Returning to Nelson Mandela University Campuses

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world, and our University campuses, as we know it. This site is aimed at helping you navigate all the new ways of working, learning, teaching and living at Nelson Mandela University.

What worked in the past, may not be applicable any more as we seek to do all that we can to ensure the safety of our staff, students, contractors, suppliers and visitors.

New guidelines, standard operating procedures, contact details and compulsory safety measures are among the items included to support you as we gradually return to campus.  

Before returning

You must have been identified as a student or requested as an essential, critical or key staff member to return to campus, before you can return at Lockdown Level 3.

Identification Process of Returning Students

Universities need to put a process in place to identify which students should return. This process is well underway at Mandela University.

A task team convened by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, that includes the DVC Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, Executive and Deputy Deans, the Dean of Students, SRC representatives, and other key stakeholders is in the process of identifying up to 33% of mainly final year students, especially those that need to do lab and studio work, experiential learning and clinical training, those final years that are on Pathway 2, as well as some students with disabilities.

This team will assess which students should be earmarked to return at each lockdown level. A set of principles, criteria and data will be used to inform such decisions, along with the lockdown level specifications about the number of students permitted on campus at a point in time.

This is in line with national directives as the University needs to:

• Ensure that the necessary personal protective equipment has been supplied (Xolisa.Lubambo@mandela.ac.za or Nokuzola.Sukwana@mandela.ac.za), and
• Know exactly who is on its campuses should contact tracing be necessary. Line managers to contact HR’s Lungisani.Ntiyantiya@mandela.ac.za while identified students must confirm their date of return with their lecturer, faculty officer and/or residence manager
• Book for the initial COVID-19 screening with Kobus.Magielies@mandela.ac.za (Port Elizabeth campuses) or Marietjie.Malan@mandela.ac.za (George Campus). This is ensure that the screening stations are not swamped with large numbers at any one time. 

In an attempt to flatten the curve of COVID-19 and prevent mass exposure, a staggered approach on return to campus has been implemented, as well as measures for disease prevention (masks, physical/social distancing, hand sanitising etc.), disease surveillance (screening and testing) and disease management (self-isolation, isolation, self-quarantine and quarantine).

Persons above the age of 60, those with pre-existing health conditions, those with flu-like symptoms or sick individuals are to stay at home and not come to campus.

The management of vulnerable employees based on their risk assessment will be implemented by line managers, heads of departments, and divisions throughout all levels of the University. This requires that managers must be fully conversant with these guidelines and how they will apply to employees through an individual risk-adjusted approach to manage vulnerable employees and workplace accommodation in relation to COVID-19. 

Please note that it is mandatory for all staff returning to campus to watch the videos below via Moodle and complete a terms and conditions form in line with safety compliance measures.

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES VIDEOS