Since 1956, Matieland magazine has established itself as a prominent publication of Stellenbosch University. While initially aimed at alumni, Matieland has evolved over time to tell a much more diverse audience about the research, innovation and excellence of our world-class institution. 

For decades, we have proudly delivered the magazine in print. However, as we move forward in an increasingly digital world, the time has come for Matieland to embrace change. In future, the publication will be offered exclusively in digital format. This not only allows us to reach a wider audience, but also aligns with the University’s commitment to sustainability. 


But while the format may change, quality content, inspiring stories and a deep connection with our community will remain at the heart of every issue. In this first edition, we aptly feature stories that portray the University’s digital appetite.

We look forward to starting this exciting new chapter in Matieland’s existence with you, and are pleased to welcome you to our new digital space.

Happy reading!

Blanché de Vries-Bartes

Artificial intelligence and data science tools have an important role to play in policy decisions about everything from public health to smart cities and sustainable development. They can provide evidence-based inputs for more effective policies that will have a substantive impact on people’s lives. 

Stellenbosch University (SU), through a partnership with the Presidency, the German government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has established Africa’s first Policy Innovation Lab. Housed in SU’s School for Data Science and Computational Thinking, the Lab serves as an exemplar of the societal impact of transdisciplinary research by investigating the use of data science tools and approaches to strengthen policymaking. 

Led by Prof Willem Fourie, Chair of Policy Innovation and associate professor at the School for Data Science and Computational Thinking, the Lab explores how data science and artificial intelligence (AI) tools can be deployed in a policymaking environment to accelerate the achievement of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Lab is in expert hands, as Fourie is also the founder of one of the world’s largest AI-powered knowledge resources on the SDGs, the South African SDG Hub. This metaplatform aggregates the most relevant research on the SDGs from South African and selected non-South African universities.

With a background in the social sciences, Fourie’s interest in public policy started with his master’s degree and later his doctorate at SU, where he studied the interaction between religion and public policy. He later expanded his research to explore how leadership plays into effective policymaking. During this time, a data science team was established under Fourie's leadership, and he also co-founded a tech start-up that uses AI to analyse policy-relevant documents. 

SU’s Policy Innovation Lab is making a significant contribution across several fields, from politics and digital transformation to sustainability. Many of the Lab’s projects are conducted in cooperation with the Policy and Research Services branch in the Presidency, the Lab's government partner. 

The Policy Innovation Lab strives to explore ways in which the application of AI and data science tools can accelerate the achievement of the SDGs in South Africa and beyond. “Our entry point to the SDGs is SDG 17, particularly its focus on the importance of policy coherence and policy coordination. This is why its current projects focus on improving coordination and efficiency in South Africa’s policymaking and reducing duplication and policy conflict through the application of data science and AI tools and approaches,” explains Fourie.

To increase public sector trust in the use of AI, a team at the Lab, led by Dr Gray Manicom, has also compiled a searchable online catalogue of AI tools. “This searchable catalogue benefits both the government and businesses seeking to leverage AI in the South African public sector by helping them find use cases where AI is currently being used overseas,” explains Manicom. 

It was in Stellenbosch that I first heard about Capitec. It was around the year 2004, if I remember correctly, when a friend and his girlfriend told me they were opening accounts at this new bank. You could earn interest of 10%, which was incredibly generous. Of course, it was an opportunity I didn’t take advantage of at the time. The bank where you got your first card – whether as a teenager or a student – is the one you tend to stay with until the end of your financial life. And why would I trust a new bank?

Still, a few guys wanted to change my old mindset, and that of millions of others, with a new venture. Most of the guys had spent a lot of time in Matieland.

But a bank doesn’t just pop up out of nowhere. An institution that legally accepts deposits and issues loans requires careful planning, strict adherence to regulations, the right technology, and, of course, a good amount of capital. Capitec gets its name from the latter two: ‘capital’ and ‘technology’. Unlike the established giants in the industry that are based in Johannesburg, Capitec has its headquarters in Stellenbosch's TechnoPark. This is fitting, as most of its founders earned their degrees just over the hill in the Eikestad. 

There’s Michiel le Roux, who lived in Eendrag for about half a decade and was approached in the late 1990s by his old koshuis (residence) roommate, Chris Otto, to look into a microlending business. The PSG Group, founded by Otto and the former Simonsberger Jannie Mouton, had acquired several dozen 'loan sharks', but didn't quite know what to do with the profitable mess they had invested in. Le Roux looked at the situation and eventually said that this could work as a bank for the tens of millions in South Africa who were still excluded from financial services. Before long, he brought in a few more former Maties in the form of Riaan Stassen and Gerrie Fourie (I heard a good story about him from a Dagbreek old boy). The three of them would lead the business for more than 20 years. Through the ups and downs of the South African economy in the first two decades of the new century, the team – along with many others who knew Victoria Street’s plane trees and Coetzenburg’s muddy rugby derbies well – built a bank with 23 million clients.

Today, Capitec has more clients than any other financial institution and boasts a market value of over R300 billion. It’s an exceptional achievement in an industry where change is usually painfully slow – from zero to 23 million in 23 years! The question, of course, is how they managed to do it. I answer this in Capitec: Stalking Giants, published by Tafelberg in October. It all starts with peanuts – yes, peanuts. And from there, a business developed that had to formalise quickly. Here, the clever intuition of a team who had first cut their teeth in another industry helped turn South Africa’s banking system on its head.

In the years since, I have followed my old university friend’s advice. Like one in every two South African adults, I now also have a Capitec account. The interest rate these days is more modest, but the bank is getting closer and closer to offering everything that the old giants have had a firm grip on for so long.

It just goes to show that you can bank on Maties alumni.

As a Grade 9 learner, the realisation that not everyone has access to online learning resources prompted Alexandra Lutz, now a first-year Data Science student at Stellenbosch University (SU), to launch a free digital platform that would make education more accessible. 

The pandemic and closure of schools meant many learners had to rely on digital resources. While the transition was seamless for many, including Lutz and her peers at St John’s Diocesan School for Girls (D.S.G.) in Pietermaritzburg, she noticed that many other learners did not have the same access to online platforms. 

With the permission of her headmaster, Lutz started sharing digital materials such as worksheets and videos with a few learners from the Imbeleko Foundation, based in the rural KwaZulu-Natal community of KwaNyuswa.

After three years of ‘pilot project’ work, Lutz secured seed funding to develop a prototype for an online platform, and in 2023, the non-profit organisation Milani Education was launched with content sourced the year before while Lutz was still in Grade 11. 

The company’s name, which means ‘to grow’ in isiZulu, was suggested by the assistant chaplain at St John’s D.S.G. Lutz thought it fitting as, “education leads to exponential growth for a person both mentally and professionally”. 

Milani Education is a free online learning platform that provides educational content from the current curriculum for learners in Grades 8 to 12 across South Africa. The content is donated to the start-up by reputable schools, at no cost. Currently, it serves about 800 learners who have access to more than
1 000 videos that they can use as a supplementary educational tool. 

It currently offers Mathematics, English Home Language and English First Additional Language (FAL). Lutz says they are moderating content for Mathematical Literacy, which should be launched soon.

Once the team expands and secures further funding, Milani Education will offer more of the main school subjects, says Lutz. Milani plans to broaden its network of partner schools to make more teachers available online to learners. The team also wants to translate the content into Afrikaans, isiZulu and isiXhosa, and optimise the platform for data efficiency.

 

Balancing work with her studies means that Lutz must manage her time wisely. She says she ‘compartmentalises’ her day to be available for both. Milani’s team of three is solution-driven and not afraid to navigate hurdles, she adds. 

Lutz has no intention of easing up on her entrepreneurial pursuits once she graduates in a couple of years. She hopes to be able to hand over the daily running of Milani Education to her team so that she can pursue other ventures in the start-up space. “But Milani will always be my baby.”

Stellenbosch University’s Maties Sport 
High-Performance Unit is well on its way to becoming a leading player in high-performance sports management in South Africa. This after the Unit’s remote training technology software, which it uses to assist its high-performance student-athletes and those in the Integrated Medicine and Science (IMAS) support programme with personalised training programmes, has proven to be a great success.

The remote training technology, which was introduced in January 2023, allows student-athletes as well as IMAS athletes interactive access to training materials from their communication devices at all times. This means that the student-athletes can fit training into their academic and sporting schedules when it is convenient for them.

The technology also enables the High-Performance Unit to build up a database of programmes and an exercise library that includes video demonstrations.

Keagan van Aarde, SU's senior manager of High-Performance Sport Maties Sport, says the Unit’s investment in the remote training technology has exceeded their wildest expectations.

Strength and conditioning coach Havillan Abrahams has been using the technology to monitor the performance of rugby and football players as well as individual IMAS student-athletes for the past 18 months.

He says the technology has made it easier for him to access the student-athletes’ daily gym programmes, receive subjective wellness feedback, and monitor their weight management programmes.

“Since making use of the technology, it has also been easier for student-athletes to monitor and take control of their ideal goal weight requirements for their respective sports,” says Abrahams.

Fourth-year Stellenbosch University (SU) medical student Jonty Wright recently developed a website app that not only provides up-to-date information about organ donation but also allows users to register as organ donors.

The web app, called save7.org, has so far reached over two million people through awareness campaigns and secured over 200 members, ranging from medical and occupational health students to graphic designers.

Says Wright: “The web app allows anybody to access information about organ donation, whether students, doctors or someone waiting for or receiving an organ. It also allows people to register as organ donors and to leave a personalised voice message for their next of kin where they express their desire to be an organ donor. This is important because the family’s consent is paramount. It will ensure that families are aware of donors’ wishes to donate their organs.”

The web app is under the administration of Save7, a student-led non-profit organisation focused on organ donation awareness, of which Wright is the president. The other core members are Naazim Nagdee, Sachen Naidu and Suhayl Khalfey. The organisation’s board of advisors include transplant surgeons and transplant coordinators from all over the country. Save7 has branches at SU, the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Pretoria, the University of Cape Town, Walter Sisulu University and Nelson Mandela University. 

Wright says that his reason for developing the web app stems from a personal experience.

“I met a lady named Lynette Stuurman who works at the Matie Shop and was born with a kidney disease that will lead to kidney failure by the time she reaches her late twenties. Her only hope is a kidney transplant. Her sister died while waiting for a transplant. I was completely taken aback by that story because there is nothing else that medical therapy can do for Lynette, except to get her a transplant. And for that to happen, we need a willing donor, and the fact is that each and every person after they die has the capability to be able to donate their organs and save someone like Lynette. All people have to do is to have the conversation with their families to say that they want to be an organ donor and that they want to donate their organs.” 

He adds: “In fact, that is why our organisation is called Save7. Everybody has the potential to save seven lives when they die, and they can save even more while they are still alive by encouraging each and every person, whether family or friends, to do the same.”

The web app is the latest innovation inspired and realised by Wright and the Save7 group in the organ donation space. In April, they set out to establish a specialised intensive care unit (ICU) for organ donors at Tygerberg hospital. The unit, dubbed the Life Pod, is the first of its kind in Africa and will provide life support to consented organ donors to keep their organs viable until they can be harvested for transplantation. The group identified a room in the hospital that could be converted into a Life Pod and needed R400 000 to convert the room into a 'pop-up' ICU.

According to Wright, they have since managed to raise the necessary funds, thanks largely to donations from the public.

“At the moment, we are doing the paperwork to process the donations, and we hope to start with the construction of the Life Pod within the next two weeks.”

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) sufferers in resource-constrained South Africa have been offered a lifeline after researchers led by Stellenbosch University’s Dr Erine Bröcker developed a smartphone-based intervention that offers a more accessible and low-cost treatment alternative for South African adults with PTSD. The counsellor-supported app, PTSD Coach-CS, has the potential to broaden access to psychiatric care and remove some barriers to treatment.

According to Bröcker, a clinical psychologist specialising in trauma exposure and PTSD, the app is based on the original version of the PTSD Coach app developed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to assist their war veterans.

“Instead of using resources to develop an app from scratch, which can be costly and time-consuming, we used the existing app, which had been widely researched in high-income settings. We supplemented it with counsellor support to assist with technology and language difficulties when needed. In the end, we evaluated a PTSD Coach-CS intervention in adults with PTSD in a South African community setting. This was the first time the PTSD Coach app was evaluated in a low-to-middle-income setting, and supplementing delivery with less-specialised mental health services (registered counsellors) was also novel. Based on PTSD and stress symptom improvement over time in the PTSD Coach-CS group, our findings suggest that this is a low-cost, feasible, suitable and potentially effective treatment alternative for adults with PTSD in our resource-constrained setting.”

Bröcker adds that the PTSD Coach app itself aims to assist trauma-exposed adults with PTSD psychoeducation, encourage them to seek treatment if so indicated, and monitor and manage their PTSD symptoms.

Bröcker elaborated on why the PTSD Coach-CS intervention is so suitable for the South African setting. “Unfortunately, South Africa has a high prevalence of traumatic exposure such as intimate partner violence, physical and sexual assault and serious motor vehicle accidents. The aftermath of such traumatic exposure can include the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks of the event, irritability and hypervigilance, with some individuals developing PTSD.

“Suitable, accessible and effective psychologically based interventions can alleviate or prevent the development of debilitating PTSD in trauma-exposed individuals. However, the reality of our system is that access to these interventions is limited, mainly due to significant healthcare resource constraints, specifically in the public healthcare system. For some individuals, the stigma associated with psychological support prevents them from accessing support even when the resources are available. As a result, trauma-exposed individuals do not necessarily access or receive the interventions they need.

“This amplified the need to find feasible, suitable, accessible and effective psychologically based intervention alternatives to widen access to support and treatment in the general South African population. The PTSD Coach-CS intervention is one such alternative that can widen access to support.”

Bröcker says that even though their findings support the feasibility and acceptability of the PTSD Coach-CS intervention, more research in larger and more diverse samples is needed to fully establish the effectiveness of the intervention in the South African setting. 

They also plan to replicate the study intervention procedures, which are provided by registered counsellors and volunteer counsellors trained in the intervention protocol, at the primary healthcare level such as community clinics. This is where most South Africans receive routine or usual care.

The PTSD Coach-CS app can be accessed remotely at any time. There is no cost associated with post-download, no need for an internet connection post-download, and it utilises limited phone memory. Additional benefits include enhancements to accommodate visual and hearing impairments.

In today’s fast-paced digital world, social media has opened new doors for those looking to break away from traditional career paths. Prominent social media influencer Cindy Arendse is a shining shining example of how non-conventional careers can lead to both personal enrichment and a successful career. With an audience captivated by her relatable and authentic content, Arendse has built a strong brand that resonates with working women seeking advice on practical yet stylish fashion.

Like many successful influencers, her path to becoming a social media influencer was not planned. She highlights the value of controlling her own time and decisions – aspects that she came to appreciate during her time at Stellenbosch University. 

“Transitioning from a normal career to becoming a social media influencer wasn’t something I had planned; it just kind of happened naturally,” she said. “Initially, content creation was more of a passion project than a career move, but the more time I spent on my content, the more I found myself drawn to the flexibility and creativity it offered. University life taught me the importance of self-discipline and time management. That experience gave me a taste of how much I valued having control over my own time and decisions.”

Arendse’s content primarily revolves around styling by drawing inspiration from the world around her. 

“My content is based on styling daily, wearable outfits, so I often draw inspiration from what I see people wear in their everyday lives,” she said. “I have a unique, but not new approach to to fashion, and that is to focus on re-wearing classic wardrobe pieces. It is a strategy that resonates strongly with my audience.”

Her authenticity shines through her consistent message of body positivity and embracing one’s style. Her audience appreciates her realistic approach to fashion, which emphasises practicality over fast-fashion trends. It was not long before Arendse recognised the potential of social media. 

“About a year after I started creating content, I recognised the potential of social media as a platform for financial independence,” she reflected. “What began as a creative outlet soon transformed into a viable career path as I learned more about how others were generating income through brand partnerships and content creation.”

Arendse leveraged this knowledge to build a community around her personal brand and establish collaborations with major companies. Her relatability and ability to connect with her audience have attracted partnerships with major brands such as Vodacom’s GLOW magazine and the Sanlam Group. These collaborations, she says, have not only boosted her visibility but have also allowed her to contribute to meaningful conversations. 

“The campaign with Sanlam was particularly impactful because it allowed me to help inform younger adults about important financial topics that aren’t always easy to navigate. These partnerships have reinforced my ability to engage my audience on both a personal and professional level, making my influence all the more impactful.”

Despite the flexibility that comes with being a social media influencer, Arendse acknowledges the challenges of maintaining a balance between personal life and professional responsibilities. “It can be hard just to enjoy personal time without wondering if it’s something I should be sharing with my audience,” she says. “The 24/7 nature of social media often means that influencers are constantly ‘on’, and setting boundaries can be tough. I continue to navigate these challenges while remaining focused on providing genuine, valuable content to my followers.”

With a broad target audience of working women who want to look polished and stylish without overcomplicating their wardrobes, Arendse tailors her content to meet the needs of her community. 

“Since my style revolves around classic, timeless pieces, it’s not about constantly buying new things, but rather about styling what you already have in ways that feel relevant and fresh.” She encourages those who want to explore social media content creation as a career to remain authentic at all times. 

Arendse views the role of social media as evolving even further, especially for those young professionals seeking alternative career paths. 

With a dynamic blend of expertise in TV production and digital editorial strategy, Renaldo has established himself as a leading young voice in cultivating media brands in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

“I’ve always been a ‘structured creative’. I’ve been intentional about honing both sides,” Renaldo says. “It's part of my storytelling journey.” His passion for digital innovation has earned him numerous accolades, including the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans list and a Vodacom Regional Journalist of the Year award.

Renaldo’s journey began as a campus radio presenter on MFM in Stellenbosch. Here, his interest in a world where his work would be recognised again and again was piqued. From MFM, he ventured into Media24 as a video news producer, where he project-managed the group’s digital youth news platform, WeCan24. This initiative taught young people about journalism and navigating the digital space, earning it a WAN-IFRA (World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers) World Young Reader Prize. Next up for Renaldo was the position of digital lead for Jacaranda FM, managing the station’s digital platforms, content teams and editorial strategy. Under his tenure, the station dominated the South African radio digital space, averaging over a million unique browsers visiting the station’s website every month.

Renaldo’s ability to spearhead big-scale multiplatform projects has earned him industry praise. His critically acclaimed Showmax documentary Skeef showcased his talent for storytelling and the representation of LGBTQIA+ people in South Africa. The success of this project led to a publishing deal, with his eponymous book becoming a top seller in the first month.

In his latest achievement, Renaldo has been shortlisted as a Top 3 finalist in the New Generation Awards as ‘Digital Marketer of the Year’. “I'm honoured to be shortlisted. What makes me even more proud is that our content marketing team bagged ten nods at this year’s New Generation Social & Digital Media Awards!”

Throughout his career, Renaldo has demonstrated a keen ability to adapt to the ever-changing media landscape. His expertise in TV production and digital editorial strategy has enabled him to stay ahead of the curve. “Making my documentary and book proved to me that I can do it,” Renaldo reflects. “It was an exercise in believing in myself.”

As a multimedia journalist by trade, Renaldo’s professional career has been marked by innovation and excellence. His work has earned him numerous awards, including two Silver MMA SMARTIES awards and a Rector’s Alumni Award from Stellenbosch University.

His passion for storytelling and digital innovation has also made Renaldo a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the industry. His commitment to representation and inclusivity has inspired a new generation of media professionals, and his work has impacted not only business results, but also the people it caters to and includes. “I look for tangible change that is fluid and personal,” he explains. “I see it in viewer feedback, team members’ growth, and representation.”

This bright young digital trailblazer’s remarkable journey is a testament to his dedication, creativity and passion for digital content marketing. As he continues to push boundaries and inspire others, his legacy will undoubtedly be one of excellence, innovation and inclusivity. As he says: "Here's to creating more awesome work!"