Stellenbosch University (SU) recently saw 2 000 of its alumni return to campus grounds for its so-called “homecoming” events of 2022. The aim of the homecoming was to provide past SU alumni with the opportunity to “see where the university is physically going” by experiencing it themselves.
This is according to Ferdi van Dyk, alumni participation manager of SU.
Female Stellenbosch University alumni played in teams at the recent Stellenbosch Women Alumnae Network’s golf event. Captured above is the Maties Womens’ hockey team, who won the overall team prize for the golf day event. From left to right, are: Heidi Dietstein, Wanri Venter, Ammie Louw, Annalien Davin, Jenny King, Leeann Louwrens, Scharlize Crafford and Anche Nortje. PHOTO: Chelsea Burnell
The homecoming took place over the weekend from 8 to 10 September and included a golf day, business breakfast, wine soireé, SU residences birthday celebrations and a bergpad run, walk or cycle event, stated Van Dyk.
Support through sport
The university also hosted its first Stellenbosch Women Alumnae Networks (SWAN) golf day at the Stellenbosch Golf Club on 8 September as part of its homecoming celebrations.
This is according to Dr Ronel Retief, registrar of SU, in her speech at the event, according to MatieMedia who was in attendance.
At the recent Stellenbosch Women Alumnae Network’s Golf event, guest speaker Dr Ronel Retief, registrar of Stellenbosch University, emphasised how Maties Sport focuses on athletes’ academic progress, as well as their health and wellness. VIDEO: Chelsea Burnell
The proceeds from the golf event ticket sales will be donated to financially needy student athletes at Maties Sport, stated Isle Arendse, communications officer of alumni and advancement at SU, told MatieMedia in written correspondence.
At the recent Stellenbosch University homecoming business breakfast, Dr Marlene le Roux, chief executive of the Artscape Theatre Complex, stressed the importance of young South Africans having “uncomfortable conversations” about topics such as diversity in the business world. “What we need to start doing with these young people is to change the [diversity] narrative on the ground,” said Le Roux. PHOTO: Chelsea Burnell
“We want [Maties athletes] to be well-rounded citizens who are well-positioned to enter the world of work in addition to, and even beyond, their sports careers,” said Retief.
The recent Stellenbosch University (SU) residence reunions gave SU alumni the opportunity to see any new changes that have taken place at the residences, the quality of accommodation maintenance and how the current residence members are “still enjoying it”, according to Hilgard Muller, SU alumnus, who graduated from SU in 2018. Captured is SU residence Helderberg’s alumni at a spit braai celebrating 75 years of Helderberg on 9 September. PHOTO: Chelsea Burnell
Inclusivity in language
A noticeable change undertaken at SU is the increased language inclusivity, according to Xandre Bailey, a 2009 SU graduate who attended the golf day.
At the recent Maties soirée, held at the Stellenbosch University (SU) Alumni Clubhouse at Die Stal on 9 September, SU alumni had the opportunity to taste wine from nine wine farms while enjoying live music performances. These wine farms included Anthonij Rupert Wyne, Cederberg Wines, De Grendel Wines, Marras Wines, La Motte Wines, Leopard’s Leap, Paul Cluver Wines, Tokara, Saronsberg Cellar and The Raw Berry Press, according to Ferdi van Dyk, alumni participation manager for SU. PHOTO: Chelsea Burnell
“When I was in my first year, everything was still in Afrikaans. We had maybe three English students [in my class],” said Bailey. “Now it’s nice to see [SU] is changing with the times, yet [somehow still rooted in traditions.”
Coming back to the university gave past Stellenbosch University (SU) students the chance to return to the “root of where their careers started”, according to Natasha van Horsten, a wine soireé attendee and SU alumnus, who completed her PhD in marine biogeochemistry at SU this year. PHOTO: Chelsea Burnell
Building through breakfast
Meanwhile, just over 90 SU alumni attended the homecoming business breakfast on 9 September at the Adam Small Theatre Complex, according to Sabrina Rupert, junior events coordinator of the central events and conferencing office.
It was important for Stellenbosch University (SU) alumni to come back to the university to see the positive changes that have happened since they were here, stated Sabrina Rupert, junior events coordinator of the central events and conferencing office, who helped in organising the recent homecoming business breakfast and wine soireé events for SU alumni. Through these homecoming events, alumni had the opportunity to “experience what the students experience these days”, and compare this to what they did in the past, said Rupert. PHOTO: Chelsea Burnell
The event focused around a conversation about the future of South Africa’s economy and also provided those in attendance with the opportunity to network, said Rupert.
One of the last homecoming events recently hosted by Stellenbosch University (SU) was a bergpad run, walk or cycle event held at Coetzenburg on 10 September. This is according to Ferdi van Dyk, alumni participation manager for SU. Captured above is the entrance to the event at Coetzenburg. PHOTO: Chelsea Burnell