University of the Western Cape

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is a public university located just outside Cape Town, South Africa. UWC has a remarkable history. During the apartheid era of South Africa its staff and students took a brave stand, gaining independence and overturning segregation. The university was founded in 1959 as a college for black students, with the aim of training teachers and civil servants for leadership of a separate black community. However, the university was primarily led by white staff and had a white rector. Through years of protest the university transformed itself, gaining a black rector in 1975. He allowed freer thinking and discussion. In 1982 the university officially rejected apartheid, 12 years before the government would finally bring the regime to an end. UWC was praised by Nelson Mandela for its independent stand against racism. The university draws on its history for inspiration. It aims to inspire a more equal society through its teaching and research. There are seven faculties at UWC: arts, community and health sciences, dentistry, economic and management sciences, education, law and natural science. The Faculty of Dentistry is South Africa’s leading dental school. Bellville, the city where UWC is located, is more than just a suburb of Cape Town. It is known as the “Rock City” for its flourishing music scene. Numerous bands originated from Bellville and live bars can be found throughout the area.