SRC elections and other updates

Dear colleagues

The University of Cape Town (UCT) will host the Students' Representative Council (SRC) and Faculty Councils elections from 17–18 September 2026. Read more about this and other recent developments on campus.

Elections for the Students' Representative Council (SRC), Commerce Student Council (CSC), Engineering & the Built Environment Student Council (EBESC) and the Science Student Council (SSC) will be hosted on 17 and 18 September 2026.

Students are encouraged to read through the 2026 SRC Election Manifesto Booklet, which brings together the candidates’ manifestos and gives them an opportunity to understand what they stand for, the issues they hope to address and the changes they want to make on their behalf.

Voting opens on Thursday, 17 September at 00:00 and closes on Friday, 18 September 2026 at 23:59.

The Department of Student Affairs will host the Election Carnival at the Plaza on 17 September between 10:00 and 15:00.

The UCT community is reminded that tickets are on sale for the Times Higher Education (THE) World Academic Summit (WAS) 2026, scheduled for 29 September to 1 October 2026. Hosted by UCT in partnership with the University of Bristol and THE, this will be the first time the global gathering of higher education leaders is held on the African continent.

The summit will bring together vice-chancellors, university presidents, policymakers, academics and industry leaders under the theme “Knowledge, justice and futures: Universities in the age of intelligence”. Discussions will explore the future of universities, the public good, equitable global partnerships, innovation and entrepreneurship, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

Take advantage of available discounts and bursary opportunities. Groups of three or more delegates can receive a 20% discount by using promo code GROUP, while bursaries for 35% off are available for university delegates from emerging countries.

• Buy tickets.

Professor Mushi Matjila will deliver his lecture as part of the UCT Inaugural Lecture series on Thursday, 17 September 2026. Titled “Navigating Growth through the Support of Others: From Kiss-ing in the Placental Bed, through to Research Policy and Placenta Mediated Disorders”, the lecture will start at 17:30 SAST at the New Learning Centre Lecture Theatre, Anatomy Building, health sciences campus.

Professor Matjila will explore his research into placental biology and its role in pregnancy-related disorders, including preeclampsia, recurrent pregnancy loss and gestational diabetes. He will discuss his work on kisspeptin and other molecules at the maternal-fetal interface, as well as the people, partnerships and experiences that have shaped his academic and clinical career. The lecture will also reflect on his contributions to national health research policy and conclude with the story behind the Human African Molecular PLacental REsearch PlaTform (HAMLET) and its contribution to advancing placental research in Africa.

Professor Matjila is head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Groote Schuur Hospital. He is the director and co-principal investigator of HAMLET and co-founder of the African Placental Network. His clinical interests include high-risk obstetrics and reproductive medicine, while his research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying placenta-mediated disorders. He has also contributed to postgraduate training, health policy and international research collaboration.

• Read the full VC Desk: Upcoming UCT inaugural lectures: September 2026.
• Register to attend the lecture.

The Student Wellness Service (SWS) within the Department of Student Affairs invites the UCT community to the 2026 Student Wellness Drive, scheduled for 7–10 October 2026. The four-day programme will bring together students, staff and various stakeholders through a range of activities focused on mental health, well-being, recovery, connection and community.

The programme will include:

• SWS Recovery Walk, in collaboration with Recovery Walk Cape Town, at 10:00 at the Plaza on upper campus on 7 October;
• SWS Wellness Drive from 09:00 to 15:00 at the Plaza, featuring a range of wellness activities, services and stakeholder engagements on 8–9 October:
• A 5 km Run & Walk for World Mental Health Day on 10 October at the UCT Rugby Field, with registration opening at 08:00 on the day.

For more information, please contact Juanita Myburgh.

The UCT Examinations Office has published the second provisional timetable for the year-end examination cycle, which will take place from 5 to 23 November 2026.

Students can view their provisional timetables on the examinations website. Any requests for amendments should be submitted to the relevant academic department for consideration by the Head of Department (HoD).

Students are advised not to make travel arrangements until the final timetable is published on 23 September 2026.

• View the timetable.

UCT wishes all students the very best as they prepare for their examinations.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements