As we enter the third year of lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the University of Pretoria Archives would again like to call on the UP community to add their voices to safeguarding the memory of experiences during the pandemic. In the previous two years, the UP Archives collected both photographs and written experiences from UP students and staff to add to the University’s memory bank of life during the Covid-19 pandemic and under lockdown. These illustrate well the limitations, frustrations, break-throughs, struggles and triumphs of living in the “new normal” of lockdown, online learning and changed social and work settings.

This year, we are again interested in gathering the stories and experiences of UP staff and students during the pandemic with the themes of loss, pause and hope.

First of all, we would like to consider the theme of “loss” in its various dimensions resulting from the pandemic as a means to preserve the significant personal impact of the virus on the lives of many at UP. This is a more poignant view of the way that the pandemic has affected the UP community and will add some weight to the archives record as a memorial to those who have passed away or lost loved ones due to Covid-19.

A second theme which we would like to explore is the idea of “pause”. How has the pandemic and the changes which it has brought about caused you to pause and reconsider or reflect on life? How has the pandemic caused you to pause?

Furthermore, we would also like to look forward and also investigate the hopes and aspirations of the UP community. What have you gained from the experience, how have you grown and what are your hopes for the immediate and long-term future? These questions relate to the idea of “hope” -- the third possible theme for contributions.

Written, visual and audio entries are welcome.  Entries and enquiries can be sent to [email protected]. Closing date is 1 September 2022.

Overall winning submission: R5 000.00

Best UP student submission: R2 500.00

Best UP staff submission: R2 500.00