To all those concerned about developments at UCT,
We write to you as members of the UCT community at a moment of urgent importance for the future of our university.
There have been serious developments regarding academic freedom at the University of Cape Town, and your voice is needed now.
As a current student, alumnus, parent or citizen concerned about UCT, we urge you to write to the UCT Council and express your support for Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela’s call to rescind the Gaza Conflict Resolutions adopted by Council on 22 June 2024.
How to Take Action
To make it easier, you can complete a quick form and a personalised letter will be sent on your behalf:
Alternatively, if you want to write your own letter, please address it to the following parties:
- UCT Registrar – registrar@uct.ac.za
- UCT Council Chair, Adv Norman Arendse – narendse@capebar.co.za
- Chair of UCT Alumni Advisory Board, Ms Dianna Yach – Dianna.Yach@dmyach.com
Why This Matters
On 15 March 2025, the UCT Council met to consider a motion to reverse the controversial Gaza Conflict Resolutions. Despite a strong and urgent warning from Vice-Chancellor Professor Moshabela—who detailed the severe financial and reputational risks these resolutions pose to UCT—the motion narrowly failed by 13 votes to 14.
In his report, Professor Moshabela stated that the resolutions risk:
- Triggering U.S. sanctions specifically targeting UCT, as warned by the U.S. Consulate in Cape Town
- Loss of vital institutional funding
- Possible personal sanctions against UCT staff, such as visa denials and exclusion from international academic partnerships
The situation is urgent and real. The U.S. government has already imposed a $400 million funding cut on Columbia University, citing concerns about antisemitism. Similar actions could target UCT.
📄 Read the Vice-Chancellor’s report: PoliticsWeb – Dire Implications for UCT
📰 Related coverage:
IOL: UCT Faces Gaza Scrutiny
UCT News: Council Debate Summary
📚 Track developments: UCT Gaza Resolutions Tracker
Why Your Voice Is Needed
It is deeply concerning that the UCT Council has chosen to ignore the Vice-Chancellor’s expert advice and risk irreparable harm to the institution. Council members who voted against the rescission are failing in their fiduciary duty to act in UCT’s best interest. Their actions put ideology ahead of the academic, financial, and global future of the university.
We call on you to stand with Vice-Chancellor Moshabela and demand responsible leadership from UCT Council. Make it clear that you do not support decisions that threaten the very future of UCT.
Support the campaign to #SaveUCT.
Yours sincerely,
Concerned Citizens for Academic Freedom at UCT