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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

Better collaboration could help identify unknown dead – first-of-its-kind study reveals Every year, thousands of unidentified people pass through South Africa’s forensic pathology system, leaving families without answers and many victims unnamed. A University of Cape Town (UCT) PhD study by Kate Reid has found that while Cape Town’s forensic identification outcomes are better than previously believed, fragmented record-keeping, poor communication between stakeholders and inconsistent tracking systems continue to delay justice for many families. 19 Aug 2026 Media release

Deep emissions cuts possible at Secunda coal-to-liquids complex The role of the Secunda coal-based liquid fuels and chemicals production complex within South Africa’s energy transition is heavily debated. Sasol has estimated that a rapid and unplanned shutdown of operations at Secunda could reduce the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by an estimated R9.9 billion and result in 24 900 job losses. 19 Aug 2026 Media release

Pulmonary TB in childhood can leave lasting damage to the lungs, UCT study finds Children who develop pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) may continue to have impaired lung function months after completing treatment, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Cape Town (UCT). 18 Aug 2026 Media release

UCT study reveals how South Africans spend their commute A new study by the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Liberty Institute of Strategic Marketing reveals that while South Africans travel in different ways, they also spend their commuting time differently. 18 Aug 2026 Media release

UCT researcher receives grant to tackle green hydrogen’s iridium problem University of Cape Town (UCT) Associate Professor Rhiyaad Mohamed has been selected as one of only 11 researchers worldwide to receive the 2026 EQT Foundation Critical Minerals Science Grant, supporting research into more resource-efficient green hydrogen production. 17 Aug 2026 Media release

UCT study finds stokvels could help improve healthy eating South Africa’s stokvels could become an important platform for improving nutrition and food security in low-income communities, but their collective buying power is currently used largely to purchase foods chosen for affordability, quantity and shelf life rather than for nutritional value, a new University of Cape Town (UCT) study has found. The findings were published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior . 17 Aug 2026 Media release

UCT professor calls for urgent action amid SA’s slow progress on climate change South Africa’s progress on climate change has been slow due to various complexities, according to Professor Gina Ziervogel , the director of the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) African Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI) . 17 Aug 2026 Media release

Update by the UCT Chair of Council on recent legal proceedings The University of Cape Town (UCT) Council held a special meeting on Saturday, 15 August 2026 to consider a number of matters arising from legal proceedings instituted by the Vice-Chancellor for judicial review of four resolutions adopted at its meeting of 30 May 2026, and further to consider other related matters. 16 Aug 2026 Statement

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