After 35 years of unwavering service to Stellenbosch University (SU), Johan van Rooyen, Manager of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences’ Computer User Area (FHARGA), is bidding a modest farewell. True to his nature, he remains a man of few words, reluctant to speak about himself. Yet his impact on generations of students and colleagues speaks volumes.

Early years and an unexpected path

Johan matriculated from Vredendal High School before completing his compulsory military service in the South African Air Force. After basic training at the Air Force Gymnasium in Valhalla, he was stationed at Langebaanweg.

He later enrolled for electronic engineering at SU, before shifting direction and pursuing a BAcc degree. At the end of his third year in 1989, Accounting Lecturer Prof Quintus Vorster approached him with an unexpected offer: a technical position in the then Department of Accounting.

By then Johan had already met Johanna, his other half. They married in 1986, and Johan worked part-time as a bus driver for JP du Preez Transport Services to help make ends meet. Today they are the proud parents of two sons – one who followed his father into the world of information technology, and another who works at the historic Babylonstoren farm near Simonsberg.

From technical assistant to FHARGA’s first manager

In February 1990 Johan took up Prof Vorster’s offer, becoming a permanent staff member within a year. His role was as broad as it was demanding and included assisting with practical classes in the computer facilities of the Department and helping with computer maintenance.

Having obtained his Honours degree in Financial Accounting (BAccHons) in 1993, he became a part-time lecturer in Information Systems and technical assistant at FHARGA (1994-2005).

“It was an extremely busy time,” he recalls. “There was only one of me, and the lecturing came with stacks of marking.”

When Prof Johan Matthee, then Chair of the Department of Accounting, asked him to draft a job description based on his duties, Johan joked that he’d love the position but suspected the remuneration wouldn’t match the workload. Prof Matthee famously replied, “Write your cheque.” Johan laughs that he might have been more ambitious financially, but he became the first Manager of FHARGA, a milestone that shaped the future of computing in the Faculty.

Building the computer user areas

The 1990s brought explosive growth as computer facilities expanded from 80 to more than 300 devices. User areas stretched along the Victoria Street side of the top floor of the Van Der Sterr building, with two more on the ground floor.

“Student use was more structured back then, and the areas closed after hours,” Johan explains. “It was only in the late 1990s, once we had access control, that they became 24/7 spaces – except, of course, during maintenance.”

When Prof Matthee became Dean in 1996, FHARGA officially moved to the Dean’s Office, centralising computer services for every department in the Faculty.

The FHARGA facilities we know on the top floor of the Neelsie were constructed in 2013. By then the FHARGA team had grown to five staff members, and the computing environment had advanced far beyond Johan’s student days, when programming meant punching cards to calculate the first 100 prime numbers and hoping for printouts the next morning.

“After the addition of the computer facilities in the Jan Mouton Learning Centre, the Faculty now has more than 1 000 computers in its various computer centres,” Johan remarks. 

Memories of Neelsie – and an uitsmijter for under R1

Johan fondly remembers the Neelsie of the 1980s, where hungry students survived on the famous subsidised uitsmijter: a slice of bread topped with ham and a fried egg, plus a generous helping of chips. “You could buy an uitsmijter for under R1,” he says with a smile.

“The best part of my job has always been that there’s something new and exciting happening,” Johan says. “We have to stay innovative and adapt to constantly changing IT requirements.”

He speaks warmly of his colleagues: “I work with young people. And then there’s my team – the support I’ve had from them has been unbelievable.”

Johan is known for his willingness to help anyone. “It’s the best feeling – knowing you helped someone else,” he says. His philosophy is simple: get involved, even when something isn’t technically part of your job. “It usually helps to make things better.”

Looking ahead

Johan has no rigid retirement plan. “At SU my life was extremely organised, demanding and deadline-driven. My personal life, where organised chaos reigns, has always been my escape.”

One thing he is certain about: retirement won’t be spent seated behind a home computer. “If I’m on it at home, it’s because I’m researching something or building something, like an electronic circuit.”

Beyond that, Johan looks forward to enjoying his many hobbies: fishing, exploring the outdoors, woodworking and spending time with family and friends in Upington, Mossel Bay, Plettenberg Bay and at home.

A fond farewell

The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences extends heartfelt thanks to Johan for his decades of dedication, leadership and quiet strength. His wisdom, institutional knowledge and kindness have enriched the lives of many.

Thank you, Johan. You will be deeply missed, and warmly remembered. We wish you a joyful, fulfilling and well-deserved retirement.