Stories
Discover stories of our pursuit of impactful solutions, building learning communities that leverage the latest technologies,
and our exceptional people.
Impact
Keagan Diab found a new purpose after losing her Olympic dream
Impact
Justin de Villiers leads with empathy, not ego
Standing in front of a room full of students and asking them to vote for you is not everyone’s idea of fun. For Justin de Villiers, it was one of the most nerve...
Impact
James Taylor finds meaning in brains, beauty and hermit crabs
When James Taylor arrived at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI) on the Tygerberg campus at the beginning of 2025, he burst into...
Impact
Alwaba Tom creates safe spaces for students to grow
For much of his childhood in the Eastern Cape, silence filled the small home where Alwaba Tom grew up. Encouragement was scarce. Money was tight. His...
Impact
For Haki Sebina the sky is the limit
For Haki Sebina, coming to Stellenbosch University (SU) was not simply about earning a degree. It was about discovering who she could become, authentically...
Impact
Lwandisile Mhlanga is passionate about empowering students to thrive
In 2020, Lwandisile Mhlanga arrived at Stellenbosch University (SU) from Orange Farm near Johannesburg with little more than a suitcase and the determination to...
Impact
Lateefah Matinka is making overlooked futures visible
Lateefah Matinka is living testimony that young people from overlooked backgrounds can occupy and reshape educational spaces. For the dynamic young woman, this...