Stellenbosch University (SU) was officially established on 2 April 1918 with the adoption of ‘De Universiteit van Stellenbosch-wet’ (Act 13 of 1916). Therefore, 2018 marked the year that SU celebrated 100 years as a fully-fledged university. Starting out with four faculties: Arts, Science, Education and Agriculture (currently Arts and Social Sciences, Science, Education and AgriSciences), 503 students and 40 lecturing staff on 2 April 1918, SU today is home to 10 faculties, a vibrant and cosmopolitan community of more than 35 000 students and 3 500 staff members, spread over five campuses.
In commemoration of our Centenary in 2018, we celebrated great achievements and groundbreaking discoveries. We saluted the more than 250 000 alumni and students, academics and lecturers, researchers and professional and administrative support staff, as well as our management and governance structures who have helped to mould this institution and cement its reputation as a world-class academic institution.
Our Centenary year was also the final year of the Institutional Intent and Strategy framework, with 2019 marking the first year of our Strategic Framework 2019 – 2024.
The Centenary, with its theme “100 years of learning, growing and moving forward together”, truly signified a new beginning for SU.
Looking forward, we strive to be a relevant University that will play a key role in the development of our nation and our continent. We are committed to contributing to a society of dignity, healing, justice, freedom and equality for all. We also acknowledged and demonstrated an awareness that the past 100 years included great injustices to many in our country.
Stellenbosch University (SU) acknowledges its inextricable connection with generations past, present and future. In the 2018 Centenary Year, SU celebrates its many successes and achievements. SU simultaneously acknowledges its contribution towards the injustices of the past. For this we have deep regret. We apologise unreservedly to the communities and individuals who were excluded from the historical privileges that SU enjoyed and we honour the critical Matie voices of the time who would not be silenced. In responsibility towards the present and future generations, SU commits itself unconditionally to the ideal of an inclusive world-class University in and for Africa.
The Centenary year was marked with the development of a special Centenary identity. The Centenary brand mark was developed by adding the numerals ‘100’ to the existing corporate brand mark and crest. The isiXhosa for ‘university’, iYuniversithi, was furthermore included in the descriptor.
Here is a behind-the-scenes view of how the Centenary identity was developed.