In a first for Africa, a correlative nano-imaging platform has been established at Stellenbosch University's Central Analytical Facilities (CAF) with the acquisition of a new state-of-the-art electron microscope.

The new Zeiss MERLIN field emission gun scanning electron microscope can resolve features as small as 0.6 nano-meters in size, as well as measure the chemical composition of delicate glass, mineral and biological samples.

The new microscope has now been correlated with a Zeiss super-resolution scanning laser microscope which has recently been up-graded to achieve additional super-resolution capabilities.

The correlation of these two cutting edge microscopes has made possible the first nano-resolution correlative light (laser) and electron microscopy (CLEM) platform in Africa, explains Ms Lize Engelbrecht, manager of CAF's Fluorescent Microscopy Unit.

Dr Angelique Coetzer, staff analyst at CAF's Scanning Electron Microbeam Unit where the new electron microscope is housed, says scientists will now be able to both identify an area of concern on the nanoscale using fluorescence and further explore the structure of that feature in more detail using electron imaging. Samples can be transferred from one microscope system to another in just a few minutes. Furthermore, the search for the same nanometer-scale region of interest is fully automated.

Dr Coetzer says students and researchers from various disciplines, in particular from microbiology, physiological sciences, geology, engineering and polymer science, have already started to explore the exciting possibilities offered by the new technology.

There is also significant interest from industry in the chemical and image analysis capabilities of the new equipment and the nano-imaging platform. Clients are from the mineral and diamond exploration industry, nanofiber manufacturers, the food, wine and spirit industry, as well as the munitions, welding/metal, water filters, jewellery and paint industries.

The official launch of the new equipment, and a showcase of the first results from the correlative microscopy (CLEM) platform, will take place on Tuesday 11 October 2016.

In the images above: Previously scientists were able to look into, for example, a cell by using fluorescent markers to identify contents of the cell which are of interest. In the fluorescence image above left, virus particles that entered cells, the cell membrane is stained green and the nucleus (which controls cellular function) is visible in blue. However, up till now it was impossible to obtain a clear image of the structure of the part of the cell that needs to be analysed. With the new Zeiss MERLIN field emission gun scanning electron microscope, the internal cellular structure of that part of the cell can now be visualised – see the two images (above middle and right) of the same area of the cell.

Technical information

The Zeiss LSM 780 Confocal Microscope with ELYRA PS1 super-resolution platform has been upgraded in 2015 to include, in addition to the existing Super-resolution Structured Illimunation Microscopy (SR-SIM) module, the Photoactivated localisation microscopy/Stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (PALM/STORM) module. The upgrade included an additional 405 nm (50 mW) diode laser, as well as a 633 nm (150 mW) diode laser and a new Andor EM-CCD camera IXon DU 885 camera for PALM.   

While the limit of resolution is reduced from approximately 200 nm to approximately 100 nm with SR-SIM, PALM/STORM improves the resolution even further down to 30 nm. With confocal microscopy one cannot see the layers of a double membrane, while this is possible with SR-SIM. PALM/STORM then enables the researcher to visualise some structural features of the molecules of these membranes. With this new technology, fluorescent molecules are not excited all at the same time, but over a course of a few minutes. This has an effect referred to in the field as "blinking". With ultra-fast imaging, all these excitation events are recorded and the software reconstructs the image by statistically calculating the exact localisation of each fluorescent molecule.

The Carl Zeiss MERLIN high resolution field emission scanning electron microscope (FE SEM) has nano-scale image and micro- and cryo-EDS analytical capabilities. The MERLIN combines ultra-fast analytics and high resolution imaging and is capable of a wide range of beam flexibility, from a voltage of 20V to 30kV and beam currents of 7pA to 40 nA, as well as resolutions of up to 0.6 nanometres at 30kV and 1.6 nanometres at 1kV.

The system is fitted with a number of detectors for imaging, including: an in-lens and chamber secondary (SE) detectors, an in-column energy selective backscattered (ESB) electron detector, a retractable 5 diode backscattered electron detector (BSD), a cathodoluminescence (CL) detector and a scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) detector with a resolution of 0.6nm.

Analytical capability is provided by the Oxford Instruments XMax 150mm² detector for high resolution spectra and high spatial resolution maps using energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). Furthermore, the instrument has a Quorum cryostage for micro-quantitative analysis of beam sensitive samples, as well as a facility for local charge compensation (CC) for the analysis of insulating samples.

The second microscope is a Carl Zeiss Axio Petrographic Light Microscope. It is fully correlated with the MERLIN FE SEM by the Carl Zeiss Shuttle & Find correlative microscopy interface for light- and electron microscopes.

​"If you do what you love, you never work a day in your life," the popular saying goes. And that, says Mrs Sonja van Staden, is exactly how she feels about her job.

Van Staden is the personal assistant to Prof Nico Gey van Pittius, Vice Dean: Research at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) at Stellenbosch University (SU). Her role entails not only running a busy office, but also liaising with other FMHS departments and providing them with effective support and loyalty, she explains.

Her positive attitude towards her work was rewarded when the Department of Psychiatry nominated her for the Award for Excellent Service Provided to the Department by an Individual within the University at the end of last year. A statement released by the Department of Psychiatry on the matter described Van Staden as "always pleasant and quick to assist. It is always a pleasant experience liaising with her."

This speaks directly to the motto that Van Staden lives by: "I believe you should always treat other people with respect, even if it's not always easy. What goes around, comes around," she says.

The award is the first of its kind and was an initiative by Prof Soraya Seedat, Executive Head of the Department of Psychiatry, to recognise staff for their outstanding achievements. Staff in the department were invited to nominate individuals for specific awards. In Van Staden's category, the aim of the award was to recognise individuals or departments within the university who have shown commitment to providing the Department of Psychiatry with excellent and consistent service. There were six nominations in this category. Prof Martin Kidd, Director for the Centre of Statistical Consultation, was the winner. Other categories included the Community Engagement Service Award, the Administrative Excellence Award and the Award for Research Excellence.

Van Staden was thrilled to be nominated. "It gave my confidence a big boost. I feel invigorated to help even more people now." She says organising and communicating are the aspects of her job she loves the most. "But to get all the planned tasks done within the specified timelines, can be less pleasant. I'm still trying to make peace with the fact that things sometimes take longer than I would want it to." She doesn't allow this to get her down though. She says each day brings new challenges and the opportunity to learn a new life lesson. "I get enriched by my work and the people I work with."

Van Staden thanked the Department of Psychiatry for the recognition, and also all the people who have come across her path and provided her with guidance and support.

​The U-Pb geochronology service offered by the Central Analytical Facility has resumed in January 2017. Clients now have the possibility of dating simple and complex igneous zircons, detrital zircons, as well as monazite. Instrumentation includes 2 Resolution 193nm excimer lasers, interfaced with an E2 SF ICP-MS for U-Pb work,or an Agilent 7700 ICP-MS for trace element work.

The following two service options are available to clients:

1. Training in setting up their own sequences after all instrumentation has been optimised by the CAF scientist, as well as hands-on training in U-Pb data processing and interpretation using Iolite, Glitter and Isoplot software. The CAF scientist will perform final quality control and validation of the data.

2. Alternatively, all the analytical work can be performed by CAF staff, but then at a higher cost, with co-authorship on all publications resulting from this work.

 A mineral separation service will not be provided by CAF, but we will provide training for researchers to perform their own mineral separation, sample mounting and imaging at our facilities. Users can also submit heavy mineral concentrates and CAF staff can mount, polish and image the samples at an additional cost. All samples submitted as polished mounts will have to be prepared according to our guidelines. If SEM images are supplied, they should be supplied as high-resolution, well-contrasted CL and BSE images for zircon, and BSE images for monazite.

 The SELFFRAG instrument at the University of Pretoria is accessible at reasonable cost and extremely efficient at generating mineral powders from which the heavy minerals of interest can easily be separated.

 The turn-around time for batches of 10 samples or less, from receipt of the samples as prepared mounts to the handing over of final age data, will be 6 weeks. Allow an additional 2 weeks if CAF does the mounting and imaging of the samples.

Students at Stellenbosch University (SU) this week elected a new Student Representative Council (SRC) for 2017.

Stellenbosch University (SU) Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Wim De Villiers congratulated the SRC saying that he is looking forward to a year of meaningful engagement with the SRC.

"Congratulations to the newly elected SRC and office bearers. The student body has placed its trust in you. This is a big responsibility but also a great opportunity. I am sure you will make the most of it. My colleagues and I look forward to a year of meaningful engagement with the SRC in the best interest of our university and all its stakeholders," Prof De Villiers said.

The SRC elections took place from 16 to 21 February 2017 on the Stellenbosch campus.

Election Convenor, Dylan Swiegelaar, said that "although the voter turnout was lower than previous years, I would still like to thank the campus community for taking part".

SRC Chairperson

The newly appointed SRC Chairperson, Nomzamo Ntombela, says she is experiencing a "good fear" of the huge responsibility placed upon her and the other SRC members.

"I have always been passionate to make changes to the SU space, because I've been through the system and I know what it feels like when a system is against you. The SRC will therefor strive to make SU spaces accepting of all people, especially women and marginalised bodies."

This final year B.A Humanities student says she is aware that managing SRC responsibilities and academic life could be challenging. It is for this reason she has worked hard on creating a support network for herself including mentors, friends and former SRC members from whom she can draw strength.

"I want to leave a mark especially for women of colour. As a black woman, being elected as SRC Chairperson, I hope to encourage others to recognise their self worth. You can make it. You can conquer and flourish."

​Prospective students who visit the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences today (Saturday, 25 February) can get their very own Road Map to the BA World to help them better navigate an environment filled with a range of study opportunities. 

If you are interested in one of the faculty's degree programmes, but are not sure where to start with the application process, you can also download our user-friendly Road Map to the BA World here and find out more about that process.

With 18 departments offering a variety of subjects, there is a lot to choose from. So make sure you visit our information and departmental stalls on the 2nd floor of the Arts building on the corner of Merriman and Ryneveld streets for more information. We will be here from 08:30 to 16:00.

Click here for general information on Open Day.

If 2017 is already getting the upper hand, don't despair! The Alumni Office has just the right medicine for you: Stellenbosch University's annual Homecoming and Family Weekend, which takes place from 2 to 6 March in Stellenbosch.

It is not only an affair for alumni. Staff members can also join in the exciting festivities, and as a valued staff member, you get discounts on selected shows and events.

The Alumni Office continues its partnership with the SU Woordfees, so be sure to visit www.woordfees.co.za to check out all their shows on offer.

So what can you look forward to?

You can kick off Homecoming 2017 in style with our not-to-be-missed Homecoming Music Extravaganza on 2 March. Enjoy old-time classical, pop and rock songs with celebrities like Corlea, Jannie Moolman, Timothy Moloi and Lindiwe Bongani.

Join our series of "Back to Class" faculty meet-ups from early morning until late afternoon on 3 March at the Boeketent. Discussions will include, among others, a panel debate on the state of the economy and career choices in 2050; changes in church and theology; ageing without Botox, Prozac or Viagra; a talk on GMO foods; corruption; and the impact of technology on teaching and learning in schools.

The Kayamandi Food, Wine and Art Experience on 3 March is an interactive celebration of heritage, food, wine, art and culture. Sit down to traditional South African cuisine paired with top Stellenbosch wines from the R304 area in the heart of Kayamandi, while the AmaZink cast and other Woordfees artists keep you entertained.

Come and have a laugh with Dowwe Dolla, South Africa's favourite blonde, in #DowweDolla on 3 March. Grandma Dowwe Dolla will also be making her first appearance, offering a wiser perspective on everyday events and issues in our country.

Get your running and cycle shoes ready for the Veldtrap met Woorde fun walk, run or cycle on 5 March – definitely the perfect outlet for pent-up frustration and work stress! What makes the event different is that it celebrates Afrikaans by having participants run with words unique to the language.  So are you "tandestokkie" or "moegoe", "babbelas" or "paraat"? Come and celebrate the unique Afrikaans words that make the language so special. Bring your family and friends and as always in Stellenbosch, the breath-taking scenery is a given. Register now at www.veldtrap.co.za/.

Are you a rugby enthusiast? We will have a mini fan park at Jan S Marais Nature Reserve where you can watch the Varsity Cup rugby match between Maties and Shimlas on 6 March. Even though this is an away-game for our boys, show your true maroon colours to cheer our boys on!

• Contact marvin@sun.ac.za for your special discount. For more information about the weekend's events and performances visit our website at www.matiesalumni.com.

​Three lecturers from SU Soil Science Department: Drs. C. Clarke, A. Hardie and A. Rozanov were invited to join the World Soil Day (5 Dec 2016) round table discussion on Food Security that was hosted by the Timiriazev Agricultural Academy and supported by the Eurasion Centre for Food Security, World Bank and FAO. Ms Liesl Wiese (a PhD student at the Dept. Soil Science, SU) also attended the round table as the representative of the Global Soil Partnership, which is funded by the FAO. The main focus of the discussion was on addressing the problems of training soil scientists in Africa and Asia to face the challenges of land degradation and sustainable intensification of land management. The Stellenbosch presentations were well-received and further co-operation in this directions is expected between Stellenbosch University, ECFS, FAO and RUFORUM.

During the World Soil Day event the soil museums from Wageningen (The Netherlands), St. Petersburg and Moscow (Russia) show cased their research, data collection and educational programs for the general public and school learners. The experience of the leading soil museums would be useful in promoting the South African Terroirs, particularly in wine-making regions of the country.

​By 2020, Stellenbosch University strives to reduce its consumption of potable water by 10% and to utilise 30% less river water for the irrigation of gardens and sports fields (measured against 2012 figures). 

While we are all well aware of how our genetic make-up influences a host of individual characteristics, a study conducted by Prof Mark Tomlinson of the Psychology Department at Stellenbosch University, has now revealed a large, hidden role that a child's genetic make-up can play in intervention efforts to maximise his or her development.

The study, which will be published on 28 February in PLoS Medicine, was funded  by the Government of Canada through Grand Challenges Canada's Saving Brains programme and sheds new light on why some children benefit more than others from interventions. It also raises complex questions about psychosocial intervention programmes in future.

Grand Challenges Canada is dedicated to supporting Bold Ideas with Big Impact® in global health and is funded by the Government of Canada and supports innovators in low- and middle-income countries and in Canada.

"These findings provide the tantalising possibility of being able to better focus intervention efforts to ensure that everybody receives the appropriate interventions that they need to optimise the development of their children," says Principal Investigator Tomlinson who conducted the study in collaboration with other colleagues from Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town, University of Reading (UK), the University College London, and Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.

In the original study an intervention was implemented between 1999 and 2003 in which expectant mothers received a home-visiting parenting intervention to improve attachment with their children.  Attachment was used as a measure of a child's psychological security and is predictive of future well-being.  In that study Tomlinson, together with colleagues from the University of Reading, the University of Cape Town and the Parent Centre, found that the intervention had a small-to-moderate effect on mother-child attachment, which was evaluated once the child reached 18 months of age.

The follow-up study, conducted nine years later, re-examined the original attachment results and revealed something surprising.

"The intervention had in fact worked well for toddlers who had a particular genetic characteristic," says Tomlinson. 

In the follow-up study, caregivers and their children were re-enrolled and the original attachment results were re-analysed based on whether the child had the short or long form of gene SLC6A4. 

"This enabled the investigators to test whether the original attachment outcomes were influenced by a gene-intervention interaction," says Tomlinson. 

The researchers factored in whether the child had the short or long form of gene SLC6A4 — the serotonin transporter gene, which is involved in nerve signalling, and which other studies have linked to anxiety and depression. Serotonin is popularly thought to contribute to feelings of well-being and happiness. Previous studies have also shown that individuals with the short form of SLC6A4 are generally more sensitive or 'susceptible' to psychosocial interventions, in other words, they benefit when they get it, and do not benefit or actively suffer harm when they do not get it.

The attachment of children with the short form of the gene, and whose pregnant mothers received the intervention, were almost four times more likely to be securely attached to their mothers at 18 months old (84%) than children carrying the short form whose mothers did not receive home visits (58%).

Meanwhile, children with the long form of the gene were apparently unaffected by their mother's training or lack thereof: in both cases, the children's rates of secure attachment were almost identical (70 and 71% percent).  According to lead author Dr Barak Morgan this "may mean that this group of children appear less susceptible and derived little benefit from the same intervention, and little detriment from not getting it". 

"Our findings are subject to further validation," says Tomlinson "but the insight has important implications for scientists designing and evaluating interventions to benefit as many people as possible in South Africa and worldwide. Without taking genetics into account, it is possible that other studies have underestimated the impact of their interventions, as we originally did."

"This is an enormously important insight because, in this case, the subgroup with the short form of the SLC6A4 gene is also the one with the most to lose if not helped," says Morgan.

Indeed, separating the effects of an intervention on different subgroups will allow researchers to better detect when interventions work, and for whom.

Adds Professor Tomlinson: "In the original study, we did not see such a big impact from this intervention because only those with the short gene improved, and this improvement was 'diluted' by the large number of children with the long gene who did not improve."

Tomlinson cautions that, among other limitations, this study involved a relatively small sample and only measured one gene and one outcome – in this case, attachment.

"Going forward, the implications are therefore two-fold. Firstly, measuring genetic differences will allow for proper assessment of the effectiveness or lack of effectiveness of an intervention for a particular outcome in different individuals. Secondly, this information can then be used to find out how to intervene effectively for all – to guide what might be done to improve outcomes for a non-responsive gene-intervention interaction while continuing to optimise outcomes for the responsive one."

Commenting on the findings, Dr Karlee Silver, Vice President: Programs at Grand Challenges Canada says: "This work is fundamentally about better understanding the impact of interventions and shows that some outreach efforts may be much more effective than we thought, especially for those for which it matters most — for children most susceptible to harm from poverty, poor nutrition and other adverse conditions."

"This is an important step forward to creating a world where every child can survive and thrive."

​

Maties now play for a magnum too

There's an added incentive for rugby players aspiring to be the Man of the Match at FNB Varsity Cup home games in Stellenbosch: a magnum bottle of red wine from Stellenbosch University's own wine cellar. This prize is a 1.5 litre Die Laan Alumni 2015 Magnum wine from the Faculty of AgriSciences, home of Stellenbosch University's Welgevallen Cellar. The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Petit Verdot, and isn't too heavy on the palate.

Only 600 of these bottles were corked last year. Riaan Wassung, cellar master of the University's Welgevallen Wine Cellar, reckons the magnum could become quite a souvenir, as the wine keeps well.

Quite appropriately, the first recipient of the trophy bottle was Maties flanker Kobus van Dyk, who is a student in the Faculty of AgriSciences. Van Dyk received his bottle after the NWU-PUK game, while Brendon Nell received his after Maties beat NMMU last week.

Wassung hopes that the initiative to honour the best Varsity Cup rugby players will also be extended to the hockey field and netball court later in the season, as well as to other sport codes.

"It's a wonderful initiative by which different entities of the University come together to celebrate our students' athletes and their achievements," says Maties Sport Deputy Director Support Services Matsobane Laka about this gesture received from the Faculty of AgriSciences and Welgevallen Wine Cellar.

Stellenbosch University is the only university in the country with its own wine cellar. It is situated between Coetzenburg and Paul Roos Gymnasium, and is open to the public for sales. Students studying viticulture at the University regularly visit it as part of their practical training.

• Matie Rooiplein and Die Laan wines are for sale throughout the year, and range from R55 per bottle upwards.
• Die Laan Alumni 2015 Magnum is sold at R250 to the public – you therefore do not have to strive to be named Player of the Match!
• Specially labelled Graduandi wines will be on sale before and during the March graduation ceremonies. Stickers are also still available for those who graduated in 2015 or 2016 and who want to buy a bottle of wine as a memento.
• For more information about the wines on sale, visit www.facebook.com/DieLaanWines

For enquiries, contact winesales@sun.ac.za or Riaan Wassung at 021 808 2925.

​Delivering home-based rehabilitative care to stroke survivors in low-resource settings is what Ms Elsje Scheffler aims to achieve with her PhD-research.

Scheffler, a Stellenbosch-based physiotherapist and extraordinary lecturer at the Centre for Rehabilitation Studies (CRS) at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Stellenbosch University, received close to half a million rand through the Discovery Health Rural Fellowship Award to help her design and test a home-based rehabilitation programme that empowers community health workers (CHW) to deliver rehabilitation services at the primary health care level. She is doing her PhD through the Department of Family and Emergency Medicine at the FMHS.

"Most stroke survivors do not receive any rehabilitation services, and often their caregivers have not received any training on how to care for them, as stroke survivors typically have high levels of dependency," Scheffler explains.

"The lack of training of caregivers, combined with the limited capacity of district rehabilitation services and the contextual barriers limiting access to rehabilitation services perpetuate the stroke survivor's dependency and the burden on caregivers and the health care system."

Despite stroke being a major health issue in the Cape Winelands – the rural setting where Scheffler is conducting her research – there are only 13 rehabilitation professionals in the district and no primary level stroke rehabilitation programme. The 530 CHWs in the district have not received any training in rehabilitation.

For her PhD, Scheffler designed a programme to supplement the skills of CHWs to include basic rehabilitation training which they could transfer to family caregivers of stroke survivors. The Discovery Health Rural Fellowship Award is enabling her to test the viability of this programme.

"I would like to see rehabilitation being better integrated and delivered more appropriately within the primary health care and district health system context to reach all those in need and not only a select few. Considering the paucity of research in the area and the lack of appropriate programmes, there is a need to develop appropriate models of service delivery, focussed rehabilitation programmes for the primary level and to support of the roles of the rehabilitation professional," says Scheffler.

Once finalised, the rehabilitation programme and training resources will be available as a free online resource which can be downloaded, modified for context and used as a free-standing programme or integrated into other programmes for community health workers.

The Stellenbosch University (SU) Woordfees will have an exciting kick-off on Thursday (2 March) with the Homecoming programme for alumni with an array of events – from lectures to a fun run, rugby and golf, as well as the highlight, the Tuiskoms/Homecoming Classics at Coetzenburg, where music by Queen and Abba to Barbara Streisand and Tina Turner will be performed along with some classical favourites. 

Saartjie Botha, Director of the SU Woordfees, highlighted several events on her to-do list. She is especially looking forward to discussions with, among others, Johan Miles, Ryk Hattingh and the cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro.

"As far as theatre is concerned, I cannot wait for Piekniek by Mpande (Dingaan), Martelsang, Sing jy van bomme (photo) and Wild. The Coetzenburg Concerts are very ambitious this year, and Tuiskoms/Homecoming, Die Heuwels Fantasties, the Big Band Jol and Mango Groove are on my not-to-miss list."

According to Botha the Jan Marais Nature Reserve will be used as venue for the first time, with performances by Emo Adams, Francois van Coke, Stef Bos and Theuns Jordaan, who will all perform as part of the Sanlam Music Festival.

"As far as classic music is concerned, I am very excited about Tim Kliphuis and his trio, as well as the performance by the University Choir," says Botha. The classical music programme deserves mention, with concert like Hendrik Hofmeyr at 60 and the Stellenbosch Libertas Choir's Kaap Mzanzi and beyond. Also, don't miss the Organ Week in die NG Moederkerk, the US Camerata, US Chamber Choir, and local international piano stars Nina Schumann and Luis Magalhães. And last but not least, the US Symphony Orchestra.

Discourses vary greatly and producers of stimulating, infuriating and contemplative discussions include RSG's Praat Saam, Beste Professor, the Frederik van Zyl Slabbert-discourses and Geloof op die Markplein. There are also several theatre discussions.  

Botha is particularly excited about the festival's visual arts offering, which is well-represented and everyone should visit the SU Museum, die Hofmeyr Hall and GUS. There will be regular roundabouts at these exhibitions. Art works will also be on sale at the PJ Olivier Art Centre, while daily pop-up exhibitions will be a regular occurrence at the Plataan. The Stellenbosch Outdoor Sculpture collection will envelop visitors with examples of art in Stellenbosch.

"We have sold more than 10% tickets than during the same period last year and altogether 70 000 tickets have been sold."

Are you ready for the rush? "One tries your best to be as prepared but it entails a great deal of administrative work. However, you are never 100 % prepared for everything that can happen or go wrong. But this all adds to the feeling of anticipation. We cannot wait for 2017 US Woordfees," says Botha.

South Africa's swimming hero Chad le Clos showed excellent form in the 200 m butterfly event at the Swimming Grand Prix held at Coetzenburg over the weekend when he shaved 0.06s off his meet record of last year to win the race in a time of 1:56.54.

Le Clos indicated before the event that his goal for the year is to qualify for the 2017 FINA World Championships in Hungary and regain the 200 m butterfly title. Le Clos won the Olympic title in this event in 2012 and the world championships title in 2013. However, at the 2015 FINA World Championships Le Clos was pushed into second place by Hungarian Laszlo Cseh and at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio Le Clos had to settle for fourth place as Michael Phelps took gold.

Le Clos also has his eyes set on the 200 m freestyle and 100 m butterfly world titles. He won both these events in Stellenbosch this weekend in times of 1:48.38 and 52.83 respectively.

"I'm very happy to be racing here for the third time – it's always a fun day and there were some good performances," a satisfied Le Clos said after the event. He believes Stellenbosch has one of the best facilities in the country. It was the third time that a Grand Prix event was hosted in Coetzenburg's state-of-the-art Olympic-size swimming pool.

Another Olympian, Cameron van der Burgh, touched the wall first in the 100 m breast stroke but said that the Grand Prix was more about preparation for the SA National Aquatic Championships in April than about winning. The national championships will serve as a qualifying event for the FINA World Championships.

"What makes this event special, is the opportunity to meet the fans and see their excitement about swimming," he said.

Third-year BCom student Emma Chelius was the pick of the Maties swimmers. She won the 50 m and 100 m freestyle and 50 m butterfly events.

Rhenish Girls High learner Inge Weidemann came second in the 50 m and 100 m freestyle and third in the 50 m butterfly events while another Rhenish Girls High learner, Kiara Noades, came second in the 50 m and 200 m back stroke events, and third in the 100 m back stroke.

Marli Jacobs, a fourth-year BEd student, was third in the 100 m as well as the 200 m butterfly events while BCom student Bryce Pendock was third in the 50 m freestyle event.

Maties swimmers John Maree, Stephano Roodt, Michelle Nieuwstad and Max Kieser also reached the finals of their respective events.

They have not only invested in a minibus – they've made an investment in the future of children in South Africa.

This is the opinion of two German parliamentarians who visited Stellenbosch University's Department of Sports Science on Monday to hand over the keys of a Quantum minibus.

The bus will mainly be used by honours students in the field of Kinderkinetics to travel to the communities they serve.

Ulla Schmidt, vice president of the German Bundestag (parliament), and Dagmar Freitag, chairperson of the sports committee in the German parliament, visited the Weber Gedenk Primary School in Jamestown together with Prof Elmarie Terblanche, former chairperson of the Department of Sports Science, Dr Heinrich Grobbelaar, present chairperson of the Department of Sports Science, and Dr Eileen Africa, coordinator of the Kinderkinetics honours programme.

Some of the honours students presented a class to the grade 3 learners of teacher Eustacia van Wyk, with a focus on the advancement of among other things hand-eye coordination and balance.

According to the headmaster, Mr Terence Moses, it is to the benefit of the school and learners that these students do their practical hours there.

The aim of Kinderkinetics is to enhance the development of gross motor skills in young children (0-13 years) through physical activity.

The Kinderkinetics programme is also involved with groups in Kylemore, Mitchell's Plain, Somerset-West, Bellville and at the Tygerberg Children's Hospital. They also offer sessions at various Virgin Active gymnasiums.

"We are very impressed with what we have seen today," said Freitag. She met Prof Terblanche a few years ago while she was visiting German athletes training at Coetzenburg.

"Germany's contribution is more than just a drop in the ocean, but it is small compared to your inputs and contributions. We are happy to support you."

Schmidt, a trained teacher, told the students and the department that they are doing fantastic work.

Dr Africa, who developed the Kinderkinetics honours programm at SU, is very passionate about child development and especially developmental milestones.

"Movement offers a firm basis for children for further development – not only physical but also cognitive and social development. Physical activity is also an important component of health in general. Children have to move as much as they can.

"Transport has been a big challenge for us thus far, but this bus enables us to reach the children with whom we work a lot easier."

The minibus (Jokl) have been named after Dr Ernst Franz Jokl, a German educator who founded the Department of Sport Science (then physical education) in 1936. 

Logan Boonzaaier's story does not only prove that dreams do come true and that hard work is rewarded, but also that the structures Stellenbosch University and Maties Sport have put in place to assist prospective and current student-athletes work.

Boonzaaier recently made his debut for Maties in the Varsity Cup series. However, his first match in the maroon jersey is preceded by an interesting tale characterised by big dreams and determination.

"I really wanted to study at Stellenbosch University but my marks weren't good enough," says Boonzaaier, who matriculated from Franschhoek High School in 2014.

"So in 2015 I applied for the SciMathUS programme with the aim of improving my marks and becoming a Matie. SciMathUS not only helped me to improve my marks and gain admission to SU, it also taught me to prioritise better. To study and get my degree is the most important thing to me. I want to achieve something in my life. I want to have a good job one day."

The SciMathUS programme – a bridging programme situated in the Faculty of Education – offers learners, who have already passed Grade 12 (with an average of at least 60%) but who do not qualify for higher education, a second opportunity to improve their NSC results in specific subjects to enable them to re-apply for university programmes. The programme offers students a choice between a Science and Accounting stream. Students therefore take either Mathematics and Physical Sciences and rewrite the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination in both subjects or Mathematics and Introduction to Financial Accounting and Introduction in Economics. These students then rewrite the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination only in Mathematics. The other two subjects are offered and assessed by SU.

After completing the SciMathUS programme successfully, Boonzaaier was accepted to study BCom Financial Accounting at SU in 2016.

He has always been a keen rugby player and he represented the PSO Barbarians in the first-year's tournament last year.

He would never have guessed that he had actually taken the first step to becoming a member of the Maties rugby team.

"Everything happened quite unexpectedly. The coach of the Maties Young Guns (u/20 team) Christoff Lotter saw me play. He called me and told me to come train with the Young Guns. I could not believe it! For me, part of being a Matie is playing rugby for Maties."

After a season of playing scrumhalf for the Young Guns, Boonzaaier received another call – this time from Hawies Fourie, Maties' coach.

"He asked me if I would be interested in playing for the Varsity Cup team. Would I be interested?! Again, I could not believe it. Another dream come true. I give all the glory to God for the wonderful way things are happening in my life."

Boonzaaier made his Varsity Cup debut for Maties when he ran out as replacement scrumhalf against NMMU-Madibaz. He is very excited about the doors that are opening for him.

Read this article for more success stories.

​Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor at SU, recently sent out an invitation to the first staff assembly of 2017 on 3 March. Staff are encouraged to RSVP if they haven't done so already.

The objective of the assembly is to give feedback from the Institutional Planning Forum (IPF) and Council meeting which took place in February, as discussions and decisions from both these forums are pertinent to the future of Stellenbosch University.

Read the full invitation here.

​The Botanical Garden will be open untill 22h00 each evening from the 8th to the 10th of March.  Visitors can enjoy some of our night flowering plants such as the Victoria waterlilies.  The glasshouses including the newly renovated tropical glasshouse will also be open to the public.  Visitors can also enjoy self-guided garden tours including a tour that explores the use fo plants in Afrikaans poetry.  Both the Katjiepiering Restaurant and the Botanical Garden Shop will be open during these extended opening hours.

Food scientists and researchers from Stellenbosch University (SU) and the Sapienza University of Rome  have proactively developed a quick and user friendly method that South African producers and distributors of honey can use to detect whether the products they are selling is the real thing or not.

 A recent article in the international journal Food Control explains how near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy can be used to test South African honey. Laboratory and portable NIR instruments were calibrated specifically with South African honey in mind.

 Because portable and mobile NIR instruments are available on the market, it would be possible to perform the tests on site at for instance a honey producer or distribution plant on calibrated equipment.

The specific NIR calibration for South African honey was developed by lead author Dr Anina Guelpa, as part of her postdoctoral research work in the Department of Food Science at SU and the University's Central Analytical Facility (CAF) CT-Scanner Facility. Dr Guelpa was assisted in developing and testing the method for South African conditions by her supervisor, NIR spectroscopy expert Prof Marena Manley of the SU Department of Food Science, SU researchers Dr Anton du Plessis and Dr Ruhan Slabbert, and Dr Federico Marini of the Sapienza University of Rome in Italy.

 According to the records of the South African Beekeeping Industry, 1500 tons of honey is produced locally every year. It is however not enough to meet consumer demand, and therefore roughly the same volume is imported every year – at a lower price than that of locally produced honey.

Because honey is a high-value foodstuff, it has unfortunately become a target for adulteration and subsequent food fraud in many parts of the world. Whether it occurs in South Africa, and if so the extent of it, is not known.

In some parts of the world, cheap sugar syrups are sometimes added to honey being sold. Another form of misconduct may occur when honey is labelled as being produced locally, but in reality it has been imported or diluted with imported honey.

"Not only will the consumer be misled in the process, but it means that the local producers cannot compete with the low pricing of these adulterated honeys," says Prof Manley.

"There was therefore a need for a fast, non-destructive, easy to use and low cost classification method to detect potential adulteration in South African honey," she explains the reasoning behind the study.

Current methods to detect adulterated honey, such as the use of stable carbon isotopic ratio mass spectrometry (SCIRA) or thermal analysis, are expensive, time-consuming and in most cases destroy the sample used.

The researchers decided to proactively develop an NIR spectroscopy method with which to test the authenticity of South African honey.

The research team decided on NIR spectroscopy, because the technique has been used before in international studies to determine the floral origin of honey, or to authenticate its geographic or botanical origin.

By developing calibrations using the spectral information of honey of South African origin, it was possible for Dr Guelpa to verify whether samples are indeed produced by South African bees or not. The test can also pick up whether any sugars (such as glucose or fructose) or non-South African honey are added to a sample. This is possible even in cases where only a little bit of extra sugar has been added.

"Authentic South African samples, despite coming from diverse regions and having been made from pollen from different types of flowers, share specific spectroscopic characteristics that helps to differentiate them from imported and adulterated honeys," explains Prof Manley.

She says the technique could potentially also be used to distinguish between different types of South African honey (for instance bluegum of fynbos). Other advantages are that NIR measurements can be done quickly, it is non-invasive and is easy to perform.

Because the samples tested are not destroyed in the process, these can be stored as evidence in further investigations.

Reference: Guelpa, A. et al (2017). Verification of authenticity and fraud detection in South African honey using NIR spectroscopy, Food Control, 73, 1388-1396.

Additional information

What is NIR spectroscopy?

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is technology that uses the NIR part (800 to 2500 nanometres) of the electromagnetic spectrum and used in NIR spectrophotometers.

How does it work?

• A sample of what is to be tested (such as honey, oil or wheat) is placed in an NIR spectrophotometer. (No prior preparation is needed – the sample can be used as is. This means that for instance in the case of wheat it does not have to be ground, and the whole kernels can be investigated as is.)

• A simple halogen light beam emits a harmless light (including the NIR region), and hits the sample.

• The light beam loses energy because it is partially absorbed by the sample. The amount of light being absorbed depends on the physical and chemical composition of each sample.

• The spectrophotometer measures the remaining light that is reflected. The lost (or absorbed) light is seen as unique spectral information which is specific to a sample. Each type of sample therefore has its own spectral information.

• The spectral images of for instance South African honey look the same at first glance. However, with the help of already developed calibrations it is possible to differentiate between honey that is from South African and honey that is not. In a similar way, the protein and moisture contents of different wheats can for example be measured simultaneously from a single sample.

The office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Stellenbosch University (SU) is currently in a transitional phase.

With the retirement of the incumbent, Prof Leopoldt van Huyssteen, being planned for the end of 2017, the reigns are gradually being handed over to the COO designate, Prof Stan du Plessis, who took up his post in January and will officially take over at the start of 2018. Until then, they will be sharing the duties and responsibilities of the post and taking decisions jointly.

However, all communication with the office of the COO still takes place via the normal, single channel, namely personal assistant Ms Mariëtte Hanekom, tel 021 808 2601, email mhanekom@sun.ac.za. Visit this website for more information.

About Operations and Finance

The Office of the Chief Operating Officer is the Responsibility Centre (RC) for Operations and Finance at SU. The following key professional and administrative support services are combined sensibly for the benefit of SU therein:

• Financial planning and management
• The expansion and maintenance of physical infrastructure (working, learning and living spaces) and campus security services
• The management of institutional projects
• The management of SU's commercial services and intellectual property commercialisation
• The promotion of entrepreneurship among students and staff
• Managing sport as strategic asset
• The maintenance and management of the University's campus master plan, mobility plan (parking, shuttle service and access control) and risk management system

Through their respective functions, the various divisions in this responsibility centre – Facilities Management, Innovus, Maties Sport and Finance – contribute to an integrated support services environment. 

The Faculty of Education has implemented new Bachelor of Education Honours programmes based on a mixed / blended learning mode.  

Students can apply for one of the following programmes:

• BEd Hons (Educational Development and Democracy) 
• BEd Hons (Educational Support) 
• BEd Hons (Foundation Phase Education) 
• BEd Hons (Language Education) 

What is the Mixed / Blended Learning mode?

These programmes consist of an appropriate mix of:

• Face-to-face contact sessions on-campus
• Telematics broadcasts to existing satellite sites
• Electronic learning by using SUNLearn (the learning management system of Stellenbosch University) which includes modern teaching techniques, online discussion groups with fellow students and lecturers, electronic assignments, etc.

How does new offering differ from previous programmes offered?

Previously students who enrolled in the BEd Hons programmes had to attend classes on campus during the evenings at least twice a week. Now, however, students only have to attend two contact sessions (spread out through the year during school holidays) which allows students from anywhere in South Africa to participate in these programmes with regular contact with their lecturers.​

Download the document with more information, programme-specific requirements and programme structure.