Page 146 - UniZulu Annual Report 2020

Sports and Recreation
The Sports and Recreation section coordinates sports activities. Sporting activities are meant to enhance the academic and leadership excellence of students. One of the goals of the University is to position itself as an institution that takes sport as a critical contributor to the welfare and social needs of the country and by so doing, promote a positive image of the University through sport. Unfortunately, COVID-19 had a significant impact on all sports activities. In general, students participate in professional development in the following activities: the Zululand Rugby League; Jozini Style Boxing Tournament; Two Oceans Marathon; SAFA SAB League, King Cetshwayo District; KZN Netball Super League; Zululand Hockey League and Provincial SASOL League for Women; King Cetshwayo Dance Tournament; Campus Soccer League; USSA NEC and other.
Disability
The dedicated Disability Unit at UNIZULU plays a crucial role in ensuring that students with disabilities are accommodated and can fully enjoy the student experience at the University.
As evidenced in Table 13 of the Report of the Chairperson of Council, UNIZULU had a total of 116 students with disabilities in 2020. Various policies are in development and initiatives implemented to address the needs of disabled students. UNIZULU has also established a lab for students with disabilities, which aims to assist students with hearing difficulty in learning and research activities. The technologies used for digital learning are based on universal design principles in which the accommodation is already built into the design. The programme translates speech to text and makes it easier for students to follow lectures and be able to access lecture notes afterwards.
The HR Department runs activation programmes to encourage disability disclosure and offer diversity and inclusion programmes to support staff with disabilities. The Student Disability Unit runs regular workshops to create awareness among the student population and to eliminate prejudice against students with disabilities. The unit plays the role of a ‘go-between’ and advocate for students’ needs in different structures and forums. Students also have identity cards that help access various University programmes without having to join long queues.
UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND ANNUAL REPORT 2020 144