The University of Cape Town (UCT) has faced a significant blow to its reputation and resources following the withdrawal of two major donations from the Donald Gordon Foundation. The foundation’s decision, which was made in June this year, resulted in the loss of 250 million rand ($15.2m) in donor funding for UCT.
The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Mosa Moshabela, disclosed the losses to Parliament earlier this month, explaining that the withdrawal was a result of the foundation’s insistence on adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, which is closely tied to Israel. The IHRA definition includes 11 illustrative examples concerning Israel, creating a framework for conflating opposition to Zionism or Israeli policy with anti-Jewish hatred.
The University had previously endorsed the Jerusalem Declaration, developed by scholars in 2021 and now signed by more than 400 academics. This declaration condemns anti-Semitism while protecting criticism of Israel and advocacy for Palestinian rights. However, UCT instead chose to adopt a definition that was deemed too broad by some donors, including the Donald Gordon Foundation.
The foundation’s decision has significant implications for UCT’s research and academic freedom. The University had previously committed 10 years worth of funding ($12.1m) to a neuroscience institute, but this commitment was withdrawn due to the IHRA definition. Additionally, other benefactors withheld another 50 million rand ($3m), including annual bursary funding.
This decision is not simply a dispute over a donation; it is an attempt by private wealth accumulated within an apartheid economy to determine the political and intellectual boundaries of UCT. The foundation’s leverage comes from Donald Gordon’s fortune, built through Liberty Life under apartheid, which has been used to accumulate wealth in ways that have denied Black communities their rightful share.
The University faces a significant challenge in addressing these issues, as it is now dependent on public assistance and private bursaries due to the high levels of student debt. In fact, UCT’s student debt exceeded one billion rand ($60.7m) by December 2025, while approximately 1,400 students still faced registration holds in February 2026.
The University has a responsibility to recognize the destruction of education as an instrument of domination and to take steps to address these issues. The withdrawal of donor funding is a stark reminder that private wealth can be used to penalize those who have been most affected by apartheid-era injustices.
This decision highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency in South African universities, which are often seen as institutions of knowledge production but also as sites of oppression. As such, it is essential that UCT takes concrete steps to address these issues and work towards a more just and equitable future.
Source: Al Jazeera
Based on reporting from Al Jazeera.
