Residences

Welcome to Residential Services



Welcome from the Director

Residential Services provides programmes and services to all its community members. We embrace the core mission of the University as “a place of quality, a place to grow, from hope to action through knowledge.” The department creates opportunities for students to experience all aspects of life outside the classroom through co-curricular activities and the living and learning communities already in existence as well as those still being created at our campus.

There are three focus areas for Residential Services:
  1. The Student Housing section deals with physical infrastructure, services, maintenance and assets.
  2. The Placement & Administration deals with placement, holiday accommodation, billing and software systems used by the department.
  3. The ResLife section focusses on psychosocial programming, living and learning activities, academic support, leadership development and general wellness support.
All in all, we have a talented team of more than 50 staff members, all of whom are dedicated to ensuring that members of our University community, particularly our students, are poised for academic, personal and professional success. Residential Services means to enhance our community’s sense of resilience and build on talent and inner strength that our students already have. We also commit ourselves to creating opportunities that will contribute to character development of our diverse students in their efforts to become contributing citizens of the world. Citizens who are socially conscious and advocates for the enrichment of others in the communities in which they find themselves.

We trust that you will seek out opportunities that will build on what you already have and look forward to engaging with you.

Best wishes and welcome to uDubs Res!

Mark Seale
Director of Residential Services
University of the Western Cape

How is the Department of Residential Services Structured to Deliver on its Mandate?

 

Departmental Vision 

Residential Services endeavours to enculturate an authentic, student-centred approach that is value-driven and that seeks to innovatively optimise living-learning experiences for all its community members.
 

Departmental Mission

Residential Services strives to provide an inclusive, critically engaging residence community that exposes students to innovative living-learning experiences within an environment that is safe, clean, and well-maintained and fosters a sense of belonging.
 

Departmental Values

Service Orientation
Employee Recognition
Accountability
Professionalism
Open Communication
Respect
Team Work
Integrity and Ethics
Diversity
Social Responsiveness

2027 APPLICATIONS — KEY DATES

First-years 10 April 2026 – 31 October 2026
Apply online during this window.
Seniors & postgrad 1 August 2026 – 31 October 2026
Apply online during this window.

Applying for Residence in 2027


  • Apply only online, through the Residential Services Management System (RSMS).
  • Go to residentialservices.uwc.ac.za/Account/Login. You can use a computer or a cell phone. Log in using one of these:
  • South African ID number
  • UWC student number
  • Passport number
  • Application number

Need help applying? A step-by-step guide to applying can be found by clicking the following button.
 

Residence Online Application Link and Guide
 

Who Can Apply, and What to Know?

  • Only full-time diploma, degree, or postgraduate students can live in residence.
  • Applicants must apply online by 31 October of the year before.
  • Students must confirm accommodation before you arrive on campus.
  • Running late to check in? A reservation request can be submitted online through RSMS Student Portal.
  • A bed space is allocated for one academic year — excluding winter or summer holidays.
  • You must apply again every year.

Need a room during the holidays? The process and Application will follow prior for vacation period.

Placement & Administration Unit

Together, building a united, transformed & vibrant residence community

Residential Services consists of the Placement Section which is responsible for residence applications, subsequent residence placement of students and related administration which includes billing. The Business Administration unit manages additional operations and provides administrative support to the rest of the department.

Returning Students: Re-Admission

  • Faculty re-admission: Returning students must first be academically accepted or readmitted by their Faculty before they can qualify for residence placement. 
  • Annual residence application: All students, including those currently residing in University residences, must submit a residence application by 31 October of the preceding year. Current residence placement does not automatically guarantee accommodation for the following year. 
  • Acceptance of residence offer: Students who receive a residence offer must accept the offer within 48 hours. Failure to accept within this period will result in the offer being forfeited. 
  • Residence placement is for one academic year: Accommodation is granted for one academic year only. Students are therefore required to reapply for residence accommodation each year. 
  • Students exceeding the normal duration of their programme: Where applicable, students who require additional time to complete their academic programme may be considered for one additional year of residence accommodation, subject to the relevant criteria. 
  • Students suspended or expelled from university/residence: Students who have been suspended or expelled from residence must follow the prescribed appeals process. Appeals can be submitted online through the RSMS Student Portal.
  • Cancellation: Students are still liable for the billing unless approved by the Director: RS  


 

Our residences are a healthy, academically active community made up of diverse individuals who are actively on their way to becoming entrepreneurially minded responsible citizens, scholars and leaders.

Each of you play a part in the success of our residence community. In choosing to live in our residences you have accepted an obligation: the opportunity to enjoy and maximally benefit from all opportunities available to you as well as to conduct yourself in ways that help other citizens to do the same.

Enter to learn, depart to serve!
Welcome to uDubs Res!

Residence Life (ResLife)

Residence Life (ResLife) contributes to the holistic development, wellbeing and support of students throughout their stay in residence. This includes initiatives aimed at supporting students’ personal and professional development, academic success, nutrition and psychosocial wellbeing.

A key component of ResLife is the establishment of Living-Learning Communities, which create peer-learning environments within residences and encourage students to support one another while promoting academic excellence.

ResLife also provides educational and developmental programmes addressing common life challenges experienced by residence students. These initiatives are delivered through peer-educator and co-curricular programmes, creating opportunities for students to learn from and support one another.

Students who participate in peer-educator and co-curricular programmes receive training, skills development and practical learning opportunities, enabling them to contribute positively to their residence communities. The approach is centred on students supporting and educating fellow students, while developing their own leadership, interpersonal and professional skills.

Overall, ResLife seeks to ensure that the residence experience extends beyond accommodation by creating a supportive living and learning environment that contributes to students’ academic success, wellbeing, personal growth and sense of community.

Living Together: Community Standards

Living in residence means being part of a diverse community where everyone has the right to feel respected, safe and valued. With these rights also comes a responsibility to respect the rights and wellbeing of others.

This reflects the spirit of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.” A positive residence community depends on how we treat, support and live alongside one another.

Respect and Tolerance

Living together requires students to:

  • Treat others with respect and consideration. 
  • Address disagreements calmly and constructively rather than through confrontation or fighting. 
  • Be patient and willing to listen to different perspectives. 
  • Recognise that everyone has the right to their own views and opinions, even when these differ from your own. 

Alcohol, Drugs and Medication

To maintain a safe residence environment:

  • Alcohol and drugs are not permitted in residences and at official University events. 
  • Students may not sell alcohol from their rooms or within the surrounding residence environment. 
  • Residence rooms may be inspected by an appointed committee where required. 
  • Students are responsible for the conduct and behaviour of their visitors. 
  • Alcohol may only be permitted at functions that have received the required approval from the Rector. 
  • The use, sale, cultivation or possession of illegal drugs is prohibited on campus. 
  • Students who are concerned about substance use or related matters are encouraged to speak to their Residence Coordinator for assistance and support. 

Ultimately, community standards are about more than following rules. They are about creating a residence environment where students can live, learn and grow together with mutual respect and shared responsibility.

Contact Us


Placement and Administration 

Student housing 

ResLife 

Residential Services has, as a cause of its concern for pregnant students’ academic and social well-being, developed a policy that encompasses the broader institutional practices but also incorporates its own efforts at supporting students.

Download the Sexual Violence Policy.

Name Portfolio Email Contact No:
Mr Mark Seale Director: Residential Services mseale@uwc.ac.za 021 959 2108
(Ms June Wanza)
Ms Neliswa Majola Manager: Placement and Administration nmajola@uwc.ac.za 021 959 2725
Ms Zimkhita Mdekazi Manager: Student Housing znjokwana@uwc.ac.za 021 959 3912
Ms Gretna Andipatin Manager: ResLife gandipatin@uwc.ac.za 021 959 3557
Mr Siseko Mtengenya Manager: Student Housing (Unibell) smtengenya@uwc.ac.za 021 959 1775
Ms Nuraan Kamaar Placement Coordinator nkamaar@uwc.ac.za 021 959 2568
Ms Bubbles Busisiwe Mzalazala Cluster Coordinator
Cluster 1
bmzalazala@uwc.ac.za 021 959 2165
Ms Ziphora Ramaila Cluster Coordinator
Cluster 2
zmramaila@uwc.ac.za 021 959 2670
Ms Janine Julies Cluster Coordinator
Cluster 3
jajulies@uwc.ac.za 021 959 9268
Dr Faeza Khan Living Learning Coordinator fakhan@uwc.ac.za 021 959 3896
Ms Zizipho Nguza Special Project Coordinator znguza@uwc.ac.za 021 959 2469
Ms Thando Josephine Sebesho Community Engagement and Cultural Life Coordinator tsebesho@uwc.ac.za 021 959 2570
Ms Siyasanga Booysen Student Leadership Coordinator sbooysen@uwc.ac.za 021 959 3497
Mr Khanya Deliwe Systems Administrator kdeliwe@uwc.ac.za 021 959 9267
Ms Lerato Tseleli Social Worker ltseleli@uwc.ac.za 021 959 3557
ResLife Front Desk     021 959 3557
   
UWC HIV/AIDS meadams@uwc.ac.za 021 959 2247
Centre for Student Support Services
(CSSS)
csss@uwc.ac.za 021 959 2876
Gender Equity mvanstaden@uwc.ac.za 021 959 3488
Control Room   021 959 2239
(for emergencies)
SADAG   0800 222 333
Suicidal Emergencies 
(SADAG, 24/7, toll-free)
  0800 567 567

 

PLACEMENT & ADMINISTRATION

Who do I contact about applying for a residence place?

Visit the Placement and Admin Office, First Floor, ResLife Building. Or email resservices1@uwc.ac.za (first-years) or resservices2@uwc.ac.za (seniors). You can also call 021 959 2569.

Do I ever have to pay another person for a room?

No — never. You only pay the university, through Student Administration. If someone asks you to pay them directly for a room, contact resservices1@uwc.ac.za or resservices2@uwc.ac.za right away.

Am I required to pay a deposit to a private accommodation provider (PAP)?

No. If you are a student that is funded by NSFAS, you should not be required to pay a deposit before occupying the accommodation.
If a PAP provides asks you to pay a deposit before moving in as NSFAS funded students, please email: uwcprivateaccomodation@uwc.ac.za

STUDENT HOUSING

Where do I report maintenance?

Tell the residence staff members at reception during the day or the security or student assistants at the front desk after hours. Alternatively, you can email the staff members of your residence or studenthousing@uwc.ac.za.

What do I do if there is an incident at my residence?

During the day: tell residence staff, your Cluster Coordinator, or the security at the reception. After hours: tell security, or contact CPS directly. You can also email reslife@uwc.ac.za.

RESLIFE

How do I join a peer facilitator programme?

Visit the ResLife Unit, Second Floor, ResLife Building, or email reslife@uwc.ac.za.

Where can I find my residence Development Officer?

Each Development Officer lives in their residence and has set times to meet students. Ask at your residence reception for their times.