Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University (Afrikaans: Universiteit Stellenbosch) is a public research university situated in Stellenbosch, a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Stellenbosch is the oldest university in South Africa and the oldest extant university in Sub-Saharan Africa, together with the University of Cape Town - which received full university status on the same day in 1918. Stellenbosch University (abbreviated as SU) designed and manufactured Africa's first microsatellite, SUNSAT, launched in 1999.
Universiteit Stellenbosch or Stellenbosch Universiteit | |
| Motto | Latin: Pectora roborant cultus recti |
|---|---|
Motto in English | "A sound education strengthens the spirit" |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 2 April 1918 |
| Endowment | ZAR 1,483.99 million |
Academic staff | 1028 |
Administrative staff | 2183 |
| Undergraduates | 25,042 |
| Postgraduates | 10,051 |
| Location | , , South Africa (SA) 33°55′58″S 18°51′51″E |
| Campus | 2 suburban and 2 urban |
| Colours | Maroon |
| Nickname | Maties |
| Affiliations | |
| Mascot | Pokkel |
| Website | www |
Stellenbosch University was the first African university to sign the Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities.
The students of Stellenbosch University are nicknamed "Maties". The term probably arises from the Afrikaans word "tamatie" (meaning tomato, and referring to the maroon sports uniforms and blazer colour). An alternative theory is that the term comes from the Afrikaans colloquialism maat (meaning "buddy" or "mate"), originally used diminutively ("maatjie") by the students of the University of Cape Town's precursor, the South African College.