10 / 36
8
M U T
S P I R I T
/ /
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