Dear colleagues and students

Following heavy rainfall across the Western Cape over the weekend, Stellenbosch University (SU) has experienced localised flooding on parts of the Stellenbosch campus, including the SU Library, sections of the Neelsie Student Centre, and a number of student residences.  

The University would like to assure you that the situation is being actively managed, with designated response teams from Campus Development, Infrastructure and Services (CDIS) promptly deployed on site. Importantly, no injuries have been reported and we are grateful that University operations can continue, despite water damage in places.  
 
To ensure your safety and assist response efforts, staff and students are requested to:  

• Avoid affected areas where access is restricted or where clean-up operations are underway  
• Exercise caution when moving around campus, particularly in low-lying or water-affected areas
• Do not attempt to move through flooded areas, whether on foot or by vehicle  
• Follow all instructions issued by Campus Security or residence staff  

Affected on-campus students are being supported, including arrangements for alternative accommodation where required. All SU residences, however, remain fully operational. The University remains in contact with commuter students whose home communities may have been impacted, and SU will support disaster management agencies in Stellenbosch to strengthen efforts. Clean-up and restoration work is ongoing across affected areas.  
 
Assessments of affected facilities are underway and updates on library services will be communicated as conditions evolve. In the meantime, students are encouraged to make use of one of the other study areas on campus.  
 
We recognise that these conditions may cause inconvenience and concern. Please be assured that the University is fully mobilised and coordinating efforts across all relevant services to support our campus community.  

We would like to thank all students and staff who availed themselves today to provide support where needed. It is heartwarming to see how Maties support one another in times of need and challenge.  
 
We ask line managers to accommodate reasonable requests from staff affected by the heavy rains to work remotely tomorrow, where necessary and practically possible from an operational perspective. The academic programme will continue as scheduled on 20 April and lecturers have been requested to record their in-person lectures where possible for those students who are unable to attend classes. 
 
We thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Dr Ronel Retief
Registrar and Acting Rector & Vice-Chancellor 

*Click here to read the isiXhosa notice