At present, the campus, in line with the institutional approach to learning and teaching, is utilising a hybrid model (blended learning in which students are given different options for studying), where classes will continue online with the exception of Mask-to-Mask for those that require physical interactions due to their field of study.
Online registration for prospective students, who meet admission requirements and have received a firm offer, opened on 11 January and will run until 1 April 2021, to ensure the process is completed safely from home or remotely. For applicants awaiting their final examination results, online registration will commence soon after the release of final NSC/IEB/SACAI results on 23 February 2021.
To limit the number of people on campus, the University has introduced new ways of working, learning, teaching and living. This includes making many traditional face-to-face events virtual.
The official welcoming ceremony for first-year students and their parents/guardians on Saturday, 06 March will be held virtually, so too the orientation programme running from 8 to 12 March.
Lectures are set to begin on Monday, 15 March 2021 using a blend of virtual and mask-to-mask learning and teaching, to cater for students with different needs and resources.
Returning to campus
At present, students and staff who can study and work remotely are continuing to do so. Only those students with an official e-permit will be able to return to any of the University’s campuses and residences. Residences opened on 10 January 2021 for senior students. Residence students are required to quarantine for 10 days in their on- or off-campus residence, in accordance with Mandela University’s COVID-19 protocols.
All new and returning students, staff and any visitors will be expected to comply with our compulsory COVID-19 processes and safety measures, including wearing a face mask, physical and social distancing and hand sanitising. In addition, everyone will need to use the University’s own health screening tool.
The screening tool - https://webapps.mandela.ac.za/screening - allows the University to manage the wellbeing of staff and students holistically and monitor campus numbers in line with COVID-19 health regulations.
Final examination results
Applicants (prospective students) are strongly advised not to come to campus unless they are given the official written go-ahead by the University.
For applicants who wrote NSC, IEB and SACAI examinations in 2020, the University will obtain their final examination results from the Department of Basic Education and will process applications for final admission. These applicants therefore do not need to submit their final examination results, either via email or in-person, but should rather stay safe, stay home and wait to hear from the University. The University will then notify applicants of the outcome of their application after 23 February, when the results have been released.
“The year 2021 is different for so many reasons and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are aware that our first-year entrants are justifiably anxious as are parents. We wish to assure parent/s, guardians and the community that we are doing our very best to make the Nelson Mandela George Campus safe. We have rigorous measures in place to ensure safety, health and compliance with the Disaster Management protocols. We are committed to saving lives. As such, we have stringent protocol for accessing the campus. We have been fortunate to enjoy support from the George Community in helping is manage the pandemic by minimising recreational activities on campus during this period. We value our partnership with students, parent/s, the community and all critical stakeholders in educating our young. We appreciate the continued support of our stakeholders as we ensure campus safety. Our safety is in our hands’, said Dr Kaluke Mawila the Campus Principal.
