05/05/2026
SEVERE WEATHER ALERT AND SAFETY ADVISORY
Emergency number: 0800 504 911
Following serious adverse weather alerts from the South African Weather Service (SAWS) and provincial and Nelson Mandela Bay and George local authorities, Mandela University has moved to activate its emergency readiness in support of the safety of students and staff.
SAWS has confirmed that a cut-off low pressure system will bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and an increased risk of flooding across several areas of the Eastern and Southern Cape covering both Nelson Mandela Bay and George, from Wednesday, 06 May until 23h59 on Thursday, 07 May 2026.
These conditions may result in dangerous travel, infrastructure disruption, and safety risks.
In response, the University is implementing the following measures:
Learning and Teaching
Learning and teaching activities on Wednesday, 6th and Thursday, 7th May 2026 will be conducted online. Lectures will be recorded and posted on the Funda portal.
Students who cannot write assessments due to bad weather conditions will be given the opportunity to write later.
All affected afterhours health sciences activities and school-based learning sessions will be deferred. The Eastern Cape Department of Education has issued a warning advising learners to observe the safety precautions and to stay indoors where possible.
Power failure
In the event of a power failure affecting the operation of kitchens and students’ access to food, the residence-based contingency protocol will be activated.
Safety and Precautionary Measures
Students are urged to avoid travel where possible, exercise heightened caution when commuting and refrain from crossing flooded roads or low-lying bridges. Shuttle services will be scaled down, and students are discouraged from traveling to campus, unless it is absolutely necessary and safe to do so.
Essential Services
All essential services, including security, will remain in place with due care of staff safety protocols.
Events, Sports
Scheduled events including the Mandela Walk for Students Hunger and sporting activities will be reviewed by organisers in collaboration with partners. Specific communication will be circulated once appropriate decisions have been arrived at.
Line Management Discretion
Recognising that the impact of these conditions may vary across locations and specific circumstances, line managers are encouraged to exercise reasonable discretion in managing staff attendance and work arrangements. Staff are encouraged to engage proactively with their managers where they are directly affected.
Communication Updates
The University will monitor all relevant developments in collaboration with national, provincial and local authorities. Regular as may be necessary, will be provided.
Issued by the Division for Communication and Marketing on behalf of University Management
