship shifts between students
                                                                                                                                                                                                     and staff: mutual growth of understanding of
In 2016 during #FeesMustFall, we faced the challenge of         the percentage and categories of students that can return                                                                            LT and life challenges and appreciation of effort
completing three weeks of learning and teaching (LT) and        at various lockdown levels.                                                                                                          and hard work.
the end-of-year examinations with almost no access to our            Next, we adopted a phased approach to resuming LT                                                                           3. Navigating the online environment: students
campuses.                                                       activities:                                                                                                                          need explicit, clear communication about how
    With some out-of-the-box thinking, we rose to that          • From April, students prepared to learn in alternative                                                                              to navigate content, what is expected of them
seemingly impossible task to complete the academic year            ways and thereafter, learning intensified for Pathway 1                                                                           in a task, what they can expect from a lecturer,
and had a bumper graduation ceremony.                              (PW1) students from May.                                                                                                          and so on.
    Fast-forward to 2020.                                       • PW1 consists of, on average, 70% of our students.                                                                              4. Planning around technology: knowing which
    Uppermost in our mind was the differing contexts,              They completed their semester 1 module assessments                                                                                device a student uses for learning purposes
circumstances and needs of our students, and especially            in June-July. Some have returned to campus to do                                                                                  has assisted lecturers to plan learning
the challenges students experience when learning                   experiential work in laboratories and studios, or clinical                                                                        facilitation and the design of learning materials
remotely, as many of them live in townships, informal              training. From mid-July, we phased in the provision of                                                                            accordingly.
settlements and rural areas where online access and a              intensive blended LT for PW2 returning students and                                                                           5. Experimenting bravely: lecturers need to be
private space to study are a big ask.                              those who now have acquired laptops and connectivity,                                                                             adaptable, flexible and innovative in terms
    We started by declaring our unwavering commitment              while dispatching learning materials to other Pathway 2                                                                           of learning design and teaching. Sometimes
to provide all students with LT opportunities and support          students.                                                                                                                         this involves trying out something in new,
to complete the 2020 academic year, despite the trying          • We also aim to return more of the PW2 students without                                                                             unimagined ways.
times.                                                             devices or connectivity as soon as possible.                                                                                  6. Meaningful learning: greater thought has gone
    Thereafter, to plan and tackle the LT journey, we           We are remaining agile and employing flexible                                                                                        into learning materials and activities provided
needed a compass to guide us. A set of principles and           timeframes to allow students enough time to adapt                                                                                    (for example, including voice notes and
values were generated to serve as a guide.                      to online and remote learning. To assist us, we track                                                                                adjusting some of the texts and activities so
                                                                progress weekly and have regular reflection sessions.                                                                                that they are relevant to the COVID-19 context).
Blended pathways                                                                                                                                                                                 7.  Expanding our online offering: facilitating
Given our strong commitment to social justice and equality,     Support beyond academics                                                                                                             LT online was challenging for both students
we developed two blended learning pathways (and                     Embedded in our approach is support for                                                                                          and staff and for students to adapt to learning
variations of these) to enable our students to complete their   student learning and wellness through a variety of                                                                                   online. However, many of them persisted, and
first semester modules and the academic year.                   means and platforms.                                                As students either return to campus or continue                  students felt actively engaged in learning when
     These pathways have been adapted as more                       A range of support and capacity building                    to learn remotely, we will adopt a blended LT delivery               a range of platforms and media were used.
information and national guidelines were gazetted, such as      is available for academics regarding practising                 approach for the remainder of the 2020 academic year.            8. “Without-a-box” thinking: this is needed
                                                                flexible, human-centred pedagogy in a technology-                   This means that most of the theoretical work will be             in the second semester to find ways to make
                                                                rich environment.                                               covered online, augmented with virtual lectures and                  the workload for students and lecturers more
 The LT compass                                                                                                                 flipped-class discussions. Contact sessions that adhere to           manageable.
                                                                                                                                physical distancing and health requirements will be limited      9. Finding the balance: while the switch to
                                                                  Pathway 1 learners are                                        to lab and studio work, experiential and work-integrated             continuous assessment was appropriate for
   • Prioritise health of students and staff
   • Be flexible and adaptable through
                                                                  those with suitable devices                                   learning and possibly for some revision sessions and                 online learning, a better balance between
                                                                                                                                tutorials, tests and exams, depending on the lockdown                assessment and learning opportunities needs
     uncharted territory during fluid times                       and connectivity to complete                                  level.                                                               to be found in that “continuous assessment ≠
   • Adopt a human-centred, flexible                                                                                                Given our human-centred, flexible, blended pathways
                                                                  most of their learning digitally.                             approach, and the grit and determination displayed by our
                                                                                                                                                                                                     continuously assessing”.
     pedagogical approach                                                                                                                                                                        10. Greater coordination of assessments: this is

   • Reaffirm the core values of our University
                                                                  Pathway 2 learners did not                                    students, academics and professional and administrative              needed across all departments and faculties, as
                                                                                                                                support staff to persist with this difficult journey and adapt       students were sometimes faced with multiple
   • Commitment to excellence, social justice                     initially have access to devices                              as needed, we are on track to complete the 2020 academic             assessments on the same day.
     and equality, and integrity.                                 or connectivity.                                              year by the end of February 2021.

26 | Thetha | October 2020                                                                                                                                                                                               October 2020 | mandela.ac.za | 27
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