When a series of rugby injuries brought Adam Venter’s sporting ambitions to an abrupt halt, he could easily have focused on what he had lost. Instead, he discovered something new.

“I’ve had my fair share of concussions and knee surgeries,” he says with a grin. “At the time it feels like the end of the world, but looking back, those setbacks pushed me towards new opportunities and new passions.”

Those passions now include running, cycling, swimming and endurance sports – activities that have become central not only to his own wellbeing, but also to the lives of others through a charitable initiative he started while studying at Stellenbosch University (SU).

The second-year BCom International Business student grew up in Durbanville, with an older brother and a family that shared a love for sport. Rugby dominated much of his childhood and school years, but injuries eventually forced him to rethink his future.

This experience taught him an important lesson. “You’ve got to look at things from a broader perspective,” he reflects. “What feels difficult right now won’t always be that way. Sometimes setbacks help you discover things you never would have found otherwise.”

Turning movement into meaning

That attitude helped inspire The Get Active Project, a social media initiative through which Venter encourages people to stay active while raising money for charity. What began as a personal challenge has grown into a meaningful fundraising campaign. “I always wanted to document my fitness journey, but I didn’t want to be just another person posting online,” he explains. “I wanted it to have a purpose.”

Inspired by a fellow student who completed a year-long fundraising challenge, Venter launched The Get Active Project in 2025. The concept is simple: Get active every day and use social media to encourage donations to charitable causes.

To date, he has raised more than R20 000 for various organisations. This year, his focus has shifted to the South African Federation for Mental Health. Mental wellbeing is a cause that resonates deeply with him.

“Sport and exercise have always helped me mentally,” he says. “If I’ve had a bad day or need to clear my head, I’ll go for a run, a swim or a cycle. It has always helped me process things and feel better.” 

His hope is that the project encourages others to experience those benefits too. “There is so much negativity on social media. I want to use social media’s potential to spread a positive message and hopefully motivate people to either get active themselves or support a worthwhile cause.”

The initiative has also taught him something about confidence. “At first I worried people might think it was weird,” he recalls with a laugh. “But my friends in res have been incredibly supportive. It gave me confidence not to worry so much about what other people think when you’re doing something for the right reasons.”

The power of community

Although sport remains a major part of his life, Venter’s university experience has been shaped just as much by the people around him. As a resident of Simonsberg men’s residence, he has found himself drawn to mentoring and supporting fellow students. He was recently selected as a residence mentor and has also worked as a mathematics and science tutor.

One of the things he values most about residence life is the diversity of the student community. “There are people from every culture, background and belief system,” he says. “It’s amazing to see people who seem completely different becoming close friends.”

Outside of lectures, fundraising drives and endurance training, Venter enjoys the simple pleasures of student life. He is an avid music lover who rarely goes anywhere without headphones and he’s proud of having been a member of the Simonsberg a cappella group. He enjoys reading when time allows, debating films with his movie-obsessed roommate and spending time with friends.

Some of his favourite moments involve escaping into nature – swimming in the waterfalls of Jonkershoek, hiking in the mountains around Stellenbosch or even spending a night under the stars on Stellenbosch Mountain. “I’m a big connection type of person,” he says. “Having a sense of community and really being with people is one of the best things you can do for yourself.”

As South Africa commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising this Youth Month, Venter believes young people have an important responsibility to lead by example. “It may sound like a cliché, but I believe the youth of today are tomorrow’s leaders,” he says. “There is still a lot of work to be done, but we’ve also come a long way. Our diversity and inclusiveness are strengths, and the best way forward is to work together.”

He hopes to participate in an international exchange programme as part of his degree, and he looks forward to pursuing postgraduate studies abroad while building a career in investment management. 

Wherever life takes this gentle giant, Stellenbosch will always hold a very special place in his heart. One day when he leaves to study abroad, he’ll miss the Maties Gym at Coetzenburg with its “amazing” swimming pool where he’s a regular. “And I’ll probably miss the incredible sense of community and all the friendly faces, like the baristas at My Brew in the Neelsie. They are the happiest people in the world; they always make my day better!”

• Follow Adam Venter’s inspiring Get Active journey on Instagram.