Not Attending the Ceremony

What if I cannot attend the ceremony?

If you are unable to attend your graduation ceremony, you must nevertheless complete the enclosed Graduation reply form. You will not be moved to another ceremony. You will therefore graduate in absentia. It is essential that you indicate whether you intend to be present or absent from the ceremony. If you indicate on the reply form that that you wish to attend then fail to attend the ceremony you will still graduate but in absentia.

What happens with my certificate?

The onus is on you to inform EGO that you will be graduating in absentia. In this case you must also make appropriate arrangements for collecting your certificate from EGO. Certificates not handed over at the ceremony will be retained at EGO for 2 days and thereafter posted via registered mail. Certificates not collected as per prearranged time will also be retained for 2 further days and thereafter posted via registered mail.

Where will my certificate be posted to?

Your certificate will be posted to the last updated postal address on the system. It is therefore imperative that in this case, you check with your Faculty that your correct address details have been captured on the system. All certificates which are posted are sent via registered mail with a tracking number. EGO also retains records of posted certificates.

What happens if my certificate must be posted overseas?

EGO will post your certificate via registered mail to your overseas address as informed/captured on the system. Receiving your certificate may take a while longer than local or national mail. You may have to check with the post office closest to your place of residence (overseas) and alert them of registered mail for which you are waiting.

What happens if my certificate is not ‘claimed’ from the post office?

Your certificate will then be ‘returned to sender’ which in this case is EGO. Once we have received a’ returned’ certificate, we will contact the student to make alternate arrangements for collection within a reasonable timeframe of up to one month after receipt of a ‘returned’ certificate. Thereafter the certificates will be sent to our Archive Unit. You will then have to apply for a copy of your degree certificate.

Can someone else collect my certificate on my behalf?

You may ‘nominate’ someone to collect your certificate on your behalf. The request must be in writing to EGO, stating the person’s full details as well as Identity Number. This person must produce their ID Document when collecting the certificate.

What happens if my certificate ‘gets lost’?

According to University Policy, you are only entitled to one original degree certificate. You may at a nominal cost apply for a certified copy of your degree certificate should it have been lost or damaged. The certified copy ‘looks’ like the original with typed names of signatories, but is endorsed with the wording that it is a certified copy. Applications for a copy of your degree certificate must be accompanied by, a duly completed affidavit which is available here