UWC Rejects Proposal to Rename University After Anti-Apartheid Icon Allan Boesak

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) has turned down a proposal to rename the institution after prominent theologian and anti-apartheid activist Allan Aubrey Boesak, saying it prefers to retain its long-standing name tied to its geographical identity.

The proposal was submitted in February by The Thinking Masses of South Africa Foundation (TMoSAF) , led by Bishop Dr Clyde N. S. Ramalaine, as part of a campaign marking Boesak’s 80th birthday.

The Proposal

The foundation argued that renaming the university would recognise Boesak’s “lifelong and transformative contributions to justice, scholarship, liberation theology, and global transformative leadership.”

The Response

In a formal response dated 11 March 2026, UWC’s registrar Dr Nita Lawton-Misra, writing on behalf of senior management, said the institution had considered the proposal but decided against changing its name.

“The University’s Senior Management has given the matter careful consideration, including taking note of written views expressed by members of our alumni and the public. After deliberation, the University’s view is that it would be preferable to retain its current name.”

The university noted that the name has been carried since the 1960s and has become strongly associated with its identity, reputation, and academic standing, both nationally and internationally.

“Most notably, the name, University of the Western Cape, significantly reflects the University’s geographical location, which provides a neutral and inclusive point of reference for the diverse communities that the University serves.”

The Context

UWC stressed that the decision should not be interpreted as a dismissal of Boesak’s legacy.

“Our decision to retain the current name should not be interpreted as a lack of respect for Dr Boesak. On the contrary, we hold deep regard for the legacy of all who have contributed to the advancement of our society, as Dr Boesak has done.”

The university noted that it had previously recognised Boesak’s contributions by awarding him an honorary doctorate in 2021.

The Foundation’s Response

The foundation has pushed back, questioning both the process and the reasoning.

Ramalaine said the university’s letter omitted a critical historical detail: that the 2021 honorary doctorate “came through the initiation and advocacy of the Thinking Masses of South Africa Foundation rather than emerging organically from the University’s own institutional consciousness.”

He called for transparency around the consultation process and asked the university to make available the letters and submissions that informed its deliberations.

He also questioned the argument that retaining the name is necessary for institutional identity and neutrality.

“Institutional identity is not static; it is historical, evolving, and continually renegotiated.”

He noted that UWC itself had evolved from an apartheid-era institution into “a site of intellectual dissent, critical scholarship, and liberation thought.”

The foundation also raised concerns about whether external stakeholders such as donors may have influenced the outcome, asking the university to clarify which structures deliberated and how stakeholders were consulted.

The Next Step

Despite the rejection, TMoSAF said it will continue campaigning for the renaming.

“For its part, the Thinking Masses of South Africa Foundation will continue to engage, advocate, and lobby for the renaming of the University in honour of Allan Aubrey Boesak.”

The Bottom Line

UWC says no. The foundation says it will keep fighting.

One side cites geography and inclusivity. The other cites legacy, justice, and intellectual courage.

The debate over Allan Boesak’s place in UWC’s identity is far from over.