Image: Shelley Christians/UWCAt a time when universities across South Africa face increasing financial pressures, the role of philanthropic giving in higher education has never been more crucial.
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) honoured the donors whose commitment helped the institution weather these challenges, strengthen its academic mission, and provide life-changing opportunities for thousands of students.
The Donor Recognition Awards are an annual highlight on UWC’s calendar, celebrating long-term partners who have supported the University for three, five, and seven consecutive years.
Opening the programme, Director of Institutional Advancement, Prof Anesh Singh, reflected on the shifting reality that government subsidies and tuition fees alone can no longer sustain the demands placed on universities striving for excellence, equity, and innovation.
“Tonight we are honouring donors who have been with us for three years, five years, and seven years, and this says a lot about what they have done and how they continue to make a difference at the University of the Western Cape. Many of you would have noticed the books on your tables titled Making a Difference. In that book, our staff, alums and corporate donors are showcased — everyone who is contributing to impact at UWC. It also shows that the University is making a difference outwardly, as we positively impact the communities we serve. Our alumni, our students, and our graduates are making a difference as well.”
Jamala Safari, CEO of the HCI Foundation. Image: Shelley Christians/UWCAddressing the importance of corporate social investment (CSI), foundation support, alum contributions, and individual giving, keynote speaker, Jamala Safari, CEO of the HCI Foundation and a proud UWC alumnus, emphasised that philanthropic funding had become an indispensable pillar of higher education. Safari unpacked how donor support is no longer a peripheral gesture but central to enabling institutions to remain competitive, relevant and socially impactful.
“For me, when you work in the space of philanthropy where there is always someone asking for a little or a lot, the real question is: Who is that partner I can trust to unlock the potential I believe exists in our country and in our society? How we position ourselves as that trusted partner becomes critical,” he said. “Funders see the need, but they look for a bridge they can trust. And for me, UWC is that space. When you talk about UWC, there is so much to be proud of.”
On the sidelines of the awards, long-time donor and CEO of Argon Asset Management, Dr Manas Bapela, reflected on the importance of donating to UWC, an institution that, he said, understands the urgency of transformation and the need to provide financial assistance to students.
“For us, it's more than just throwing money at the problem. We support students at the University and provide them with opportunities through internships. As we speak, two former UWC students who completed their honours last year are completing a three-year internship programme at our company. We want to ensure they gain deep, practical experience. There is still so much transformation to be done. Not all young people come from well-off families, and we wanted our contributions to be targeted where they were most needed. UWC stood out in the Western Cape as that institution.”
Image: Shelley Christians/UWCUWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Robert Balfour, used the platform to share his vision for the University, one he believes can be realised through sustained donor support.
“When we talk about philanthropy that strengthens and opens doors for young people, we recognise that at UWC it begins with a small seed that we plant year after year,” he said. “With passionate investment, I am convinced that we can become an institution like Cambridge or Oxford. Many people don’t believe me when I say this, but those institutions did not begin as elite spaces for the wealthy. The college I attended was established by local townspeople in the 1600s, not by kings or wealthy benefactors. They simply wanted a place to study. That is the dream we should have for UWC. We can become that place in Africa—of Africa—dedicated to African educational excellence. And if you share that vision with us, I hope it ignites a flame for the future of the University and inspires you to contribute to it.”
The evening closed with heartfelt appreciation from Vera Adams, Manager of Fundraising and Donor Relations, who reiterated the profound impact of donor support.
“You are the heartbeat of our institution’s progress, and tonight we honour the legacy you are building with us,” she said. “To our partners and alumni, thank you for standing shoulder to shoulder with us. Your engagement reminds us that giving is not a transaction; it is a relationship, a shared journey toward impact and excellence.”
In a higher education landscape defined by uncertainty, UWC’s donors demonstrated that hope is sustained not by resources alone, but by people who choose to invest in possibility. Their continued commitment is not just funding; it is the foundation upon which new futures are built.
