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UCT study explores reform in data laws for development and innovation in SA A University of Cape Town (UCT) study examining the role of law in regulating data – within the evolving digital ecosystem of the Fourth Industrial Revolution – has found that South Africa’s data regulation efforts remain fragmented and outdated. 10 Sep 2026 Media release

Stokvel members’ use of digital technologies does not take away their traditions – UCT study Technology, so often blamed for eroding culture, can be a powerful tool for cultural survival when communities control it on their own terms, a University of Cape Town (UCT) PhD study in Information Systems by Pitso Tsibolane, a senior lecturer in Information Systems and associate of the Centre for IT and National Development in Africa (CITANDA), has found. 09 Sep 2026 Media release

UCT doctoral graduate’s app to protect patient information from abuse Despite enaction of the Data Protection and Privacy Act (DPPA) 2019, Uganda's healthcare sector still faces persistent challenges with data privacy and security violations driven by staff misuse of digital platforms and other factors. This has led to low compliance among hospital employees, widening the gap between regulatory frameworks and practical implementation. 09 Sep 2026 Media release

Karoo farmer aged 80 earns UCT master’s degree after researching drought’s toll on farmers After more than five decades of farming in the drought-prone Upper Karoo, 80-year-old Charl Johannes van der Merwe will graduate from the University of Cape Town (UCT) with a Master of Commerce in Economics, having turned his first-hand experience of drought into research on its economic and psychological toll on farming communities. 08 Sep 2026 Media release

Beyond the forecast: UCT study calls for climate services rooted in local knowledge Climate services help people make informed decisions in response to climate risks. Across Africa, people involved in nature-based solutions – such as restoring and sustainably managing rural and urban landscapes – increasingly rely on these services. However, climate services can fall short if they are not designed in partnership with researchers, practitioners and communities. 08 Sep 2026 Media release

UCT doctoral study explores preserving indigenous medicinal knowledge digitally Growing up within the Nyassoso community of the South-West Region of Cameroon, Stella Nge Emade always saw her father, Nhon Paul Ngeh Ahode, and later elder brother, Nhon Nzume Ngeh Jacob, healing villagers with traditional medicine and herbs. I ndigenous healing was part of her family’s life and was also a way of addressing health challenges and supporting the family financially. 08 Sep 2026 Media release

Rome’s empire was built on allies, not just Romans, UCT scholar argues Rome’s rise as the first great Mediterranean empire may have been less a story of Roman conquest than of an overlooked partnership with the Italian states that supplied much of its military manpower, University of Cape Town (UCT) Professor Roman Roth argued during his inaugural lecture. 08 Sep 2026 Media release

UCT research urges individualised TB treatment to curb multi-drug-resistant disease People living with HIV are significantly more likely to develop multi-drug or rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (TB) during treatment, while increased hospitalisation continues to fuel transmission, according to new doctoral research from the University of Cape Town (UCT). The findings point to the urgent need for more individualised, patient-centred TB care, stronger infection prevention in healthcare facilities, and improved support for patients long after treatment has ended. 07 Sep 2026 Media release

Pregnancy and breastfeeding experiences in the workplace remain “invisible conversations” How women experience pregnancy and breastfeeding and how they manage their return to work after birth remain largely “invisible conversations” in the workplace. In many cases, employers expect women to simply leave their aching bodies and caregiving responsibilities at the door and carry on with the business of the day. 07 Sep 2026 Media release

Africa to define what makes a university excellent Delegates from universities across Africa gathered at the University of Cape Town (UCT) to help shape a new approach to measuring university excellence – one that reflects African perspectives and priorities. 07 Sep 2026 Media release

UCT symposium prepares organisations for a resilient AI-driven world In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, organisations face unprecedented challenges and opportunities driven by artificial intelligence, global interdependencies and diverse workforce dynamics. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, workplaces and societies, organisations must develop the resilience to adapt, innovate and thrive. 03 Sep 2026 Media release

UCT-led study presents a deeper understanding of the unique cardiovascular conditions in Africa A University of Cape Town (UCT) led study – the Sub-Saharan Africa Survey of Heart Failure (THESUS II) – has found that the conditions of those most affected by heart failure in Africa haven’t changed much. Africans presenting with heart failure are still 10-20 years younger than other cases worldwide, are of working age and include a large proportion of women. 02 Sep 2026 Media release

UCT research calls for a constitutional approach to regulating AI South Africa needs to move beyond its longstanding “wait-and-see” approach to artificial intelligence (AI) regulation and establish a binding, constitutional framework that protects human rights while allowing technological innovation to continue, argues University of Cape Town (UCT) PhD graduand Nokuthula Olorunju. 01 Sep 2026 Media release

UCT research unlocks new insights into the hidden health of Africa’s giraffes With their long necks, distinctive limbs and ornamented heads, giraffes are among Africa’s most iconic megafauna. Yet, despite being reasonably well studied in terms of their biology and ecology, remarkably little is known about pathologies and developmental irregularities affecting their skulls. 01 Sep 2026 Media release

UCT lecture to offer new perspectives on the forces behind Rome’s Mediterranean empire Rome may have become one of history’s most powerful empires, but it did not build its Mediterranean empire alone. Its success depended heavily on a network of Italian allies whose soldiers and resources helped Rome expand its power across the ancient world. 27 Aug 2026 Media release

Antiretroviral therapy important in curbing TB – UCT academic tells Aids conference Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV. While antiretroviral therapy (ART) has reduced TB incidence, there remains a substantial TB burden in ART-experienced individuals. Interruptions in HIV treatment significantly increase the risk of tuberculosis, and the risk remains elevated even after treatment is resumed. 24 Aug 2026 Media release

Crackdowns alone won’t stop online wildlife trafficking – UCT researcher A new major global review shows that platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube are fueling a fast-growing and difficult-to-track illegal wildlife trade. The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Dr Annette Hübschle, a co-author of the study, said closing platform loopholes and strengthening enforcement would not be enough on their own. Durable solutions must put local communities at the centre and treat online wildlife trafficking as a whole-of-society challenge. 24 Aug 2026 Media release

Crypto assets redefine value and force tax systems to relook policies – UCT lecture The rapid rise of crypto assets is forcing tax systems to ponder if rules designed for a traditional economy can keep pace with technologies that are redefining how value is created, owned and exchanged, a University of Cape Town (UCT) inaugural lecture by Professor Shaun Parsons on heard. 19 Aug 2026 Media release

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