About Silene

Silene acts as a Private Student Organisation (PSO) within the larger Stellenbosch community. Our members are majority female and female-identifying students who commute or live in private accommodation


​​Silene's vision and mission

Our Vision

To navigate the spaces our community finds itself in with a youthful and light-hearted spirit. To intentionally celebrate our members with enthusiasm. And to proactively push for institutional change by confidently taking up space and embracing our PSO-ness. 

Our Mission

For the 2022/23 leadership term is to hold events that enable our members to engage in their passions, and that actively and vocally celebrates our members. To create a platform for open communication and feedback from our members, beginning with community conversations.


Silene's values

Unity

We strive to create a culture of collaboration and solidarity amongst our members, with the goal of establishing a united community, pride in our history, and presence within the university's context.

Respect

We strive to treat all of our members with compassion and empathy, while acknowledging, celebrating, and respecting the differences within our community.

Friendship

We would like to nurture a space of mutual trust and support within our community in the hopes of subsequently allowing members to open up to the full experience of life through intentional and authentic connections.

Acceptance

We foster a space where members feel free to express their values, opinions, and cultures without judgment, while embracing the diversity within the Stellenbosch University community.

Individuality

Silene embraces the unique backgrounds, ethnicities, race, and all other qualities of our members, and would like to encourage them to continue their personal growth within the community.

The history of Silene

Silene PSO is a private student organization that was founded in 2008 and operates within Stellenbosch University. We are one of 11 PSO's and are one of the only 4 female PSOs on campus that make up S.A.V.E (Silene, Aristea, Venustia, Equité). Silene will be turning 15 years old in 2023, and on the journey of creating and cementing our place in the archives of SU. 

Mentorship offered by Silene

Silene’s mentors are members of our community in their second year of study or above. Each newcomer (first years and/or transfer students) is assigned a mentor for their first year at SU. Silene’s mentor program follows the University’s mentor program which allows our mentors to apply for official accreditation at the end of their term. Our 2023 mentor team consists of 16 current Silene members, each eager to make the transition period into university life as easy and enjoyable as possible.


Activities and offerings

  • Sport – Hockey, Netball, and E-sports
  • Culture –Acapella, Culture evenings, Palesa Festival
  • Leadership development
  • Courageous Conversations  
  • Mentoring
  • Academic support
  • Dances
  • Socials​ within our community 
  • Socials with other communities

Silene's Primaria

 Silene Jessica.jpg

Anje Basson

Click here to send an email.

Location


Social Media

Click here to visit Silene's Facebook page.

Click here to visit Silene's Instagram profile.

Click here to visit Silene's Linktree.