Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University (SU) is once again showing his support for Matie students.
On Sunday, 13 March 2022, Prof De Villiers will lead a team of 32 alumni, staff, students and friends of the University, in the109 km Cape Town Cycle Tour (CTCT) to raise funds for #Move4Food, one of the priority initiatives under the University’s annual fundraising campaign, Bridge the Gap. This Annual Fund aims to remove the obstacles that are hindering Maties on their road to success.
#Move4Food is a way of providing immediate relief to curb student hunger on SU’s campuses and to ensure that no student will have to study on an empty stomach.
The past five years, Prof De Villiers has participated in several sporting events to raise funds for student bursaries and for #Move4Food. He completed the CTCT five times, ran the full 42.2 km Sanlam Cape Town Marathon twice and completed the 88 km London to Brighton Cycle Ride twice.
“I am honoured to be part of a team of caring Maties. Our students face numerous challenges, but food insecurity should not be one of them. I would like to encourage everyone to contribute on our fundraising page,” Prof De Villiers says.
Chris Norton, alumnus and owner of beerhouse and bistro, Casa Cerveza in Stellenbosch, is joining Team Maties accompanied by the Fairtree Imperial Cannondale team, riders who all hail from Kayamandi in Stellenbosch. “They are extremely proud to ride for Maties and understand the challenges that young South Africans face. They have excelled in their previous rides for Maties and aim to make 2022 the best performance yet!” he adds.
Prof Sadulla Karjiker, alumnus and professor in the Faculty of Law at SU, is participating for the second time and says he is ready to cycle for such a worthy cause.
For Peter van de Venter, Sunday’s race will be his first CTCT, but he has flown the Matie flag before. This former Eendragter and now financial manager, participated in last year’s FNB Wine2Whales wearing his Matie colours.
Abraham de Villiers says it is amazing to participate as part of a group. “Once a Matie, always a Matie! To do it together with other alums has strengthened my bond with the university.”
JP Visser is looking forward to his first CTCT. “I’m happy and excited to take part and represent my alma mater. The University and its students are very dear to me.”
Be our guest
All Maties riding on Sunday and their supporters are invited to the Maties hospitality tent at the finishing line, where they will have the opportunity to enjoy light refreshments and meet up with fellow Maties.
- To support #Move4Food and the team, please visit https://www.givengain.com/cc/su100/. Your support will give Maties the chance to shine without facing undue stress and obstacles.
