Dear
colleagues and students
The rebranding of Stellenbosch University (SU) is making steady progress. Let
me bring you up to speed on the numerous developments since my last
communique.
Use of the new logo
Since the logo
reveal in April 2021, our branding team has been
following a detailed project implementation plan. We have thousands of brand
assets, so prioritisation is key, and a phased roll-out is under way. We are
busy finalising the brand manual, after which the first roll-out phase will be
activated. Until then, we’ll continue using the current SU (Centenary) logo.
Coherent brand
architecture
On 14 June 2021, the Rectorate approved our new, uniform brand architecture,
which we have been finetuning ever since. This new architecture includes all
our diverse SU entities in a coherent, communicable way, ensuring that we exist
harmoniously under one brand, while clearly differentiating ourselves from
other market players.
Ceremonial version of
the new logo
On 27 September 2021, Council reaffirmed its commitment to a uniform brand for our
University by ratifying the recommendation of its Executive Committee to
replace the current heraldic crest with a ceremonial version of the new logo.
The ceremonial version will be used for formal ceremonial purposes and as our
registered accreditation mark on degree certificates. As a visual and symbolic
continuation of the new logo, it will send a coherent message about our
commitment to transformation in pursuing Vision 2040.
A suggested design will be tabled at the Council meeting scheduled for 2
December 2021, for consideration and approval. Before then, however, SU
structures such as the Rectorate, Institutional Transformation Committee,
Visual Redress Committee, Institutional Forum and Students’ Representative
Council will be duly consulted.
Rebranding information
sessions
During October 2021, the Corporate Communication and Marketing Division will
engage with entities across our institution to prepare for the planned
implementation of our new brand identity. These engagements will focus on the
details of the new brand positioning strategy and brand identity, the nuts and
bolts of the coherent brand architecture and visual identities, and the
roll-out and implementation.
Woordfees advertisements
In the week of 1 to 7 October 2021, our new brand identity will make its
television debut in an advertisement that will air on
the Toyota SU Woordfees pop-up channel on DStv (channel 150). It has also been
used in a print advertisement that recently appeared in a related newspaper
supplement.
The opportunity to showcase our new brand identity in what will be South Africa’s
first-ever television-based arts festival is an ideal opportunity to share our
historic rebranding with our stakeholders and the broader public. Let’s all
tune in and share in this milestone. Click here for
more information.
Thank you
As we approach the final stretch of this historic journey, I would like to
thank each and every member of the University community who have contributed to
our new brand positioning and logo.
Best regards
Prof Hester Klopper
Deputy Vice-Chancellor:
Strategy, Global and Corporate Affairs
If you have any questions, please reach out to the branding team at branding@sun.ac.za.