Feedback from the Council meeting of October 2025

Dear members of the university community

The University of Cape Town (UCT) Council held its ordinary meeting on Saturday, 18 October 2025. I write to share an update on some of the matters discussed and key decisions taken at the meeting.  

Council considered a number of reports, including a report relating to the Irma Stern Museum.

Irma Stern Museum

It was indeed a sad moment when we bid farewell to the Irma Stern Museum, which was established at the property known as The Firs in terms of a Memorandum of Agreement entered into between UCT and the Irma Stern Trust (now administered by Nedgroup Trust) in 1969. The property is owned by UCT and the artworks and other items are owned by the Trust.

Both parties expressed the desire to terminate their relationship in relation to the museum for operational reasons. The Trust is seeking an alternative bigger venue to host the museum and the collection.

Accordingly, the draft MoA Cancellation Agreement and Agreement of Sale of the property was approved by Council with much sadness, and regret.

The Irma Stern Museum is very much part of the DNA of UCT, and will forever be associated with the university.

Policy on short courses

Council also approved the UCT policy on short courses, continuing professional and life-long learning, which was approved by the Senate on 26 September 2025.

Of interest to note is that the policy states that “Outstanding UCT student fee debt will not prevent students from enrolling in a UCT short course.”

University Governance Committee (UGC)

In its report, the UGC recommended the approval of the Terms of Reference for the University Panel for Responsible Investment (UPRI), and the Terms of Reference for the Institutional Forum.

The UGC performs an oversight role in terms of the university’s strategic planning processes and its organisation design structure and the monitoring thereof, and advises Council accordingly.

The UCT Foundation Board of Trustees report requested Council to approve moving the target date for divestment of fossil fuels from 2030 to 2040, and Council also approved the recommendation of the appointment of three new trustees to the Board of the UCT Foundation.

University Information and Communication Technology Committee (UICTC)

Council also received the report on the status of AI domains at UCT tracked by the UICTC. This item will remain of significance for many years to come. The UICTC made AI a standing agenda item thereby recognising its broad impact at UCT and central importance in the ICT domain.

Vice-Chancellor’s report

As to be expected, the highlight of the meeting was the VC’s report, which also marked his first year in office on 1 August 2025. As he pointed out, it was a year of both achievements and challenges.

Academic highlights in the period under review were the Spring Graduation, the 10th anniversary of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars’ Programme, and the improved Times Higher Education ranking from 180th to 164th in the 2026 Global Rankings, especially after we also climbed to 150th in the 2026 QS rankings. 

Student debt continues to be a significant concern, and as at 5 September 2025, total student debt stands at R1.3 billion comprising historic debt (R525 million), and current debt (R821 million).

NSFAS-related issues persist, particularly the accommodation cap which has contributed approximately R130 million to student debt. Additionally, NSFAS currently owes the university tuition and residence fees for two and a half months. Engagements with NSFAS are ongoing.

Despite the decline in the number of donors – both total and new – the total donation income over the review period has remained relatively stable, showing a 12% increase for the reporting period compared to 2024.

At the June 2025 meeting of Council, it was reported that a group of alumni in the United States sent a letter to the UCT Fund Inc alleging that UCT had failed to prevent the presence of US-sanctioned terrorist groups on the UCT campus during the Israel Apartheid Week (IAW) in 2024 and 2025. 

UCT commissioned an independent investigation by an external investigator, and the investigation confirmed that the university had operated within its established legal and institutional frameworks during the 2024 and 2025 IAW events. It found no evidence of policy breaches or any evidence that the Cape Town Intifada was present at UCT during the IAW 2025.  It found that “all events were lawful under South African law and involved no material support to proscribed groups”.

The SRC and Faculty Council elections took place from 26-27 September 2025 and were concluded successfully.

To commemorate Heritage Month, an event series marking the official renaming of the Sarah Baartman Hall was hosted. This featured activities such as a new plaque unveiling and an academic colloquium honouring Sarah Baartman’s legacy.

With best wishes

Norman Arendse (SC)
Chair of Council

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• From the UCT Executive
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