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UCT study reveals major barriers to surgical care in peri-urban Cape Town A new study by researchers at the University of Cape Town (UCT) has uncovered significant challenges in delivering surgical care in peri-urban communities, with nearly one in three residents reporting experiencing delays in receiving appropriate surgical treatment, even when living close to healthcare facilities. 09 Feb 2026 Media release

UCT experts propose narrower beer excise tax tiers to reduce alcohol harm South Africa’s alcohol taxation system requires urgent strengthening to address the devastating public health burden of harmful alcohol consumption, according to an analysis by researchers based at the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Research Unit on the Economics of Excisable Products (REEP) . To effectively reduce alcohol-related harm, the researchers recommend narrower beer excise tax tiers than those proposed by Treasury, higher uplift factors (multipliers applied to the base excise tax rate), and predictable above-inflation tax increases. 09 Feb 2026 Media release

New genus of sea snail discovered in the Great African Seaforest After nearly a decade of taxonomic puzzle-solving, a team of scientists from the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Department of Biological Sciences , Sea Change Project, the University of Tokyo and Stellenbosch University has unveiled a remarkable discovery: a parasitic sea snail that represents not only a new species, but an entirely new genus. The findings are published in the Journal of Molluscan Studies . 09 Feb 2026 Media release

UCT study exposes major gap in access to gender-affirming healthcare in SA There is an urgent need for the provision of integrated and accessible gender-affirming care and HIV services as part of comprehensive care for transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) populations within inclusive health systems, a study by the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Desmond Tutu HIV Centre published in the South African Medical Journal yesterday has found. 05 Feb 2026 Media release

UCT hosts heads of mission for discussion on future of education The University of Cape Town (UCT) will host the Vice-Chancellor’s Heads of Mission Breakfast, under the theme “The future of education, research, science, technology and innovation: Building bridges for global progress”, on Thursday, 12 February 2026. 04 Feb 2026 Media release

Webinar: Are food companies doing enough to support healthier diets in SA? The University of Cape Town (UCT), in collaboration with the South African Medical Research Council, the University of the Western Cape and LMU Munich (Germany), will host a webinar to share the results of a study assessing and benchmarking voluntary commitments and practices of the food industry to support healthy food environments and improve population nutrition, covering 29 food companies operating in South Africa. 03 Feb 2026 Media release

UCT academic recognised globally for anti-corruption scholarship and ethics education Dr Marianne Camerer, a senior lecturer at the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance (NMSPG), has been recognised internationally for her sustained contribution to anti-corruption research and public ethics education. Dr Camerer recently received the International Anti-Corruption Excellence (ACE) Awards in Doha, Qatar, marking a significant global endorsement of her nearly three decades of work on corruption, accountability and ethical leadership. 02 Feb 2026 Media release

UCT study calls for urgent integration of mental health support into HIV care A recent study by researchers from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and Linköping University in Sweden showed that people living with HIV face an elevated risk of suicide due to a combination of stigma, fear of disclosure, mental health challenges and gaps in primary healthcare services, highlighting the urgent need to integrate mental health support into routine HIV care. 02 Feb 2026 Media release

UCT law professor wins coveted Afrikaans literature prize Professor Jaco Barnard-Naude, director of research at the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Faculty of Law , was recently awarded the coveted Ingrid Jonker Literary Prize – widely considered the highest honour for debut Afrikaans poetry – for his poetry collection entitled 'Om my kastele in Spanje te sloop' (To demolish my castles in Spain). 28 Jan 2026 Media release

UCT academic joins calls for Africa-led health research and development The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Professor Jo-Ann Passmore is among 14 Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellows from across the continent who have authored a commentary paper that outlines practical, Africa-led actions to strengthen health research and development (R&D) ecosystems in the context of rapidly shifting global health funding. 27 Jan 2026 Media release

TB harnesses part of immune defence system to cause infection, study finds Scientists from the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM) have contributed to an international study that shed new light on why humans and animals are so susceptible to contracting tuberculosis (TB) – and it involves the bacteria harnessing part of the immune system meant to protect against infection. 26 Jan 2026 Media release

Humans use local dialects to communicate with honeyguides, UCT research shows Researchers from the University of Cape Town (UCT), working with international collaborators, have shown that people in northern Mozambique use regionally distinct “dialects” when communicating with honeyguide birds, revealing a striking parallel to the way human languages diversify. 20 Jan 2026 Media release

UCT-led study uncovers fossil ecosystem that helped kick-start life after global catastrophe An international team of scientists from South Africa, Canada, France and the United Kingdom (UK) has uncovered fossil evidence of a tiny ecosystem that helped kick-start the recovery of Earth’s oceans after a global mass extinction. 19 Jan 2026 Media release

Western Cape children face dual nutrition crisis, UCT study finds A new study led by the University of Cape Town (UCT) has found that young children in the Western Cape face a worrying double burden of malnutrition, with both stunting and overweight/obesity occurring at concerning levels. The findings are published in Development Southern Africa journal. 18 Dec 2025 Media release

UCT marine scientist awarded prestigious Prince Albert I Grand Medal The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Professor Lynne Shannon has made history by being awarded the 2025 Prince Albert I Grand Medal for Ocean Science , a globally acclaimed honour recognising exceptional contributions to marine research. The award was presented at a ceremony held at the Oceanographic Institute in Paris on 8 December 2025. 15 Dec 2025 Media release

UCT study seeks to understand volcanic process on Mars A University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Department of Geological Sciences study that used martian meteorite to understand the volcanic process on Mars has been published in the journal Nature Communications Earth and Environment . Martian meteorite are rare rocks from Mars that have landed on Earth, ejected by large impacts and surviving atmospheric entry, serving as our primary physical samples of Mars for study. 12 Dec 2025 Media release

Update on investigation into alleged GBV case In June 2020, the University of Cape Town (UCT) indicated that it was investigating allegations of gender-based violence made on social media against a lecturer. 10 Dec 2025 Statement

Ideas, culture and conversations take centre stage at UCT Summer School 2026 The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) flagship Summer School programme will take place from 19-31 January 2026. The only programme of its kind on the continent, it is open to the public, staff and students. It includes lectures, excursions, campus tours, performances – including by Opera UCT and, for the first time, a ballet. 04 Dec 2025 Media release

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