On 2 April 1918 the status of Victoria College was elevated to that of the independent University of Stellenbosch (SU). Over the next century, SU was to perform its higher education role within the challenging political, socio-economic, cultural and educational realities of the 20th century. In the first section of the book, Perspectives on 100 Years, seven authors trace this history from the University’s inception, through various challenges, including political and financial, to what it means to be a Matie in academia, sport and student life.
In the second section, the authors provide a glimpse of the academic activities over a century, as seen through the eyes of its ten faculties. In these pages, authored by various members of the University’s academic community, you can follow the path of a university that grew from a handful of people settling at the foot of Stellenbosch Mountain, into a vibrant and cosmopolitan community of more than 30 000 students and 3 000 staff members, spread over five campuses of this world-class academic institution.