What You Need to Know
• The University of Cape Town has lost 250 million rand ($15.2 million) in donor funding due to recent resolutions.
• Vice-Chancellor Mosa Moshabela reported the funding withdrawal to Parliament, affecting a neuroscience institute and bursaries.
• UCT’s student debt surpassed one billion rand ($60.7 million) by December 2025, impacting approximately 1,400 students’ registrations.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has lost 250 million rand ($15.2 million) in donor funding after adopting two resolutions related to Israel’s conflict with Gaza. Vice-Chancellor Mosa Moshabela disclosed this loss to Parliament in June, noting that the Donald Gordon Foundation withdrew its remaining funding from a 200 million rand ($12.1 million) commitment to a neuroscience institute. Additionally, other benefactors withheld 50 million rand ($3 million), which included 15 million rand ($910,000) annually for student bursaries. This funding loss occurs in a nation ranked by the World Bank as the most unequal globally, with UCT’s student debt exceeding one billion rand ($60.7 million) by December 2025, leaving around 1,400 students facing registration holds in February 2026.
Why It Matters
This situation highlights the intersection of academic funding and political stances, particularly regarding Israel and Palestine. The resolutions adopted by UCT called for a ceasefire and humanitarian assistance for Gaza, which led to the withdrawal of financial support from key donors. The Donald Gordon Foundation’s funding was contingent on UCT adopting a specific definition of anti-Semitism that many argue conflates criticism of Israel with anti-Jewish sentiment. The broader implications of this funding loss could significantly affect UCT’s ability to support students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly in a country grappling with deep socioeconomic inequalities.
Read the Full Story →
