Care for students drives success
- Wits University
An empath and social justice agent for students, Thembelihle Dlamini is among many unsung Covid-19 heroes at Wits.
A selfless, caring and resilient spirit was required in the University when South Africa went into its very first lockdown in 2020 amidst the growing number of Covid-19 cases and panic in the country.
The University was forced to go into early recess, halting academic and social activities on campus. The abrupt disruption meant that students were vulnerable, and especially those with limited resources who suddenly had to make their way home. The responsibility of ensuring that all students residing on campus were sent home safely in a short period of time, landed on the desk of Covid-19 Hero Thembelihle Dlamini.
Dlamini, a Project Manager in the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs, became the main point of contact for local students in need of assistance as well as international students, who were on the backfoot as all domestic and international travel had been banned. Those who could not make it home in time were housed in Yale Village, the University’s residence with appropriate support and food supplies.
“I witnessed students going through the most difficult times. Students at the university come from all parts of the country - some very rural - and with different socioeconomic statuses,” says Dlamini.
When it became evident that the national lockdown would be extended and contact classes would be suspended indefinitely, Dlamini soon found herself serving as the nerve center of facilitating access to devices required for online learning. The entire laptop allocation programme was coordinated remotely and after wading through thousands of queries, and enduring many sleepless nights, it was successful.
As the lockdown eased and students were slowly allowed back to campus, Dlamini played a crucial role in promoting the academic success and wellbeing of students by meticulously managing the applications of students requesting to return to residence on compassionate grounds based on their socioeconomic circumstances.
One of the anonymous grateful students wrote: “Ms Thembelihle is the embodiment of a Hero, in my own interpretation, she is a Helpful, Effective, Reliable and Outstanding individual; her work ethic speaks for itself”. Dlamini was similarly lauded by a staff member for helping to facilitate the transition to online learning.
Dlamini has spent her life at Wits as a very resourceful student development practitioner in various units and has always been passionate about young people. She says that her office is a trusting space to help students at all times.
Although her job is emotionally taxing and sometimes difficult, making a difference, even in a small way keeps her inspired. “It is always satisfying knowing that my efforts are not in vain and that they make a difference in the lives of our many students. What keeps me at Wits is knowing that I work for a university that cares for its students and that the economic and societal challenges will be overcome if we all – students and management - work in a cohesive manner,” concludes Dlamini.