Appreciation, support, loyalty, commitment and the positive difference we can make if we stand together. That was the overall theme of an event on Thursday afternoon to honour Stellenbosch University staff members who have been making financial contributions to the University.

Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of SU, said he was grateful for the opportunity to give personal thanks to these staff donors and emphasised the power of individual giving. "Whether you've been giving for years – or have just started giving – I would like to say thank you.

"It means a lot. Even if it's just R50 a month, it amounts to something. If every staff member gave R50 a month, that would equate to R175 000 every month. That's more than enough to take care of one student's full year costs," Prof De Villers said.

He added: "That's the power of individual giving – great or small, the collective coming together of passion, coupled with resources, has great power to move this University forward. As staff members, your financial investment is a sign that you believe in the vision of SU and you are committed to its future. Trust me, that means the world to me, knowing that there are colleagues who share my passion for what we can achieve together."

Prof De Villiers said the institution has a significant responsibility to deliver qualified graduates for the country who can go on and make a contribution to our economy. "This year we'll be awarding about 8 000 degrees and diplomas, and you have played a huge role in that. If we care about this country and its people, then education is the answer. Definitely the best investment any of us can make," he told the staff donors.

Prof Sadulla Karjiker, and Ms Silke de Lange, from SU's Law Faculty  are some of the staff members who are keen to start making a difference by giving back. "It does not matter what our opinions on the student protests are, the fact remains that there is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. These students need financial assistance to get an education," said Prof Karjiker, the holder of the Anton Mostert Chair in Intellectual Property Law.

"So I thought, how could I help, even in some small measure?" he added.

Prof Karjiker has therefore embarked on a mission to get together Law Faculty staff, students and alumni to enter next year's Argus cycle tour and to cycle in aid of bursaries. "I realise not all of us have deep pockets, but we have time and it is a fact that when people stand together and pool their resources we could make a huge difference."

Ms Karen Bruns, SU's Senior Director of Development & Alumni Relations, whose Division organised the event, said the staff donors' passion and commitment to Stellenbosch University has not gone unnoticed. "We appreciate that they not only give their time and talents to the University through the work that they do in their respective departments, but also contribute financially."

• If you would like to get involved in Prof Karjiker's project, please contact [email protected] or [email protected].

Did you know?

• SU has received 1.6m from staff donors through the years
• The number of donations by staff since 1990 has been 7 252 in total.
• Although the number of staff that have donated since 1990 is 260, SU currently only has 76 staff donors. If you would like to become a staff donor, please contact Cheryl Benadie on [email protected].
• Klik hier vir fotos van Donderdag se geleentheid. ​