University of Cape Town News

Autumn 2026 Graduation

The University of Cape Town (UCT) graduation took place from Monday, 30 March until Friday, 2 April 2026.

The minister of Small Business Development recently visited UCT to have a conversation with the VC and the Financial Innovation Hub.

UCT researchers join national effort to build AI tools for African languages

UCT is part of a new multi-university collaboration that aims to develop large language models for isiXhosa, isiZulu and Sepedi, while tackling ethical questions around AI in African contexts.

Oxford VC calls for bold university innovation

Prof Irene Tracey, vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford, delivered the Vice-Chancellor’s Open Lecture at UCT on 5 March, challenging universities to tackle world challenges.

IARU Presidents’ Meeting: impactful global platform arrives at UCT

Global university leaders convened at UCT for the International Alliance of Research Universities Presidents’ Meeting.

NEWS

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News Autumn graduation: ‘You have met your standard’

VC Prof Mosa Moshabela told graduates: “I am confident you will succeed in what you do [going forward].”

02 Apr 2026 - 3 min read

News Rehane Abrahams reimagines decolonisation through performance

Performing artist Rehane Abrahams has not only written her PhD but has also performed it.

02 Apr 2026 - 7 min read

News From survival to solution

Matome Lethwane co-founded VarsityLink in the midst of his struggles to complete his degree.

02 Apr 2026 - 6 min read

News Reflections on urban innovation and governance

UCT’s African Centre for Cities celebrated four years of the African Urban Futures project on 24 March 2026.

01 Apr 2026 - 8 min read

News Dr Imtiaz Sooliman: from Saturday squash to humanitarian example

Dr Imtiaz Sooliman gives practical expression to the constitutional values of dignity, equality and freedom.

01 Apr 2026 - 4 min read

New city-making in Africa: a case of planning hybridity PhD graduand Baraka Mwau’s research evaluates hybridity and the multiple role players in urban planning and development. 31 Mar 2026

Chronic pain linked to disability in SA A new UCT-led research study provides a clear picture of how pain affects South Africans’ daily life and functioning. 30 Mar 2026

Early-life exposures on lung function in African preschool children Shaakira Chaya’s PhD on early-life exposures on lung infection has left a curious query: can impacts can be reversed as children grow? 30 Mar 2026

Innocent Francis simultaneously completes PhD, subspeciality training in gastroenterology Innocent Francis will graduate with his PhD in medicine on the 31 March. 30 Mar 2026

UCT spin-out company shortlisted for Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation For its ingenuity with turning human urine into high-quality, sustainable fertiliser, PeeCycling has been shortlisted for an Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. 27 Mar 2026

South Africa’s law of taxation: the landmark Endumeni case Prof Johann Hattingh examined international and comparative tax law dimensions of the unitary method of interpretation using a landmark case. 27 Mar 2026

‘Nothing should get in your way’ The aim is to grow holistically, in addition to getting your degree, according to UCT graduand Moeletsi Tladi. 27 Mar 2026

PET-CTs, AI-interpreted chest X-rays can predict TB The PET-CT is said to be the most sensitive imaging tool for research and revealed a wide spectrum of lung abnormalities in participants. 27 Mar 2026

East Africa Pre-Moot win for UCT Law students UCT’s Vis Moot team has returned from Nairobi with an impressive achievement, having been crowned winners of the East Africa Pre-Moot of the Willem C Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot. 26 Mar 2026

Listen to the news

The stories in this selection include an audio recording for your listening convenience.

The earth remembers

UCT PhD graduand Robyn Humphreys explores how the Prestwich Street Burial Grounds reshaped heritage archaeology, highlighting tensions between community memory and colonial practice.

20 Mar 2026 - 8 min read

Scholars and media voices reimagine ‘Imvo Zabantsundu’

UCT hosted a two-day workshop last week on Revisiting and Reimagining ‘Imvo Zabantsundu’, which was funded by the African Critical Inquiry Programme.

19 Mar 2026 - 8 min read

Breaking the classroom language barrier

UCT scholars have joined forces with their colleagues from UWC and the government to empower teachers for the implementation of mother tongue-based bilingual education at schools.

11 Mar 2026 - 8 min read

‘The queue hasn’t moved’

Zakes Mda’s 1988 classic returns to The Baxter’s stage, holding a mirror to a South Africa still making its women wait: for rice, for dignity – and for a system that sees them.

02 Mar 2026 - 9 min read