The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is undertaking a comprehensive assessment of its campus infrastructure after a series of severe cold fronts swept across Cape Town from Monday, 11 May 2026.

Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Robert Balfour undertook a walkabout with a team on campus on Tuesday morning to evaluate conditions and engage directly with infrastructure and operations teams.

Image: Gasant Abarder/UWC

“We’ve got to ascertain the extent of the damage and the likelihood of a speedy repair being possible,” Prof Balfour said, emphasising the importance of forming a clear and accurate understanding of the situation.

He cautioned that the recent weather events are unlikely to be isolated incidents, noting the challenges that the winter season may bring.

“This is not the only weather we’re going to get this winter; that’s going to be tough on us,” he said.

Prof Balfour stressed the need for coordinated planning and responsiveness, particularly when dealing with both immediate and long-term infrastructure concerns.

“I just want to make sure with the team that we’ve got contingencies and plans and we can really respond quickly when we have to and we have a good sense of how long the bigger scale damage will take to fix.”

Ahead of the storm on Sunday, the university’s executive management advised staff to work remotely where possible and encouraged students to stay home. Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, Prof Monwabisi Ralarala, indicated that faculties would exercise flexibility and reasonable accommodation in relation to assessments scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

He said: “Where feasible, Faculties will endeavour to reschedule assessments to Wednesday or alternatively move assessments to an online platform. The safety and well-being of our staff and students remain paramount during this period.”

Image: Gasant Abarder/UWC

Deputy Director of Infrastructure and Engineering, William Smith, indicated that the UWC’s immediate priority is to secure affected areas and minimise risk.

“The weather is adverse, so our plan of action at this point in time is really just to contain and make the area safe,” said Smith.

He explained that while visible damage has been identified, it is not considered extensive.

“There’s not much we can do in terms of the damage, but the structural or physical damage is not that extensive, other than just roofs leaking,” he noted.

He added that UWC is already addressing these infrastructure concerns through planned maintenance projects. “We obviously have in our infrastructure plans that we will look at the roofs of buildings across campus. Currently, we have already completed one roof, there are three roofs that we are still doing this year, and next there are another few roofs that we’re looking at to sustain or to make good the canopy of the buildings. This is an ongoing challenge for us.”

In addition to building-related damage, strong winds have affected the campus landscape, with trees and branches posing potential hazards.

“Strong winds came about that blew over trees, but we’ve got our grounds person looking at where the trees have fallen and cutting off unsafe branches where it’s applicable to make the area safe,” Smith added.

Updates are expected as assessments continue across the campus.