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8

M U T

S P I R I T

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J A N U A R Y - M A R C H 2 0 2 0

MUT Vice-Chancellor, Dr Enoch

Duma Malaza, weighs in…

We asked…

“How has the COVID-19 lockdown

transformed your culture and traditions?”

The world has been thrown into turmoil as we have begun social distancing, washing

hands at each and every interval, self-isolating from families and colleagues, and even

watching people dying near and far. Surely this culture shock will have a huge bearing on

our culture and traditions. We asked our MUT community to reflect on this, not simply as

a nice-to-do exercise, but to help the executive note some challenges and opportunities

that the lockdown has presented to us. Beyond that, we also wanted to reach out to our

MUT community and get them engaged.

Change in our behaviour as social

animals

The lockdown is a challenge because humans are

social animals by nature. We are learning how to fare

as individuals when isolated. The readiness of most

people to self-quarantine or isolate is a demonstration

of our capacity to think beyond personal interest and

to voluntarily act in the interest of society’s welfare.

Yes, this pandemic is greatly changing our behaviour

and options in terms of taking responsibility for our

personal interests and those of the community.

The authority of science

This pandemic is strengthening our belief in the

rationality and objectivity of science. The strategy of

flattening the curve is based on scientific analysis of

data and conclusions informed by empirical laws. In

this respect, religious bodies are ceding control to the

authority of science.

Adjustments to working styles

As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are

having to rapidly adjust our way of working. We find

ourselves having to move at breakneck speed into the

digitalisation that has been spoken about so much.

Although the scale of the challenge is currently too

big for us, working remotely is helping us make the

transition, thanks to technologies such as Skype and

Microsoft Teams, as well as cloud-based process

management tools. Having said that, there is a

difference between being technically ready and being

culturally and emotionally ready for this newworld. A lot

of training and support is needed to make us culturally

and emotionally ready. We need technological support

at the institutional level, technical support for staff,

and psychological support for students.

Firstly, I wish to express my gratitude for this initiative

requesting us to reflect on how LockdownSA is transforming

our way of life. I believe this activity will go a long way

towards encouraging employee engagement at MUT.

Dr Enoch Duma Malaza