Staff at South Africa’s largest university say enough is enough

Trade union Solidarity has called on the government to intervene to address working conditions at the University of South Africa (UNISA).

It is the largest university in South Africa and one of the world’s leading mega-universities, enrolling over 370,000 students.

It operates as an Open Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) institution, allowing students to complete undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral qualifications remotely.

In recent years, the University of South Africa has faced administrative, governance, operational, and academic challenges.

This, in turn, has created a difficult working environment, which Solidarity said is pushing staff to their breaking point.

A survey launched by Solidarity among its members at Unisa to obtain first-hand information confirmed the severity of the situation.

“The feedback indicated unacceptably high workloads as well as high levels of stress and burnout,” said Anique Niemand, network organiser at Solidarity.

The high workloads and stress impacted UNISA employees’ physical and psychological well-being.

Among the allegations made by employees are that staff shortages and other working conditions are compromising their health and safety at work.

Solidarity will address a letter to the Minister of Higher Education and Training and to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education about the issue.

Solidarity will also demand an investigation so that action can be taken in the interest of employees and students.

Niemand said that they are particularly concerned about employees who have been suffering under these conditions for a considerable time.

“In many cases, the situation has driven employees to a breaking point and severely affected their physical and emotional well-being,” she said.

“Employees are being crushed by unacceptable work pressure combined with a lack of workplace support.”

“Furthermore, complaints fall on deaf ears while employees feel increasingly helpless and unheard.”

De Wet Blaauw, Solidarity’s head of occupational health and safety, said they will ensure that Unisa complies with its obligations under the relevant legislation.

He explained that Solidarity’s starting point will be Section 8(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

“This Act stipulates that every employer must provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of its employees,” he said.

“This health includes psychological and emotional well-being, which encompasses excessive workload, long working hours, and victimisation,” said Blaauw.

According to Blaauw, these legal prescriptions make it clear that employers cannot ignore working conditions that cause psychological or emotional harm.

“They have a legal obligation to manage these risks in the same manner as physical workplace hazards,” he said.