?Audrey Simbiso Chidawanyika is a force in Africa's innovation and leadership space. Known by her self-manifested moniker, "The African Wildfire", she has earned a reputation for pushing boundaries and sparking meaningful change. With roots in Zimbabwe and a focus on unlocking Africa's full potential, she is building systems, shifting mindsets, and empowering the next generation of changemakers.

Audrey founded Simbiso Jumpstart in August 2019 as a response to the urgent need for accessible, practical, and community-rooted support for African micro and small-sized enterprises. 

Additionally, she does work with AfriLabs, which is an innovation-focused organisation that equips entrepreneurs and innovators with the skills and resources needed to drive sustainable development and growth within the continent's tech and innovation landscape.

She serves as Chief of Staff to the Executive Director at AfriLabs, where her days move between policy design, stakeholder engagement, and strategic innovation. ¡°What excites me most is the continental canvas I get to co-create on, shaping policy narratives that mirror African realities and ambitions," she says. ¡°AfriLabs is home. It's an extraordinary organisation that constantly nurtures growth, creativity, and bold vision."

Audrey's energy is unmistakable whether she's driving policy reform at AfriLabs, mentoring youth through her Simbiso Jumpstart organisation, or engaging high-level global stakeholders. 

¡°The African Wildfire isn't just a moniker ¨C it's a movement," she says. ¡°It speaks to an ever-burning inner flame that refuses to be boxed in, dimmed, or tamed. I aim to spark, spread, and sustain transformation, especially across Africa's innovation, enterprise, and leadership landscapes."

In 2022, Audrey joined the Make-IT in Africa Women in Leadership Programme at the Stellenbosch Business School ¨C an experience that added depth to her leadership journey. ¡°I wasn't just seeking knowledge, I was seeking alignment," she reflects. ¡°The Stellenbosch Business School gave me a sharper lens to navigate power, politics, and partnerships, not just as a woman in leadership, but as an African architect of the future."

But Audrey's mission extends far beyond institutional corridors. Through Simbiso Jumpstart, she's worked with more than 15 000 young innovators across agritech, fintech, edtech and medtech. ¡°I created the platform to dismantle barriers and to jumpstart dreams," she explains. ¡°But what I'm most proud of is the mindset shift. We've helped young people stop waiting for permission and start building."

Recognition has followed; she's a Mandela Washington Fellow, a JCI Ten Outstanding Young Persons honouree, and was named Africa Startup Ecosystem Builder of the Year. Yet, for Audrey, accolades are not the destination. ¡°The true reward is in the transformation: seeing a young founder access capital, watching a community empowered through digital tools, or witnessing policy reform take root."

As a young African woman navigating innovation and enterprise growth, Audrey is no stranger to resistance. ¡°There's a constant undercurrent of underestimation," she says. ¡°But I've turned every dismissal into kindling." Her leadership is anchored in purpose, service, and generational impact. ¡°My generation isn't here to inherit broken systems ¨C we are here to redesign them."

Audrey sees the next chapter as one of ¡°scale, structure, and sovereignty". Through AfriLabs, she advocates for policy environments where African startups can thrive. Through Simbiso Jumpstart, she's equipping grassroots entrepreneurs to lead without compromise. And with bold steps into media, investment, and tech-policy bridges, she's shaping a continent ready to rise.

?¡°I am not done," she says. ¡°And neither is Africa."???

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?Industrial engineering offers fantastic career opportunities for women. Industrial engineers work in manufacturing, mining, logistics, healthcare, agriculture, education, finance, and beyond. Many also branch into innovation strategy, data science, and sustainability or work in the public and social sectors. This is according to Prof Sara Grobbelaar from the Department of Industrial Engineering at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 in an opinion piece for the Cape Argus in celebration of International Women in Engineering Day on 23 June.

• Read the original article below or click here for the piece as published.
  

Sara Grobbelaar*

Observed annually on 23 June, International Women in Engineering Day celebrates the contributions of women in engineering and encourages more girls and women to pursue careers in the field. The theme for 2025 ¡®#TogetherWeEngineer¡¯ underscores the collective efforts of women engineers globally in advancing innovation and fostering positive change. 

On this Women in Engineering Day, as we celebrate resilience, leadership, and progress, it¡¯s important to reflect not only on the encouraging strides toward gender equity in engineering but also on why engineering¡ªand industrial engineering in particular¡ªis a fantastic career choice for women. While barriers to equitable access still exist in many spaces, the trends are moving in the right direction. Women are not only entering STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields in greater numbers; they are reshaping them from within, bringing fresh perspectives and creating a lasting impact.

At my institution, Stellenbosch 肆客足球, the progress within the Faculty of Engineering over the past decade is a good example of this trend. In 2015, just 26% of academic staff were women. By 2024, that number had risen to 35%. Female undergraduate enrolment grew from 23% to 32%, and at postgraduate level, from 17% to 31%. Across the disciplines, there are signs of real change. In Chemical Engineering, women now make up 57% of undergraduate students¡ªa complete reversal of earlier gender imbalances. In Electrical and Electronic Engineering¡ªtraditionally one of the most male-dominated fields¡ªthe number of female academic staff has nearly doubled, and female postgraduate enrollment has also grown significantly.

Industrial Engineering is a remarkably inclusive area of study and work, with 43% of academic staff now women¡ªup from 26% in 2015¡ªand strong growth in both undergraduate (44%) and postgraduate (33%) female enrolments. But the case for women in industrial engineering goes beyond representation¡ªit lies in the unique strengths and opportunities the field has to offer.

First, industrial engineers design and improve systems that make things work better¡ªwhether that is in terms of speed, cost-efficiency, safety, or sustainability. From optimising patient flows in hospitals to transforming food distribution networks, developing change management programmes in a bank or streamlining logistics in large corporations, the work is practical and has a measurable impact on people¡¯s lives.

Second, industrial engineering is a remarkably versatile career choice. It isn¡¯t confined to one sector or industry. You¡¯ll find industrial engineers working in manufacturing, mining, logistics, healthcare, agriculture, education, finance, and beyond. Many also branch into innovation strategy, data science, and sustainability or work in the public and social sectors.

Third, the field offers international flexibility. Unlike disciplines such as law or medicine¡ªwhich are often bound to local qualifications, regulations and practices¡ªengineering, and especially industrial engineering, equips you with tools and approaches that are widely applicable across jurisdictions. This makes it an excellent choice for women seeking geographical mobility in their careers.

Fourth, industrial engineering is inherently adaptable to changing career goals. You can choose your path, whether that is into technical expertise or one that emphasises business, operations, or leadership. The field blends mathematics, science, and data with business strategy, communication, and team dynamics. It¡¯s about designing and managing how people and processes work together¡ª ideal for those who enjoy solving real-world problems with both structure and creativity.

Last, pursuing postgraduate studies in industrial engineering offers numerous growth opportunities. We welcome people from a wide range of STEM backgrounds¡ªI¡¯ve supervised students with training in food science, medicine, and other applied sciences. If you¡¯re looking to complement your existing knowledge with industrial engineering tools and systems thinking, a postgraduate qualification could open new doors. It¡¯s an ideal way to build bridges between disciplines and to apply engineering methods to challenges in health, food, sustainability, and beyond.

In closing, women are undoubtedly making progress. The numbers speak for themselves. More women are studying engineering. More are teaching, researching, and leading. More are building companies, influencing policy, and mentoring the next generation.

Transformation isn¡¯t just about meeting targets; it¡¯s about shaping the systems, cultures, and opportunities that define what¡¯s possible. This is where industrial engineering has something powerful to offer: the freedom to choose your industry, who you work for, where you live, and also what you do. 

So, to all the women asking if there¡¯s a place for them in engineering: know that not only is there space for you¡ªthere is a need for you. Our future in engineering is very bright indeed. ?

??*Sara Grobbelaar is a professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at Stellenbosch 肆客足球.

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A decade ago, Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU) LaunchLab was officially brought to life inside what was once a dusty furniture repair building. Today, the thriving SU business incubator has helped launch more than 35 spinout companies, attracted millions of rands in investment, and helped countless entrepreneurs grow their businesses - rightly earning its title as the top university incubator in Africa by 肆客足球 Business Incubator Global (UBI) from 2017 to 2020.

In a celebratory event marking this milestone, over a hundred stakeholders gathered to reflect on the journey, honour the people behind it, and look ahead to LaunchLab's next decade of innovation.

Through keynote reflections from Brandon Paschal, Deputy Director of Spinouts and Funds and Manager of LaunchLab; Anita Nel, Chief Director Innovation and Commercialisation; Prof. Stan du Plessis, SU's Chief Operating Officer, and a lively panel moderated by Prof. Deresh Ramjugernath, SU's Rector and Vice Chancellor, the evening traced LaunchLab's evolution from serendipitous coffee chats to a full-scale entrepreneurial ecosystem. The event also formally introduced the LaunchLab CERIBIO, a brand-new biotechnology laboratory built to accelerate Africa's next generation of biotech startups.

Prof. Du Plessis, the evening's guest speaker, recounted the 肆客足球's innovation journey. Having served on LaunchLab's board since its inception, Prof. du Plessis noted that "in ten years, we've achieved more than what was even possible at Wharton in their early years."

Sharing his final address as COO of SU at the, Prof. du Plessis reflected on the ten-year journey from an economic perspective. Drawing on ideas from Thomas Hobbes and Karl Marx, he emphasised the importance of creating spaces like LaunchLab, where innovation can flourish through structure, freedom, and creative enterprise. He also paid tribute to Paschal, recognising his commitment and hands-on leadership in shaping the incubator's culture and guiding its ventures forward.

¡°We celebrate your outstanding first decade, LaunchLab, and we expect an even more astonishing second decade," he said. Prof. du Plessis' legacy, like that of the incubator he helped guide, is one of bold vision and quiet resolve.

Taking the stage together, Nel and Paschal delivered a dual keynote that captured both the heart and the hustle behind LaunchLab. While Anita reflected on its improbable beginnings - pleading for seed funding and advertising the incubator on Facebook with the caption ¡°Incubator open, anyone can come" - Brandon delved into the statistics and outcomes that followed, acknowledging the startups that filled the space, the millions raised, the global partnerships formed, and the ideas that turned into investable businesses.

Nostalgia aside, the duo revealed much about the deliberate choices, scrappy beginnings, and sheer determination that have shaped LaunchLab into what it is today.

¡°What surprised me most over the past ten years?" said Nel. ¡°Is that it's never about processes or money alone, it's always about the people. People are what made all of this a success." Gesturing towards the entrepreneurs in the room, she advised, ¡°we must never stop supporting them, because a win for them is a win for us all."

Paschal, whose leadership and vision have been central to LaunchLab's evolution, delivered a candid reflection on their ten year journey, reminding the audience that the heart of incubation isn't found in flashy headlines but in the daily grind.

He traced the timeline from the LaunchLab's rapid occupancy in 2015, featuring CubeSpace's first built-in cleanroom, and ButtaNutt's bold leap into incubation, after selling R300 000 worth of nut butter at the Slow Market, through years of collaborative innovation with corporates like Mercedes-Benz, ATTACQ, and Santam.

By 2019, LaunchLab had been named Africa's top university incubator by UBI Global for the second time, launched the Stellenbosch Network, and saw its spinout portfolio surge. Then came the quiet grind of 2020¨C2023, following the COVID-19 pandemic, the launch of the 肆客足球 Technology Fund (UTF), and a shift from a private entity back into SU's internal structure. All of this was strategically designed to refocus on the success and growth of SU's portfolio companies.

However, 2024 and 2025 marked a significant step forward. Paschal proudly shared how SU LaunchLab, in partnership with Stellenbosch Network, began curating industry-specific innovation networks through events like Cape Agritech Connect, helping startups find customers and build meaningful partnerships. He announced that the Instant Startup, which was first piloted in 2021, has now been licensed internationally. Meanwhile, the UTF II has officially launched, following the successful deployment of Fund I, and is ready to fuel a new generation of spinouts with critical early-stage capital.

"Ten years in, we're still learning, still iterating, but the impact is undeniable," said Paschal. ¡°The numbers speak volumes, with over 400 businesses supported, R857 million raised by incubatees and spinouts, and an estimated R1 billion in revenue generated by incubated companies in 2024 alone. But the true legacy lies in the community LaunchLab has cultivated," he concluded.

LaunchLab CERIBIO: Africa's Biotech Launchpad

The evening's second act proved LaunchLab's unofficial mantra of ¡°just doing it" is alive and well. With a ceremonial snip of a red ribbon, SU unveiled LaunchLab CERIBIO, a biotechnology laboratory and incubator created in partnership with the Centre for Epidemic Response & Innovation (CERI).

The LaunchLab CERIBIO is a state-of-the-art laboratory and co-working space equipped for molecular biology, enzyme production, and diagnostic prototyping, paired with LaunchLab's signature business building support.

The lab is not a nice-to-have; it was identified as a need for early-stage biotech ventures that currently face two critical barriers: the high cost of lab infrastructure and the lack of skillset to commercialise research. Flagship SU spinouts Fluorobiotech, Biocode Technologies, and Phagoflux will be the first residents, sharing equipment and expertise while pioneering advancements in diagnostics, enzyme manufacturing, and autophagy therapy.

Prof. Tulio de Oliveira, Director of CERI and SU's School for Data Science, noted that while South Africa excelled in genomic surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic, it lagged in accessing locally produced diagnostics and vaccines. ¡°CERIBIO is how we change that narrative by producing African-owned biotech IP at industrial scale."

Prof. de Oliveira recalled how an unplanned office relocation near the SU LaunchLab triggered a chain reaction. ¡°What started as coffee catch-ups turned into an entire ecosystem," he said, describing how early conversations with Dr. Richard Gordon soon evolved into a shared ambition to build a biotech innovation engine for the continent. ¡°LaunchLab provides the perfect environment for valuable partnerships, attracting funders and a determination that refuses to wait for perfect conditions before taking action."

That readiness to do, rather than merely discuss, is shared by Este Burger, CEO of Biocode Technologies. Speaking on the panel discussion led by Prof. Ramjugernath, Burger described bringing to market a novel blood test that detects vascular damage in long-COVID patients even when standard diagnostics miss it.

¡°We're able to commercialise cutting-edge SU research because LaunchLab and Innovus believed in us long before anyone else did," she said. ¡°Anita and Brandon gave us the network, the lab benches, and the confidence to push global health impact from right here in Stellenbosch."

Echoing that theme of confidence was Chiedza Vushe, Chair of Matie Entrepreneurs and founder of FineApple Pixels. Vushe told the audience how a single email she sent, after hearing a speaker from LaunchLab during Industry Week at SU, had rewired her aspirations: ¡°I stopped seeing myself as just a student and started acting as an innovator."

Commenting, Prof. Ramjugernath noted that Vushe's testimony crystallised SU's ¡°transformative student experience" mandate by giving young talent the mindset, the mentors, and the means to create jobs and narrow inequality.

Closing the panel, Prof. Ramjugernath reminded the attendees that universities often wrestle with their role in economic development. ¡°Some may argue it isn't our job," he said, ¡°but tonight proves otherwise. What we build here, the companies, careers and solutions ¨C it reverberates through the economy and into communities."

LaunchLab now enters its second decade with two clear assets: a proven record in nurturing deep tech ventures, and a brand new biotech engine ready to propel African science onto the world stage.

For Anita Nel, the task is as bold today as it was in 2014: ¡°We started by asking: Why don't we have an incubator? Now the question is: How far can we go?"

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On July 5th, Professor Pierre Goussard will line up at the start of one of the world's most challenging trail runs, the Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon in Switzerland. The 45km route climbs relentlessly upward through the Swiss Alps, finishing at nearly 2 600m altitude on Riffelberg. For most runners, completing this gruelling mountain marathon would be achievement enough. For Goussard, it's just another step in a much larger mission: saving children's lives.

As Head of Clinical Unit for Paediatric Pulmonology and PICU at Tygerberg Hospital and Stellenbosch 肆客足球, Goussard sees firsthand the critical need for advanced medical equipment. Every day, his team treats some of South Africa's most vulnerable patients ¨C babies and children with complicated respiratory conditions, tuberculosis, HIV-related complications, and life-threatening pneumonia. Many of these young patients come from across Southern Africa, as Tygerberg Hospital serves as a referral centre for the region's most complex cases.

His department desperately needs an Olympus bronchoscope ¨C a sophisticated instrument that allows doctors to investigate the airways of critically ill infants and children. Given its R400 000 price tag, the equipment is unfortunately beyond the reach of current public healthcare allocations.

Making a run for it

Since launching his Given Gain campaign, Goussard has clocked approximately 11 000km in training and races, funding his participation entirely from his own pocket. He trains daily, with long weekend runs that often include 50km training sessions. His racing CV reads like a global tour of endurance: over 50 marathons including Paris (four times), Berlin (twice), London, Rome (three times), and Prague, plus ultra-marathons like the Stoos Trail in Switzerland.

¡°It has been difficult to encourage people to donate, especially with so many other campaigns competing for attention," Goussard admits. Despite the challenges of fundraising in a crowded field, he has raised R46 760 to date ¨C roughly 12% of his target. The Stoos-Trail organisers in Switzerland, where he has competed twice, have provided generous support.

Transformative impact

The impact of achieving his goal would be transformative. Goussard's team performs approximately 350 bronchoscopy procedures annually at Tygerberg Hospital, with about a third related to tuberculosis cases in both HIV-positive and negative patients, and 25% involving interventional procedures. In a resource-limited setting where infectious diseases like HIV and TB are prevalent, diagnosing conditions in children remains challenging.

¡°Diagnosing tuberculosis in children is still difficult, and it can overlap with other infectious diseases," Goussard explains. Foreign body inhalation is another critical area ¨C these cases often present late with high complication rates, making management extremely difficult without proper equipment.

A new bronchoscope would enable advanced techniques like endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS), radial EBUS, and cryotherapy, dramatically enhancing both diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. Beyond immediate patient care, the equipment would reduce the need for referrals to higher-care wards, lower healthcare costs, and strengthen training programmes for junior staff and doctors from across Africa.

This educational aspect is particularly close to Goussard's heart. ¡°We teach many South African doctors, as well as those from other African countries, who are then able to assist their communities on their return home," he notes.

As chair of Tygerberg Hospital Children's Trust, Goussard understands that expensive medical equipment for critically ill children often falls outside standard budgets. His running campaign represents more than athletic achievement, it's a creative solution to a pressing healthcare need, powered by personal determination and community support.

The Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon will mark Goussard's second attempt at this particular Swiss challenge, having completed it previously in 2022. But win or lose against the mountain, his larger race continues. Every kilometre he runs brings him closer to a goal that could transform countless young lives.

For those inspired by his mission, donations can be made through the Given Gain platform. Link to donate: https://www.givengain.com/ap/pierre-goussard-raising-funds-for-stellenbosch-university-south-africa/#timeline?

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??You are not the leaders of tomorrow. That phrase is a lullaby meant to quiet your present urgency. You are leaders of now. The present belongs to you, not in waiting rooms or future promises, but in classrooms, kitchens, communities, and conflict zones. Do not inherit this world quietly.  This is the message from Dr Armand Bam of Stellenbosch Business School to the youth of South Africa, shared in an opinion piece for the Mail & Guardian in celebration of Youth Month.

• Read the original article below or click here for the piece as published.

Dr Armand Bam*

The world is not on fire. That would be too generous. Fire transforms; it clears the way for rebirth. What we're living through is slower, more insidious, a kind of moral rot, where creation happens without care, and power thrives without responsibility.

Around us, a new world is being assembled piece by piece, stitched together by technology, economic systems, weapons, and algorithms. But like all creations built in haste and hubris, this one carries a haunting cost. The powerful build, but they do not stay to tend the consequences. They walk away from the wreckage they cause, cloaked in titles and protocols, while others, often the young and the marginalised, inherit the debris.

We were promised progress. Instead, we got surveillance packaged as convenience. We were promised global cooperation. Instead, we got war livestreamed with hashtags. We were told we live in the most connected moment in human history. But when genocide unfolds in real time, when an entire people is reduced to rubble and mourning we are asked to see ¡°both sides," to perform neutrality, to scroll on.

Children die beneath collapsed homes while world leaders speak in the passive voice. Responsibility is dismembered and scattered. The hands that built the monster now pretend it's someone else's.

But this isn't only about Gaza, though Gaza bleeds. It is about how global leadership has become a theatre of denial. In the West, truth is algorithmic, outrage selective, and memory short. In the East, new empires rise, often replicating the silence and suppression they once condemned. And in South Africa, our home, we too have begun building without conscience.

We, who know the cost of inhumanity. We, whose history was shaped by resistance, are now becoming indifferent architects of inequality. Our children sit in overcrowded classrooms, while those in power debate procurement policies. Public healthcare collapses while political insiders fly to private hospitals. We speak of transformation, but our institutions remain hostile to the very people they claim to uplift. Our rhetoric is revolutionary, but our outcomes are betrayal.

We have become creators of systems without souls.

Leadership today mirrors a familiar story: the pursuit of power or knowledge without the burden of responsibility. A world built to serve its makers, not its people. A world where the youth, born into a chaos they did not choose are asked to fix what they did not break.

To the youth: This is the truth they won't teach you in leadership seminars. The world you're inheriting has been constructed by those who valued ambition over ethics, innovation over inclusion. You are expected to adapt to systems designed to exclude you. To survive without questioning the structure.

But you must question it. Loudly. Radically. Consistently.

As I am reminded by my own child: You are not the leaders of tomorrow. That phrase is a lullaby meant to quiet your present urgency. You are leaders of now. The present belongs to you, not in waiting rooms or future promises, but in classrooms, kitchens, communities, and conflict zones.

Do not inherit this world quietly.

Refuse to be cast in the role of silent witness to other people's destruction. Refuse to call cruelty ¡°policy." Refuse to mistake technological advancement for moral progress. The machines may get smarter. But what of the humans?

You will be told to be rational. Be reasonable. But reason without justice is cowardice dressed in logic. You will be told that the world is complicated. That is their excuse for inaction. Complexity is no justification for complicity.

So build differently.

Do not be the new version of the old world. Build with memory. Build with compassion. Build knowing that every system you touch has a story, some filled with ghosts, others with blood. Build with the courage to stop walking away.

Because history is not a hashtag. It is a mirror. And it is asking you: what will you do with this broken creation?

• Photo by Stefan Els (Corporate Communication and Marketing Division)

*Dr Armand Bam is Head of Social Impact at Stellenbosch Business School at Stellenbosch 肆客足球.

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YOUTH MONTH
This Youth Month, we're celebrating students who are driving positive change on campus, in their communities and beyond. Through their leadership, compassion and commitment, they are helping to build a better future for South Africa. These profiles highlight the impact and energy of a new generation of changemakers at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU).

Final-year BScAgric student Chloe Farinha has carved a path through SU that blends academic rigour with inspired leadership. In 2024, she was awarded the Rector's Award for Excellence in Leadership, recognising her extensive contributions to student life. Originally from Johannesburg, Farinha is majoring in plant pathology and entomology.

¡°When I started at SU, I made a personal vow to leave each space better than I found it," she says. That vow would become the compass guiding a remarkable journey of service ¨C one that began in 2021 as a mentor in the Olympus Commuter Student Community. In 2023, she became Primaria of Olympus, and last year she was appointed the inaugural Primaria of SU's new undergraduate residence, Khayalethu.

These roles illustrate Farinha's mission to promote more inclusive and intentional student leadership. ¡°Each leadership experience taught me something new, and my love for growth compelled me to keep learning and keep applying for new roles."

Transforming the welcoming experience

Farinha is particularly passionate about improving the welcoming period for new students. As the current Head Monitor of the welcoming period programme, she leads a team that works to ensure all newcomers are welcomed with dignity, care and accountability.

The Monitors' Report, traditionally a compliance-driven document, has been transformed under her leadership into an educational tool focused on growth and reflection. She and her team wanted to move beyond tick boxes to equip student leaders with feedback that helps them serve better. ¡°This role has taught me the value of empathy, active listening and celebrating individuality. My focus has always been on growth and learning ¨C not just accountability."

Her involvement in shaping the report for both 2024 and 2025 reflects her commitment to system-wide change and her belief that leadership must be responsive and people-centred. ¡°Too often we repeat traditions without reassessing whether they still serve us. I want leaders to ask: Does this still align with our values? Does this still support our community's needs?"

By driving critical reflection and adaptive leadership, Farinha believes that newcomers will feel seen, supported and safe. She also wants to inspire other leaders to challenge norms, share openly and invest in others. ¡°Development is contagious and when we uplift those around us, we cultivate communities that thrive," she notes.

Building spaces of belonging

Though her leadership r¨¦sum¨¦ is extensive, Farinha is just as committed to the quieter, everyday work of building community. She views conversation as a powerful tool and actively participates in panel discussions, workshops and informal engagements where meaningful dialogue can flourish.

¡°I've struggled with anxiety, doubt and imposter syndrome," she shares. ¡°But I've always tried to find comfort in discomfort and show up fully in every space I occupy." That vulnerability has enabled her to connect with others in authentic ways, creating spaces where everyone feels seen and supported.

Farinha is particularly mindful of the students who are still finding their place. ¡°Great results mean little if people are left behind. True impact lies in how we nurture those around us."

Motivated by care and support
The roots of her resilience can be traced to her supportive family. ¡°My mother is my greatest inspiration," Farinha says. In 2023, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Watching her navigate that journey with strength and grace taught Farinha lessons in courage and compassion that have deeply informed her leadership. ¡°She's in remission now, and through her I've learned what real bravery looks like."

Mentors and friends have also played an important role. A close friend and mentor from her childhood, Zandile Gando, first ignited her interest in making a difference. On campus, she's found a second family among fellow leaders and staff members whose guidance continues to shape her growth.

Even when the work is difficult, Farinha remains anchored by purpose. ¡°I care deeply about my projects and strive to deliver work I can be proud of," she says. ¡°Impactful change takes time, and though it can feel slow, collective effort always accelerates progress."

One challenging aspect of being a leader is the fear that your work might not have a lasting impact, Farinha admits. ¡°That's why receiving the Rector's Award for Excellence in Leadership in 2024 was so meaningful to me. It was a moment of affirmation that the seeds I've sown have taken root."

Advice for future changemakers
For students hoping to make a difference, Farinha offers this advice: ¡°Start with two questions:. What do I care about? Who can I serve?" She is quick to add that leadership doesn't require a title. ¡°It starts in conversation, in action, and in showing up consistently for others."

Farinha has helped to build spaces at SU where belonging, excellence and empathy go hand in hand. ¡°Together we are making Stellenbosch better than we found it. We ought to be proud of that."

PHOTO: Stefan Els
GRAPHIC: Geola Bergman?

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Three outstanding members of the Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU) community were honoured at the prestigious Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC) Innovation Awards, held at Cape Town City Hall on Tuesday, 10 June 2025.

Anita Nel, SU's Chief Director of Innovation and Commercialisation, Mike-Alec Kearney, CEO of SU spinout company CubeSpace, and Prof Johann Kirsten, Director of the Bureau for Economic Research, were recognised as leading innovators in the academia category.

Celebrating excellence

Nel received the award for her exceptional leadership in managing the 肆客足球's vast innovation ecosystem. She oversees a portfolio of 35 spinout companies, hundreds of patents, SU's Technology Transfer Office, the SU LaunchLab business incubator and the Institution commercialisation office, SUNCOM. Under her guidance, the 肆客足球 has successfully commercialised numerous technologies, building a successful platform that fosters entrepreneurship, innovation, and real-world impact. 

Kearney and his team of CubeSpace, which specialises in building advanced control systems for satellites, were celebrated as the most successful spinout company among the four Western Cape universities. The company currently serves more than 250 customers across 30 countries worldwide.

Prof Kirsten was recognised for leading the Karoo Lamb Consortium, a 20-year initiative that culminated in the official protected status of Karoo Lamb as South Africa's first Geographical Indication. The Consortium operates as a non-profit company and showcases the intersection of innovation, tradition, and regional identity in South African agriculture.

The CCCI and CHEC awards recognised innovators across various sectors of society ¨C academia, business, and public office. They honoured men and women who continue to push boundaries in the pursuit of progress and highlight the importance of innovation in driving economic growth and reducing poverty. Innovation were celebrated across the categories of academia, industry, business and public office.

¡°Innovation is as much about attitude as it is about technical expertise," said John Lawson, CEO of the CCCI. ¡°It's a mindset that focuses on solutions. The more we innovate, the more we actively shape the future we want to see."

Prof. Eugene Cloete, a board member of the Chamber and the Chief Executive Officer of CHEC, said these awards celebrate what becomes possible when academia, government, and the private sector come together. ¡°Universities are the engines of research, knowledge and fresh thinking. The private sector brings speed, skill and courage to take risks, and the government provides a platform for policy, investment and support to turn innovation into impact. This year, we received a remarkable number of high-quality innovations across all categories, a key indication that innovation is alive and thriving in the Western Cape."

The event underscored the need for collaboration between academia, the private sector, and government to foster innovation and create a competitive, inclusive economy.

Attending the whole event, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Cape Town's mayor, Gordon Hill-Lewis, both highlighted the importance of continuous innovation, collaboration and recognition in driving regional development and job creation. They enhanced the importance of facilitating stronger connections and collaborations between universities, academia, businesses and government to enable and support innovation in the region.?

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As Executive Head of the Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine and currently Head of two of its divisions, the Division of Movement Science and Exercise Therapy and the Division of Sport Science, Associate Professor Karen Welman brings a deeply humane and collaborative approach to leadership.

¡°For me, there's nothing more meaningful than walking alongside someone as they grow into who they can be," she says, ¡°and my role is to help build systems that support people ¨C whether they are students, staff or communities ¨C so they can thrive."

Welman has a clear vision for the Department going forward: ¡°I would like for us to empower individuals and communities to achieve optimal health, performance and wellbeing through evidence-based physical activity interventions." 

The clinical and physical activity promotion services offered by the Department's three divisions play an important role in achieving this objective and she intends to grow the influence of these initiatives through collaborating with others. 

To bring her vision to life, the Department is deeply committed to integrating research, teaching and service as a powerful force for positive change. ¡°Most of what we do is evidence-based, therefore research is a very strong driving force in the Department," she explains. 

¡°And then we bring all that back into the classroom and to communities. For me, they are not different silos: research, teaching and service speak to one another. I believe you will have more impact if you integrate all these components." 

Academic journey 

Her own academic journey began at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU), where she completed her BSc Honours in Biokinetics, followed by a Master's and PhD in Sport Science, specialising in exercise physiology. 

In 2007, she joined SU's then Department of Sport Science as a part-time assistant lecturer and exercise physiologist before being appointed as a full-time lecturer in 2010. ¡°I began lecturing in motor control and motor learning," she recalls. ¡°This really deepened my interest in movement neuroscience and shaped my academic direction." 

In 2011, she started The Movement Laboratory at the Department to support research and care in this area. ¡°I predominantly focus on how exercise can change the nervous system, which is why I work a lot with people who have neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and dementia. I am interested in how we can use movement not only as therapy, but also as a window into what is happening in the nervous system," says Welman. 

She explains that her own research integrates basic sciences into practical applications. ¡°I look not only at exercise and neuroplasticity ¨C the intervention tool to change the nervous system ¨C but also at potential physical biomarkers. I want to identify physical activities or movements that give us insight into what's going on in the brain and the rest of the nervous system."

Community projects 

In addition to teaching and research, Welman participates in various community projects. ¡°I like to put initiatives in action," she points out. ¡°I don't want to be all talk and not deliver anything."

Welman established her first community engagement, Let's Move, in 2014. This initiative targets neurological and movement disorders, and aims to create lasting educational platforms and exercise groups.

In 2015, she introduced community service rotations into the Biokinetics programme at SU, making it one of the first Biokinetics programmes in the country to offer structured, community-based learning opportunities. ¡°We are not just delivering services," she says. ¡°Working together, we are helping people see what is possible through movement and supporting them." 

Her next multidisciplinary collaboration initiative was the Paediatric Exercise Clinic at Tygerberg Hospital, established in 2021, which provides physical activity education and exercise therapy to children with rheumatological, immunological and neurological conditions. 

The clinic has since expanded to include children with pulmonary conditions, broadening its reach and impact. As the first of its kind, the clinic marked a significant step in bringing Biokinetics into the public health space, creating a model for integrated care in a government hospital setting. 

¡°We also have a Biokinetics Clinic, which is more for adults," Welman adds. ¡°It's something that we are piloting this year, so it is very new. It started as a collaboration with Emergency Medicine and looks at non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes and obesity. We are looking at the impact that exercise can have as a benefit for people with chronic diseases." 

Another collaborative engagement she is part of is Cancer-Fit, which was launched last year. ¡°We provide exercises to people who are currently receiving treatment for various types of cancers." Welman explains. 

Movement as medicine 

These initiatives are in line with her vision for the Department ¨C ¡°to showcase how movement is medicine, and how it can transform lives for the better". More generally, she wants to foster a physical activity culture in South Africa and globally to prevent, treat and maintain quality of life to achieve what she describes as life-long vitality. 

Outside of work, Welman finds balance in nature walks and hikes, family time and experimenting with home-made ice cream flavours. ¡°When I was a child, my father used to say we have an extra stomach for ice cream. I think he was right; there is always space for more." 

She is known for her selflessness, her steady sense of responsibility and a quiet but determined belief that physical activity can, and should, be a standard part of how we care for people. 

Above all, she leads with a steady sense of care and responsibility. ¡°I am just the person in this role at this point in time," she reflects. ¡°But it is the people around me who make the real difference. I am here to support that." 

While her new position may bring added challenges, she has consistently demonstrated a remarkable ability to manage multiple responsibilities with ease throughout her career.

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???Just three spots. That's how close Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU) came to ranking among the top 300 universities in the world for the third year in a row. According to the latest QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World 肆客足球 Rankings released on Thursday 19 June 2025, SU is ranked at number 302.

In the 2026 version of the QS world rankings, SU again occupies the third position in South Africa (and in Africa)¡ªthe same as last year. Although the institution dropped a few places, it improved on its overall score¡ªthe sum of the scores for each of the nine indicators or categories used to assess universities.

While SU performed well by improving its score in eight of these indicators, it did drop in the world rank on five. This could be due to other universities improving more than SU on the indicators, as well as an increase in the number of institutions evaluated in the 2026 edition. SU also does not actively participate in this ranking.

The latest edition of the QS world rankings, which is regarded as one of the three top university ranking systems globally, features 1 501 institutions across 106 locations¡ª8 467 institutions, including 112 new universities, were evaluated¡ªand is the only ranking of its kind to emphasise employability and sustainability.

These institutions were assessed across the following nine indicators: academic reputation (global academics' perceptions of an institution's academic excellence), employer reputation (global employers' perception of which universities provide the most job-ready graduates), faculty student ratio (the ratio between the number of academic staff and the number of students), citations per faculty (number of academic citations produced by faculty members), international faculty ratio (the proportion of faculty members who are international), international students ratio (the proportion of international students), international research network (an institution's success in creating and sustaining research partnerships with institutions in other locations), employment outcomes, and sustainability (the social and environmental impact of universities).

Commenting on the latest QS world rankings, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies at SU, Prof Sibusiso Moyo, said that the institution ¡°is a research-intensive university where we attract outstanding students, employ talented staff and provide a world-class environment, a place connected to the world, while enriching and transforming local, continental and global communities.

¡°We will continue to pursue excellence and moving up the ranking tables with a focus on making local, regional, continental and global impact. Well done to all our staff and students who continue contributing to the performance of the 肆客足球 despite some challenges in both 2024 and 2025, especially on the research front."

Earlier in 2025, SU also featured among the top universities globally on the Times Higher Education World 肆客足球 Rankings by Subject and the QS World 肆客足球 Rankings by Subject.

Over the last few years, SU has been consistently ranked among the best tertiary institutions in the world on these two subject rankings, as well as the QS World 肆客足球 Rankings, the Times Higher Education World 肆客足球 Rankings and the Academic Ranking of Word Universities.

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???A cold and steady rain fell over Stellenbosch on Friday morning, but rays of sunshine appeared over lunch as Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU) celebrated a momentous occasion: the formal installation of the institution's 16th Chancellor ¨C Lesetja Kganyago, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank.

The ceremony, held in the Endler Hall, unfolded with stately precision, resounding music performances by SU's top musicians and an academic procession in full ceremonial regalia ¨C a visual reminder of the 肆客足球's rich past and vibrant future.

In an impassioned inaugural address in front of dignitaries, senior management and community leaders, Kganyago said he considered it a profound honour to have been chosen to represent SU. ¡°I accept this role with a deep sense of responsibility, aware of the complex legacy that I inherit and the expectations that lie ahead," he said.

Drawing on the words of his predecessor, Justice Edwin Cameron, Kganyago spoke of the dignity and self-worth that universities instil in their communities.

He called on the 肆客足球 to continue fostering institutions of ¡°curiosity, innovation and diversity of thought," describing South African universities as catalysts for social change and ethical leadership. ¡°Universities reflect who we are and what we aspire to be," he said, urging the institution to defend academic freedom and transformation with vigour.

He did not shy away from the 肆客足球's complex history, referencing both its role in apartheid-era South Africa and the ongoing struggle for transformation. Quoting renowned South African poet Antjie Krog, Kganyago cautioned that wounds left unconfronted would ¡°continue to inflict pain in the future". He called for the 肆客足球 community to reject racism and resistance to change, insisting that diversity and inclusion are essential to intellectual exploration and justice.

Kganyago praised recent transformation efforts under former Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers, pointing to Prof Thuli Madonsela's view that ¡°transformation is not for the faint-hearted".

Drawing on powerful examples of student-led activism, Kganyago referenced the Save7 initiative, which helped establish the Life Pod transplant support unit at Tygerberg Hospital. He also singled out students like Francisca Darkoh and Caitlin Lee, whose work in food security and prisoner rehabilitation has given life to the 肆客足球's mission of social responsibility. ¡°Their work is a powerful example of how student leadership can drive real-world change," he said.

The Chancellor's speech also cast back to 1987, when South African universities protested apartheid-era controls on academic freedom. Kganyago recalled how he joined thousands in resisting state decrees that sought to limit university autonomy, a formative experience that established his view of education as a cornerstone of democracy. ¡°We must safeguard this freedom and honour it with curiosity, engagement and critical enquiry," he stressed.

As he concluded his address, the audience rose in standing ovation and spontaneous praise-singing, infusing the Endler with energy.

Earlier in the afternoon, the formal proceedings were opened by SU's Registrar, Dr Ronel Retief, who welcomed a distinguished audience including members of the Reserve Bank, SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter, Stellenbosch Executive Mayor Jeremy Fasser and senior representatives from neighbouring universities. Retief outlined the symbolic and statutory responsibilities of the Chancellor, noting that Kganyago was elected by the 肆客足球's Electoral College following a public nomination process. ¡°We thank you for accepting this call to serve," she said with a big smile.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Deresh Ramjugernath praised Kganyago as a leader of ¡°exceptional courage, wisdom and steadiness", aligning his public service record with the 肆客足球's institutional values of compassion, accountability and equity. ¡°At Stellenbosch 肆客足球, we believe that education must serve a greater purpose: to uplift, to enlighten, and to empower," he said. ¡°Chancellor, we are deeply honoured that you have accepted this role. Your wisdom, stature and service-oriented leadership will be a source of inspiration to our students, staff, alumni and partners," Ramjugernath concluded.

Chair of SU's Council, Dr Nicky Newton-King, who led the official investiture, described Kganyago as ¡°a formidable and thoughtful champion of rigorous analysis and independence". She also introduced the 肆客足球's newly designed Chancellor's gown that incorporates the ¡°Hope" pattern and ceremonial emblem as a symbol of transformation forged in dialogue with students, staff and alumni.

Messages of congratulation followed from SU alumna Deputy Minister of Higher Education Dr Mimmy Gondwe, read by Prof Nico Koopman, Vice-Chancellor: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel. Gondwe praised Kganyago's steadfast leadership under pressure, calling his appointment ¡°a glowing reference to the 肆客足球's commitment to excellence and value-based leadership". She acknowledged the difficult context facing universities ¨C from funding constraints to the disruptive rise of artificial intelligence ¨C and noted the value of Kganyago's experience at a time of national uncertainty.

A warm and reflective felicitation from Prof Rudolf Gouws of the Chancellor's Circle confirmed Kganyago's international stature and quiet resolve. Recalling their first meeting more than three decades ago in the ANC's Department of Economic Planning Gouws told Kganyago: ¡°Ons het 'n lang pad gekom, Lesetja." (¡°We've come a long way, Lesetja.") He lauded the new Chancellor's policy clarity and principled resistance to populist pressures. ¡°We are proud to be associated with you," he said. ¡°You have remained steadfast in your defence of the Bank's independence, and the country ¨C and this 肆客足球 ¨C is better for it."

The event closed on a soaring note with the Invitational Choir, conducted by Prof Johan de Villiers, delivering a triumphant rendition of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah followed by some more joyous notes from the SU Brass Quintet.

As the ceremonial music faded and applause echoed through the hall, it was clear that Kganyago's inauguration represents a pivotal moment in the SU's ongoing story of renewal and hope.

¡¤ SU's Chancellor serves a five-year term and may be re-elected once for a consecutive term.

Watch the ceremony here? on SU's YouTube channel.

PHOTO: Peartree

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?YOUTH MONTH

This Youth Month, we're celebrating students who are driving positive change on campus, in their communities and beyond. Through their leadership, compassion and commitment, they are helping to build a better future for South Africa. These profiles highlight the impact and energy of a new generation of changemakers at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU).

For Liam Gillesen, a fourth-year SU student pursuing a combined Bachelor of Accounting and a Bachelor of Laws degree, leadership begins where titles end. Raised in Pretoria, Gillesen credits his high school years at Pretoria Boys High for grounding him in values that continue to shape his activism today: integrity, service and humility. ¡°I was incredibly privileged growing up," he says. ¡°That's why I believe it's my duty to use some of that privilege to help others who may not have had the same opportunities."

Gillesen's work on and off campus reflects a desire to contribute to South Africa's future by living the values of ubuntu, empathy and active citizenship. While excelling academically, he's been an active Social Justice Ambassador for the Centre for Social Justice, and he has assisted the SU Law Clinic with co-ordinating workshops. He also served as the Transformation Officer for the Juridical Society and as President of the student chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

¡°I'm passionate about community service because I've always loved people," he says. ¡°I connect with people easily. I hate seeing someone struggle or being sad."

Over the past few years, Gillesen's journey as social justice champion has been eye-opening. ¡°It helped me realise that life is richer outside your little bubble of privilege. It might be uncomfortable at first, but it's worth it."

Although he didn't secure a seat on the Student Representative Council last year, the setback didn't dampen his drive. ¡°I had to reassess how I can still contribute without being in formal leadership," he says. In fact, that moment of redirection became a catalyst for his current work and reaffirmed his belief that change doesn't start with structure, but with purpose.

Fighting food insecurity on campus

Gillesen is one of the founding members of the Maties Meal Initiative, a student-led effort to tackle food insecurity on campus. What began as a simple idea to provide one meal a day to hungry students is steadily growing into a collaborative campaign involving multiple stakeholders.

With initial backing from SU's former Chief Operating Officer, Prof Stan du Plessis, and fundraising support from Maties Rugby through ticket sales at matches, the initiative has already made an impact. ¡°We wanted to support what already exists and find ways to consolidate these efforts," Gillesen explains.

He speaks passionately about a moment during one of their gatherings when a speaker reframed the work as ¡°solidarity, not charity". That phrase stuck with him. ¡°I want people to see that helping others is an act of solidarity. When we embrace the idea of ubuntu and stick together, we can bring about meaningful change."

Gillesen often quotes the American activist Angela Davis who said: ¡°I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I'm changing the things I cannot accept."

Merging knowledge and service

Beyond the SU campus, Gillesen combines his legal and business acumen with community development through his involvement with the Kayamandi Imbadu Group. In partnership with the Small Enterprise Development Agency, the project helps establish co-operatives to promote youth entrepreneurship in Kayamandi. It's a space where Gillesen's interest in law, accounting, and social justice align perfectly. ¡°The only way you get social justice is if people are economically empowered," he insists. ¡°If entrepreneurs are supported to build sustainable businesses, they gain financial freedom and dignity. The South African economy will only grow when everyone is afforded a decent shot at life."

Community engagement has not only broadened his worldview but has deepened his leadership values, Gillesen says. ¡°When I was younger, I always used to look up to the big names like Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama. But now, the people I admire most are those working quietly in their communities without any recognition. It's the women who run soup kitchens or the man who wakes up every day to fix his neighbourhood. They are the real heroes."

When asked what change he strives to bring about through his efforts, Gillesen distinguishes between short- and long-term goals. ¡°My biggest priority while still on campus is to help make sure every student gets at least two decent meals a day, so they don't have to worry about food. What I'm hoping for in the long term is that we could end divisiveness in South Africa so that we can all work together and acknowledge our common humanity. There is so much division, and our political system makes us believe that you must pick a side. I would love to be able to play a part in bringing people together and making everyone see how much we have in common beyond our differences."

'Just keep on trying'

Gillesen's leadership philosophy is also inspired by his late grandfather, who lived a life of quiet, consistent service. ¡°He was a servant leader. He always said, 'Don't chase leadership roles just for titles. Serve without a title.'" That wisdom now guides Gillesen in all his efforts, including his mentorship roles and public speaking engagements on social justice.

His advice to other aspiring leaders is to get as much experience as possible and to not shy away from challenges. ¡°Some problems may seem too big to fix but just keep on trying. The alternative is giving up and that is way scarier! Don't accept the status quo and don't let anyone scare you out of doing anything. You can't create change by yourself. The only way to build something lasting is to work together," he maintains.

PHOTO: Stefan Els
GRAPHIC: Geola Bergman

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?In an age where misinformation spreads faster than facts, it has never been more crucial for scientists to engage the public. From climate change denial to vaccine hesitancy, there are far-reaching consequences when there is public distrust and misunderstanding of science. This reality has sparked a shift in approach: from one-sided science communication toward engaged dialogue and genuine exchange with diverse audiences.  

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In 2019, Stellenbosch 肆客足球's (SU) Central Analytical Facilities ¨C which provides advanced scientific testing, analytical instrumentation, and research expertise ¨C commissioned a dedicated research Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography (PET-CT) unit. From the outset, it was evident that this new facility should work closely with the neighbouring Tygerberg Hospital PET-CT unit, known as the Western Cape Academic PET-CT Centre (WCAPC).

A PET-CT scanner is a sophisticated imaging tool that uses radioactive tracers to provide detailed anatomical and functional insights into diseases. It enables clinicians and researchers to visualise biological processes such as inflammation, tissue oxygenation, and cancer progression.

¡°At the time, there was a strong demand from SU's clinical researchers to use PET-CT for studying various forms of tuberculosis and treatment responses," said Professor Alex Doruyter, director of the research unit, which is now known as the NuMeRI Node for Infection Imaging (NII). ¡°We saw the potential for a dedicated research unit to meet this need."

The timing aligned perfectly with a call by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) for proposals to fund national research infrastructure projects under the South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap (SARIR). One of the approved initiatives was the Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI) project, and SU's successful bid led to the establishment of the NII as a node of this national platform.

¡°The major advantage of PET-CT is that it is non-invasive," Doruyter explained. ¡°It allows researchers to study diseases in living patients without the need for biopsies or surgery. This has great clinical value ¨C from diagnosing and grading disease severity to formulating treatment plans and monitoring response ¨C and also opens up significant research opportunities."

Despite generous funding from the DSI, establishing a PET-CT facility remains a costly endeavour, requiring specialised personnel with scarce skills. SU Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) provided co-funding and developed a model in which the NII could operate in parallel with the WCAPC. ¡°This arrangement enabled cost savings for both facilities," said Doruyter.

Today, the NII and WCAPC operate independently but collaborate closely. ¡°We provide mutual support whenever possible," Doruyter said. ¡°Our radiographers, radiopharmacists, and nuclear physicians contribute reciprocally to each other's operations when capacity allows. This adds resilience to both units."

The facilities also share key equipment, which would be prohibitively expensive to duplicate. Additionally, their physical proximity enables better management of radioactive consumables, which decay over time. ¡°Radioactive doses have a short half-life, so waste can be substantial," Doruyter noted. ¡°Having two facilities next to each other allows us to reduce this waste and improve efficiency."

From the outset, a Joint Interface Management Committee¡ªcomprising representatives from both the university and the hospital¡ªwas established to oversee and manage the collaboration. According to Doruyter, the partnership has received strong support from the Western Cape Department of Health. ¡°They've seen the value of having us nearby. For example, when the Tygerberg scanner was out of service, we stepped in to scan multiple public sector patients. This avoided significant financial losses in wasted radiopharmaceuticals and ensured patients didn't miss critical therapies."

The benefits have been mutual. ¡°A few years ago, when Tygerberg Hospital was without a radiopharmacist for some time, our university radiopharmacist provided radiolabelled doses for the province. This ensured continuity of care for public patients who otherwise would not have received their scans," he said.

In addition to its clinical and research functions, the NII plays a vital role in training the next generation of specialists. The unit offers hands-on training opportunities for postgraduate students in radiopharmacy, as well as nuclear medicine. ¡°Because of the high-end equipment and the collaborative environment, students are exposed to real-world challenges and scans acquired with advanced imaging techniques that prepare them for leadership roles in both academic and clinical settings," Doruyter noted.

Doruyter emphasised that the collaboration reflects the longstanding, trusted relationship between SU and its provincial partners. ¡°This partnership has been built over many years, and we are committed to preserving and expanding it ¨C including broadening access to more radiopharmaceuticals in future."

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??Lusaka, Zambia ¨C 21¨C23 May 2025 ¨C The Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA) successfully hosted its first-ever regional conference, bringing together leaders in academia, government, and development to chart a collaborative path for higher education across the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Held in Lusaka, Zambia, the three-day event marked a historic milestone for SARUA and its member institutions, cementing the association¡¯s growing role in shaping higher education policy and practice in the region.

Themed ¡°Innovating Higher Education for Sustainable Development Across the SADC: Innovation for Impact,¡± the conference focused on the critical role of universities in addressing socio-economic, technological, and environmental challenges through innovation and strategic partnerships. Key priorities included strengthening research capacity, advancing digital transformation, integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into university systems, and fostering transformative leadership across institutions.

Over the course of the conference, delegates repeatedly highlighted the importance of regional and international collaboration. Emphasis was placed on enhancing South-South and North-South partnerships, particularly intra-African cooperation, as a response to current global pressures such as funding challenges and constrained academic mobility. Participants agreed that building collaborative frameworks for research, training, and knowledge exchange is essential for the resilience and impact of the continent¡¯s higher education sector.

Representing Stellenbosch 肆客足球 at the conference were Dr Brent Abrahams from the Centre for Capacity Development in Africa (CCDA) and Dr Nico Elema, Director of the Centre for Collaboration in Africa (CCA). Dr Abrahams presented on ¡°Transformative Partnerships for Enhancing Doctoral Education and Research Capacity in Africa: Lessons from the Emerging Scholars Initiative,¡± while Dr Elema spoke on ¡°Collaboration and Partnerships Towards Impact in SADC Higher Education.¡± Their presentations underscored the importance of joint training schools and thematic research networks in building long-term capacity and fostering impactful academic partnerships.

The conference also followed the recent signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SARUA and Stellenbosch 肆客足球. This partnership has formalised deeper cooperation in the sector and led to the establishment of SARUA¡¯s operations office at Stellenbosch 肆客足球, providing the Association with a strengthened institutional base and enhanced operational support.

With a shared commitment to innovation, inclusion, and sustainable development, SARUA¡¯s inaugural conference laid the foundation for stronger regional cooperation in higher education¡ªdriven by African solutions for African challenges.

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Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU) researchers are playing a leading role in a global trial investigating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis. The project aims to develop and test an algorithm that will enable healthcare workers at primary care facilities to detect likely TB cases using a handheld ultrasound device and smartphone.

¡°TB remains the world's deadliest infectious disease, yet it is massively underdiagnosed," explains Prof Grant Theron, professor in Clinical Mycobacteriology and Epidemiology at SU and the trial coordinator. ¡°A major challenge is that we often test the wrong people at the wrong time. Many patients undergo unnecessary testing, while others who desperately need it never receive proper screening. There's an urgent need for accessible, affordable, and scalable diagnostic tools for TB triage."

The project, titled 'Computer assisted diagnosis with lung ultrasound for community based pulmonary tuberculosis triage in Benin, Mali and South Africa' (CAD LUS4TB), involves a consortium of 10 health and research institutions across Africa and Europe. The European Union's Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertakings has provided €10 million (over R200 million) in funding.

The study will include 3 000 adult patients to investigate ultrasound-led TB recognition using AI in TB triage and management. The goal is to improve access to TB screening that can rule out TB disease among symptomatic adult patients at the primary healthcare level.

"Point-of-care lung ultrasound employs sensitive, handheld imaging devices capable of detecting body abnormalities, including those characteristic of TB," Theron explains. "Previously, this technology was limited by the need for specialised expertise to interpret images. However, AI now offers unprecedented opportunities to automate image classification, allowing minimally trained health workers to quickly and easily determine which patients require further testing. CAD LUS4TB therefore introduces a much-needed, specimen-free diagnostic test in the fight against TB."

In collaboration with European partners, SU will also develop and validate the machine learning algorithms with the involvement of Prof Thomas Niesler's Digital Signal Processing group in SU's Faculty of Engineering. Researchers will develop the novel algorithm to be compatible with portable ultrasound devices that connect to smartphones. The technology will automatically assess ultrasound images for TB indicators and will be packaged into a user-friendly mobile application for widespread deployment.

The project begins on September 1, 2025, under the co-leadership of Dr Veronique Suttels from The Swiss Federal Technology Institute of Lausanne Laboratory for Intelligent Global Health and Humanitarian Technologies, and Prof Ablo Prudence Wachinou from the National Teaching Centre for Pneumology & Tuberculosis in Benin.

The CAD LUS4TB consortium focuses on generating population-specific evidence and advocating for the integration of computer-assisted diagnosis (CAD) using AI to support the implementation of lung ultrasound in healthcare policy. 

Caption : A doct?or at the national teaching hospital for pneumology & tuberculosis in Cotonou, Benin performs a tablet-connected ultrasound on a symptomatic patient. CAD LUS4TB investigates AI-assisted image analysis to enable early detection of tuberculosis.

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YOUTH MONTH

This Youth Month, we're celebrating students who are driving positive change on campus, in their communities and beyond. Through their leadership, compassion and commitment, they are helping to build a better future for South Africa. These profiles highlight the impact and energy of a new generation of changemakers at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU).

Aidan Fletcher's story is one of quiet strength and striking contrasts. He is a soft-spoken, kind-hearted theology student whose days are now devoted to pastoral care, community upliftment and creating spaces of healing. But behind the calm exterior lies a turbulent past ¨C he grew up in Bishop Lavis on the Cape Flats, the son of a gangster, surrounded by poverty, violence and loss.

Now 23 and pursuing a master's degree in practical theology (MTh Clinical Pastorate) at SU, Fletcher rose above challenging circumstances, guided by his mother's unwavering resilience and the sanctuary he found in faith. ¡°My mom always said no matter what is going on around you, the church will always be there for you. That sense of security and community inspired me to study theology," Fletcher shares.

After matriculating in 2019, his future was uncertain, and he took a gap year, working at Checkers Hyper in N1 City to help support his family. His mother, Glenda, a factory worker, walked kilometres to work. Her strength laid the foundation for his drive to pursue education as a tool for transformation.

¡°I knew university was going to be difficult, but I also knew it would give me an opportunity to make something of myself," he says. ¡°I wanted to break away from a life where you always have to look over your shoulder."

Giving back to Bishop Lavis

Today, Fletcher works at the intersection of theology and social upliftment. As a key member of the SLEAK Programme (Skills, Learning and Educational Activities for Kids), he returns to Bishop Lavis weekly to run life-skills sessions for high-risk children. The programme, a collaboration between the Department of Theology, the Division of Occupational Therapy and Maties Sport, equips learners with resilience, communication and basic work-readiness skills.

¡°I hear stories that are so similar to mine," Fletcher says. ¡°Because I understand the community, I know what these kids are going through. I know why some carry shame or anger, or why they're afraid to talk about certain things."

Fletcher brings more than knowledge to each two-hour session. He brings lived experience and emotional insight. ¡°It speaks to my heart. I put everything I can into those sessions."

Beyond Bishop Lavis, Fletcher's impact extends across campus. He served as a facilitator in the Leadership for Social Justice Programme, a joint initiative between SU International and the Frederik van Zyl Slabbert Institute. There, he shared his personal story with visiting American students, reflecting on democracy, identity and inequality in South Africa. He now mentors in the Bystander Effect in Democracy Programme, helping students to find their voice and sense of purpose.

Fletcher also serves on the Zero Hunger sub-committee of UNASA (the United Nations Association of South Africa) and regularly mentors students in SU's men's residences. ¡°I prefer informal engagements or one-on-one conversations. That's where people feel free to open up. You can talk about deep stuff or just play football and relax together and create community."

His goal, he says, is to offer a counter-narrative to the toxic masculinity and silence that so often shape young men's lives. ¡°I feel strongly that young men need positive role models, they need to be exposed to the idea that a better life is possible and within their reach. I come from a generation where for many of us, our fathers were absent. I've had to learn to forgive my father for not being there for me, because I know he didn't have a positive role model. I want to create spaces where young men can express themselves without feeling shame or fear."

Finding community and joy

One of the pivotal figures in Fletcher's life has been his former mathematics teacher, Ashley Young, who studied at SU himself. It was Young who first introduced Fletcher to the idea of higher education, taking him to an SU Open Day while he was still in Grade 11. ¡°That was the moment that changed my world," Fletcher recalls. ¡°Something switched on in my brain. I knew I wanted to study here."

After school, Young continued to support him ¨C helping him secure a place in a residence, providing transport when needed, and becoming a steadfast mentor. In the absence of a father figure, Young's support helped carry Fletcher through a critical transition in his life.

Asked what keeps him going, Fletcher credits the leaders and peers who surround him. ¡°I'm motivated by the goodwill and energy of the people I work with in my different roles. If they're willing to try, I also need to be willing to try to make a difference. I'm starting to realise my years at SU are coming to an end. I want to make the most of every day and use all the wonderful resources we have on campus."

Fletcher currently lives at Huis Russel Botman, a residence he describes as full of energy and purpose. ¡°Everybody is out there doing amazing things. They're not just sitting in their rooms. That also inspires me."

He says while he takes his academic and leadership responsibilities seriously, what he enjoys most is simply being on campus ¨C spending time with friends, sharing laughs and soaking in the everyday joy of student life. ¡°That's the best part of being a Matie!" he says with a smile.

Advice for others

His message to students who want to make a difference is to firstly cultivate self-confidence. ¡°Do the best with what you have. You have to believe in yourself. You must have faith in a higher power as well. You must have the conviction that what you're doing will have a positive effect. You might not always see the results. But you plant seeds. And sometimes, that's enough."

He also urges students to be proactive. ¡°Reach out to organisations on campus and show your willingness to be involved and lead. Dr Heidi October of the Frederik van Zyl Slabbert Institute often reminds us that leadership is not a job ¨C it's a calling that means you are committed to it fulltime and in every aspect of your life. You don't clock out when the going gets tough. You must actively cultivate the confidence to step up and contribute."

PHOTO: Stefan Els
GRAPHIC: Geola Bergman?

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In the plight of global environmental change, the study of ecotones is gaining traction in the scientific community.

Ecotones are spatially complex transition zones that occur between distinct plant communities. Here, plant species are at their ecophysiological limits due to changes in suitable environmental conditions such as climate and soil. Because of this heightened sensitivity, researchers are increasingly recognising the role ecotones could play in biodiversity conservation, potentially, acting as indicators of global environmental change.

Historically, studying ecotones presented scientific challenges due to their inherent dynamic spatial structure, data and methodological limitations. Notably, advances in spatial tools and techniques including GIS and remote sensing and spatial statistics, have afforded researchers the opportunity to locate and quantify ecotones across landscapes globally. However, these techniques typically neglect quantifying other defining characteristics, such as the spatial structure of ecotones, which notably shapes their adjacent plant communities.

Since ecotones are seldomly linear in structure, in our newly released study led by Dr Thina Ncube (On the Fractal Dimension of Ecotones Among African Vascular Plants) ¨C a collaboration between the 肆客足球 of Stellenbosch in South Africa, the 肆客足球 of Lincoln in New Zealand and the School of Geography at the 肆客足球 of Leeds combined two key techniques, the first being the application of a fractal dimension and second, statistical analyses. 

There are several reasons for taking this approach, we wanted to find out if a fractal dimension (a measure of structural complexity in irregularly shaped features) could be of use in characterising the shape of ecotones. Through our statistical analyses, we intended to explore the relationships between the resulting fractal dimensions of the ecotones and a suite of environmental factors. Our findings revealed the overall usefulness of this approach and suggest its use in initiatives aimed at tracking shifts in plant biodiversity in Africa, and beyond.

A related version of this article is available on (Exploring fractal patterns in African ecotones), where we explore the topic from a broader perspective.

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?In celebration of Youth Month, the Young Alumni Programme (YAP) at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU) is showcasing our incredible young alumni. Meet some of our remarkable Maties, all under the age of 35, who are using the knowledge and skills they gained at SU to push boundaries and make a real impact across various fields.

Meet Rochelle Hellens ¨C the soft skills superhero who's flipping the script on business as usual, proving that empathy and connection are the true power moves.

After surviving the corporate rollercoaster and facing retrenchment, Rochelle launched Soft Serve Consulting in February 2024 ¨C with a fresh, people-first approach. This is helping her clients focus on their ?core functions ¨C oil, gas, offshore wind energy and sugar cane ¨C while she tackles the creative side of things, helping them thrive. She does all this with her husband as her sounding board and brainstorming partner, she says.

Rochelle's journey began at Stellenbosch 肆客足球, where she initially studied Sports Science before switching to a BA and graduating in 2011. Those university years laid the foundation for her love of learning and understanding people ¨C skills she now uses every day in her business, she says.

Growing up in Pietermaritzburg, Rochelle jokes she's ¡°from the place you stop for a Coke on your way to the beach". But that small-town vibe gave her a big heart and a deep love for community. After years away, she moved back to KwaZulu-Natal, craving the warmth and connection she grew up with. ¡°Since moving back, my life feels like it's both settled and taking off at the same time," she says. That balance of calm and momentum is exactly how she runs her business ¨C grounded, yet always pushing forward.

Soft Serve Consulting is more than a job for Rochelle ¨C it's her mission. ¡°I want people to feel heard, to take a big exhale, and know things are in good hands," she says. Her secret sauce? A background as a mental health professional and yoga therapist. This knowledge helps her read between the lines. ¡°Thoughts create momentum and behaviour, which dictate our actions," she explains. This means she doesn't just manage resources ¨C she connects founders and creative teams in ways that make sense and spark real results.

Rochelle's journey hasn't been smooth sailing. Fourteen years in corporate roles ended with a retrenchment during a global market crash. But instead of folding, she leaned in. ¡°It took a lot of grit, trust, and humility to get here," she admits. That experience fuels her passion to help founders grow their business ¡°by focusing on what they do best, while clearing the path for them". Because when teams communicate better and stress less, productivity and innovation soar, she believes. ¡°By helping businesses manage their resources more effectively, I believe we're contributing to a healthier South African economy," Rochelle says.

She sees her generation as shaped by extremes but ready to build a future full of hope. ¡°The future belongs to those who move forward with positivity." Her hope? To create a cycle where success breeds more success, with entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs, she says.

And for anyone thinking about starting out, Rochelle's advice is simple: ¡°You're not on fire. Don't wait for perfect conditions. Start, evolve, ask for help, and keep your chin up."

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"When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion."

With these powerful words from an Ethiopian proverb, Prof Thuli Madonsela once again wove meaning and unity into the moment - this time at the 4th Annual #Action4Inclusion Social Justice Walk on Youth Day, 16 June 2025. As always, her choice of words reminded us that when we stand together, we can overcome even the most significant challenges in the true spirit of Ubuntu.

This year, about eighty people from Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU), the various communities in town, students, staff and participants from as far as Johannesburg joined the Social Justice Walk. The walk, which links the commemoration of June 16 with #action4Inclusion, a fundraising effort to end student debt as a barrier to graduating from university, is a joint initiative of Visit Stellenbosch and the SU Centre for Social Justice. As usual, participants completed the 13km route to Kylemore, reduced from 16km due to a storm-damaged bridge at Pniel. The walk started from Die Stal at Coetzenburg to Kylemore, past the Old Main Building, the L¨¹ckhoff School and via Ida's Valley on the historic Old Helshoogte Pass.

The mission is to connect enthusiastic, diverse participants in supporting students who cannot register for the next academic year due to outstanding fees and graduates who are unable to access their academic records upon graduation.

The walk was co-led by Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, SU's new Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Council Chairperson Dr Nicky Newton-King, Stellenbosch's Executive Mayor, Jeremy Fasser, and the Student Representative Council (SRC) chairperson, Roceshia Februarie, who welcomed everybody, reminding them that no student should be left behind because of debt.

"It's an absolute privilege and pleasure to join you this morning on this walk ¨C a walk that symbolises a journey, not only for our country but also for us at Stellenbosch 肆客足球," said Prof Ramjugernath in his reflection on the legacy of the 1976 Soweto Uprising and the ongoing role of youth activism in shaping a just South African society.

"Today, we walk alongside our students, staff, alumni and community members in meaningful action for inclusion," he said. "The spirit of 16 June reminds us that youth activism remains as vital today as it was 49 years ago. Some may call it resistance ¨C but it's really about activism."

"Our students are challenging us to do better, to build institutions that reflect the values of justice, inclusion, but importantly, of shared humanity. And I think that is critical. So, the walk we undertake today is both symbolic and deeply meaningful. It hopefully reflects our collective commitment to supporting students throughout their academic journeys in higher education. By participating in this initiative, we help remove some of those financial obstacles that they may face, and that may disrupt them on this journey that they are taking."

"While this walk is symbolic of a journey and a purpose, let us walk with a memory of those who came before us. Let us walk forward. Let's walk together towards a future where no student is excluded, no voice is silenced and hopefully, no dream will be deferred," said Prof Ramjugernath during one of the symbolic stops in front of the Old Main Building.

Here, where the impressive installation of SU's Constitution stands tall, Thembatlethu Seyisi, a researcher at the Centre for Social Justice and one of the champions of this walk, read the preamble to our Constitution, followed by the singing of the national anthem ¨C a tradition deeply embedded in this walk.

At the L¨¹ckhoff School, participants could each choose a rock with a cutting of a spekboom tied to it, which they carried for the rest of the walk ¨C symbolic of the burden those who were forced to vacate their beloved school in 1969 as a result of the Group Areas Act of 1950 and relocate them to the new L¨¹ckhoff School in Ida's Valley, some carrying their benches as they left.

Speaking in front of the historic School building that is now the SU Centre of Social Impact, mayor Fasser reflected on the pain and resilience rooted in the town's past. Once a hub of learning and community, the school's closure under the Group Areas Act left a deep wound in the collective memory of Stellenbosch's previously disadvantaged communities. "It was not just the end of an academic chapter but a wound in the soul of our town," he said. Yet, the message was ultimately one of hope and commitment: "This morning, we affirm that the injustices of the past will not define our future. Stellenbosch is committed to walking a different path ¨C one grounded in equity, inclusion and redress."

From here, the group walked up the Old Helshoogte Road to the Ida's Valley Reserve, where members of the community treated the participants with light refreshments, warm tea and a welcome by community leader Eon Hendrikse, who acknowledged the importance of Youth Day and the role of the community in shaping the future of the youth. A group of youth also participated in creating beaded bracelets for all the participants, with a special message for Youth Day attached.

Towards the highest point of the walk, close to the top of the Old Helshoogte Pass, staff from Visit Stellenbosch endured the sudden rain to treat the participants with roosterkoek and juice, wishing them well on the last stretch of the walk through the Zorgvliet wine estate. Here, at what is called the "slave tree", the participants learned that this was a site where enslaved people were gathered, punished, or displayed during the time of Dutch and British colonial rule in the Cape. The tree is a living witness to the Cape's slavery past, a silent monument to the lives and suffering of the enslaved, and a symbolic touchpoint for truth-telling, healing and reflection in post-apartheid South Africa.

The group finished the walk at the Bethlehem Farm in Kylemore, where Prof Madonsela and Dr Newton-King thanked the participants and presented each with a medal for completing this walk of remembrance.

Drawing from personal experience, Prof Madonsela recalled arriving at university with only a suitcase, relying on the kindness of strangers and the support of fellow students. "It's painful for me as somebody who never had to pay for my education from Grade 11 onwards to see young people denied education by economic deprivation. I feel we have failed young people. Despite working hard and achieving good grades, many students are still locked out of university simply because they can't afford it. As I did, some come here not knowing where they're going to sleep and what they're going to eat - just hoping some grown-up somewhere is going to solve that problem."

Among those she thanked, Prof Madonsela acknowledged Daniella Takis, the young author of Lolla the Spy Dog, for generously donating a portion of her book sales to support #Action4Inclusion.

If you want to donate to this worthy cause, please click this link

Photo credit: Simba Pondani

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??South Africans celebrated Youth Day on Monday 16 June. In opinion pieces for the media, students and staff at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 wrote about young people as social justice champions, the impact of unemployment on the mental health of the youth, and students' views on misinformation. Click on the links below to read the articles as published.

• Liam Gillesen (Empowering South African youth: The importance of engaging in social justice ¡ª Weekend Argus)
  

• Senzakahle Mazibuko (The future is now: A call to SA's youth to build social justice ¡ª Mail & Guardian)

• Hakeemah Matinka (Youth must be social justice champions ¡ª Daily News)
  

• Abigail Larsen (Why the youth should champion social justice ¡ª Cape Times)?
  

• Dr Stefani du Toit (The devastating impact of unemployment on the mental health of SA's young people ¡ª Daily Maverick)

• Prof Herman Wasserman & Dr Dani Madrid-Morales (Students' views on misinformation: Cynicism or scepticism? ¡ª 肆客足球 World News)

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?YOUTH MONTH

This Youth Month, we're celebrating students who are driving positive change on campus, in their communities and beyond. Through their leadership, compassion and commitment, they are helping to build a better future for South Africa. These profiles highlight the impact and energy of a new generation of changemakers at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU).

Ornela Meri knows what it means to fight for a future in unfamiliar territory. A refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), she was six years old when she and her family arrived in South Africa in 2009, seeking safety from armed conflict in the eastern region of her home country. Today, she is an undergraduate student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at SU, Chairperson of SU's Refugee and Asylum Seekers Support Network (SU-RASN), and a passionate advocate for students like her who are working hard to belong, succeed and be heard.

When her family fled the violence in the DRC, Meri's father came to South Africa first, and she and the rest of the family followed soon after. Though grateful to be in a safer place, she remembers the transition as challenging. ¡°Initially the biggest challenge I experienced in South Africa was language," she says. But by Grade 3, she was excelling ¨C even earning a certificate for English.

Overcoming obstacles, embracing opportunities

¡°From a young age, my family ¨C especially my grandmothers and aunts ¨C engrained a love of our culture and language in us," she explains. ¡°When we initially struggled to adapt to our new life in South Africa, my family got strength from our strong Christian faith." Now, she proudly speaks five languages and gives back through music and service. She is a gospel singer/songwriter, writes poetry and short stories, and serves as a Sunday school teacher and youth advisor in her church community.

Coming to SU, Meri actively sought out ways to contribute. ¡°I have always looked for ways to motivate and give back to people of this nation," she says. ¡°I have been part of several leadership positions which I strongly feel contributes to a better university and student community."

Meri currently serves as Chairperson of SU-RASN ¨C a student-led platform advocating for refugee and asylum seeker students. This platform has been a massive help for people like her, she explains. ¡°It has helped us to fully obtain the support and assistance that South Africa and our Institution has made available for all."

The network, supported by SU International, brings together students who had previously felt isolated. ¡°For the very first time at SU we now have a community that stands to represent such students," says Meri. ¡°We are motivated to empower other students to also become bolder through advocacy, awareness and networking opportunities."

She credits her team ¨C Vice-chairperson Victor Makusha, Secretary Joyce Ndanda, and Event Planner Manella Mutombo Mukangwa ¨C for their shared commitment to the cause. ¡°The team is so resilient. At times they forget that they are students with other priorities!"

Giving back to South Africa

In South Africa refugees and asylum seekers are sometimes treated with suspicion, Meri notes. ¡°People tend to perceive refugees as taking opportunities away from locals, but the truth is we want to contribute to South Africa so that we can build security for ourselves and South Africans. We want to give back to the country."

She is deeply aware of the systemic barriers refugee students face ¨C from limited job opportunities on campus to ineligibility for funding and bursaries. ¡°Some of us have been living in South Africa for 20 years or more, but systemic issues sometimes make us feel like outsiders."

Meri says she doesn't take the privilege of being able to study for granted. ¡°Stellenbosch 肆客足球 is one of the top universities in Africa. For me its motto, 'Forward Together', is very meaningful. When we say 'Forward Together' it applies to all of us. No student should be left behind because they were not born here. Refugees and asylum seekers deserve to be heard and to feel welcome. This is our home away from home.

¡°We want to use the amazing opportunities we get here for good ¨C we want to develop ourselves to contribute to society. Some of us will go back to become leaders in our communities. We are all Africans, and we should be united."

A future built on faith

What she wants others to know about people like her is simple, but powerful: ¡°Refugees and asylum seekers are driven to succeed and be resilient because of the difficult circumstances we come from. We are very hard-working. We don't just want to survive; we want to thrive."

For Meri, her faith remains the foundation of her resilience. ¡°Every time I feel like giving up or when things burden me, I reach out and speak to God, who gives me strength."

She is passionate about writing and hopes to become a journalist, giving a voice to others. Meri envisions returning to the DRC one day, using writing as a tool to shed light on the ongoing struggles in her home region. ¡°My people are crying, people are dying. My heart breaks for them," she says. ¡°I would like to use my voice to make a difference ¨C whether that means I go back or do advocacy for my people from elsewhere."

PHOTO: Stefan Els
GRAPHIC: Geola Bergman?
 

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??YOUTH MONTH

This Youth Month, we're celebrating students who are driving positive change on campus, in their communities and beyond. Through their leadership, compassion and commitment, they are helping to build a better future for South Africa. These profiles highlight the impact and energy of a new generation of changemakers at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU).

For Caroline Wallington, the link between ecology and justice is not theoretical. As a PhD candidate at SU's Centre for Sustainability Transitions (CST), her academic work focuses on social-ecological regime shifts, but her interests stretch far beyond research. From wetlands to waste, from education to community upliftment, Wallington has made it her mission to live out her values in both public and private ways.

¡°I've become extremely connected to and passionate about sustainability and social-ecological systems, including all their inherent complexity," she says. Her work explores how abrupt changes in ecosystems ¨C called regime shifts ¨C impact biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human wellbeing. ¡°I'm also particularly interested in wetlands and seemingly small things that make a big impact on the wellbeing of people's livelihoods."

Wallington holds degrees from the 肆客足球 of Cape Town and the 肆客足球 of the Witwatersrand, and is a registered professional natural scientist in ecological science. Before returning to academia, she worked in environmental impact assessments, where she specialised in wetland ecology, biodiversity management and land rehabilitation. This practical experience sharpened her systems-thinking perspective, something she now applies in activism as well.

Advocacy in action

Wallington is currently involved as an expert in a Water Tribunal case challenging a proposed water use license by Keysource Minerals (previously CONSOL Glass) in the Philippi Horticultural Area. Volunteering her expertise, she supports the Department of Water and Sanitation's rejection of the license, which has already been turned down twice. The case has been ongoing for nearly two years.

¡°This has been tiresome work," she admits. ¡°It requires me to review various resources and write legally binding reports detailing my expert opinion, as well as join specialist meetings to try and reach some common ground and agreement." The process is still underway, and Wallington is expected to testify at the next round of hearings. She hopes her contribution to the Water Tribunal process will help clarify this complex case. She strives to build on the insights she gained and use them to support others in similar contexts in future.

Wallington also supports community upliftment initiatives in the Lowveld. Together with her close friend Mashau Praising Mabunda, who is a Tsonga food activist, she is helping to grow an NGO, Xigugu Royalty, around a traditional product called Xigugu, a peanut butter-style blend of roasted peanuts and corn. ¡°While this is built around a simple product, the idea is to grow it into a diverse community upliftment NGO based in Cork, which is on the way to the Kruger National Park."

Her most personal project is the educational support she has given to Dudu Lubisi, who she has known since she was 2 years old. The teenager is the grandniece of Sesi Maria Sando, the woman who helped raise Wallington and her three brothers in Mpumalanga. ¡°Maria was truly far more than a domestic worker to all of us, but especially me. I referred to her as my Zulu mom. We had a uniquely special friendship and I spent time in her home in Kabokweni many times."

Wallington made a commitment to ensure Dudu received  a good high school education. Despite financial constraints, Wallington ensured Dudu completed matric, even receiving help from family to help Dudu finish school. She now continues to mentor the young girl through the next chapter of her life, especially since the very sad and sudden loss of Maria a few years ago. Wallington hopes Dudu will be the first of many young people she helps access education, honouring Maria's legacy and her own lifelong belief in education as a tool for empowerment.

Staying the course

Wallington says her passion for helping others is partly due to her personality type as an ¡°adaptive peacemaker", but also due to gratitude. ¡°I have been privileged to have a very strong, stable upbringing with a good education and good mentors, despite also experiencing normal hardships that come with childhood and big families."

The biggest reward for Wallington is knowing that she is living according to her values, beliefs and core ethics, even if it is sometimes challenging. ¡°I think it also comes from the knowledge that no matter how hard things are for me, the people I am trying to help have it way worse. At times when I have considered stopping or quitting, I have imagined myself in the future looking back on that decision, and I have known in my heart I would regret it and feel very disappointed in myself."

While people have sometimes urged her to scale back her generosity, Wallington holds firm. Despite ongoing financial challenges, she stays dedicated to making a difference, believing she can ¨C and will ¨C do even more in future. She draws strength from her family and mentors, especially her mother and her late ¡°Zulu mom", Maria. ¡°I miss her dearly, as I was hoping to do much more with her in the future when she retired."

Wallington believes that even the smallest actions can make a meaningful difference. ¡°It can be overwhelming once you open yourself up to the enormity of help that is needed all around us, so a certain resilience is needed to withstand that emotional trauma and pressure.

¡°Some days that feeling is extremely overwhelming, and most other days it is manageable. Even something as simple as rinsing out your recyclables so that the person collecting your rubbish does not have to deal with dirty plastics is worth doing. Just smiling and acknowledging the existence of beggars on the side of the road when you have nothing to give them is worth doing. Even giving people lifts when it is slightly out of your way is worth doing in a country with poor public transport."

PHOTO: Stefan Els
GRAPHIC: Geola Bergman

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YOUTH MONTH
This Youth Month, we're celebrating students who are driving positive change on campus, in their communities and beyond. Through their leadership, compassion and commitment, they are helping to build a better future for South Africa. These profiles highlight the impact and energy of a new generation of changemakers at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU).

When Revando van Wyk, a third-year education student at SU, recently stood in front of a high school class, encouraging learners to believe in their ability to lead, it was not from a place of distant idealism. Just a few years earlier, he had walked a path few in that room could imagine. Caught up in drugs as a teenager in Malmesbury, he watched his brother fall victim to the same spiral. His brother's death became a devastating wake-up call.

¡°I felt lost and unworthy," Van Wyk describes his teenage years. ¡°I attempted suicide more than once." Raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide for him and his brother, he knew that if he didn't change course, he would break her. One day, staring at his reflection in the mirror, he took a decision that would change everything: ¡°This isn't the end. I won't be a follower anymore. I'll lead," he told himself.

That decision ¨C born not of confidence but of desperation ¨C set Van Wyk on a path of deep transformation. He changed schools, found leadership opportunities, and slowly began rebuilding his life. Now a dynamic and respected student leader at SU, he is using his story to show others that healing is possible and that past mistakes should not determine their future.

'You can be the impact'

Van Wyk is currently Vice-Chairperson of the Education Student Committee at SU and  assists fellow students facing academic challenges and navigating university life. It is a role he approaches with deep empathy and commitment.

Off campus, he collaborates with high schools on the West Coast, running leadership workshops for Representative Councils of Learners. He teaches public speaking, helps learners reflect on real-world issues and, most importantly, challenges them to believe in their own agency. ¡°You don't need money or power to make an impact," he tells them. ¡°You can be the impact."

Van Wyk also assists Grade 12 learners with university applications ¨C something he once had to navigate entirely on his own. He recalls how overwhelming, confusing and lonely the process felt, and now works to ensure that others don't have to face the same struggle.

He wants young people to believe in the power of their own voices, Van Wyk says. ¡°I want them to realise that no matter where you come from, no matter what you've been through, you can lead, and you can rise. My work is about planting seeds in young minds, showing them that leadership is not about titles; it's about courage. I remind them that they don't have to wait for someone else to come and save their community." 

Carrying his story with pride

Van Wyk's leadership has never been flashy. On campus he is known as a thoughtful and humble role model. In addition to his mentoring and social impact work, last year SU's International Office presented him with a life-changing opportunity to travel to Italy. It was an experience he will never forget, Van Wyk says. ¡°I always thought travelling overseas was only for certain people, but there I was, standing in another country, carrying my story with pride!"

Still, one of his proudest achievements is far more personal. He saved the money he earned from working in the International Office to install an indoor toilet for his family ¨C a long-overdue upgrade from the outside toilet they had used for years. ¡°It may sound small, but for us, it was huge. It meant dignity. It meant change."

Van Wyk is the first in his family to attend university, a milestone that carries both pride and pressure. When things get hard, he grounds himself in that legacy. ¡°I say to myself: 'Onthou jou naam, Van Wyk.' ('Remember your name, Van Wyk.') It's a reminder of who I am, of the family I represent and of the legacy I want to leave behind."

He credits his mother, Lena Van Wyk, as his anchor. ¡°Even when life got hard, when she had every reason to give up, she didn't," he says. ¡°I carry her strength in everything I do. I'm also blessed with friends who constantly remind me of who I am and campus staff members who never tire of answering my questions and guiding me through every stage of this journey. Without them, I wouldn't be here."

Asked what advice he would give to other students who want to make a positive impact but don't know where to start, Van Wyk doesn't hesitate before he answers. ¡°Don't wait for inspiration. Be the inspiration. You don't need to have all the answers. Just start asking the right questions, someone will point you in the right direction. And most importantly, don't take a 'no' as the end of the road. Let it shape you, not stop you. Your voice matters. Your story matters. And someone, somewhere, is waiting for you to rise so that they can believe they can too."

PHOTO: Stefan Els
GRAPHIC: Geola Bergman?

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