Mandela Day activists must find ways to create more lasting relationships, in which they also learn, writes student leader Wayde Groep in an opinion article that appeared in the Cape Argus on 16 July. Read it here: ​

Don't stop after 67 minutes

It is roughly seven months after the passing of perhaps South Africa’s most beloved statesman. A life well lived and a legacy of forgiveness is what we think of when remembering Madiba.

Mandela Day, which we celebrate on Friday, prides itself on the idea of serving others. President Jacob Zuma has called on all South Africans to invest their time in green initiatives. The focus on creating an eco-friendly and sustainable future for our country is ironically juxtaposed by coal depletion, the controversial fracking debate and other energy woes.

I have some immediate reservations with the familiar concept of “community service”. As much as we would like to deny it, at the very core of this idea is that it has for too long been about the individual who “does good” and not about those on the receiving end.

To some it may seem pedantic to raise the issue of the jargon we use but this language shapes our very understanding of things. It has been through and with words that our country has been and today still is divided. It is therefore fundamentally important for us to rethink how we embrace concepts before simply accepting them as normal.

At Stellenbosch University we have shifted from so-called community service to a new definition – “community engagement or interaction”.

Through co-ordinated community engagement projects, students have to present sustainable initiatives that will have a lasting impact on the communities and individuals they might encounter. It’s an approach that encourages the students to focus more critically on the why, what and how of engagement with communities.

But, in general, a much-needed mindshift needs to take place when thinking about how to spend 67 minutes on Mandela Day. We need to understand that our dedication to this chunk of time (or longer) is much more than just service. It is about sharing and developing an approach that relies on interdependence that will maximise the change and improvements envisioned for the community we engage with.

The number of projects that are undertaken by NGOs and other institutions are important. However, this is often done out of a sense of obligation, emphasising a service mentality. It’s the sort of initiative that sees, for example, 67 minutes spent reading to children at the local school with little thought given to what the lasting impact of this action will be.

While we are doing good deeds at the local orphanage, crèche in the township or the local SPCA, we experience a sense of well-being. But what is left to benefit the receiver if contact with this school ceases after this short time?

We are a self-absorbed society and often simply wish to ease our own consciences. It could be because of feelings of guilt or because we have not yet come to terms with and accepted our own privilege. To understand privilege and what we have doesn’t mean we must compensate for it through good deeds.

On the contrary, it is in accepting this that we are able to really make time to understand the realities of others. Then and only then will we be able to see that the so-called “other” or “beneficiary” is also privileged in some way and has something to offer us as well.

“We”, in our privileged state, have to accept that we are not the only ones able to provide, or give, or make in order to make “their” lives better. We need to listen to the different stories reflecting the South African reality.

We need to understand that assisting others involves more than just going into a community for a few minutes and leaving. One has to establish the root cause, the reason why the community may have that specific problem or deficit, and to find solutions that will successfully address it.

It is in understanding that we, too, have something to learn or receive that we begin to unravel the possibilities of working together to build a better future. And this is what Mandela did brilliantly. He made time to listen and had a willingness to learn.

He was open to receiving something – knowledge gained from listening and engaging – that gave him a better understanding and an expanded worldview or just appreciating what his privilege afforded him. And that is something that a food package or monetary donation simply cannot give.

Meaningful engagement impacts on us. And that’s the impact that doesn’t fade. It becomes a story that we can share.

I believe that unless we rethink our approach to engaging with other communities and those in so-called under-resourced or under-privileged spaces, we sadly do Mandela’s legacy an injustice.

* Wayde Groep is a BSc Human Life Sciences student at Stellenbosch University, and the student leader, co-ordinator and facilitator of the facilitative leadership short course at the Frederick van Zyl Slabbert Institute for Student Leadership Development.

Issued on behalf of the Frederik van Zyl Slabbert Institute for Student Leadership Development at Stellenbosch University.​​

Find the Cape Argus link.

​Students are reminded to remain vigilant when they return to campus next week as Campus Security typically experiences more criminal activity on campus as soon as the new semester starts.

Make a note of the following tips!

• STUDENTS ARE ADVISED TO REFRAIN FROM WALKING ALONE AFTER DARK. One is always safer when walking in a group.

• Be on the lookout for people and vehicles wandering or driving around aimlessly, or vehicles passing by and then turning around and passing by again.

• Make use of the shuttle service between campus and Stellenbosch areas, which are available from 19:00 to 03:00 daily. The shuttle departs every hour, on the hour, from the Neelsie.

• Make use of the escort-service. Students may, on request, be accompanied by security personnel between buildings or from a building to their vehicle on campus. This service is available from 18:00 in the evenings. Call 021 808 4666 to request assistance.

Know the emergency numbers of the Campus Security: 021 808 2333 (Stellenbosch campus) and 021 938 9507 (Tygerberg & Bellvillepark campus), as well as the SAPS emergency 10111 number.

Be an agent for safety and report crime and/or any suspicious activities! 

​A recent study by SU researchers on low carbohydrate diets, published in the online journal, PLOS ONE, has sparked a media debate. Prof Tim Noakes responded to the findings of the systemic review in a letter to the Cape Times (scroll down)

Click here for the press release by Stellenbosch University: "Low carbohydrate diets result in similar weight losses to recommended balanced diets. Findings debunk claims that low carbohydrates diets results in more weight loss."  

Click here to read the full article published in PLOS ONE

The Author's response to Prof Tim Noakes' letter in the Cape Times, 11/07/2014

Letter to the Editor, Cape Times, 14 July 2014

Trial not high in sugar

We refer to the letter from Prof Tim Noakes that appeared in the Cape Times on 11 July 2014, pertaining to our systematic review published in the international, peer-reviewed journal, PLOS ONE. For the sake of clarity we wish to correct a number of points.  

First, the carbohydrate intake prescribed in the low carbohydrate diets in the systematic review ranged from 19 to 192 grams per day across the 19 included trials, and not "a minimum of 200 grams" as stated by Noakes. The levels of carbohydrate in the trials are similar to those recommended on the diet website that Noakes endorses (originaleating.org). The balanced diets in the trials in our systematic review were not high in sugar as implied by Noakes.

Second, the accusations of bias and his claims that we were "ignorant" of existing systematic reviews are unfounded. Before embarking on our study, we examined all previous systematic reviews on the topic and report our overview of these in the background of our scientific publication. We found that many had not considered energy intake (calories) when comparing effects of diets on weight loss and that inconsistent definitions had been used for low carbohydrate and comparison diets. In our review, we clearly defined the low carbohydrate and recommended balanced diets, and included only studies that met these criteria. We also specifically evaluated whether the actual mix of carbohydrates, fat and protein in a diet influence weight loss, independent of the energy intake. We found that, in overweight and obese people, the two diets have similar effects on weight loss and indicators of heart disease risk and diabetes. This was over a two year period, and the same results were seen in overweight and obese people with and without diabetes.

Third, to dismiss a total weight loss of 10 to 12 kg over 3 to 6 months as a "diet failure" as Noakes has done is unreasonable. Research shows meaningful changes in risk factors, such as blood pressure, with a weight loss as little as 2.5 kg, or 2% of body weight.

Fourth, there is no dispute that a key part of the dietary management of diabetes is controlling and at times reducing portions of carbohydrate-rich foods and guiding carbohydrate quality to help with better blood sugar and insulin control. This has been standard dietetic practice for many years and is also commonly known as 'carb counting'. However, this does not involve drastically reducing or eliminating all carbohydrate-rich foods such as cereals, grains and fruit and replacing these foods with large amounts of saturated fats.

Finally, the causes of the increasing burden of obesity are complex and it is an oversimplification to blame it on a single nutrient. Risk factors that contribute to obesity include a combination of genetic, socioeconomic, metabolic and behavioural factors. Significantly, over the past 3 to 4 decades, ultra-processed, energy-dense, relatively cheap food products, high in unhealthy types of fat, added sugar and sodium have been aggressively promoted and are now dominating our food system. Focussing on the manipulation of a single nutrient for weight loss as Noakes recommends does little to help us understand the best ways to treat the serious problem of obesity, and misleads and confuses the public regarding weight management. Our research, summarising available carefully conducted scientific trials, shows weight loss with recommended balanced diets is similar to weight loss with low carbohydrate diets. The challenge for us all is to help prevent obesity developing, and to assist those who are overweight and obese with safe lifestyle and dietary changes that help them lose weight and sustain their weight loss.

Yours sincerely

Dr Celeste Naude, Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Stellenbosch University
Prof Jimmy Volmink, Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Stellenbosch University, and South African Cochrane Centre, South African Medical Research Council
Prof Paul Garner, Effective Health Care Research Consortium, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Prof Taryn Young, Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Stellenbosch University, and South African Cochrane Centre, South African Medical Research Council
Prof Marjanne Senekal, Division of Human Nutrition, University of Cape Town
Ms Anel Schoonees, Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Stellenbosch University

Letters by Prof Tim Noakes

Below are the letters by Professor Tim Noakes to the editor of the Cape Times,

Low-fat, high-carb, high-sugar diet a likely cause of obesity/diabetes (11/07/2014), in response to the study; and

Diet not the real meal (15/07/2014) in response to the above letter by the authors.

Letter to the Editor, Cape Times (11/07/2014)

Low-fat, high-carb, high-sugar diet a likely cause of obesity/diabetes

I refer to the report in the Cape Times of July 10,  "Noakes's popular low-carb diet is not healthier, better for weight loss - study ". Since the authors of that study do not undersatnd either what constitutes a low-carbohydrate diet or the unique biological effects of such diets, they were predisposed to produce a biased report that comes to exactly the wrong conclusion.

First, the conclusion of their study was predictable since the authors chose to review only studies in which subjects ate the same number of calories on both diets. It is not clear how the authors conceived that diets that provided exactly the same number of calories would produce different outcomes. Indeed, a core teaching of these nutritional scientists is that the degree of weight loss is determined by the reduction in calorie consumption. Thus the authors knew the outcome of their study even before they undertook it. This is not good science.

Second, the studies included in their meta-analysis are not of the low-carbohydrate diet described by either Dr Robert Atkins or ourselves in Real Meal Revolution. Dr Atkins realised in the 1970s that the majority of overweight/obese persons can only reduce their weights successfully, and keep that weight off in the long term, if they eat less than 60g carbohydrate/day for the rest of their lives. Higher intakes are increasingly less effective. In Real Meal Revolution we stress that those with insulin resistance/ type 2 diabetes need to keep their carbohydrate intakes even lower, ideally to about 25g/day. The  "low-carbohydrate " diets included in the meta-analysis provided a minimum of 200g carbohydrate/day (or 4-8 times higher than the carbohydrate content that is known to be effective). As a result this is a meta-analysis of studies providing a high, not a low-carbohydrate load for those with obesity/insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes.

Third, the extent of weight loss in the studies included in he meta-analysis is small, the greatest values being about 10kg. For most people with significant weight problems, such small weight losses are probably relatively meaningless and should be classified a diet failure, not a success. But freeliving persons who follow individually prescribed carbohydrate diets providing about 25g carbohydrate/day report quite remarkable degrees of weight loss, not infrequently up to 40-80kg, usually achieved effortlessly if the low-carbohydrate rules are followed.

Fourth, the unique biological effects of the properly-defined low-carbohydrate is that (i) It reduces hunger, allowing subjects to eat fewer calories without experiencing continual hunger. The point, as stressed by Dr Atkins, is that the low-carbohydrate diet is a low-calorie, no-hunger diet. (ii) The diet lowers blood insulin concentrations. In those with obesity/insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome, it is continually elevated blood insulin concentrations that cause ill-health (as clearly established by the work of Dr Gerald Reaven of Stanford University over the past 50 years).

The authors found that their study found that health benefits were no different on either diet.

A number of properly designed, peer-reviewed meta-analyses of the real low-carbohydrate diets show that weight loss and health benefits are superior compared with higher-carbohydrate diets.

Unfortunately, the authors appear to be ignorant of those studies since neither they nor your reporter refers to them. This implies the presence of bias, questioning the true intent of the report.

The report also includes the statement of the Heart Foundation of South Africa (HFSA) to the effect that a diet high in saturated fat causes heart disease. Unfortunately, the HFSA spokesperson appears unaware of Nina Teicholz's recently released book, The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat and Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet, and the recent Time Magazine (June 23), which show that this dogma is false and is not based on any credible science. It is perhaps time that the HFSA updated its understanding of what actually causes heart disease. They might also want to consider whether their promotion of their unproven low-fat, high-carbohydrate, high sugar diet for the past 37 years is the most likely direct cause of the obesity/diabetes epidemic that has since engulfed South Africans.

Indeed on a practical side, I wonder if the authors have ever considered studying the dietary intakes of the obese diabetic patients they treat at Tygerberg and Groote Schuur hostpitals. Do patients with these diseases eat either high- or low-carbohydrate diets? Why is is that these twin diseases, which are crippling the health services of the Western Cape, began to increase exponentially only after the 1977 Dietary Guidelines that institutionalised the low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets? Surely these are the critical questions that should really be exercising the minds of the Western Cape's nutritional scientists?

The best conclusion that can be drawn from this study is that diets providing more than 10 percent of daily calories in the form of carbohydrate are equally ineffective in producing meaningful degrees of weight loss in those with obesity/insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes.

Professor Tim Noakes
Sports Science Institute of South Africa
Newlands

Letter to the editor, Cape Times (15/07/2014).

Diet not the real meal

The response of Dr Celeste Naude and colleagues ("Trial not high in sugar," Cape Times letters, July 14) to my letter confirms my point. The authors definition of a "low" carbohydrate diet was one that included up to 192g carbohydrate a day whereas the upper limit of carbohydrate intake that is known to be effective in persons with diabetes/obesity/insulin resistance is 25-50g a day.

Thus their analysis was not of low carbohydrate diets as defined in The Real Meal Revolution and elsewhere. When meta-analyses of properly defined low-carbohydrate diets are undertaken they show that weight loss and metabolic changes are superior on carbohydrate diets providing less than 50g a day than they are on higher carbohydrate intake (Beuno NB et al. Br J Nutr 2013; 110: 1178-87), disproving the conclusions of Dr Naude and her colleagues.

Professor Timothy Noakes
Sports Science Institute of South Africa
Newlands 

​Stellenbosch University staff members showed that they care on Mandela Day - participating in a number of activities to honour former president Nelson Mandela's legacy and making a difference in their communities.

Staff members of SU's Human Resources Division made their way to the Steinthal children's home on 18 July where they donated computers, matrasses, tiles for the girls' bathroom, disposable nappies, sanitary towels and sweets for the children. Each child also received a toiletry pack consisting of toothpaste, a toothbrush, soap and a wash cloth.  Human Resources has been involved with the children's home since 2009 and some of the projects over the last four years have included refurbishment of dorm rooms and bathrooms, spending time with the children and donating books, clothes, office furniture and computers.

A group of staff members of Stellenbosch University's Finance Division were hard at work making sandwiches for those less fortunate. The sandwiches were delivered to the Stellenbosch Night Shelter and handed out in town.

Staff members of Stellenbosch University's Alumni Office and representatives of the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA) at SU spent their 67 minutes for Madiba at the Stellenbosch Youth Outreach. They sanded and painted beds and cupboards in the boys' dormitories and kitchen.

Ms Bev Witten (Senior Director: Alumni Relations), said her division decided to split the different institutional Mandela activities between them. Seven staff members of the Alumni Office were involved at the Youth Outreach, while others will do their bit on Wednesday, 23 July. They have also made a monetary contribution to Wednesday's Toasties for Tummies-project.

Witten said that this kind of work is vital and that is necessary to try and make a difference in communities.

Mandela Day activities will continue on 23 July when students have returned to campus after the winter break.

The opportunities include:

07:15 - Discourse Cafe with Shaun Johnson, founding CEO of the Mandela Rhodes Foundations as guest speaker (contact Emily van der Merwe at emilyvandermerwe@live.com).

11:45-14:15 - Painting at Tomorrowland Educare Centre (contact Avril Whate at acw@sun.ac.za or 021 938 9310).

12:00-14:00 - Preparation of sandwiches for Toasties for Tummies (contact Ricardo Steyn at rzsteyn@sun.ac.za).

12:00-14:00 - Reading festival at Devon Valley Primary School (contact Ricardo Steyn at rzsteyn@sun.ac.za).

Essential rounding off and maintenance work at the New Generation Residence (NGR), the new hub, the new Listen, Live and Learn complex and at the additions to the Irene, Huis Marais and Huis Marais were completed over the recess. It is standard practice with any new construction work.

The work started on 11 June and was completed last week. Further landscaping in the area of the residences to have it join in with the University’s master plan, will soon be completed according to the planned schedule. This work is not part of the residence project and is viewed as a different project.

Security in the residences was treated as priority during the construction period with all contractors gaining access via a single control point at the residences’ main entrances – also after hours.

Over the recess all furniture was delivered too. Residents who returned over the weekend, will thus be able to enjoy all the advantages of the new facilities. The new deli, in the hub, will be operational on Tuesday 22 July, while the new coffee shop at Irene, opened over the weekend.

The NGR and the hub have full Wi-Fi facilities, while all rooms have network points.

Students and their parents were informed of the arrangements while students were kept up to date on the work via social media.

Caption: Mr Pieter Kloppers, Director: Student Structures and Communities, enjoys the first coffee at the Coffee Hub at Irene.

On 14 July 2014, Stellenbosch University's Postgraduate and International Office (PGIO) launched the first Stellenbosch University Development Programme for International Administrators (SUDPIA) for administrative and support staff members from partner and associated universities in Africa.

This programme has come in response to a growing need for sharing experience and practical guidance on the implementation of internationalisation at both an operational and strategic level within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

"Internationalisation" has become an integral part of many universities and their strategic foci. This process of gradually incorporating international dimensions, experiences and often 'benchmarks' in the teaching, community engagement, research and study or work experience of a University, comes with challenges. Coupled with the fact that globalisation rapidly increases the advancement of information technology, telecommunications and the exchanges of cultures, HEIs not only need to respond to an ever-evolving economic landscape, but also be proactive in navigating the Higher Education arena.

Current labour markets are acknowledging the importance of graduates obtaining international, foreign language and intercultural skills in order for them to compete at a global level. This need has been recognized by HEIs, who have responded by placing emphasis on the significance of internationalisation in Higher Education through student mobility, international research collaborations and international academic networks.

When opening the SUDPIA Meeting on 14 July, Senior Director of the PGIO, Mr Robert Kotzé, highlighted the importance of institutions not using Stellenbosch University as yardstick.

"The PGIO at Stellenbosch University has over 20 years of experience in internationalisation and has received numerous recognitions and accolades for advances made in the field. It is however important that institutions do not benchmark Stellenbosch University, but rather to use the experiences shared and to apply good practice according to your own institutional contexts, priorities and foci."

The seven-day programme will provide staff members with a detailed overview of the roles and functions of each unit within PGIO. The programme has been structured to allow staff members to ask questions and interact with PGIO staff members in order to learn more about these functions and adapt them to their own institutional contexts by presenting an implementation plan to the rest of the group on the last day of the programme, Tuesday 22 July 2014, before receiving their certificate of attendance.

For more information on the SUDPIA programme, contact Chernelle Lambert at the PGIO: clambert@sun.ac.za | 021 808 9193.

​The experience of a lifetime. A highlight. A blessing. Life-changing. And without a doubt 100% worth it. 

This is how members of the Stellenbosch University Choir described their recent tour to Riga, capital of Latvia, and their participation in the World Choir Games.

On Sunday 20 July they returned to South Africa as the world champions in three categories, namely the categories for Spiritual music, Musica Sacra and mixed choirs and also as the choir that received the highest score ever to be awarded at the World Choir Games – an impressive 99%.

"This leaves the choir with an interesting challenge," says Herman Franken, vice-chairperson of the choir, a veteran of three World Choir Games and one of 33 choir members who returned to South Africa a bit earlier (the bigger group stayed on in Europe for a prolonged tour). "How does one improve on this achievement?" But then hy adds immediately: "One can always do more to share South Africa with the audiences."

This is also the message choir conducter André van der Merwe gave the choir members from the start: Forget the competition and the pressure to defend your title as the number 1 choir on the world rankings and share the music.

First, the choir participated in and won the Musica Sacra category with a score of 95,63%. Then it was time for the category for Spiritual music, a highlight for many of the choir members.

Mikhail Swartz, a medical student, tells how Van der Merwe called them all together and just said: "Sing for Prof Botman". Prof Russel Botman, Rector and Vice-chancellor of Stellenbosch University passed away on 28 June and the choir had dedicated all their performances to him.

"This made the performance a lot more personal and gave us a different purpose. It was a beautiful experience. We just performed and the results speak for themselves."

The choir was awarded 98,38% for this category, at that stage the highest socre ever to be awarded at the World Choir Games.​

Mikhail's sister Briggitta believes it was with this category that everything fell into place. "We realised: This is what we've been working for."

According to Axolile Hoza he was so immersed in this category that he almost forgot they were participating in a competition.

"Like André always says: 'First find the freedom in the music and the notes before you try to find it on the stage'. We work so hard before the time that we don't have to worry about the notes and the music later," he adds.

Little did the choir members know that they would soon better their own record. They dominated the third category they participated in, the category for mixed choirs, with an impressive score of 99%.

According to Wilmie Kritzinger, choir manager, the composer of one of the works the choir performed was also a judge and he gave the choir 10/10.

This success can be attributed to the choir members' dedication and André van der Merwe's "crazy talent", believes Tshepo Modiri.

For another choir member, Christopher Gertse, the tour was a wonderful experience. "It was my first chance to travel abroad and it was wonderful to see a beautiful city like Riga. To represent our country and Stellenbosch University was a big honour.

"A highlight for me was that we could share the music with the audiences and that the music touched even us as choir members," he adds.

More than one choir member referred to the choir as a family.

"The SU choir is a choir that focuses on building a musical family above everything else. The repertoire, the voices and technicality is the first 20% of what makes USK. The other 80% is the love and sense of knowing you feel when surrounded by people who you know have your back, and feel exactly the way you do about what you're doing," says Martin Becker.

"It was one of the most memorably experiences I've had the privilege of enjoying in my short life, and I don't see many future experiences being able to surpass this."

Ellzahn van der Merwe described the tour as an amazing, blessed experience. "I will carry the memories with me for the rest of my life and wouldn't exchange it for anything."

​Photograph: SSFD

​​​South African universities, Stellenbosch included, have seen an 'unprecedented investment' in high-end analytical equipment thanks to the National Research Foundation's National Equipment Programme.

Prof Gary Stevens, director of Central Analytical Facilities (CAF) at Stellenbosch University, described the national equipment programme as one of South Africa's success stories which deserve wider publicity. He made these remarks during the opening function of the CAF's annual winter training programme which took place from 8 to 11 July 2014.

More than 120 postgraduate students, researchers and technical officers from twelve different universities all over South Africa received hands-on training on the use and functioning of a range of high-end analytical equipment not readily available at all South African universities. The training was aimed at providing participants with exposure to equipment, to reinforce theoretical principles and develop the necessary practical skills.

Prof Stevens said sophisticated and expensive equipment of this nature requires highly-skilled staff to ensure optimal utilisation. This again opens up new niche job opportunities for analytical staff.

"Stellenbosch University, for example, can only achieve its current high research profile and impact because of the access to this high-end equipment and an excellent group of people running it," Prof Stevens concluded.

For more information about this and future workshops, contact cafadmin@sun.ac.za 

A former Matie and award-winning pianist, Megan-Geoffrey Prins, is currently in South Africa and will perform in two concerts, one of which is in Stellenbosch on Saturday (26 July).

Prins (24), who hails from Riversdal in the Southern Cape, studied at Stellenbosch University's (SU) Conservatoire until 2012 and is currently a Master's degree student at the renowned Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) in America. He studies under Antonio Pompa-Baldi, a world-class concert pianist who has performed with great acclaim in Cape Town.

While studying at SU, Profs Nina Schumann and Luis Magalhães were his mentors and teachers until he started his studies at Cleveland in September 2013. He received a scholarship which covered half of his tuition fees at this private university.

For his second year at CIM, Prins has again received a half scholarship but has to raise the rest of his tuition fees himself. It is for this reason that he will give recitals in Stellenbosch and Cape Town.

"My first year at CIM was both exciting and challenging. It is fantastic to be back in South Africa for a few months. I was blessed to receive funding for my first year, and now the final year lies ahead. I have learned so much from Antonio Pompa-Baldi and my fellow students at the CIM. The standard of musicianship is high, which is both intimidating and inspiring. And I have been privileged to experience concerts and recitals by some of the most established musicians and orchestras in the world," says Prins. 

Music by JS Bach, Rachmaninoff, Chopin and Ravel is on the programme for Prins's two piano recitals, with which he aims to raise money for his tuition.

As a teenager, Prins started winning prizes as early as 1997 for his pianistic talents. His most recent achievement is the Sadie Zellen Piano Prize, which was awarded to him by the CIM.

In June 2014, Prins also represented South Africa in the Midwest International Piano Competition, held in Iowa in the USA. He reached the semi-final round and received an honourable mention.

Among his prizes are the Johann Vos Piano Competition, Lionel Bowman Beethoven Competition, as well as the Sanlam, Absa and ATKV Muziq National Music Competitions. In 2012, Prins won all the South African categories of the Unisa International Piano Competition, and in 2013 received the second prize in the Samro Overseas Bursary Competition.

Prins started establishing himself as a performing artist while still in his teens. He has performed with all of South Africa's major orchestras, including the Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestras, as well as the Stellenbosch University Symphony Orchestra.

His first concert is in the Sasol Art Museum in Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch, on Saturday, 26 July at 19:30. The second concert is held in the St Andrew Presbyterian Church in Green Point, Cape Town, on Friday, 8 Augustus at 19:30. Tickets for both concerts are R100 each (R60 for pensioners and students).

• Prins also has a GoFundMe account where patrons can contribute to his tuition fund. Go to http://www.gofundme.com/aumxb0.

The late Professor Russel Botman believed in the potential of the next generation and worked tirelessly to ensure that they have access to university and opportunities to become the thought leaders this world needs.

This was the central message at a memorial service held for Prof Botman, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University (SU) on Tuesday 22 July. He passed away on 28 June during the winter recess.

The service was attended by staff members and students, with students from the Military Academy in Saldanha also attending the event.

Prof Nico Koopman, Dean of the Faculty of Theology, described Prof Botman as a man of rational faith, rational hope and rational love who could embrace people with different viewpoints and from different walks of life, who searched for justice, dignity and freedom for all and who worked purposefully towards a better society.

In a tribute delivered on behalf of the statutory bodies and staff of Stellenbosch University, Acting Rector Prof Leopoldt van Huyssteen described Prof Botman as a visionary leader. Read complete speech.

"He often told us: We do what we do not for ourselves but for the next generation."

Prof Van Huyssteen added that the management of the University will miss Prof Botman's wisdom and leadership but assured students that SU will continue on the path set out in the University's Vision 2030, which was approved under Prof Botman's leadership last year.

"It was Prof Russel's vision that Maties should become ever more 'inclusive, innovative and future-focused' and that we should do so by broadening access to the University, maintaining our excellence, and deepening our impact on society. We are sticking to this vision; we are not going to deviate from it.

"Prof Russel worked very hard to set this University on a sound course, and he made co-pilots of all of us, so to speak. That's why we are now able to carry on where he left off and to do so with confidence.​"

Student Marius Louw spoke on behalf of the student community and recalled Prof Botman's desire for a better world and his hope that the next generation would bring about change.

"He made us believe that we are that generation," he added.

Bohlale Selahle, who spoke on behalf of the Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Institute for Student Leadership development, echoed this sentiment.

"Prof Botman had a lot of faith in the potential of the youth and especially the students here at Stellenbosch. He never quit in his endeavour to ensure that his Stellenbosch students had every possible opportunity to reach their full potential.

"Although his passing is sad and leaves a void in the institution we need to hold fast to the legacy he built. Above all, as the youth, I believe we need to start believing in the potential he saw in us, the same potential that will one day change the future for the better. In this way, his legacy will live on forever and his work here at Stellenbosch will not be in vain."

The Executive Committee of Council – EC(C) – accepted a motion at its special meeting on 21 July 2014 in which members condemned the recent speculations and aspersions on Prof Russel Botman's legacy in the media. 

Monday's special meeting was convened to discuss the appointment of an acting rector and the appointment process for a new rector after Stellenbosch University's Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Russel Botman, passed away unexpectedly on 28 June 2014.

The EC(C) appointed Prof Leopoldt van Huyssteen, the University's Chief Operating Officer, as the acting rector for three months, and also initiated the appointment process for a new rector and vice-chancellor on behalf of Council.

MOTION

In its motion the EC(C) expresses the opinion that Stellenbosch University suffered serious damage to its corporate image due to speculation and negative reports in the media during the past weeks. It was triggered by a malicious rumour about a possible motion of no confidence in the Rector which made the news headlines on the front page of Die Burger, published the morning of the last Council meeting.

The EC(C) is also saddened that Prof Botman's exceptional legacy has been tainted in this manner and confirmed that the University will proceed along the course set out in the Institutional Intent and Strategy compiled under Prof Botman's leadership and accepted by Council.

In the motion the EC(C) condemns such conduct and rumours in the strongest terms and distances itself completely from these actions. If council members were involved, as the media report suggests, it is regarded as a serious contravention of the code of conduct for council members.

APPOINTMENT PROCESS

On 21 July 2014, the Executive Committee of Council implemented actions to finalise the job description and related advertisement, and to appoint a Selection Committee of 17 members. Council, the university's other statutory bodies and various interest groups will be represented on the Selection Committee.

The objective is to conclude the decision-making process for the new appointment at the Council meeting of 1 December 2014.

The candidates on the final shortlist will be given the opportunity at a special joint session of the Selection Committee, Senate and the Institutional Forum (IF) to make presentations about their vision for the university and the role that they envisage for themselves. Council members will also be invited to attend this closed session. Senate and the IF will then formally express their view on the suitability for appointment of each of the candidates and make a recommendation to Council about their preferred candidate.

ACTING RECTOR

In terms of the University's Statute, the Council Chairperson may appoint an acting Rector for up to three months without consultation. Therefore Prof Van Huyssteen was appointed to serve as acting rector for that period, but further consultation will take place at the first meetings of Council, Senate and the Institutional Forum in the second semester. The EC(C) would however prefer Prof Van Huyssteen to stay on as acting Rector until Prof Botman's successor takes up office.

According to Mr George Steyn, Chairperson of the University Council, for the sake of strategic and operational considerations, it is in the best interest of the University that Prof Van Huyssteen should continue in his capacity as acting Rector. "Apart from Prof Van Huyssteen's management experience at senior management level, he was Dean of the Faculty of AgriSciences for seven years and has served as Vice-Rector (Research). He has a thorough knowledge of the academic environment, financial management and operational matters," Mr Steyn said.

The Stellenbosch University (SU) Woordfees (Wordfest) is entering a new phase with a view to 2015 with two new appointments, Prof Mohammad Karaan, SU’s Acting Vice-Rector (Community Interaction and Personnel), has announced.

Ms Saartjie Botha, acclaimed playwright and theatre impresario, has been tasked with managing the 2015 SU Woordfees, while Mr Rudolf Gouws, a former chief economist at Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) and extraordinary professor of economics at the University, has been named chairperson of the Woordfees Advisory Committee, which advises the managing committee.

“The SU Woordfees is close to our hearts and we remain committed to further expand it. These new appointments will help us on this path,” Karaan said.

Botha is well-known in drama circles. As a playwright, she earned praise for Altyd Jonker and most recently Balbesit and as a producer she has more than 50 productions to her credit. Botha has been involved with the SU Woordfees since 2001, working as coordinator of the theatre programme.

The SU Woordfees is one of the most successful arts festivals in the country. The 15th festival, that took place in March this year, again exceeded all previous records. Ticket sales increased by 21.4% compared to 2013.

Prof Dorothea van Zyl, founding director of the SU Woordfees, announced her retirement in March this year. It is also expected that she will retire as a lecturer in the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch at SU at the end of 2014.

“We thank Prof Van Zyl for her years of dedication to make the SU Woodfees such a successful and high quality event,” Karaan said.

“I’ve been privileged to be involved with the Woordfees for a long time and now I have the opportunity to continue building on the successes we’ve achieved thus far. I look forward to working with the team – once again offering festivalgoers an experience to remember," Botha said. 

Applications for participation in the 2015 festival closed on 15 July, and the result of selection will be announced on 15 August. Prospective participants should note that all information for the festival guide must be submitted by 15 September.

The SU Woordfees takes place from 6 to 15 March 2015.

​The launch and handover of Part XIV of the Woordeboek van die Afrikaanse Taal (Dictionary of the Afrikaans Language) took place in Stellenbosch on 18 October.

Prof Adam Small, Prof Hennie Aucamp and Prof TT Cloete each received a copy of Wat XIV to acknowledge their contribution to Afrikaans and their special relationship with the WAT.

Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel, Vice-rector: Learning and Teaching at Stellenbosch University and chairperson of the WAT board, welcomed the guests and said Part XIV of the dictionary includes more than 10 000 words.

Niël Rademan was the guest artist and Nataniël was named the supporting artist of Borg ’n Woord 2013/2014.​

Photo: Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel, Vice-rector: Learning and Teaching at Stellenbosch University (SU) and chairperson of the WAT board of directors, Prof Hennie Aucamp, Mrs Rosalie Small, Prof Adam Small, Prof TT Cloete, Mrs Erna Meaker, chairperson of the WAT Trust and Dr Willem Botha, editor: WAT. Photographer: Hennie Rudman​

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).

The Dean's Fund of the Faculty of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University received a boost of nearly R150 000 due to the big hearts of the sponsors and the 34 teams of players who were involved in the faculty's fourth annual golf day.

The event was launched four years ago to strengthen the faculty's bursary fund through which the studies of future and current undergraduate and postgraduate agricultural students are supported. This ensures that sufficient experts are produced for South Africa's important agriculture and food industries.

This year's event was jointly sponsored by Standard Bank and Suiderland Farms. The funds which were collected included more than R53 000 received thanks to participants' support of among others the auction and the purchase of lottery tickets.

"The positive attitude with which our sponsors and players supported this initiative is so encouraging, and helps us to make the financial burden of our students a bit lighter," said organiser Carin Bruce of the Faculty of AgriSciences.

It was the third time that Standard Bank co-sponsored the event. According to Mr Nico Loock, Standard Bank's provincial agriculture manager in the Western Cape, this emphasises the bank's focus on capacity development in the agricultural sector. "This goes hand-in-hand with the development of a passion for agriculture among the youth and students," he added. "Agriculture is not always seen as a very exciting career choice, but we are experiencing structural changes among young people regarding their appreciation of and interest in this strategic sector."

Said Dr André Neethling, managing director of Suiderland Farms, "Suiderland believes in helping people through training, and especially those who do not have the opportunity or financial means to do so themselves. We believe in the future of the agricultural industry, and more specifically in the fruit industry in South Africa, and do our share to help train future agriculturists."

Suiderland Farms will again sponsor next year's golf day.

The winners of the golf day were the team of SA Lime and Gypsum consisting of Johan Bosman, Renso Nel, Hendrik Heyl and Johan Langenhoven – the second time they have managed this feat in four years. The runners-up were the team from Suiderland Farms, of which Dr Neethling was a member. The other team members were Pieter Rabe, Johan Carinus and Steyn Neethling.

Anyone interested in contributing to the Faculty of AgriSciences' Dean's Fund can contact Carin Bruce on cbruce@sun.ac.za or 021 808 9047.

Photo:
SA Lime and Gypsum's Johan Bosman, Renso Nel, Hendrik Heyl and Johan Langenhoven won the Faculty of Agrisciences' golf day. Here they are with Nico Loock (right) of Standard Bank and Prof. Mohammad Karaan, dean of the Faculty of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University (Photo: Anton Jordaan).​

​A strong corporate and brand image could help universities attract the best students to their brand and product offering.

This was one of the viewpoints of Prof Ronel du Preez of the Department of Industrial Psychology in her inaugural lecture in the Mathematical Sciences and Industrial Psychology Building on Tuesday (22 July 2014).

Du Preez said universities should build and implement strong and distinct institutional brand images – the general impression of a specific brand or product held by consumers  ̶  because students, as "consumers" of higher education, respond to such brand images.  

"Brand images influence the attitudes and behaviour of students (e.g. application, registration, retention and termination), donor behaviour (e.g. bursaries, donations, bequests) and partner behaviour (e.g. commission of syndicated research projects, collaboration with other higher education institutions, relationships with the state)."

Du Preez said creating a strong brand image will require institutions like Stellenbosch University to invest in student consumer research, especially decision-making criteria held by students, their decision-making processes, and their media preferences and need sets.

She added that universities should also invest in student support structures that cater for academic and socio-psychological needs as more students are underprepared for higher education.

"In the same way as companies build relationships with consumers through customer support and meeting consumer needs, universities will have to deal with the need sets and expectations of student consumers, such as additional academic and socio-psychological support

"Knowledge of learners' educational background, their general mind-set regarding teaching and learning and their interaction with information and communication technologies (ICTs) can provide valuable input for recruitment, teaching and learning initiatives which may contribute to student success – both personally and academically."

"We build our institutional and brand images and cater for the needs of industry, society and students through continuous programme and curriculum development and up-to-date programme offerings."

Regarding the importance of strong brand images for universities, Du Preez referred to  numerous studies which have shown that the internationalisation and globalisation of higher education, together with the changes in state funding formulas, act as drivers to use (some) principles of marketing theory to gain a competitive advantage and market share.

Du Preez said creating a strong brand image should not be done haphazardly but should rather be based on tested marketing and consumer psychology principles that have been applied successfully in commerce and industry. ​

• Photo: Prof Ronel du Preez with Prof Stan du Plessis, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, and Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel, Vice-Rector: Teaching and Learning, at the inaugural lecture.
  
• Photographer: Anton Jordaan
  

Matie Community Service (better known as MGD – Matie Gemeenskapsdiens) reflects on five decades of giving back in communities in and around Stellenbosch University's Stellenbosch, Tygerberg en Saldanha campuses.

MGD will be celebrating its 50^th anniversary and along with this, the huge impact this non-governmental organisation (NGO) has had on communities in and outside Stellenbosch over the last five decades.

According to MGD Head, Mr Gareth Cornelissen, the organisation managed to survive difficult financial challenges in the NGO environmment thanks to its unique connection to Stellenbosch University (SU) and by focusing on MGD's primary goal – to serve a developmental role in the lives of others.

"This also remained central in MGD's strategy, despite the fact that the organisation has at times changed direction," says Cornelissen.

"The impact that MGD has had on the lives of thousands of individuals as well as students through the structured student volunteer programme has helped us make more than a difference out there. It has also helped us deliver SU students that possess the graduate attributes that the University expects of its students and who will be able to make a difference in society long after their graduation."

MGD was established in 1964 when the first medical students to study at SU formed the Universiteit van Stellenbosch se Klinieke Organisasie (USKOR). Medical student volunteers were able to provide primary health care services through this organisation to so-called coloured communities in Kasselsvlei in Bellville, Kuilsriver and Bishop Lavis. The clinical services were later expanded to Scottsdene and Wallacedene, both situated in Kraaifontein.

Over the years USKOR did not only offer medical services, but later offered dentistry services as well as social work services and other student volunteer services. This made it possible for the organisation to work in communities such as Cloetesville in Stellenbosch, Macassar and even the greater West Coast.

In 1974, USKOR and the Gemeenskapsorganisasie van die Universiteit Stellenbosch (GOUS) officially became one organisation with two branches – USKOR-Tygerberg and USKOR-Stellenbosch. In the same year USKOR was also registered as a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

Between these two student organisations various activities, such as, an after care project, clubs for pensioners and the youth, housewives' clubs, sport, recreational activities for children, the youth and adults, a community development project on farms in Stellenbosch as well as nursery schools were offered in the areas they served. 

Mr Ockie Bosman, USKOR's first permanent staff member and also its Executive Director from 1975 to 1983, says that USKOR faced many challenges in doing its work during the Apartheid years.

"Initially there was a lot of distrust regarding USKOR, in particular from the civic organisations. The atmosphere was very tense. People were not always happy that USKOR was working in the area and wanted to know what we were doing there," says Bosman.

Relationships were further strained by the presence of the riot police and army, which patrolled the area, and the effect of the Group Areas Act on the community.

"At MGD (formerly USKOR) it has always been about building partnerships, about working with the community, involving them in programmes and developing those programmes together. We don't just go into communities and tell them what to do," says Cornelissen.

"I think this is the reason that MGD has been accepted in our communities even during the more difficult times."

In 1997 USKOR underwent a name change and became Matie Community Service (in English MCS). 

Currently the following programmes are offered by MGD: the Entrepeneurship Programme (Senior Programme Manager: Mr Henry Africa), the Adult Education and Training Programme (Senior Programme Manager: Ms Linda Jacobs), the Skills and Development Programme (again Jacobs), the Khanyisa Learning Programme (Senior Programme Manager: Ms Thobeka Msi), the Primary Health Care Programme (Senior Programme Manager: Ms Avril Whate) and the One Stop Student Volunteer Programme (Senior Programme Manager: Ms Michelle Pietersen).

From February to September 2013, 1 052 patients were treated through the Primary Health Care volunteer clinics in Kalkfontein in Kuilsriver, Groendal in Franschhoek and Klapmuts outside Stellenbosch, with 368 student volunteers participating in that time.  

In 2012 and 2013 the Adult Education and Training (AET) Programme received a Merit certificate for Academic Excellence from the Western Cape government. It was also selected as the best Centre in the country in 2013. This is the second time since 2009 that the Centre has received this honour. 

At present 885 student volunteers annually reach 2 500 people in the Stellenbosch region via the 42 registered student-volunteer projects of the One Stop programme in the Stellenbosch region, which includes Idas Valley, Cloetesville, Jamestown, Vlottenburg, Pniel and Kayamandi, and in surrounding areas like Kalkfontein and Khayelitsha.

Mr Christopher Mandes, the Principal of St Vincent Roman Catholic Primary School in Koelenhof, says that the contribution that the student volunteers make to the school has a great impact on the school environment and learners.

"I am not just talking about financial contributions, but any contribution, whether it is to paint the tables and benches on the school premises or to interact with our learners," says Mandes.

"Learners see the students as role models and become very excited when they see them on the school premises. They recognise the maroon top (the first-year SU t-shirt) and tend to congregate around the students when they see them. One year we even had a group of learners that visited the University and that meant so much to them. While they did not necessarily understand what the word University meant, they will never ever forget that word or that environment."

At the end of 2013, the Khanyisa Learning Project and the Entrepreneurship Programme unfortunately had to close due to financial reasons.

Over the years, MGD has also laid the foundation for the development of independent organisations in Stellenbosch. Thanks to the groundwork by student volunteers of USKOR-Stellenbosch and Jacobs in providing for the needs of persons with disabilities, a new centre (today the Dorothea Training Centre) for children with mental disabilities was established in Cloetesville in 1989, as well as the Stellenbosch Work Centre, a "protected centre for adults with limited mental and physical abilities".

According to Dr Jerome Slamat, Senior Director: Community Interaction, MGD has through its contribution to the graduate attributes of SU students played a major role in the realisation of the University's own goal to deliver well-rounded graduates that can make a contribution to South Africa and the world.

The Chairperson of the Management Council, Prof Sulina Green, who also serves as Vice-Dean: Social Sciences at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, says that MGD has over the years provided effective and efficient service and life-changing development programmes in which student volunteers' knowledge and the resources of SU are utilised. It also provides an organisational framework for participation in community interaction and development for staff and students on SU's campuses.

"MGD has managed over the years to provide unique opportunities to students through community interaction and service learning programmes. These programmes require students to use their academic knowledge in an innovative and creative manner in order to empower people and communities and at the same time also broaden the dimensions of their lives and their citizenship," says Green.

MGD's annual general meeting as well as its celebratory function will be held on 24 July. During the event, various individuals who were involved in the development of MGD over the years will be honoured. 

"Every year MGD acknowledges the roles that various persons play in their communities or within MGD by honouring these persons at our annual general meeting. This year we have decided to honour those persons who played a role in the establishment, expansion and sustainability of the organisation."

RELEASED BY:

Lynne Rippenaar-Moses
Wrap it Up PR & Communication Strategy
Cell: 073 534 5560
E-mail: Lynne@wrapstrat.co.za

​​The Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of The Netherlands, Ms Lilianne Ploumen, opened a brand-new solar powered artificial grass mini football field at the Lentelus Soccer Centre in Hammanshand Road in Stellenbosch on Tuesday 8 July.

The opening was done in honour of the late Prof Russel Botman, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University, who passed away last month. Prof Botman was a driving force behind the development of soccer at the University.

At the opening Prof Leopoldt van Huyssteen, acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor, said: "Prof Botman would have been over the moon today. He believed in the power of sport to change lives. He specifically championed the Stellenbosch University Football Programme. One of his priorities was the empowerment of women – starting with the girl child. And environmental sustainability was close to his heart. All of these things come together right here at this soccer field."

In her address Minister Ploumen said that football brings people together and that the field will enable the young people of Stellenbosch to further develop their talents.

With regard to the specific aims of coaching girls she commented that empowering girls and women makes a better world for all of us. "For girls it is so important to have female coaches, but also to play in all-girls teams, to have role-models and to see that in sport and in other spheres of life, you can be who you want to be and contribute to society."

The football field is one of the benefits of the Stellenbosch University (SU) football development programme, which aims to invest in the promotion and advancement of football in the Stellenbosch region and the creation of an expert football environment.

"Thanks to our sponsors of the facility, PEC Zwolle, who is our official international football partner, the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) and Philips, we can now contribute to the Stellenbosch community reaching its dream of enriching people's lives through the vehicle of football," said Ms Anita Nel, CEO of Innovus, the University's industry interaction and innovation company that spearheads the football programme at the University.

The 5v5 football pitch (5 players per team) will benefit from the installation of four solar-powered floodlights, thereby extending the use of the facility into the evening hours. It is planned to install four to six more of these light centres in the broader Stellenbosch community.

"Our aim is to build the SU Football Programme into the leading football development programme in South Africa. I am confident that we are more than capable in this regard, given our world class facilities, expertise in the field of sport science and our geographical location," says Nel. "The programme aims to establish the building blocks of football development in the region and to nurture and develop talented players. In cooperation with the Local Football Association (LFA) we want to focus on holistic, inclusive sport and development of human potential, which will include the development of players, match officials, coaches and sport administrators."

According to Nel, the installation of these light centres enables and supports the KNVB's WorldCoaches programme worldwide. Since the start of WorldCoaches programme in 2009, the KNVB has trained over 3 800 coaches in 15 countries – including at Stellenbosch and the coaches of the surrounding communities. "It goes without saying that better coaches and coaching methods play a major role in the development of football talent.

"We are extremely proud of this new 5v5 football pitch and believe that the local players will benefit from it – and also enjoy playing on the pitch!"

Photo: Adrian Baillie-Stewart

​What do bicycle pedals, a rechargeable LED light and preventing shack fires have in common? They all form part of a winning idea which netted entrepreneur, Vijay Mitha, R20 000 in seed capital to expand this business idea. 

He was one of five winners of Stellenbosch University's LaunchLab Ideas programme, collectively providing local entrepreneurs with access to R60 000 in seed capital and a springboard for launching their businesses.

"You often hear reports of shack fires in townships caused by paraffin lamps, with children dying or being burnt and people losing all their possessions," Mitha explains. "I decided to research solutions that are being used in other parts of the world and came across the Nurulight."

Nurulight is a very affordable rechargeable LED light which can be used for up to 30 hours. The idea is simple: a township entrepreneur sells the lights. When it comes to recharging the lights, the entrepreneur charges a nominal fee, then hops onto a bicycle bench and pedals for 20 minutes, powering up to five lights at a time. It's a win-win solution for shack dwellers and micro-entrepreneurs – as well as being kind to the environment. "My vision is to have 300 micro-entrepreneurs up and running in the next two to three years who can provide their communities with a safe, green lighting solution, as well as earn a sustainable income," comments Mitha.

Mitha was one of five winners in the bi-annual LaunchLab Ideas programme. Now in its third year, the programme saw 49 entries in the first phase alone. Although the majority of entries came from Stellenbosch University students, it also attracted submissions from the University of Cape Town, Cape Peninsula University of Technology and the general public.

"I am very pleased with the quality of the pitches this year," says Michael van Wyk, a Stellenbosch-based partner at Deloitte and one of the judges of the competition. "We had a hard time making up our minds on which business ideas to select as they were all of a very high calibre."

Mitha's renewable energy idea also garnered the Deloitte Challenge Award, aimed specifically at bringing about social change among the vulnerable communities of Stellenbosch.

Among the other winners were Shivad Singh and Fuaad Coovadia, who scooped the "Golden Pitch" award for their presentation. Their concept proposed that they publish peer-to-peer learning guides written by matriculants who have scored 100% in a subject, particularly subjects like mathematics and accounting. Another winning pair was Monte Maputla and Juvan Caillet whose pitch was to sell products made from the Moringa plant, known for its health benefits.

Sponsored by Microsoft BizSpark, Innovus, the Industrial Development Corporation, Business Partners and Deloitte, the programme aims to identify and develop budding entrepreneurs who have innovative business ideas and want to make a difference. "Coaching, training and space in the incubator are key elements of the LaunchLab, and the seed funding for the winners accelerates the development of their business ideas," explains Philip Marais, Incubator Manager at LaunchLab.

Managed by Innovus, Stellenbosch University's innovation company, the LaunchLab is a mixed-use business incubator with a vision to be a hub that accelerates a community of entrepreneurs to a new level. Innovus CEO, Anita Nel, believes the success of the LaunchLab Ideas programme shows that there is a clear need for entrepreneurial support in the Western Cape and that "we are achieving our goal of making entrepreneurship aspirational."

Prof Leopoldt van Huyssteen, Chief Operating Officer of SU, is similarly pleased. "This is a wonderful initiative which has the potential to literally change the lives of many young entrepreneurs. Stellenbosch University is very proud of the work done at the LaunchLab and foresees great strides being made in the entrepreneurial mindset of our students and the local community."

Van Wyk adds: "Deloitte is proud to be associated with this competition as we believe the focus on entrepreneurship is in keeping with our own strategic objectives of strengthening innovation and growing the next generation of South Africa's economic leaders."

​The second phase of the LaunchLab Ideas programme will start in July and potential participants are encouraged to visit www.launchlab.co.za for more details.

For Prof Ben Marais, a Tygerberg alumnus who today holds a top position at the University of Sydney in Australia, his medical training was not just a way to live out his passion and heal sick children. It also took him all over the world and offered him enough experiences for two lifetimes.

In 1988 Ben, who hails from Upington in the Northern Cape, started his medical studies at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), and seven years later left with a BMedSc, MB,ChB and his future wife. During his practical year in George, Ben married Karen Friemelt, a physiotherapy student who also completed her studies at the Tygerberg Campus.

Then the adventure started. In 1996 they went to the Isle of Wight in England where Ben, an aspiring paediatrician, was first exposed to the field of paediatrics.

“The Isle of Wight feels like another planet when you come from a place like Upington. You are surrounded by water and every trip starts with a boat ride. As a child Queen Victoria often holidayed at the Isle of Wight,” says Ben.

After a year and a half in England, Ben and Karen first toured through Europe before setting off to their next destination, Canada. “I worked as a general practitioner in the far-flung northern parts of Saskatchewan with several other South African doctors. It was an amazing experience to live and work in temperatures as low as -40˚C. While we were there we also had the opportunity to explore the Rocky Mountains and the west coast of America,” says Ben.

In July 1998 Ben returned to the Tygerberg Campus to specialise as a paediatrician. During his last two years as a registrar, another opportunity to travel came along, and as part of an exchange programme with the universities of Utrecht and Amsterdam, they lived in Holland for six months.

“As a registrar I saw tuberculosis in children every day, and I realised that in this field we had the best clinical skills in the world,” he says. His PhD studies, led by Professor Nulda Beyers, aimed to determine the amount of children developing tuberculosis and the spectrum of disease with which they present, and to investigate better diagnostic techniques. 

“Children give wonderful insight into the tuberculosis epidemic because they represent uncontrolled transmission in the community. When adults get sick you don’t know if it is from a TB-germ that they inhaled recently, or maybe years ago. But with children you know that it is something that they acquired recently,” explains Ben.

After completing his PhD he became involved with the Ukwanda Centre for Rural Health, and for his first research project did a survey of all the rural hospitals in the Western Cape to determine the features of a well-functioning rural hospital, versus those that struggle. He also took over the reins of Ukwanda temporarily to help with planning for the rural clinical school. 

His passion for paediatrics led him back to the Tygerberg Children’s Hospital where he joined the Paediatrics Department to work in infectious diseases. In 2008, with the help of a NIH-grant, he went to Colorado in the USA for six months to receive training in HIV care, TB research and general infectious diseases at the Denver Children’s Hospital. During his time at the faculty he was also involved in the development of the South to South Project that provided training in paediatric HIV care to doctors from all over Africa.

In 2011, Ben and his family – that has grown to four with the addition of two boys – moved to Sydney, Australia. He joined the University of Sydney where he helped develop a new multidisciplinary infectious disease initiative called the Marie Bashir Institute for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Bio Security.

“A unique opportunity of a place like the University of Sydney is that it is a very big university that offers both veterinary- and medical science, and is also very strong in biological- and basic sciences.” The multidisciplinary contact is valuable as many diseases in south-east Asia (just north of Australia) originate in animals.

His research at the University of Sydney focuses on TB as part of an Australian centre of excellence in tuberculosis. Although there aren’t many TB cases in Australia, TB, especially drug-resistant strains, is a very big problem in south-east Asia.

“They don’t have as much HIV as South Africa, but there is an unregulated market for medicine and poor regulations around the use of drugs. There is a big problem with drug resistance in TB and other infections,” he says. One of his current projects includes the identification of specific genetic strains of TB in Australian patients (mostly immigrants) to determine whether some strains are more infectious than others.

At the same time he is working with colleagues at the FHMS that is doing world-leading work in the different genetic strains of TB. He also hopes to promote more collaboration between Stellenbosch University and the University of Sydney. The dean, Prof Jimmy Volmink, is planning a visit to the University of Sydney later this year to, among others, investigate their medical education model, which is a four-year postgraduate course.

Ben is full of praise for the medical profession and all the opportunities it has offered him. “The advantage of working in paediatrics is that you want to believe that you make a difference – there is nothing as satisfying as seeing a sick child get better,” he professes. His work in research is also very stimulating: “There is a lot of variation – at times you have clinical contact with patients and their parents, alternating with the conceptualisation of new projects and the writing up of results for publication… and then there is also the opportunity to travel.”