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6

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

Given the unavailability of a vaccine for the virus and

its potential danger for older people and those with

compromised health, it was vital and urgent to raise

awareness about the virus and how to prevent its

spread. Posters and flyers were immediately made

available on the MUT campuses, in residences and

on the buses that transport students to and from the

University. The consistent message across social

media platforms, WhatsApp and posters, was to wash

hands every 20 minutes, practise social distancing,

avoid hand shaking, and use elbows instead of

hands when coughing. Sister Nomusa Mkhwanazi,

Head of the MUT Clinic, attended a series of

stakeholder engagement programmes organised by

the Department of Health. “Her attendance helped

provide accurate information about how we should

communicate and immerse ourselves in the protocols

of communicating this pandemic,” said Mbali Mkhize,

Senior Director: Marketing and Communications.

Mkhize says that the MUT Brand Ambassadors quickly

became Change Agents for the cause. They embarked

on a week-long mission, moving from residence to

residence distributing pamphlets on COVID-19 to

students and the Umlazi community.

In addition to raising awareness via Sister Mkhwanazi

and Dr Zodwa Ngobese’s presentations to the EMC,

SRC, clinic staff, peer educators, peer helpers, house

committees and student structures, the MUT Clinic

played a key medical role. It used its facility to service

staff and students and to screen patients with flu-

like symptoms for the COVID-19 infection. It also

provided immune boosters and flu vaccines to those

in the HIV Wellness Programme as part of its medical

interventions.

The Operations Directorate played a critical role in

distributing hand sanitisers across theUniversity. As part

of its preventative measures, Operations also carried

out the task of ensuring that all ventilation systems

within the University were functioning optimally, and

that the spaces into which the air-conditioning units

extract are not used by staff and students.

“Given the unavailability of a vaccine for the Coronavirus and its

potential danger for older people and those with compromised health,

it was vital and urgent to raise awareness about the virus and how to

prevent its spread.”

Following the declaration of COVID-19 as a national

disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday,

15 March 2020, the MUT Senate met to discuss the

implications of the President’s pronouncement. At

this meeting Senate suspended all contact lectures,

recommended that lectures be conducted online

where possible, and limited access to the library.

On the basis of a 17 March directive by the Minister

of Higher Education, Science and Technology,

backed up by healthcare professionals, the MUT

Senate proactively decided to move the University

recess forward to 18 March 2020. The end date of

the recess was moved from 15 to 17 April after the

dates of the national lockdown were announced.

South African students were given 72 hours to vacate

University residences, while international students

were provided with accommodation since they could

not travel home. Graduation was also postponed. The

University strengthened the use of Blackboard, which

is an online tool to enhance teaching and learning.

MUT staff continue to work from home, given the

recent extension of the lockdown until the end of April.

Sister Nomusa Mkhwanazi