We, the UNISA graduates of 2020, have not received our certificates. Most of our proposed graduation dates were in the early weeks of April. We have been patiently waiting for them for more than 2 months. The university cannot blame the virus or the lockdown for this delay because postal services and their own dispatch services have been operational.

In addition, other universities had the foresight to hold virtual graduations and issue soft copies of their students certificates in the interim. They have also communicated with their students on this matter, which is something UNISA has failed to do. We have been trying to get in touch with the university through various means to no avail.

We need our certificates. Most obviously for employment purposes. Some of us have jobs and/or job offers that are tentative on us finally producing our certificates. Without them, we are at serious risk of losing out on opportunities that affect us and our livelihoods.

It should not have gotten to this point. We are already living in uncertain times and not having our certificates is only adding to that uncertainty and stress unnecessarily. WE NEED OUR CERTIFICATES NOW!