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:
- The Student Housing section deals with physical infrastructure, services, maintenance and assets.
- The Placement & Administration deals with placement, holiday accommodation, billing and software systems used by the department.
- 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 UDUB’s 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?
The Department of Residential Services is committed to creating developmental opportunities and support students in achieving their academic and leadership goals. We further pledge to deliver an effective and efficient service, which promote the educational experience whilst allowing for individual growth.
Our Residence is a healthy, academically active community that is 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 Udub’s Res!
Our Residence is a healthy, academically active community that is 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 Udub’s Res!
Placement & Administration Unit
Together, building a united, transformed & vibrant residence community
Residential Services Administration consists of the Placement Section which is responsible for residence applications, subsequent residence placement of students and related administration which includes fee charges. The Business Administration unit manages holiday accommodation and provides administrative support to the rest of the department.
Did you know that our placement and admin unit is responsible for this process shown below?
Application Administration → Selection → Placement → Re-admission
Useful Information for New Res Applicants
- Accommodation will only be offered to students who are registered for diplomas, degrees or postgraduate courses, on a full-time basis.
- A first-year applicant should complete the residence application section in the general application form (either hard copy or online) before the 31 October of the preceding year.
- The onus remains with the applicant to verify his/her accommodation application status prior to his/her arrival on Campus.
- Where and when available, Residential Services may reserve the rooms for first year students, during the weekend prior to the start of the university orientation program. Failure on the part of the student to arrive for participation in the official Orientation Program of the University will result in the forfeiture of the accommodation.
- Students residing outside a 60km radius will receive preference for accommodation and proof hereof may be required.
- University residence accommodation is only valid for 1 official academic year (excluding the winter and summer vacation), and the dates as prescribed in the official university calendar, part 1, are contained in the general information section under the section for academic terms.
- Students are required to apply on an annual basis to be readmitted to residences via the official readmission process.
- Students affected by academic work prescribed by various faculties outside of the official academic year mentioned in point 6 above will be required to apply for accommodation in a separate process viz, vacation accommodation.
- It is the responsibility of all applicants to ensure that accommodation has been secured prior to their arrival on campus. The University cannot be held responsible for students who arrive without the written confirmation of accommodation
General Information: Re-Admission Policy
- The student must be accepted by the Faculty to qualify for accommodation.
- A transfer student must complete the Residence application form online. The application must not reach the office later than the 31 October of the preceding year.
- First time and previous UWC residence students Post Graduate Applications must complete the application process for residence in the general application form/ process of the university before the 31 October of the preceding year
- The room will only be reserved for a student for 72 hours for post graduate applicants from the time of the written offer of accommodation by RS. Failure by a student to occupy the room within the said time frame will result in forfeiture of the room. The student must communicate with the Placement Officer with valid reasons for a further extension. The extension granted will be at the discretion of the Director RS. Thereafter, the applicant will forfeit his/her offer of accommodation.
- University accommodation is only valid for 1 official academic year (excluding winter and summer vacations) and students are required to apply on an annual basis to be readmitted via the official readmission process (web-based application on the University website).
- A student will be allowed a maximum of one additional year for the current undergraduate course registration. e.g. a student who registers for LLB degree for five years will be allowed to apply for 5 years + 1 year annually (which will follow a special appeal process for consideration).
- A student expelled or suspended from residence will not be considered for accommodation in the following year. The student would need to reapply, with written motivation for reconsideration.
Student Housing & Operations Unit
Residence operations is responsible for all operational aspects relating to residence buildings and services, which include but are not limited to maintenance issues, cleaning, security, pest control, and transport services, etc. The residences are grouped into clusters. Each cluster has a cluster coordinator who assumes responsibility for all operational aspects within the cluster.
FACT: Our residences are named after different heroes & heroines of the freedom struggle.
FACT: Our residences are named after different heroes & heroines of the freedom struggle.
Housing Services
- Residential Services has over 3,300 students across 13 residences
- The campus boasts 2 on-campus residences for new first year students
- Two residences are dedicated to postgraduate students
- All residences are furnished with essentials
- Residences have communal kitchens, lounges and recreational spaces
- The residences have WiFi & are DSTV connected
- The residences have 2 dining halls serving a variety of diverse diet menus
- Laundry facilities are available in all residences
- The residences have 24-hour security personnel & student card access points
- Shuttles are provided for off-campus residences
- There is daily cleaning of communal spaces
CLUSTER 1 COORDINATOR
CAS, CER, CHR, LIB
Mrs. Zimkitha Mdekazi
Tel: +27 (021) 959 2165
E-Mail: znjakwana@uwc.ac.za
CLUSTER 2 COORDINATOR
CWR, BFR, DISA
Mr. Siseko Mtengenya
Tel: +27 (021) 959 2670
E-Mail: smtengenya@uwc.ac.za
CLUSTER 3 COORDINATOR
RFR, EDS, HPR, GOV, CAL. KWB
Mr. Stanley Christians
Tel: +27 (021) 959 2673
E-Mail: schristians@uwc.ac.za
CAS, CER, CHR, LIB
Mrs. Zimkitha Mdekazi
Tel: +27 (021) 959 2165
E-Mail: znjakwana@uwc.ac.za
CLUSTER 2 COORDINATOR
CWR, BFR, DISA
Mr. Siseko Mtengenya
Tel: +27 (021) 959 2670
E-Mail: smtengenya@uwc.ac.za
CLUSTER 3 COORDINATOR
RFR, EDS, HPR, GOV, CAL. KWB
Mr. Stanley Christians
Tel: +27 (021) 959 2673
E-Mail: schristians@uwc.ac.za
Living and Learning
The Living & Learning Office plays an integral part in the creation of living and learning communities at UWC residences. It entails programmed activities that seek to enhance students’ academic performance, whilst providing support to those who are challenged or merely wanting to improve their academics. It also aims to prepare students for the world of work within their career stream.
- Our academic support unit is there to support you, free of charge!
- Skills & Resources Exchange Programme (SREP)
- Computer Literacy
- Supplementary English Instruction
- Development officers from different faculties who act as professional mentors in the residence
- Living and learning communities
Special Projects Supporting Urgent Needs
The Special Projects Office forms parts of the ResLife division which aims to enhance the living experience of residents. This unit develops novel activities which intend to prepare students for life after they have graduated. Programmes in this unit are also aimed at equipping students to make healthy, informed, lifestyle choices and also seek to promote personal, social, intellectual and cultural development that respects diversity and creates a human rights context.
- Discussions with edutainment programmes within residences that focus on issues of diversity, psycho-social matters and wellness
- Awareness and behavioural change campaigns
- Train-the trainer programme, a reslife ambassadors programme (RLA)
- Consent is sexy!
Need a Counsellor?
The RS Department always aims to ensure that our services remain cognisant of the needs of our students in UWC’s residential communities. Identifying these needs ensured that the department became an internship site for final year Social Work students who become part of a psychosocial support team. The team is further comprised of a full time RS Social Worker and four Registered Counsellors that form part of the DO cohort and who also reside in residences. The Counsellors who reside in residences are able to offer support to students after hours in the absence of full time staff members.
Food Security and the Holistic Student Experience
Food ‘Insecurity’ is a very real challenge the world over. For university students, specifically those who come from impoverished backgrounds, food insecurity becomes a threat to academic success. While local research in the area of food insecurity and its impact on academic success is not optimal, authors of articles who draw the issue into relevant discussions agree that once application, registration and tuition fees have been paid, there are still a range of other financial challenges that exist for students, particularly students who come from Geographical and Socio-economic disadvantaged backgrounds. Some of these challenges include finding affordable accommodation in an unfamiliar city environment, financing meals and transport, and, having access to funds for necessary academic resources such as textbooks and other academic tools. Many students, even with the funds received through NSFAS concern themselves with financial challenges being experienced, often sending what funds they do receive home.
Both existing local and international research further recommends that higher education as a sector must devise strategies to adequately address the gaps that exist both in existing knowledge and generating new knowledge around the problem and additionally, allow this to inform strategy in terms of interventions offered at various levels around the problem.
While this may take some time, the university has grappled with the complexity of the issue and brain stormed ways in which the issue could be addressed at an institutional level. The RS Skills Resource and Exchange Programme (SREP) was established in 2008 to support financially disadvantaged students through their academic journeys so that they could go on to become holistically graduated, self-sufficient, civilly contributing members to their communities of origin and the wider society.
The SREP model is framed within a Strengths-based perspective which “demands a different way of looking at individuals, families, and communities. All must be seen in the light of their capacities, talents, competencies, possibilities, visions, values, and hopes, however dashed and distorted these may have become through circumstance, oppression, and trauma. The strengths approach requires an accounting of what people know and what they can do, however inchoate that may sometimes seem. It requires composing a roster of resources existing within and around the individual, family, or community” (Saleebey, 1996). The SDS brand of “you are your future” is premised on the fact that each human being has innate strengths and a sense of resilience that is not always apparent and is at times masked by challenging circumstances that people find themselves in. The SREP through its processes, means to create opportunities which help the student re-organise his/her experience and tap into their sense of agency and innate strengths so that they may, in a productive partnership with programme stakeholders, become less alienated from their student experience and go on to re-integrate themselves into academic and social circles towards persistence in completing their academic programmes.
The SREP sees students, by virtue of their application being successful, enter into a mutually beneficial partnership with the university as its benefactor - the student may receive necessary resources from the department and exchange his/her skills as part of a ‘fair’ exchange. The programme’s intentions are not to become a ‘feeding scheme’ but rather an additional opportunity where students can volunteer of their time in offices where additional administrative or logistical assistance is required.
If you feel that you are experiencing challenges in this area, please see the Social Worker in the RS ResLife Unit for support. Students are supported through ethical practice where the student’s dignity and matters of confidentiality are of central importance.
Both existing local and international research further recommends that higher education as a sector must devise strategies to adequately address the gaps that exist both in existing knowledge and generating new knowledge around the problem and additionally, allow this to inform strategy in terms of interventions offered at various levels around the problem.
While this may take some time, the university has grappled with the complexity of the issue and brain stormed ways in which the issue could be addressed at an institutional level. The RS Skills Resource and Exchange Programme (SREP) was established in 2008 to support financially disadvantaged students through their academic journeys so that they could go on to become holistically graduated, self-sufficient, civilly contributing members to their communities of origin and the wider society.
The SREP model is framed within a Strengths-based perspective which “demands a different way of looking at individuals, families, and communities. All must be seen in the light of their capacities, talents, competencies, possibilities, visions, values, and hopes, however dashed and distorted these may have become through circumstance, oppression, and trauma. The strengths approach requires an accounting of what people know and what they can do, however inchoate that may sometimes seem. It requires composing a roster of resources existing within and around the individual, family, or community” (Saleebey, 1996). The SDS brand of “you are your future” is premised on the fact that each human being has innate strengths and a sense of resilience that is not always apparent and is at times masked by challenging circumstances that people find themselves in. The SREP through its processes, means to create opportunities which help the student re-organise his/her experience and tap into their sense of agency and innate strengths so that they may, in a productive partnership with programme stakeholders, become less alienated from their student experience and go on to re-integrate themselves into academic and social circles towards persistence in completing their academic programmes.
The SREP sees students, by virtue of their application being successful, enter into a mutually beneficial partnership with the university as its benefactor - the student may receive necessary resources from the department and exchange his/her skills as part of a ‘fair’ exchange. The programme’s intentions are not to become a ‘feeding scheme’ but rather an additional opportunity where students can volunteer of their time in offices where additional administrative or logistical assistance is required.
If you feel that you are experiencing challenges in this area, please see the Social Worker in the RS ResLife Unit for support. Students are supported through ethical practice where the student’s dignity and matters of confidentiality are of central importance.
Standards for Community Living in Residences
Give Respect. Get Respect.
The Bill of Rights (Chapter One, South African Constitution) guarantees that our human rights be respected and that it is defendable in a court of law. A human rights context though, suggests that there are strong community ties that help to ensure that the rights of all will be respected and that tolerance is shown when minding the rights of others – community members decide to tolerate and respect and are not purely governed by law. The Bill of Rights also suggests that with each right, comes responsibility.
The Bill of Human Rights echoes the spirit of Ubuntu– I am because we are and because we are, you are. We are people in the context of others.We can insist that others respect our rights, but we must also be tolerant of others’ rights. Tolerance in the SA Constitution may be described as:
- Showing respect towards others
- Using negotiation and mediation techniques when there is a problem between two or more people
- Being patient and a good listener with other people
- Understanding that everyone has a right to an opinion
Rules for Community Living
Alcohol Drinks, Drugs, Intoxicating Substances and Illegal
Prescription Medication The university affirms and promotes community wide norms that support abstinence and encourage low risk life choices regarding alcohol, drugs, intoxicating substances, and prescription medication for non-medicinal purposes. It furthermore affirms and protects choices that don’t compromise positive living and learning experiences of the university’ community.
- No intoxicating substances in the university residences or at any official function, excursion or tour.
- It is strictly prohibited for any student to sell alcohol in his/her room or in the vicinity of the residences.
- Any residence and/or room may be inspected at any time. An inspection committee, as appointed by the Director: Residential and Catering Services may enter the residence at any time for inspection purposes.
- Visitors shall be the responsibility of the host resident and must comply with all the rules laid down concerning beverages and drugs.
- Alcohol beverages are not allowed in the residences except on the occasion of functions approved by the Rector. Instances of liquor or drug abuse or violation of the rules relating to the use of liquor, or instances of suspected drug abuse, shall be brought to the attention of the residence coordinators who will see to it that the matter is correctly dealt with and resolved by the house committee or any other way. (Extracted from: UWC, University Calendar 2011, Residence Rules, 4.11.4).
- Security staff is empowered to handle misbehaviour related to alcohol abuse, drugs, use of intoxicating substances and illegal prescription medication.
- No resident may use, trade, distribute, possess, plant or be under the influence of any illegal drug, intoxicating or habit-forming substances on the premises of the institution.
- Residence management and officials may inspect residence rooms at any given time.
- No alcohol, drugs, intoxicating substances, and/or illegal prescription medication shall be allowed in residences
- An Inspection Committee as appointed by the Director of Accommodation, Residence Life & Catering, may enter the residence at any time for inspection purposes.
For more information download the Reslife Booklet.
Download the Residence Admission / Re-Admission Policy.
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.
Where to Start? Your Check Points?
- That you have advised your Residence Coordinator or a university official of your pregnancy by at least the beginning of the 2nd trimester (12 weeks).
- That you have consulted a medical doctor / service who is able to test for confirmation of pregnancy and who has assessed your health needs and sent this to your Residence Coordinators, or the preferred university official referred to in point 1.
- The University of the Western Cape does NOT HAVE labour and delivery facilities or services. For purposes of the mother’s safety and the safety of her unborn foetus, the student must prepare adequately to leave the residences before but not later than the beginning of 8 months in her pregnancy (32 weeks).
- In terms of personal and academic challenges, you have taken responsibility in accessing support to help you to deal with upcoming challenges, both in terms of becoming a mother and in terms of concluding the academic career successfully. NB: You can still study but you need to ACCESS SUPPORT! (eg. CSSS, 2nd Floor, CHS Building).
- If you have not prepared for the delivery of your baby and leave from your residence by your 8th month, you need to discuss this with the Director of Residences before this time.
- That you have spoken with the relevant persons: your doctor, someone from counselling services, your faculty or departmental Head.
- That you are reading relevant articles around your condition and in keeping with the university’s commitment to developing responsible citizens.
- That you are responsibly investigating academic concerns and issues pertaining to residence accommodation and financial commitments?
This is a sensitive time and, as such, we acknowledge that it may be difficult for you to trust and share your situation with relevant persons in the timeous fashion expected by the RCS policy.
What Have We Done to Protect You and Relevant Persons in This Process?
- A Cluster Coordinator must interact in a sensitive, supportive and professional manner when confirming pregnancy with a student.
- The RC should advise a pregnant student or a student who suspects that she is pregnant, to consult with the Health Clinic on campus or a medical practitioner of her choice.
- The RC should encourage the student to access and utilize personal and academic support, advice and guidance available to her from campus resources.
- The RC should ensure that the student vacates her room in tandem with the other supports and provisions of this policy (see check point 3 or the full policy).
- The RC should guide the student in applying for her refund for the period that she will not be in residence, provided that the student does not have outstanding fees.
- The student should be referred to the relevant offices at the Central Office and Finance Department. Remember you are not alone!
Download the Sexual Violence Policy.
Download the Co-curricular Record Policy.
Important Contact List
| Name | Portfolio | Contact No: | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Mark Seale | Director: RS | mseale@uwc.ac.za | 021 959 2108 (Ms June Wanza) |
| Ms Neliswa Majola | Manager: Placement & 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 |
| Ms Bubbles Mzalazala | Placement Coordinator | bmzalazala@uwc.ac.za | 021 959 2569 |
| Ms Nuraan Hukfie | Placement Officer | nhufkie@uwc.ac.za | 021 959 2569 |
| Mr Trevor Harker | Systems Administrator | tharker@uwc.ac.za | 021 959 9267 |
| Mr Trevor Fredericks | Cluster Coordinator Cluster 1 |
trfredericks@uwc.ac.za | 021 959 2165 |
| Mr Siseko Mntengenya | Cluster Coordinator Cluster 2 |
smtengenya@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 Candice Stroud | Special Project Coordinator | clstroud@uwc.ac.za | 021 959 2469 |
| Mr Sibusiso Njeza | Cultural Life & Community Engagement Coordinator |
snjeza@uwc.ac.za | 021 959 2570 |
| Mr Mavhungu Ramavhoya | Student Leadership Coordinator | mramavhoya@uwc.ac.za | 021 959 3497 |
| Ms Lerato Tseleli | Social Worker | ltseleli@uwc.ac.za | 021 959 3557 |
| ResLife Front Desk | 021 959 3557 |
- All placement inquiries to be sent to resservices1@uwc.ac.za or resservices2@uwc.ac.za
- For any student housing and services related queries: uwcstudenthousing@gmail.com
- All counselling inquiries to be sent to reslifehelpline@uwc.ac.za
- All student leadership enquiries to be sent to osls@uwc.ac.za
- All co-curricular inquiries, academic support or residence based counselling to be sent to reslife@uwc.ac.za
| 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 |
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Where do students report maintenance/transport issues?
To the residence assistants at the respective residence reception during working hours, or the student assistance at the front desk after hours. If you are not able to obtain assistance, you may email your maintenance issue to rsstudenthousing@uwc.ac.za.
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How do I join one of the RS peer facilitator programmes?
You may make enquiries at the ResLife Unit on the Second Floor, ResLife Building or email your enquiry to reslife@uwc.ac.za
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Who do I see/email/call if I have any queries around application for placement in UWC residences?
You may take your query to the Placement and Admin Office on the First Floor, ResLife Building or you may direct all first-year queries to resservices1@uwc.ac.za and all senior queries to resservices2@uwc.ac.za. You may also call 021 959 2569
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What do I do if there is an incident at my residence?
Students who wish to report incidents during the day may do so via the residence staff at specific residence receptions, or directly to the Cluster Coordinator or CPS. After hours incidents are reported to the security at the residences or directly to CPS. A student may also send a concern to the RS ResLife Unit via email: reslife@uwc.ac.za
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Where can I find my residence Development Officer?
Each Development Officer resides in respective residences and has different consultation times. Information about times Development Officers are available.
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Where do I report after hours incidents?
Report to the security on duty in your residence, they will contact the relevant stakeholders and assist as soon as possible.
