Impact
Keagan Diab found a new purpose after losing her Olympic dream
The injured rugby player lay on the ground in obvious pain with a broken leg. Around him, a group of inexperienced first aiders were beginning to panic. For...
Impact
Justin de Villiers leads with empathy, not ego
Standing in front of a room full of students and asking them to vote for you is not everyone’s idea of fun. For Justin de Villiers, it was one of the most nerve...
Impact
Nelly Vilakazi is paying forward every act of kindness she received
Nelly Vilakazi arrived at Stellenbosch University (SU) in 2022 with a suitcase, a few items of clothing and a blanket. In her pocket was R1 500. Behind her lay...
Impact
James Taylor finds meaning in brains, beauty and hermit crabs
When James Taylor arrived at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI) on the Tygerberg campus at the beginning of 2025, he burst into...
Agriculture and food sciences
Postharvest fruit physiology research chair
Leaders in the South African fruit industry believe that the creation of the new Post-Harvest Physiology Research Chair in Deciduous Fruit at Stellenbosch...
Agriculture and food sciences
First Lady of fruit retires
Prof Karin Theron, since 2014 the Hortgro Research Chair in Applied Pre-harvest Decidious Fruit Research in the Department of Horticultural Science, has retired...
Impact
Alwaba Tom creates safe spaces for students to grow
For much of his childhood in the Eastern Cape, silence filled the small home where Alwaba Tom grew up. Encouragement was scarce. Money was tight. His...
Impact
For Haki Sebina the sky is the limit
For Haki Sebina, coming to Stellenbosch University (SU) was not simply about earning a degree. It was about discovering who she could become, authentically...
Impact
Lwandisile Mhlanga is passionate about empowering students to thrive
In 2020, Lwandisile Mhlanga arrived at Stellenbosch University (SU) from Orange Farm near Johannesburg with little more than a suitcase and the determination to...
Impact
Lateefah Matinka is making overlooked futures visible
Lateefah Matinka is living testimony that young people from overlooked backgrounds can occupy and reshape educational spaces. For the dynamic young woman, this...