Stellenbosch University's very own "queen of events" is no more. Martie van der Linde, Stewardship Manager within the Development and Alumni Relations Division (DAR), passed away unexpectedly at her home in Onrusrivier in the early hours of Tuesday, 14 August.
Martie was a well-known staff member at SU for over 22 years - starting off as a personal assistant, then working her way up to become Head: Events and Public Relations at the Corporate Communications Division, before moving to the DAR Division in 2015. During her time at SU, she organised the inauguration of three SU Rectors, Professors Chris Brink, Russel Botman and Wim de Villiers and two Chancellors, Dr Frederik van Zyl Slabbert and Dr Johann Rupert. She was even called upon to organise the funerals of Chancellors, Prof Elize Botha and Dr Van Zyl Slabbert as well as former Rector Prof Botman.
“Our deepest condolences to Martie's loved ones. She was a legend at Stellenbosch University – an absolute institution. She was incredibly loyal and provided long years of excellent service to the University. But besides her professionalism, we will also miss her bubbly personality and can-do attitude. It's a great loss to all of us," SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers said.
Prof Niel Krige, Chairperson of the Development Office, with whom Martie worked closely since 2015, said Martie is irreplaceable. “In many ways she was the public face of the University for so many years, and a beloved colleague in the Development & Alumni Relations Division. We all have fond memories of her infectious zest for life, professionalism, creativity, and enormous empathy."
Martie joined the DAR team in April 2015, not long after her 60th birthday. Her role was that of Stewardship Manager of the major individual donors to the University and she arrived with great ideas and her signature enthusiasm, recalled Karen Bruns, DAR's Senior Director.
"Although Martie had had many dealings with the advancement function of the University over a number of years, fundraising was a new arena to her – not quite marketing, not quite communications, and yet something for which she was infinitely suited. And she was keen to learn, to grow, and to explore.
"In 2016, we launched the Chancellor's Circle, the donor circle of which Martie was custodian, artfully and with clear purpose, in her signature style. She was an integral support to Prof Krige and the two of them spent many hours developing the practices and protocols for donor engagement – setting a new standard for the University in this area."
Bruns said Martie brought experience but also great freshness to the Division, always willing to engage in new thinking and to test new ways of doing things, often challenging her much younger colleagues to think more "out of the box".
"Ever charming and fun to be around, the events that Martie organised were stylish, flawless and the highlights of the Rector's calendar. We are devastated by her sudden passing and know that her irreplaceable spark will be missed by all her colleagues, the donors and alumni with whom she regularly engaged, and the whole University community," Bruns added.
Susan van der Merwe, Director: Communication and Stakeholder Relations, who worked with her for more than 12 years in the then Marketing and Communication division, said Martie will be remembered for her forever-young spirit. “She could picture an event in her mind and could make it happen in a very detailed and creative way. Martie gave special flair to the inaugurations of Stellenbosch University's Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors, but was equally at home at student events such as the Diversity Week's Festival of Colours. She was a gracious and graceful lady."
- The family will confirm memorial dates at a later stage.
- Photographer: Stefan Els
