University of the Western Cape — Attraction in Bellville

I go to UWC, as we know it, to learn to play squash at their squash courts.

A colleague of mine who is a league player and a member of the UWC squash club offered to help me improve my game. As a social squash player who over the years, never could hit a ball properly and developed many bad habits to boot, this was an offer I could not refuse.

My experience at the squash courts and at UWC has always been positive. The gaurds at the entrances, both front and back are professional and know their job. Not once was I allowed in without producing my letter indicating who I was going to see and not once was my driver's license not scanned nor my temperature not taken. I really liked that. Made me feel safe.

The journey to the courts is circuitous but I don't mind because the campus is well signposted and having studied at UWC previously, I kinda have the layout of the place sorted out. So nice to see young men and women strolling around romantically under the trees or taking pictures on the lawns and in various settings to post on Facebook or send home. Making memories.

I have my own fond memories of rushing to lectures from law or economics to the famous prefabs to get to Dr Jack Lewis's African Economic History class to learn about the Development of Underdevelopment. Fascinating compared to my Public Administration course. Ha ha ha!

Finally arriving at the red brick building housing the squash courts under trees, I usually park near the front door. There are two closed courts and two glass-backed courts which are great. The place is always clean and when the club is practising, which is basically every night, the place hums with activity. After greeting, I head for the men's change rooms which are spacious.

The building is old but everything still works. Especially the plumbing. The hot water in the mens showers is not as hot as the women. So, we often sneak over to that side if there are no women present! 😅

The courts have a section upstairs where you can watch matches in any of the four courts. I prefer to watch whatever is happening in the glass-walled courts. There is a small sink with hot and cold water close at hand and an old refrigerator to keep the cold stuff cold.

Outside in the small courtyard is a braai area where I once enjoyed the most awesome ribbetjies with some great salads. A memorable first Friday night for me.

I payed my court fees for the year, which at R500, is great value for money. Outside, I pay R100 an hour for a court. All in all, I always have a great time when...

Messed up my marks which were submitted with my application as I had updated them in the middle of the year. Did not want to admit the fault on their end, took months to get somewhere with the error and then got sent around in circles by the staff of the EMS faculty. I was told on multiple occasions that the reason why my application was rejected was because I didn't meet the admission requirements, and then when I showed proof that I do meet the requirements and they made a mistake they tell me to contact the admin staff to resolve the issue and that they will send in my application for reconsideration(which never happened) and that is where the cycle starts again.

Absolutely sucks at answering the phones and emails, with the terrible excuse that the staff are working from home but the phone lines are always off.

The higher level staff send your queries and appeal letters to the same staff that throw you around in circles because our issues are below their pay grade.

Ultimately, my application was rejected on the basis that their was no space available in the course, but if the error was not made in the first place the space would have been available, so why should I suffer the consequences of an error not made by me? Dont even waste your time applying to this incompetent University you're better off studying...

i went into the education sector to find out about why my application was rejected so quickly, it was only 2 weeks after the application date closed and they already rejected my application and i met the requirements which is 33 points. Both my choices were education by the way. I went into campus to basically appeal or just for some more information. This african lady that assisted me explained that it was due to competition that i got rejected but she also said she spoke to the guy incharge and he told her that they only accepting students that have over 40 points and whoever has below that will be rejected which i believe is actually nonsense, she went on to tell me that they going to reject my second option as well, mind you this lady said this with a straight face and there was a guy before me where she assisted so nicely in Xhosa and of course i am a colored, i was literally shocked and stood for a moment waiting for a hopeful response but that was all. I accepted that i didn't get in but this assistant is completely racist and i am not leaving as such. I deal with all types of people on a daily, and i know what good service is but this was plainly crap and no...