​Researchers at Stellenbosch University think they are starting to understand why ostrich chicks vary so greatly in size, with some chicks up to three times larger than their peers. The research could also provide answers to the high chick mortality rate within the first three months.

With ostrich chick mortalities of between 10 and 50%, one of the greatest challenges facing ostrich farmers is raising chicks that will survive beyond the first three months.

Now researchers from the Department of Botany and Zoology at Stellenbosch University (SU) have found that the bright white feathers of the male ostrich may be one of the best indicators of faster-growing and healthier chicks.

According to Prof Michael Cherry, a specialist in bird and animal behaviour at SU, surprisingly little is known about the mating system of ostriches, even though it is an iconic bird of the open savannas: "They are the largest living birds on earth and at the same time also the largest of the flightless birds, called the ratites. They are not only dimorphic (meaning the sexes differ, in this case in colour), but also promiscuous (males and females have multiple partners)."

What evolutionary biologists do know, however, is that the bright plumage of male birds of some species appears to indicate a stronger immune system. Prof Cherry explains: "Having bright plumage comes at a cost, so only the fittest males can afford to have both a strong immune system and bright feathers. At the same time females might prefer bright males because they are better able to resist disease and pass on to their offspring copies of genes for resistance."

Proving the genetic link

Back in 2005, Prof Cherry and a colleague realised the breeding system used by the ostrich industry provided the ideal experimental setup to test whether this assumption also held true for ostriches. In most instances the ostrich eggs are collected shortly after being laid. The eggs are then incubated for six weeks under controlled conditions. After hatching, the chicks are sold off to different growers.

Dr Maud Bonato, who conducted the research as part of her doctoral studies, was then given access to a research flock of 38 South African black ostriches (Struthio camelus) on a research farm in Oudtshoorn, managed by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.    

The birds were divided into two camps, with a male to female ratio of 7 to 11 and 8 to 11. During 2005 all the parents and their chicks were genotyped for parentage analysis. This means the DNA were extracted from blood samples taken from the parents and their offspring, and then subjected to a number of tests and analysis, including growth rates and immune responses. The researchers also took colour intensity measurements of each male, specifically traits such as the bill, neck, shins and black and white feathers.

In the first part of her study Dr Bonato investigated whether ostriches, like many other bird species, prefer to mate with males showing the most elaborate ornamentation.

"Current understanding is that females should invest more in reproduction when mated to an attractive male than when mated to a less attractive male. Maternal investment, particularly nutrients and energy, can profoundly influence the development of embryos and survival of hatchlings. In other words, larger eggs produce larger offspring with a higher chance of survival and faster growth," she explains.

The results, which indicated that ostrich females did indeed lay heavier eggs when mated with males with brighter coloured feathers, were published in the journal Animal Behaviour in 2009.

"We found that the colour of the neck, white and black body feathers, and the brightness of black feathers, predicted egg mass. These traits are exposed during the male courtship display, so we suggest that these visual cues influence the degree of maternal investment in eggs through their influence on female perception of mate quality," she writes in the article.

Dr Bonato then set out to establish whether there is a significant correlation between chick growth and immune defence, and the levels of immune defence in their genetic parents. She also wanted to establish whether specific male traits such as colouration could be used to predict the growth rate and immune responses of their offspring.

Published in the journal Behavioral Ecology Sociobiology this month, the research results showed that parents' immune responses predicted both chick immune responses and growth rates. Furthermore, the colouration of the father's white feathers was found to predict offspring immune response to typical avian diseases such as diphtheria, while the colouration of both the father's white feathers and bill predicted offspring growth rate.

In other words, an ostrich chick with a healthy immune system can invest more energy into growing faster. Compare this with an ostrich chick with a weak immune system, where all the energy is going towards fighting bacteria and other diseases, Dr Bonato explains.

Advice to ostrich farmers

Dr Bonato, who is now with the Department of Animal Sciences at Stellenbosch University, advises ostrich farmers to utilise the ostrich's natural mating behaviour to their advantage: "This means providing ostriches with enough space and mates to be able to express their full natural behaviour."

She also cautions against plucking feathers during or close to the breeding season: "After being plucked a male may not be able to show his full quality to the females. As a result the female might not mate or invest as much as she would have to an unplucked male," she concludes.

Dr Bonato is currently continuing her research into ostrich mating behaviour at the research farm in Oudsthoorn.

Photo above: During courtship, the bright white feathers of the male ostrich are displayed in kantling behaviour to attract the attention of the best female, but together they also produce healthier and faster-growing chicks. In a recent study, researchers from Stellenbosch University showed a direct correlation between the white colour of male ostrich feathers and the growth rate and immune response of their offspring. Photos: Maud Bonato

Media enquiries

Prof Michael Cherry
Tel: +27 72 6875845
E-mail: mic@sun.ac.za​

Dr Maud Bonato
Tel: +27 44 27 26 077
E-mail: mbonato@sun.ac.za

Released by

Wiida Fourie-Basson, Media: Faculty of Science, Stellenbosch University, 021 808-2684, science@sun.ac.za, 071 099 5721

​​The African Doctoral Academy's (ADA) 5th annual Summer School in Research Methods attracted delegates from across Africa and the rest of the world for its first week of training in research methods. Interest in the ADA's Research Schools has been steadily increasing, with a record number of 119 delegates currently attending the first week.

During the first week, courses focus on the preparation for PhD studies.  During the second week the focus shifts to more advanced qualitative and quantitative training, as well as to the training of PhD supervisors. The "Certificate Course for Doctoral Supervisors" which is presented by Prof Johann Mouton, the director of the ADA, was fully booked well in advance.

The Summer School in Research Methods will be concluded on 24 January with the official launch of the African Institute for ATLAS.ti, a qualitative research capacity building initiative. Dr Susanne Friese from the ATLAS.ti head office in Berlin will lead the event.

​An ophthalmology registrar at Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dr William Mapham, recently received a R1 million research development grant from SAB to develop the "Vula" eye health mobile phone application.

This mobile phone app, as these types of programmes are commonly referred to, is designed to teach people about eye health, conduct a simple eye test and can connect people to an eye health professional.

"In the future the app may also be used by members of the public to receive opinions from ophthalmologists, or to arrange appointments themselves," says Mapham.

Mapham's inspiration to develop the app came from working in deep rural areas in Swaziland and the Eastern Cape where people had limited or no access to eye clinics. "While conducting eye clinics in far-flung villages in the old Transkei I came across people who have been blind for many years and needed cataract surgery to restore their vision. Hopefully the app will be used to help people with eye conditions in rural areas receive the help they need as soon as possible, rather than suffering with preventable blindness for long periods of time," says Mapham.

Dr William Mapham previously spent time in New York and Washington where he designed mobile phone applications for healthcare. In 2008 he published "Mobile phones: Changing health care one SMS at a time" in the South African Journal of HIV Medicine.

The "Vula" app is also the focus of his MMed dissertation and he aims to use it to improve the Ophthalmology Division's referral system. It is also supported by the Brien Holden Vision Institute.

The name "Vula" means "open" and was taken from the name of an eye clinic in Swaziland, Vula Amehlo Eye Clinic. "The visionary Dr Jono Pons runs the clinic and it offers services to people from all over Swaziland as well as people from neighbouring Mozambique. Hopefully once the app is available it will be used in the clinic from which its name originates," says Mapham.

The app will be tested in two sites: testing in an urban setting will take place at Tygerberg Hospital, and rural testing will take place in the Mosvold Hospital in Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal. Once testing is complete it will be released on app stores, hopefully by July this year. There is potential in the future to translate the app into different languages and adapt it for use in countries other than South Africa.

The R1 million award from SAB will go towards the development, programming, testing, marketing and future developments of the app.

​​​The Maties First Football team, playing in the SAB League, qualified for the Nedbank Cup Last 32 on Sunday after beating Safa Second Division team Zeesha by 2-1 at Lentelus. Zeesha plays in a higher division than Maties.

This victory was the culmination of a week of football highlights with a series of international and local games as well as a Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) sponsored football coaching course that took place at Coetzenburg on the Stellenbosch University campus from 6 – 11 January.

"This achievement was made possible by the excellent performance of our players and the dedication of our football staff. We are now also starting to reap the rewards of our Football Development Programme initiatives which Innovus, the University's university-industry interaction and innovation company, has been managing for the past year. The football programme focuses on the development of the Maties First team, the Maties club and campus football, as well as on the promotion and advancement of the surrounding football playing communities," says Ms Anita Nel, Senior Director: Innovation and Business Development at Stellenbosch University (SU) and CEO of Innovus.

The Stellenbosch University Football Development Programme aims to become the leading football development programme in South Africa. "I am confident that we are more than capable in this regard, given our world class facilities, expertise in the field of sport science, coaching and professional administration and our geographical location," says Ms Nel.

According to Prof Russel Botman, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of SU, the University hopes to create a professional football-focused environment on campus, thereby enabling the University to attract the top football talent in the country, and also admit those who qualify academically as students. 

"The Football Development Programme aims to establish the building blocks of football development in the region and to nurture and develop talented players, experienced coaches and world class football administration," says Prof Botman.

Some of the initiatives managed by the Football Development Programme include, among others, a football holiday programme, a schools cup and coaching and administrator courses as part of the KNVB international WorldCoaches programme. A holistic approach is followed with the Maties First team where the focus is not only placed on the game, but also on the players and their health.

• The draw for the final round of the Nedbank Cup takes place on Thursday night, 16 January. Reggie Jantjies, the Maties head coach, and Ashley Kotzin on behalf of the football management team, will attend the event.

​​​​​​First-year students can look forward to an exciting welcoming programme at Stellenbosch University in 2014. More information is available at www.sun.ac.za/welcome.

If you are a prospective student who will soon be starting your studies at Stellenbosch University, check out this message by the rector and vice-chancellor, Prof Russel Botman.

Some of the most important dates and arrangements are (click here to find the full programme):

WEDNESDAY 22 JANUARY

Students arrive at their respective residences or PSO wards ​as indicated by communication sent to them.

THURSDAY 23 JANUARY

08:30 – 12:30: First-year students arrive at their respective residences or PSO wards (or as indicated by the respective residences).

Parent meetings with deans (different times):

Before the official welcoming ceremony parents will have the opportunity to meet the dean of the faculty where their child will study. Click here for a link to the welcoming programme with information about when and where these meetings will take place. 

08:30 – 10:00: Parents and first-year students on the Tygerberg Campus meet the Dean, Prof Jimmy Volmink, in the Tygerberg Sports Hall. A programme will follow, ending at 15:00.

14:30: Meet the Dean of the Faculty of AgriSciences

15:30: Meet the Deans of the Faculties of Economic and Management Sciences, Engineering, Arts and Social Sciences, Law, Theology, Science and Education.

15:30: Students in the programmes B of Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy and B of Occupational Therapy will meet with the Executive Head: Interdisciplinary Health Sciences in the Sports Science building at Coetzenburg. 

Official welcoming (18:00, Danie Craven stadium)

SU Rector, Prof Russel Botman, will greet new students at the official welcoming ceremony (compulsory for all first-year students). The informal welcoming programme will kick off at 17:30. Parents are also invited to attend the event and are advised to take their seats as soon as possible after their meetings with the Deans. 

FRIDAY 24 JANUARY

09:00 - 12:00. Compulsory language placement tests for students in die Faculties of Engineering, AgriSciences, Science, Theology, Education, Law, Arts and Social Sciences and Economic and Management Sciences as well as Occupation Therapy and Speech-Language and Hearing Theray students.

13:30 - 17:00: Faculty meetings for new students (see programme).

SATURDAY 25 JANUARY

08:00 – 12:00: Students meet in their clusters.

14:00 – 20:00: ​Bondelsport (read more about the MAD2 programme for 2014 here), Societies Fair and Pool Party.

This event gives the different houses on campus the opportunity to bou gees  - develop pride for their house. The format of this event will be different from Bondelsport in the past. To ensure a more intimate event with your house, houses will be divided into groups and these groups will rotate between three events: Bondelsport, Societies Fair and Pool Party.​

MONDAY 27 JANUARY

08:00 – 17:00: Academic registration, computer user area registration and faculty meetings.

TUESDAY 28 JANUARY

08:00 – 17:00: Academic registration, computer user area registration and faculty meetings.

WEDNESDAY 29 JANUARY

08:00 – 13:00: Academic registration, computer user area registration and faculty meetings.

16:00 – 17:30: Sport club meetings. Click here for a link to the welcoming programme to find information about when and where these meetings take place. 

THURSDAY 30 JANUARY

08:00 – 12:00: Community Interaction morning. Each house use this morning to introduce their annual community project to their first-years and seniors.

FRIDAY 31 JANUARY ​

18:00 – 23:00: Vensters Street Theatre

MONDAY 3 FEBRUARY

Classes start for everyone

SENIORS

Seniors who were registered at SU in 2013 can e-register from 13-30 January.

Seniors in residences return on 2 February (at the latest – residences have own arrangements with seniors) and classes start on 3 February.

VARSITY CUP

Maties' first Varsity Cup match takes place on 3 February against NMMU in Port Elizabeth. The first home game in the Danie Craven stadium will be played against UCT on 10 February. 

Click here for a list of home fixtures.

Contact 021 808 9111 or send an e-mail to info@sun.ac.za for more information.

​​​​​Not in the mood to stand in long queues in the sun to register at Stellenbosch University? Then you have the option to make use of the self-registration option on www.mymaties.com.

However, due to technical issues this service will only be available from 17 January onwards.

First-years, undergraduate students in their second year and higher and postgraduate students are encouraged to make use of the self-registration (e-registration) system. This system will be available from 17 January until 30 January.

You can use any computer with internet access (go to www.mymaties.com). First-years should use the username (student number) and password that were sent to them via the post.

Students who don't have access to a computer can register in a special computer-user area (on the first floor) in the Langenhoven Student Centre (Neelsie) on the Stellenbosch campus. This area will be available daily between 08:00 and 16:00 from 20-30 January (excluding 25 and 26 January).

Seniors and postgraduate students: 

Senior undergraduate and postgraduate students may e-register as well as students who were registered in 2013 and wish to register as a first registration for a postgraduate programme in 2014. 

Students who do not register electronically (e-registration) have to follow the normal registration programme on 27-28 January (see programme for first-years) and 28-30 January (see programme for seniors). This will take place at NARGA (computer user area for students in the Faculty of Science) in Admin A.

Students on Tygerberg Campus can find their registration information here.

Students who are not yet registered when registration ends (on 28 January for first-years and on 30 January for seniors) will have to pay a late registration levy of R500.

Students who opted for self-registration must activate their student cards during the allotted time slots as indicated on the normal registration programme.

First-year students in the Extended Degree Programmes must preferably make use of the normal regis​​tration process at NARGA.

Rector's message to new Maties

If you are a prospective student who will soon be starting your studies at Stellenbosch University, check out this message by the rector and vice-chancellor, Prof Russel Botman.

​Thousands of first-years will descend on Stellenbosch University next week to start their university careers. Here are some tips given by senior students, and tweeted on Twitter with the hashtag #Tips4NewMaties.

First-years are welcome to follow the following accounts: @Matiesstudents, @StellenboschUni, @StelSRc, @fvzs en @Stelstudpar.

Stellenbosch Studpar @Stelstudpar

#Tips4newmaties Many of you took part in leadership at your schools and in your communities. Please choose to be active @matiesstudents

#Tips4newmaties As First years we need you to understand that you are not voiceless or superfluous. Your input is valuable and needed

#Tips4newmaties Be yourself, choose to exit your comfort zone and be open to new experiences! It's also ok to say 'No thank you'

Adriaan Louw @adriaanhlouw

#Tips4NewMaties You'll study in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Appreciate it

Janelle @JanelleH_27

If your hometown is close to Sbosch, don't go home every weekend. The most unexpected experiences happen over weekends #Tips4NewMaties

Dumisani Mahlangu @Dumirocks

Befriend BA students. They are the one who will help you with cover/motivational letters cometh the hour. #Tips4NewMaties

Shomane Mathiba @ShomaneM

We treat everyone with dignity, irrespective of skin colour, gender, faith or sexual orientation. Make it your ideal. #Tips4NewMaties

Maxine Bezuidenhout @MsMaxBex

There comes a time, around August, last time to load quota. Make sure you load enough. When it's done, the struggle is real #Tips4NewMaties

Do not ever take the second opp. Do not. Ever. #Tips4NewMaties

Tendani Amira Sidogi @Tendy01

#Tips4NewMaties as much as there are clubs just around the corner, there are a lot of churches as well.

Farah Fredericks @farahstar23

#Tips4NewMaties get involved in campus activities, become a student ambassador, volunteer with MGD, join a sport club

JC Landman @jc_landman

My number one #Tips4NewMaties: know your student number by heart — now already! You're going to use this for E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G.

Learn what HEMIS is and how it works. That one is not a myth. #Tips4NewMaties

Elisma Ackermann @ElismaAckermann

#Tips4NewMaties Always appear calm, the printers can sense when you are in a hurry. They WILL take their schweet time.

Jogi's Welt @ Jogis11

#Tips4NewMaties get yourself a fan and a heater! You'll thank me later

Lize van der Merwe @Lizeeee__

The saddest thing you can do is leave the university with just a degree.Explore, broaden your horisons, learn, take chances! #Tips4NewMaties

Fredrick Kotzé @FredKotze89

#Tips4NewMaties Start networking as soon as possible! In a modern society, just having a degree is not enough anymore. #contacts @fvzs

Faith Pienaar @Pienaar101

If you can sing or hold a note, join your residence or PSO ser group, it will be one of the best things you do at varsity. #Tips4NewMaties

Lezahn Beukus @lezahn

#tips4newmaties Remember to click '6 slides per page' before printing slides. NB!

Hendrikvh @hendrikvh

#Tips4newmaties Don't take advice from other students. Especially when they're repeating the subject.

Jethro Georgiades @jethroGG

Get involved, be proactive and make the #matiesexperience your own. Do this and you will reap the rewards! #Tips4NewMaties @fvzs @lbvr

James Karayiannis @JVKaras_17

It doesn't matter if your in Res or PSO, your #matiesexperience is what YOU make of it. @VestaPSOManswyk @StellenboschUni #Tips4NewMaties

Clinton du Preez @Cleintoon

#Tips4NewMaties In Stellies, when it rains, it pours. Come prepared with a huge umbrella. In fact, a gazebo will work better. @StelSRc

Martin Becker @martinbckr

#Tips4NewMaties if you skip tutorials you might just as well head home now

Nadine Moodie @NadineMoodie1

#Tips4NewMaties make friends with smart people in your class and start study groups as early as possible. #Academicsfirst

​​​​​Insta-Moment: Colour your world is the theme for MAD² 2014 and that is exactly what MAD² wants to achieve.

For too long we had to look at the person next to us and say we are or look the same. With the 2014 theme we can celebrate and acknowledge that we are diverse and unique and we can be proud of this diversity. But the theme is even broader than that. Students and spectators are encouraged to make every moment a photo-moment. We are surrounded with the beauty of nature, diverse people, great opportunities, and we sometimes forget to just stop for a moment and take it all in. The only requirement of the theme is: to take every opportunity and make it a beautiful memory. 

MAD² 2014 would like to send out a new image of what the body is and does. The main purpose is to raise funds for the One Stop Service, a body established and maintained by Matie Community Service (MCS). This service then uses 60% of this profit to support student-driven projects and 40% to cover general administrative expenditures of MCS. 

While raising funds for MCS, MAD² also uses the opportunity to introduce first-year students to University and to give them the opportunity to dream big, get involved and kick their University career off on a high note. It is therefore very important that the MAD² activities have a meaning and portrays an important message. 

It was found that in previous MAD² attempts there is room for improving this with regard to some of the events. The MAD² 2014 programme includes:

Dream Launch – 23 January 2014

This is the big kick off of the programme and takes place just before the first-year students and their parents are welcomed by the Rector. At this event, each first-year student will receive a balloon on which they can write their dreams. All the different houses will then gather at the Coetzenburg Field where about 5000 balloons will be released into the air. The balloons are made from a special latex material that is 100% organic and bio-degradable.

MAD2 attach great importance to the way in which a student's University career start. In a sense it creates the foundation for the way you go through your time on campus. For many first-year students the gap between school and university is very big and can be overwhelming and intimidating and therefore a strong and meaningful starting point is very important for MAD².

The purpose of the event is to communicate a message of being able to do what you dream and that the sky is the limit. It also gives first year students the opportunity to really think about their dreams and set goals for themselves. Apart from personal enrichment, the community will also be able to see that Stellenbosch University students are back for another year. The colours of the balloons will be in the Matie colours (maroon, gold and silver).

Bondelsport – 25 January 2014

This event gives the different houses on campus the opportunity to bou gees  - get pride for their house. The format of this event will be different from Bondelsport in the past. To ensure a more intimate event with your house, houses will be divided into groups and these groups will rotate between three events: Bondelsport, Societies Fair and Pool Party.

We invite all first-year students to join in the fun! Be sure to visit the Danie Craven sport grounds at Coetzenburg between 14:00 and 20:00 to support your house and participate in a variety of fun sport activities.

Community Interaction morning – 30 January 2014

Matie Community Service is the main beneficiary of MAD² and receives all the funds raised by MAD². Each house use this morning to introduce their annual community project to their first-years and seniors. By taking part in this morning the first year students already get involved in the community and their house.

Vensters Street Theatre - 31 January 2014

Vensters are one of the most colourful evenings you will ever experience on the Stellenbosch campus and attracts more and more spectators each year. Different house pairs face the challenge of entertaining and impressing spectators and judges with interesting story lines and dance moves - all within 10 minutes! The productions are repeated all night so that the public can have the privilege to see the performances of all the house pairs. The shows run from 18:00 to 23:00 and you can buy a very reasonable entrance band at a donation of R20 a week before Vensters in the Neelsie or on the night of Vensters at the different production venues. Your wristband is your ticket for all 21 productions!

Colour Together - 1 February 2014

After a busy week, on Saturday 1 February it is time to start downsizing and get ready for class that starts on 3 February. MAD² therefore wants to give first years a less-active, but meaningful conclusion to the week's events.

First-year students are invited to attend a mass skakeling in Victoria Street between 14:00 and 16:00. On this occasion the students get the opportunity to make new friends and to share experiences and memories with each other.
This, however, is not just a boring skakeling, but also a colour festival! Each house will receive different colour powder paint (environmentally friendly of course) and then come together in Victoria Street where everyone can socialise. The powder is then thrown during the course of the event to portray a symbol of diversity. By the end of the day, the first years will be full of different colours that depict that no matter who you are or what your personality is like, here's a place for you at Stellenbosch University. Regardless of how much or what paint colour you've got on you, it's all good, you're here because you have to be here and that you fit in here. It will also portray the University's message of diversity in a visual way and promote it.
The purpose of the event is to reassure the first years that they fit into this mass of people and to give them a visual sketch showing that they are one, but still 5000.

Community Festival - 1 March 2014
Everyone over the age of 18 are welcome at our annual community festival where big names of the music industry will entertain spectators for the whole day. We kick off the day with a fun walk/-run to get the energy levels high. More information will be announced closer to the time.

Boekhoek (second hand books) - Open 3 February​ 2014
Boekhoek is a second-hand bookshop with a difference. Here you can get rid of your old textbooks while other students can buy it at reasonable prices. Books that do not sell or aren't claimed within the designated time, will be donated to various prisons in the Western Cape.

The Boekhoek is open weekdays from 3 February to 3 March between 12:00 and 14:00 on the third floor of the Neelsie (next to the SRc Boardroom).

Big Bleed 3 to 7 February 2014
Be a Hero and donate blood! Hurry to the Big Bleed stand! By earning valuable SMOEG points your Residence/PSO could be elected as the 2014 MAD² winner. The Big Bleed Dracula's await you from 3-7 February in the Khaya at the Kruiskerk on the corner of Victoria and Ryneveld Street. Choose to make a difference and save a life from 09:00 to 15:30 by donating blood.

SMS Fundraising - 25 September 2013 - 2 March 2014

A caring SMS line is open to anyone in South Africa. All it involves is at R2 an SMS by sending a SMS to 34877. The word "MAD" and your residence / PSO's name should appear in this text. The funds go directly to MCS. If you do not want to support a specific residence/PSO just sent "mad" to this line.

* For more information, contact us at mad@sun.ac.za / 021 808 36 32

​​​This edition proudly highlights philanthropic donations from SU alumni and the tremendous impact it has had on both the university and students who have benefitted from your support!

We thank our donors for their continued commitment to the HOPE Project- with the funds raised, we are able to give hope to so many deserving individuals that for now only dream about one day being a member of the SU alumni community.

Just as you've benefitted from your time at SU, continue to help us to open doors for others to share in that experience!

Let's make hope happen together the SU way!

Alumnus_Dec 2013.pdf​

​Six learners on the Western Cape Education Department's merit list for 2013. 34 A candidates. 157 A symbols for individual subjects. A pass rate of 100%.

With achievements such as these it is no surprise that staff members of Stellenbosch University's Centre for Pedagogy (SUNCEP) were in a celebratory mood last week when the results of the Grade 12 learners that formed part of the 2013 HOPE@Maties programme were released.

The average of the group as a whole (218 learners) is 72.21%.

The HOPE@Maties programme at SU prepares learners for university by ensuring that they meet admission requirements and that they develop the skills they will need to successfully study at university.

Dr Trevor van Louw, Director of SUNCEP, said the success can be attributed to the collaboration between various role players, including SU, the WCED, school principals, learners, teachers and parents.

"These role players form a formidable team that put in many extra hours and is now reaping the rewards. These role players are serious about the future of our children."

He added that the fantastic results are evidence that obstacles can be overcome when everyone works together and that it is possible to deliver good quality results despite these obstacles.

The HOPE@Matie learners on the WCED's merit list are Aqeelah Adams of South Pensinsula High in Grassy Park, Saskia Adriaanse of Esselenpark Secondary School in Worcester, Laylaa Fakier and Musa Omar of Livingstone High in Claremont, Rushka Ismail of Mondale High in Mitchells Plain and Lukhanyiso Jantjies from Fezekile Secondary School in Oudtshoorn.

Rushka Ismail, one of the top achievers, will study Engineering at SU and become a resident of Metanoia Residence. According to her mother, Roshaan Ismail, Rushka is the first member of her family to study at SU and they are very proud of her.

Saskia Adriaanse is looking forward to her life as a Matie student. She will study Accounting (BAcc) and plans to build on her success. She is very grateful to HOPE@Maties and for the help she received.

"You cannot do well without making some sacrifices. It is the only way to make your dreams come true," she added. It was her goal to achieve an A aggregate but she was pleasantly surprised to hear that she was on the merit list.

Musa Omar has been accepted to study medicine at SU. He said the HOPE@Maties programme assisted him in reaching his goal of achieving good results.

Another HOPE@Maties learner, Mercia Mentoor from Klein Nederburg Secondary School in Paarl, received a ministerial award for achieving three distinctions in the final exam despite difficult personal circumstances.  

In 2013, SU recruitment bursaries were awarded to 196 learners who achieved an aggregate of more than 70% in Grade 11. A total of 146 learners could maintain this achievement in Grade 12.

Besides the 34 A-aggregate candidates, there were 32 As for Mathematics (subject average: 63.87%), 21 As for Physical Sciences (subject average 64.01%), 63 As for Life Sciences (subject average: 75.56%) and 41 As for Accounting (subject average: 74.42%). This is a total of 157 As.

SciMathUS

Students who attended the SciMathUS bridging programme also performed well. The programme offers Grade 12 learners from educationally disadvantaged schools the opportunity to improve their marks in order to meet university admission requirements.

The group's Mathematics average improved by 19 percentage points. A total of 83% of the students achieved more than 60% - the minimum requirement for admission to many university courses. 43% achieved more than 70% and the best Mathematics learner scored 94%. Three students in the programme took Mathematical literacy at school and had to complete the entire Further Education and Training (FET) phase's Mathematics in 10 months at SciMathUS. Two of them scored above 85%. A group of 16 learners achieved A symbols in Mathematics.

The average improvement in the group's Physical Sciences mark was 16 percentage points. Most of the students achieved between 60% and 70%, and five students earned A symbols.

Contact details

HOPE@Maties: The HOPE@Maties programme will be offered again this year. Top-achieving students with a percentage of 70%+ in Grade 11 (excluding life orientation) can contact Lynthon Jacobs on 021 808 2274 if they want to be considered for the programme.

SciMathUS: Learners have until 28 January to apply for the SciMathUS programme. Contact them on 021 808 3483 or iwwous@sun.ac.za.

Photos: Adrian Baillie-Stewart

​Approximately 5000 new Maties will descend on Stellenbosch this week to start their studies at Stellenbosch University (SU). Most of these students will arrive at their residences or private wards on 22 and 23 January and participate in SU's welcoming programme for new students (see www.sun.ac.za/welcome for more information).

​The Endler Concert Series will kick off its 2014 series of 42 concerts with concerts on 7 and 9 February respectively. On Friday the 7^th of February at 20:00 the SAMA winning Stellenbosch University Camerata will deliver a programme that opens with Elgar’s much loved String Serenade. Nina Schumann will then play Haydn’s most popular piano concerto, no 11 in D major, after which Peter and Suzanne Martens will take up the solo parts in Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante KV 364.

Tickets, available from Computicket and at the door, range from R80 to R125. For further information, please contact the Endler Concert Series during office hours on 021 808 2358.

​​​"We want to make students part of life on campus as quickly as possible and to set the tone that academics is important, but that can also have fun."

With these words, Mr Brandon Como of the Centre for Student Structures and Communities at Stellenbosch University (SU) welcomed 230 first generation students and their parents at the University's annual First Generation Success Camp.

The camp, which is being held for the third time this year, is  an extension of the welcoming programme for first-year students that SU has been presenting with great success for several years

Themed Celebrating the unsung heroes, this year's camp recognises the efforts of those US staff and student leaders who away from the limelight make a valuable contribution to success of students.  

"Student success is very important to us. We are proud of our achievements is this regards, but one has to renew constantly and our first generation success camp is a welcome innovation," says SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Russel Botman.

The Success Camp, or Awêness camp as it is known among the newcomers, aims to help students who are first in their families to attend SU, to overcome various personal and academic challenges and to give them the best opportunity to be successful in all spheres of student life. The camp gives them a taste of what life on campus has to offer, but also expects from students, including leadership development, critical interaction, study techniques and financial management.

This year, speakers from the university and the sports world will be addressing students on a wide range of topics.

For group work and discussion sessions, the students are split into eight villages named after eight "Campus Heroes" who had a significant impact on the lives and success of students.

These "Campus Heroes" who were identified by students, are Mr Taamba Lithete (former member of the SRC and initiator of the camp); Mr Pieter Kloppers (driving force behind the idea of first generation students); Miss Adri Brits (Administrative Head: Tyberberg Student Council); Miss Sherrill February (Residence Head of Heemstede and also personal assistant to two former SU vice-rectors, Prof Russel Botman en Prof Magda Fourie-Malherbe); Prof Magda Fourie-Malherbe (former Vice-Rector: Teaching), Dr Llewellyn MacMaster (Former Dean of Students), Mr Hein Wagner (blind adventurer); and Miss Monica Du Toit (Manager: Institutional HIV Coordination).

A number of exciting activities are included in the programme, including a hike through Stellenbosch and grounds at the foot of the Stellenbosch mountain; film and talent shows; as well as water games. Through The Awêness Race students will get to know the campus in a fun and entertaining way.

Dr Greg Ricks, senior fellow at the SU, who has also been a dean of students at various universities in the USA for more than 30 years, will again facilitate this year's camp.

Mrs Beryl Botman, wife of SU Rector, Prof Russel Botman, was the hostess at a luncheon for the parents of this group of first-generation Maties on Saturday (18 January).

The Success Camp concludes on Wednesday (23 January 2013) and first-years will join the University's official Welcoming Programme which kicks off on Thursday (23 January, 2013) with the welcoming of new Maties and their parents at the Danie Craven Stadium on Coetzenburg at 18:00.

• Contact Mr Brandon Como, Coordinator of the Success Camp, at 021 808 4769, cell 079 995 9050 or e-mail como@sun.ac.za for more information.
  
• Visit www.sun.ac.za/welcome for more information on the welcoming programme.
  

Photo 1: First generation students at the Success Camp.

Photo 2: Mrs Beryl Botman (centre) with some of the parents of first generation students at the luncheon.

Dr Marlise Terblanche-Smit, senior lecturer in marketing and strategy at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB), has been handed the additional task of heading the USB's MBA programme.

Terblanche-Smit joined USB at the beginning of 2013. Previously, she was senior lecturer at the Department of Business Management at the main campus in Stellenbosch.

Responding to her new role, Terblanche-Smit says she feels privileged and is committed to the continuous improvement of the MBA programme to meet complex challenges in the South African and global business environment.

Terblanche-Smit believes an MBA qualification remains highly relevant and that it is a solid investment in an individual's future, which opens new horizons. "The MBA today offers new and different viewpoints on current and future business challenges, which enhances the MBA graduate's relevance in the business environment," she says.

Although enrolling for an MBA on a full-time basis remains the ideal, Terblanche-Smit particularly emphasises the benefits of enrolling for the part-time MBA programme, which runs over weekends.

"The part-time MBA option is a practical and excellent choice for students from the Cape Peninsula, Boland and even the broader Western Cape region, because classes are presented on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. This means embarking on an MBA doesn't necessarily mean time away from work. The busy business executive can obtain this qualification without sacrificing any time at work. It also offers the opportunity to transfer knowledge from the classroom into the workplace immediately, which adds to the MBA student's learning experience," she says.

Talented young pianists have until Monday 27 January to enter the prestigious national Hennie Joubert Piano Competition. Not only will the winners receive prize money, but they will also have the opportunity to perform with the University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra (USSO).

The competition will be held in March as part of the biennale Piano Symposium presented by Stellenbosch University's Music Department.

Some of today's foremost South African pianists have been competitors in the Hennie Joubert Piano Competition while still in high school. These include Petronel Malan, Catherine Foxcroft, Kathleen Tagg, Christopher Duigan, Mark Nixon and Prof Nina Schumann, Head of Piano Studies at Stellenbosch University.

"Being a former participant myself, I know that taking part in the Hennie Joubert Piano Competition gives a young pianist the necessary confidence on which a later career as musician can be built. It also gives you a means of interacting with your peers and sharing your experiences," says Schumann.

The biennale Hennie Joubert Piano Competition is held over four rounds and is open to all South African pianists of 18 years and younger.

For the first round, pianists must submit a recording of themselves by Monday 27 January. Thereafter, only ten candidates will be invited to participate in the second round, which will take place during the Piano Symposium at the Stellenbosch Konservatorium's Endler Hall on Saturday 22 March.

The third round takes place the next day, after which the five finalists will be announced. They will perform with the USSO on Wednesday 26 March. All participants in the second round will receive a certificate at this gala concert.

The winner of the first prize receives R22 000 in prize money, the Hennie Joubert Trophy, as well as a gold medal. The second prize winner is awarded R15 000 and a silver medal; the third prize winner receives R10 000 and a bronze medal; the fourth prize is R6 000; and the fifth prize is R4 000. Category prizes may also be awarded.

The Hennie Joubert Piano Competition has a long history starting in 1983, when the South African piano manufacturer Dietmann proposed a sponsorship for the promotion of the performing arts to the Wellington Music Society. It was decided to use the funds to start a new piano competition.

Joan de Villiers, Chairperson of the Wellington Music Society, contacted Hannelie Prinsloo, André Serfontein and Bennie van Eeden to serve as founding members of the Dietmann Piano Competition. The year 1986 was marked by the untimely passing of one of South Africa's most influential musicians. It was decided that the Dietmann Piano Competition be renamed in memory of Hennie Joubert.

After 20 years the competition temporarily came to a halt. In 2011, André Serfontein, who acted as competition organiser over many years, contacted SU's Department of Music, who decided to continue the competition as part of the Piano Symposium. Through the generous sponsorship of the Rupert Music Foundation, Yamaha and Global Music, the 2012 Hennie Joubert Piano Competition was once more announced.

Sulayman Human (photo above), the 2012 winner and now a third-year music student under Schumann and her husband Luis Magalhães, says the competition gave him a huge boost.

"It was great to have the competition prize money which could fund my piano studies at Stellenbosch, but more than that, winning this competition gave me the confidence and determination to work even harder to achieve my goal of becoming a concert pianist," says Human.

• Visit www.henniejoubertpiano.org for more information and to enter the competition.

​​Five Matie hockey players and four former Matie hockey players were included in the national women's hockey team currently representing South Africa in the Hartleyvale test series. 

The team has already played two matches against the Netherlands and will play nine more tests, against Australia en Belgium respectively.

Maties Sportswoman of the Year foe 2013 Quanita Bobbs is one of the Matie players participating in the series. The other are Hanli Hattingh, Ilze Davids, Erin Hunter and Tarryn Glasby.

A former Stellenbosch University (SU) Sportswoman of the Year and double Olympian Kathleen Taylor has also been called up for service.

Other former Maties in the team is Shelley Russel, Tarryn Bright and Lenise Marais.

Ms Jackie Wiese, Director: Maties Sport, said SU is especially proud of Tarryn Glasby who, as a school learner played for Maties in 2013, and who also represented Maties in the U/21 team.

"We are very proud of all of you and we wish you the best for your hockey careers. Remember - once a Matie, always a Matie," she added.

Match information: 

Saturday 18 January – Holland wen 5-0

Monday 20 January – Holland wen 5-1

Wednesday 22 January – Test vs Australia (19:00)

Friday 24 January – Test vs Australia (19:00)

Saturday 25 January – Test vs Australia (16:00)

Sunday 26 January – Test vs Belgium (16:00)

Tuesday 28 January – Test vs Belgium (20:00)

Wednesday ​29 January  – Test vs Belgium (19:00)

Friday 31 January ​– Test vs Belgium (19:00)

Sunday 2 February – Test vs Belgium (16:00)

Monday 3 February – Test vs Belgium (19:00)

Investec South Africa's Quanita Bobbs in possession with Valerie Magis in close attendance. Photo: PETER HEEGER​​. Source: www.sahockey.co.za

The University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) operates within international quality frameworks that have been developed and agreed upon by different quality accreditation organisations. 

This was emphasised by Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel, Stellenbosch University (SU) Vice-rector: Teaching and Learning, at USB's academic opening last Thursday.

The degrees and post-graduate diplomas offered by USB, he said, presented students with a value proposition – that they will derive long term value and benefits from the USB's quality stamp as a reward for the time, money and energy that they are investing through their executive studies.

Also present at the event were senior academics, such as Prof Eugene Cloete (SU Vice-rector: Research and Innovation), Prof Johann de Villiers (SU Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences) and Prof Wim Gevers (USB academic head).

Schoonwinkel said the quality criteria frameworks have been developed and agreed upon by the top business schools in the world, and is being implemented – and continuously reviewed - by different international quality accreditation organisations.

Over the past thirteen years, the USB has demonstrated itself to be a leading South African business school by having been the first to apply for and to achieve the "triple crown" of international accreditations – EQUIS (European Foundation for Management Development), AMBA (Association of MBAs) and North America's AACSB (Association of Advanced Collegiate Schools of Business).

He added that the context and strategy of the business school are at the heart of the quality measurement framework. It includes a clear vision for future direction, a strategic plan developed with the school's institutional and environmental context, clearly formulated medium-term objectives, clearly identified markets, a realistic assessment of current and future resources, external governance and internal management structures and processes for strategic implementation.

"The USB's vision is to strive to be the preferred knowledge partner of the world in Africa and of Africa in the world and its strategic priorities echo those of Stellenbosch University deployed around themes – related to the continued quest for excellence in all dimensions of its operations, of broadening access and diversity and of enhancing the societal impact of all its activities," Schoonwinkel told his audience.

According to him, faculty staff is also regarded as a key resource to ensure quality at USB. Faculty members should be well-qualified and demonstrably active in knowledge creation and transmission, as well as demonstrating active international involvement in key activities. This is illustrated by USB faculty being in high demand on the international teaching circuit.

Equally important is output from research and development that ultimately leads to the enhancement of the school's national and international reputation. Lastly, academic programmes should be designed based on (a) the expertise of faculty, (b) the needs of students and the corporate market and (c) set within the local governance framework.

"The aim is to recruit high quality students of diverse backgrounds and to produce high quality graduates sought after by employers," said Schoonwinkel. Personal development of students to enhance employability and to develop their life skills are key factors at USB.

Still, the school cannot afford to become complacent. Among the factors that will significantly influence South African business schools in the decade ahead, includes the following: pressures to contain cost of programmes; pressures to increase the employment rations of graduates; presentation of joint international programmes; and increased competition for quality faculty and the best students.

Caption: Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel (Stellenbosch University Vice-rector: Teaching and Learning), with Prof Johann De Villiers (outgoing SU dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences), Dr Marlize Terblanche-Smit (USB head: MBA programme), Prof Eugene Cloete (SU Vice-rector: Research and Innovation) and Prof Wim Gevers (USB academic head). Picture: Heindrich Wyngaard

​​The creative world of the engineer is exciting, stimulating and rewarding. On Saturday 8 March 2014 you will have a golden opportunity to see how engineers use science and technology in an innovative manner to make the world a better place for all. At Stellenbosch University's popular annual Engineering Open Day personnel and students of the five engineering departments will entertain and enchant visitors with exhibits and demonstrations depicting the interesting world of the engineer.

To find out more, do pop in any time between 09:00 and 15:00 at the Engineering complex. The starting point is at the big white marquee tent in front of the Engineering building complex, corner of Banghoek Road and Joubert Street (diagonally across the Traffic Department), Stellenbosch.

A tour of all the exhibits (on you own or accompanied by a student acting as a tour guide) should take about three hours. However, you can plan your route according to the time you have available.

Admission is free of charge and everyone is welcome. This includes school groups.

The Open Day offers educational entertainment for the whole family. High school learners and their parents will also get the opportunity to find out more about engineering as a career and a field of study during information sessions regarding the Faculty of Engineering's degree programmes. These half-hour sessions will be held at 09:30, 11:30 and 13:30 in the Reitz Hall (situated in the General Engineering building close to the marquee tent).

Learners who still have to select subjects, and who are considering engineering as a career, should definitely attend to find out how important Mathematics and Physical Sciences are for admission to engineering studies.

A few companies who have been specifically selected on the basis of bursaries they have available for prospective engineering students will be present at this year's Open Day. Stellenbosch University's Bursary and Loans Division will also have a stall at the Open Day.

Enquiries regarding the Engineering Open Day can be sent to engineer@sun.ac.za

Coordinates for the Faculty of Engineering building complex

33º 55' 45" S

18º 51' 54" E

​​Thousands of new first-year students moved into residences and other accommodation in Stellenbosch on Wednesday and Thursday, and will soon be officially welcomed as Maties during the welcoming ceremony at Coetzenburg .

Jessica Spurrier's mother, Liana, and grandmother, Ona, had to help her with her heavy luggage when she moved into Harmonie women's residence. Jessica, whose family has been living in England for the past 20 years, decided to come and study at Stellenbosch University. "Fortunately my grandmother stays in the Barrydale area, so I can visit her when I am very homesick," said an excited Jessica.

Mr Shalim Dunn from Plumstead in Cape Town says he does not feel sad about leaving his daughter, Sharné, behind at Heemstede to start her university career, "because she is so happy and excited". "If she's happy, I'm happy." Sharné is going to study BSc.

Tshepiso Maloma from Polokwane in the Limpopo province, came all the way to SU to study Actuarial Science after her sister, who also studied here, told her how wonderful it is to be a Matie. She will be staying in Irene women's residence.

Saskia Adriaanse, who participated in SU's HOPE@Maties programme and ended up on the Western Cape Education Department's merit list for 2013, moved into Harmonie on Thursday morning. Saskia of Esselenpark Secondary School in Worcester, will be studying Accounting (BAcc) and said she's excited and ready for the year ahead. "I know nothing in life comes easy and I'm used to hard work. So I'm prepared to put in all the effort to succeed," she said.

The HOPE@Maties programme at SU prepares learners for university by ensuring that they meet admission requirements and that they develop the skills they will need to successfully study at university. Saska was one of six HOPE@Maties learners on the WCED's merit list. 

Another first-year, Mercia Mentoor from Paarl, is "anxious and excited" about the year ahead. Mercia, who will be following the extended degree programme in BAcc, received an extraordinary ministerial award, awarded to a 2013 matriculant who excelled academically despite great personal challenges. She obtained three distinctions, namely 85% in accounting, 85% in Economics and 83% in English first additional language. She was also part of the Hope@Maties programme.

Mrs Karen Sadie of Springbok, whose eldest son Adriaan will be studying Electronic and Electrical Engineering, said it still feels so unreal that she'll be leaving him behind in Stellenbosch. "It has not sunk in yet, let's blame it on delayed reactions," she said. "But we've heard only good things about this university, so we trust that all will be well." Adriaan, the first of his family to become a Matie, moved into Simonsberg residence on Wednesday.

At Irene residence, Luyolo Radebe from Centurion, said she's looking forward to experience Matieland. Luyolo, who will be studying Engineering, said she chose Stellenbosch because she is "so ready for the adventure".

Robert Zingela of Zisukhanyo Secondary School in Mitchells Plain was welcomed at Dagbreek on Wednesday. Robert successfully completed the SU's SciMathUS bridging year and improved his mark so much that he will now study Accounting (BAcc). He did Mathematical Literacy at school and had to complete who the Further Education and Training (FET) phase of Maths in his SciMathUS year. He passed the exam with 83%.

After reporting at the various residences and private ward houses, new Maties can look forward to the official kick-off to the welcoming programme at a mass meeting at the Danie Craven Stadium at 18:00 on Thursday 23 January. Here they will be welcomed by the SU Rector, Prof Russel Botman.

MAD² activities

As part of the welcoming programme students participate in MAD² (Making A Decision 2 Make A Difference). MAD² is a student-driven fund-raising initiative linked to the Student Representative Council. The programme includes various events to raise funds for Maties Community Service (MCS).

Interested people can diarise the following events:

Bondelsport is an opportunity for first-years to develop some team spirit while participating in fun sport activities. There will also be a Societies Fair (during which students will be introduced to the different societies on campus) and a pool party. This will all take place at Coetzenburg on Saturday 25 January at 14:00.

Vensters Street Theatre is one of the most colourful events you will ever experience on Stellenbosch campus; it attracts more spectators than any other MAD² event. Different house pairs face the challenge of entertaining and impressing spectators and judges with interesting story lines and dance moves - all within 10 minutes! The productions are repeated all night so that the public can have the privilege to see the performances of all the house pairs. The shows run from 18:00 to 23:00 on 31 January.

On 1 February first-years will gather in Victoria Street between 14:00 and 16:00 for a Colour Festival. Each house will receive different colour powder paint (environmentally friendly) and then come together in Victoria Street where everyone can socialise. The powder will be thrown during the course of the event to portray diversity. By the end of the day, the first years will be full of different colours that depict that no matter who you are or what your personality is like, there's a place for you at Stellenbosch University

The welcoming week ends on Saturday 1 February and classes will start on Monday 3 February.

MAD²: www0.sun.ac.za/madsquare, tel 021 808 3632 mad@sun.ac.za

Captions: 

Photo 1:  Jessica Spurrier's mother, Liana (middle), and grandmother, Ona (right), helps her to carry her bags into Harmonie women's residence. Photo: Wayne Muller.

Photo 2: Saskia Adriaanse, who participated in SU's HOPE@Maties programme and ended up on the Western Cape Education Department's merit list for 2013, welcomed into Harmonie by die house committee. Photo: Wayne Muller.

Photo 3: Tshepiso Maloma from Polokwane in the Limpopo province, is now a proud resident of Irene women's residence. Photo: Wayne Muller  

​​​Striving for excellence is one of the aims of the Rachel's Angels mentorship programme and this was clear in the inprovement in the results of all the participating schools.

The Rachel's Angels mentorship programme is a Media24 initiative that operates in the Western Cape in association with Stellenbosch University (SU). The project aims to contribute towards the building of excellence in high school education, and was conceptualised by Professor Rachel Jafta of Stellenbosch University's Department of Economics, Koos Bekker, Managing Director of Naspers and the late Prof Jakes Gerwel.

The Trust involves senior students from SU and Grade 11 learners from local high schools (seven learners from each of the 20 schools). The students act as mentors for the learners for two years, enabling the learners to improve their academic abilities and enrich their life skills.

All 138 learners in the 2012/13 cycle of the programme passed their NSC exams and the group earned a total of 166 subject distinctions. This pass rate is an improvement on the 95% of 2011 and the 92% in 2009.

The top achievers were Nurjaan Brinkhuis of Lückhoff Secondary School with six distinctions, and Shayna Batts of New Orleans Secondary School, Bianca de Koning of Gansbaai High School and Arthur Skosan and Meager Hollenbach from Bernadino Heights, each earning five distinctions.

The learners from New Orleans earned 23 distinctions compared to 18 in 2011, while the learners from Grassdale earned 13 distinctions compared to 0 in 2011.

Spurgeon-Haddon Wilson, Project Manager of the Rachel's Angels Trust, added proudly that schools such as Malibu, Ravensmead, Proteus and Saxonsea showed great improvement. The number of subject distinctions earned by Rachel's Angels learners in each school, were 14, 10 (up from 2), 5 (up from 0) and 9 (up from 2) respectively.

"We at the Rachel's Angels trust are very proud of our learners and especially of the quality results they delivered. Our schools and learners can indeed be proud of themselves and their achievements. The results are proof that success is possible with hard word and perseverance despite personal circumstances and challenges. It is also proof that intervention programmes such as Rachel's Angels can make a huge contribution to develop the potential of learners.

"I want to thank our roleplayers (Media24, SU and especially the Departments of Economics and Industrial Science, as well as our participating schools for their continued support and confidence in the Rachel's Angels Trust, and the work that we do."