​WORLD PARKINSON'S DISEASE DAY – 11 APRIL 2016

Stellenbosch University researchers have uncovered that the genetic causes of Parkinson's disease are different in local populations which might also require novel home-grown treatment modalities.

The genetic defects causing Parkinson's disease (PD) in most South African patients differ from those found in European, American and Asian populations, suggesting that drug treatments developed overseas may not be applicable here.

"More research is urgently needed on South African patients to understand the unique aspects of the disease affecting local populations," says Prof Soraya Bardien, a senior scientist with the Parkinson's Disease Research Group at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Stellenbosch University.

This is the only group in South Africa investigating the genetic causes and mechanisms that lead to PD and their research over the past eight years have revealed novel genetic defects in South African patients. It has also identified the potential therapeutic benefits of curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric, a common household spice) in a laboratory (cellular) model of PD.

"PD is a debilitating and incurable disorder that results from the loss of brain cells (neurons) in a specific part of the brain known as the 'substantia nigra'," explains FMHS neurologist Prof Jonathan Carr. "Once lost, these cells never grow back. This loss results in a number of symptoms which include stiff muscles, extremely slow movements and reflexes, involuntary trembling of the body and limbs, and difficulty in maintaining balance."

In addition to these symptoms, PD patients also experience a number of psychological issues such as depression, psychosis, sleep disturbances and dementia. These symptoms can appear up to 10 years before the symptoms related to movement.

The symptoms of PD can be treated to a certain extent with various drugs and with surgery, but these do not halt the disease progression and currently there is no cure.

The prevalence of PD in South Africa is unknown, but internationally it affects between one and two individuals in every 100 people over the age of 60 years, and four in every 100 people over the age of 80 years. In about 15% of patients, the disorder appears before the age of 50 years and this is referred to as 'early-onset PD'. The American actor Michael J Fox has this form of the disorder. PD is found in all ethnic groups.

In order to discover novel PD-causing genes, the PD Research Group are using a technique called whole exome sequencing which involves the simultaneous screening of approximately 20,000 human genes.

"The challenge is to sift through the masses of data that this technique generates to find the proverbial 'needle-in-a haystack' causative gene, and this research is on-going," Bardien explains.

"Also, we have used specialised protein techniques to study the biological pathways that the known PD-causing genes e.g. parkin are involved in and have identified interesting processes that may be implicated in the development of PD. These findings are important as it may ultimately contribute to the design of more effective drug therapies for PD."

The group have also found a novel genetic defect in one South African patient and compared its effect to another genetic defect in the same gene which is a common cause of the disease in some populations overseas. "Interestingly, our results show that the novel defect we found has more severe effects on the cell," says Bardien.

"It is important to raise awareness about this disorder as it may be misdiagnosed and therefore not treated appropriately. Patients with PD may also be stigmatised and other factors such as witchcraft may be blamed for the symptoms. Therefore, it needs to be highlighted that this is a disorder like hypertension and schizophrenia, and that treatment exists that can alleviate many of the devastating symptoms," says Bardien.

For more information please contact Prof Soraya Bardien, Stellenbosch University, sbardien@sun.ac.za

Media enquiries:

Wilma Stassen
+27 (0)21 938 9359
wstassen@sun.ac.za
Marketing and Communications Office
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences   
Stellenbosch University

Website: www.sun.ac.za/health
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SUhealthsci
Twitter: @SUhealthsci

Image courtesy of dream designs at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Maties SRC is collecting old or unwanted clothing items to host a #Streetstore on Wednesday 27 April at Stellenbosch campus.

#Streetstore is a global clothing drive to collect clothes and distribute it to the less fortunate and homeless. This trend started in Cape Town and has expanded to over 400 cities in the world.

#Streetstore is a pop up shop where donated clothing items are hanged out and displayed as if in a clothing store. Underprivileged members of community are invited to the day of the #Streetstore event where they get to choose clothing items for themselves.

"Instead of giving a bag of old clothes to a person, who might not even be able to wear it, we want them to choose their own clothes in a dignified manner," says Nathan Daniels, Manager: SRC Social Impact.

"This is often the closest many of our clients ever get to shop for their own clothes."

Nathan says the #Streetstore Maties can only be a success if staff and students contribute to this initiative.

"We need all sorts and sizes of clothing - ladies, gents and children's clothing. Please donate your unwanted clothing items by dropping it in one of the collection boxes or at the SRC offices."

Collection boxes are located at the Tygerberg Student Centre, Neelsie Student Centre as well as student residences.

For more information, please contact Nathan Daniels at 0837334432 or socialimpact@sun.ac.za.

"Close the Immunisation Gap" is the theme for World Immunisation Week marked from 24 to 30 April. Despite the availability of effective vaccines, 1.5 million children from across the world, including South Africa, die each year from preventable diseases.

Three in every 10 South African children do not receive all their vaccinations, leaving them vulnerable to deadly diseases that could easily have been prevented.

"Immunisation is one of the most successful and cost-effective means to save children's lives and help them grow into healthy adults," says Prof Charles Wiysonge, deputy director of the Centre for Evidence-based Health Care at Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS).

"Immunisation is important in all stages of an individual's life as it helps children and adolescents fight infectious diseases and restores waning immunity in adults. In addition to benefits to the individual who receives the vaccine, immunisation helps protect his or her family members, friends, and the community at large," Wiysonge says.

Worldwide immunisation is estimated to prevent more than three million deaths each year that would have been caused by measles, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, pneumonia and diarrhoea.

"One in four children in Africa is still not receiving the vaccinations he or she needs," says Wiysonge, who serves on the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation as well as the African Task Force on Immunisation. "Only 70% of children in South Africa receive all their vaccinations – this is less than the average for the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, which is estimated at 77% by the WHO and the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)."

There are several reasons why children don't receive all their vaccinations. "In general, the child who doesn't have access to immunisation in Africa is likely to be marginalised, living in poorly-served rural or remote areas, or deprived urban settings. In addition, a new phenomenon is emerging in well-served urban settings in South Africa known as vaccine hesitancy, where people may accept all vaccines or only some vaccines, but are hesitant to take them up, or may totally reject all vaccines." says Wiysonge.

"It is within our power to close this immunisation gap. Increased political and financial commitments are required from African governments to maintain the current achievements and make progress. Parents, guardians, adolescents, adults, and health workers also need to understand the vital importance of keeping immunisations up to date," says Wiysonge.

VACCINE PREVENTABLE DEATHS

1.5 million children die each year from diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. These include:

• 476 000 deaths from pneumococcal disease
• 453 000 deaths from rotavirus diarrhoea
• 199 000 deaths from Haemophilus influenzae type b
• 195 000 deaths from pertussis
• 118 000 deaths from measles
• 59 000 deaths from neonatal tetanus

VACCINE SUCCESS STORY

Measles used to kill millions of children, and in some parts of Africa people were used to saying that one can never count his or her children until measles has come and gone. However, accelerated immunisation activities have had a major impact on reducing measles deaths. It is estimated that in 2000 more than 500 000 children under five years of age died from measles worldwide, but in 2015 the number of child deaths caused by measles had reduced to about 100 000, i.e. an 80% reduction in child deaths. It is estimated that measles vaccination prevented more than 17 million deaths between 2000 and 2014.

Photo: Prof Charles Wiysonge

​Socioeconomic inequality, one of the most pressing challenges facing South Africa, was brought into sharp focus recently through the actions of students across the country. As part of our sustained action to realise the vision of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) we actively promote access to quality education and work hard to ensure student success. Through these efforts competent health professionals are produced who improve lives and contribute to a better society. 

We have responded to the significant and growing need for financial assistance experienced by our students by establishing a FMHS Bursary and Loan Fund (FMHS Fund). The support provided by this Fund is additional to the existing support provided by the university, and is primarily made available to students who do not qualify for financial assistance from other sources. The FMHS Fund, in particular, serves as a source of emergency relief for students who are at risk of being excluded from the university due to their inability to pay outstanding fees. 

Our faculty now faces the reality that substantial numbers of academically successful students, many of whom already receive other forms of funding, are still not able to clear their debt. Some are in the penultimate or final year of studies and are guaranteed of jobs once they graduate, and yet struggle to access loans and bursaries. While the FMHS has made funding available from its own sources to kick start the Fund, this is unfortunately not sufficient to meet the ongoing need for financial aid. 

As the faculty celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, we are strongly promoting the culture of giving and sharing that already exists on our campus, and for which Tygermaties are known. 

I therefore wish to extend this sincere appeal to you to donate to our Fund. 

You can make a direct bank deposit by using the account details below:

Organisation name: Stellenbosch University
Bank: Standard Bank
Branch: Stellenbosch
Brand code: 050610
Account name: SU Deposit Account
Account number: 073006955


Alternatively, you can make a credit card payment by using the following link: http://t2000-05.sun.ac.za/donorPay/faces/formAlumniMain.jspx. Please ensure that you select 'Medicine and Health Sciences Bursary Fund (H755)' under My gift is for.

Please use the cost centre number H755 as the reference for a payment. 

Donations are tax exempt and in order to receive a tax certificate please send your proof of payment to Joan Weyers at +27 21 808 3026 or +27 865 695 372 or jhs1@sun.ac.za. 

Corporate donations can take place via your company's corporate social investment policy, sponsorship or as a philanthropic donation (philanthropic donations have tax benefits). The staff from the SU development office will advise you on the tax implications of each strategy and can be contacted on +27 21 808 9262.

Thank you for your continued involvement in, and support of our faculty. Every contribution, regardless of its size, would be deeply appreciated and will make a huge difference. 

Kind regards

Prof Jimmy Volmink
Dean

Under the current leadership of President Jacob Zuma, South Africa became a country of very few possibilities by which only a few people can benefit.

Ronnie Kasrils, Struggle veteran and former Minister of Intelligence, said South Africa is not the country it once promised to be. Kasrils were talking at one of the Transformations talks at Stellenbosch University (SU). The Transformation talks are hosted by SU's Office for Studies in Transformation and Historical Trauma. The academic and philosopher Dr Buhle Zuma was the respondent to the conversation.

Kasrils, once a good friend of Zuma, said the president's misrule brought the country into a rotten situation.

"There is very little left to fight for. There are frugal opportunities and only a few can benefit while the poorest of the poor are left behind."

Kasrils asks if this gloomy picture is the result of power hunger, greed, corruption and the looting of the state in grand scale.

"We see the polarization of wealth and with it the manifestation of frustration, racism and anger. What, then, is the way out?"

Kasrils referred to recent political headaches like Nkandla and youth protests, saying he is excited but also scared.

"The chickens have come back to roost – one of them being the EFF and the youth standing up with strong moral cases. The country has an outspoken media and civil society. With a few changes, the South Africa of Madiba's dreams are possible."

In response to Kasrils, Dr Buhle Zuma said it is important for South Africans to start holding themselves accountable.  

He pointed out that not only the president, but many political leaders have a history of material want coupled with spiritual poverty – a fatal combination. 

Information technology is becoming one of ecologists' greatest tools to counter the global threat to biodiversity. But only 5% of existing data sets focusing on factors that threaten biodiversity – such as invasive species, logging and the illegal trade in bush meat – meet the golden standard required for credible conservation assessments.

"We live in the Information Age, but are effectively flying blind when it comes to understanding what is threatening biodiversity around the world," says Dr Lucas Joppa, a scientist in the Computational Ecology Group at Microsoft Research and lead author on a new study published in the journal Science today (Friday 22 April 2016).

Dr Joppa and a team of international scientists from 18 organisations reviewed nearly 300 existing biodiversity datasets in terms of five key requirements, the so-called 'golden standard' for biodiversity data. In order to be useful for conservation efforts, the data should be 1) freely available, 2) up to date, 3) repeated, 4) at appropriate spatial resolution and 5) validated for accuracy. They found that only 5% of these data sets met the golden standard.

This means that conservationists do not currently have reliable and accessible data to understand threats to biodiversity. Key information on important threats to biodiversity such as invasive species, logging, bush meat harvesting, and illegal wildlife trade is lacking.

Dr Wendy Foden, a conservation biologist in the Department of Botany and Zoology at Stellenbosch University and one of the co-authors, says the power of information technology should be harnessed to protect biodiversity against catastrophic losses.

"Successful conservation policies and on-the-ground action require understanding of what is threatening biodiversity, where risks are greatest and how quickly these threats are changing. At international level, our study shows gaping holes in data sets on these threats," she says.

She adds, however, that South Africa has several of the most powerful biodiversity-related databases in the world. One of these databases is the Red List of South African Plants, which contains species-by-species information on the threats to South Africa's exceptional plant biodiversity. This database is one of several world-class biodiversity databases maintained by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

"Major threats to South Africa's flora include habitat loss, habitat degradation, invasive alien species and over-harvesting, and 2,719 species were listed as threatened with extinction in 2015," she explains.

There are also datasets covering threats to South Africa's birds, butterflies, reptiles, spiders, frogs and mammals.

Dr Jonathan Hutton, Director of the Luc Hoffman Institute and co-author on the study, says their analysis "can help pioneer a new approach to mapping and measuring the threats facing endangered species and ecosystems". The Hoffman Institute was established in 2012 by WWF International and the MAVA Foundation to address some of the planet's most difficult environmental challenges.

Dr Foden is chair of the International Union for Conservation (IUCN) Species Survival Commission's Climate Change Specialist Group (www.iucn-ccsg.org), and works with Prof Guy Midgley in the Global Change Biology Group in the Department of Botany and Zoology at Stellenbosch University. Previously she headed the IUCN Global Species Programme's Climate Change Unit, based in Cambridge UK.

Notes to Editors:

Joppa, L, O'Connor, B, Visconti, P, et al. (2016) Filling data gaps for threats to biodiversity was published in Science on 22 April 2016.

More information, including a copy of the paper, can be found online at the Science press package at http://www.eurekalert.org/jrnls/sci. You will need your user ID and password to access this information.

For further information contact:

Lucas Joppa

Lead Author

Nature & Computing Group, Microsoft Research

lujoppa@microsoft.com

Tel: +1 425 326 8376

Dr Wendy Foden

Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University

fodenw@sun.ac.za

fodenw@gmail.com. 

Skype: wendyfoden

Tel: +27 81 845 8902

Camellia Williams

Communications Officer

UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre

 camellia.williams@unep-wcmc.org

Tel: +44 (0)1223 814656

Tanya Petersen

Communications

Luc Hoffmann Institute

tpetersen@wwfint.org

Tel: +41 79 912 2447

Photo of small green tree frog in Amani forest: Brian van Wilgen

Steinhoff Maties Cricket legends such as Dewald Botha and Emile Kriek will desperately want to leave the Stellenbosch University club with the 2016 National Club Championship title in the bag.

The National Club Championships started on Friday (22 April) and the final will take place on Wednesday 27 April. This tournament will be the last for a few of the very valuable players in the club.

"The next 18 months will be a rebuilding phase seeing that many senior and experienced players are leaving the club at the end of the season. I am sure that these players would like to leave on a high note by achieving something special," said Maties coach Andrew Wylie.

He added: "We have to say thank you to Maties Sport for all the support. It really means a lot to me and the players."

The Crusaders from Natal are the current champions. Maties lost to them in the final last year. Kyle Symmonds who played for Crusaders last season is one of the key players in the Maties team this year.

Chief Director of Maties Sport, Ilhaam Groenewald wished the coach and players well for the tournament. 

"To the senior players who will be playing for Maties for the last time: Your contributions will not be forgotten. Don't go too far away and please consider a PhD.  Especially those who already did their masters!"

​Fixtures for National Club Championships: FRIDAY – Maties v Union Stars​​ (Maties lost); SATURDAY – Maties v CUT (Maties won); SUNDAY – Maties v Pukke (Maties lost); MONDAY – Maties v Cape Town CC; TUESDAY – Maties v Crusaders.

​​A group of SU postgraduate students and postdocs attended the budget speech vote of minister Naledi Pandor, Minister of Science and Technology. The visit was per invitation by Minister Pandor and facilitated by the Division for Research Development. According to Maryke Hunter-Hüsselmann, who accompanied the group, it was a first time in parliament for most, and therefore a very informative experience. The budget speech vote was preceded by an exhibition in the Iziko Museum and a lecture by Dr Marcus Cornaro, EU Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa. Find a summary of the budget speech vote below. 

​​Despite the latest wave of protest action in which dismissed workers of external service providers are allegedly playing a key role, Stellenbosch University (SU) remains committed to viable sourcing as an alternative to insourcing, and the implementation of the agreement reached with workers of external service providers at the end of November 2015.

Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, has also expressed his concern about the fact that there are apparently forces at work who, perhaps with selfish motives, are trying to derail the work of the task team – blatantly ignoring the fact that almost 800 workers of external service providers will benefit in a meaningful financial manner from the implementation of the agreement. "This is why the University remains steadfast in its commitment to the full implementation of the agreement. We shall not be deterred by actions that do not have the best interest of these workers at heart. I reiterate: human dignity is non-negotiable," he said.

In earlier statements Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor has emphasised the University's position on demands for the insourcing of external service workers: ''The fundamental issue to us is one of human dignity. We regard this as non-negotiable and we also expect our external service providers to adhere to this value. We do not wish to be associated with or enter into agreements with any external service provider that does not have regard for the human dignity and well-being of its workers." Therefore the University is supporting its various current external service providers to, where necessary ensure that all their workers rendering services on Stellenbosch campuses are treated in a humane manner."

Last year he made a formal appeal to external service providers for leniency towards workers who did not participate in criminal acts during the protest action. Although Stellenbosch University cannot get involved in external service providers' internal disciplinary processes, or demand the re-employment of dismissed workers, it acts in support of workers to outline the context of the protest actions and ask for leniency. "We are concerned about the hardships of the dismissed workers and we are doing all within our power to bring their cases, some on appeal and others at the CCMA, to a speedy conclusion." In this regard the University also plays an active role to explore alternative avenues, and has offered to facilitate meetings between the workers and their respective employers - with the aim to, as far as possible, facilitate an amicable outcome between the two parties.

Since Stellenbosch University reached an agreement with workers of external service providers and students at the end of 2015, it has been working systematically to implement the commitments made in terms of the agreement. Stellenbosch University has:

• placed an immediate moratorium on all new forms of outsourcing;
• made a once-off payment of R2 000 to all the workers of external service providers designated to SU campuses and who were affected by the protest action. This process was completed at the end of December 2015;
• pledged a subsidy of the cost to company of the ring-fenced external workers on our campuses who currently earn (cost to company) less than R5 000 per month, as from March 2016. The subsidy will ensure parity with the salary of R5 000 per month at the minimum entry level cost to company of a University employee;
• established an independent helpline where these workers can lodge any complaints, which SU will then take up directly with their respective employers;
• appointed an external facilitator to assist the Wellness Office to conduct interviews with former University employees who were outsourced since 1994 and who are currently employed by external service providers to the University. The objective is to give workers the opportunity to share the impact that outsourcing has had on their lives and how they were potentially disadvantaged as a result. At the same time the University has also developed and shared two potential scenarios with affected workers and afforded them the opportunity to indicate their preference for a possible restitution model to be employed. The model is now been finalized for implementation
• introduced a process of the evaluation of 'viable sourcing', that will be followed to determine the best course of action when the contract terms of current external service providers come to an end – at that point all the viable options will be considered in taking final decisions on how the service in question will in future be provided to the University. The proposed model has also been communicated to the task team for their feedback 

​​​​'Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war', wrote William Shakespeare in his play Julius Cesar. Following Shakespeare, the term 'Dogs of War' has often been used to refer to soldiers of fortune, mercenaries, or – as more commonly termed today – private military and security contractors (PMSC). Since the end of the Cold War, the private security industry has grown in size and prevalence, and has become mainstreamed as an integral part of the operations of national armies and international coalitions. The dependency on PMSCs is so widespread to the extent that the American PMSC industry argues that the US armed forces cannot operate without the involvement and use of the PMSC. However, the use of PMSCs is not limited to the US, and the market for security has expended into most modern armed forces, including in Africa.
At the centre of this development stands Eeben Barlow whose career has led him to follow African armed conflicts since 1974, when he joined the South African Defence Force (SADF). After leaving the SADF in 1989, he headed Executive Outcomes, known for, amongst other things, their operations in Angola and Sierra Leone. He subsequently became Chairman of STTEP International (Specialised Tasks, Training, Equipment and Protection, http://www.sttepi.com/default.aspx.) He has also been a General Officer in three African Armies and one Asian. Eeben Barlow possess a substantial knowledge and insight into African conflicts and wars, from both a theoretical and practical perspective, and has long experience in military capacity building in Africa. 

Stellenbosch University (SU) has long taken a firm stance against all forms of sexual misconduct and violence against women. The Rector’s Management Team (RMT) has therefore noted with concern recent claims about a ‘rape culture’ at the institution, and has decided to appoint a Task Team on Alleged Sexual Offences to urgently look into the matter and make the necessary recommendations.

At its regular weekly meeting on 8 March 2016, the RMT reaffirmed the University approach of zero tolerance towards sexual misconduct. Rape is a serious criminal offence that falls under the jurisdiction of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the judiciary, and the University provides its full cooperation in all criminal investigations.

Sexual misconduct is also dealt with in terms of the University’s Student Disciplinary Code and its Sexual Harassment Policy (for staff members). SU’s Division of Legal Services investigates allegations, and University’s Sexual Harassment Advisory Committee hears and acts on reported cases of sexual misconduct.

However, what is being raised goes beyond legal and disciplinary aspects. There are complaints of a general culture of disrespect and harassment of women students, and that this is regarded as normal. This should also be seen in the context of challenges in this regard in society as a whole.

Existing counter-measures at SU include ongoing activities on our various campuses to create awareness about gender issues and sexual harassment. Consciousness-raising sessions and sensitivity training for staff members and students take place both in and outside of residences. But more systematic interventions might be required to challenge entrenched practices. Coming up with recommendations in this regard will fall within the ambit of the Task Team’s scope of work.

SU provides counselling and support to students who seek assistance following incidents of sexual misconduct. Our Campus Health Service, Campus Security, Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD) and our new Equality Unit assists in this regard, and a 24-hour Crisis Service is also available to students in urgent need of assistance.

Policies and procedures are constantly under review with a view to strengthening SU’s institutional response to sexual misconduct, assault and harassment.

REPORTED RAPE

Management has recently learnt with shock of a reported rape of a female student outside SU’s Harmonie Residence in February. The incident allegedly took place in the early hours of the morning.

The student was examined and treated by the district surgeon, and the University’s Crisis Service has offered her support. The incident is being investigated by the Sexual Offences Unit of the Police, but no arrests have been made so far.

Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, has expressed his utter dismay over the incident. “Sexual abuse of any nature are despicable acts and we urge the police to make sure that the incident is thoroughly investigated so that justice is served. I urge our campus community to respect the privacy of those involved. Such incidents are very traumatic, and any form of speculation on social media just worsens the situation.”

He reiterated that SU strives to create a safe environment for all students and staff. “The University has introduced various additional safety initiatives over the last few years, but the security environment is constantly changing, which requires responsiveness and the ability to adapt.

“It is however not only an issue of safety. It requires a change in the psyche of society: the development of an understanding that respect for women excludes verbal abuse, sexual harassment, catcalling and wolf-whistling. Let’s all treat each other with respect.”

He appealed to the University community to join hands in creating greater awareness, and to support initiatives by the Students’ Representative Council and other stakeholders. Women and men who are sexually harassed, abused or raped should not hesitate to report instances to either the University’s Crisis Service (tel 082 557 0880) or Campus Security (tel 021 808 2333; and 021 938 9507 for the Tygerberg Campus). Rape is a criminal offense and should also be reported to the nearest police station.

It seems unfair that criminal behaviour should impinge students’ freedom of movement, but crime is unfortunately a social reality that has to be taken into account. Management therefore appeals to students to be vigilant and take their own safety seriously.

There are indications that the assailant is not a student, but if the investigation should prove otherwise the University will not hesitate to take firm action against the alleged perpetrator.

The University has pledged its full support to the SAPS investigation. Anyone with information is requested to contact the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant LD February, on cell 082 469 1479 or tel 021 809 9168/5.

Any student in need of counselling can contact the Crisis Service at tel 082 557 0880.

It is going to be a hectic month for the Steinhoff Maties Hockey men and their new coach Ashlin Freddy.

Between 22 April and 23 May team members could be in action in up to 19 games in three different tournaments.

The Interprovincial Tournament takes place in Johannesburg this week and bar a few players the whole team will be in action for either the Western Province or WP Peninsula teams. 

The Varsity Hockey series starts on 6 May with four matches in four days at the University of Johannesburg. This will be followed by four matches in four days (13-16 May) in Stellenbosch. The Varsity Hockey final is on 23 May.  

It is no secret that Maties really want the Varsity Hockey title after losing to UJ after extra time in a shootout in 2014. UJ is currently both the men's and women’s champions and this is something that Dylan Swanepoel and his team would like to change. For many of the Maties players it will be their last chance to play in this tournament.

During the next four weeks, Maties will also have to play several Western Province Grand Challenge matches, including an Intervarsity match against Ikeys.

Photo by Outsider Communications

While he had the crowd on its feet with his world-record time in the 100m (T37), Maties Parasport's Fanie van der Merwe stunned himself with this performance.

Van der Merwe ran the time of 11.46 seconds on the first day of the ASA Senior Track and Field Championships held in Stellenbosch recently. With this performance he matched the time of the Russian Andrey Vdovin.

This was without a doubt the highlight of the event for the Maties Parasport track athletes. Never in his wildest dreams did Van der Merwe think he would run a world-record time. He just wanted a solid performance.

"I was looking forward to the race. And when some of South Africa's top athletes walked into the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport – where I also stay – I could feel the vibe and I became very excited. Being able to run this year feels like a bonus. I am just grateful for the opportunity. Our training group's slogan is #RunFree. And that is the goal for each race. Just running and experiencing the freedom that comes with it. I am very thankful for the world-record time and it encourages me a lot for the rest of the season," said Van der Merwe.

The rest of the athletes also had a great meet.

Charl du Toit (T37) ran personal best times in the 100m and 400m. His time places him second behind Van der Merwe in the 100m. In the 400m his 51.21s gives him the world-leading time for the year and a new African record. When one considers that he tore his hamstring in February, this is an amazing achievement.

Dyan Buis (T38) also improved his time in the 400m. His 50.86s is a personal best and world-leading time. Anruné Liebenberg (T46) ran Paralympic qualifying and world-leading times in the 200m (26.82s) and 400m (59.82s) while Ilse Hayes' 12.20s for the 100m (T13) was a qualifying time for Rio. Arnu Fourie (T44) won both the 100m and 200m races. His 11 seconds in the 100m is a qualifying and world-leading time, while the 22.92s in the 200m is a world-leading time.

The Maties Parasport throwers also achieved some excellent results.

Reinhardt Hamman (F38) threw a season's best and Paralympic qualifying distance in the javelin and took back his world-leading mark for the year. Kerwin Noemdo (F47) also managed a season's best in the discus.

Youngster Thabo Dube (F57) competed in the discus and shot put events where he improved his personal best distances in both events and broke the SA record in the discus.

Zanele Situ (F54), who hopes to compete at her 5^th Paralympic Games this year, threw a personal best and Paralympic qualifying distance in the javelin and by doing so improved her own SA record.

The Paralympic Games in Rio is from 7-18 September.

Photo:

Fanie van der Merwe at the National Championships for the Physically Disabled held earlier in Bloemfontein earlier. Photographer: Martin Potgieter, Bonzai Photography

​​​​​A group of SU postgraduate students and postdocs attended the budget speech vote of minister Naledi Pandor, Minister of Science and Technology. The visit was per invitation by Minister Pandor and facilitated by the Division for Research Development. According to Maryke Hunter-Hüsselmann, who accompanied the group, it was a first time in parliament for most, and therefore a very informative experience. The budget speech vote was preceded by an exhibition in the Iziko Museum and a lecture by Dr Marcus Cornaro, EU Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa. Find a summary of the budget speech vote below. 

​​​The Navy now estimates delivery of the DDG-1000, the first of three Zumwalt-class vessels in a $22.4 billion program, by

Prof Marius Ungerer, lecturer in Strategic Management at USB, was the co-author of a book, Crystallising the Strategic Business Landscape, which was launched at the business school on Tuesday, 19 April 2016.

He says the book is aimed at a new course, Integrated Case Studies, which was introduced to the new format of USB's MBA programme. "The book is about crystallising the strategic landscape, meaning that it is about analysis framework to help us to create a fact base about our environment," he says.

"The book also describes an analysis approach to the internal environment and provides tools to synthesise the different prospective. The book presents the reader with 70 analysis frameworks that can be used in a practical way to make the subject matter accessible for everybody."

He continues: "We live in an era where everybody want quick fixes and there is an abundance of information. But we also live in an era where very poor decisions are made. This book will assist us with the quality of our decision making; to think about how we think; to not be prone just to focus on quick fixes but to look at the root causes of dilemmas. The book is about creating a fact based approach towards strategic decision-making."

For him strategic management is based on two pillars. "The one pillar is our ability to make sound decisions. The second pillar is our ability to execute excellently on those choices.

"Strategic success comes from those two things: our ability to make sound strategic choices and secondly our ability to execute on those choices," he says.

He names three critical elements of strategic management that leaders should get right:

1. Leaders should focus on working on their fact base. Without good information and excellent processes they cannot make sound strategic choices.
2. Leaders should concentrate on their ability to not only think short term but to think long term. Planning also needs to reflect longer term orientation.
3. Leaders should have the ability to drive for results. Those companies and leaders who stick to their decisions and who are able to motivate those around them to become part of the strategic success of a firm, is ultimately the winners. ​

​​Two students from the Faculty of Education recently attended Stellenbosch University's annual Prestige Dinner for first-years.

Complete translation in English te follow.

Cari Fourie, oudleerder van die Hoërskool Outeniqua, en Liné Els wat aan die Hoërskool Overberg gematrikuleer het, was deel van 'n groep van 32 studente wat by dié funksie vereer is. Die groep is saamgestel uit 30 studente wat in 2015 in hul eerste jaar was en in hul onderskeie fakulteite die beste gevaar het in die 2015 eindjaareksamen, asook twee Verlengde Graadprogram- (VGP-) studente.

Elkeen van die studente is gevra om die dosent wat die grootste bydrae tot hul akademiese sukses tydens hul eerste jaar gelewer het, na die dinee uit te nooi.

Cari is baie dankbaar dat sy na hierdie geleentheid genooi is en sê dit is 'n groot voorreg om onderwys by die Universiteit Stellenbosch te studeer. Sy het bygevoeg dat studente se sukses hand-aan-hand loop met die dosente se suksesvolle fasilitering om hulle as onderwysers op te lei en dat sy ook baie by haar mede-onderwysstudente leer.

Cari het vir Tarina Nel gekies as die dosent wat die grootste impak op haar sukses gehad het.

"Ek was aangenaam verras met die toekenning," het Nel gesê. 

"Ek het verlede jaar begin klas gee en het geen kennis gedra van hierdie tipe toekenning nie. Dit was vir my 'n voorreg om te belê in die studente, my hulp aan te bied en ekstra leergeleenthede te skep. Sonder twyfel is dit lekker om erkenning te ontvang, maar hierdie erkenning moet, volgens my, bloot 'n vrug van harde werk wees.

"Ek het van die prestige-aand af weggestap met een doel voor oë, 'n vraag: hoe kan ek verbeter om tot selfs nog meer studente se akademiese sukses by te dra? Ek is passievol oor onderwys en die fakulteit en glo geluk in my beroep gaan saam met die vaardigheid om dit besonder goed te kan doen."

Liné was uit die veld geslaan toe sy hoor dat sy een van 2015 se toppresteerders is.

"Dit is absoluut danksy God se genade en seën, en natuurlik ook harde werk. Ek beskou dit as 'n groot eer. Kinders was nog altyd my passie en daar was by my geen twyfel die dag toe ek moes aansoek doen vir 'n studierigting nie," het sy bygevoeg.

Haar boodskap aan dr Bernard Rhodes was: "U het my laat glo ek kan op water loop, deur my passie vir kinders en die onderwys weer te ontdek. Waar ek as groen eerstejaartjie nog self soos 'n onervare kind gevoel het, kan ek nou nie wag om 'n "juffrou" te word nie!"

Bernard Rhodes meen dis 'n aangename voorreg om gekies te word as 'n rolspeler wat 'n student se sukses beïnvloed het.

"Liné Els se woorde aan my was van die treffendse woorde wat 'n student in my 35 jaar van onderrig aan my gesê het. Daar is nou by my 'n groter besef van die invloed wat '֦n geïnspireerde opvoeder op sy studente kan hê." 

Photo: Dr Bernard Rhodes (lecturer), Liné Els, Dr Anthea Jacobs (Centre for Teaching and Learning), Cari Fourie, Tarina Nel (lecturer) and Prof Arend Carl (Vice-dean: Teaching)​.

Photo taken by Anton Jordaan, SCPS

​See, hear and experience what it is to be an engineer at the Stellenbosch University Faculty of Engineering's Winter Week (for Grade 11 and 12 learners) that takes place from 26 June to 1 July 2016. Here all you questions regarding the engineering profession and the Faculty of Engineering's degree programmes will be answered. You will also get the opportunity to stay in a University residence for the week.

The programme is exciting! During the day you will listen to interesting talks by engineers and lecturers and you will see the Faculty's well-equipped laboratories. In the afternoon you will have educational industrial visits. Your evenings will be filled with enjoyable social outings. The engineer in you will be challenged by an engineering project done in teams.

The cost of the Winter Week is R2 300 per person and includes all meals, accommodation and transport during the Winter Week programme.

Hurry up! Space is limited.

More information:

http://www1.sun.ac.za/winterweek/index.php

E-mail: winterweek@sun.ac.za

Tel: 021 808 4203

​Get your application form here.

​Photo: The enthusiastic Winter Week Committee.

​​The Stellenbosch University (SU) Choir was again awarded with a festival prize – this time the choir won the WoordTROfees prize for its performance at the SU Woordfees in March. The prize was awarded to the choir in the category for vocal classical music.

In February, the SU Choir also won a Fiësta Award for its concert at the 2015 SU Woordfees.

The seventh annual WoordTROfees, with which the festival rewards its best productions and actors, was held on Monday evening (18 April) at a ceremony at the Stellenbosch Town Hall. The actors Marlo Minnaar and Esther von Waltsleben were the masters of ceremony, and entertainment was provided by Yvonne Chaka Chaka and the Young Caballeros choir from Cape Town.

The complete list of winners is as follow:

Theatre, Best Actor: Andrew Buckland – Tobacco and the Harmful Effects Thereof

Theatre, Best Supporting Actor: Rob van Vuuren – A Doll's House

Theatre, Best Director: Christiaan Olwagen – A Doll's House

Theatre, Best Production: A Doll's House

Word Art: Praat van die Duiwel – Johann Nel and Juanita Swanepoel

Contemporary Music, Solo: Yvonne Chaka Chaka – The Princess of Africa

Contemporary Music, Group: Kô, lat ons sing!

Classical Music, Vocal: Stellenbosch University Choir under André van der Merwe

Classical Music, Instrumental: Ben Schoeman – Schoeman in Konsert

Visual Arts: Lien Botha – Wonderboom

Upcoming Artist: Francois Knoetze

Best of "Deurbraak": The Banquet: The Room of Dreams – Ju-Ju Domingo and Lucas Heinen

Most Popular Book, Prose: Bly – US Woordfees 2016

Most Popular Book, Lifestyle: Kook saam Kaaps – Koelsoem Kamalie and Flori Schrikker

Most Popular Book, Poetry: Hammie – Ronelda S. Kamfer

Woordfees Heroes: Dawid and Henk Fourie

WOW Teacher of the Year: Antonia du Toit

WOW School of the Year: Strand Secondary School

A panel of expert judges voted for the nominees and winners in each of the categories. The book prizes are judged according to the best book sales during the Woordfees at the ATKV Book Shop at the festival.

The SU Woordfees 2017 will be held from 3 to 12 March 2017 in Stellenbosch.

​​Die Hennie Aucamp-muurpaneel, ontwerp deur Jenny Frost, is Vrydag 22 April by die Woordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal se kantore in Stellenbosch bekendgestel. Die fokuspunt van die muurpaneel is 'n skets van Aucamp deur Alex Emsley. 

Hennie Aucamp het bekendheid verwerf as akademikus, dramaturg, kabaret- en kortverhaalskrywer, en digter. Hy is op 20 Januarie 1934 in Dordrecht in die Oos-Kaap gebore en het  op die plaas Rust-mijn-ziel in die distrik Jamestown grootgeword. Hy het aan die universiteite van Stellenbosch, Leuven (België) en Colombia (New York) studeer. Hy het die kwalifikasies BA, SOD, MA en DEd behaal. Hy was dertig jaar lank verbonde aan die Fakulteit van Opvoedkunde aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch, tot met sy uittrede in 1994. 

Die ander materiaal wat in die uitstalling gebruik is, hou meestal verband met Aucamp se besondere verhouding met die WAT. Dit sluit foto's van hom in  toe hy in 2013 saam met TT Cloete en Adam Small 'n eregas was by die bekendstelling van Deel XIII van die WAT. Hy het ook van sy persoonlike dagboeke en aantekeninge aan die WAT geskenk.

Dr Willem Botha, redakteur van die WAT sê Aucamp is 'n jare lange vriend van die WAT en het onder andere 'n gedig oor die WAT geskry by die verskyning van Deel XII.  "Ons het ook 'n ruim bydrae uit sy erflating ontvang verlede jaar.  Dan is daar ook sulke juweeltjies soos die volgende wat hy in toesprake gebruik het: 'Waaraan ken jy 'n jintelman? Hy koop die beste Ierse whiskey en sy WAT-stel is in leer gebind'."

Volgens Botha sal die mense by die WAT Aucamp onthou as iemand  wat Afrikaans "op 'n wonderlik suiwer en tegelyk skeppende wyse gebruik het".  "Hy het oor 'n woordeskat beskik waarvan ons ander maar net kan droom. Hy kon onder andere baie fyn onderskei tussen woorde wat eintlik sinonieme is, hy het die fyn nuanseverskille tussen woorde geken. Ook woorde wat nie meer algemeen in gebruik is in hedendaagse Afrikaans nie. Hy was ongewoon veelsydig en het ook die eerste Afrikaanse kabarette geskryf. 

"Hy was 'n ware vriend van die WAT en 'n gewer vir vriend en vyand (as hy enige gehad het)," sê Botha.

Prof. Lina Spies, 'n jarelange vriendin van Aucamp het 'n kort huldeblyk aan hom gelewer. Sy het hom beskryf as romantikus en 'n dekadent, "met 'n hoofletter 'D'" – enersyds weens sy ontevredenheid met die status quo en sy behoefte om die werklikeheid te transendeer en andersyds omdat hy die artifisiële as alternatief tot die werklikheid beleef het.

Sy het ook verwys na die ooreenkomste wat Aucamp gevind het tussen Prediker 12 se "alles kom tot niks, tot niks" en Skoppensboer se woorde "gewis is alles net 'n grap" – 'n eggo van mekaar dat alles tevergeefs is.

Mr Cat and The Jackal het die gehoor vermaak met uittreksels uit die US Woordfees-produksie van Hennie Aucamp se kabaret Slegs vir Almal. 

Gaste kon ook van die wyne van die wynreeks Sluk jou woorde kan drink.  Sluk jou woorde is 'n vennootskap tussen Wyn SA, Koelenhof Kelder en die WAT.  Die WAT se logo saam met 'n definisie van die wyn se naam, bv. Rinkink, Loslyf en Oorbly verskyn op die etiket.

*Die WAT word gehuisves deur die Universiteit Stellenbosch.

Op die foto van links is dr. Willem Botha (hoofredakteur en uitvoerende direkteur van die WAT), Rina (Aucamp se suster), prof. Spies en Mari Naude (dogter van Rina). Fotograaf: Anton Jordaan.