​​​The Stellenbosch University (SU) Transformation Office recently hosted the annual institutional Transformation Indaba under the theme “All Voices". The theme was chosen deliberately, as it has two meanings, the first being that everyone should take ownership of transformation at SU, and the second that all voices should be heard and listened to when it comes to transformation, or, as the Vice-Rector: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel, Prof. Nico Koopman, who opened the day's programme, put it: “No one in the SU community should be made monddood."

From the registration process alone it became clear that the Transformation Indaba 2018 would not just be another talking shop, as academic, administration and support service and student attendees were seated at tables in mixed patterns, ensuring representation of the entire University community, thereby enabling a plurality of views. This 'business unusual' approach was also reflected in the day's programme, which included numerous presentations on topical issues in transformation in higher education, a number of themed discussions as well as roundtable sessions with feedback given by way of a roving microphone. Attendees could also leave behind any ideas or thoughts about transformation on sticky notes or flipchart sheets; each table also had a scribe who documented the discussions, which will be collated at a later stage.

The 'constitution' for transformation at SU, the institutional Transformation Plan, underpinned all debates on the day. This document also links closely to the University's reporting on transformation to the Department of Higher Education and Training, as presented on at the start of the Indaba by the Director: Social Impact and Transformation, Dr Leslie van Rooi. Organised around key themes linking to SU's Vision 2040 and Strategic Framework 2019–2024, the Indaba grappled with a transformative-friendly culture for a thriving SU, helpful and unhelpful aspects of institutional culture, the transformative student experience as well as the support of mental health and the wellbeing of staff and students. Profs Ronelle Carolissen and Rob Pattman furthermore introduced their upcoming book, titled Transforming transformation in research and teaching at South African universities. In their presentation, the professors also analysed the SU culture, addressing questions such as “What are the connotations to events in our Maties community?" and “Where do queer students and black women fit into 'skakels', for example?"

Described by Dr van Rooi as an event that “allows for honest conversations on how we transform", the Indaba could hardly be considered a success if it did not take attendees out of their comfort zones. Students and staff brought up various issues and questions in a frank manner; many of which were immediately addressed by members of the University management in attendance. A black staff member at SU International enquired for example as to why his office, in 2018, was still in a building named after eugenics researcher RW Wilcocks and how he could be included in a possible renaming process. The registrar explained the process to him and invited him to make submissions to the relevant structures. A community member of Stellenbosch also implored the University management to ensure that the needs of the poor in the Stellenbosch district be considered first in any decisions made by SU. Students, on the other hand, spoke out strongly about issues of mental health on campus and called for a separate campus-wide mental health indaba.

This year's Transformation Indaba was held at Monica Residence to not only bring transformation to the SU community, but also as a cost-saving measure. Attendees were encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to the event, all of which were donated to the #Move4Food campaign at the SU Alumni offices. Deliberate cost savings made in the planning of the event will also be donated to #Move4Food when administration of the event wraps up.

*Staff and students can like and follow the @sutransform Facebook and Twitter pages to view photos taken at the event.