​​

One of the major challenges of urban development has been reconciling the way cities develop with the mounting evidence of resource depletion and the negative environmental impacts of predominantly urban-based modes of production and consumption. This book aims to re-politicise the relationship between urban development, sustainability and justice, and to explore the tensions emerging under real circumstances, as well as their potential for transformative change.

For some, cities are the root of all that is unsustainable, while for others cities provide unique opportunities for sustainability-oriented innovations that address equity and ecological challenges. This book is rooted in the latter category, but recognises that if cities continue to evolve along current trajectories they will be where the large bulk of the most unsustainable and inequitable human activities are concentrated. By drawing on a range of case studies from both the global South and global North, this book is unique in its aim to develop an integrated social-ecological perspective on the challenge of sustainable urban development.

Through the interdisciplinary and original research of a new generation of urban researchers across the global South and North, this book addresses old debates in new ways and raises new questions about sustainable urban development. It will be of interest to researchers, city managers and a wide range of policy actors in government, civil society and the private sector.

An electronic version of this book is available Open Access at www.tandfebooks.com. It has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 3.0 license.

Please click on the link below to access Untamed Urbanism online:

New book: Allen, D., Lampis, A. & Swilling, M. (eds.). Untamed Urbanism. New York: Routledge. For free Open Access Copy click HERE​

Nearly twice as many girls than boys entered for the Stellenbosch regional competition of the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, which takes place at Rhenish Girls' High School on 27 and 28 August.

The competition is one of the largest of its kind on school level in South Africa. Last year, more than 17 700 learners from all over South Africa participated in regional competitions. Only 800 projects were selected to participate on national level.

Ms Erika Hoffman, chairperson of the Stellenbosch region, says they are very excited about all the entries: "We have received entries from more than 300 learners with 222 innovative projects in 25 different categories in the sciences and technology. Of those, 212 are girls and 112 are boys.

But the organisers are still struggling to get all the schools in the Stellenbosch region on board. This year schools from the Overberg, Winelands, Boland, Durbanville, Bellville, Atlantis and Mitchells Plain entered for the competition.

The projects are judged by nearly 80 volunteers – most of them teachers, lecturers and postgraduate students from Stellenbosch University, and individuals from institutions like iThemba Labs, Eskom,the Department of Water Affairs and the South African Weather Bureau.

The well-known radio personality and environmentalist, Dave Pepler, is the guest speaker and will talk to the learners between 14:00 on 15:00 on Friday.

The judging starts on Thursday 27 August and the prize giving ceremony is at 15:00 on Friday 28 August. During this event the names of the learners who will be representing this region in October at the international exhibition in Pretoria, will also be announced.

The public is welcome to visit the exhibition between 11:00 and 13:00 on Friday.

The Stellenbosch regional competition is organised by Stellenbosch University's Centre for Pedagogy (SUNCEP) and SU's Faculty of Science. Financial support is given by Eskom's national and regional offices, the Het Jan Marais National Fund, Toyota SA and several academic departments and faculties at SU.

For more information, contact Anneke Muller at annekem@sun.ac.za or 021 808 3483

​​​​Title:

Development Ethos and Culture: Towards Autonomous Human Agency within Christian Humanist Understanding

Date:

Monday 14 September 2015

Time:

​17:30

Venue:

Attie van Wijk Auditorium, Faculty of Theology, 171 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch

Refreshments will be served after the lecture. Please indicate special dietary requirements

RSVP before 4 September 2015, Marieke Brand

Tel: (021) 808 2142

E-mail: mariekeb@sun.ac.za

The use of banned substances to enhance performance remains to be the spectre haunting elite sports worldwide. Despite intense efforts by sporting bodies and the medical profession to rid the sport of this stain, drug taking among elite athletes remains widespread

Science Café Stelllenbosch will put the spotlight on this issue with guest speaker Dr Marilize Burger, a postdoctoral fellow at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA) in the Department of Biology at the University of Cape Town. She will share her experiences as a doping control officer at the Baku 2015 European Games in Azerbaijan recently. She will also give an overview of doping control and spot target testing in and out of competitions.

The conversation will be moderated by Prof. Anna-Mart Engelbrecht from the Department of Physiological Sciences at Stellenbosch University.

Date: Wednesday 16 September 2015

Time: 18:00 for 18:30

Venue: Café Ya-Ya, 8 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch

Science Café Stellenbosch is an initiative of the Faculty of Science at Stellenbosch University to promote the public discussion of science matters. Entrance is free but space is limited, so please make sure you get there early and order something yummy from Café Ya-Ya's menu.

For more information, contact sciencecafé@sun.ac.za

​An agreement that pushes the boundaries in terms of research and innovation.

This was how Mr Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities in the Western Cape, referred to the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and Stellenbosch University (SU) on Monday (24 August 2015).  Winde attended the event on SU's main campus where Miss Joyene Isaacs, Head of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and Prof Eugene Cloete, Vice-Rector: Research and Innovation at SU, signed the MOA on behalf of the two parties.

The agreement formalises the existing relationship between the Department of Agriculture and SU and will boost research and capacity building to the benefit of both.

Highlighting the importance of the MOA, Winde said "collaborative approaches on agriculture will be key in helping us deal with the challenges humanity face in the foreseeable future."

"It is through innovation and skills that we remain competitive in the world and take our economy forward."

Winde pointed out that SU is creating the enabling environment for research, skills and innovation that will take the Department and the Western Cape government to next level.

"We must work together with Stellenbosch University to show entrepreneurs and business people what opportunities there are in the province in terms of agriculture."

"If we can share those spaces together, we will create a better platform of opportunity for people living in this province and people wanting to come to this province," added Winde.

Echoing Winde's sentiments regarding the MOA, Prof Eugene Cloete said "many good things will come out of this partnership especially in terms of building capacity and exchanging expertise."

Cloete added that agriculture is extremely important for SU and that the institution wants to cement its relationship with the Department of Agriculture.

• Contact Michael John Freeborough at mfree@sun.ac.za or Maryke Hunter-Hüsselman at mh3@sun.ac.za  for more information on the MOA.

Photo: Back Ms Bongawisa Matoti, Director: Agricultural Economic Services, Western Cape Department of Agriculture; and Mr Alan Winde. Front Dr Ilse Trautmann, Research and Technology Development Services, Western Cape Department of Agriculture; Prof Eugene Cloete; Ms Joyene Isaacs; and Prof Danie Brink, Acting-Dean of the Faculty of AgriSciences at SU.

Photographer: Stefan Els

​The Steinhoff Maties Men's hockey team made club history this weekend when they won the Western Province Grand Challenge (WPGC) title for a third consecutive time. No other Maties men's hockey team has managed to do this.

The Maties men's team were undefeated in the WPGC league during these three years.

Maties were in the lead going into the final weekend of league matches with only WPCC still in a position to upset the applecart. WPCC had to win the match against Maties on Saturday while a draw would have been good enough for Maties. 

For some 65 minutes it was a war of attrition between the teams. Attacking opportunities were few and far between because both teams defended as if their lives depended on it. With only a few minutes to go WPCC replaced their goalkeeper with another attacking player to get the victory they needed. However, while WPCC was on the attack the possession was turned over and De Voux, in his last season at Maties, scored the goal that sealed victory for his team and broke WPCC hearts. Maties won 1-0.

Maties captain Dylan Swanepoel was part of all three league victories. "These three WPGC titles mean a lot. To do it three times in a row has taken a lot of sacrifices and hard work, so it's a great feeling to know that it was worth it. The knowledge that no other Maties men's team had been able to achieve this, makes it all the more special," said a proud Swanepoel.

Neither Swanepoel nor coach Neville Rothman wanted to mention any individuals by name as standout players during the season. 

Swanepoel ventured an answer though: "The whole team did really well throughout the season and different players stood out at different times. However, I do feel Jacques le Roux (goalkeeper) deserves a special mention because of the way he played on Saturday."

​Maties Women also won the WPCG title this season, for the fifth time in a row. Read article here.​

​Photograph: Outsider Communications

​Captaining the Steinhoff Maties cricket team is not only an honour for Dewald Botha, masters student in actuarial science, but also something he enjoys.

"Because of the club's history it is an honour to lead a university team like Maties out on the field. This obviously means a lot of responsibility, but I gladly accept that," said Botha. 

Last season, Maties played in the final of the university competition (USSA), finished second in the inaugural Varsity Cricket tournament after losing in the final and managed to reach the final of the national club championships.

With the help of the Maties High Performance (MHP) programme the team would like to win one of the big three titles – USSA, club championships or Varsity Cricket – that have eluded them over the past few seasons.

Coach Andrew Wylie believes that by being part of the MHP programme this season his team will not only benefit as players, but also as individuals. "The HP programme certainly helps add to the professional approach at our club," said Wylie.

"It gives us access to external support that we would not normally have access to and therefore allows us to offer a substantial programme for young cricketers," said Wylie. "As coaching staff the development of young cricketers into potential franchise players remains a key objective."

Growing up, Botha played for Boland at various age group levels and also for the Cape Cobras at u.19 level. Since leaving school he has played for Maties and Boland.

"I would like to play for the Cape Cobras but for now, I want to help Maties win USSA and the Varsity Cricket tournament. We have come so close in recent times!" He also wants to contribute to a good season for Boland.

Botha loves playing cricket because it's a physical and mental game and he really enjoys the challenge this brings. "I also like the team aspect. We share glory, but also support each other when the times get tough."

This 23-year-old former learner from Paul Roos Gymnasium is currently finishing his M.Com in Actuarial Sciences. He has already achieved his B.Com and Honours degrees.

"Balance is important if you want to be successful in your studies and your sport. I do believe there is time for everything if you are disciplined and willing to work hard." 

The Khayamandi Oral History Research Project was launched on Saturday, 22 August 2015, with the vision to "unlock many untold narratives – beautiful stories, sad stories, but also hopeful and celebratory stories – in order to build a new future for us all," Stellenbosch University (SU) Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers said.

He was the keynote speaker at the event, which took place at Kayamandi High School and was attended by about 300 guests from the local community and other parts of Stellenbosch.

The Project is a joint venture between non-profit organisation Imbadu Ma-Afrika Development Consortium, Stellenbosch University and the Solms-Delta Wine Estate. It is aimed at collecting local narratives to learn more about the history of the Stellenbosch township, one of the oldest in South Africa. Although it was officially established in 1941, its roots go back more than two decades earlier.

"The official spelling is Kayamandi, but we write it with an 'h' because in isiXhosa, 'khaya' means home, and 'mandi' is derived from 'mnandi', which means pleasant, sweet or nice," explained Imbadu Executive Director Thumakele Gosa, the kingpin of the initiative.

After Imbadu, which promotes cultural heritage and economic development in Kayamandi and beyond, was formed in 2010, Gosa approached Solms-Delta owner Prof Mark Solms to ask for assistance with a history project in Kayamandi similar to the one at the Estate, which houses a museum telling the story of the farm.

Solms explained he had brought in researchers to help him and his workers find out more about the people who had been living on the land for centuries. This not only brought everyone closer together, but led to commercial ventures benefiting the local community.

"So, just as what we did on my farm, bringing in historians to help us understand how we got here, today we are starting this similar project here in Kayamandi. If history has made us like this, then we can shape things now to make the future different," Solms said.

Maties will be coordinating the research. Its History Department will play the key role, and its Division for Social Impact (formerly Community Interaction) is also involved.

"The idea is to build on existing sources, such as postgraduate student David Rock's master's thesis from 2011. One step will be to do additional archival research. Another step will be oral histories to be gathered from the community. Interviews will be conducted by fieldworkers from Kayamandi, with training provided by us," Mr Chet Fransch of SU's History Department said.

A competition is also on the cards for high school learners to write up mini biographies of particular residents, with the University Museum showcasing the learners' work.

"As a university, our strength is academic research. That is what we can bring to this project – not money or power, but expertise at unlocking knowledge, which is a collaborative process," Prof de Villiers said.

"We want to help to unlock knowledge that the people of Kayamandi already have, through writing up their oral histories with them. It is absolutely crucial for any university to engage with its community – and Kayamandi is our community, just as much as Mostertsdrift and Cloetesville are.

"South Africa has a divided past. But I would like to think we are building a united future. And to do that, we need to get to know each other better. These oral histories will help us achieve that."

Gosa said beyond an envisaged publication documenting the history of Kayamandi, the hope is also to establish a heritage centre to preserve and celebrate local narratives. This should stimulate investment for the arts, tourism and entrepreneurship.

"Ultimately we want to restore confidence and enhance community development. This project is aimed at creating cohesion between all residents of the greater Stellenbosch."

Deputy Executive Mayor of Stellenbosch Martin Smuts said the Municipality supported the initiative.

"If you come to Kayamandi, you will find a diverse and resilient community, with goodwill as the underlying foundation. I ask that the community actively participate in local government, and that you co-produce the future possibilities of Kayamandi as part of the greater Stellenbosch that you, the people, want to see."

Addressing the community directly, Solms said the most important outcome of the research project would be that "all of us – those who live here and visit here, and those in the rest of the country and the world – will better understand who you are; how come you live the way you do; what processes led to life in Kayamandi being the way it is, good and bad.

"By understanding what is right and what is wrong, by making the correct diagnosis, there will be the opportunity to create a better future for Kayamandi. I encourage you to take this process very seriously, and give of your own history, your own stories, as honestly and as fully as you can. This is the beginning of a very important process."

MAIN PIC: From left, at the back, are Imbadu member Thanduxolo Tyhulu, field worker Silulami Mbokwana, Mawethu Nyakatya of SU Division of Social Impact, field worker Samkela Mhlakaza, Kayamandi Arts & Cultural Festival's Azola Zoya, and Khaymandi Oral History Research Project's (KOHRP) Paul Roviss Khambule. In the front, from left, are field worker Siphokazi Wonxi, Chet Fransch of SU's History Department, KOHRP's Siphamandla Sidiyana and Imbadu Executive Director Thumakele Gosa.

ABOVE: Prof Mark Solms, left, and local resident Zuko Mlonyeni at the launch of the Khayamandi Oral History Research Project.

MIDDLE: SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers being interviewed by SABC TV News about the Khayamandi Oral History Research Project.

BOTTOM: Local youths Siphe Ntshayi and Esethu Bangaza tell their stories at the launch of the Khaymandi Oral History Research Project.

Story and pictures by DESMOND THOMPSON.

We would hereby like to bring an exciting opportunity under your attention for the Academic year 2016. 

The Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University, in cooperation with the Church of Sweden is offering a unique opportunity for interested students to complete a Masters in Theology with a focus on gender and health.

Please find all the relevant information in the attached document. 

If you are interested in this unique opportunity and would like further information, please contact:

Dr. Charlene van der Walt

charlenevanderwalt@sun.ac.za

083 693 8686

Office: 2070, Faculty of Theology

"The passing of Mr Aaron Cupido can be compared to a library that burnt down – sadly, insights and knowledge of a bygone area and also a bridge between us and that time disappear with it."

With these words, Dr Jerome Slamat, Executive Manager: Rectorate, paid tribute to the late Mr Aaron Cupido (98), one of Stellenbosch's oldest residents and respected educator and community leader. Cupido passed away last week.

Dr Slamat represented Stellenbosch University (SU) at the funeral in the Rynse Church on Die Braak on Saturday (15 August 2015).

"In this university town, he did not have the title of professor or doctor, but everyone who met him (also professors and doctors) immediately knew that they were dealing with a person of immense wisdom," Dr Slamat said.

"Today Stellenbosch University pays homage to a remarkable resident of Stellenbosch and also acknowledges the extraordinary and talented Stellenbosch family he descended from. We express our gratitude to his family for sharing him with so many others and us."

Dr Slamat added that Prof Chris Brink, a former SU Rector, referred to Cupido as a "walking encyclopaedia" and that Prof Hermann Giliomee penned Cupido's words as the title of his book Nog altyd hier gewees: Die storie van ʼn Stellenbosse gemeenskap (2007). He also mentioned that the previous SU Rector, the late Prof Russel Botman, held Mr Cupido in high esteem.

As one of the residents who were forcefully removed from the Vlakte  ̶  as the area close to the town centre of Stellenbosch was known in the 20^th Century  ̶  during Apartheid, Mr Cupido attended the launch of the Memory Room at SU in 2013. This contemporary exhibition space, which depicts the suppressed history of the people of Die Vlakte and the Battle of Andringa Street, is widely seen a gesture of reconciliation between SU and the town's coloured community.

• Click here to read Dr Slamat's complete tribute.

​

The first AfroSense 2015 Conference will focus on the science behind how people experiences tastes and aromas. It will be held from 23 to 27 November in Stellenbosch, and will focus on ways by which to measure the sensory qualities of products.

The conference is hosted by the Department of Food Science and the Institute for Wine Biotechnology (IWBT) in the Department of Viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University (SU).

The congress will have a strong academic focus. International scientists specialising in sensometrics, sensory science and consumer related studies will share research that is unique to the local wine and food industry.

Among the keynote speakers are international experts such as Prof Tormod Næs and Dr Paula Varela of Nofima (Norway), Prof Dominique Valentin of AgroSup (France), Dr Gastón Ares (Uruguay) and Prof Erminio Monteleone (Italy). Prof Riette de Kock of the University of Pretoria will discuss the challenges and opportunities when conducting sensory research in emerging African markets.

"AfroSense is modelled on similar conferences that have already been held in Europe and Asia, with the difference that a strong focus will be placed on problems and circumstances unique to the African continent," says Dr Hélène Nieuwoudt of the SU Institute for Wine Biotechnology.

"The conference will also take note of how cultural differences between consumers across Africa influence how much they like specific products," Nina Muller of the SU Department of Food Science.

There will also be presentations on how different sensory analytical methods can be used by industry to develop new products. Methods by which to analyse data will also be discussed. A further attraction is a neuroscientific presentation on how knowledge about the brain's response to taste sensations can be used in the marketing of food and beverages.

Two half-day workshops for industry players will be held on 26 and 27 November. The first workshop will focus on rapid sensory analysis methods that can be used during the development of new products. It will be presented by Dr Paula Varela and Dr Gastón Ares. Prof Dominique Valentin will present the second workshop about the influence that psychological and cultural aspects have on consumers' taste preferences.

AfroSense 2015 takes place at the STAIS conference facility on the campus of Stellenbosch University. Registration is still open. For more information, visit http://conferences.sun.ac.za/index.php/afrosense/afrosense2015.

Contact Dr Hélène Nieuwoudt of the SU Institute for Wine Biotechnology (hhn@sun.ac.za) or Nina Muller of the SU Department of Food Science (mm7@sun.ac.za) for more information.

Media enquiries only:

Dr Hélène Nieuwoudt
Institute for Wine Biotechnology in the Department of Viticulture and Oenology
Stellenbosch University
hhn@sun.ac.za
+27 21 808 2748

Nina Muller
Department of Food Science
Stellenbosch University
mm7@sun.ac.za
+27 21 808 2939

​Frans de Villiers, a USB MBA Modular student, has been named as one of Mail & Guardian's 200 Young South Africans for 2015 in the Health category.

His Thula Baba Box project is a survival kit for low-income mothers of infants.

The project is aimed at reducing the high infant mortality rate in South Africa.

This project was also  featured on the BBC News programme “Horizons”.

Read more here http://200ysa.mg.co.za/blog/frans-de-villiers/

​Prof Wim de Villiers (centre), Vice-Chancellor and Rector of Stellenbosch University, is seen here with (left) Prof Stan du Plessis, Dean of the Faculty for Economic and Management Sciences, and (right) USB director Prof Piet Naudé. Prof De Villiers addressed staff on four focus areas, namely internationalisation, developing the SU brand, the university as a place of culture, and the issue of transformation. "Transformation is about much more than the numbers. As an institution the university transforms through education and through research," he said. Picture: Amber Kriel

​​To prevent children in vulnerable communities dropping out of school a three pronged intervention which involves parents, teachers and learners is needed.

This was one of the suggestions made on Tuesday (18 August 2015) by mentor/volunteers participating in Western Cape Premier Helen Zille's YearBeyond Programme.

With this programme young people wanting to take a gap year can become involved with vulnerable schools as mentors. Stellenbosch University's Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Institute for Student Leadership Development train the volunteers in leadership skills. A number of short courses of the FVZS Institute have been adapted for this purpose.

Tuesday's event was the second leg of the YearBeyond Innovation Challenge Market Place where learners had to come up with solutions to some of the most pressing problems currently experienced at schools.

During the first leg, the mentors had to identify reasons for the high drop-out rate at school and suggest broad solutions. The aim of the second leg was that the mentors had to suggest more defined solutions.  Dr Leslie van Rooi, Head of the FVZS Institute, is one of the judges of the Challenge.  Zille is also one of the judges.  

Also involved in the programme are a number of NGO's including Action Volunteers Africa, Shine Centre and Ikamva Youth.

One of the groups (working with Shine Centre) focused on the great damage done to a child's self-esteem when he/she is called names by teachers. They experienced that learners were divided into groups of achievers and non-achievers and this is detrimental to the healthy development of the learners.

The group suggested that learners are divided into groups with different capabilities so that they can all help each other.

The group said that active citizenship starts in the classroom.

They suggested that teachers are sensitized through intervention programmes on damaging name calling and separation can be for the learner.

Illiterate parents mostly do not have the skills to help their children dealing with challenges at school. These parents could be taught basic literacy.

Another group, working with the NGO Vulindlela, identified bullying and gangsterism as some of the main reasons for the high drop-out rates at school.  They said children often join gangs to obtain a sense of fitting in.

One of their suggestions was that a "bully helpline" be set up. Those who are bullied can call the number and get help. This group had also already spoken to a social sciences graduate who is willing to intervene as a mediator.

A former gang member from the particular community has also said that he would interact with the learners in order to help them resist the lure of gangs.

The group also identified the fact that the school did not have a code of conduct as a challenge that had to be addressed.

Zille, who is studying Xhosa, was clearly impressed by the rap song one of the groups had composed to help learners remember math equations. She also sang a song she had learnt to remember Xhosa verb conjugation.

Rejeani Tiffani Jacobs, an 18-year-old mentor said that she wanted to be involved with the YearBeyond Programme because she wants to become a teacher.

"I thought this programme would give me a wonderful basis before I start my formal studies. I am really happy about the way this programme has helped to hone my leadership skills. I know that because of the experience I am gaining now, I will be a good teacher."

​

​The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences will once again showcase the exceptional talents of its staff and students.

The annual Gala Concert of the Faculty, a celebration of its diversity of talent, will take place on Friday 4 September at 19:00 at the Hugo Lambrechts Auditorium in Parow.

Don't miss this opportunity to be dazzled by the spectacularly talented students and staff from the Tygerberg campus.

The evening will provide entertainment and listening pleasure with performances by amongst others the popular Stellenbosch University Medical Orchestra, the top Tygerberg serenade groups, the Tygerberg Gospel Choir, as well as other musicians and dancers.

Bring your friends and family and share in this celebration. Tickets are available online at Webtickets or the TSR-shop on Tygerberg Campus.

Tickets: R120 for adults and R60 for students and children under 12. Free transport for students on Tygerberg Campus.

Enquiries can be directed to Mrs Oona Rademeyer, 021 938 9202 or oona@sun.ac.za.

A comprehensive mural art project was launched by the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences this year, aimed at decorating certain areas in the faculty’s buildings to enhance a welcoming culture and strengthen the faculty brand.

The first wall – on the second floor of the Schumann building – has already been decorated with wallpaper – while the second area – the foyer of the Schumann building – will be tackled during the upcoming September holiday.

As part of the bigger mural art project students have recently been invited to send in selfies to be considered for display on the wall at Fharga (the area for computer users on the top floor of the Neelsie).

Besides Fargha, mural art is also planned for spaces in the CGW Schumann, Van der Sterr and Accounting & Stats buildings, and the Schumann Annex. 

According to Ronel Beukes, responsible for communication and liaison in the faculty, it will take more than a year to complete the whole project. Part of the planning had to be rescheduled to allow for reparation work to the Van der Sterr building.

“We are experiencing a period of renovation and changes to all the faculty's buildings and spaces. One of the first spaces to have been renovated was Fharga. Since then the Schumann Annex – which includes two lecture halls – was completed, as well as the office areas for the Departments of Logistics as well as Statistics and Actuarial Science. Reparation work to the section of the Van der Sterr building that was damaged in a fire earlier this year is progressing well,” said Beukes.

“We have all these lovely new spaces and the idea originated to decorate certain areas with mural art to make them more attractive and welcoming. The faculty really wants the students to identify with the various areas.”       

In addition, information boards​ in all the buildings are also being revamped. In support of the project's aims the information will be in three languages.

More about the selfie project

• Photos of present and past students are welcome.  
  
• Upload your selfie before 31 August 2015 at https://sunsurveys.sun.ac.za/Project-Selfies.aspx.
  
• Only photos are required for the mural art – no names, surnames, student numbers, etc. will be used on walls. Information required when uploading your selfie is for control purposes only (to ensure you’re a student). 
  

​​The FNB Maties will take home the Grand Challenge cup for the fourth year in a row if they beat a struggling Villagers side on Saturday.

Complete translation in English to follow.

Verlede Vrydag het die Maties omtrent krieket teen Helderberg gespeel, en 102-10 gewen. Die heelagter Kyle Steyn en die vleuel Devon Williams het albei 'n driekuns behaal, en die ander vleuel, Brandon Asher-Wood, het twee drieë gedruk. Die flank Justin Benn en die plaasvervanger-losskakel Edri Vorster het ook albei twee drieë gedruk. Skrumskakel Brendon Nell, slot Grant Prior en die reserwe Attie Janse van Rensburg was ook almal driedrukkers met die speler van die wedstryd, die veteraansenter Louis Jordaan, wat ook agter die pale gaan kuier het.

Dit was 'n goeie aand vir die Matiespanne gewees, met die Steinhoff Cravens (58-5), Steinhoff Junior Cravens (74-0) en Steinhoff Junior Maties (54-0) wat almal groot oorwinnings behaal het. Die Junior Maties sal Saterdag ook hulle liga wen indien hulle met Villager se o.20-span afreken.

Die Steinhoff Victoriane het 71-19 gewen teen die besoekende St. George's en sal Saterdag teen Primrose die seisoen op 'n hoë noot wil eindig. Die Steinhoff Markötters (64-0) en die Steinhoff Junior Markötters (81-6) het ook goeie rugby gespeel. Die Steinhoff Junior Victoriane se teenstanders het nie opgedaag nie.

Die Maties rus tans 'n paar van hulle eerstekeusespelers met die oog op die tweede deel van die liga, die Presidentsbeker. Die span sal te danke aan sy plek op die punteleer direk in die semifinaal geplaas word. Die Victoriane kan ook in die topses eindig indien hulle Saterdag 'n bonuspunt verower en Durbanville-Bellville vir SK-Walmers klop. Die finaal van die Presidentsbeker vind op Erfenisdag plaas.

Komende Saterdag speel sowel die Maties as die Vics tuis.

KOSHUISRUGBY

Elsenburg het verlede week 'n groot opskudding veroorsaak toe hulle 21-21 gelykop teen Dagbreek gespeel het. Die drie bonuspunte wat Elsenburg verower het, plaas hulle binne reikafstand van die boonste vier spanne op die punteleer (Dagbreek, PSO Barbarians, Huis Marais en Eendrag). Die stut Jaco du Plessis is as die speler van die wedstryd aangewys en dit getuig van die fisieke benadering wat  Elsenburg gevolg het.

Die vleuel Lourens Bester was aan die voorpunt van Eendrag se 18-10-oorwinning oor PSO. Bester het 'n drie gedruk en ook 'n doelskop en twee strafskoppe oorgeklits. Die feit dat PSO Barbarians geen ligapunte uit die wedstryd kon kry, kan dalk later hul plek op die punteleer beïnvloed.

In die derby tussen Helderberg en Simonsberg was dit die Swarras wat 21-0 gewen het. Die skrumskakel Johan Alberts was die uitblinker vir Helderberg en sou vir afrigter Marnus de Wet, wat op sy dag self vir Helderberg skrumskakel gespeel het, 'n groot riem onder die hart gewees het.

Die speler van die taai wedstryd tussen Huis Marais en Medies, het uit die verloorspan gekom. Hoewel Huis Marais 22-10 gewen het, was dit Medies se heelagter Cameron de Kock wat die oog gevang het.

Helshoogte het Majuba seergemaak en 31-0 gewen. Die slot Nicolaas Loubser en sy makkers in die Helshoogte-pak het groot skade gemaak en dit het beteken hul agterlyn kon behoorlik baljaar met die bal.

Daar is altesaam agt drieë in die wedstryd tussen Wilgenhof en Academia gedruk, maar ongelukkig vir Academia was sewe van hulle deur Willows-manne. Die finale telling was 45-7 en dit was nog 'n slot, James Coldrey, wat uitgeblink het.

Vrydag se wedstryde: Academia vs Huis Marais; Eendrag vs Elsenburg; PSO vs Medies; Wilgenhof vs Helshoogte; Dagbreek vs Helderberg en Simonsberg vs Majuba.

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​Transdisciplinary Winter School 2015 calls on African researchers to bring about transformative change on the continent.

The need for research that brings about transformative change in Africa was highlighted at the eighth Transdisciplinarity Winter School held recently at the Sustainability Institute, Stellenbosch. Prof. Mark Swilling posed a challenge to the PhD and masters students, academics and practitioners from South Africa, Botswana, Ghana and Kenya, among other African countries, to "take up their responsibility as African scientists to bring about the transformative change required to address the continent's challenges."

Keynote speakers, including course convener John van Breda from TsamaHub and Dr. Thenjie Major from the University of Botswana, expanded on the need for research methods employed in Africa to be inclusive, rooted in indigenous worldviews and able to tackle the complexities of the diversity and interconnected relations within Africa's socio-ecological systems. For this reason, the programme focused on exploring the relevance of a context-sensitive, narrative-based approach to conducting transdisciplinary research on the continent. The objective of this series of summer and winter schools is to develop practical approaches to transdisciplinary research in Africa and to support students wanting to undertake this kind of work and their supervisors with a methods-based approach acceptable to faculties.

Participants were exposed to a variety of narrative-collection techniques as well as two leading software tools, which would enable the generation of both quantitative and qualitative data. In addition, they participated in a micro-narrative research project during the week to enable them to understand the practical realities of this type of approach. The analysis of participants' stories was presented back at the end of the week to stimulate insights and debate about the relevance of using this method in African research contexts. Class discussions and presentations, which also focused on complexity theory, an introduction to visual narratives and indigenous research methodology were interspersed with site visits to enable participants to gain a real-world perspective of complexities and ways in which transdisciplinary research can bring about transformative change.

All participants noted that the course had been enriching in terms of both their work and in deepening their personal understanding of complexity and the need to co-generate transformative knowledge to address challenges on the continent. The dynamic mix of presentations, site visits and space for class discussion and debate was emphasised by participants as one of the reasons they would recommend to others that they attend the transdisciplinary summer and winter schools.

Van Breda noted that "there is space for Africans to contribute a unique aspect to transdisciplinary research approaches using the narrative approach, which is an appropriate approach in Africa as it is context sensitive, an indigenous method and inclusive. It therefore contributes to the transformative change researchers are being charged to bring about."

A powerful photograph depicting the lack of access to tap water in Katlehong township on the East rand, is one of ten photographs to be exhibited at the International Anti-Corruption Conference in Malaysia in September.

Matie student Tony Maake, who grew up in Katlehong, took the photo in January 2015. His photograph was selected from 1 500 entries in the "Capture Corruption" international photo competition, organised by Transparency International in conjunction with the Thomson Reuters Foundation and the International Anti-Corruption Conference.

 The aim of the competition was to capture the most powerful images of corruption and its devastating impact on lives around the world,

Tony, a final year BSc student at Stellenbosch University, describes himself as a passionate photographer and story teller: "I want to tell the uncomfortable and hidden stories caused by corruption. I want to educate the world with a camera in my hand, breaking down barriers and eradicating ignorance."

About the photograph he entered for the competition, he says that, in South Africa, water remains a luxury: "Even 21 years after the transition to democracy, many still lack access to taps and effective sewage systems. There are only a few operational taps in this neighbourhood, making the collection of water a daunting task for the elderly and exposing children to illnesses."

Over the past few years, there have been frequent media reports about the lack of access to clean water in Katlehong. In certain areas, over 500 households had to share only one tap.

This gifted student, who does not even own his own camera, says he only started taking photographs in 2012 when he used a friend's digital camera to take pictures of the group while on an exchange programme in Tübingen, Germany.

However, it was only while helping an exchange student from The Netherlands to shoot pictures at a community project in South Africa in 2013, that he discovered the power of a professional camera and different lenses.

He is now trying to raise funds to exhibit at a photography school in Munich, Germany, in December. He has also combined forces with the Namibian fashion designer Lourens Loux Gebhardt, better known as Loux the Vintage Guru, and 1042, a platform created for Stellenbosch students to express themselves through fashion.

Tony has been invited to be the designated photographer to portray Loux's unique African vintage style at Pitti Oumo in Italy, regarded as the world's most important platform for men's clothing and accessory collections.

In between Tony has also established the Tonys Houz Childrens Foundation, to support children living in extremely poor conditions. On campus, his popular BBM dinners (Bigger Better Movement) bring students from different races and cultures together. The only entry requirement is often only a cultural dish and a bottle of wine.

"I am the first in my family to go to university. When I came to Stellenbosch in 2011, there were many challenges. But it is up to you how you handle it.

"I want to bring people from different races, cultures and countries together, not separate them further," he concludes.

Links to other exhibitions and photographs:

Swedish Interpretation competition (finalists):

https://www.facebook.com/SwedeninSA/photos/a.498178783582358.1073741825.465836776816559/901876949879204/?type=1&theater

and

https://www.facebook.com/SwedeninSA/photos/a.498178783582358.1073741825.465836776816559/901875743212658/?type=1&theater

Art and Photography exhibition

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39vRK9UnnN0

Untold stories exhibition:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5oDeGE7Rk0 

BBM Dinner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvEGn4WAQ7A

Russel Botmans outing-Mzolis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKaIKxOoDYI

Past event of Tonys houz & 1042:

Tonys Houz 1042 Wine tasting & Vintage Fashion:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.322758351204445.1073741909.114059595407656&type=3

Tonys houz 1042 Street Fashion-Expo:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.364494363697510.1073741913.114059595407656&type=3

Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TonysHouz

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tonyshouz

Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyshouz/

Photo courtesy of Tonys Houz

Media release issued by Wiida Fourie-Basson, media: Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, science@sun.ac.za, 021 808 2684