An investigation reveals a devastating crisis at the University of South Africa (Unisa), where staff deaths and alarming burnout rates signal a breakdown in academic support and wellbeing. The death of lecturer Unathi Poyo also raised the issue of academics working on contract basis for years.
Three staff deaths in June, multiple stress-related hospitalisations and a mounting workload crisis have pushed academics at the University of South Africa (Unisa) to breaking point.
An investigation by ednews.africa reveals allegations of burnout, fear, declining academic standards and growing unrest among staff and students after the university scrapped the posts of thousands of markers and e-tutors.
Academics and staff at Unisa, Africa's largest distance-learning institution, say they are buckling under pressure following a dramatic increase in workloads, a culture of intolerance and what they describe as inadequate intervention by oversight bodies.
Three staff members, including two academics, died in June. At least nine employees have been hospitalised over the past two months, with three still receiving treatment, according to multiple university sources who spoke on condition of anonymity. They believe many of the cases are linked to stress and exhaustion following the university's decision not to renew contracts for markers and e-tutors.
