The Council of Stellenbosch University governs this higher education institution and the institutional statute. The full function and composition of the Council is contained in the Statute of Stellenbosch University.​

​Members of the Council

Rector and Vice-Chancellor

Prof WJS de Villiers (01.04.2020 - 31.03.2025)

Vice-Rector appointed by Rector

Prof A Schoonwinkel (01.01.2020 – 31.12.2020)​

Chief Operating Officer

Prof SA du Plessis (01.01.2018 – 31.12.2023)​

Elected by Senate

​

Elected by the permanent academic staff (non-Senate members)

Prof J Fourie (01.09.2018 - 01.07.2020)

Elected by the permanent non-academic support staff

Mr WP Davidse (06.04.2020 - 05.04.2022)

​

Appointed by Council

Elected by Students’ Representative Council

​

Appointed by Minister of Higher Education and Training

Mr AR Dietrich (23.03.2017 – 22.03.2021)

Prof A Keet (01.12.2018 - 30.11.2022)

Ms S Lingela (01.01.2019 - 31.12.2023)

Dr T Ngomane (01.10.2018 – 30.09.2022)

Ms Z Stuurman (13.07.2017 – 12.07.2021)​

Elected by the Convocation

Mr CD Cillié (02.04.2018 – 01.04.2022)

Adv JJ Meiring (02.04.2018 – 01.04.2022)

Mr JG Theron (02.04.2018 – 01.04.2022)

Appointed by the Council of the Municipality of Stellenbosch

Adv GMM van Deventer (01.12.2016 – 30.11.2021)

Appointed by the Premier of the Western Cape Province​

Ms GSA​ Ngwenya (01.08.2018 – 31.07.2022)​​

Elected by the Donors

Mr HR Brody (02.04.2018 – 01.04.2022)

Mr JJ Durand (02.04.2020 - 02.04.2024)

Mr GM Steyn (02.04.2018 - 01.04.2022) (Re-elected as Chairperson 18.06.2018)​