One of the challenges for a person who comes from Hawston is transcending the perceptions that people have formed about people born and raised in this coastal town. 

These perceptions often concern teenage pregnancies, overcrowding, poverty-ridden homes and of course, abalone poaching and gang warfare.

“We need to hang on to the good things that come from Hawston too," says Prof Ronelle Carolissen, Vice-dean of the Faculty of Education at Stellenbosch University and the first professor to be produced by Hawston Primary.

Carolissen recently delivered her inaugural lecture to a crowd that included family, friends, colleagues and people from her home town, including Mr Julius Swart, current headmaster of Hawston Primary, and several other teachers. Carolissen's Grade 5 teacher, Mrs Alma Bucchianeri, as well as her Grade 11 and 12 Biology teacher from Harold Cressy High School, Mr Lionel Adriaan, also attended the event.

“It was a very special occasion. Professionally, because it is the culmination of many years of hard work. Given the statistics on the number of black, female professors in South Africa, I've achieved a remarkable thing. But also personally, if I think of where I come from and about everyone who played a role in my life."

In the late seventies, when Carolissen completed her primary school education, there was no high school in Hawston. Learners' options were to drop out of school, risk taking the often non-functional bus to Caledon to attend Swartberg Secondary School or to move in with friends or family closer to the city to complete their education in Cape Town.

As the children of two teachers who attached significant value to education, Carolissen and her three siblings all matriculated from Harold Cressy High School in Cape Town.

“My parents were very involved in the Teachers' League of South Africa and their motto was: 'Let us live for our children'."

After school, Carolissen obtained a BA degree with English and Psychology as majors as well as an honours degree in Psychology from the University of Natal, now the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She followed these degrees with a Higher Education Diploma and master's degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Cape Town. She obtained her doctoral degree from Stellenbosch University (SU) where she has worked since 2002, first in the Department of Psychology and later in the Department of Educational Psychology in the Faculty of Education.

As a lecturer, Carolissen aims to create an enabling environment in the classroom, so that any student – no matter who they are and where they come from – can participate.

“My aim is to teach in a socially just and inclusive way," she emphasises.

As she prepared to deliver her inaugural lecture, Carolissen reflected on the importance of supportive parents, family and friends and the context of the community you come from.

She is hesitant to call herself a role model as she acknowledges the support and encouragement she received. Not only did her maternal grandmother act as a role model by being one of the first teachers produced by Wesley College in Salt River, but her parents – both teachers at Hawston Primary – also actively encouraged their children to pursue tertiary training.

Her father, Hennie Carolissen, who was headmaster of Hawston Primary until his death in 1982, used to say that the fish in the sea will disappear one day and that people should qualify themselves for other jobs too.

“It is important to surround yourself with people who have your best interests at heart. That person does not necessarily have to be a family member. It might be a teacher or a sport coach or someone else in the community," says Carolissen.

Her message to the young people of Hawston is to dream big and to find ways to make those dreams a reality.

“You will have setbacks but with support you will be able to overcome them. Spread your wings and see what the world has to offer, even if you would like to settle in Hawston eventually."

Carolissen's mother, Katherine, now 89, as well as several other family members still live in Hawston and she tries to visit the town at least once a month.

Photo: Prof Ronelle Carolissen with Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University, and Prof Yusef Waghid, acting Dean of the Faculty of Education.

Stellenbosch University (SU) will be awarding 3 317 degrees and diplomas at the March 2018 graduation ceremony. Among these will be a record number of PhD and Master's degree candidates – 164 and 1 061, respectively.

This year also marks SU's Centenary, and as part of the University's commemoration, 14 of the foremost thought leaders will be awarded honorary degrees.

The recipients are Prof Dame Glynis Breakwell, Mr Max du Preez, Prof Musa Dube, Mr Trueman Goba, Prof Peter Jones, Prof Mervyn King, Archbishop Thabo Cecil Makgoba, Mr Patrice Motsepe, Mr Jannie Mouton, Prof Andre Nel, Prof Brian O'Connell, Ms Sandra Prinsloo, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, and Baroness Christine van den Wyngaert. With the exception of Dame Glynis, all the candidates will receive the honorary degrees in March 2018.

Dame Glynis (who had her degree conferred in December 2018), Mr Du Preez and Ms Prinsloo are honoured with the degree Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil). Prof Dube and Archbishop Makgoba will receive Doctor of Theology (DTh). Doctor of Engineering (DEng) is to be presented to Mr Goba. Prof Jones, Prof Nel and Dr Sooliman will be awarded Doctor of Science (DSc).In their turn, Prof King, Mr Motsepe and Mr Mouton will receive Doctor of Commerce (DCom). Prof O'Connell will be honoured with the degree Doctor of Education (DEd) and Baroness Van den Wyngaert with the degree Doctor of Laws (LLD).

Click here for more information on the recipients of honorary degrees.

SU promoting excellence

Among this year's PhD graduates, the Faculty of AgriSciences produced excellent and innovative research on the 'smell' of wine, fungus-farming mites in Protea flowers, and the restoration and conservation of Cape palmiet wetlands.

In the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the first MPhil in Disaster Risk Science and Development will be awarded and the Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences celebrates its 100th doctoral graduate since the programme's inception in 2010. The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences has contributed a record number of graduates to the December 2017 and March 2018 graduations: 1 664 in total, compared to 1 495 in 2016.

From the Faculty of Engineering, there has been an increase in the number of female students over the past decade. Since 2003, four women from the Faculty have been awarded the Chancellor's Medal. During the March graduation ceremony, 261 students from the Faculty will receive their degrees – an increase in the number of graduates when compared with previous years.

Creating inclusivity and accessibility at SU

SU continually strives towards inclusivity and accessibility to people from diverse backgrounds. The SciMathUS programme at the Education Faculty is one shining example of the way inclusivity and accessibility can be supported and promoted. The programme offers learners who have already passed Grade 12 but who do not qualify for higher education an opportunity to improve their National Senior Certificate results in specific subjects. This may enable them to re-apply for degree programmes. During the March graduation ceremony, 16 students who had previously completed the SciMathUS programme and obtained entry to SU will be graduating. They will receive degrees from the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Science.

March graduation ceremonies

This year there will be six ceremonies (from 19 to 23 March), all held in the Coetzenburg Centre, Stellenbosch.

The schedule of the March graduation ceremonies are as follow:

• Monday 19 March at 17:00 (Economic and Management Sciences)
• Tuesday 20 March at 10:00 (Theology and Engineering) and at 17:00 (AgriSciences, and Medicine and Health Sciences)
• Thursday 22 March at 10:00 (Arts and Social Sciences) and at 17:00 (Science, Education, Law, and Military Science)
• Friday 23 March at 10:00 (Economic and Management Sciences and honorary degrees)

Parking in Stellenbosch

Heavy traffic is expected on all the main roads into Stellenbosch as well as in the town itself. Graduands, parents and friends are kindly requested to arrive early to avoid traffic congestion and to secure parking. Guests should allow for enough time to park their vehicle and walk to the Coetzenburg Centre. Guests are advised to wear a hat during the walk and to bring along unflavoured bottled water. Please note that food and sugary drinks are not allowed in the Centre.

Graduands who are unable to climb the stairs to the stage due to disability, injury or illness, should call the Contact Centre at 021 808 9111 or e-mail info@sun.ac.za to arrange that their degrees be awarded to them on the Centre floor.

1. Visit http://www.sun.ac.za for more information.

Streaming

All the graduation ceremonies can be followed live online. Click here for live streaming.

​ 

​Prof Billy Boshoff, Dr Riaan Combrinck and Mr Yaseen Khan attended the 2^nd international RILEM/COST conference on early age cracking and serviceability in cement-based materials and structures from 12 to 14 September 2017 in Brussels, Belgium. Both Riaan and Yaseen presented papers, which were well received. Riaan's paper was also chosen to be published in the well-known journal Construction and Building Materials. The conference also served as a great opportunity to meet and socialise with fellow researchers in the field of plastic cracking in concrete. 

Photo (back row from left): Dr Riaan Combrinck (2nd), Prof Billy Boshoff (3rd) and Mr Yaseen Khan (5th)

You are first and foremost a student at Stellenbosch University (SU) and then an athlete. You are student-athletes completing university degrees.

This was the message from Maties Sport's Deputy Director Mr Jerry Laka at the Maties Sport welcome function for coaches, captains, managers and chairpersons.

The same message was also emphasised by Prof Stan du Plessis, Chief Operating Officer of SU.

Prof Du Plessis gave credit and recognition to all parties involved with Maties Sport.

“We pride ourselves on the service we offer students. We realise that you are students first and sports stars second. The fact that Maties Sport has a 83% academic success rate is not by accident. This is thanks to the High Performance (HP) programme. We want to make sure you all have new experiences and perspective on life thanks to your sporting career at university. And remember to enjoy your time at Maties. We want to win, but we also want you to enjoy your student years."

2017 Sportswoman of the Year Frankie du Toit said that coming to Maties was never in doubt.

“I knew what and where I wanted to study right from the start. But I was still amazed at the support athletes receive from the High Performance Unit. This programme helps create well balanced individuals. In this environment you will get stronger, faster and better."

On behalf of the coaches, Maurice Fisher from Maties Athletics spoke about the team building camp the club had at the start of the year. “We established some core values such as unity, hard work and integrity. It is important that all the athletes at the club – any club – buy into the culture of that club. The culture must be decided by the athletes."

“We have to thank everyone for their hard work. Captains, coaches, managers and chairpersons: we want to be on the same page. We also want to grow the clubs and you have our support in your endeavours," said Laka.

​The Alumni Relations office of Stellenbosch University invites all students graduating in March 2018 to join some members of their team and fellow graduates for a glass of sparkling wine after each graduation ceremony. 

The sparkling wine (and a non-alcoholic alternative) will be served in the tent erected behind the Coetzenburg Centre next to the Sport Science building.

The alumni office would like to keep in touch with you to send electronic newsletters, Matieland and invitations to alumni events. The annual Homecoming weekend during the Woordfees has become a very popular event for alumni.

Graduates are all members of the SU Convocation. You will receive an invitation to the annual general meeting and be invited to vote for members of Council by the Convocation as terms of office come to an end.

Contact details:

Tel: +27 21 808 9266
Fax: +27 21 808 8405
E-mail:alumni@sun.ac.za

“We enjoyed the ride, the University's name was held high, and our fundraising drive for bursaries is well under way. It was a great success," Maties Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers said upon finishing the Cape Town Cycle Tour on 11 March. The tour – the world's largest timed cycle race – extends over 109 km, and Sunday was the 40th edition.

Prof De Villiers took part along with more than 50 staff members, students, alumni and friends of Stellenbosch University (SU). The group cycled under the name #Maties100 to commemorate SU's Centenary and raise funds for student bursaries.

Prof De Villiers finished the race in 5 hours, 10 minutes and 6 seconds. He crossed the finish line with his daughter Gera, brother-in-law Charles Linnegar, and Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel, SU's Vice-Rector: Learning and Teaching. (Photo left: Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel finishing the race [Photo: Henk Oets]). 

“It was such a beautiful day. We could not ask for more. But I must say, it was sad to hear afterwards that there had been fatalities in the race. Our condolences to the loved ones of the deceased," Prof Schoonwinkel said.

Dr Le Roux van der Westhuizen, who was chairperson of the SRC in 1985, finished quickly with a time of 3 hours, 21 minutes and 12 seconds. This was his 16th Cape Town Cycle Tour. “It was an incredible experience. I am happy to support the cause of bursaries and would like to encourage others to do the same," he said.

Nearly R105 000 has already been raised through the GivenGain platform, while direct donations to the University are still being processed. The fundraising campaign continues (visit http://bit.ly/Maties100 to donate).

Prof Sophia du Plessis, an Economics lecturer at SU and her husband Francois rode a tandem bike. “We thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks to all involved," she said. (Photo right: Dr Le Roux van der Westhuizen (left) with Prof Sophia du Plessis and her husband, Francois [Photo: Anneke Muller]).

Seven cyclists of the racing team associated with the BMT cycling shop of SU alumnus Chris Norton in Dorp Street, Stellenbosch, also formed part of the #Maties100 group. Siyabulela Tutu was hot on Dr Van der Westhuizen's heels with a time of 3 hours, 21 minutes and 55 seconds, with Luyanda Thobegunya finishing a second later.

“We knew they would do well, as they are currently preparing for the Cape Epic (18-25 March)," said the BMT team manager Unathi Msophi. The team comprises a group of friends from Kayamandi in Stellenbosch. “We are pleased to have contributed to bursary funds because it helps create a better future for the youth," he added.       

The team's morale was boosted shortly before the race when Adv Thuli Madonsela, former Public Protector and now Professor in SU's Faculty of Law, tweeted: “Good luck #Maties100. Thanks for your contribution to #SocialJustice for disadvantaged students."

Following the event, the Alumni Office hosted Matie cyclists in a hospitality tent.

Andrew le Roux, an alumnus from Johannesburg and one of the University's regular donors, participated with his son, André. “You will see us again because André wants to enrol at Maties next year." (Photo left: SU alumnus Andrew le Roux taking a selfie at the starting line with his son, André, a prospective student.)

Another father-and-son duo was Maartens and Daniel Heynike from Randburg, both alumni. “It was my most enjoyable race ever, and this Matie cycling shirt is the best," Maartens said. It was his 5^th Cape Town Cycle Tour.

“The spirit on the road was fantastic, and the University's brand is clearly very strong. Time and again we got cheered on with a 'Maties!' as people noticed our cycling shirts," Desmond Thompson of SU's Corporate Communication Division said.

Only 100 shirts were manufactured exclusively for the Maties100 initiative in SU's Centenary year. A limited number are still for sale at R2 000 each to supplement the bursary fund. Those interested are welcome to send an e-mail to marvin@sun.ac.za.

* To donate to the Maties100 bursary fund, go to http://bit.ly/Maties100.

* Click here for a photo album on Facebook.

Main photo: A group picture of Prof Wim de Villiers with fellow #Maties100 riders after completing the Cape Town #CycleTour2018; and a single shot of SU alumnus Dewaldt Cooke at the finish line (Photos: Henk Oets)

As the seating in the Coetzenburg Centre is limited, and Stellenbosch University has to comply with national legislation and municipal by-laws, a specific number of admission tickets for guests will be allocated per graduand*. 

For all the graduation ceremonies, excluding the morning ceremony of 23 March 2018, four tickets will be issued to all graduands excluding doctorates. Doctoral candidates will each receive five tickets for the first five graduation ceremonies.

Approximately 900 graduands are expected at the last graduation ceremony (Friday, 23 March). Therefore only three tickets will be issued per graduand, and four tickets per doctorate.

Guests who arrive at the Coetzenburg Centre without admission tickets will be accommodated in the Sports Science building just behind the centre where guests may follow the graduation ceremonies via live streaming.

*Terminology: a graduand (graduands) is a person on the verge of being awarded a degree; a graduate (graduates) is a person who has just graduated. 

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​​New approach to research in biomedical engineering to be showcased at conference

-        World experts to convene in Stellenbosch from 4-6 April

-        Focus on quality and affordable healthcare

-        World-renowned expert on intellectual property evaluation speaker at conference

-        Losing biomedical engineering students to overseas companies to be countered

The huge potential for innovation and human capacity building in the fast-growing field of biomedical engineering is to be deliberated by experts from all over the world at the South African Biomedical Engineering (SABEC2018) conference held from 4 to 6 April 2018 at the Spier Wine Estate outside Stellenbosch.

A new approach in combining theory and research with the development, industrialisation and commercialisation of biomedical innovation, will be showcased at this third biennial SABEC 2018 presented by the Stellenbosch University (SU) Institute of Biomedical Engineering (IBE).

Biomedical engineering is a progressive and exciting field aimed at improving or solving health-related problems through multidisciplinary fields such as physics, mathematics, sciences and engineering at the intersections of biology, medicine and health sciences.

“This year the IBE will present a conference with a difference," says Prof Martin Nieuwoudt, IBE Director. “We are showcasing a biomedical ecosystem, developed to better address the need for quality and affordable healthcare by supporting research, development, industrialisation and commercialisation of biomedical ideas. This is not a closed ecosystem, but relies on industry and partners to make it a success."

Equally excited about the approach is Mr Dayle Wheeler, Director of innovation4life – acting as business partner to the conference. He says: “Biomedical Engineering is the answer to affordable health care solutions for Africa and the fact that we are importing expensive solutions while losing our biomedical engineering students to overseas companies highlights the need to create a Biomedical industry in South Africa to employ them."

“The conference will therefore be more than just delivering good research papers," says Prof Pieter Fourie, engineer, paediatrician, and head of the Biomedical Engineering Research Group (BERG).“ There will be a strong focus on industry participation. We will show how good ideas by masters students can be patented and commercialised with the financial support of industry partners at various levels. It can take the form of partnering, licensing, manufacturing or creating spin off companies. This integrated approach to biomedical engineering is unique and does not exist at other universities."

Themes

Themes to be covered at SABEC 2018 include: nano- or microtechnology, biomechanics, neurosciences and technology, medical devices, device regulation and commercialisation, cell tissue genetic engineering, E-health, and health systems.

Keynote speaker

A special drawing card at the conference will be keynote speaker Dr David Martin, founder and CEO of M-Cam. Martin is regarded as a world-renowned expert on intellectual property evaluation and creator of the IQ100 index that has been outperforming the NASDAQ since its inception. 

Giving rise to SABEC

SABEC draws from the SU Faculty of Engineering's well-established Biomedical Engineering Research Group – formed in 2005 by the late Prof Cornie Scheffer.

In 2014 BERG hosted its first Biomedical Engineering Conference with attendees from universities, research institutes and industries all over the world. The success of the inaugural conference served as a strong motivation to proceed with the formation of the IBE. The IBE was established in 2015 to strengthen existing and build additional research capacity across faculties in Biomedical Engineering at Stellenbosch University. The IBE integrates the efforts of researchers from all the departments in the Faculty of Engineering, with those from other departments within the SU Faculties of Science, AgriSciences and Medicine and Health Sciences, as well as other centres and institutes at Stellenbosch.

Commercialising engineering concepts 

Katleho Biomedical, a joint venture between SU's technology transfer company Innovus and innovation4life a company whose focus is making life better through innovation within the Biomedical space, was formed recently to develop and commercialise engineering concepts and technologies emanating from the Institute for Biomedical Engineering and the Biomedical Engineering Research Group. This is done by providing an incubator for meaningful innovation and commercialisation in the biotechnology sphere.

At the conference Katleho Biomedical will be showcasing its ideation engine, process and a number of Biomedical innovations in the pipeline.

More information: Prof Martin Nieuwoudt.

“Anyone can get a degree. But not everyone can get to the top."

Addressing postgraduate students and staff at Stellenbosch University's (SU) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (Tygerberg Campus), Prof Jonathan Jansen, who holds the position of distinguished professor in the SU's Faculty of Education and also serves as a mentor to postgraduate students, posed a pertinent question: 'Why do so few postgraduate students rise to the top?'

The talk meandered between a lecture and a conversation, giving rise to some food for thought about what constitutes proper and persistent critical thinking in a time when South Africa's decolonisation project had gained what some would say constitutes 'considerable' momentum.

Jansen ventured that often, postgraduate students don't rise to the top of their fields because they haven't learned how to employ the tools necessary to engage critically with literature or thought leadership of the day. “Take for example, the notion of decolonisation. People seem to be going along with this – recognising that its origins go way back to the anti-colonial movement – but trying to bring it over into the context of a democratic state."

While his talk did not specifically address aspects of existing pedagogical limitations around teaching strategies, Jansen did argue that many a postgraduate student tends to engage in 'tribal thinking' because they are 'so dependent on and respectful of authority'. This, he said, leads to an inability to develop own (critical) thoughts.

Jansen further emphasised that successful postgraduate students are those who can project their thinking beyond their native country: “I hope you're ambitious. In my books, you have to leave a place in order to really achieve things and be at the top of your game."  He said that studying abroad allows one to stretch your imagination beyond where you are at any given moment, as it involves getting used to a different way of being taught and studying.

He further emphasised the importance of developing the capacity to doubt. “Don't just go with the flow.

Jansen said critical thinking and empathy is often hampered by the fear of engaging in difficult discourse, especially in the medical arena. “Graduate students who have the capacity to think empathetically … especially in the medical and health sciences fields, will be especially successful because they recognise a type of commitment to a patient that does not care whether that person is rich or poor or from their 'tribe' or not," he said.

He challenged postgraduate medical and health sciences students to think past set perimeters. “South Africa is a country of 'now'. We are obsessed with learning the rules of the assessment game … that distorts the purpose of what a university is about. Instead we should be thinking: How do I break through it? How will what I do now, make a big difference in a few years' time?"

Drs Helene-Mari van der Westhuizen and Koot Kotze are no strangers to the personnel and student community of Stellenbosch University's (SU) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS).

Although both of them obtained their MB,ChB degrees cum laude in 2015, their legacy is still visible. Kotze helped to establish the Meerenhof men's serenade group, and Van der Westhuizen established the Medical Orchestra. They were cofounders of the non-governmental organisation TB Proof and were closely involved with the Safer Work Hours campaign. Van der Westhuizen received the Dean's Award for Leadership in 2015 and Kotze the Chancellor's Medal. This power couple are married and form a formidable research team. They have co-written two articles that were published in international journals.

The cherry on top is the recent good news that these two alumni have both been awarded coveted Rhodes bursaries, that will enable them to further their studies at Oxford University in England. According to Ms Annette Gibson, coordinator of the bursaries for Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Swaziland and Namibia), it is a first in the history of this pool. “We previously had married couples who were both awarded a bursary, but never in the same year," she explains. Furthermore, women have only been allowed to apply for Rhodes bursaries since 1976.

“We applied for the bursaries in August last year. I was in Rhenish Girls' High and therefore qualified for the Paul Roos Rhodes bursary. Koot applied in the national pool," says Van der Westhuizen.

She was informed in the middle of August that she had been successful, but her husband had to wait until December for the outcome. “During the interviews in the final round, the applicants gathered in an atrium where the names of the successful candidates were announced. I wasn't sure whether I had heard correctly when the chairman read out my name, and had to fight back the tears when a friend confirmed it," Kotze recalls. For Van der Westhuizen this news was comparable to winning the Lotto. “We now not only have the opportunity to pursue our postgraduate studies at the best university in the world (according to the most recent Times Higher Education World University Rankings), but it's super special to be able to share this opportunity with my husband."

They had a plan B in case only one of them was successful. “The other one would investigate alternative funding for postgraduate studies or apply for work at the United Kingdom's National Health Service. Realistically, I thought I would be the one who would just go along, adopt a dog and maybe try my hand at writing a book," Kotze says.

Both these doctors want to apply for courses that will enable them to make a positive difference in the South African health context. The bursary doesn't mean automatic selection for a study programme and they have already applied for more than one programme.

“After Oxford, I would like to make a difference in disease and death prevention in developing countries, and specifically also in South Africa, whether it be by means of research, evidence-based health care or a combination of the two. It will depend on the direction our studies take us during the next few years," Kotze says.

Van der Westhuizen also regards the Rhodes bursary as an opportunity to help create a more just and healthy world. “The bursary was mainly created by means of the wealth that Cecil John Rhodes accumulated at the cost of South Africans. The bursary creates the opportunity to correct the injustice that South Africans still experience daily, by helping young people who are committed to South Africa's future to achieve that." In ten years' time she sees herself and her husband working in a stimulating and meaningful South African environment. 

The couple encourages other students to apply for Rhodes and similar bursaries. “If you think you have a chance, apply. If you don't think you have a chance, still apply! Whatever the outcome, you will learn a lot," Van der Westhuizen advises. Kotze agrees: “You can only be considered for a bursary if you apply. The process in itself is an excellent learning opportunity. It is of great value to contemplate your plans for the future and to reflect on how you want your previous professional and personal experiences to influence your career."

The couple are currently completing their community year at Zithulele Hospital near Mqanduli in the Eastern Cape and will commence their studies at Oxford in October.

• Learn more about the Times Higher Education World University Rankings at www.timeshighereducation.com
  
  

​​​Dehydration resulting from a lack of sufficient water intake can affect human skin, which in turn, can lead to other health challenges. Speaking in the context of a severe drought that has gripped large parts of the country, Dr Suretha Kannenberg, a dermatologist based in the Division of Dermatology at Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) says a lack of fluid intake or bathing over a prolonged period can be dangerous to humans. “Not only can you become severely dehydrated but people with specific skin conditions, for example, atopic eczema and ichthyosis may run into difficulties."

In a 2010 study entitled Water, Hydration and Health, Popkin, et.al emphasised the importance of water as prevention for nutrition-related non-communicable diseases. Kannenberg argues that the same principle applies from a dermatological perspective. Says Kannenberg: “During periods of drought, individuals who are already managing specific skin conditions should be extra cautious and make provision for their water needs. People with specific conditions will require more frequent bathing to control it while individuals with healthy skins can easily skip a few days without a full shower or bath."

Several chemical properties found in water make it indispensable for human beings, which is why this commodity is referred to as a source of life. But how much water does the human body need and what happens if we do not get enough of it? According to Kannenberg, water is very important for maintaining general health. “About 75% of babies' and 60% of adults' body weight consists of water. The exact daily water requirement for people is highly variable, depending on, among other things, body weight, gender, age and ambient temperature."

Without food, a human being can survive between one and three weeks but without water, a person could probably only survive 100 hours, depending on a number of factors. “All human bodies need to be replenished often. Perspiration, urination, bowel movements and breathing helps the body rid itself of waste products and the fluids involved in these processes mostly consist of water. A lack of water intake will lead to an accumulation of waste products in the body which can lead to other difficulties," says Kannenberg.

Conventional wisdom has it that thirst is a good indication of dehydration however the thirst sensation disappears when dehydration becomes severe. Says Kannenberg: “We replenish our fluid supply by eating foods that contain fluids – this makes up about 20% of our fluid intake. The other 80% is supplied by the intake of any type of fluid – not only water."

In terms of replacing water as a means to clean oneself, Kannenberg says hand sanitisers and other types of waterless cleansers are a good choice. “Stick to only washing with your hands and use a mild soap to cleanse your body that requires very little rinsing."

Image: www.pixabay.com 

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The Stellenbosch University (SU) Museum has won its first award! At the annual Cultural Affairs Awards Ceremony, held by the Western Cape Government's Department of Cultural Affairs on 3 March 2018, it walked away with the award for Best Museum Promoting Social Inclusion.

Director of the SU Museum, Mr Bongani Mgijima, said that the public programmes of the Museum provide inclusivity without exclusivity. In this way, the Museum has become a safe space for intergenerational conversations and exchanges.

Mr Mgijima said that, to demonstrate inclusivity and social impact, efforts are made to include artists from previously disadvantaged communities – Lunga Kama, Zembe Luzamba, and many others. He added that the Museum invites schools from areas such as Khayelitsha and Delft throughout the year, not only to learn about the arts, but to consider SU as a place they would like to call their university in future.

“Our education and public programmes also provide the learners with lunch and a campus tour. We are not only educating the learners on the importance of the arts but we are, simultaneously, recruiting them for the University because we want them to study here," Mr Mgijima explained.

“Winning this award means that our hard work is recognised. But awards are not the only important thing – we want to see this space being used not only by students but by members of the community. We want to be appealing to people from different worlds."

He said that the SU Museum is a nexus for the community and the University because the Museum links the two. Programmes at the Museum are, moreover, geared mostly towards previously disadvantaged communities.

As part of the University's Centenary commemorations, the Museum would like to invite the public and SU students to a new exhibition – Stellenbosch University: Past Present Future – set to open on 8 May 2018. The Museum also hosts Centenary Fridays, when visitors are taken on guided tours of the Museum and told about the history of the University.

On 12 April 2018, the Museum will celebrate the life of former president Nelson Mandela – the first president of a truly democratic South Africa – by hosting a Nelson Mandela colloquium in collaboration with the Mandela Museum.

For more information, click on http://www0.sun.ac.za/museum/.

Main photo:  From left are Elvandre Galant, museum assistant, Ricardo Brecht, heads public programmes and education officer, Johannes Adam, senior custodian and Lloyd Africa, museum assistant.

Photo: Rozanne Engel

Information sheet developed by the Nutrition Information Centre Stellenbosch University (NICUS).

World Salt Awareness Week is marked from 12-18 March 2018. Many people use far more salt than required, increasing their risk of developing high blood pressure which can cause stroke, heart disease and heart attacks.

When using too much salt, excess sodium (a mineral found in salt) accumulates in the bloodstream, causing the body to retain water in order to dilute the sodium. This increases the amount of fluid surrounding cells and the volume of blood in the bloodstream. Increased blood volume creates more work for the heart and places pressure on blood vessels. Over time, the extra work and pressure can stiffen blood vessels, leading to high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack and heart failure.

Research also shows that a high intake of salt, sodium, or salty foods is linked to an increased risk of stomach cancer.

How much salt is recommended?

Many people do not realise they are eating too much salt. The World Health Organisation recommends that adults eat less than 5g of salt (a teaspoon) a day.  However, a reduction of salt intake by just two grams a day will reduce your risk of cardiovascular events by 20%.

It is challenging to control the amount of salt you eat. Not all foods that contain salt actually taste salty, and people could be unaware that they are even consuming salt. Reducing your salt intake can also be tricky as a lot of prepared food already contains salt, which you can't take out.

Most of the salt in our diet (up to 60%) is found in processed foods, and the main culprits are margarine, butter spreads, stock cubes, soup powders, breakfast cereals, bread and savoury snacks. The remaining 40% of salt in the diet is added at the table.

Here are five easy strategies that you can follow to help you achieve the recommended limit of 5g of salt a day:

1.    Check food labels for salt content

If “sodium" or “salt" is listed among the first three ingredients on a product's food label or ingredients list, the food probably contains a lot of salt. Foods that contain more than 1,5g of salt per 100g are high in salt and should be avoided. Foods that have less than 0,3g of salt per 100g are low in salt and are a better choice. Also look for the “Heart Mark" on food packaging to identify foods with a lower salt content. Be wary of products claiming to be 'low in sodium' as some of these products have been found to contain as much as 5mg sodium per 100g! Also check the food labels for the following ingredients: monosodium glutamate (MSG), sodium nitrate, sodium bicarbonate and soy sauce or any sodium-containing additive, as these also contain high levels of sodium. 

2.    Take salt and salty condiments off the table

Do not add extra salt to food at the table. Don't be fooled into thinking that 'fancier' types of salt are healthy. Pink, black, rock, crystal or flake salt all have the same effect on your blood pressure as standard table salt. Less refined salts may contain more nutrients than everyday table salt, although in such small amounts that it could easily be sourced from other foods in your diet. Bigger crystals also taste less salty, and you are likely to add more than refined salt. 

3.    Eat more fresh vegetable and fruit

Fresh vegetables and fruit are naturally low in salt and naturally high in potassium – which actually counters the effects of sodium. Drain and rinse canned vegetables and legumes before eating, as the brine it is preserved in contains a lot of salt. Cut down on bread, cheese and processed meat, as these and other processed foods are high in sodium and low in potassium. 

4.    Use herbs, garlic and citrus to flavour food

Flavour your food with herbs, spices and other items that do not contain salt, e.g. herbs, pepper, curry, vinegar, onions, peppers, garlic, ginger, rosemary and lemon juice. In addition to adding flavour to your food, herbs and spices are also a source of antioxidants, essential oils, vitamins, phytosterols and other plants derived nutrient substances that are good for your health.​

5.    Gradually reduce the amount of salt in recipes

It is easier to adjust to a lower salt intake if you gradually reduce your use over time, giving your palate time to get used to the taste. Avoid salt-containing flavouring agents such as onion salt, celery salt, garlic salt, vegetable salt, barbeque and chicken spices, meat tenderisers, commercial sauces, soups, gravies and stock cubes.

Practical hints on how to replace food with a high-salt content

On Thursday (1 March 2018), Stellenbosch University (SU) officially launched its Centenary publication, Stellenbosch University 100: 1918-2018, and unveiled the Centenary Exhibition at the University Archives on Stellenbosch Campus.

For cellphone users click here for the video.

The book will be available in both English and Afrikaans, and contains 536 full-colour pages. The editors are Prof Albert Grundlingh (Part 1) and Mr Hans Oosthuizen (Part 2).

In Part 1, 'Perspectives on 100 Years', seven writers share their perspectives on SU's history of 100 years, including the founding of the University, its political and financial history, and what it means to be a Matie as regards academics, sport and student life.

Part 2 of the book reflects on a century's academic activity, seen through the perspectives of SU's ten faculties. The writers come from various sectors of the academic community to give an overview of the University's journey and how the small town of Stellenbosch has become a cosmopolitan community of over 30 000 students and 3 000 staff members.

At the launch of the Centenary publication, Prof Wim de Villiers, SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor, reflected on the milestone represented by this commemoration and on the hard work of those who had produced the raw material that provided the content for the book and the exhibition. “We are grateful for the hard work and sacrifices of so many people over the decades. That is what has brought SU to this point – a leading institution of higher education renowned for its academic excellence, determined in its pursuit to serve society in its entirety. The dedication of 100 years is reflected in the Centenary Exhibition and our Centenary book."

Along with the book launch, an exhibition on the history of the University was also unveiled at the SU Archives. Presented as a collage on the walls, the exhibition consists of pictures dating back from 2018 to 1918.

“The SU Archives Centenary Exhibition is a commemoration of the people, buildings, events and growth of education in Stellenbosch that eventually produced the University that we have today," said Prof de Villiers.

Centenary book

The Centenary book will be available in two versions: a standard hardcover version and a special collector's edition, which will be leather bound, signed by the SU Rector and inscribed with the recipient's name in calligraphy. Of the special collector's edition only 100 copies each will be available in English and Afrikaans.

Only the Afrikaans edition of the Centenary book is available as yet. The English edition is to be published shortly and will be available from 16 April 2018.

For more information or to order a copy of the book, please send an e-mail to ccerasmus@sun.ac.za.

Photo by Stefan Els.

For cellphone users click here for the video.

Eighty-nine (89) learners wrote the exam in 2017 and this year the enrolments have doubled to 170 for the 2017/2018 cycle. Due to a collaborative relationship with the Western Cape Community Education and Training College (WCCETC) of the Department of Higher Education and Training, six subjects are covered by the WCCETC. They pay teachers who offer the classes on a weekly basis in the Lückhoff School Building in Banghoek Rd, Stellenbosch.

Currently we have a number of learners in the subjects as stated in the table below, who need classes of two hours per week to enable them to pass the examination in June 2018. 

The classes will commence as soon as a teacher is available. We are seeking lecturers and post-graduate students who will commit to teaching one subject from 1 April 2018 to 31st May 2018 for TWO hours per week every week of the month excluding recess. Subject materials, previous examination papers and a curriculum will be provided. We are appealing to Physical Sciences and Mathematics volunteers.  Teachers will also be reimbursed for copies or credits will be loaded on SU staff cards. Unfortunately no payment is available but teachers are paid a small stipend per week for transport or other expenses agreed upon.

Classes take place at the Lückhoff School Building, but smaller classes may convene in a space that suits the particular teacher. We are asking staff members with proficiency in the listed subjects to volunteer two hours per week in the evening to offer these classes.

If you are interested​ in helping us with this very worthy cause, please contact Grace Bruintjies graceb@sun.ac.za or at 021 808 3640

Today (01 March) marked another milestone in Stellenbosch University's (SU) commitment to restitution and development, with a next group of Matie students receiving Die Vlakte Bursaries.

Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor at SU, established the fund in 2015, as a form of redress and development for descendants of people who suffered forced removals in the 1960s and '70s from Die Vlakte, a neighbourhood that used to adjoin the town centre and partially overlapped SU.

The residents that inhabited this neighbourhood were mainly so-called Coloured people who were removed in 1964 under the 1950 Group Areas Act. The Bursary Fund aims to compensate these displaced residents for their unlawful removal by making bursaries available for them and their children and grandchildren to study at the University.

During the ceremony for the 2018 bursary recipients, Prof de Villiers said that this bursary lays close to his heart. “It is important for this university that we are working hard at becoming more inclusive and we are reaching out to the community to close the gap. It is important that the children who grow up on our threshold come to SU and achieve their dreams here. This university belongs to the whole community."

Each year a small group of students is selected for Die Vlakte Bursary and the first group of recipients received funding in 2016. To date over R1 000 000 worth of bursaries have been allocated to students.

The recipients of 2018 are Wyatt Afrika, a second year BA (Drama and Theatre Studies) student; Kirsten Hector, a first year BA (Visual Arts) student; Ruan Steyn, a first year engineering student; Zain Ghalpie, a second year BSc (Mathematical Science) student; and first year twin brothers Garth and Gareth Wentley. Garth is studying BSc (Human Life Sciences) and Gareth BAcc LLB.

“I feel so honoured to receive this funding, as there are only a certain amount of people who get this bursary every year. As much as I also feel honoured, I also believe we deserve this bursary, since our grandparents lived on this campus from the beginning and then were forcibly removed. This bursary means a lot to our family as it not only alleviates the massive stress of student fees, but is also a good initiative by the university to give back to the Die Vlakte communities affected by the past," says Gareth Wentley.

Kirsten Hector also expressed her gratitude and happiness to have received the bursary. She said the bursary comes as a big help to her and has taken away a lot of financial strain from her parents.

Ruan Steyn's father, Reuben, expressed similar sentiments and is glad the university could help his son financially. “I applied a few years ago for our other son (Ruan's brother), but unfortunately he didn't get the bursary then. We felt so relieved when we got the good news that Ruan got the bursary, as it comes as a huge help. I'm very pleased that the university has been able to give back to those affected by Die Vlakte removals."

Die Vlakte Exhibition

In 2013, SU created a Memory Room in SU's Archive on the ground floor of the Wilcocks Building. A contemporary exhibition depicted the suppressed history of people of Die Vlakte at the Memory Room, which was a gesture of reconciliation between the institution and the town's coloured community. The Memory Room was the brainchild of the late Prof Russel Botman (Rector and Vice-Chancellor of SU 2006 to 2014). The exhibition was on display at the SU Archives for three years.

The Arts and Social Sciences Faculty has been engaged in a process of reflecting on its history. The current Arts and Social Sciences Building stands on a site cleared in the 1960s as a result of the Group Areas Act. In December 2013, the Dean, Johan Hattingh, appointed a committee to develop an exhibition that would memorialise the forced removals that took place in Die Vlakte. Over the years, a number of students and faculty in different disciplines have worked on researching and making visible the history of Die Vlakte.

In a joint project involving the departments of Visual Arts and English, students were invited to produce a set of proposals for memorialising the forced removals. These proposals along with a small exhibition, reflecting on the history of the building and the current consequences of that history, are displayed on panels and wall art on the first floor at the Arts & Social Sciences Building, where SU students, alumni and the public can view it.

SU 'Homecoming'

Stellenbosch University will be having a Homecoming Weekend for alumni Maties this coming weekend from 1 – 5 March. On 3 March, those affected by the Die Vlakte forced removals; members of the Stellenbosch community, as well as the Silver Valke from the Saldanha Military will be taking part in a march from Lückhoff School, down Ryneveld, Victoria and Bosman Street towards Coetzenberg. The march is a moment of reflection for those affected by the forced removals. On the day, the University is also having a Family Day at Coetzenberg from 10:00, where students, community members and alumni can enjoy live music, entertainment and delicious food.

Die Vlakte Bursary Application

Prospective students who lived in the area, their children and grandchildren can apply for the bursaries. The bursary covers basic class fees for the minimum length of the student's chosen programme.

A community committee assists with the verification of applicants' association with Die Vlakte, and the Bursary Committee consisting of three members from the community and three SU staff members help apply the allocation criteria. 

For more information, contact or visit the Bursaries and Loans office in Admin A, Room 2063 on Stellenbosch Campus.

Office hours are Monday to Friday 08:00 to 16:30.

• Tel: (021) 808 9111
• Email: info@sun.ac.za

More articles on Die Vlakte:

• http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=2518
• http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=3839
• http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=3203
• http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=5125
  

Photo by Rozanne Engel

In the photo above: Prof Wim de Villiers with the new Die Vlakte Bursary recipients for 2018: (from left), Zain Ghalpie, Kirsten Hector, twin brothers Garth and Gareth Wentley.

​​​Stellenbosch University's (SU) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences' (FMHS) Department of Psychiatry has received an endowment from Sanford Health for a research fellowship in Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

The endowment was announced during a Sanford Health delegation’s recent visit to the FMHS at Stellenbosch University. Sanford Health is one of the largest non-profit integrated healthcare systems in the United States (US). Sanford Health has established the Sanford World Clinic initiative, which focuses primarily on International Paediatric Healthcare. It currently has a presence in four countries.  

The fellowship is called the Sanford Hoyme Research Programme in FASD, and will support a research fellowship to undertake clinical and genetic research in the prevention and treatment of FASD. It is named after the Dr Gene Hoyme, the Chief of Genetics and Genomic Medicine and Chief Academic Officer for Sanford Health. He has led FASD research studies in South Africa for the past 15 years and helped establish the prevalence rate of FASD in South Africa, which remains the highest documented rate in the world.

“This research partnership with Stellenbosch University has been revolutionary in terms of our understanding of this condition. Not only in terms of helping define the extent of the problem here in South Africa, but also in terms of knowing how to make a diagnosis quickly and accurately and a lot of the science around that,” Hoyme said during the unveiling of a plaque in the Department of Psychiatry to acknowledge the sponsors of the fellowship.

He has collaborated with Prof Soraya Seedat, head of the Department of Psychiatry at the FMHS, on FASD research since 2008. This department has an established research programme in FASD and Hoyme has been the chief dysmorphologist on a series of successive studies in the Western Cape funded by the National Institutes of Health in the US. Over the years, Hoyme has mentored early career researchers and clinicians in South Africa.

“The endowment will allow for the appointment of a talented early career research fellow, in perpetuity, who will be closely mentored by Dr Hoyme,” said Prof Soraya Seedat, Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the FMHS.

“The FASD research team is also very excited about the possibility of establishing a Research Chair in Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in the near future, to sustain and expand much needed interventional and predictive-diagnostic research in this area,” Seedat concluded.

​Molo, unjani? Hallo, how are you? Ngubani igama lakho? What is your name? Yimalini? How much does it cost? Iphi indlu yangasese? Where is the bathroom? 

These are only a few of the Xhosa phrases that visitors to the Woordfees can learn as part of the #Amagama project.

This project is being presented by students of the Faculty of Education for the first time this year. A group of 13 education students with Xhosa as major are on duty in the festival hub each day to teach festival-goers 10 new words per day.

“The theme of the Woordfees for 2018 is '100%', and it worked out that festival-goers who learn 10 new Xhosa words every day would have learned a total of 100 words during the course of the festival. From there the #Amagama project – Amagama means 'vocabulary' in Xhosa," explains Jana Nel, part-time lecturer at the Faculty of Education and organiser of the project.

“The aim of the project is to cross language as well as cultural barriers so that people can show each other mutual understanding and respect. When one person reaches out to another by greeting them in their mother tongue, asking them how they are and saying goodbye, it already makes a big difference. I am privileged to speak Xhosa myself and have often enjoyed the positive advantages of communicating with Xhosa speakers in their mother tongue," she continues.

According to the students they don't only talk to festival goers about the words of the day, but also about the words that they know already. They also have conversations about language in general and the value of mastering a few words or phrases in another of South Africa's official languages.

As former president Nelson Mandela said: “When you talk to a man in a language ​he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart."

Find the students at the following places: Bloekomhoek, Plataan Cafe, HB Thom theater, Erfurthuis, Endler's foyer and the meeting point of the commuter service in Ryneveld Street.​​

Martin Smit, curator of the SU Botanical Garden, has been appointed as the new curator of collections at one of the world's oldest botanical gardens, the Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam.

Fortuitously he will then be in charge of one of the world's most valuable Pelargonium collections, which contains some of the original genetic material collected by botanists from Stellenbosch University in the 1970s and 1980s. Described as South Africa's “gift to the world', Pelargonium varieties are cultivated all over the world and are very popular as bedding plants and in flower boxes.

Smit says the collection was originally started by Adri van der Walt, then professor of botany at SU. Van der Walt collaborated with Gerhard Fischer in Germany, and a large part of the South African collection was sent to Germany. In 2007 the company he founded, Fischer Pelargonium, became one of the world's largest suppliers of pelargoniums.

In his farewell message, Martin emphasized the uniqueness of the SU Botanical Garden: “Few people realise that this is the only botanical garden in the Cape Floral Kingdom associated with a university. This creates unique opportunities for research and training. In other floral kingdoms around the world, you would typically find ten times and sometimes even hundreds of botanical gardens associated with universities."

He also singled out his staff and the volunteers for their hard work and support.

At a farewell function recently, several of his colleagues and Friends of the Garden recognized Smit's contribution towards restoring the status and research value of the SU Botanical Garden, often with limited resources.

Over the past five years Smit initiated several projects to restore neglected parts of the garden. The heating system for the lily dams was renovated to accommodate the specific needs of the giant water lily, Victoria cruziana. This is now the only garden in Africa, apart from Madagascar, where visitors can observe this unique lily.

The tropical glass house was renovated and enlarged and is now home to the world's smallest water lily, Nymphaea thermarum. This critically endangered water lily disappeared from the Rwandan wild a decade ago, and there is only a handful of botanical gardens worldwide who have succeed in propagating and growing this sensitive little plant.

On Martin's initiative the long-forgotten underground water reservoir was renovated, just in time to keep the plants alive during the current drought.

He introduced new standards of recordkeeping in the garden. The database has been digitalised and via the IrisBg database the garden is now connected with other botanical gardens worldwide. Local visitors can learn more about the plants in the garden by downloading the Garden Explorer app on their smart phones.

Viola Calitz, administrative officer, thanked Martin for his energy, commitment and drive: “He created several growth and training opportunities for his staff, including opportunities to visit gardens overseas. He managed to get the garden back on the international radar, which led to a significant increase in the number of international visitors. There is no doubt about his vision and passion for the garden."

Mr Bonakele Mpecheni, horticultural assistant, wished him well with his new career and said he hoped the new garden will value Martin for what he can contribute.

Professor Léanne Dreyer spoke on behalf of the Department of Botany and Zoology when she thanked Martin for his support for research and training: “Martin realized the value of the unique scientific collections which have been built up over many years. He was proactive in safeguarding the collections and making sure they are well looked after. He also used his contacts worldwide to further expand existing collections. He understood the value of the garden for tertiary training in botany, and went out of his way to ensure that practical material from diverse and unique plant families in the garden was made available for several modules in Botany."

Dr Paul Hill from the Institute for Plant Biotechnology said researchers and postgraduate students benefited from several unique and news species that Martin added to the garden's collections. Martin was also instrumental in a research project to ensure the survival of the critically endangered powder brush lily, Haemanthus pumilio, in the Duthie Reserve in Stellenbosch.

A friend of the garden, Dave Pepler, said the garden today is the product of Martin's vision and unbelievable capacity for hard work.

On the photo: At the back, from left to right, Marga Rai (shop manager), Bonakele Mpecheni (horticultural assistant), Dywilisi Motshokovu (horticultural assistant), Martin Smit (curator). In front, Mbali Mkhize (horticultural assistant) and Viola Calitz (administrative officer). Photo: Stefan Els​

Dr Balindiwe Sishi from Stellenbosch University is one of 600 young scientists under the age of 35 worldwide who have been selected to participate in this year's Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany from 24 to 29 June.

Over a six day period the participants, from 84 different countries, will interact with 43 Nobel Laureates in physiology and medicine. This includes the winners of the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine. Jeffrey C Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael W Young were honoured for their discoveries of molecular mechanisms controlling the circadian rhythm.

Dr Sishi, a researcher in the Department of Physiological Sciences, says she only applied after being nominated by Prof Kathy Myburgh, holder of the

SARChI research chair in integrative skeletal muscle physiology, biology, and biotechnology: “I was curious. I didn't even know such events take place!"

Sishi's research focuses on finding new ways to decrease the side-effects of the popular chemotherapy drug, Doxorubicin, on the heart. Cardiotoxicity is now considered one of the most important consequences of chemotherapy, leading to an increase in morbidity and mortality of cancer survivors.

“We use cellular and rat models to simulate the progress of the disease in order to understand which mechanisms are involved. On cellular level, the focus is on understanding the role of organelles such as the dynamic changes in the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum stress and the intracellular communication between organelles. We use this information to evaluate how Doxorubicin therapy will influence these parameters."

She says in order to be able to develop better treatment strategies, and improve the quality of life of cancer patients, it is essential to understand these complex mechanisms on a cellular level.

On the photo, Dr Balindiwe Sishi in her research laboratory. Photo: Stefan Els