Operations and Finance
Welcome to Stellenbosch University

 

 

Show your support for Global Recycling Day: bring your e-waste to the Rooiplein on Monday 18 Marchhttps://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10506Show your support for Global Recycling Day: bring your e-waste to the Rooiplein on Monday 18 MarchPetro Mostert<p></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;clear:both;cursor:text;overflow:visible;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:10.6667px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span class="EOP SCXW108861340 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":278}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:22.0083px;font-family:raleway, raleway_embeddedfont, raleway_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span style="">To raise awareness about Global Recycling Day on 18 March 2024 and International Day for Zero Waste (30 March), the Environmental Sustainability team of Facilities Management is partnering with the UNASA student society, Wasteplan, and EWASA for an e-waste recycling drive.</span> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;clear:both;cursor:text;overflow:visible;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:10.6667px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:22.0083px;font-family:raleway, raleway_embeddedfont, raleway_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">E</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">lectronic </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">waste, or e-waste, contains numerous chemicals and heavy metals that can pose a risk to human and ecological health. It is also high-value material that can be reused and save the mining of raw materials. Keeping it out of landfill sites, recycling what is possible,</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> and discarding the harmful components in certified</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> responsible</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> ways is essential</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> for our planetary health</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW108861340 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":278}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:22.0083px;font-family:raleway, raleway_embeddedfont, raleway_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;clear:both;cursor:text;overflow:visible;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:10.6667px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:22.0083px;font-family:raleway, raleway_embeddedfont, raleway_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">SU </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">provides</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> a </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:left bottom;">separate</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> collection str</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">eam </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">for e</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">-waste </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">on</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> our </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:left bottom;">campuses </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:left bottom;">and</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">works</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> with</span></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-ZA" class="TextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:22.0083px;font-family:raleway, raleway_embeddedfont, raleway_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> registered waste management compan</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">ies</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> that legally</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> reuse, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">strip and recycle electronic waste</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">. For this effort, SU will </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">receive a manifest and a safe disposal certificate for e-waste </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">collected from campus</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW108861340 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":278}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:22.0083px;font-family:raleway, raleway_embeddedfont, raleway_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;clear:both;cursor:text;overflow:visible;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:10.6667px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-ZA" class="TextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:22.0083px;font-family:raleway, raleway_embeddedfont, raleway_msfontservice, sans-serif;">Please note that only </span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-ZA" class="TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:22.0083px;font-family:raleway, raleway_embeddedfont, raleway_msfontservice, sans-serif;font-weight:bold;">non-SU asset items</span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-ZA" class="TextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:22.0083px;font-family:raleway, raleway_embeddedfont, raleway_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> can be dropped off at Monday's yellow e-waste bins on the Rooiplein</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW108861340 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":278}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:22.0083px;font-family:raleway, raleway_embeddedfont, raleway_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;clear:both;cursor:text;overflow:visible;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:13px;padding:0px 0px 1.33333px;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-style:none none solid;border-left-color:initial;border-right-color:initial;border-top-color:initial;border-bottom-color:#000000;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-ZA" class="TextRun SCXW108861340 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:22.0083px;font-family:raleway, raleway_embeddedfont, raleway_msfontservice, sans-serif;">Bring your e-waste on Monday and help us create a healthier environment.</span><span class="EOP SCXW108861340 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":278,"335572079":6,"335572080":1,"335572081":4278190080,"469789806":"single"}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:22.0083px;font-family:raleway, raleway_embeddedfont, raleway_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><p>​<br></p>
City of Cape Town awards Tygerberg and Bellville campuses for efficient water management https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10501City of Cape Town awards Tygerberg and Bellville campuses for efficient water management Petro Mostert<p></p><p>​​​​​​​The City of Cape Town recently awarded a 5-star and 3-star rating to the Tygerberg and Bellville campuses for effective water management to ensure compliance with the Institution's water licensing conditions. Implementing water strategies at the Tygerberg campus resulted in a 40 percent reduction in potable water consumption. The Bellville campus used water from the adjacent deep lake to supply water to the desalination plant, which resulted in a substantial reduction of potable water with minimal supply from the city of Cape Town's grid.<br></p><p>These water solutions resulted from work done more than a decade ago at Facilities Management when a cross-functional team developed the Green Business Plan, which detailed specific targets for various environmental sustainability elements. It has since evolved into the institution's 2022 Environmental Sustainability Plan.</p><p>"Our Environmental Sustainability Plan stipulates that we must reduce the impact on the earth's finite resources — energy and water. One of these strategies is the Water Optimization Strategy," said SUFM's Director of Property Services, Nadeem Gafieldien.<br></p><p>"While implementing these strategies in 2018, the Western Cape experienced the worst droughts. With Day Zero looming, we managed to fast-track our water optimization strategy. We turned this crisis into an opportunity by implementing these strategies, requiring changes in our systems to make them more resilient to future environmental crises."<br></p><p>Gafieldien said they developed several water projects and initiatives and implemented them across the institution, including the Tygerberg and Bellville campuses. This included upgrading bulk infrastructure, boreholes at Tygerberg, a new deep lake system at the Bellville campus, changing shower heads, taps, and toilet cisterns from twelve to six liters, and implementing greywater systems.</p><p>Gafieldien said all these initiatives enabled them to reduce potable water consumption, with the added benefit of reducing the municipal bill, while building resilience in the institution's water systems by optimising and diversifying this finite resource."</p><p>"While this represented certain advantages, it also came with specific legislation and regulatory requirements. This legislation requires regular testing, management, reporting, and audits on the water quality as stipulated in the water licenses," said Gafieldien.</p><p>SU's environmental sustainability manager, John de Wet, confirmed that the Tygerberg campus's water consumption is 11,638 Kl monthly, which equates to six Olympic pools.</p><p>An estimated 9514 kl, or the equivalent of five pools, is supplied by the municipality, and 2 124 Kl, or one pool, comes from the Tygerberg campus from boreholes drilled in 2016. This initiative resulted in a 20 percent reduction in potable water supplied by the City of Cape Town and made us more resilient.</p><p>De Wet said the Bellville campus has a 50-meter-deep quarry; all rain and stormwater are collected in this lake. "In 2018, SU implemented the deep-water lake projects at the Bellville campus. SU was allowed to pump water from the 52-meter-deep lake. We used this 12-degree water to supply water to three areas on the campus. Firstly, in the HVAC plant; secondly, in the filtration plant; and thirdly, to irrigate the landscape.</p><p>Raw water from the lake is filtered in the filtration plant (reversed osmoses), which supplies all campus buildings."</p><p>John confirmed that this system produces an estimated 2,051 Kl per month, equivalent to one Olympic pool of drinking water. According to him, this campus should theoretically not use potable water from the municipality. However, it is impossible due to the impact of load-shedding, as it reverts to the municipal water supply.</p><p>Gafieldien said that by adopting its environmental sustainability plan in 2022, SU is now on a new sustainable trajectory for carbon neutrality by 2030 and net zero by 2050.</p><p><strong>Green building award</strong></p><p>Furthermore, the Green Buildings Council of South Africa (GBCSA) certified our Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI) building with a 4-star rating as a newly built green building. The BMRI was SU's first building to receive this certification from the GBCSA.</p><p>The GBCSA rating system includes energy efficiency, water, and waste management, using green materials and construction methods, indoor air quality, transport, land use, emissions, innovation, and productivity.</p><p>"Buildings consume 75 percent of the utilities and are the largest contributor to the institutions' emissions and carbon footprint. Therefore, we focus on improving how we measure and report on the performance of our extensive portfolio of +450 buildings. We also ensure our buildings are much greener and reduce the impact on the environment and our planet," said Gafieldien.<br></p><div><br><br><br></div><p>​<br></p>
Innovus spinout CubeSpace secures R47m VC funding for global expansionhttps://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10499Innovus spinout CubeSpace secures R47m VC funding for global expansionPetro Mostert<p></p><p>Stellenbosch University and Innovus spinout company CubeSpace, a leading satellite component manufacturer, has secured R47m venture capital funding to fuel its global expansion.<br></p><p>After establishing itself as a leader in the CubeSat market, the company is leveraging its considerable experience and research and development capabilities to transform the broader satellite industry.</p><p>The strategic shift is backed by an impressive 50 percent annual growth over the last four years, with the recent venture capital funding, led by the University Technology Fund (UTF) and co-investor Savant Venture Fund, to support expansive growth.</p><p>Renowned for successfully controlling over 300 satellites and endorsed by NASA, the company aims to strengthen its foothold in the US and European markets, enhancing support for its robust client base worldwide.</p><p>“Gone are the times when satellite manufacturing is reserved for governments of large first-world countries. We have developed a modular and low-cost control system capable of controlling any size satellite, which will help researchers, private companies, and governments globally build satellites a lot quicker, with smaller teams, and at much lower cost," says CubeSpace CEO Mike-Alec Kearney.</p><p>The company has already secured its first six contracts for microsatellites, with the largest contract being for a 400kg earth observation satellite destined for Very Low Earth Orbit at 200 km. This achievement underscores its strong position in the international satellite industry and demonstrates the industry's trust in the company's capabilities.</p><p>“With the new investment, we're expanding our capabilities to control satellites up to one ton through our revolutionary new range of large reaction wheels. These wheels will all include our high-efficiency precision electrical motor which was developed in-house and will address an urgent need in the satellite constellation market for high-performance, low-cost reaction wheels that can be delivered in high volumes for demanding schedules," explains Kearney.</p><p>The control systems play a crucial role in the operation of satellites by ensuring precision pointing and stability, enabling seamless operation of optical payloads and antennas. This expertise is highlighted by CubeSpace's inclusion in NASA's State-of-the-Art Small Spacecraft Technology report.</p><p>The company has played a significant role in groundbreaking missions, including the development of the control systems for the UAE Lunar rover, and is currently in the process of building control systems for three more lunar rovers, which will contribute to the colonisation of the moon and Mars.</p><p>Through enabling their customers to build world-class satellites, the company actively contributes to initiatives aimed at improving conditions on Earth, including projects related to the removal of space debris, smart agriculture, global internet access, and the monitoring of climate, weather patterns, and maritime activities.</p><p>“CubeSpace embodies the University Technology Fund's vision to invest in South African university technology with global potential. This is the fund's largest investment to date, reflecting our confidence in the company. Their outstanding performance in a promising sector has us excited to support their ambitious goals. We're thrilled to fuel their journey!" says UTF CEO Wayne Stocks.</p><p>“The investment in CubeSpace is a great case study demonstrating that local university technology is an overlooked but very promising asset class.  This is also supported by the fast growth in the Stellenbosch University group of companies which currently boasts nearly 30 spinout companies," explains Anita Nel, Chief Director of Innovation and Commercialisation of Stellenbosch University and CEO of US Enterprises.</p><div><br></div><div><br></div><br><p>About CubeSpace:</p><p>An innovator in the international space industry and a spinout company of Stellenbosch University, CubeSpace specialises in turn-key ADCS solutions for over 150 global clients. Celebrating South African intellectual property and expertise, CubeSpace manufactures state-of-the-art space control systems, partnering with major space agencies like NASA, ESA, and others.<br></p><p>​<br></p>
Let’s reaffirm our core values https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10486Let’s reaffirm our core values Petro Mostert<p></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Anita Nel, Chief Director Innovation and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:left bottom;">Commercialisation</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> writes:</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW66353002 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW66353002 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Welcome back to each member of our Innovation and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:left bottom;">Commercialisation</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> Team. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Let's</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> take a moment to reaffirm our core values at SU, namely compassion, equity, respect, accountability, and excellence. These values shape our approach to our daily tasks and help us navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities we </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">encounter</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> daily. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW66353002 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW66353002 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Reflecting on 2023, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">we've</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> learned invaluable lessons that we are taking into 2024</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">.  </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">One of these lessons is the value of </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">good communication</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> and how lack thereof creates uncertainty and misunderstandings. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Let's</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> give priority to excellent communication in 2024. We have also worked </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">very hard</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> over the past years to put proper processes and policies in place across our division to provide clarity and transparency and to ensure that we consistently act in the best interest of Stellenbosch University. As we embark on this new year, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">let's</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> continue to respect these guardrails and implement them consistently. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Let's</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> also uphold our core values, seize growth opportunities, and work with integrity towards an even better Stellenbosch University</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">.  </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW66353002 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW66353002 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Welcome back, and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">let's</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW66353002 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> make 2024 a year of continued success and fun!</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW66353002 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><p>​<br></p>
Our lesson learned: listen https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10489Our lesson learned: listen Petro Mostert<p>​<br><br></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Manie Lombard, Chief Director Finance</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">, writes:</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW119456533 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW119456533 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">It was with immense gratitude and relief that I could write in our recent report to SU’s council that we have completed the formal implementation of </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:left bottom;">SUNFin</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> and ended the three-month-long </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:left bottom;">hypercare</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> period that followed. We have transferred all support operations to the various Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in conjunction with the subdivision Financial Systems Support and Training. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">We’ve</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> also </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">established</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> a Senate working group to help us address critical issues that arise as we </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">continue</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> our </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:left bottom;">SUNFin</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> journey.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW119456533 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW119456533 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;">I am proud to say that the team has rolled out three quarterly updates until now without any downtime or interruption of the system – indeed, a remarkable achievement. </span><span class="EOP SCXW119456533 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW119456533 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Our focus now is to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:left bottom;">stabilise</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> the </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:left bottom;">SUNFin</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> system and ensure that we provide efficient client service and support. The </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:left bottom;">SUNFin</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> service desk is fully operational and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">indicates</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> that 92 percent of help tickets have been resolved. Since going live at the end of July last year, 4 188 tickets were logged. Our team is working hard to close the long, outstanding items.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW119456533 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW119456533 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">It has not been </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">an easy ride</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">, but I have confidence in the Finance team that we will achieve our goals for 2024. One of the lessons learned in 2023 was that we need to listen and find solutions for those unique problems that arise. We all know that there will be big and small mountains to climb along the way, and by </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:left bottom;">listening</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> and understanding our client’s needs, I believe 2024 will be </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">a great year</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW119456533 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW119456533 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Thank you to a highly devoted and dedicated team. I look forward to another year working side-by-side and finding </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">new solutions</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW119456533 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> and better ways of working together.</span></span></p></div><p>​<br></p>
Resilience is not a single skill https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10487Resilience is not a single skill Petro Mostert<p></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;">Joe Smith, acting Chief Director Information Technology, writes:</span><span class="EOP SCXW3142273 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Having all staff members safely back after the festive season is fantastic. I hope that all of you had a good rest. I know some staff members were on standby, such as the TAS staff and the staff taking care of the data centres</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">. Eskom has mostly been good </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:left bottom;">to</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> us, with very few load-shedding instances over the holiday period. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW3142273 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW3142273 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Looking back, 2023 was a unique year in many ways. We had enormous challenges with massive projects running simultaneously, such as load shedding and the risk it poses to our data </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:left bottom;">centres</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">, the resignation of our chief director, the announcement of our new chief director in December 2023, and several retirements with an accumulative loss of more than a century of institutional knowledge</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">.  </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW3142273 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW3142273 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">We bounced back resiliently with all the challenges IT had to deal with. Our staff stayed motivated and worked with dedication, harder than ever to keep the lights on. I learned from 2023 that resilience </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">isn’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> a single skill. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">It’s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> a variety of skills and coping mechanisms. To bounce back from bumps in the road and failures, you should emphasise the positive. – Jean Chatzky. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW3142273 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW3142273 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW3142273 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;">This is what we did at IT and will continue doing at IT.</span><span class="EOP SCXW3142273 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><p>​<br></p>
We can achieve incredible successes https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10488We can achieve incredible successes Petro Mostert<p><br><br></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Nicolette van den </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:left bottom;">Eijkel</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">, Chief Director Facilities Management (SUFM)</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> writes</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW130835556 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW130835556 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">It’s</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> great to see the campus buzzing with the excitement of new students. Spending time with them at the Societies Fair was very inspiring. We used the opportunity to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">showcase</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> what we do at SUFM to our new students and to talk to them about environmental sustainability and safety. Many students were impressed, and some were keen to come and do job shadowing in the division. The usual welcoming week of security and safety talks has gone down well, with the self-defense demonstrations a big hit </span></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:28.0583px;font-family:"apple color emoji", "apple color emoji_embeddedfont", sans-serif;">&#128521;</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW130835556 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW130835556 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">2023 taught us that we can achieve incredible successes, such as building the BMRI at Tygerberg – a building that will undoubtedly positively affect the world. 2023 also taught us that we have </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">a great team</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> at SUFM that keeps the campuses </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">operating</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> well regardless of storms, excessive heat, crime, load shedding, or any other issues that affect us so that our students and staff can learn and teach</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">.  </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW130835556 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW130835556 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">In 2024 we will build on what we do well but focus on operational efficiencies. Information that we </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:left bottom;">start</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> to get out of our systems will enable us to see where we can work smarter and more effectively across the Operations and Finance Responsibility Centre</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">.  </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW130835556 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130835556 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW130835556 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><p>​<br></p>
Accolades to our #MaroonMachine family https://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10490Accolades to our #MaroonMachine family Petro Mostert<p></p><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Ilhaam Groenewald, Chief Director Maties Sport</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">, writes:</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;">2023 was another exceptional year for Maties Sport and our student-athletes, both on and off the field. </span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">In addition to our nine high-performance teams achieving an 85% academic pass rate across our nine high-performance codes, 18 of our sporting disciplines collected thirty medals (ten gold, eight silver, and twelve bronze). Our Maties student-athletes have fared exceptionally well on the national and international stage, with 47 student-athletes </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">representing</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> South Africa and their countries across 12 different sporting codes. A few of our codes won their respective league titles with highly contested victories for Western Province (rugby 15s, hockey) and Cape Town (netball) and Football winning the sought-after ABC Motsepe Nedbank Cup. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Congratulations to our #MaroonMachine family of staff, student-athletes, coaches, medicine and sport science support staff, facilities and grounds teams, interns, sponsors, donors, partners, stakeholders, families, friends, communities, and to our fans on another amazing year</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">.  </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">  </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;">After a good break, reviewing these outstanding performances reminds us how privileged we are and that we should be grateful for the opportunity to achieve through the power of sport. </span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Maties Sport has also had a few staff movements. We said farewell to Grant van Velden - our </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">previous</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> head coach for high-performance; to Cameron Donkin, our strength and conditioning coach; and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:left bottom;">Lungako</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> </span><span class="NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:left bottom;">Mweli</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> our athlete support services manager, who had a short stay with us. We wish them all well in their future endeavors. While it is challenging when key staff move on in their careers, it provides opportunities for new appointments or promotions of current staff, celebrating healthy internal advancement. In this spirit, we congratulate Keagan van Aarde as our senior manager: high-performance since January 2024. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">A reminder and lesson in 2023 </span><span class="NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:left bottom;">is</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> the importance of the #MaroonTeam because, at times, we contribute beyond the call of duty, and to continue to keep driving results, we need our staff to do so. I </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">don’t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> always get it right, but I am committed to advancing every one of our team members</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">.  </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;">With the re-allocation of sports codes, and staff movements, change is inevitable, and to manage these changes, as the Chief Director of Maties Sport, my key focus areas for 2024 will be: </span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Human resource management with the focus on strengthening skills to further advance our operational excellence; revisit personal development plans to align to our succession planning; and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">facilitate</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> investment by everyone to contribute towards a balanced, healthy, and positive work environment for both career and personal wellbeing. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Advancing our relevance through social impact, research and building </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">capacity</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> through our Centre for Sport Leadership (CSL) and the recently awarded International Olympic Committee (IOC) Research Studies Centre which, in partnership with CSL, present excellent opportunities to </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">showcase</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> and apply our research and management </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">expertise</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Personal development and the advancement of my own knowledge and </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">expertise</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> through the pursuit of my Ph.D. I can do so with the support and guidance of my family, the #MaroonMachine team, and the leadership of Professor Stan du Plessis, the University’s Chief Operating </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">Officer</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> and Maties Sport’s line manager. </span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">We are geared up for 2024 to advance our relevance through what we do for and with our internal and external stakeholders. We </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;">remain</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"> committed to Stellenbosch University’s inclusivity, excellence, and innovation vision. We will continue to make a difference, guided by our vision ‘To be the leading university, contributing to a holistic and diverse experience through sport.’</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:visible;cursor:text;clear:both;direction:ltr;color:#000000;font-family:"segoe ui", "segoe ui web", arial, verdana, sans-serif;font-size:12px;background-color:#ffffff;"><p class="Paragraph SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin-bottom:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;background-color:transparent;color:windowtext;"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" class="TextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW265484168 BCX0" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;"></span></span><span class="EOP SCXW265484168 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{}" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;font-size:12pt;line-height:19.425px;font-family:calibri, calibri_embeddedfont, calibri_msfontservice, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div><p>​<br></p>
Stellenbosch University’s Gradlinc show exceptional growth in first yearhttps://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10454Stellenbosch University’s Gradlinc show exceptional growth in first yearPetro Mostert<p>​Stellenbosch University's startup company Gradlinc — an innovative graduate career development platform — signed up more than 4 200 students and 250 companies in just over one year.<br></p><p>This innovative platform that connects employers, graduates, and universities country-wide was launched at the beginning of SU's graduation week on 5 December 2022. Gradlinc is a must-needed solution to connect employers, graduates, and universities on a national cloud-based platform. The platform's unique matching algorithm ensures that employers' job requirements match very precisely with the graduates' skillset. Stellenbosch University's innovation division, Innovus, funded this initiative.</p><p>As a response to the critical need to bridge graduates with opportunities during their studies and as fresh graduates, the Gradlinc journey began with the recognition that many tertiary institutions faced similar graduate employment challenges, with only a handful having dedicated job portals for students. In a bold move, Gradlinc decided to build a national platform to remove barriers for all students.</p><p>The platform witnesses daily sign-ups from university students nationwide, representing 23 of the 26 public universities, with ongoing efforts to onboard students from private universities and institutions. Most sign-ups are undergraduate students, followed by Honours, Masters and Doctoral students. Altogether, 20 percent of students studied degrees in Arts and social sciences, followed by BSc Human Life Sciences, BSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, LLB, International Studies, Management Sciences, and Financial Accounting, with Engineering Science and Medical Sciences not far behind.</p><p>A recent testimonial read: “As an aspiring BSc Human Life Sciences graduate, job hunting was a frequent and often very stressful activity. Not only did Gradlinc help me with the job searching process, but it was also such a simple and user-friendly website. The platform allows companies to post jobs and internships available to recent graduates, which is extremely helpful. Gradlinc allowed for a quick and easy application process and provided the utmost assistance in finding the right job for me."</p><p>“The story of Gradlinc is one of developing African solutions for African problems, bringing the solution to those who can benefit. It's a testament to the collective effort required to address graduate employment in South Africa," said Lizane Füzy, General Manager of Gradlinc.</p><p><strong>Enhancing a graduate's employability</strong></p><p>Gradlinc's latest addition is the Gradlinc Employability Award, a program, designed to acknowledge and reward activities like volunteer work and workshop attendance, and allows students to earn points reflected as badges on their profiles, making it easier for employers to recognise employable talent. “With plans to extend this program to schools in 2024, Gradlinc is actively contributing to enhancing students' employability from an early stage and facilitating a strong foundation to build successful careers," said Füzy.</p><p>In January this year, Gradlinc initiated a modern online job shadowing experience through a weekly webinar series titled "<em>A day in the life</em>," where Industry professionals join live sessions and share their insights into various careers. The webinars, open to students and school pupils, feature live Q&A sessions and can be viewed afterward on Gradlinc's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/%40gradlinc/streams">YouTube</a> channel.</p><p>Füzy says a key differentiator for Gradlinc is their commitment to advocate for the youth and giving graduates a voice, as one student remarked: “usually the job criteria stipulates that an applicant needs experience". But what if you have just graduated? In cases like these, Gradlinc's algorithm assists graduate employers in attracting employable candidates, even without experience. Students don't lose access to the platform after graduation as they have lifelong access. This commitment ensures a sustained connection between academia and professional life. Gradlinc also offers diverse opportunities, including part-time roles, full-time positions, holiday work, and internships, creating a comprehensive platform for career development.</p><p>In a recent accolade, Gradlinc was one of the top ten finalists in the AfricaIgnite Pitch Competition. The competition, held in collaboration with the Start-up World Cup powered by Pegasus, was held at the Africa Tech Festival between 14 and 16 November 2023. “This recognition underscores Gradlinc's commitment to creating sustainable solutions for the youth and fostering a thriving entrepreneurial landscape in Africa," says Füzy</p><p> </p><p>Visit <a href="https://gradlinc.co.za/">Gradlinc</a> for more information and follow Gradlinc on social media:</p><p>Instagram: gradlinc_sa </p><p>Facebook: gradlincSA </p><p>LinkedIn: gradlinc</p><p>X: gradlinc_sa </p><p>YouTube: @gradlinc<br></p><p><br></p>
New Maties Coffee Hub: a fusion of tradition, innovation, and local entrepreneurshiphttps://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=10455New Maties Coffee Hub: a fusion of tradition, innovation, and local entrepreneurshipPetro Mostert<p>​In a move that celebrates both tradition and innovation, Stellenbosch University's (SU) iconic Maties Shop will expand its offerings to include a unique coffee experience by opening the first Maties Coffee Hub on 1 March 2024, located inside the Matie Shop in the Neelsie. This exciting venture will enrich the vibrant campus culture and exemplifies the University's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and community engagement.<br></p><p>At the heart of this endeavour is a partnership with Mhlengi Ngcobo, a former Matie and esteemed local entrepreneur behind CoffeeMM in the Co-create Hub opposite the Adam Small Theatre complex of SU. Ngcobo's deep roots within the University community and his passion for coffee and business acumen make him the perfect collaborator for this venture.</p><p>CoffeeMM was founded in 2017 as a local coffee company that provides high-quality, ethically sourced coffee beans and products to the Stellenbosch community and surrounds.</p><p>The partnership between CoffeeMM and Maties Coffee Hub emerged from a collaboration, transitioning from a supplier to a strategic partnership motivated by their shared values of sustainability and empowerment. By aligning with an institution deeply rooted in the Stellenbosch community, Ngcobo saw an opportunity to amplify the impact of his entrepreneurial endeavours while contributing to SU's holistic development and entrepreneurial spirit mission.</p><p>“By partnering with local businesses, we are enhancing the campus experience and catalysing economic development within the local region. This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to driving positive change and creating meaningful opportunities for our students and campus community", says Hein Swanepoel, Senior Director, Suncom (a division of Innovus). Beyond serving as a campus hotspot, the Maties Coffee Hub aims to foster meaningful connections and relationships within the Stellenbosch community, bridging the gap between students, faculty, and local businesses.</p><p>In essence, this collaboration exemplifies the positive effects of commercialisation within a university setting. It underscores Stellenbosch University's role as an enabler of entrepreneurial opportunities, showcasing the potential for synergy between academia and commerce in driving economic growth and social impact.</p><p>As the Maties Coffee Hub integrates into campus life, it sends a powerful message to the SU community and the broader public. It embodies a commitment to excellence, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment—a testament to the University's enduring legacy and dedication to shaping a brighter future for future generations.</p><p><strong>More about Innovus</strong></p><p>Innovus is a division of Stellenbosch University responsible for technology transfer, entrepreneurial support and development, and innovation. The Technology Transfer Office manages the University's innovation and intellectual property portfolio through seeking relevant intellectual protection for the university's intellectual property portfolio, such as patenting, trademark, design, and other forms of protection. The team is also responsible for the management of the portfolio and the commercialisation of innovation through licensing and the formation of spin-out companies.<br></p><p>For regular updates and opening specials, follow us on Facebook and Instagram  </p><p>For more information, please contact:</p><p>Gary Muizenheimer:</p><p>garym@sun.ac.za<br></p><p>​<br></p>