Developments around UCT Fund Inc.

Dear colleagues and students

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is a proudly South African institution, but we are also a university with a global footprint. Our operations extend to other regions through formal entities operating in Australia, Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as through various other international partnerships and collaborations.

I write to inform you of a recent development around the UCT Fund Inc., a registered non-profit organisation in the US which supports the university through fundraising and donor engagement. The UCT Fund Inc. has, as a precautionary and temporary measure, suspended certain activities with effect from 14 May 2025.

This action follows concerns raised by some alumni around the hosting of speakers allegedly linked to organisations designated as Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs) under US law, particularly related to the past Israel Apartheid Week events.

Our understanding is that, under US federal law, association – whether direct or indirect – with organisations designated as FTOs can carry significant legal consequences. This includes not only the entity itself but also individuals in positions of governance. US law imposes a strict and complex liability regime, along with heightened compliance obligations.

In response to these concerns, the UCT Fund Inc. board has requested the university to initiate a formal inquiry. The regulatory environment in the US and the implications of the allegations necessitate that the university supports the UCT Fund Inc. in this regard.

These developments highlight the need for the university to continue the delicate act of considering factors such as legal obligations nationally and internationally due to our established global enterprise. There is a need to ensure that we align with the standards required for international operations – particularly where US-based partnerships and fundraising are concerned.

This moment demands careful inquiry and a reaffirmation of our commitment to operating within both local and international frameworks of accountability and legality.

We will approach this matter with the seriousness it deserves as we work with the UCT Fund Inc. to ensure resolution as soon as possible.

Sincerely

Professor Mosa Moshabela
Vice-Chancellor

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• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements