“I am not going back there to die ... Imagine coming from my province [Limpopo] and travelling to a Covid hotspot.”
Those were the words of one of the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) students the university has selected to return to campus in the hope of saving the academic year.
The Herald interviewed NMU students, all of whom asked to remain anonymous, and expressed anxiety about plans to reopen universities.
This after the university confirmed via an e-mail communique that by Friday it had 19 positive cases — 18 cases from Port Elizabeth and one from George.
“Eleven have fully recovered and will be returning to work shortly,” the message read.
Universities closed on March 18 in line with the government’s plans to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in SA.
The university is set to welcome back final-year students who require access to laboratories, technical equipment, access to residences and private accommodation, all students who need clinical training in their programmes and postgraduate students who require laboratory and other technical equipment to undertake their studies.
I think that opening universities is a reckless move. ... It cannot be that the university says it has taken the necessary measures but the [Covid-19] positive cases continue to increase
The 23-year-old final-year BA student from Limpopo said: “I think that opening universities is a reckless move. I am of the opinion that we scrap the entire university year as it does not make sense to travel to a Covid hotspot.
“It cannot be that the university says it has taken the necessary measures but the [Covid-19] positive cases continue to increase.”
A final-year logistics student said she would not return.
“I am not coming back, never!
“If we come back we will be using the same shower, same shuttles and the same cafeterias ... though I am not happy with the online learning — this is better than being exposed to the virus,” she said.
Meanwhile, a fourth-year mechatronics student said: “I really hope that the university is prepared for our arrival because this situation could easily spiral out of control.
“My anxieties about being competent for work are far less than those of going back to Port Elizabeth.”
Meanwhile, a 19-year-old economics student said he would return to campus despite his fears.
On Monday, NMU issued a statement by vice-chancellor Sibongile Muthwa, saying the death of a staff member had saddened the university.
“A staff member who was hospitalised with Covid-19-related symptoms late last week, has passed away,” the statement said.
However, the statement was retracted moments later, as the university was still awaiting formal documentation from the department of health in relation to the staffer’s death.
Student Representative Council (SRC) president Thembalethu Nyikilana said the SRC had been working hard to ensure that strict plans and measures were put in place in preparation for the return of students.
“Furthermore we are now engaging the university on ensuring there’s enough standby capacity for any unforeseen crisis in relation to Covid 19,” he said.
“The office of the dean of students is now touching base with the SRC on a daily basis ... the situation now requires extreme vigilance and discipline.”
Nyikilana said he encouraged all students to arrive within the time frames they were given, to ensure they went through all the necessary procedures.
NMU failed to respond to requests for comment regarding the situation and updated figures on Covid-19 cases.
However, according to the Friday statement, strict protocols are in place.
“Staff who have tested positive and recovered must follow an official return-to-campus assessment with Occupational Health Services before returning to full-time work on campus.
“Apart from official notification from a doctor or hospital, and a health assessment by the university health professionals, the individual is given the opportunity to access emotional wellness support,” the statement said.
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