Stellenbosch University’s (SU) official welcoming ceremony boasts some new features this year.
Apart from the more than 5 600 newcomer first-years, new staff members, first-time Matie postgraduate students as well as postdoctoral students will also attend the official welcoming ceremony to be held at 16:00 in the Danie Craven Stadium on Thursday 2 February.
At the event, Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, and Ms Masilo Silokazi, Chair of the Student Representative Council, will welcome all newcomers to the University, while the University’s management and student leaders are also introduced to the newcomers.
Family and friends are also invited to join in the celebration.
Dream Walk
Following the official welcoming event, students will participate in the iconic Dream Walk in Victoria Street. Launched in 2019, this initiative sees students walk down Victoria Street in Stellenbosch towards a banner hanging across Victoria Street to symbolise the official start of their academic journey at SU.
“For thousands of Maties the Dream Walk symbolises the official start to their academic journey – for all practical reasons a dream coming true,” says Mr Pieter Kloppers, Director: Centre for Student Communities. “The moment you pass underneath that banner, you know that you are now officially a Matie.”
The Dream Walk will be followed by Dreamville, a student festival to be held in and around the Neelsie Student Centre. Festivities include circus performers and a music festival.
Welcoming Programme
The Welcoming Event marks the start to the University’s welcoming programme which runs until Saturday 11 February with classes starting on Monday 13 January.
The programme comprises a comprehensive and fully integrated programme of welcoming activities. Newcomers are introduced to all aspects of campus and student life, including academic programmes and the wide range of student support services at their disposal.
“The welcome program is put together to create a fine balance between meaningful and memorable events, but also essential information and orientation sessions. This helps new Maties to embark on their educational journey with confidence,” says Kloppers.
Further exciting events lined up during the welcoming period are the annual Social Impact morning held on Thursday 9 February – with newcomers getting the opportunity to engage in practical community activities; the Connect “Vensters” event that will take place at the Welgevallen hockey fields on Saturday 11 Feb (12:00–19:00) (colourful music and dance concerts in regular intervals); and the Maties Connect Festival that follows after Vensters.
More information about the University’s 2023 Welcoming Period:
- Students have access to an online onboarding programme to help prepare them for the practical aspects of their studies. The programme is offered on SUNLearn, the University’s learning management system.
- The University’s website, www.sun.ac.za, contains all the information newcomer students may need. The full welcoming programme and additional details, including the registration schedule, transport details, personal safety guidelines and information about SU Library, are available here.
- Social media updates about the Welcoming Period will be posted under the hashtag #helloMaties.
- Heavy traffic is expected on all main roads to Stellenbosch as well as in town on 1 and 2 February 2023.
