​Academics of Stellenbosch University have once again been honoured by the "Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns" (South African Academy for Science and Art), for their contributions to these fields.

A ceremony was held on Friday (7 October 2016) in Stellenbosch.

The recipients are Prof Stephanus Muller from the Department of Music, Prof Louise Viljoen and Dr Willem Anker from the Department Afrikaans and Dutch, Prof Michael Samways from the Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Prof Adriaan Reinecke and Prof Sophie Reinecke from the Department of Botany and Zoology and an alumna of the University, Ms Mia van Wyk. 

Muller received the Eugène Marais prize for his work Nagmusiek, a biography of composer and pianist Arnold van Wyk. This prize is given to a first or early literary work and can only be given once to an individual.

According to Muller, the award – handed out during the centenary of composer Arnold van Wyk - acknowledges the importance of Van Wyk's work as a key part of South Africa's musical heritage.  "Therefore, I've decided to add the prize money of the Eugène Marais prize to my royalties out of sales of my book, to establish a fund for the publication, performance and recording of Arnold van Wyk's music. The fund, which will be known as he Arnold van Wyk Centenary Fund, will be administered within the institution African Open in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at SU."

Anker is this year's recipient of the coveted Hertzog prize – the highest honour awarded within the Afrikaans literary world, named after general JBM Hertzog, a proponent for Afrikaans. The prize is limited to original literary work in Afrikaans and is awarded annual for poetry, drama and novels, in that order. The prize is awarded on recommendation of the Academy's Literature Commission. Anker received the prize, which is sponsored by Rapport, for his book Buys – 'n Grensroman.

Viljoen received the Gustav Preller prize for Literature Study and Literary Criticism, awarded every three years for scientific literary works in Afrikaans, including literary criticism. The prize is sponsored by Human & Rousseau.

The Golden Academy medal was awarded to Samways, distinguished professor in the Daprtment Conservation Ecology and Entomology.

Samways is honoured for his extraordinary publishing record within various diverse fields and in eminent scientific publications, along with his practical application of research to the benefit of humanity. He also receives recognition for his community service, specifically for his extensive collaboration with the corporate sector and conservation organisations, according to the Academy.

Samways says the award is a celebration of the unbelievable cultural, topographical and biological diversity within South Africa. "With its wonderful landscapes, animals and plants, this country is one of the richest in the world. It is a privilege to conduct conservation research about this rich tapestry of diversity."

The Douw Greeff prize has been awarded to Reinecke (Adriaan) and Reinecke (Sophie) and Van Wyk for their article Kan die gevoeligheid van grondlewende organismes bydra om die volhoubaarheid van landbewerking van olieraffinadery afval te beoordeel? The article is published in the SA Tydskrif vir Natuurwetenskap en Tegnologie, vol. 34, no. 1 (2015).

Adriaan Reinecke says the prize means a lot to them because it serves as recognition from their peers and is therefore "a feather in our cap".

"It is also proof that the initiatives and space which the University creates for retirees to still be involved in research, has results."

He also expressed thanks for the role of the Vice-Rector: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Study, Prof Eugene Cloete, and the Dean of the Faculty Physical Sciences, Prof Louise Warnich, for their support in this regard.

Calitz, professor emeritus, received the Stals prize for Economics. In his academic career, he made an extraordinary contribution to the scientific practice of economics as a research field, and made an enormous contribution to the country within the field of economics, according to the statement by the Academy of Science and Art. He was honoured for his contribution within government economics and finances, as well as the manner in which he applies his academic knowledge to the benefit of South Africa.

Calitz says the award offers a "special opportunity to offer recognition to the many people who gave me opportunities during my career, which contributed to my development as an economist."

 "I was privileged to be exposed to many good teachers during my life as a student, and to work alongside excellent colleagues at different institutions. It's an award I'd like to accept on behalf of everyone who helped shape me. I owe many thanks to various state institutions and the National Treasury, which allowed me to apply my knowledge in the policy-making process. Various universities offered me lecturing opportunities, which served as fertile ground to develop research ideas. My initial and final academic home, the Department of Economy at Stellenbosch University, offered me the opportunity to incorporate my practical experience in fiscal policy-making into my lectures. And I was and still am privileged to undertake policy-related economic and fiscal research in collaboration with creative and inspiring colleagues.

Also included in the recipients is Prof Ernst Stals, research fellow at the SU History Department, who received the Stals prize for History.

The prize is awarded for his thorough and continuous, intensive research efforts surrounding aspects of the history of South-West Africa/Namibia, his specialist research field for more than half a century. A large number of publications of exceptional historical and scientific quality and of a multi-dimensional nature, emerged from his research, which today makes him an influential historian about the history of South-West Africa/Namibia, especially on the German colonial period. Stals is especially lauded for his study Môrewind oor die Karasberge: 'n Kultuurhistoriese verkenning van die laat negentiende eeu, a high point of Stals' historical works.  

Other recipients included alumni of Stellenbosch University.

Main image: from left are Prof Stephanus Muller, Louise Viljoen; Michael Samways and Dr Willem Anker. (Photos by Anton Jordaan)

Photo 1: Prof Stephanus Muller; Photo 2: Dr Willem Anker; Photo 3: Prof Louise Viljoen and Photo 4: Prof Michael Samways (Photos by Anton Jordaan)