Wamkelekile, Welkom
Awards for Excellence
08 December 2025NSTF–South32 Awards
Dr Rachael Dangarembizi, a neuroscientist at UCT, has been awarded the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher at the 2024/2025 National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)-South32 Awards. The award recognises her pioneering research on cryptococcal meningitis (CM) – a disease that continues to cause untold devastation in Sub-Saharan Africa yet remains significantly under-researched.
UCT Fellows
Four new fellows were inducted to the College of Fellows, and three new College of Fellows Young Researchers awardees were recognised.
- Professor Mohamed Jeebhay – Faculty of Health Sciences
- Professor Catherine Orrel – Faculty of Commerce
- Professor Amrita Pande – Faculty of Humanities
- Professor Haris Skokos – Faculty of Science
The Young Researcher Award is offered annually in recognition of outstanding scholarly work by young academics who have made significant independent contributions to research in their field.
In 2024, three young researchers were recognised.
- Dr Leo Boonzaier – Faculty of Law
- Dr Gaopalelwe Mathiba – Faculty of Law
- Dr Melissa Nel – Faculty of Health Sciences
World Academy of Science
Four UCT researchers were elected as Fellows of the World Academy of Science (TWAS) – the only South Africans to be recognised by the academy in 2024.
- Professor Alison Lewis – Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment
- Professor Ntobeko Ntusi – Faculty of Health Sciences
- Professor Harald Winkler – Faculty of Commerce
- Professor Liesl Zühlke – Faculty of Health Sciences
The Academy of Science of South Africa Science-for-Society Gold Medal
The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) presented its Science-for-Society Gold Medal to University of Cape Town (UCT) Professor Keertan Dheda for his outstanding contributions to scientific thought. Additionally, several UCT researchers were inducted into ASSAf at a ceremony in October 2024, with Dr Sabelo Hadebe joining the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS).
National Research Foundation Awards
- Champion of Research Capacity Development and Transformation Award – Professor Eric van Steen, Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment
- Research Excellence Award: Next Generation Researchers – Sancho Nyoni, Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment
- Science Team Award – African Brain Child
Ratings-based awards
First rating
- Professor Edward Sturrock, Faculty of Health Sciences
- Emeritus Professor Sue Harrison, Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment
Second rating
- Professor Keertan Dheda, Faculty of Health Sciences
- Professor Kelly Chibale, Faculty of Science
Third rating
- Professor Heather Zar, Faculty of Health Sciences
- Professor Ed Rybicki, Faculty of Health Sciences
P-rating
P-ratings are assigned to researchers considered likely to become future international leaders in their respective fields based on their demonstration of exceptional potential. Usually under the age of 35, these are researchers who have held a doctorate of equivalent qualification for less than five years. Three UCT researchers obtained this rare and exceptional rating.
- Dr Itumeleng Monageng, Faculty of Science
- Dr Jan Buys, Faculty of Science
- Dr Mubeen Goolam, Faculty of Health Sciences
PASS Awards
Vice-Chancellor’s awards
Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Service Excellence
- The Department of Chemistry’s Occupational Health Safety and Environment
Social Responsiveness Award
- Professor Elena Moore – Faculty of Humanities
Global Citizenship Award
- Institute of Preparedness and Prevention of Pandemics (PASS)
- Professor Victoria Gibbon (academic) – Faculty of Health Sciences
UCT Book Award
- Dr Chantel Stewart – Faculty of Health Sciences
Meritorious Book Prize
- Professor Wahbie Long – Faculty of Humanities
Creative Works Award
- Professor Rebecca Ackermann – Faculty of Science
Alan Pifer Award
- Professor Keertan Dheda
M&G’s 200 Young South Africans
Agriculture
- Lesego Makgoba
Arts and entertainment
- Elroy Fillis-Bell
- Ameera Conrad
- Dalin Oliver
Business
- Gift Pule
- Inam Qoma
- Harry Scherzer
Education
- Sthabile Kolwa
- Sibusiso Mdhluli
Energy
- Ashanti Kutala Mbanga
- Tshilidzi Samuel Ramunenyiwa
Entrepreneurship
- Bonga Masoka
Film and media
- Zola Ayabulela Mhlongo
- Itumeleng Mpofu
- Daniel Steyn
Financial services
- Thembisa Vanesa Luthuli
Governance
- Jabulisile Shabalala
Health and wellness
- Biancha Mentoor
Legal services
- Emogine Bohitile
Mining and manufacturing
- Bevan Mongwe
Technology and innovation
- Sange Maxaku
- Fanelesibonge Mbuyazi
- Jess Rees
Tourism and hospitality
- Haydn Henning
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Annual reviews
Year in Review 2024
08 Dec 2025
Year in Review 2024
There are different ways to define the University of Cape Town (UCT).
08 Dec 2025 - 2 min read
The past year has been a pivotal period of transition for the University of Cape Town (UCT), marked by challenges and changes – but also by resilience, collaboration and a renewed sense of direction. In facing uncertainty together, we reaffirmed what it means to lead with purpose and to steer the institution forward with integrity and vision.
08 Dec 2025
The Department of Student Affairs (DSA) remains committed to working towards Vision 2035, a future in which all University of Cape Town (UCT) students, regardless of background, social or economic status, are supported to not only persist, but to flourish. The DSA’s Vision 2035 is directly in line with UCT’s vision 2030 whose three pillars are excellence, transformation and sustainability.
08 Dec 2025
In 2024, South Africa’s economy showed modest recovery with gross domestic product (GDP) growth at 1.2% and inflation easing to 2.8%, though challenges like high unemployment and fiscal constraints persisted. The higher education sector faced funding pressures, with government allocations to NSFAS and universities reduced, prompting institutions to seek alternative income streams and focus on skills development. The University of Cape Town (UCT) responded proactively, reducing Council Controlled General Operating budget. In this report I provide an overview of UCT’s financial position, performance and cash flow for the year ended 31 December 2024.
08 Dec 2025
Previous Editions
The Newsroom and Publications unit releases an annual report, which is a review of activities on campus during the previous year. It spans nearly all aspects of UCT life; and includes reports from senior executives on issues such as governance, teaching and learning, research, social responsiveness, transformation and employment equity. Each year the report illustrates clearly why UCT is held in such high regard in South Africa, Africa and across the globe.
