Delayed but never deterred, Caitlin Leigh Sampson has overcome adversity to graduate cum laude. She graduates just three weeks after giving birth. Sampson hopes to inspire her two sons to rise above obstacles in pursuit of their dreams.

Growing up in Kimberley, Casey-Lee Anthony dreamed of one day becoming a magazine editor in New York. She first applied for an honours degree in journalism at SU in 2021 but failed to make the cut. The determined aspiring journalist persisted, gained practical media experience and became part of SU’s Journalism Class of 2025 that is graduating this week.

Prof Abdulrazak Gurnah received the degree Doctor of Literature (DLitt) honoris causa. Honoured for enriching world literature with stories that connect cultures and reveal our shared humanity. He emphasised how humanities help us navigate the difficult times we’re living in.

Obtained doctorate in Afrikaans and Dutch. Had to overcome several challenges on her way to success. Wants to help give communities like Atlantis a voice.

Dr Elana Ryklief, an NRF scholarship holder, graduated with a PhD in English Studies from SU, completing the degree in just three years. Her research draws on her lived experience as a transgender woman to challenge dominant narratives about gender transition and representation. Growing up in Steenberg, she is the first coloured trans woman from the community to earn a PhD from the University’s Department of English.

Sunelle Hanekom, a long-serving staff member at Stellenbosch Business School, graduated with an MPhil in Science and Technology Studies. After starting her career as a typist and a PA, she returned to formal study later in life and completed her master’s degree with flying colours. The final months of studies were shaped by personal hardship after her husband suffered a stroke, yet she persevered.

What started as a hobby to cope with pain evolved into an academic journey. Living with a chronic illness led Annie de Villiers to find solace in birding. She has travelled extensively to share the so-called ‘crane gospel’ about the importance of our national bird as a historical icon.

Prof Bonang Mohale delivered the 14th annual honorary Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert (FVZS) lecture. The FVZS Institute was established in 2011 to honour the legacy of the late Dr Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert, a former SU Chancellor and former political leader. A central theme of the lecture was the role of citizens in sustaining democracy.

Thousands of graduands to receive degrees, diplomas and certificates during SU's March graduation week. The ceremony brings the total number of graduates for the 2025 academic year to a record number of 10 160 qualifications. SU will also confer three honorary doctorates on extraordinary individuals who have distinguished themselves in their fields and made significant contributions to society.

Louis du Preez has been unanimously elected to Stellenbosch University’s Council by the Electoral College of Donors for a four-year term from April 2026. A former SRC chair in the early 1990s, he returns with decades of experience in corporate governance and leadership. A father of two current SU students as well as a recent SU graduate, Du Preez brings a perspective shaped by navigating complex institutional challenges and a lifelong connection to Stellenbosch.