Imtiaz Sooliman: what's happening and what it means

The vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town, Mosa Moshabela, has spoken about growing controversy at the institution, defending the decision to award an honorary doctorate to Gift of the Givers founder Imtiaz Sooliman and insisting UCT will “only get stronger”. Imtiaz Sooliman has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in South Africa.

Key facts

• The vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town, Mosa Moshabela, has spoken about growing controversy at the institution, defending the decision to award an honorary doctorate to Gift of the Givers founder Imtiaz Sooliman and insisting UCT will “only get stronger”.
• Flags raised over tax, BEE status of publisher that won multimillion-rand textbook deals.
• Professor Adam Mendelsohn will present his inaugural lecture, “Where to for the Jews?”, on Wednesday, 29 April 2026 at 18:00 SAST in Auditorium LT1, Neville Alexander Building, lower campus.
• UCT VC breaks silence on Sooliman doctorate row, donor backlash, and crisis claims.
• Workers’ Day weather: Cold front hits Western Cape; severe thunderstorms in 4 provinces.

What we know

Going deeper, Flags raised over tax, BEE status of publisher that won multimillion-rand textbook deals.

On the substance, Professor Adam Mendelsohn will present his inaugural lecture, “Where to for the Jews?”, on Wednesday, 29 April 2026 at 18:00 SAST in Auditorium LT1, Neville Alexander Building, lower campus.

Beyond the headlines, UCT VC breaks silence on Sooliman doctorate row, donor backlash, and crisis claims.

More precisely, Workers’ Day weather: Cold front hits Western Cape; severe thunderstorms in 4 provinces.

It is worth noting that News24 launches new tech to protect whistleblowers.

By the numbers

At this stage, From Babita Deokaran to Mpho Mafole, whistleblowers remain at the forefront of News24’s intensive investigative work.

On a related note, Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

Going deeper, Read the full VC Desk: Upcoming UCT inaugural lectures: March and April 2026.

On the substance, UCT is commemorating the fifth anniversary of the 18 April 2021 fire, which severely damaged the Jagger Library and other campus buildings, through a commemorative event titled “Opportunity in Loss”, focusing on renewal and future possibilities.

The wider context

On a related note, UCT Professor Adam Mendelsohn used his UCT inaugural lecture to warn of a deteriorating campus climate for Jewish students, staff and alumni.

Going deeper, Historians are often cautious about predicting the future, but moments of change invite reflection.

On the substance, Drawing on decades of data from the Kaplan Centre for Jewish Studies, Professor Mendelsohn will examine the demographic, religious and political forces shaping Jewish life in South Africa today.

Beyond the headlines, a special event held on the evening of 17 April featured a curated exhibition in and around the Jagger Reading Room.

More precisely, the exhibition opened to the public on 20 April and remains open until 15 May 2026.

The bottom line

• A special event held on the evening of 17 April featured a curated exhibition in and around the Jagger Reading Room.
• The exhibition opened to the public on 20 April and remains open until 15 May 2026.
• Weekday guided tours will run twice daily for groups of up to 20 visitors, with bookings available online.