UCT: SA’s coolest university

The University of Cape Town (UCT) has been named the coolest university in a retrospective review of the past decade of the Sunday Times GenNext awards.

The awards, now in their 21st edition, recognise UCT’s enduring appeal to South Africa’s youth and its status as a leading institution in education, innovation and campus culture.

“How cool is that … being named the coolest university by South Africa’s youth. Now that is something to clock. It’s a reflection of UCT’s commitment not only to academic excellence but also the continued effort to foster an environment where creativity, community and engagement with societal issues are celebrated,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela. “I am proud to know that we are a university that inspires and resonates with the next generation. We must lean into this resonance and allow young people shape their experience of UCT.”

The annual Sunday Times GenNext survey is regarded as the country’s premier measure of what young South Africans find trendy and aspirational. This year’s data drew from 2015 to 2024, highlighting a decade of evolving youth sentiment across brand categories. The research focused on the top five brands in each category, providing a comprehensive view of what resonates with South Africans aged eight to 30.