President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers keynote address at Stellenbosch University’s 7th Social Justice Summit in Cape Town. Summit focuses on food security, climate change and peace as pathways to equality and resilience. President endorses the Musa Plan for Social Justice and urges collective action against hunger and inequality.

Stellenbosch University (SU) has honoured the outstanding achievements of a record 87 students at this year’s annual Rector’s Awards for Excellent Achievement. The red carpet was rolled out at the Stellenrust Wine Estate on Thursday (15 October) to recognise student excellence in its many forms – academic achievement, leadership, resilience, creativity and service. Among the successful 87 recipients were awards for academic excellence across all faculties, as well as outstanding achievement in leadership, culture and social impact and sport.

World Food Day is celebrated annually on 16 October. SU experts wrote opinion pieces for the media. They highlight the importance of promoting indigenous foods.

Prof John Babafemi from the Department of Civil Engineering delivered his inaugural lecture on Tuesday 14 October 2025. His research focuses on developing and testing sustainable concrete. He promotes material efficiency and environmental sustainability in the cement and concrete sector.

SU drama student Jeanne-Marié Koekemoer makes her mark at 2025 Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees by taking part in four productions in various capacities. She recently attended a theatre and performance course at Edinburgh University. Now in her final year at SU, Koekemoer has her sights set on theatrical opportunities in Cape Town.

October is Mental Health Awareness Month. 10 October was World Mental Health Day. SU experts wrote opinion pieces on how to promote mental health.

SU’s marketing team will host a vibrant engagement hub at the Konservatorium Amphitheatre.  The space will feature the Ongehoord series, the Student Discourse series and the Science Café. These conversation series are free to attend and open to all festivalgoers.

Prof Regan Solomons from the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health delivered his inaugural lecture on Tuesday 7 October 2025 His research focuses on reducing preventable deaths from tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in children He helps to find practical and child-specific solutions to TBM in children

SU features amongst the best universities in the world in the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings It is ranked in the top 350 tertiary institutions It is second in South Africa

Primary healthcare practitioners lack the required resources They are overworked and insufficiently trained They must be empowered to deliver mental health services