Dear SPU Community

Welcome to the start of the second semester of the 2022 academic year. 

It has been a source of immense pride that we are one of only a handful of universities in the country that has managed to complete both the 2020 and 2021 academic years on time during the COVID-19 pandemic. I hope that you are all energised after the mid-year recess and ready to complete our academic programme once again on time. 

Sol Plaatje University has been fortunate to escape high levels of COVID-19 infections in the past and we will continue in our collective efforts in this regard. This means that we must maintain some of the public health safety measures that have been in place since the advent of the pandemic.

Many of you have travelled to other provinces or countries over the last few weeks and could have been exposed to the new variant of COVID-19 (BA.5) which is reportedly highly transmissible compared to previous strains of the virus and seems more resistant to prior vaccinations and immunities.

We need to remain vigilant about our health and that of the people around us, and maintain preventative measures such as:

• Wear a face mask when indoors in the company of other people.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Cough etiquette involves maintaining distance, covering coughs and sneezes with

disposable tissues or clothing and washing your hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Report any COVID-19 infection to your supervisor in the case of staff and to the Division of Student Affairs if you are a student.
• Stay at home when you show symptoms of being ill.

The COVID-19 pandemic is still prevalent so do not let your guard down.  

Be safe and stay healthy.

Kind Regards

PROFESSOR ANDREW M CROUCH

Vice-Chancellor and Principal