​Computers could soon be used to teach sign languages, which will offer users valuable additional signing practice, lower barriers to entry for prospective students, and also help address the shortage of sign language teachers and resources in South Africa.

This is according to Dr Hennie de Villiers of the Computer Science Division in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Stellenbosch University (SU).

In a recent doctoral study in Electronic Engineering at SU, De Villiers developed a sign language tutoring system and demonstrated its capabilities on a set of 132 video recordings of five signers signing South African Sign Language signs.

He says this system makes it easier to provide targeted, context-sensitive advice to users to help them improve their signing. De Villiers adds that existing sign language tutor systems lack the capability of providing such feedback.

"Feedback is provided through a computing device with a video camera which monitors and analyses signers hand movements, in particular, for any mistakes."

"The advice given to users not only describes what went wrong, but also how they should correct their mistakes. For example, 'Your right hand should be above your right shoulder. Move your hand upwards and to the right'."

De Villiers says the feedback, which takes the form of a simple to-do list, is dynamically tailored to the user's attempt, and automatically targets that correction which would require the least effort on the part of the user.

He adds that the key to providing such advice is to find a way to encode human expertise about a given sign.

To this end, De Villiers created a description language which allows a system designer and a linguistic expert to work in concert to describe a given sign.

"The language allows complex combinations of movement restrictions to be placed on the signer, and also provides facilities for incorporating timing information."

He says a procedure was also developed to allow the tutor program to reason about this description in the light of the user's signing attempt.

"This procedure takes the complex description of the sign and narrows down which parts were signed incorrectly. As part of the same process, the system suggests a way for the user to correct his/her signing using the least amount of effort."

"The program now knows which particular part of the sign was incorrect, and how best to correct it, and so it can provide targeted advice for the user in a format that is easy to understand."

De Villiers says providing accurate feedback is important because the difference between correct and incorrect versions of a sign can be subtle and heavily dependent on context as is the case with certain words in orally spoken languages.

"As in orally spoken languages, sign language words can also be considered to be built up of 'sounds' with the only difference being that these sounds might be the positions, movements and shapes of the hands or the facial expression of the signer."

De Villiers says his tutoring system provides a comprehensive foundation from which sign language tutors can move beyond simple "right" or "wrong" analyses towards giving the detailed and targeted advice students need to develop their confidence and mastery of signing.

"It is also offers a variety of options for a future research program, whether this be in hand and body tracking, or in the e-teaching of sign language."

De Villiers adds that research is ongoing to expand the prototype into a form suitable for general use.

On Monday, 29 September 2014, the Council of Stellenbosch University (SU) held its first meeting since the death of Prof Russel Botman on 28 June 2014. The meeting was opened by a moment of silent condolence.

During the meeting, Council requested that Management put forward proposals at the next meeting on how the University's deceased Rector and Vice-Chancellor can be honoured appropriately. Council motivated this request as follows:

"Through his visionary leadership, Prof Russel Botman placed SU on a path where excellent research and teaching have to make a difference in the community and in the broader society. He was a champion of inclusivity and equal opportunities, but also a true mediator who could convince people, without confrontation, to walk the path with him. For the student community he was an accessible and principled thought leader, and for the University management a steadfast companion, person-focused leader and teacher. The Vision of Stellenbosch University (as contained in the Institutional Intent and Strategy), to be inclusive, innovative and future-focused, is part of his legacy, and Council is not planning to deviate from this course. The University community would like to tangibly anchor his unselfish contribution to making SU, the town, South Africa and the continent a better place in the history of the institution, and to the benefit of its future."

Members of Council

Prof André van der Merwe was nominated by the academic staff, who are not members of Senate, in the place of Prof Stefan du Plessis who has resigned from Council.

Mr Cyril Jooste was appointed as member of Council by the Stellenbosch Municipality in the place of Advocate Willem Pretorius, who has left the employment of the municipality and resigned from Council. Prof André Keet and Prof Gerhard Maree were both appointed for a second term of office by the Minister of Higher Education and Training.

Council also congratulated Dr Koos Bekker on the Phil Weber Prize, which he received in August this year. This is the highest honour bestowed by the Naspers Group. Dr Bekker will succeed Mr Ton Vosloo as non-executive chairperson of Naspers from April 2015.

Inclusivity and sustained excellence

Prof Leopoldt van Huyssteen, acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor, informed Council that the Management Team had decided to anchor inclusivity as a project within the institution, rather than in a separate centre. The promotion of inclusivity has interfaces with most of the University's activities, and therefore academic and support staff should take co-responsibility. Council also requested that Management should indicate at the next Council meeting how the promotion of inclusivity would be integrated and promoted campus wide.

Council accepted the recommendation of a task group that the assurance of sustainable excellence is not a matter that belongs to a separate committee or other body, but that it forms part of the essence of the University's activities in all spheres: learning and teaching; research; operations; sport; and community interaction.

Acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor

The Council Chairperson appointed Prof Leopoldt van Huyssteen as acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor for three months after the unexpected death of Prof Russel Botman. As determined by the Statute in cases where an acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor has to be in office for more than three months, the Executive Committee of Council approved that Prof Van Huyssteen will remain in this acting capacity until the new Rector assumes duty. The decision by the Executive Committee was tabled in Council for members' information.

Appointment of new Rector and Vice-Chancellor

The advertisement for a new Rector and Vice-Chancellor has been published in the media and a selection committee of 17 members has been appointed. The candidates on the shortlist will make submissions to a joint sitting of Senate and the Institutional Forum on 28 November 2014. Members of Council and the selection committee are also invited to attend this meeting. The Council Chairperson has requested that the starting time of the Council meeting on 1 December 2014 should be brought forward so that the shortlist candidates can make submissions to Council before the Rector and Vice-Chancellor is appointed.

Honorary degrees

Senate supported the recommendation of the Honorary Degrees Committee for candidates for honorary doctorates and Council approved all the candidates by way of a vote. The names will be announced as soon as the candidates have been notified and have accepted their nominations.

Remuneration adjustments 2015

The Remuneration Committee informed Council of the following decisions:

• that all staff on the permanent staff establishment who achieved a performance mark of at least 3 out of 5 in the 2014 performance evaluation cycle will receive a general salary adjustment of 6%;
• that the proposed base remuneration levels for 2015 are to be accepted;
• that all members of staff who have maintained a performance mark of 3,5 and higher over the past three years without being promoted in this period would be remunerated at least the base remuneration level of the specific job grade; and t
• hat the normal system of Rector's Awards would apply in 2015. 

Above-mentioned decisions of the Remuneration Committee are subject to Council's final approval of the University's 2015 budget at the end of 2014, as well as the final subsidy allocation from Government. 

Changes to daily timetable 2015 

Council noted Senate's acceptance of the proposed changes to the daily timetable for 2015 for the sake of student safety. The timetable makes provision for nine lectures of 50 minutes each from 08:00 to 16:30. As of 2015, tests will be written in the late afternoon, from 17:30. Examinations will be written in the morning and afternoon. 

Stellenbosch Trust

Council nominated Messrs Jannie Mouton and Desmond Smith for a second term of office (24 May 2014 to 23 May 2017) as trustees of the Stellenbosch Trust. The other trustees who were appointed earlier by Council for the period 24 May 2013 to 23 May 2016 are Mr Jannie Durand and Prof Prieur du Plessis. Prof Leopoldt van Huyssteen will act as a trustee ex officio as acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor.

Rules of Procedure: Ombudsman

Council accepted the rules of procedure for the appointment of an ombudsman on the recommendation of the Executive Committee of Council. The purpose of the Ombudsman is to serve as an accessible, independent 'address' for any person or body that wants to raise an issue related to Stellenbosch University that could not be resolved satisfactorily via existing channels, or is of the opinion that they have been treated unfairly.

Language Policy and Plan

Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel, Vice-Rector: Learning and Teaching, tabled the draft version of the SU Language Policy and Plan 2014. For the past two months, these changes to the Language Policy of 2002 and the Language Plan of 2010 have been submitted to the Institutional Forum, Senate, the Academic Planning Committee, faculty boards, academic departments, support service environments and SU staff and students in general for comments. Council decided to schedule a special session to consider and discuss the proposed Language Policy and Plan, along with the inputs from the different interest groups, since there are too many other points for discussion that have to be dealt with in the one remaining Council meeting scheduled for 2014.

Rector's management report

In his management report to Council, under the focus point excellence, the acting Rector referred to SU's position in international rankings and the rankings of the National Department of Higher Education and Training. During the Council meeting, the University was informed that it had moved up to the category 276 – 300 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Last year SU was still in the category for positions over 300. Under the focus point future orientation and thought leadership, Prof van Huyssteen discussed the quarterly financial report, the budget for next year and financial planning for the period 2015 to 2020. The report on maintenance backlogs will serve at the next Audit and Risk Committee meeting and be tabled in Council in December. In the light of recent safety incidents on and around campus, Prof van Huyssteen also reported on crime trends and the University's additional and special measures. SU has already spent an additional R2 million on security measures this year, and a further R2,2 million per year will be provided in the budget.

Report of the Vice-Rector: Learning & Teaching

In his management report, Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel brought Council up to date on progress with the implementation of the strategy for Learning and Teaching at SU, and specifically the comprehensive project on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Learning and Teaching, for which Council made additional funds to the value of R218,1 million available in May 2014. The strategic focuses for Teaching and Learning are the following: excellence; student success; size and shape; programme renewal; ICT; new knowledge markets; and bursary grants. The student enrolments for 2014 are 18 342 undergraduate (62%) and 9 915 (38%) postgraduate. The aim for size and shape with 2030 as planning horizon is to be a two-mode medium-sized institution with about 35 000 students, of which 25 000 will be full-time mode 1 students (residence, PSO and commuting students) on the various campuses. The approximately 10 000 mode 2 students will belong to the learn-and-earn group, who will study largely via technology, with block visits and contact sessions during the University recesses.

Report of the IF

Council accepted the recommendation by the Executive Committee to adopt the report of the Institutional Forum (IF), excluding the draft policy on compulsory self-archiving of research outputs, since this still has to be submitted to Senate. The report includes the IF memorandum on the White Paper on Post-School Teaching and Training, which was submitted for Council's information.

Next Council meeting

The next scheduled meeting of the Council takes place on 1 December 2014.

Mr Carl Crous completed an MSc in Computer Science at Stellenbosch University in 2009. He is now working as a software engineer at Google in London. We asked him a few questions about his studies and his career: 

Background ‒ what did you study, when did you finish?

I completed an MSc in Computer Science at the beginning of 2009. My undergraduate degree was a BSc in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics.

Describe your work experience prior to your official job search process?

While studying, I did many private programming projects. I also did some holiday work as a systems administrator for a small office as well as developing websites for a number of organizations. During my MSc, I completed a three month Software Engineering internship at Google in Mountain View, California.

What is your current employment?

I am a Software Engineer in Site Reliability Engineering at Google in London. In Europe and the USA a software engineer is called a software developer.

How did you get the job?

I had previously interned at Google and applied for the job in London after working in Cape Town for a year after completing my MSc.

What is exciting about your work?

I get to work on a number of exciting projects at a scale you don't get anywhere else in the world. We work on Google's critical production applications and infrastructure, to ensure Google is always fast, available, scalable and engineered to withstand unparalleled demand.

Your advice to students who are entering the job market:

While good qualifications should get you a foot in the door, if you really want to have the edge entering the job market full time then you will need some experience. Get as much as you can while you are studying. Participate in internships or holiday work in your field.

If you plan to do postgraduate studies, make sure you know what will get you in the job market so that you have realistic expectations once you have the extra qualifications. 

Then when it comes to interviewing, be prepared! Refresh your knowledge of some of the basics (e.g. Algorithms for Computer Science) and do some research about your prospective employer.

What would you have done differently during your years at university?

I feel like I was very lucky to have various opportunities open up to me at the right time during my studies and early career. If that didn't happen I would have regretted not investigating the job market and the companies out there while I was still studying.

"Stellenbosch University is most pleased with its new position among the top 300 universities in the world according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2014-15. We remain however, as was the case with the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings published recently, aware of the fact that a position on the international rankings must be seen in a very specific context."

This is according to Prof Leopoldt van Huyssteen, acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University (SU) in reaction to the University (SU) moving into the top 300 universities in the world (in the bracket #276 - 300) after it was placed in the general bracket #301-350 in 2013.

With the announcement of the QS ranking  last week, Prof Van Huyssteen said that the University maintains a nuanced approach to the rankings, "given the current realities of the University, our country and our continent as well as the methodology of the various rankings of which there are differences of opinion.

"The fact that Stellenbosch is included in some of the most well-known rankings, is telling  of a University that is receiving international recognition for the quality and stature of its teaching and research. In this regard Stellenbosch University has the highest number of weighted research outputs per academic staff member in South Africa.

"Our clear point of departure is still that we do not compromise on our academic excellence, that we put quality first, and that we do not model our programmes and academic output in such a way that we try to influence our ranking in an artificial manner," Prof Van Huyssteen added.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, powered by Thomson Reuters, are the world's most comprehensive global league tables, using 13 separate performance indicators to examine a university's strengths against all its core missions – research, knowledge transfer, international outlook and, uniquely among global rankings, the teaching environment.

Over the last few years, Stellenbosch University is include in among others The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world rankings and the Leiden ranking.

• Click here for more information.
  

Prof Hennie Louw (85), a former Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at Stellenbosch University (SU), passed away in his sleep on Tuesday 30 September 2014 in Somerset West. He had recently undergone heart surgery.

Prof Louw has been associated with SU since 1949, when he was the first student to register for the subject Microbiology in the Faculty of Agriculture. In 1958 het obtained a PhD in Microbiology with distinction from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, and thereby became the first South African with a doctoral degree in this discipline.

In 1961 Prof Louw was appointed head of the newly-established Department of Microbiology, after a Senate decision to separate the disciplines of plant disease science and microbiology. Under his guidance the Department of Microbiology diversified and included courses in soil microbiology, virology, food microbiology and much later molecular microbiology. In 2012, he attended the celebrations of the 50^th anniversary of this department.

During his term as Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture from 1973 until 1990, Prof Louw managed many changes in the faculty and the experimental farms, including securing the future of the Welgevallen experimental farm. Under his leadership a major revision of agricultural research in South Africa took place.

According to his sister-in-law, Dr Cornelia de Kock, former students had a lot of respect for Prof Louw. He established a system whereby lecturers had to act as mentors for students, which significantly improved the pass rate.

"His office door always stood open for highly-ranked academics and the lowliest workers on the farms – he treated each and everybody with the utmost respect. He was a family man who loved people and he was always so modest. After his retirement he insisted on being addressed as 'Doctor' instead of 'Professor'," she says.

Prof Louw was a good rugby player and later became involved with the management of Maties Rugby. He was also president of the Maties Equestrian Club and continued to ride once a week until the age of 82.

He is survived by his wife, Rolene, and four children – Annari Heunis, Wilhelm Louw, Frede Louw and Roelie Koegelenberg.

"Perceptions will always exist, but it is up to us to break negative peceptions and to respect each other," outspoken news personality and 567 CapeTalk breakfast show presenter, Kieno Kammies, said on Wednesday (1 October) during the Big Matie Accent Debate held on the Rooiplein at Stellenbosch University (SU). 

The debate - with the theme, "Pronunciation, Perceptions and Power" - was presented in collaboration with the University of Stellenbosch Debating Society. It formed part of SU's Diversity celebrations from 29 September to 3 October. 

Kammies told the audience that it's time that we embrace the fact that we're different. "We live in a diverse South Africa and we should embrace the fact that we do not all sound the same." He said that in any society a particular accent will carry more social currency and that's why it is so important to first talk to each other in order to get to know one another. 

"People will call you all sorts of things and there's nothing you can do about it, but what you can do is engage in conversation with them, to show them who you are and what value you bring to society," he added.

He urged SU to tackle issues that are deemed uncomfortable and to continue with these type of discussions once Diversity Week is over. "Sometimes we need to say it as it is, but in the correct tone in order to stimulate debate. The only way you are going to sort out your issues here at Stellenbosch University is to talk to each other, discussions need to be out in the open." 

The debate also had some audience members hot under the collar, judging by some of their comments: "People are always diplomatic at Stellenbosch University. We should stop beating about the bush"; "Why are we putting the white accent above the black or coloured accent?"; "I cringe sometimes when I speak to someone who struggles with pronunciation or grammar"; "People have specific ideas about what black people should sound like"; "Just because I sound 'white' doesn't mean I'm not black". 

Neil du Toit, Chairperson of the Debating Society, said Wednesday's conversation was long overdue. The consensus was that people should not judge each other based on accents and the stereotypes associated with certain accents.

Want to add your voice to the Big Accent Debate? A podcast of the debate will be uploaded and the discussion will continue as a blog competition on Bonfiire.com.

Wednesday evening's Glocal Food Evening, hosted by the Postgraduate and International Office (PGIO), was a huge success. There was a festive atmosphere on the Rooiplein where people could try dishes from countries such as Botswana, China, Ethiopia, Germany, France, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, the Netherlands, Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Those who weren’t feeling very adventurous could buy boerewors rolls at the South African stall. The mopani worms at the Zimbabwe stall were quite popular. 

Rudo Mateswa, a third-year BA International Studies student from Zimbabwe said that people’s reaction as they ate the worms were quite funny. “First they’re really scared because they think: ‘I’m eating a worm, I’m eating a worm!’ But most of them like it.” She said their baobab yogurt was also very popular. “I’m enjoying sharing my culture with other people,” she added. 

There were all kinds of interesting things to eat, such as lemon pie and ratatouille (France), spätzle and red wine cake (Germany), sorghum and tripe (Botswana) and injera (Ethiopia). ​

Today on the Diversity Week menu is the Blind Laduma from 13:00 to 14:00, where blindfolded participants will take part in a penalty shootout on the lawn next to the Rooiplein. From 18:00 to 21:00 the Desmond and the Tutus and Crazy White Boy will be mixing it up as part of the Neelsie Jam. ​And be sure not to miss out on the iBead Bracelets, SRC 'Selfie' Booth; LLL 'Lost Sock' Project; Graffiti Tables; and Campus Quiz between 11:00 and 14:00 on the Rooiplein.​ ​ ​ ​

​Mr Conrad Sidego, Mayor of Stellenbosch, described the Stellenbosch University Choir as one of the town's export products and congratulated them on their excellent results at the recent World Choir Games in Latvia.

Representatives of the choir ​as well as conducter André van der Merwe and chairperson of the Department of Music Prof Winfried Lüdemann were invited to tea at the mayor's office on Friday, 19 September.​

"Your achievement is not only wonderful for the choir and Stellenbosch University, but also the broader Stellenbosch community and South Africa.

"We have to be a nation with a winning attitude and success such as yours contribute to this," Mr Sidego said.

The SU Choir was awarded 99% in the category for mixed choirs at the recent World Choir Games - the highest score ever to be awarded at this competition. They also won the categories for Spiritual music and Musica Sacra.

Van der Merwe said it was wonderful that the mayor of Stellenbosch was acknowledging the choir in such a way.

"It gives me wings," he added.

Prof Lüdemann mentioned that the choir is one example of SU's pursuit of excellence and that it contributes a lot to establishing Stellenbosch's name locally and internationally - in this way the town benefits from the choir's achievements.

"The choir is one of the old traditions in Stellenbosch and is as part of the town as the oak trees," he said.

​​​Although progress has been made, more needs to be done to level the playing field for students with disabilities.

This was the view of the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mduduzi Manana, on Thursday (2 October 2014).

He delivered the keynote address at a two-day symposium (2-3 October) of the Higher and Further Education Disability Services Association (HEDSA) held at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS).

Manana said equal access to educational opportunities is a fundamental human right enshrined in our Constitution.

He added that both in its interpretation and application, this right should not be used to discriminate against people with disabilities.

 "We cannot afford a situation where education becomes a barrier that prevents people with disabilities from realising their full potential."

Manana said government remains commitment to providing the necessary support for students with disabilities. In this regard, he referred to a White Paper launched this year that will strengthen the need for the development of a national disability policy framework for the entire post-school education and training sector.

"We are almost certain this framework will pave the way for institutional policy development that will provide the road map for principles and process that take institutions beyond the mere provision of ramps and rails."

Manana said the policy framework will require post-school institutions to develop policies that will address disability.

He emphasised the importance of funding, research, correct policies and the collaboration between higher education institutions to achieve equality for students with disabilities.

Speaking on some of the challenges facing students with disabilities, Ms Marcia Lyner-Cleophas, Head of the Office for Students with Special Learning Needs (Disabilities) at Stellenbosch University (SU) and Chairperson of HEDSA, said funding remains an issue.

"Although many strides have been made over the last 20 years, we still do have a long road ahead of us," she said.

In welcoming the delegates, Dr Ludoph Botha, Senior Director of Student Affairs at SU, emphasised SU's commitment towards improving the lives of students with disabilities.

"Disability is a transformation imperative in society and correlates with SU's vision to be innovative, inclusive and future-oriented."

"Universities must create a welcoming culture for students with disabilities and management must support disability units."

Botha said we must look at disability in a holistic way and address all facets of university life.

He noted that there are more students with disabilities at higher education institutions than statistics reflect.

• Photo: Ms Celeste Wolfensberger, Vice-Chairperson of HEDSA, Deputy Minister Mduduzi Manana, Ms Marcia Lyner-Cleophas, and Dr Ludoph Botha at the Symposium.
• Photographer: Anton Jordaan​
  

​Campus Security is currently experiencing increased reports of motorcycle theft over the whole of Stellenbosch campus.

A brake disc lock is a form of prevention, while choosing a parking space also plays a role. Brake disc locks are for sale at motorcycle dealerships.

Avoid parking your motorcycle in isolated areas. Park you motorcycle where there is a lot of movement and in a well-lit area during night time.

Students are urged to contact Campus Security on 021 808 2333 (Stellenbosch) if they notice any suspicious-looking people on campus.

The South African long-distance athlete Elana Meyer has been appointed at Stellenbosch University (SU) in a part-time position as Director: Maties Sport. She starts on Monday, 13 October.

Her job at Maties Sport entails several diverse tasks. Among others, it includes fundraising, relationships management, brand management, events strategy, communication, media relations, marketing and the building of network.

“This part-time appointment gives me the opportunity to continue with other projects I am working on, such as the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon en Endurocad. It is a multi-year agreement in a supporting role for Maties Sport, Matie Community Interaction, as well as the Athletics Club,” says Meyer about her appointment.

She grew up in Albertinia in the Southern Cape and realised her talent for running at a young age. At the age of 13 she entered her first official race, the Foot of Africa Half Marathon, and won it.

Meyer’s career highlight was when she took part in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain – it was the first time since 1960 that South Africa was allowed back at the Games. Meyer won a gold medal for the 10 000m race.

In January 2005, she retired from athletics. She has set 23 South African records and in her first race as a veteran (age 35 to 39) she clocked an SA senior 10km record in Budapest.

Ms Ilhaam Groenewald, Chief Director: Sport at SU, says Meyer shares a positive sport history, not only with Stellenbosch, but also with the rest of South Africa that has subsequently contributed to building her international profile. 

“Considering the core focus areas of the Maties Sport strategic framework – which is to have a dominant position in high performance sport, to enhance recreation and active lifestyle, as well as positioning ourselves as a preferred destination for events – Elana’s profile presents herself as an ambassador that will contribute towards a greater external outreach,” says Groenewald.

The annual Gala concert of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) of the Stellenbosch University (SU) was held on Friday, 19 September in the Hugo Lambrechts auditorium.

The concert celebrates the diversity of talents of the staff and students of the FMHS and creates an opportunity to showcase and enjoy creativity and excellence.

The concert was attended by staff, students and alumni of the FMHS, parents, family members and friends. There was something for every taste on the menu, from the Stellenbosch University Medical Orchestra's melodic sounds of Johan Strauss and Jacques Offenbach to the gumboot dance talents of Alex Menu and Luthando Siboya, two first-year medical students, who had the audience out of their seats.

The medical orchestra, consisting of FMHS students and staff and the only orchestra of its kind in the country dedicated the Nimrod from the Enigma variations of Edward Elgar to the deceased SU rector, Prof Russel Botman.

The evening included a performance by the Tygerberg Gospel Choir, a new choir established on campus earlier this year. Die choir enchanted the audience with performances of Rots van die Eeue from Rochelle Liedemann and Hlonolofatsa from the Soweto Gospel Choir. There was also a variety of dance items on the programme, including contemporary and hip-hop dance items.

A concert of the FMHS would of course not be the same without the performances of the serenade (sêr) groups. Sêr is a proud tradition on the Tygerberg Campus and the audience was entertained by two groups. The first group, named Arrhythmia, consists of members of the Osler private student organisation and singers of the Huis Kerkenberg residence. The group was established this year and the hearts of audience members skipped a beat during their performance.

Second up were the sophisticated ladies of the serenade group, Huis Francie van Zijl residence. They are the winners of this year's SU serenade competition and came third in the national competition.  

According to a staff member that attended the concert, "The Gala concert was truly special. I had tears in my eyes at one point. It reminded me of why I believe in our country and its people. It was a proud moment for the faculty."

Photo's available on the Faculty's Facebook page. Click here

​​At the first of two gala concerts hosted by the Stellenbosch University choir (SU Choir) the University paid tribute to this "world class choir" while choir leader André van der Merwe thanked the University and the community for their support, appreciation and acknowledgement.

The tone for the concert on Sunday 5 October was set at the very beginning as the choir members took their places on stage​​ while the audience clapped and cheered.

The guests included, among others, Prof Leopoldt van Huyssteen, Acting Rector and Vice-chancellor of SU, Alderman Conrad Sidego, Mayor of Stellenbosch, Mrs Beryl Botman, wife of the late Prof Russel Botman and Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel, Vice-rector: Learning and Teaching.

Prof Eugene Cloete, SU's Vice-rector: Research and Innovation praised the choir for its excellence.

"Our choir became world champions over the past few years," he said.

"This choir represents excellence. To be an excellent choir requires lots of hard work and also lots of talent. They showed us that when you combine hard work and talent you can receive the highest accolades in the world."

He mentioned the late Prof Russel Botman, who was a great supporter of the choir, and to whom the choir dedicated their performances this year.

The choir opened the afternoon's show with Indodana, a traditional Zulu prayer, and African Alleluia.

The repertoire included various hymns, such as Nisi Dominus by South African composer Roelof Temmingh, as well as a number of traditional spirituals such as Ride on King Jesus and Don't you weep when I'm gone.

The concert was concluded with the toe-tapping number Kwela Kwela! Before the audience left, the choir sang a blessing.

The next gala concert will be on Wednesday 15 October at 20:00.

Tickets are available at www.webtickets.co.za or at Elmirie Kruger in Room  A123 in the Conserve. Tickets are R100 per person and R80 for learners, students and pensioners.

For more information please call 021 808 2381 or send an e-mail to us_koor@sun.ac.za.​ ​

Photo: Choir leader André van der Merwe and Prof Eugene Cloete, Vice-rector: Research and Innovation. Photographer: Hennie Rudman

​This article is only available in Afrikaans.

Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden recently donated plants and with the help of its staff members created a green oasis for the children of the Intyatyambo Community Project, an orphanage and care center in Khayelitsha.

The Intyatyambo Community Project started in 2006 when Nomawethu Tunce and Lindiwe Mfeketho decided to make a difference in their community by being a mothers to children they saw suffering. Nomawethu started to take in children that were orphaned or had been abandoned and today more than 32 children are taken care of by the Intyatyambo Community Project on a daily basis.

When a new building was recently completed there was a real need to make the surrounding property as inviting. This desire to create a garden came to the attention of the SU Botanical Garden and it was decided to donate plants for this purpose. Several staff members of the Botanical Garden went one step further and designed and installed this mostly indigenous, water-wise garden with the help of staff and volunteers of the Intyatyambo Community Project.

It is hoped that this garden will provide a healthy environment for the children and help them kindle an appreciation for nature from an early age. According to Sivuyile Kweleta, the horticulturalist of the SU Botanical Garden Intyatyambo Community Project staff also expressed their feelings by taking pictures of themselves while standing around the garden indicating that a small change can make a big difference.

​The right to equality as set out in the Constitution should be used to address systemic inequalities in people's access to socio-economic rights, the attacks on the Public Prosecuter are a disgrace and corruption poses a serious threat to our constitutional democracy.

These issues were all addressed in a wide-ranging lecture delivered by Advocate Geoff Budlender SC at Stellenbosch University's (SU) Law Faculty recently.

Advocate Budlender was the speaker at the 9th Annual Human Rights Lecture organised by the HF Oppenheimer Chair in Human Rights Law and the SU Faculty of Law on Thursday 2 October. 

The lecture, entitled Twenty Years of Democracy: The State of Human Rights, was attended by over 200 guests, including the Acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Leopoldt Van Huyssteen, former Constitutional Court judges Kate O'Regan and Laurie Ackermann, as well as representatives of the legal profession and a range of NGOs and social movements.

This year's lecture was dedicated to the memory of SU's late rector, Prof Russel Botman. Prof Botman was a strong supporter of human rights, which he also championed at the university through his HOPE initiative, which manifested in the law faculty in a project called "Combating Poverty, Homelessness and Socio-Economic Vulnerability under the Constitution". 

The lecture was attended by Mrs Beryl Botman and daughter, Roxanne, and the honorary doctorate in law awarded to Prof Botman posthumously by the University of Aberdeen in July this year was displayed at the lecture.

Prof Geo Quinot, Head of Department of Public Law, welcomed the guests. He noted that the goal of the lectures as part of the work of the Oppenheimer Chair is to create high profile awareness and debate on key human rights issues by leaders in the field both for student exposure to these issues, but also within the general human rights community in the Western Cape and beyond.​

Introducing the guest speaker, Adv Budlender, Prof Sandra Liebenberg, current incumbent of the Chair in Human Rights Law, described him as one of the finest public interest lawyers of his generation in South Africa.

In a wide ranging lecture, Advocate Budlender focused on how the right to equality in the Constitution could be used more effectively to address the systemic inequalities in people's access to socio-economic rights such as housing, water and social security. He also addressed the importance of holding powerful private actors accountable for human rights violations through, for example, developing the body of law applicable to contractual relationships, family relations, property and trade.

The second major theme addressed by Adv Budlender was the importance of building and protecting effective institutions of the state to guarantee constitutional rights. He observed that, "without robust and independent institutions, the rights are likely to fail". Problems were highlighted in relation to key constitutional institutions such as the National Directorate of Public Prosecutions, the Judicial Services Commission, and the recent attacks on the Public Protector. Commenting on the latter Budlender stated: "The attacks on the Public Protector, for doing her job bravely and effectively are a disgrace. One waits to hear someone in authority say that, and say so clearly."

Finally, he highlighted the serious threat that corruption poses to our constitutional democracy and mooted the idea of following the Hong Kong example of creating an independent institution to investigate corruption, but drawing a line under the past, declaring that matters before the date of the new law will not be investigated. Budlender acknowledged that this would be "a bitter pill" for South Africans to swallow yet "it may well be the only cure for the cancer of corruption."

Adv Budlender concluded the lecture by noting that ultimately "the best protection for the Constitution is the recognition by South African that it – and the rights it contains – are a vital means of building a society in which all can live in dignity."

Prof Quinot also thanked the law firm, Webber Wentzel for sponsoring the annual human rights lecture series, which has become a flagship event for the law faculty. 

• Find Advocate Budlender's speech ​here.
  
• Photograph: Advocate Geoff Budlender, Prof Sonia Human (Dean of the Faculty of Law), Mrs Beryl Botman, Prof Geo Quinot and Prof Sandy Liebenberg. Photographer: Anton Jordaan
  

​​When 31 learners from 13 schools in the Boland and Overberg exhibit their research projects at the "International Science Fair" (ISF) for young scientists in Boksburg, a dedicated team from the Stellenbosch University Centre for Pedagogy (SUNCEP) will be rallied behind them. With a last piece of prestick for their exhibition boards. To give some encouragement before the learners have to explain their science projects to the judges. To give a proud high five when medals and category prizes are awarded. And to be there with a hug for those who might not receive a prize or a medal this year.

The Stellenbosch regional team will be among the 800 high and primary school learners from 31 Expo regions in South Africa who will take part in the ISF from 7 to 10 October. Representatives from other African countries will also be present. Each of them will be judged by experts who will award medals and special prizes.

Besides these medals and prizes, study bursaries from Stellenbosch University are at stake for the first time this year. The bursaries will be offered to the senior category winners in all 25 sections of the competition.

"The learners who excel in this special competition for young scientists are of the calibre which we would like to welcome at Maties as part of our quest to train top scientists and thought leaders for South Africa," says Christelle Feyt, Senior Director of the Division for Prospective Students. "These learners already possess the research skills which can come into their own at a research-driven institution such as Stellenbosch University."

Hopefully a few members of the Stellenbosch regional team will also be among these category winners.

The regional team was composed in August after a two day event in Stellenbosch which Erika Hoffman and her colleagues of SUNCEP (formerly known as IMSTUS, or the Institute for Mathematics and Science Teaching) have presented for the past 15 year. The initiative aims to develop a scientific mind-set among learners, to teach them research skills and to challenge them to find solutions for South Africa's problems. This year a total of 208 learners from 17 schools exhibited their research projects in categories such as agricultural science, physics, health science, innovation and engineering.

For the regional event Mariëtta van den Worm, faculty manager of the Faculty of Science, ensured that sufficient staff members and students of the University sign up to serve as supportive and amiable judges. "This year 49 of the 65 judges represented 26 different departments or centres at the University," she says.

"A judge can make or break a participant's interest in the sciences," Van den Worm adds. "That is why it is heartening to see with how much empathy and supportiveness our SU people fulfil their roles as judges."

After completion of the Stellenbosch event Hoffman travelled from Bredasdorp to Somerset West, Paarl and Bellville to visit all the regional team members. In this way she could further assist the learners with advice on how to best expand and round off their projects to catch the eye of the judges in Boksburg.

"I am often amazed at the insight and wisdom the learners have into their respective projects, whether it is about crop farming or renewable energy sources, wetlands or cell phone masts," says Hoffman. "Our future certainly looks rosy if youngsters with such problem-solving skills are to be in control of our country's fortunes one day."

In previous years, epic all-night bus tours with many educational stops en route to the national event were part of the Stellenbosch regional team's travels to the north. This year they travel by air, an experience in itself. The Stellenbosch group will also visit a number of departments at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria to see how scientists do leading research in the workplace.

"For many children it is the first flight of their life, their first experience of staying in a hotel or even just being away from home," says Benurita Phillips of SUNCEP. She is once again the chaperone and "mother" of the group, which also includes four Grade 7 primary school learners.

Hoffman will accompany them to work behind the scenes as part of the national organising committee. Her SUNCEP colleague Pauline Hanekom and Van den Worm will both serve as category co-ordinators and will assist with the interviewing of possible representatives of South Africa in further international events.

"The fact that Stellenbosch University takes the hands of young scientists for this event is certainly appropriate and not just to the advantage of both institutions, but is also advantageous to our country's youth and our shared future," Hoffman believes.

​

Two Maties were rewarded with prize money for writing the best blogs about diversity, which were published on the website Bonfiire. Natalie Rose Louw won the first prize of R1 000, while Alexander Dyers received the second prize of R500.

SU students were asked to write a blog with the topic "1994 + 20: Closer together or further apart?" In the spirit of South Africa's celebration of 20 years of democracy, the bloggers were asked to discuss whether the country is on track in realising its ideal of inclusivity by being "united in our diversity", as stated in the Constitution.

The competition was part of Stellenbosch University's (SU) Diversity Week, which was held from 29 September to 3 October. It was the second time that the week-long celebration of diversity on campus was held at SU. The initiative is the brainchild of the late Prof Russel Botman, former Rector and Vice-Chancellor of SU.

The aim of Diversity Week is to make all students and staff aware of the diversity of people who share this campus. Among others, comedy shows, discussions and music performances were held during Diversity Week.

Entries for the blog competition were open between 15 and 25 September, and on the last day of Diversity Week, Friday 3 October, the winners were announced.

Louw's blog was titled "Blackfacing threatens democracy", in which she addressed the impact of the recent "blackfacing" incident involving two SU's students.

She wrote: "After 20 years of democracy, while we are no doubt closer together than we were at the birth of our democracy, much, much more must still be done before we can call ourselves united in our diversity."

"It's the first critical piece I've written. There was a lot of hype around the 'blackfacing' incident, and I think I took quite a hard line on it. It was interesting for me to separate my personal feelings and just look at the facts. I have never written for Bonfiire, and it's been a great opportunity. I think I'd like to write more," said Louw, a second-year BA Humanities student at SU. She originally wrote the blog for her SU student society, Students for Law and Social Justice (SLSJ).

Under the heading "Twenty years later", Dyers, a second-year BA student in Social Dynamics, wrote that "unity in diversity is a great idea – it's an even better slogan – but it is not yet one which we can truly claim exemplifies us".

"I did the competition last year and I often write for Bonfiire. I have always loved writing, but only began writing critical pieces since coming to university. Being at SU has made me think more critically about stuff happening around the world and specifically on campus," said Dyers.

Simone Cupido (third prize) and Carli du Toit (fourth prize) were also rewarded with a special R250 voucher for purchases at the Neelsie for their respective blogs.

• Click here for all the entries or visit http://bonfiire.com/stellenbosch/competitions/1994-20/
• Another Diversity Week blog competition has been launched on Bonfiire. Titled, 'Say what?', it asks the question: "Should we speak to fit in, or stick to our traditional accent? This competition is a continuation of the Big Matie Accent Debate (click here for a podcast), which was on the programme of this year's Diversity Week. The competition closes on 16 October 2014. Click here to read the entries, or to take part.

CAPTION: The winners of the first 2014 Diversity Week blog competition, from left, Simone Cupido (3^rd), Alex Dyers (2^nd), Natalie Louw (1^st) and Carli du Toit (4^th). Photo: ANTON JORDAAN

​The 8th Annual World Aids Day Gala Concert this year is to be held at the Artscape Opera House on Saturday 1 December 2012 at 20.00.

​​​The 9th World AidsDay Gala Concert The Africa Centre for HIV and AIDS Management at Stellenbosch University presents the 9th Annual World Aids Day Gala Concert at the Artscape Opera House on Sunday 1 December 2013 at 19:00. Staging another spectacular and inspirational evening with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Mario Verster. Also to be acknowledged are the “16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children” and the Africa Centre for Social Change created to enhance the well-being of all citizens.

Director and Producer of the gala concert, Next Recording Artist Jimmie Earl Perry will share the stage with the extraordinary talents of two South African international divas, Hanneli Rupert and Janelle Visagie. The New Apostolic Church Cape Choir, Amy Campbell, Rouchelle Liedemann and tenor Ivan Siegelaar will add their voices to this annual formal dress celebration. Choreographer and dancer Hope Maimane of the Waterfront Theatre College. Additional musicians include Andrew Ford (piano), Shaun Johannes (bass), Kevin Gibson (Drums) and Aldert du Toit (Guitar). The evening will be guided by international motivational speaker and illusionist Wolfgang Riebe as MC.

WHEN: Saturday 1 December 2013 at 19:00 
WHERE: Artscape Opera House 
TICKETS: R80- R 120,Computicket 
INFO: Arlene Willetts 021 808 340​

​The Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management at Stellenbosch University