Feedback from reconvened Council meeting of May 2025

Dear staff and students

The University of Cape Town (UCT) Council continues to demonstrate its commitment to sound governance, strategic oversight and advancing the university’s mission.

At its reconvened meeting for the first quarter of this year, held on Saturday, 10 May 2025, Council addressed several critical matters – including governance, financial sustainability and leadership appointments.

These decisions reflect a proactive and functional Council that is dedicated to ensuring UCT’s stability, resilience and progress in a complex and evolving higher education landscape.

I write to share an update on some of the key discussions and decisions from this meeting.

SHAWCO’s reintegration into UCT

After it has operated as a non-profit organisation (NPO) for a number of years, Council has resolved to reintegrate the Students’ Health and Welfare Centre’s Organisation (SHAWCO) into UCT.

This follows a lengthy and thorough process of due diligence into SHAWCO and its activities.

SHAWCO will be housed in the Faculty of Health Sciences. It will continue fulfilling its essential and critical role, including providing a platform for all students servicing our communities to gain experience in community development; offering access to health, education for wellbeing and legal rights awareness; and furthering the university’s social justice mission.

Update on US federal funding

Following an update issued in March 2025, Council noted that, at the time of the May meeting, the university has had some more US federal funding cuts, although these have been marginal.

The university however remains alert to the possibility that there could still be more US federal funding cuts and is as such monitoring the situation closely.

UCT is also continuing with its ongoing efforts towards seeking ways of diversifying funding sources and securing new sources of funding.

Furthermore, it is working through Universities South Africa (USAf) in engaging with the South African government around the funding matter.

Media leaks

Council expressed concern around the leaking of confidential Council information and documentation to the media. In this regard, Council is reviewing its confidentiality regime and exploring further measures to ensure confidentiality going forward.

Senior leadership appointments

Council considered and approved the recommended candidate for the position of the executive director of human resources. The university will share further updates once all subsequent HR processes have been concluded.

Council also approved, in principle, the appointment of an acting chief operating officer. Details will be shared once the appointment has been made.

New fundraising committee

Council approved a proposal to dissolve the University Development Committee, which had been inactive since 2018.

A new committee, the University Funding Priorities Committee, will be formed.

This will be a management committee, and it will be tasked with coordinating funding priorities across all faculties.

Approval of various reports

Council considered and approved the 2024 annual reports for three of its committees: the University Human Resources Committee; the Remuneration Committee; and the Social, Ethics and Transformation Committee.

The discussions and subsequent decisions taken at this meeting underscore Council’s active role in shaping the university’s strategic direction, upholding governance standards and responding to both internal and external challenges. Council remains focused on ensuring that UCT remains a thriving, forward-moving institution. We appreciate the continued engagement and support of the UCT community as we work collectively toward the university’s long-term success.

Sincerely

Norman Arendse (SC)
Chair of UCT Council

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements