The SU Wordfest (Woordfees) is around the corner and it promises to be something special. With more than 500 productions (repeats included) taking place between 6 and 16 March Stellenbosch will the place to be.

The festival is celebrating its 15th birthday this year.

A number of productions are already sold out (Nataniël's "Menopause en ander gloede" was especially popular) and the tickets are flying for others.

Find the complete programme on www.woordfees.co.za and buy your tickets today to avoid disappointment.

Boschtelegram will be giving away double tickets to one of three shows this week: Wellingtonse Suiker; Oorsee en Jaloersbokkies.

Read the weekly newsletter to find out how to enter the competition.

Find descriptions of the shows below (only in Afrikaans) 

Wellingtonse Suiker

In samewerking met Kunstekaap en die Breytenbach Sentrum. Met Gerhard Steyn, Richard van der Westhuizen en die Kunstekaap Jeugorkes, Wellington / Mbekweni. Dirigent: Ian Smith. Projekbestuurder: Mandy Barnes. Vervaardiger: Marlene le Roux

Gewilde Gerhard Steyn, met sy goot treffer 'Baby Tjoklits', en Richard van der Westhuizen werk wonders saam met Wellington se eie jeugorkes en kom met 'n ryk verskeidenheid in die magiese blou uur.

7 Maart 18:00 | Neethlingshof| 70min | R90 /R60 studente

Oorsee

Moontlik gemaak deur Clover Aardklop

Met Gerben Kamper, Nicole Holm, Brendon Daniels, Geon Nel en Karli Heine. Deur Tertius Kapp. Wenner van die AngloGold Ashanti Smeltkroes-prys vir beste nuwe teks. Klankontwerp: Pierre-Arnold Theron. Kostuums: Lucy Jane Turpin. Beligtingsontwerp: Albert Snyman. Regie en ontwerp: Wolf Britz

Sê nou maar apokolips. Sê nou maar 'n vloed. Sê nou maar Tafelberg is 'n eiland en sy bevolking oorleef na veertig jaar se stortreën. Sê nou maar die opdrag kom van Die Asem. Sê nou maar 'n boot. Sê nou maar 'n handjievol Suid-AfriFabelbergers vaar noord op soek na die Nuwe Wêreld. Sê nou dis al dertien jaar later en nog steeds is hulle ter see. Sê nou is 'n lekker sê.

10 Maart 20:30 | 11 Maart 16:00 | 16 Maart 20:30 | kykNET Hoërskool Stellenbosch | 100min | R100 | Geen o/16 TN

Jaloersbokkies

Met Jawaahier Petersen, Nedine Blom, Ashur Petersen, Yazeed Williams, Adrian Abrahams, Robin Kock en Rhyno Domingo. Regie: Niël Rademan

Eg-Kaaps soos breyani en koesisters, uitgedos in kostuums eie aan die 50's, bekoor die Jaloersbokkies gehore met skatte soos 'Daar kom die Alibama', 'Mannetjies Roux', en die Maleier-treffer 'Rosa'. Kom smul aan 'n mandjie vol lekkernye wat jou gazad sal maak!

12 Maart 18:00 | Neethlingshof | 65min | R90/ R60 studente (eetgoed uitgesluit)

Maties from all over the world have come forward to support the Finalejaars 1 2 Give programme which is a student driven initiative. This programme is aimed at fostering a culture of giving back to SU, whether still studying or already in the world of work as alumni.

Hong Kong alumni Louisa Sherman and Aldo Kriel joined forces to challenge fellow alumni to rise to the occasion and pull out their wallets as SU has embarks on a major drive to increase access to this great institution.


With your generous support, we have raised a collective gift of  R 33 357. The funds raised will go to the SU Bursary Fund and give deserving students the opportunity to share in the SU experience you enjoyed.

A big thank you to those who have already made their generous gifts. If you have not done so yet, please find the gift form attached or make your gift online.

2014_Skenkingsvorm_Donor Form.pdf

Every gift counts! This collective giving initiative will make a difference.

On the 15^th of February 2014, the Military Academy Student's Council in conjunction with Disa Social Societies rolled out the red carpet to host Mr. and Miss Military Academy (MILAC). The central theme for the 2014 Mr. &Miss MILAC was "Mirror, Mirror on wall, who's the fairest of them all?" It was a glitz and glamour affair with Officers showing the fairer side of soldiers, and the judges had a difficult time deciding who should be awarded the honor of being Mr. or Miss MILAC.

 Following two hours of intense competition, in the categories of Beach Wear, Casual Wear and Formal Wear, the judges reached a consensus. Lt Ntsieni  and CO Kekana w were  named Mr. and Miss Military Academy 2014, respectively. Below see pictures of the winners. CO Mukwevho won Mr. Muscle category, while CO Kgabeleng won Mr. Personality. CO Marcinko won Miss Legs, while CO Kekana also won Miss Personality.

 Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the organizers (CO Brown and CO Mpande amongst others), the winners were able to walk away with prizes in access of R3000.00. We congratulate Lt Ntsieni and CO Kekana on clinching the prestigious honor  of being crowned Mr. &Miss MILAC 2014. We wish them well as the face and Ambassadors of the Military Academy, for they are the fairest of them all!  

Stellenbosch University's (SU) Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Russel Botman recently visited Botswana where he shared the progress made in realising the new and exciting vision for SU's future. He also informed alumni on how they can get involved in this journey to excellence.

Prof Russel Botman, SU Rector, said the total of students from Botswana increased from 59 in 2009 to 76 in 2013. He also shared more about Vision 2030 and said after years of slow growth Africa has the potential to follow in the footsteps of Asia. He referred to Vision 2030 and said SU has taken up the challenge to provide more thought-leaders (especially from Africa) to come up with solutions for the problems of the continent.

 According to SU Alumni Relations Senior Director, Ms Bev Witten, alumni from all sectors attended the event. "Based on professional profiles of our alumni in the group, they have certainly done us proud. It is estimated that about 3185 Stellenbosch University alumni are currently found throughout Africa."

 She continued, "Stellenbosch University remains their intellectual home, no matter where in the world they are.

We are also looking to increase our presence in Africa and this event forms part of an institution wide strategy to broaden our reach.

SU is a very welcoming place to be, especially now during these exciting times when we find that the university has invested heavily in its commitment to maintaining its standing as a centre of academic excellence."

 Prof Botman also urged the alumni present to vote in the current Convocation election. For more, read here

One step too far! This was evident in the match between Maties and the Premier Soccer League (PSL) team Bloemfontein Celtic in the Nedbank Cup Competition.

The match was played on Wednesday evening (26 February) at Coetzenburg Stadium. A large crowd of local soccer enthusiasts, including a big group of students, turned out to support the men in maroon.

Maties made history by being the first team from the Western Cape SAB league to qualify to participate in this round of 32 teams in this prestigious competition.

Maties started full of fervour, but Bloemfontein Celtic quickly made it clear who was the team with the bigger profile and much more experience. Celtic's first goal was scored in the tenth minute, with two more goals following quickly thereafter to bring the score up to 3-0 after 17 minutes. Musa Nyatama scored all three goals for his team.

Maties had the opportunity to fight back after they were rewarded with a penalty kick when Celtic goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb brought Rhonwen Ruthford down in the goal area. Unfortunately, Alcardo van Graan missed his penalty kick . Maties launched several attacks but unlike their opponents, they could not reach the goalpost. Bloemfontein Celtic scored four more goals and by half-time they had a 7-0 lead.

Reggie Jantjies, the Maties coach, made a few innovative tactical moves at the start of the second half. The team performed better with more possession of the ball, but still could not penetrate the defensive line of the Bloemfontein team. By the end of the second half Celtic scored their eighth and final goal.

Maties lost this match 8-0, but the score was irrelevant. The experience the young players received against a team in the top league of SA soccer can only be of great value to the players and the club in the future. The team now returns to their league commitments, in which they are currently the forerunners with seven wins and one draw out of a total of eight matches.

Report by Garth le Roux

​Test 2

DEPARTMENT OF SPORT SCIENCE OPEN DAY – 11 APRIL 2013

Sport Science has advanced into an exciting and popular field of study which has extended to offer a wide variety of subjects. In order to share information for the upcoming generation, the Sport Science Department is hosting an open day along with the annual US open day.

With every half hour guided tours will be provided for potentially interested scholars, to receive a clear idea or picture of what Sport Science entails. During the tours, presentations and demonstrations will be given by experts in their fields.

There will also be opportunities during the open day for the scholars to challenge our local Sporting heroes in their relevant sports. Neil Powell, current Springbok Sevens Coach, will challenge the visitors in a passing test between 9:00-9:45. During 11:30- 12:15 it will be the netball players' turn to challenge Christine Markgraaff, ex Protea goal shooter, in a goal shooting competition. Nicole La Fleur, SA u/21 hockey goalkeeper will challenge the "hockey-lover" in front of the goal box.

We look forward in welcoming you to our department.

​​The 15th Stellenbosch University Wordfest (Woordfees) will take place from 6 to 16 March 2014. The festival's theme is "Kuns hier, kultuur daar – siedaar, 15 jaar!" and it will celebrate the wonder of the word as well as the remarkable growth of this popular festival over the past 15 years.

The SU Woordfees has developed into a national art festival. It started with 1000 festival-goers in 2000 and in 2013 more than 101 000 festival visits (number of visitors per venue per show) were recorded with an average attendance figure of 74%. According to two surveys the Stellenbosch economy received a cash injection of more than R102 Million during the festival in 2013.

More about the shows: Only available in Afrikaans at this stage.

Spesiale trieks en toertjies vir vyftiende fees

Vanjaar pluk die Woordfees vele vernuwings en verrassings uit die feestowenaar se pluiskeil in 'n yslike program met sowat 500 aanbiedings (herhalings ingesluit). Daar is baie spesiale aanbiedinge.

In Abra! verstom Jacques le Sueur en Alexander May feesgangers met hul kulkuns. Le Sueur, 'n internasionale kulkampioen, is bekend daarvoor dat hy Madiba se horlosie laat verdwyn (en darem ook later laat verskyn!) het. Dié twee kulkunstenaars gesels ook oor die geskiedenis van kulkuns in 'n program getiteld Die kuns en kultuur van kulkuns.  

Die Mirakeltentjie (ook bekend as die Magic Gazebo) kan by die kykNET Erfurtkafee besoek word.  Hier span top kulkunstenaars van Suid-Afrika saam om feesgangers met toertjies te betower. (Die Plataankafee word Erfurtkafee, om die Woordfees en WOW se nuwe tuiste te vier.)

Skrywersfees:

Oudergewoonte is die Skrywersfees een van die hoogtepunte op die feesprogram. In 2014 bring die Woordfees hulde aan vier besonderse stemme in die Afrikaanse skryfkuns. Corlia Fourie, die dogter van die bekroonde skrywer Mikro, se liefde vir stories is reeds vroeg vasgelê. Sy gesels op 13 Maart om 16:00 oor haar werk en lewe – eers as joernalis, maar ook as skrywer en verhaleredakteur van Rooi Rose. 

Dan Sleigh, wat deesdae ewe bekend is as bekroonde historikus én skrywer, kom deel stories oor hoe sy skrywersloopbaan tot dusver verloop het. Hy praat ook oor die groot rol wat sy kundigheid oor die geskiedenis in sy skryfwerk speel en ons pols hom oor die kreatiewe manier waarop hy vars gedagtes en woorde uit sy hoed pluk.

Oor Engela van Rooyen skryf Cecile Cilliers die volgende:  "Sy skryf met eerlikheid en gevoeligheid, sonder 'n greintjie sentimentaliteit. En daarvoor kan sy nie hoog genoeg aangeprys word nie." Dié geliefde skrywer se werk strek oor verskeie genres en word deur oud en jonk gelees. Kom vind uit waarom Engela so gewild is.

Lina Spies is nie net 'n bekende gesig op Stellenbosch nie, maar met haar herkenbare digterstem het sy ook 'n wye aanhang verwerf by sowel leerders en studente as by die breë publiek. Hendrik Hofmeyr vier haar werk, in opdrag van die Woordfees, saam met Minette du Toit-Pearce met 'n gloednuwe toonsetting van haar verse.

'n Hoogtepunt op die skrywersprogram is Toneelskrywers. Adam Small, wat in 2013 die Hertzog-prys vir Drama ontvang het, is deel van 'n uitgelese paneel teksskrywers wat oor die stand van teaterteksskryf, tendense en die oorlewing van toneel gesels. Chris Barnard, Saartjie Botha en Nicola Hanekom sluit by hom aan.

Die Woordfees is baie teleurgesteld dat dr. Mamphela Ramphele nie meer aan die fees kan deelneem nie.  Sy is ten tyde van die Woordfees elders in die land met 'n verkiesingsveldtog besig.  Sy sou op 14 Maart oor haar outobiografie, A Passion for Freedom, praat. Ook Max du Preez moes van die fees onttrek weens werksverpligtinge in die buiteland. Sy boek A Rumour of Spring: 20 years of democracy sal dus nie meer bespreek word nie.

Gunstelinge soos Deon Meyer, Deon Opperman, Dana Snyman, Abraham H. de Vries, Etienne van Heerden, Joan Hambidge,  Wilna Adriaanse, en nog vele meer, is egter almal by Woordfees 2014. Debuutskrywers soos Dominique Botha (Valsrivier) en Johann Nell (Sondag op 'n voëlplaas) word ook op die fees verwelkom. 

Vanjaar kan feesgangers hul lippe aflek vir die Japie Basson skrywers-etes. Sit aan vir 'n heerlike driegang-ete by Knorhoek Towerbosch Aardkombuis met sy kwinksinnige ouwêreldse interieur en gasvryheid, saam met skrywers soos Amanda Botha, André P. Brink, Annelie Botes, Karen Brynard, Riana Scheepers en die woordkunstenaar, digter, liedjie- en rubriekskrywer Koos van der Merwe.  Die "proe al padlangs"-wyntoere en die Clemengold Woord en wyn-etes bied aan 'n handjievol feesgangers die geleentheid om saam met bekendes die wynlande om Stellenbosch te besoek.  

Dansky 'n stampvol De Vette Mossel jaar ná jaar (en mense wat steeds smeek om net te staan en luister!) word daar vanjaar twee keer om die uiters gewilde Storievuur gekuier. Feesgangers het dus dubbel die kans om saam met Johan Bakkes en sy gaste, wat Blouwillem Theron, Amore Bekker en Albert Maritz insluit, te kuier. Victor Wolff en Les Javan sorg vir ritme vir elke feesvoet.

Gaste uit die Nederlande sluit in Naomi Perquin en Bart Moeyaert, wat sy 50ste verjaarsdag in 2014 vier. Verskeie werkswinkels, gesprekke en boekbekendstellings maak deel van die program uit. Vanjaar bring die ATKV 'n hele tent vol boeke waar boekwurms heerlik kan snuffel. Die skrywersprogram is werklik 'n pluiskeil propvol pret.     

Musiekfees:

Die Sanlam musiekverhoog spog met die beste aan die Suid-Afrikaanse musiekfront in talle uitstekende en verrassende kombinasies op die verhoog: Adam en Heavenly Quartez, Jemery Loops en Matthew Mole, Karin Zoid en Emo Adams, Stef Bos en Koos Kombuis. Groot name soos David Kramer, Theuns Jordaan, Jak de Priester, Jannie Moolman, Elvis Blue en Die Heuwels Fantasties sal feesvoete beslis laat jeuk. 

Laurinda Hofmeyr, wat bekend is vir haar pragverwerkings van Afrikaanse digters se verse, is vanjaar terug met 'n solo-vertoning. Niël Rademan, Selim Kagee en André Terblanche belowe 'n hoë noot of twee saam met Lucas Heinen (klavier) en Stanislav Angulov (trekklavier) in 'n produksie getiteld 5Maestro's! Die nimlike Nataniël, die Steinway-pianis Charl du Plessis en die kitaarvirtuoos Juan Oosthuizen keer terug na die kykNET Endler vir wondervertonings vol verrassings.  

Leonard Cohen-liefhebbers kan nader staan vir Koos van der Merwe se Afrikaanse vertalings van dié geliefde liedjieskrywer en sanger. In Jaloersbokkies is kunstenaars soos Jawaahier Petersen, Nedine Blom, Ashur Petersen, Yazeed Williams, Adrian Abrahams, Robin Kock en Rhyno Domingo te sien. Dis so eg-Kaaps soos breyani en koesisters en beloof om die gehoor te bekoor met skatte soos 'Daar kom die Alibama', 'Mannetjies Roux' en die Maleier-treffer 'Rosa'.

Een produksie wat nie gemis mag word nie, is 15 Vroue. Vyftien bekende musiekkunstenaars, onder andere Amanda Strydom, Lize Beekman, Anna Davel en Rina Hugo, span saam om die 15de bestaansjaar van die Woordfees glorieryk en skouspelagtig te herdenk in ʼn sterbelaaide produksie met magiese musiek.

Vir feesgangers met fynproewer-ore is die Stabat Mater van Karl Jenkis spesiaal op die spyskaart. Minette du Toit-Pearce en die Libertas-koor bied dié Walliese komponis se verruklike interpretasie van die 13de-eeuse Rooms-Katolieke gebed oor die lyding van Maria aan. Stabat Mater speel nie alleen in op tradisionele Westerse musiek nie, maar sluit ook etniese instrumente, Midde-Oosterse vokale werk en perkussie-instrumente in, met fragmente in Aramees en antieke Arabies. Dié magistrale werk vir koor en simfonie-orkes is aangepas vir 15 orkeslede. Zorada Temmingh begelei dié magiese gebeurtenis met die orrel.

Die Woordfees se gewilde laataand jolkol is oudergewoonte reg met yskoue wyn en vuurwarm blues. Gian Groen, Bruce Ewen, Greg Smith, Derek Harper Jr., Basson Laubscher, Sven Blumer, Natasha Meister, Piet Botha, Dr John en Albert Frost rock De Vette Mossel se verhoog by die Drostdy-Hof Blues @ De Vette Mossel.

Dramafees:

Die Woordfees se dramaprogram spog in 2014 met ʼn groot verskeidenheid uitstekende aanbiedings.

Deon Opperman, wat reeds met die Hertzog-prys vir drama bekroon is en duisende Suid-Afrikanders met reekse soos Getroud met rugby en Donkerland voor die kassie vasgenael gehou het, se nuutste drama is spesiaal geskryf vir twee legendes van die Suid-Afrikaanse verhoog. As ek reg onthou, met Louis van Niekerk en Brümilda van Rensburg, is 'n hoogtepunt.

Anton Tsjechof se Die kersieboord word vanjaar deur The Mechanicals aangebied. Oscar Petersen, Tinarie van Wyk Loots, Carel Nel, Wilhelm van der Walt, Nandi Horak, Roxanne Blaise, Sjaka Septembir, Marvin-Lee Beukes en Bianca Flanders is te sien in hierdie uitstekende verwerking deur Sandra Temmingh. 'n Klassieke teks in 'n nuwe, Afrikaanse baadjie! 

Adam Small se klassieke en bekroonde Kanna hy kô hystoe, volgens André P. Brink die beste drama in Afrikaans, is in 2014 op die feesverhoog. Die bekende akteur en Kovsies-lektor Gerben Kamper gee lewe aan Small se toneelstuk oor die armes wat altyd daar sal wees. Hierdie produksie moet deur almal beleef word.   

Die immergewilde Sandra Prinsloo is vanjaar te sien in Die Leo's, Hennie van Greunen se vertaling van Nicky Silver se teks. Saam met haar verskyn Tobie Cronjé, Jacques Theron, Erica Wessels, Gideon Lombard en Petro van den Heever in 'n aangrypende drama oor aaklige mense wat onder een sterreteken gebore is.    

Van Greunen staan ook pa vir Die monster in die gang, 'n vertaling van David Greig se teks. Anthea Thompson, Waldemar Schultz, Greta Pietersen en Wessel Pretorius tree op in 'n stuk vol verrassings oor 'n meisie wat droom om normaal te wees, 'n pa wat ure verwyl met sy aanlyn-rolspeltoernooie, 'n onverwagse besoek deur 'n sexy dame en die verskyning van 'n gek Sweedse vrou. Dié energieke ensemble laat loop teen die spoed van 'n vuurwarm motorfiets en maak 'n draai by televisiespeletjies, musiek uit die 60's, feeverhale, fisieke komedie en macaroni-en-kaas.

Gunstelinge soos Marion Holm is terug in HOLM:  geMARIONneer en Margit Meyer-Rödenbeck is Dowwe Dolla in ddbb... Dowwe Dolla betaal belasting.

Die komedie Hotel Vleispaleis, met Susanne Beyers, Amalia Uys en Dorette Potgieter, gaan gehore laat skater. In Gaerin Hauptfleisch se produksie van Leon Kruger se teks gaan dit nie goed met tannie Edie se bordeel nie. Een gereelde kliënt dink Shanie se tone is 'n draairoomys en die vulstasiebestuurder betaal met 'n tenk petrol. En Suzie se kêrel wil ophou betaal as hulle verloof raak. As Amelda dag dis 'n bemarkingspos en daar kom werk, moet sy inhibisies leer afskud, leer skootskoffel (lap dance) en verlei. Maar wie is sy eintlik? 'n Komedie oor lojaliteit, deernis, vriendskap en die waarde van 'n goeie skootskoffel!

Vir die eerste keer is Mark Lottering op die Woordfees te sien. In Lottering Live ontmoet feesgangers van Lottering se gewildste karakters: Auntie Merele Abrahams van Athlone en Smiley, wat almal se fares in die taxi moet collect. Kom hoor wat hy (en hulle!) te sê het.

Die produksiehuis Polony, wat vir wenners soos N is vir neurose, Die lelike eend en Tjop-en-dop op vorige Woordfeeste gesorg het, bring vanjaar twee stukke na die Woordfees. Meerfout, met die jong aktrises Cintaine Schutte en Mariechen Vosloo, is 'n stuk oor die moderne vrou se konflik tussen verwagting en verpligting. In Waterpas bied Wessel Pretorius (van Ont-faam) 'n studie in waansin. Hy is die skrywer van hierdie stuk wat beskryf word as 'n eksistensiële laslap-komedie oor die lewe, die dood en al die fratsongelukke wat tussenin gebeur.        

Wit manne se wapens is 'n lekker humoristiese, nostalgiese terugblik op ons ouer wit mans se weermagdae.  Die troepie, die korporaal, die slapgat, die dofkop – almal kom maak 'n draai. Die vraag is: Waar staan ons nou? Die oorspronklike stuk is hoogs suksesvol in dertien lande opgevoer. 'n Gulde geleentheid vir Gys de Villiers om sy talente uit sy akteurshoed te pluk met twaalf karakters, elk met sy eie unieke fisieke styl! 

Tersius Kapp se Oorsee is by Aardklop aangewys as die wenner van die AngloGold Ashanti Smeltkroes-prys vir beste nuwe teks. Kom kyk op die Woordfees waarom. Ander stukke wat nie gemis moet word nie, is Nagwond, Tara Notcutt se nuutste projek, en Saartjie Botha se vertaling van Edward Albee se Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, waarvan die regie deur die opwindende jong regisseur Christiaan Olwagen behartig word.

Daar is boonop elke aand kabarette en konserte in die Aan de Braak teater, wat nou in die Erfurthuis is.  En met die Boektent wat snags die Eikestadnuus Klankkamer word, is die feeskern snags net so bedrywig as waneer die son skyn.

Diskoers

Die US Woordfees is bekend as forum vir kritiese gesprekke. RSG saai daagliks weer Monitor, Spektrum en Praat saam uit, maar dit gebeur vanjaar vanaf die Erfurtkafee voor die Erfurthuis. Dié gewilde reeks, wat altyd sorg vir ʼn volgepakte feeskern, word onder die vaandel van USB-Ed, Die Burger en RSG aangebied.

In 2014 sien 'n nuwe gespreksreeks die lig: Geloof op die markplein is 'n gespreksreeks deur Stellenbosch se NG Moederkerk waar, ná die Kerkbode-debakel van 2013, kwessies wat gelowiges én vrygeestiges raak as 't ware na die markplein gebring word in 'n uitreik na die gemeenskap. Dit vier oop gesprek en wil demonstreer dat die NG Kerk nie uit pas is met eietydse vraagstukke nie.

Maties se SR sorg weer vir die Van Zyl Slabbert-diskoersreeks, interaksie-gesprekke met die leiers van môre.  Kom luister ook hoe oud-dosente van die US sake uitpraat in die Beste Professor-gespreksreeks, onder leiding van oudrektor Andreas van Wyk.  Dit word by De Vette Mossel aangebied en gee terselfdertyd geleentheid om die Mossel se heerlike ontbyt te beproef.  Ook by De Vette Mossel is 'n gespreksreeks getiteld Wat sê die sterre..., middagete-gesprekke waar die akteurs in die Dramafees 'n skelm kykie agter die skerms van die treffertoneelproduksies gee.

Kunsfees

Die feeskunstenaar vir 2014 is Diek Grobler.  Sy kleurryke en speelse uitbeelding van die feestema pryk op die feesplakkaat en programboeke en sy magiese verkoopsuitstalling is in Die Voortrekkers PJ Olivier Kunssentrum te sien. Die werk van sowat dertig kunstenaars word ook hier uitgestal in 'n wonderbaarlike verkoopsuitstalling wat 'n voorste haas uit die kunshoed is, met baie winskopies

Kunsliefhebbers kan weer die Stellenbosse galerye wat op die Kunsroete aangedui word, besoek.  'n Hoogtepunt op die kunsroete is Magicus by die D-street galery, 'n magiese kunsuitstalling uit die kwaste van Clare Menck, Cobus van Bosch, Jan du Toit, Peter van Straten, Shaney van den Berg, Andries Gouws en Ingrid Winterbach. Daar is ook beeldhouwerk deur Niël Jonker en Lionel Smit.

Die digter en kunstenaar Louis Jansen van Vuuren se uitstalling In 'n oogwink – win citu oculi móét by die Oude Libertas Kunsgalery besigtig word. Hier word 'n onlangse reeks werke in gemengde medium aangebied waar die kunstenaar aspekte van die portret as skeppende onderwerp, die verwantskap tussen sitter en waarnemer en die 'vlietende' oomblik wat die beoogde bestemming word, ondersoek.

Andersoortige kuns is die dierbare aanbieders van geliefde TV reekse soos Haas Das se nuuskas  en karakters uit Liewe Heksie soos die nimlike Heksie, Blommie Kabouter, Karel Kraai, Sarel Seemonster, Bennie Boekwurm, Knersus, Mannemarak en Mina Moo en talle ander uit die begindae van Afrikaanse TV. Meer as 200 marionette, staaf- en handpoppe wat oor die afgelope 39 jaar deur die Klein Marionette-geselskap en die eertydse modelbou-afdeling van die SAUK-televisiediens ontwerp en vervaardig is, word by die Radio Helderberg Klein Libertas Teater uitgestal, met rondleidings deur die kreatiewe gees agter 'n groot aantal daarvan, Louise en 'n interessante gesprek word daaroor gevoer.

Die Woordfees se WOW

Die Woordfees se Woorde Open Wêrelde (WOW)-leesbevorderingsprojek bied weer ʼn reeks opvoedkundige werkswinkels, praatjies en boekbekendstellings aan vir onderwysers en leerders van alle ouderdomme. Bekende skrywers en rolmodelle inspireer die jeug met optredes en motiveringspraatjies en die gewilde Karnaval op die Van der Stel-sportterrein het al ʼn instelling geword. Vanjaar kan die gemeenskap kom luister na Emo Adams, Jimmy Nevis, plaaslike orkeste, Salome, Tururu en vele meer. Dis gesonde en veilige vermaak vir die hele gesin, maar vir die grootmense bied die biertent lafenis teen die hitte.   

​A key concern facing large protected areas and buffer zones in southern Africa is that they are locked in a vicious cycle of rural poverty and environmental degradation. Stellenbosch University (SU) will be a partner in a project funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) with the aim of addressing some of the important issues.

Weak knowledge about the practicalities of micro-governance, devolution and economic policy, weak stakeholder learning systems and a major shortage of professionals with economic, governance and stakeholder skills are central to these challenges. A 32 million rand project funded by Norad under the new NORHED programme (Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development) has now provided a critical opportunity for research and capacity building in this arena. 

In February 2014, an inception workshop was held at Mukambi Lodge along the banks of the Kafue River, Kafue National Park in Zambia.  Here, project partners, stakeholders and potential PhD students met to prioritise research topics, develop Masters modules and to conceptualise the operational plan for this 5-year programme. 

Stellenbosch University (SU) is one of five partners. The others include the Copperbelt University in Zambia (main contractual partner with Norad), South African Wildlife College in Limpopo (a SADAC wildlife training college) and the Department of International Environment and Development Studies at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU).  

Professors Brian Child (University of Florida and The Nature conservancy Council and SU Extraordinary Professor, School of Public Leadership (SPL)), Kobus Muller (SPL) and Karen Esler (Department of Conservation Ecology & Entomology) are the participating researchers from SU, which will be receiving 12 PhD candidates over the next 5 years.  

These students will receive training through the TsamaHub (Transdiciplinarity in Sustainability – Analysis, Modelling and Assessment), which focuses on training for sustainable solutions to Africa's problems in complex social-ecological systems. 

As part of the embraced philosophy of transdiciplinarity and co-learning, a range of key stakeholders were present at the inception meeting – these included representatives from Game Rangers International, Higher Education Africa (CHET), Ministry of Agriculture, Mozambique (Direcção Nacional de Terras e Florestas), Panthera, SabiSands, SanParks, The Nature Conservancy Council (TNC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Wits Rural, Zambian Forest College, Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), as well as representatives from the communities surrounding Kafue and from the private sector.  

During the course of the week, delegates had an opportunity to engage with the challenges facing Kafue Park managers, tourism operators, and community members living in and around the buffer zone around the park. This practical context helped the group to jointly frame and prioritise research and teaching plans.

For more information on the project, its funder and partner institutions see:

http://www.umb.no/noragric/article/norhed-improving-the-governance-and-economics-of-protected-areas

NORHED: http://www.norad.no/en/support/norhed

NMBU: http://www.umb.no/noragric/

CBU: http://www.cbu.edu.zm/index.php

SAWC http://www.wildlifecollege.org.za/

Prof Frans Swanepoel of the African Doctoral Academy recently hosted a Consensus Panel on Africa Post-2015 – The Role of Sciences in the Development Agenda. 

The panel was appointed by the African Science Academies to pronounce the role of African Science Academies in assisting African countries to take charge of their own development. Secondly, the Panel's goal is to ensure integration of economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainable development as outlined by the African Union's Development Agenda-2063.

Panellists who participated in the meeting (fltr):

Dr Cristian Acemah (National Science Academies, USA), Ms Bongiwe Njobe (former DG of the National Department of Agriculture, and former Group Executive for Sustainability, Tiger Foods Ltd), Prof Eugene Cloete (DVC Research and Innovation, who hosted an official dinner); Prof Mandi Rukuki (former Dean of Agriculture, University of Zimbabwe, and Advisor to the AU); Prof Hany El-Shemy (Vice-President of the Egyptian Academy of Science and Technology); Ms Anne Nsubuga and Dr David Mutekanga (both from the Ugandan National Academy of Sciences).

Stellenbosch University's Prof Catharine Esterhuysen represented South Africa at the official launch of the International Year of Crystallography in Paris, France, recently.

As president of the South African Crystallographic Society, she gave an overview of the historical development of this field of study in South Africa, while Prof Delia Haynes showcased some of the work happening in the Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science by means of a video clip.

In her presentation, Prof Esterhuysen showed that the field has a long and proud history in South Africa, which included two Nobel prizes and collaboration with Lawrence Bragg. In 1915, Bragg and his father, Sir William Henry Bragg, received the Nobel Prize for Physics for enabling the analysis of crystal structure by means of X-rays. Lawrence Bragg was only 25 years old at the time.

Two students of Reginald James, who established the discipline in the 1940s in South Africa, went ahead and earned Nobel prizes for their work in this field. They were Aaron Klug (Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1982) and Allan M. Cormack (Nobel Prize for Physiology in 1979)

What is crystallography?

"Most solid substances are crystalline, not just salt, sugar and diamonds, but also minerals, metals, proteins and even chocolate. Therefore we can work out what the structures of these molecules are by crystallography. For instance, Watson and Crick worked out the structure of DNA from crystallographic studies performed by Rosalind Franklin," explains Prof Esterhuysen.

"Scientists work out the structure of molecules using X-ray diffraction: a crystal is exposed to a beam of X-rays which is then bent (diffracted) in specific ways depending on the crystal's internal structure. The pattern of diffracted X-rays is then measured and the structure calculated from it using equations determined 100 years ago by the Braggs.

"Most of the world's important new pharmaceuticals and materials (such as those used in electronic devices) were designed based on knowledge obtained from crystal structures," she concludes.

Become part of the International Year of Crystallography

The first all-African conference on crystallography, the Pan African and South African Crystallography Conference and Summit, will take place from 12 to 17 October 2014 in Bloemfontein. The aim is to bring political leaders and scientists together to try and work out how to develop crystallography in Africa, with a particular focus on the historically disadvantaged universities within South Africa.

Enquiries

Prof Catharine Esterhuysen

Tel: 021 808 3345

E-mail: ce@sun.ac.za

The last week of February saw the start of a new era for postgraduate studies at the School of Public Leadership – and indeed the whole Stellenbosch University.

During their first contact session at the Bellville Park campus, all new honours students in Public and Development Management received notebook computers. In addition, many of the handbooks were replaced with Vitalsource, an e-books platform providing a wide range of applications to enhance learning. Students were also registered for pre-paid data bundles.

"Add to that the new SUNLearn platform and students are ready to face the academic year with a range of learning aids that enable them to study wherever they are," said Prof Johan Burger, Director of the School of Public Leadership.

The School's Honours programme in Public and Development Management has been presented in blended mode since 2001, combining one intense two-week direct contact session with interactive telematics lectures spread throughout the year, as well as extensive use of the University's e-learning platforms. Contact sessions are presented at both the Bellville Park Campus and in Pretoria.

As the programme is mostly aimed at mid-career public managers from across South Africa and neighbouring countries, the scheduling and teaching arrangements help to improve access. Currently, approximately 140 new students are registered per year.

Since mid-2013 a team comprising individuals from Telematic Services, Information Technology, Narga, Bellville Park ICT and the School has worked hard to make this the first programme to take e-learn a step further.

According to Prof Burger, "It's been quite challenging to get everything ready for the launch, first in Bellville and now in Pretoria. To crown everything, our honours registrations have already passed the 200 mark – the biggest group ever!"

Toxic heavy metals polluting the air, the need for improved diagnosis of depression, rooibos preventing skin cancer, low cost MRI scans in the fruit industry, the fight against fungal infections in grapevines, and churches alleviating poverty.

These are just some of the exciting topics 12 doctoral students from seven faculties at Stellenbosch University (SU) will present at the third annual New Voices in Science colloquium to be held on Friday, 7 March 2014.

This colloquium, organised by SU's Postgraduate and International Office, starts at 08:30 at the Wallenberg Research Centre at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS).

The researchers, who are all finalists of a science communication programme at the University, have only 5 min each to present their research in an understandable way to the audience. The researchers will also have to answer questions from the floor. Prizes are up for grabs for the best presentation, best article and best photo.

Ms Ronel Steyn, Coordinator of the Postgraduate Skills Development Programme in the Postgraduate and International Office at SU, says the New Voices in Science event is an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of science to society and to keep the public informed about the latest scientific research.

"Through the New Voices programme, the University teaches its young scientists to share their research with the public and the media in a responsible way," she says.

"The general public are often not aware of the role of science and how science affects them on a daily basis.  Science communication has therefore become very important and this is exactly what the New Voices programme does," comments Prof Eugene Cloete, Vice-Rector: Research and Innovation at SU.

He adds that stakeholders, including the public and funding agencies, get the opportunity to see and hear how science is creating a better world for all of us.

In addition to the individual speeches, a writing and photo competition will also from part of this year's event.

Presentations will be published in the New Voices in Science magazine which will be available at the Postgraduate and International Office.

• For more information about the colloquium, liaise with Ronel Steyn at ronels@sun.ac.za or 021 808 9157.
• Click here for more information or watch a video of a previous event here.​

Photo: Doctoral students at the 2012 New Voices in Science event.

PROGRAMME

08:30 Coffee and Registration

08:45 Welcome

• Feeding off hunger: A theologian reinterprets the hope for heaven as a call to fight poverty.
  Collium Banda Dept. Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology
• White sharks: what really lies beneath the surface? A marine biologist reveals a different side to sharks.
  Sara Andreotti Dept. Botany and Zoology
• MRI scans on the fruit sorting line: An engineer shows how a low cost version of MRI could revolutionise the fruit industry.
  Frederic Isingizwe Dept. Electric & Electronic Engineering
• If you can't say it, draw it! A design researcher explains how researchers and community partners reach a common understanding.
  Lorraine Ambole School of Public Leadership
• Genetic profiling ‐ a silver bullet for schizophrenia treatment? A geneticist reveals medical treatments of the not too distant future.
  Britt Drögemöller Dept. Genetics
• Teacher burnout in gang‐ridden schools: A psychology researcher tests simple interventions with powerful results
  Sharon Johnson Dept. Psychology

10:45 Tea

• Creating and perceiving music: A composer liberates music with complexity theory.
  Hans Huyssen Dept. Music
• Air pollution ‐ an invisible killer: A nuclear physicist reveals toxic heavy metals in the air we breathe.
  Zina Ndlovu Dept. Physics
• The sad truth about depression: A psychologist points out the limitations of current mental health diagnoses. Carla Dukas Dept. Psychology
• Genetic modification in vines gives surprising results: a molecular biologist tells us how the fight against a notorious grapevine fungal infection was almost won.
  Mukani Moyo Dept. Viticulture and Oenology
• Rooibos can slow the progress of skin cancer: A biochemist shares growing evidence of cancer fighting compounds in rooibos.
  Tandeka Magcwebeba Dept. Biochemistry
• Taxi to Proteaville: An ecologist uncovers a minute transport system important to protea pollination.  
  Natalie Theron Dept. Conservation Ecology and Entomology​

​​"Hope is created when possibility is prioritised over immediate reality. Many people find themselves spending their lives understanding the immediate reality and very few people ask the question: What is possible beyond this?"

Prof Russel Botman, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University, shared Stellenbosch University's story about moving from success to significance through the HOPE Project at a public address at Hope College in the USA on Monday 3 March. Watch video here.​

The title of his address was: "Stellenbosch University's Hope Project: A Vision for Academic Renewal."

Hope College will confer an honorary doctorate on Prof Botman on Tuesday 4 March.

"What better place to talk about Stellenbosch University's (SU) HOPE Project than at Hope College?" he asked.

Prof Botman explained how, after becoming rector in 2007, one of his first acts was to seek ways of inspiring his colleagues to consider a science-for-society approach for the University.

"When my colleagues and I looked at the situation in South Africa our priorities started becoming clear. What we saw, was that the vote which had brought us political liberation in 1994 did not free the majority of the population from hunger, disease, homelessness, exploitation, corruption, violence, pollution or unemployment. We realised that as one of South Africa's leading universities, we had a duty to use our key strengths – our academic excellence and cutting-edge research – to be of service to society.

"I proposed to my colleagues that we could kindle hope – where it was needed most – by following a science-for-society approach in all the functions of the University.

"And I am proud to say that the University community as a whole pulled together to make this a reality."

Prof Botman described the HOPE Project as an institution-wide attempt to put academic excellence and cutting-edge research to use in the search for solutions to some of the most daunting challenges facing society.

"The ethos of the HOPE Project has become embedded in the fiber of the University – in its DNA. As such, the HOPE Project was the catalyst that has led to deep-seated academic renewal across the whole institution.

"By using hope as a guiding concept, the University is led to ask critical questions about reality, to look at problems in a scientific manner and to use science to make a difference. In this way hope becomes a radical transforming concept.

"If hope is used with the assumption that a better future can be created actively through a joint search for knowledge, in service of the community, it becomes more than empty optimism and changes into a shared social resource," he said.

He added that the HOPE Project is not only renewing academic enterprise at Stellenbosch but is also helping to reinvigorate scholarship across the African continent. There he referred to the formation of Hope@Africa, and Hope International.

"The HOPE Project clearly has an impact out there in society. But it also has also had an impact internally on the University itself. The HOPE Project has been like the proverbial tide lifting all the boat. It has been good for Stellenbosch University as a whole.

"In recent years, we broke into three global rankings in quick succession: The QS World University Ranking, the Times Higher Education World University Ranking, and the Leiden Ranking and we are the continents most research-productive university. I mention this because more than one doubting Thomas expressed scepticism about the HOPE Project. Some were worried that by embracing the concept of hope, the University was abandoning its academic function and that research would suffer. Others were concerned about what an emphasis on relevance would do to the University's pursuit of excellence. Would standards drop?

"Clearly the sceptics have been wrong on both counts. If the HOPE Project was the catalyst for the University making a tangible difference in people's lives, then excellence was the tool that ensured our continued success.

"Without focusing on providing hope to future generations, the academic enterprise loses its relevance. But it is only though maintaining the highest degrees of excellence in the process that one can be confident of realising a better tomorrow.

"Helping Stellenbosch University move from success to significance has been a most exciting and rewarding journey for me," concluded Prof Botman.

"Our HOPE Project has enhanced respect for what science can contribute to human development, the moral imperative of our time. It has inspired and galvanized our staff and students, leading to academic renewal across the University, in all of its functions.

"That is what the 21st-century urgently requires!" 

​Photograph: Hope College

Prof Linus Opara, Research Professor and South African Chair in Postharvest Technologies at Stellenbosch University's Faculty of AgriSciences, was invited by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) to an Expert Group Meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The aim was for experts from across Africa to discuss, debate and prepare for the topics that will be addressed in the Fifth Sustainable Development Report on Africa (SDRA). Prof Opara tells more about the topics discussed at the meeting and what he believes will contribute to sustainable growth in Africa, particularly with regards to agriculture.

​What is the SDRA about?

The SDRA is a biennial report and an important medium for monitoring and assessing sustainable development in Africa. It aims to promote the development, implementation and a balanced integration of sustainable development policies, plans and programmes in Africa.

The theme of the Fifth SDRA is about achieving sustainable development in Africa through inclusive green growth. Experts from member states as well as regional and sub-regional organisations, including the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank and regional economic communities were invited to the meeting, which took place from 4 to 6 December 2013.

​What is the purpose of the report?

The SDRA process promotes the fostering of partnerships among United Nations agencies and African regional and sub-regional institutions. This enables them to support sustainable development commitments for Africa, and to prepare for and follow up on the outcomes of discussions around sustainable development. The report also contributes to raising the profile and dialogue on Africa's sustainable development priorities at regional and international levels.

​Which issues were addressed?

All the participants had the opportunity to discuss, debate and analyse the opportunities and challenges for Africa in promoting and achieving inclusive green growth in

• agriculture and land management,

• trade,

• ecosystem goods and services,

• energy, and

• industry.

Although the origin of agriculture can be traced to Africa, our agriculture and land management is still the least developed in the world. This is despite the fact that 60 to 70% of the people on the continent work in this sector. The question we debated was what we must do to transform our agriculture within the next 30 to 40 years. What are the skills and technologies we need? If we do not have this long-term, bold vision, we cannot develop, which means that our agriculture remains the least productive and we continue to increase the importation of high-quality food from the rest of the world to feed our people.

Related to that is, because our agriculture is underdeveloped, we are not able to capitalise on the opportunities arising from the rest of the world, which is increasingly seeking good quality and diverse food to meet their food security needs. And the world is not waiting for us anymore – they are coming to our continent, buying our land and developing it to provide for their own needs for food and nutrition security.

Our trading industry is also underdeveloped. We are not trading successfully with the rest of the world – in fact we are not even trading enough among ourselves and would rather import what we need from other continents. Intra-African trade still stands below 15% while in many regions and economic blocs this can exceed 60%. At the meeting we discussed the possible reasons for this dilemma and which actions can be taken to address this.

Our ecosystems are very fragile, and we have one of the richest fauna and flora habitats in the world. An increasing concern is that people have been coming from other continents to exploit this. We looked at the future of our ecosystems and what we are doing to preserve it, grow our own economy and provide good services to our own people.

Energy for manufacture and trade is another challenge, as we need to harness our energy resources for economic development. Of course we want a green economy. However, what does this mean for our own continent, which has the lowest energy consumption per capita, the lowest fertiliser input and the lowest irrigation use in agriculture per hectare, and the least mechanical power input in agriculture? How can we move forward in a sustainable manner that does not stifle the aspirations of our people for inclusive economic development and industrialisation while the rest of the world marches on?

The industrialisation of Africa should no longer be a debate; it should be a given. It is time to articulate policies that support industrialisation so that we can sustain our own land and build a bright economic future for Africa's teeming young population.

As an agricultural development expert, how do you see the future of agriculture in South Africa?

Agriculture is at the heart of economic development and environmental sustainability because of the impact it has on all aspects of our lives. The rising population and demand for food, feed and fibre assure a bright future for agriculture. South Africa is in a very good position to do even better than its current agricultural achievements. We could be industry role-models on the African continent and indeed in other developing economies around the world, because we have good examples to show what is possible. The global success of our fresh fruit industry is a case in point. Recently, through a public-private investment partnership between the Department of Science and Technology and the fresh fruit industry, the South African Postharvest Innovation Programme has been supporting research and innovation to enhance the competitiveness of the horticultural sector. This model can be applied to other industrial sectors. The danger we are facing is to rest on our laurels.

There is huge transformation taking place across the world, which affects what we eat and where the food comes from. The African continent is changing under our feet, and within 11 years, more than 300 million people on the continent will be middle class. Because South Africa has the best developed agricultural sector and industry, we have the opportunity and the potential to up our game and start collaborating, on equal partnership, with the rest of the continent for mutual benefits. We also have the opportunity to spread our focus towards innovation for value addition and wealth creation, make our innovations more visible and use it to our advantage.

If we don't act timeously, we will become an opportunity for the rest of the world to exploit. There are no excuses anymore for doing nothing – we need to use all our resources to start developing our agriculture as well as our other industries. My hope is that the fifth edition of the SDRA carries a clear message of taking action.

​Stellenbosch scientist Prof Akin Abayomi is one of a team of researchers who will conduct genomic research on kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, tuberculosis and African sleeping sickness through inaugural grants of the Human Heredity and Health in Africa Consortium (H3Africa).

Abayomi is the principal investigator for a research project known as the 'Development of Africa H3 Biorepositories to facilitate studies on Biodiversity, Disease and Pharmacogenomics of African Populations'.

This is in line with the Faculty's mission to contribute to the discovery and sharing of knowledge in the field of health sciences by means of research relevant to Africa.

The grants were recently announced by the two funding organisations, the US National Institutes of Health and the Wellcome Trust, a global charity based in London. The organisations also awarded grants for the development of an African bioinformatics network and two pilot biorepositories, which are banks that maintain biospecimens for future scientific investigation.

The US and British organisations are working together on the H3Africa project, which aims to improve the health of Africans through the study of genomics and environmental determinants of common diseases. The H3Africa initiative will help develop expertise among African scientists, foster increased collaboration among African investigators, enhance the infrastructure for genomics research in Africa, and contribute to the training of the next generation of African researchers in the use of contemporary genomic approaches in the study of important health problems. The NIH has committed $25 million of grant support over five years, contingent on the availability of funds, and Wellcome Trust has committed almost $13 million over five years.

"H3Africa is certain to have profound and lasting effects on the landscape of genomics research in Africa," said Charles N Rotimi, PhD, director of the trans-NIH Center for Research on Genomics and Global Health. "This programme will enable African researchers to study African populations, to solve African problems and to train the next generation of African scientists."

The inaugural H3Africa projects were announced at a meeting of the principal investigators, representing 22 African countries, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Prof Akin Abayomi

​After the Division for Research Development NekNominated the Postgraduate & International Office (PGIO), the PGIO responded on Friday 28 February 2014. 

Through their involvement with various structures on campus and representation on different fora, it has come to their attention that a need for toiletries exists amongst some students who struggle to afford basic, essential items.

The staff of the PGIO rallied around and also called upon the student community to join them in contributing toiletry items. The response that was received to the call for help was fantastic! The donated items were made up into care packages and delivered to Lizzie Witbooi, the University's Social Worker at Student Counselling and Development. Lizzie will distribute these to students in need. 

​In challenging the next environment to demonstrate their act of kindness, we would like to give a new word to this deed and call it a #NeedNomination. 

Ms Ellen Tise and the staff of the Library and Information Service at Stellenbosch University are herewith NeedNominated! 

Watch the video.

Watch​ the video of the Division for Research Development.

A heart specialist of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is teaming up with a pro-cyclist to tackle the ABSA Cape Epic to raise funds for SUNheart – a non-profit initiative helping disadvantaged South Africans gain access to advanced cardiac medical care and developing a training centre of excellence in cardiology.

With the help of a Mediclinic sponsorship, Dr Hellmuth Weich, a pioneering cardiologist at the Division of Cardiology, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg Hospital and Mediclinic Panorama, and Mannie Heymans, a champion cyclist, will take on the gruelling 800km mountain bike race.

Dr Weich has two passions: cycling and caring for patients with heart problems. He immediately saw participating in the Epic as an opportunity to combine these and thereby raising funds for and improving awareness of patients with heart disease during the race.

"We identified a large gap between our vision of high-level care, research and training in cardiac diseases and our facilities and budget constraints. The cardiac unit has a long history of not waiting for things to come our way, but rather actively pursuing our goals despite very limited resources. Over the years, we have generated funds outside our budget to finance two new cardiac catheterisation theatres, numerous heart ultra-sound machines and even training posts for doctors," says Dr Weich.

Besides sponsoring the SUNheart team by providing the race entry and cycling gear for the duo, Mediclinic has provided the medical support for the Cape Epic since its inception 11 years ago.

"We believe in a progressive approach to delivering cost-effective healthcare to a broader cross-section of South Africans. We are also constantly investigating how we can expand our support for training by partnering with government to train doctors, and contribute to various academic institutions to this effect," says Dr Biren Valodia, Chief Marketing Officer, Mediclinic Southern Africa.

"SUNheart's objectives align well with those of Mediclinic. We also have a long association with Dr Weich and fully support the ground-breaking work he does in his field. We are proud to be partnering with his team during the Epic," Dr Valodia explains.

To find out more or to contribute towards this worthy cause, visit www.sun.ac.za/sunheart

Photo: Dr Hellmuth Weich

​

1.      A common trend amongst the leading university sites is to have a high-definition images slide show in the centre populated with news, events and other dynamic content.

• This is incorporated in the carousel which hyperlinks to news articles and events

2.      The clear visibility of events

• A need has been expressed by the broader University community to have a platform where they can publicise events – not just to staff members and students, but also to the public.

3.      Although the style of navigation differs at each institution, a consistent navigation is evident throughout the website.

Implemented a mega menu as primary navigation and a secondary navigation above the footer.

​​The Maties first rugby team played their fifth match of the 2014 FNB Varsity Cup, presented by Steinhoff International, on Monday 3 March and the encounter was a tightly fought one against the visiting Shimlas, ending in a 13 all draw.

The result leaves both teams with some work to do in order to qualify for the semi-final stage of the competition.

Once again the wind had a significant influence on play and it was the visitors who enjoyed the benefit of this state of affairs during the first half. Shimlas managed to build a 13-0 half time lead courtesy of two tries, the first of which was converted.

However Maties launched a fight back during the second period as they enjoyed the wind at their backs and it was flyhalf Robert du Preez who managed to breach the opposing defense as he went over in the corner for the home side's first points. He also succeeded with the conversion to bring the deficit to 13-8.

Maties continued with their onslaught and were finally able to even up the score after the second strategy break as scrum half Jean Nel went over for his team's second try. Both teams attempted to gain a decisive advantage during the closing stages but when the final whistle sounded the score was still deadlocked at 13 all.

Maties currently occupy sixth place on the points table but find themselves only one point behind Shimlas in fourth place. Their next encounter is an away match against the University of Johannesburg to be played on Monday 10 March. It will be televised live from 19:00 onwards.

Photographer: Anton Jordaan