Emergencies

  • Emergency numbers

    • Campus Protection Services (CPS) telephone: 080 650 2222
    • Ambulance – ER24 (UCT contracted): speed dial 8110 or 084 124
    • Provincial Ambulance: 10177 or 0800 119 533
    • Rape Crisis counselling lines and support 24 hr Crisis Line Tel: 021 447 9762
    • SADAG (SA Depression and Anxiety Group) UCT Student Careline: 0800 24 25 26, free from a Telkom line or SMS 31393 for a call-me-back

  • Sexual assault/assault, rape

    Office for Inclusivity and Change is a collaborative collective designed to empower the university community with the knowledge and skills to effectively respond to and prevent sexual violence on campus and where such violence affects our staff and students off-campus. The team works to ensure that survivors of sexual violence access survivor-centered, compassionate care. 24-Hour Hotline 072 393 7824.

    What to do if you have been assaulted or raped.

    In the case of a sexual assault/assault or rape, the following action is recommended:

    • Call or go to Campus Protection Services (CPS) immediately. Tel. 021 650 2222/3 or 072 393 7824. CPS officers are trained in dealing with these situations, allow them to assist.
    • Call a friend or relative for support.
    • If you have been raped, do not wash yourself or change clothes as there might be hair, blood or semen on your body or clothes than can be used as evidence of the rape.
    • Go straight to a hospital for treatment. See hospitals below. For rape, a doctor will do a forensic examination and you will be provided with medication: post-exposure antiretroviral for HIV prevention, antibiotics to prevent sexually transmitted infections, and the morning after pill to prevent pregnancy.
    • The medication needs to be taken within 72 hours of the incident.

    Note: You have access to medical care and treatment whether you lay a charge with the police or not. You may, however lay a charge at your local police station at any time, but also as soon as possible.

    Reporting assault and rape:

    • Call or go to Campus Protection Services (CPS) immediately.
    • Report the assault or rape to the local South African Police Service (SAPS).
    • Note the name of the police officer in charge of your case and your case number.
    • It is advisable to seek counselling. This is available at Student Wellness Centre – see contact information above.

    Hospitals

    State hospitals (not private):

    • Victoria Hospital Rape Forensic Unit
    • Groote Schuur Hospital
      • Main Road, Observatory
      • Tel: 021 404-4112/4473
    • New Somerset Hospital
      • Portswood Road, Green Point
      • Tel: 021 402 6911/ 6408

    Private hospitals:

    • Netcare Christian Barnard Memorial Hospital
      • 181 Longmarket Street (off Loop Street)
      • Tel: 021 4806111
    • Mediclinic Cape Town
      • 21 Hof Street
      • Tel: 021 4645500
    • Claremont Hospital Emergency Unit
      • Medical Centre, Main Rd, Claremont
      • Tel: 021 670 4333
    • Vincent Pallotti Hospital
      • Alexandra Rd, Pinelands
      • Tel: 021 506 4000
    • Rondebosch Medical Centre (opposite Red Cross Childrens Hospital)
      • Emergency Unit
      • Tel: 021 685 8706

    For additional information:

    Rape Crisis couselling lines and support

  • Depression, suicide risk and emergency mental health challenges

    SADAG (SA Depression and Anxiety Group) UCT Student Careline:

    0800 24 25 26, free from a Telkom line or SMS 31393 for a call-me-back.

    This line offers 24/7 telephonic counselling, advice, referral facilities and general support to students facing any mental health challenges or contemplating suicide. The line is available to offer support and advice to anyone who is concerned about a student who might be in distress. The line is able to advise and refer callers to both internal UCT resources and external (NGO, public and private) mental health resources.

    Please make use of the SADAG UCT Student Careline if you are placed on a waiting list by reception at the Student Wellness Service or if you require emotional support while waiting for an appointment. The SADAG website contains useful information about mental health issues as well as details of their national helplines.

    You can also contact the Psychiatric Emergency Unit of Groote Schuur Hospital.
    Tel: 021 404 2175

  • 24-hour Emergency Units (Hospitals)

    Not Private (State)

    • Groote Schuur Hospital
      Main Road, Observatory
      Tel: 021 404-4112/4473
    • New Somerset Hospital
      Portswood Road, Green Point
      Tel: 021 402 6911/ 6408

    Private

    • Mediclinic Cape Town
      21 Hof Street
      Tel: 021 4645500
    • Netcare Christian Barnard Memorial Hospital
      181 Longmarket Street (off Loop Street)
      Tel: 021 4806111
    • Claremont Hospital Emergency Unit
      Medical Centre, Main Rd, Claremont
      Tel: 021 670 4333
    • Vincent Pallotti Hospital
      Alexandra Rd, Pinelands
      Tel: 021 506 4000
    • Rondebosch Medical Centre (opposite Red Cross Childrens Hospital)
      Emergency Unit
      Tel: 021 685 8706

    For additional information:

    Rape Crisis counselling lines and support

    • 24 hr Crisis Line Tel: 021 447 9762
    • Athlone Tel: 021 633 9339
    • Khayelitsha Tel: 021 361 9085

    rapecrisis.org.za

  • Poison units

    Red Cross Hospital Tel: 021 689 5227 or 021 658 5308
    Tygerberg Hospital Tel: 021 031 6129 or 021 938 6235

  • Pharmacies

    • Webb & Savoy
      34 Cnr Main & Durban Rds , Mowbray
      Tel: 021 689 8923
      Mon – Sat: 08h00 – 22h00; Sun: 09h00 – 22h00
      • Rustenburg
        Fountain Centre , Main Road, Rondebosch
        Tel: 021 685 5998

    Mon – Sat: 08h30 – 22h00; Sun: 09h00 – 21h00

    • Clicks pharmacy
      Riverside Centre
      Tel: 685 0670/1
    • Clicks pharmacy
      Gardens Centre, Mill St, Gardens
      Tel: 021 461 1077
      Mon – Fri: 08h30 – 19h00; Sat: 09h00 – 17h00; Sun: 09h00 – 15h00
    • Wellness Warehouse
      Lifestyle of Kloof Centre, Kloof St, Gardens
      Tel: 021 487 542
      Mon, Tues, Thu 08h00 – 19h00; Wed 09h00 – 19h00; Sat 09h00 – 17h00; Sun 10h00 – 15h00

  • Emergency contraception

    Emergency contraception (The “morning after pill”)
    Available at pharmacies, emergency units or freecall 0800 117785

    Some of this information comes from the UCT Student Wellness Service website http://www.students.uct.ac.za/students/support/health-counselling/student-wellness

 

Health, Safety and Support

  • Medical Health and Counselling

    The Student Wellness Service

    The Student Wellness Service offers a comprehensive outpatient medical service by both medical practitioners and nurses, who are dedicated to helping students to remain healthy, and to make the correct life choices while pursuing their academic goals. Students are encouraged to seek assistance and guidance as early as possible.

    Contact Details

    Telephone:   021 650 1020

    For appointments with the Medical team please use the online booking system. 

    PLEASE BOOK HERE 

    Toll free numbers to call when you are in distress

    • SADAG UCT Student Careline: 0800 24 25 26 free from a Telkom line or SMS 31393 for a call-me-back. This line offers 24/7 telephonic counselling, advice, referral facilities and general support to students facing any mental health challenges or contemplating suicide. The line is available to offer support and advice to anyone who is concerned about a student who might be in distress. The line is able to advise and refer callers to both internal UCT resources and external (NGO, public and private) mental health resources.
    • Please make use of the SADAG UCT Student Careline if you are placed on a waiting list by reception at the Student Wellness Service or if you require emotional support while waiting for an appointment. The SADAG website contains useful information about mental health issues as well as details of their national helplines.

    Psychiatric Emergencies in Residences or on Campus

    Students facing any mental health challenges or contemplating suicide, please also remember the SADAG (SA Depression and Anxiety Group) UCT Student Careline: 

    0800 24 25 26 free from a Telkom line or SMS 31393 for a call-me-back. This line offers 24/7 telephonic counselling, advice, referral facilities and general support to students facing any mental health challenges or contemplating suicide. The line is available to offer support and advice to anyone who is concerned about a student who might be in distress. The line is able to advise and refer callers to both internal UCT resources and external (NGO, public and private) mental health resources.
     

    The Student Wellness Service

    28 Rhodes Ave
    Mowbray

    Tel: 021 650 1017 / 1020
    Email: counselling@uct.ac.za (for appointments only)

    Any student who requires medical care or support can access the Student Wellness Service (SWS) through an online booking system or, in urgent situations, through the walk-in service.

    Students not in urgent situations can book an appointment on the SWS online booking platforms, which is accessible via the SWS pages on the DSA website.

    Should any student have difficulties in securing an appointment, they can contact the SWS admin team or utilise the walk-in service at the Sports Centre Clinic without an appointment or apply for deferred exams on medical grounds on the same day. Please note the following contact details:

    Medical consultations: 021 650 1020 Psychological / counselling: 021 650 1017 SWS nurse triage line for medical advice: 021 650 5620 from 08:30 to 16:30 and 021 650 1271 after hours.

     

    Furthermore, students can book a live video session with a mental health expert via the Ollie Health platform, or access the Vimbo mental health app. To access the Vimbo app, students will need to:

    register using a UCT email address enter the voucher code: UCT158 see the brochure for more information.

    Students can also download the Panda app for online mental health support.

    Step 1: Search for “Join Panda” in the iOS, Android or Huawei app store. Step 2: Download the app and create an anonymous user profile. Step 3: Use the promo code “SWS Cares” to unlock free 1:1 text-based chat support sessions.

     

    • Higher Health Counselling: 0800 36 36 36
    • ER24 UCT collaboration line: 010 205 3010

    Additionally, SWS offers support for students with mental health issues through various telephonic services, the Panda app, the Ollie Health platform, and the Vimbo mental health app.

    The SWS’s 24-hour telephonic counselling services are available even during weekends and after hours as follows:

    UCT SADAG Care: 0800 24 25 26 (voice call) or 31393 (text) ICAS counselling line: 0800 872 676

    Health services:

    A variety of services are offered for health issues, including:

    • Clinical consultations: With either a clinical nurse practitioner or medical practitioner in a confidential, holistic primary healthcare setting. All staff members are qualified, accredited practitioners with a licence to dispense medication.
    • Dispensary: Essential medication is sold at cost price, on a strictly cash basis in the context of a consultation. Specialised medication will require a prescription from a Medical Practitioner and the student will have to purchase this at a local pharmacy.
    • HIV/AIDS: Pre- and post-test voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) is offered free to all students. Consultations at Student Wellness are one hour long, and clients receive their results immediately after the counselling. Shorter and more accessible VCT is available in the Drop-in Clinic in the Sports Centre on Upper Campus. All information is confidential. Management and support of HIV-positive clients is offered at no cost to the student.
    • Reproductive health: Sexually transmitted diseases (STI), pregnancy, contraception, Pap smear, emergency contraception (EC).
    • Managed medical conditions: asthma, diabetes, hypertension, HIV, tuberculosis, epilepsy , depression.
    • Extra-time assessments
    • Deferred exams/academic appeals
    • Accident insurance/sports injury: Limited insurance to cover accidental injury.
    • Psychological support: Anxiety, depression, relationship and sexuality issues - when necessary can be referred to our Counselling Services.
    • Referrals: physiotherapists, dentists, X-rays, tertiary hospitals, private hospitals and specialists.
    • Travel advice:Travel advice including Malaria prophylaxis and prevention.
    • Minor surgical procedures: Suturing, incision and drainage of abscesses, removal of splinters.

    Confidentiality All medical consultations are strictly confidential, and will not be divulged to any other party outside of the Student Wellness Service, with the following exceptions:

    • when you provide written consent
    • when your life or safety or that of someone else is threatened
    • when information is subpoenaed by a court of law
    • when required for the purpose of case management within the Student Wellness Service
       

    Student counselling service:

    Who are we?
    We are a student counselling service, offering predominantly short-term counselling and psychotherapy, with the aim of ensuring that whatever personal, emotional or psychological problems you experience, the impact of these on your academic studies are kept to a minimum and your capacity for achievement is optimised. Please note that we experience high demand for the service, particularly from April until after the June examination and again from September / October until after the end of year examination. During these times, students trying to access psychotherapy from Student Wellness Services, may need to be placed on a waiting list. Should you have access to medical aid and/ or financial resources, we would like to encourage you to access psychotherapy from a private practitioner. Please find below an example of a website that could aid you in accessing a therapist directory: Therapist Directory Alternatively, you may contact Ntombizodwa Mzongwana at reception to request a list of referral sources.

    Telephone: 021 650 1017

    For appointments with the Counselling team please use the online booking system.

    PLEASE BOOK HERE

    Problems that we can assist with
    Some of the problems for which the Counselling service can provide assistance with include:

    • adjusting to UCT
    • homesickness
    • loneliness
    • cultural transition
    • social skills
    • self-esteem issues
    • confidence building
    • individuation from parents
    • stress and anxiety
    • depression and suicidal feelings
    • loss and bereavement
    • trauma and crisis intervention
    • rape and sexual assault
    • HIV/AIDS counselling
    • sexual identity issues
    • addictions
    • academic problems including motivation and concentration
    • relationship issues
    • family problems
    • any other personal, emotional, social or psychological problem

    How are problems dealt with?
    The Counselling service offers mostly individual psychotherapy, but a psychologist may recommend that a student attends group therapy which is an opportunity to work on problems in a confidential environment with peers. Furthermore, the psychologist may recommend that the student attends a skills-based group, which takes the form of developing of relevant life skills in a group setting. Referral of students to an appropriate agency can also be provided.

  • Sexual harassment

    If you have been sexually harassed, you can inform your lecturer or trusted member of staff for guidance and/or contact Student Wellness Services (SWS) for counselling and advice:

    The Student Wellness Service

    28 Rhodes Ave
    Mowbray
    Tel: 021 650 1017 / 1020
    Email: counselling@uct.ac.za (for appointments only)

    A counsellor is available on Hiddingh campus on Fridays and appointments can be made via the above phone number (see Counselling as well). Please specify that you wish to see a counsellor at Hiddingh. Appointments can be made on other days at the SWS offices in Mowbray, on the same phone number.

    The UCT Discrimination and Harassment Office (DISCHO) can advise you on how to proceed in officially reporting any matters of discrimination, harassment, domestic violence, and rape.

    Discrimination & Harassment Office

    The Cottage
    Lovers’ Walk
    Lower Campus South, UCT
    Tel: 021 650 3530

    Discho website

    UNDERSTANDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND HOW IT COULD AFFECT YOU

    Ensure you understand what can be considered ‘sexual harassment’. This document is from the UCT Sexual Harassment Policy.

    Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that violates the rights of a person. It constitutes serious misconduct and will result in disciplinary action.

    Unwelcome sexual conduct includes behaviour that is perceived by the complainant as demeaning, compromising, embarrassing, threatening and/or offensive including physical, verbal and non-verbal conduct. Such conduct may be direct or indirect and may include technological devices, images and weapons. A single incident of unwelcome sexual conduct can constitute sexual harassment.

    Unwelcome physical conduct ranges from touching to sexual assault and rape. Unwelcome verbal conduct includes innuendos, suggestions or hints of a sexual nature, sexual advances, sexual threats, comments with sexual overtones, sex-related jokes or insults, graphic comments about a person’s body, inappropriate enquiries about a person’s sex life, whistling of a sexual nature and the sending by electronic means or otherwise of sexually explicit text. Unwelcome non-verbal conduct includes gestures, indecent exposure and the display or sending by electronic or other means sexually explicit pictures or objects.

    Special victimisation is any form of victimisation, discrimination or intimidation of a person for failing to submit to sexual advances.

    UCT’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is a collaborative collective designed to empower the university community with the knowledge and skills to effectively respond to and prevent sexual violence on campus and where such violence affects our staff and students off-campus. The team works to ensure that survivors of sexual violence access survivor-centered, compassionate care. 24-Hour Hotline 072 393 7824.

    SEXUAL OFFENCES POLICY UCT

  • Food Security

    If you have no access to food, inform your lecturer, a mentor or a member of staff that you trust, or a counsellor at Student Wellness.

    Whilst funding is not available to support students, provision can be made for emergencies, and funding permitting, for desperate situations in the short term.

  • Disability Support

    The Disability Service offers support for physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which may impact a student’s participation and achievement in the university programs. The service can provide assessment and documentation for teaching staff to ensure that students with disabilities can secure particular consideration in order to participate in the course requirements fairly.

    The Disability Service is located Steve Biko Students Union building, one floor above the Food Court, in the building next to the main Upper Campus Library, and one floor down from SHAWCO and the Student Societies offices. Access to the 4th floor is via the lift or stairs.

    Students requiring support for disabilities should complete a registration form as soon as possible after registering to request support or special assistance known as ‘Reasonable Accommodations’. Applicants should bring any supporting documentation they have when registering with the service.

    Disability Service Reception
    Room 4.03, Level 4
    Steve Biko Students Union Building, Upper Campus

    Tel: 021 650 2427

    Website

  • Reporting problems with staff

    Please note that this is under discussion and information may be updated in the near future.

    If you feel that a staff member has engaged with you inappropriately, the following procedure is currently prescribed by the university – report the incident to the Programme Convener, if you are not satisfied, then to the Head of Department (HOD), then the Deputy Dean of Students, and Finally to the Dean of Humanities.

     

    In Fine Art, the programme conveners are:

    • Head of Department/ Director – A/Prof Kurt Campbell
    • First Year – George Mahashe
    • Second Year – Fritha Langerman
    • Third year – Berni Searle
    • Fourth year – Jane Alexander and Svea Josephy

    In the Faculty of Humanities: http://www.humanities.uct.ac.za/hum/contact/staff

    • Deputy Dean of Students – Associate Professor Lance van Sittert
    • Dean of Humanities – Associate Professor Shose Kessi
    • You also have the option of contacting DISCHO and the Ombud

    If you are not comfortable approaching any of the fore mentioned, you can also contact your lecturer, a trusted member of staff, mentor or counsellor from Student Wellness.

  • Ombud’s Office

    The UCT Associate Ombud, Ms Rashieda Khan, will offer her services to the Hiddingh staff and students and anyone linked to the Hiddingh Campus. The Ombud will provide the Hiddingh Campus community with a confidential, informal and independent resource to help raise concerns, resolve disputes and promote equitable treatment within the university. The Office of the Ombud offers a space that is independent, informal, impartial and confidential. For any further information, visit http://www.ombud.uct.ac.za/

    To book an appointment: Call on 021 650 3665 or email ombud@uct.ac.za

  • The Writing Centre

    The Writing Centre, located within the Language Development Group, is a student-oriented space which aims to provide mediation in the process of academic writing. Students from all disciplinary backgrounds as well as tertiary levels are encouraged to engage in the one-on-one consultancy service offered.

    In one-on-one consultation sessions students can discuss their writing with an attentive, critical but non-judgmental reader. During these conversations with consultants, students can explore new ideas or expand on ones that are somewhat stilted, evaluate the clarity of proposed arguments as well as working towards creating a better sense of the inner workings of academic writing. Furthermore, help is also offered for general academic conventions such as referencing, proposal formats, report writing and poster design.

    The Writing Centre does not provide an editing service but aims to enhance understanding of writing as a process, and to encourage a thinking-through-writing approach.

    Students can book consultations online at uct.mywconline.com

    Select “Writing Centre 2022″ this should bring up a schedule with each day and the names of the consultants on that day. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, you will see “Hiddingh Campus Consultation” in the list of consultant’s names. Click on a free time slot and book. writingcentre.uct.ac.za

  • Funding

    In the Fine Art Department materials bursaries are offered from available funds raised by the school and can be applied for by motivation annually. Invitations to apply are posted on Vula. Amounts vary according to the number of applications and available funds.

    UCT funding possibilities

    Undergraduate:

    Undergraduate funding

    Links include: Financial Aid, external funding, scholarships, bursaries

    Postgraduate:

    Postgraduate funding

    Links include: Applications & requirements, bursaries & scholarships.

    Student Financial Aid office:

    Tel: 021 650 3545
    Email: FinancialAid@uct.ac.za
    Student Financial Aid Office
    Level 3, Kramer Law Building
    Cross Campus Road, Middle Campus, Rondebosch

    Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701

  • Career Guidance

    Careers Service offers advice, career information and opportunities before applying to UCT and to all students during their degrees.

    Students can:

    • visit their offices in the Hoerikwaggo Building (Level 1) on Upper Campus, Mon-Fri: 8:30 – 16:30;
    • ask a question or book an appointment by logging in to ‘MyCareer’ on the website;
    • phone Mon-Fri: 8:30 – 16:30 on 021 650 2497.

    Careers.uct.ac.za

    For career-related queries, email careers.service@uct.ac.za.

 

In urgent situations, services can also be accessed at other locations in the university – see UCT website