Students at the University of Limpopo (UL) have expressed concern over the suspension of end-of-year exams due to an ongoing water crisis across the campus which has now led to a bad smell in restrooms.
This comes after the university’s Vice Chancellor and Principal, professor Mahlo Mokgalong announced that the final exams will be suspended for three days.
“We regret to inform our university community that, due to ongoing and severe water shortages affecting our campus, the university has no option but to suspend the end-of-year examinations with effect from October 30 until November 1.”
Mokgalong announced that exams will resume next week on Monday, November 4, and that a revised time-table will be communicated.
“This decision has been made out of our deep concern for the health and wellbeing of our students and staff as we find the current conditions unhygienic and unacceptable for conducting examinations or regular operations.”
Mokgalong added: ”We understand the importance of these examinations to all students and the disruption this may cause,” he said.
“However, maintaining a safe and sanitary environment for our university community remains our top priority.”
He said the university will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep students informed about any developments.
“You will be notified promptly when normal operations are expected to resume and a revised schedule for the examinations will be shared in due course,” Mokgalong said.
Speaking with IOL News, Mahlatse Mojapelo, 23, a final year Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies, who lives at one of the university’s residences, described the water shortage as a nightmare.
“Simple things like brushing my teeth or washing hands has become a challenge.
Mojapelo said that a bad smell has started to spread from the toilet owing to lack of water to flush them after use.
“We can’t even use bathrooms freely, fearing that our residence will smell all day,” she said.
“We have to go to gate one or the sports ground to get water, which is time-consuming and stressful. It's hard to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.”
Mojapelo expressed frustration concerning the postponement of the exams, stating that she had already prepared and studied.
“I've put in so much effort, studying late into the night, and now it feels like all that work has been put on hold. The uncertainty is affecting my confidence and mental preparation. I just want to get these exams done and go home,” she told IOL News.
Karabo Mashaba, a third year Bachelor of Science student, living on campus, echoed Mojapelo’s sentiments.
“This shortage of water has resulted in exams being shifted and that means now I have to buy groceries since I will finish late and I had to walk just to get water even though it was always available, so it strained me.”
Mashaba said the water shortages would also affect her finances.
“I have really struggled in terms of cooking and bathing. It’s very bad to be honest,” said a second year Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies student, Pontsho Aphane.
The Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFF SC) Student Representative Council (SRC) president Kamogelo Poto together with furious students protested outside the Polokwane municipality civic centre demanding water supply and street lights around the campus.
Poto voiced a concern that students have been severely impacted by the ongoing water shortage and called for immediate action.
“These issues of safety and water are making it difficult for students of the University of Limpopo to continue with their studies. That’s why we decided to demonstrate our frustration and anger to the municipality and demand that they provide us with services.”
Poto expressed that the lack of street lighting around the campus contributes to frequent muggings targeting students.
“We have been complaining for many years that students who live outside the campus are not safe as there are no street lights,” he said.
“We have a high number of students who are getting mugged, their cellphones and laptops are being taken, and it's so sad that the other one was even killed in the previous month,” Poto said.
Following the protest and the university’s decision to postpone the exams, Polokwane municipality mayor John Mpe held an urgent press briefing and condemned the university’s actions.
Mpe said the university “acted out of character” by suspending the exams without communicating with the municipality.
“The Vice Chancellor has got my contact, he did not call me, he did not call the MMC for water or anyone,” Mpe said.
According to him, the municipality offered to supply water to the university’s storage through water trucks, however, the university rejected that, citing concerns over the safety of the metro’s water trucks.
“But, they were quick to postpone the examinations,” Mpe added.
IOL News