| SU names building after Krotoa | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8515 | | SU names building after Krotoa | Corporate Communication and Marketing Division | <p>The RW Wilcocks building of Stellenbosch University (SU) has been renamed the Krotoa building. This building on the Stellenbosch campus houses the departments of History and Psychology, the Division of Research Development, SU International, the SU Archives, as well as the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology.<br></p><p>Krotoa (1642–1674), a woman of the Khoe people, lived at the Cape in the time of Jan van Riebeeck, who came to establish a settlement for the Dutch East India Company (the VOC) at the tip of Africa in 1652. Named “Eva" by the Dutch, Krotoa served as, among others, an interpreter and interlocutor between her people and the VOC. <a href="https://www.sahistory.org.za/site-search?search_api_fulltext=krotoa"><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Click here</strong></a> to read more about her.</p><p>SU's Executive Committee of Council (EC(C)) approved the renaming at its meeting of 16 August 2021 after the Rectorate received a shortlist of proposals from the Committee for the Naming of Buildings, Venues and Other Facilities/Premises in June. Following extensive debate and taking various aspects into consideration, including Krotoa's complex personal history, the Rectorate proposed the name to the EC(C). </p><p>“The name Krotoa is particularly significant now that we are celebrating Women's Month. Apart from a few residences, no SU buildings have previously been named after women," says Dr Ronel Retief, Registrar and chair of the Naming Committee. </p><p>“The Rectorate also considered it important that the name, although linked to a historical figure, has symbolic value and, as such, represents more than simply a person. The name Krotoa is not only linked to a woman, but also to an entire underrepresented group of people indigenous to Southern Africa and the area now known as the Western Cape. As such, it acknowledges the heritage of the First Nation people of our region, and we also acknowledge something of our shared and complex history.</p><p>“In addition, Krotoa's role as interpreter between different cultural and language groups is a demonstration of bridge building, which is particularly relevant to conversations on multilingualism, inclusivity and creating a mutual understanding between different groups of people," Retief concludes. </p><p>“So, with this name, we wish to send a strong message about our commitment to transformation and redress at SU."</p><p>Dr Leslie van Rooi, Senior Director of Social Impact and Transformation, and member of both SU's Visual Redress and Naming committees, adds: “SU acknowledges the role and place of the First Nation people in the broader history of Southern Africa. The significance of linking the name Krotoa to a prominent building on campus should also be understood against the backdrop of ongoing conversations about supporting and formalising Khoekhoegowab language-related courses at SU. </p><p>“SU decided in 2019 already to call the new dining hall of Goldfields residence Sada Oms, a Khoekhoegowab term for 'our home'. Therefore, this added symbolic acknowledgement through the Krotoa building forms part of our ongoing partnership and engagement with the First Nation people of Southern Africa.</p><p>“Conversations about the name, also with the relevant Khoe structures, gives recognition to Krotoa as an important figure, but does not ignore her complex, tragic history as a person."</p><p>Installations contextualising both the Wilcocks and the Krotoa stories are being planned for inside and outside the building.</p><p><strong>Process</strong></p><p>Back in 2019 already, the Rectorate gave approval for the Registrar and the Senior Director of Social Impact and Transformation to follow an institutional and inclusive process for the renaming of the Wilcocks building.</p><p>As part of the process, various stakeholders were interviewed. The University also notified more than 100 community organisations and institutions of the planned renaming. These included the Stellenbosch Co-management Forum (including Die Vlakte Forum), Stellenbosch Municipality, the Western Cape Education Department (Stellenbosch), the Stellenbosch Civil Advocacy Network, and the Stellenbosch Ratepayers' Association, all of whom have seats on the University's Institutional Forum.</p><p>A <a href="/english/rw-wilcocks-building"><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">call for proposals</strong></a> was distributed among all staff and students as well as members of the community (as represented by the structures serving on SU's Institutional Forum) in July 2020. In October 2020, the Naming Committee, which had been expanded for the purpose of renaming the RW Wilcocks building, agreed on the process to arrive at a short list. The 17 proposals received were subsequently whittled down to the most suitable options, which were presented to the Rectorate. </p><p>The Rectorate also requested that the relevant stakeholder groups be approached to determine whether there would be any opposition to using the name Krotoa in the context of SU. Keen support for the use of the name was expressed by the relevant leaders and representatives of the First Nations structures.</p><p>A date for the unveiling of the new name is yet to be determined. In the meantime, SU's new Visual Redress Policy will serve before Council for approval in September. </p><p><strong>More information</strong></p><p>The RW Wilcocks building was opened in 1966 and named after Prof Raymond William Wilcocks, who was Rector of the University from 1935 to 1954.</p><p>The renaming of the RW Wilcocks building forms part of a long-term and extensive visual redress process on SU's campuses in an attempt not only to remove certain symbols, but also to introduce new visual symbols that point to a shared history, our diverse stories, and public spaces that are welcoming to all.</p><p>This process was launched a few years ago, and much progress has been made in recent years to create student and staff-friendly living and work spaces that meet the needs of a diverse group of students, staff and other stakeholders, and at the same time promote a welcoming campus culture.</p><p><strong>Recent name changes at SU:</strong></p><p>Some name changes over the past few years include the Coetzenburg Centre (previously the DF Malan Centre), the Stellenbosch University Library (previously JS Gericke Library), the <a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=6115"><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Adam Small Theatre Complex</strong></a> (previously HB Thom Theatre), <a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=5997"><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Pieter Okkers House</strong></a> (7 Joubert Street, now named after the first resident of the building, Mr Pieter JA Okkers, 1875-1952) and <a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=5315"><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Simon Nkoli House</strong></a><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1"> </strong>(39 Victoria Street).</p><p>Recently constructed buildings have been given the following names: Russel Botman House (named after the late Prof Russel Botman), Ubuntu House, <a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=5662"><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Nkosi Johnson House</strong></a> and the <a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=5422"><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Jan</strong> <strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Mouton Learning Centre</strong></a>.</p><p><strong>Other recent projects:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=6690"><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">“The Circle</strong></a><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">"</strong>, a bronze art installation featuring 11 phenomenal South African women thought leaders (including Krotoa), which was erected on the Rooiplein towards the end of 2019</li><li>Welcoming messages carved on benches in public areas on campus in 15 languages, including in Braille, South African Sign Language and San</li><li>Installation of a map of Die Vlakte at the entrance of the Arts and Social Sciences building, which is built on land from where families were evicted under the Group Areas Act in the 1960s</li><li>The creation of the <a href="/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=6727"><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-1">Lückhoff Living Museum</strong></a></li><li>Displaying the University's Centenary restitution statement at the SU Library<br><br><br></li></ul> |
| Anker and Viljoen receive awards from the SA Academy of Science and Arts | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=4357 | | Anker and Viljoen receive awards from the SA Academy of Science and Arts | Lelanie de Roubaix | <p>The council of the SA Academy of Science and Arts awarded a number of big prizes earlier this year, and Dr Willem Anker and Prof Louise Viljoen of the Afrikaans and Dutch Department were among the winners.</p><p>For his novel <em>Buys: 'n Grensroman</em>, Dr Anker was awarded the prestigious Hertzog prize, which is named after General JBM Hertzog and is the most well-known and prestigious award in the Afrikaans literary world. The prize is awarded for original literary work in Afrikaans and is awarded annually for poetry, drama and prose respectively. </p><p><em>Buys </em>also received the University of Johannesburg prize for best creative work, the kykNET Rapport Book Prize for fiction and the WA Hofmeyr Prize for Afrikaans fiction last year. Dr Anker also received a Fleur du Cap award in March for his play <em>Samsa-masjien</em> in the category Best New South African Script. <em>Samsa-masjien </em>won Fleur du Cap awards in the categories for best actor (Gerben Kamper), best original musical score (Pierre-Henri Wicomb), best set design (Jaco Bouwer) and best director (Jaco Bouwer) as well. The play has received various other awards, too, including an Absa KKNK Kanna award for innovative work and an ATKV Woordveertjie for drama.</p><p>The SA Academy awarded the Gustav Preller Prize for literary studies and literary criticism to Prof Louise Viljoen, well-known literary critic and lecturer in Afrikaans literature. Her book <em>Die mond vol vuur: Beskouings oor die werk van Breyten Breytenbach</em>, published in 2014, was well received in literary circles and is an impressive addition to an oeuvre dedicated to Afrikaans literature and literary figures. Her other books include a volume of essays on the work of Antjie Krog and a biography of Ingrid Jonker.</p> |
| Language implementation in the 2nd term | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=3730 | | Language implementation in the 2nd term | Prof Johan Hattingh | <p>Dear Student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences</p><p>I am thoroughly aware of the uncertainty created by the language interdict of Afriforum, which requires us to strictly apply the language specifications of the 2016 Yearbook from 29 March. What happens now to the principle that no student should be excluded on the basis of language? To address this uncertainty I would like to convey the following to you about the language practice that you can expect from 29 March in your classes. </p><p>There are two main points of departure that the Faculty will follow from 29 March, the first of which is demanded by the interdict: </p><ul><li>As of 29 March 2016 we have to strictly adhere to the language specifications of the 2016 Yearbook (Afriforum court interdict, and the SU Council requirement not to reduce the Afrikaans offering).</li><li><span style="line-height:1.6;">SU wants to be 100% accessible to st</span><span style="line-height:1.6;">udents that are not academically literate in Afrikaans and therefore all module content covered in lectures will also be available in English (SU Council resolution supporting an increase of the English offering to 100%).</span></li></ul><p><strong>In practice this will entail the following:</strong></p><ul><li><span style="line-height:1.6;"></span><span style="line-height:1.6;"></span><span style="line-height:1.6;">Most Departments will return to the conventional T-modules, with the proviso that this will be implemented with the utmost circumspection to ensure that no student is excluded on the basis of language of tuition. You will be informed at the beginning of the term and at the beginning of lectures about this intention and the two points of departure mentioned above, and also about what exactly will be done in each module in order to implement these points of departure.</span></li><li><span style="line-height:1.6;"></span><span style="line-height:1.6;">In order to ensure that all lectures are at least available in English, and that Afrikaans is available as specified in the 2016 Yearbook (50% or more), some Departments will provide extra lectures in Afrikaans and/or English.</span></li><li><span style="line-height:1.6;"></span><span style="line-height:1.6;">In cases where lecturers are only proficient in English, Departments will provide interpretation in Afrikaans, and/or extra lectures in Afrikaans.</span></li></ul><p></p><p>Until such time as the Language Policy and Plan of the University is officially changed, we will have to live with these arrangements. I will depend on your understanding and cooperation to help implement the abovementioned arrangements with dignity and respect. </p><p>I hope this letter will help allay any uncertainty, but if you have any further questions, please send an e-mail to Tanja Malan (tanja@sun.ac.za), who will convey it to me.<br><br>Kind regards</p><p>Johan Hattingh<br> Dean, 24 March 2016</p> |
| SICMF presents exquisite music | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=3945 | | SICMF presents exquisite music | Wayne Muller | <p>The music programmes of the 13<sup>th</sup> Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival's (SICMF) ten evening concerts have been announced. Music lovers will have the opportunity to hear exquisite music – from 18<sup>th</sup>-century works to contemporary pieces.</p><p>The festival – the biggest of its kind in Africa – is presented from 1 to 10 July at the Stellenbosch University Konservatorium. It boasts a unique concert series including music that has never been performed in South Africa. Besides chamber music, the SICMF will also present three symphony concerts.</p><p>About 300 music students will attend the 2016 festival where they will receive master classes, lectures and coaching sessions from the 30 faculty members, which include internationally acclaimed musicians.</p><p>The programme has six South African premieres, as well as the world premiere of local composer Matthijs van Dijk's commissioned work, <em>Moments in a Life</em>. It is based on the life of anti-apartheid activist Denis Goldberg, who will appear on stage as the narrator.</p><p>In <em>Moments in a Life</em>, Goldberg relates various pivotal moments in his life – from childhood, his time in Umkhonto we Sizwe, the Rivonia Trial, experiences in prison up until the inauguration of former president Nelson Mandela.</p><p>Among the other interesting premiere works is <em>Techno Parade</em> by French composer Guillaume Connesson (born 1970), in which Paolo Barros (flute), Ferdinand Steiner (clarinet) and Pieter Grobler (piano) will perform. </p><p>Also on the programme is <em>Distant Light</em>, a concerto for violin and string orchestra, a work by Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks, who was born in 1946. Violinist Daniel Rowland will be the soloist, accompanied by, among others, Suzanne Martens and Farida Bacharova (violins), Tobias Breider (viola) and Alexander Buzlov (cello). </p><p>Other works include the String Sextet in A major, Op.48, by Dvořák; Mendelssohn's String Quartet No.6 in F minor, Op.80; as well as the String Octet, Op.7, by George Enescu.</p><p>On Friday, 8 July American conductor Kazem Abdullah will lead the Festival Symphony Orchestra in a performance of music by Saint-Saëns, Debussy and Bartók. Acclaimed French violinist Nicolas Dautricourt will be the soloist in Saint-Saëns' Violin Concerto No.3.</p><p>The SICMF's other orchestra, the Festival Concert Orchestra (consisting of 180 young musicians) under the baton of Daniel Boico, will perform on Saturday, 9 July. On the programme is Tchaikovsky's Second Symphony, as well as well-known orchestral works like the "Mars" and "Jupiter" movements from Gustav Holst's <em>The Planets</em>, and the popular "Pomp and Circumstance" by Edward Elgar.</p><p>For the final concert on Sunday, 10 July the Festival Symphony Orchestra will be on stage again, this time accompanying Austrian clarinettist Ferdinand Steiner in Mozart's well-known Clarinet Concerto in A major.</p><ul><li><span style="line-height:1.6;">Tickets are available from Computicket, or call </span><span style="line-height:1.6;">(</span><span style="line-height:1.6;"> 021 808 2358 to purchas</span><span style="line-height:1.6;">e a festival pass. </span><span style="line-height:1.6;">Visit </span><a href="http://www.sicmf.co.za/" style="line-height:1.6;">www.sicmf.co.za</a><span style="line-height:1.6;"> for more information. </span><br></li></ul> |
| Former Matie's recycling company is a winner | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=4135 | | Former Matie's recycling company is a winner | Development & Alumni/Ontwikkeling & Alumni-betrekkinge | <p>From setting up recycling in residences at Stellenbosch University (SU) to being chief executive officer of an award-winning waste recycling company - meet SU alumnus, Matthew Haden, who is hard at work tackling waste management challenges in Tanzania.</p><p>Haden's company, The Recycler, was recently awarded the prestigious Sankalp Africa Award, beating out over 250 other African enterprises. These awards recognise the most sustainable and scalable social enterprises that are doing business. Sankalp is Asia's largest social enterprise forum designed to support the growth of social enterprises and catalyse impact investments.</p><p>The Recycler was started in 2014 and offers professional waste management and recycling solutions for waste streams in Tanzania. It specialises in separating all kinds of recyclable waste in order to process and trade to domestic and international markets. The company has also set up recycling collection points throughout Dar es Salaamand is developing projects in large-scale bio-gas, waste to energy, insect-derived protein and informal collection networks. According to Haden, they have over 20 staff members and 40 clients.</p><p>"It is nice to be recognised, not just as a social impact venture, but also as a business that people would like to invest in," he says.</p><p>Haden is originally from Kansas in the United States but called Stellenbosch home for over four years. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations in 2011 and went on to do his Masters' Degree in Development Studies at the University of Cambridge.<img src="/english/PublishingImages/Lists/dualnews/My%20Items%20View/Matthew_Haden.jpg" alt="Matthew_Haden.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-1" style="margin:5px;width:500px;height:371px;" /></p><p>"I came to South Africa for the first time in 2004 when I was 19, but just to travel and work with street children. However, I came back in 2008 to start my studies," he says.</p><p>So why did he choose Stellenbosch University? "I choose to become a Matie because I wanted to study in an emerging economy and Stellenbosch had a great course for international relations. It is also incredibly beautiful."</p><p>Haden remembers his time in Stellenbosch fondly and says he is grateful for his experiences and the path it ultimately took him on. "I lived in Kayamandi for two years working with the community. I was also elected to the Student Representative Council (SRC) where I was in charge of the Societies Council and Environmental Affairs. I helped set up the first large-scale recycling system in the residences whilst a SRC member and learned about waste management and recycling as a business," he says.</p><p>After graduating from Stellenbosch, he went to work with a recycling company in Cape Town, the same company that was collecting the recyclables from the system that was set up for the residences. "I did that for nine months, learning the business and then went on to do my Masters at Cambridge. When I graduated from Cambridge I went to work with the United Nations in Tanzania. After about a year, I saw the huge potential for a recycling company in Tanzania and decided to give it a go."</p><p>So what is next for this successful businessman? "The Recycler is currently breeding thousands of maggots using organic waste in order to make chicken feed and is expanding into large-scale bio-gas and waste to energy. We are also setting up a buy-back centre for the city's poorest to sell recyclable waste to us per kilogramme."</p><ul><li><span style="line-height:1.6;">For more on The Recycler go to </span><a href="http://www.recycler.co.tz/our-team/" style="line-height:1.6;">http://www.recycler.co.tz/our-team/</a><br></li></ul> |
| Political Studies Association honours SU’s Pierre du Toit | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=4245 | | Political Studies Association honours SU’s Pierre du Toit | Corporate Marketing/Korporatiewe Bemarking |
<p>The
South African Association of Political Studies (SAAPS) has honoured
Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Prof Pierre du Toit with its prestigious
Lifetime Achievement Award. </p><p>SAAPS
is the oldest professional and subject association for political scientists in
the country with one of its aims to recognise scholars (students and lecturers)
for their scientific contribution to SAAPS and political science in general. </p><p>The
Lifetime Achievement Award is based on a peer review of a scholar's work and
recognises exceptional and internationally-recognised sustained scholarship
over a period. Du Toit, of SU’s Department of Political Science, has been
recognised for this work on, inter alia, democratisation and South Africa’s
democratic transition. </p><p>He
received the award at the Association’s recent Awards Ceremony that formed part
of its National Conference held at the University of the Western Cape. </p><p>In
his acceptance speech, Du Toit reflected on the rewards of an academic career
(which he called a vocation rather than a mere job) by focusing on research,
methodology, teaching and academic discipline. </p><p>SAAPS
congratulated Du Toit for his major academic contribution and wished him well
for the future. </p><p>Prof
Hennie Kotze, former dean of SU’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, received
the award in 2014. </p><p>Photo: Proff Pierre du Toit and Amanda Gouws of the Department of Political Science<br></p><p> </p> |
| Professor makes contribution to UNESCO's declaration on climate change ethics | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=5312 | | Professor makes contribution to UNESCO's declaration on climate change ethics | Lynne Rippenaar-Moses | <p style="text-align:justify;">Recently the 195 member states of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted a Declaration of Ethical Principles in Relation to Climate Change at its 39<sup>th</sup> session in Paris, France. Central to that process was one of Stellenbosch University's philosophy professors and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Prof Johan Hattingh.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hattingh was invited by the Director General of UNESCO to be part of the Ad Hoc Expert Group that was tasked to formulate the draft text for the declaration. He was subsequently elected as the President of the Expert Group at its first meeting in Rabat, Morocco, in September 2016.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">According to UNESCO the “declaration aims to help governments, businesses, and civil society mobilize people around shared values on climate change" and “sounds the alarm that, unless ethical principles become the basis of climate action, both climate change and responses to it could create unacceptable damage and injustice".</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Since the Rabat meeting, the draft text was refined “in light of literally thousands of comments from member states". A second draft was distributed for further comments by Member States of UNESCO at an Intergovernmental Meeting in Paris.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">"As President of the Expert Group consisting of 24 people representing different languages, cultures, nationalities and disciplinary fields ranging from international environmental law and climate science to social sciences, philosophy and ethics, my role was to help facilitate a consensus on ethical principles in a language that is clear, to the point, and able to communicate with a world-wide audience," says Hattingh.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">"At the Rabat meeting we worked in English and French, assisted by interpreters, demonstrating there already that it is indeed possible to articulate shared ethical values related to a common threat facing everyone and every natural system on earth.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">"At the Intergovernmental Meeting in Paris where the ownership of the Declaration shifted from the Expert Group to Member States, delegates from different countries developed a much broader consensus through robust face to face discussions over four days, while my role changed to that of expert advisor to the meeting. This just goes to show that nations states also can mobilize around shared values when faced with a global threat such as climate change compromising all life on earth". </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Hattingh says that one of the key messages of the Declaration is that at its core climate change is an ethical problem. It also calls for global partners to mobilise around the principles of scientific knowledge and integrity in decision-making, solidarity, sustainability, justice and equity, and a precautionary approach. The Declaration builds on the previous work of UNESCO on ethical principles in relation to climate change that was undertaken over a period of a decade by the World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST). </p><p style="text-align:justify;">"I was a member of COMEST for two terms from 2004 till 2011, where I was part of a group that initially worked on environmental ethics, but given the magnitude and urgency of the problem of climate change we started to work on its ethical dimensions from 2007 onwards. Our first study on <em>The Ethical Dimensions of Global Climate Change</em> was published in 2010."</p><p style="text-align:justify;">According to Hattingh the Declaration of Ethical Principles in Relation to Climate Change reinforces and gives further momentum to the historical turning point in the response to climate change that was brought about in 2015 when the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the Paris Climate Agreement, were adopted. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">“By making explicit the moral platform on which these international initiatives are based, the Declaration provides much needed guidance for the numerous and difficult choices that will have to be made urgently to implement the combined goals of sustainable development world-wide in a climate that does not threaten the future of life on earth."</p><p style="text-align:justify;">"For instance, the Paris Agreement calls on nations states to substantively reduce greenhouse gas emissions so as to ensure that global warming on average does not exceed 2 degrees centigrades above pre-industrial atmospheric temperatures. These reductions need to be determined on a country-by-country basis (the so-called Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs), and within each country, reduction targets will have to be distributed between the sectors of society contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. It is at this level that reduction targets can start to require real sacrifices from people or groups, and it is in this context that many ethical issues emerge: Who will suffer, given certain reduction targets, and who will not? How should burdens and benefits be distributed? How can harm be avoided or minimized? How can we avoid to place additional burdens on the poor and vulnerable? </p><p style="text-align:justify;">“Calling upon nations states, corporations, international organisations, but also individuals, groups and local authorities, among others, the Declaration was thus formulated to promote responsible decision-making on all levels and in all sectors of society in order to promote justice, global partnership, inclusion, and solidarity with the poorest and most vulnerable people when it comes to climate change action," says Hattingh.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">"I think the most important contribution of the Declaration lies in its articulation of a broad international consensus that we seriously need to address the layers upon layers of harm and injustice flowing from the fact that those least responsibile for the greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change are the most likely to become the victims of its adverse effects. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">"Following from this, the Declaration states in Article 10 that in responding to climate change priority should be given to the needs of the most vulnerable. In the Preamble the most vulnerable are specified to 'include but are not limited to displaced persons and migrants, indigenous peoples, local communities, persons with disabilities, the elderly, youth, and children'."</p><p style="text-align:justify;"><a href="http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0026/002601/260129e.pdf">Click here</a> for a copy of the full declaration.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><a href="http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001881/188198e.pdf">Click here</a> for a copy of the 2010 COMEST study on<em> </em><em>The Ethical Implications of Global Climate Change.</em><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;"><em>Photo: Prof Johan Hattingh was closely involved in the process leading up to the adoption of UNESCO's Declaration of Ethical Principles in Relation to Climate Change.</em></p> |
| SU academics visits Malawi to host writing workshop | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=4480 | | SU academics visits Malawi to host writing workshop | Corporate Marketing/Korporatiewe Bemarking | <p>There is a commonly-cited adage in academia, "publish or perish". Although an exaggeration, the phrase encapsulates a reality of contemporary research: publishing one's research – particularly in journals – is a cornerstone of a successful career. Further, as money, time, and effort go into conducting research, it is the responsibility of the academic to ensure that as many people as possible find out about what this work reveals.</p><p>Being published, however, is easier said than done: writers' block, submission deadlines, and challenging peer-reviews are but a few of the hurdles which lead papers-in-the-making to falter and fade away. In countries only recently beginning to contribute to the international academy, the ill-effects of these barriers are amplified. To ensure that global Southern views and news can enter the global academic space, there is an urgent need to cultivate understanding around publishing on the continent. </p><p>This October, Professor Leslie Swartz of the Psychology Department, and Masters student Xanthe Hunt, visited Zomba, Malawi, to address just such a need. The visit was funded partly by the Doctoral Capacity Development Programme at the African Doctoral Academy (ADA) at Stellenbosch University International, and was conducted under the auspices of the partnership agreement between Stellenbosch University and University of Malawi</p><p>A two-and-a-half day writing workshop was convened by Swartz, in collaboration with Professor Blessings Chinsinga of the Centre for Social Research at University of Malawi, and Professor Alister Munthali, and was attended by 14 academics from various departments at the University of Malawi. The group consisted of early career researchers, as well as seasoned academics, and had representatives from numerous fields, including political science, theology, library and information sciences, and anthropology. Prof Chiwoza Bandawe, outgoing editor of the Malawi Medical Journal, and former Head of the Department of Mental Health at University of Malawi was also in attendance on the final day.</p><p>The first day saw Swartz, who is on the editorial board of a number of prominent academic publications and is the editor in chief of the African Journal of Disability, introduce the group to the principles and purpose of academic publishing. This was followed by an interactive afternoon session, during which Swartz and Hunt worked with the attendees on their own.</p><p>Swartz, who has been conducting such trainings in South Africa and other African countries for some years highlighted the importance of working with attendees on their own manuscripts during such trainings. </p><p>"The best learning in this context comes from engagement with the actual experience of writing and especially in dealing with reviewer comments, which are often phrased in dismissive and unflattering terms. Sharing struggles around writing, using actual examples, helps to minimize anxiety and avoidance of the process," explained Swartz. </p><p>Swartz also noted that emphasizing interaction – and asking attendees to determine their own priorities for writing workshops – ensures that the sessions are relevant, and make the most of the time available. </p><p>In line with this, the second day involved a presentation by Hunt on the mechanics of writing a manuscript, which was followed by a feedback session from the group. They requested that the remaining time be allocated to a "crash course" on thematic analysis (TA). TA is widely employed in the social sciences as a qualitative research methodology, and involves analysing textual data (words from research subjects, in the form of interview transcripts, for instance). The course then concluded on the third day with a research methods session by Hunt, who is currently employing TA within her thesis. </p><p>Research methods are the building blocks from which good research is built; good writing puts polish on the finished product, and helps to ensure its dissemination. </p><p>"In the future, it will be important for workshops such as this one to incorporate day-long sessions on every step of the research process, <em>as well as</em> the presentation process," said Hunt, adding that short workshops are important in order to stimulate discussion around priority areas for future workshops. </p><p>The Malawian contingent have expressed their interest in a second, more detailed workshop, and Swartz says that he is optimistic about the prospect of piloting such an expanded agenda in Malawi.</p><p>"The quality of the research being conducted here is high," he concluded, "and I look forward to a continued collaboration with this engaged and engaging group."</p> |
| Departments in Arts Faculty and others collaborate for Women’s Day concert | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=5142 | | Departments in Arts Faculty and others collaborate for Women’s Day concert | Fiona Grayer | <p style="text-align:justify;">The Music Department in partnership with Stellenbosch University's (SU) Transformation Office, the Visual Arts Department and the Women's Forum presented a concert in celebration of Women's Day in August in the Endler Hall in Stellenbosch. The SU Jazz Band took centre stage under the direction of Felicia Lesch joined by South African jazz legend Gloria Bosman and jazz singer and poet Mihi-Tuwi Matshingana.<br><br>The evening was specifically dedicated to honouring the memory of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke – the first black South African woman to obtain tertiary education and who graduated in the USA in 1901. Her mantra, “When you rise, lift someone up with you", is a maxim that artists Felicia Lesch, Bosman and Matshingana all embrace.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">Lesch is passionate about music as a vehicle for social change and formed the SU Jazz Band as one of the ensembles of the Certificate Programme. The Certificate Programme is the pre-undergraduate programme of the SU Music Department which was created to empower students with skills to embark on a BMus or Diploma programme at tertiary level. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">Matshingana completed a BCom degree at SU in 2014, during which time she also studied in the Music Department's Certificate Programme, a programme to which she paid homage on stage. She is currently a third-year Jazz Studies student at Wits University in Johannesburg.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">South African author and journalist Zubeida Jaffer's third book “<em>Beauty of the heart</em>", which is a tribute to Maxeke and also provides fresh information on her life, was available for purchase at the event. Jewellery from an jewellery exhibition by Kutlwano Cele, a student in the Visual Arts Department, was also on sale.</p><p style="text-align:justify;">The SRC and many students from other departments and faculties supported the concert. </p><p style="text-align:justify;">“For some this was their first “Endler experience", which made it a particularly joyful event," said Monica du Toit of the Transformation Office.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Special guests from within the Arts Faculty, the Women's Forum, the Gender Equality Unit, SU Museum, SU Transformation Office and community partners of the Music Department's own Certificate Programme also attended the Woman's Day Celebration Concert. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">“The event was a moment of institutional belonging and connection with new people at our institution."<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">“We look forward to more meaningful collaborations in the future and honour the women (and men) on stage who are using music as a vehicle to liberate, educate, rage and dream," added Du Toit.<br></p> |
| The human future and universities in a post-truth era | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=5845 | | The human future and universities in a post-truth era | Lynne Rippenaar-Moses | <p style="text-align:justify;">Prof Steve Fuller, an internationally-renowned sociologist focused on science and technology studies from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom, will be hosting two public lectures at Stellenbosch University this week. The lectures will focus on what is at stake in a post- versus trans-human future and the other on whether universities can survive a post-truth era.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Fuller, who holds the Auguste Comte Chair in Social Epistemology in the Department of Sociology at Warwick will speak about <em>The Politics of Prefixes: What's at Stake in a 'Post-' versus a 'Trans-' Human Future?</em><em> </em>during his talk at Stias hosted by the Centre for Complex Systems in Transition as part of their Anthropocene Dialogues seminar series and on <em>Can Universities Survive the Post-Truth Era?</em>during a talk that forms part of the Indexing Transformation seminar series. The current theme of the Indexing Transformation seminar series is “university transformation" and the intention is to address the urgent imperatives of curriculum reform, critical pedagogy and institutional transformation in South African higher education. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">Originally trained in history and philosophy of science, Fuller is the author of more than twenty books, with his most recent work focused on the future of humanity, the future of the university and intellectual life more generally. According to Dr Lloyd Hill from the Sociology and Social Anthropology Department, Fuller's work on “social epistemology" focuses on the contested and increasingly permeable boundary between the natural and social sciences. His most recent work focuses particular attention on the rapid and convergent advances in the nano-, bio-, info- and cogno-technosciences and the implications of these for our understanding of what it means to be human. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">His first talk, <em>The Politics of Prefixes,</em><em> </em>will be held on Tuesday, 14 August from 16:00 to 18:00 at the Stias Manor House, while his second talk will be held on 16 August from 13:00 to 14:30 in Room 648 in the Arts Building. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">According to Fuller, his first talk will focus on what he has written about in his books for the past 10 years - the impending fork on the road to humanity's collective future, or 'Humanity 2.0'. <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">“It is quite clear from a host of contemporary developments – ranging from unsustainable welfare state budgets to anthropogenic climate change to revolutionary breakthroughs bio-, nano- and info-tech – that the human condition as we have known it in the modern era is on the verge of substantial change. 'Posthumanism' and 'Transhumanism' name perhaps the two most prominent forks on the road. The former would displace the human altogether as the primary locus of value, whereas the latter would amplify the presence of the human indefinitely," explains Fuller.<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">“Posthumanists believe that humanism went too far, while transhumanists believe that it hasn't gone far enough. The political differences implied here cut across the Right-Left ideological spectrum that has defined the Western political horizon for the past two centuries. I shall explore the implications of this divide in my talk and look at how these might be resolved."<br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">During this talk on universities in a post-truth era, he will focus on the “tendency to see 'post-truth' disparagingly as the result of populist anti-intellectualism" or as a temporary turn in fortunes for the academics and other elites who have been shown wanting as a result of the Brexit vote and Trump's election". <br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">“I believe that both assessments of the post-truth condition are wrong. Drawing on my latest book, <em>Post Truth: Knowledge as a Power Game</em>, I shall argue that regardless of what happens to Brexit or Trump, the post-truth condition is here to stay – and, in a certain sense, has always been with us. In particular, we should see our epistemic predicament as part of the growth pains of the democratisation of knowledge, an inevitable consequence of which is the downgrading of expert judgement. I shall discuss what this means in terms of how universities should re-position themselves [at my talk on 16 August]."<br></p> |
