The University of Cape Town (UCT) is currently facing major maintenance issues on its upper campus. The campus has fallen into a clear state of neglect and deterioration. This is according to South African attorney and education expert Richard Wilkinson. Recently, he posted photos and descriptions in a series of posts on X. His posts reveal an unsettling state of disrepair at the oldest university in South Africa.
Mould, filth, damages, and more
Wilkinson visited the UCT campus in December 2024. He shared his findings through social media posts, revealing a troubling situation on the campus. Peeling paint, damaged ceilings, and significant water issues were just some of the problems he saw while there. The attorney, an expert in education, posted several photos showing the unpleasant state of the campus, including filthy stairs, a non-working elevator, and areas affected by mould. In addition, broken tutorial boxes, damaged doors, and missing wall signs highlighted the campus’s ongoing deterioration.
“Talking of rubbish, many of the bins do not seem to have been cleared out in weeks. And there is a noticeable amount of litter on the campus. Sometimes lying in giant piles as if it has been dumped there,” said Wilkinson about some of what he saw at UCT.
He added that a major concern is the drainpipes. They look as if they have not been painted in 10 years and are rusting away. Broken roof tiles that seem to have fallen onto the ground have been lying there for years.
Photos taken at UCT campus
Here are some of the photos that Richard Wilkinson took and posted on social media to showcase the UCT decline:
Source: https://x.com/wilkinsoncape
One of the best universities in the country?
The University of Cape Town is South Africa’s oldest university and is one of Africa’s leading teaching and research institutions.
UCT and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) have been coming out tops over the last 10 years as the best universities in South Africa.
The latest QS World University Rankings (QSWUR) ranked UCT as the top local university and among the best in the world. The rankings are based on, among other factors, research, employability, and also sustainability.
What are your thoughts on this decline at UCT?
We would like to hear them. Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article.
You can also email info@thesouthafrican.com or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Also, follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
