‘Writing the Daisies’: UCT’s exam tent has become an impromptu meme

In the midst of student protests, the University of Cape Town (UCT) has confirmed that exams will go ahead as scheduled. But perhaps not in the venues previously decided.

“The university management has had to take the extraordinary step of arranging an examination venue on the upper campus rugby field,” the institution’s registrar wrote in a statement.

“It is a decision that has not been taken lightly. It was an outcome of an assessment of what arrangements would offer the best chance of conducting and successfully concluding the examination programme in the current circumstances of threats of disruption.”

The venue, pictured in the video above, will host all exams, becoming a temporary home for the ambitions of thousands of students in the coming week.

But the decision has not sat well with the student body.

For the most part, the University of Cape Town’s “festival tent” has become something of a meme on Twitter.

UCT is building a “state of the art” exam venues because of protest action on campus. #UCTshutdown pic.twitter.com/yjjELLElPN

— #FearFokol (@Lethabo__M) November 9, 2017

Cape Argus headline:

UCT EXAM VENUE MELTS pic.twitter.com/Mmr3UDxLp6

— liketheriverbutnot (@niallmarinus) November 11, 2017

So this is November Hall, which is apparently a suitable venue for exams to be written… pic.twitter.com/MjW4Dhuqmf

— … (@Thulani_Dlamini) November 13, 2017

November Hall however isn’t what everyone else is calling it.

pretty sick how we’re writing exams in a beer tent at uct like damn there better be a chip n dip stall outside too

— 7am smoked salmon (@ShaiArctic) November 13, 2017

Uct must make armbands since our exams are going to be in a tent like a festival

— Momo (@ninijulius) November 10, 2017

Who’s headlining during UCT exams?

— Rayhaan (@RayhaanKagee) November 11, 2017

Uct exam requirements:

-pen
-pencil
-eraser
-calculator
-sunscreen

— Kade-Marie Brink (@KadeMarieBrink) November 11, 2017

UCT went from Campus
to Us Camping, real quick.#uctshutdown pic.twitter.com/JKFFGMQlAw

— Shren (@shrenramlal) November 13, 2017

Formation for UCT Exam Fest, find me in the Gqom Tent all Month bafets😍 pic.twitter.com/lKIJbzlV2c

— Simphiwe (@SimphiweSound) November 13, 2017

UCT, the official sponsors of Writing The Daisies 2017. https://t.co/wQQHcrOyuI

— Justin (@JustinRW_) November 11, 2017

UCT students on there way to write there final exams .. pic.twitter.com/3GUdCp1qcv

— Maweezy 🏅 (@Mawande_bones) November 13, 2017

And although some are poking fun at UCT’s arrangements, others can’t help but notice the increased security on campus.

One Twitter user likened the university to an “occupied military zone”.

Guys, I’ve always wanted to see Kashmir. Now UCT is giving us a free trip through an occupied military zone. So #blessed. ❤️❤️

— crayon breaky willow (@AsiefD) November 13, 2017

*During an exam*
student: may I go to the bathroom please?
UCT: *signals security*#UCTShutdown pic.twitter.com/MGxuRTaA4h

— Zanalee Rezandt (@ZanaleeRezandt) November 10, 2017

Others were quick to slam the university’s reputation as the best institution in Africa.

#UCT
The worst institution in Africa!

Do not bring your child to study here! They will have to write exams in tents patrolled by dogs. If they are black private security will treat them like dirt and if they are seemingly protesting they will be followed by police!#UCT pic.twitter.com/SGtO56WGEz

— Seipati Tshabalala (@i_am__seipati) November 13, 2017

As for the venue’s location, some were inspired to don their national colours, sing the national anthem, and bring along a ball.

How UCT students are gonna be before they start writing pic.twitter.com/F3orQdTyY7

— Themba Ndovi (@General_North) November 12, 2017

How Uct students be approaching the new exam venue pic.twitter.com/w0za3Ctlu6

— 2D-kun (@AmaanSalie) November 11, 2017

The university’s examinations will begin in earnest on 15 November and are set to conclude on 30 November.

Feature image: screenshot, “Alternative exam venue offers secure space for students” via University of Cape Town South Africa/YouTube