Most votes ever in Convocation election taking place online for the first time

09/12/2020

​​Thanks to an election that took place online for the first time, the largest number of votes ever was cast by members of the Convocation of Stellenbosch University (SU). And a pointer to the future for wider constructive input from its alumni in the affairs of the University.   ​

This is how Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of SU, sums up the outcome of the recent Convocation election, where a total of 9 877 votes were cast for the three vacant positions in the Executive Committee. A total of 3 380 votes were recorded for the vacancy of President of Convocation, 3 397 for the position of Secretary and 3 100 for the vacancy of an additional ordinary member.

“This is part of the University's remarkable successes during this pandemic year with its many challenges. Not only was the electronic voting process and the virtual annual meeting a 'first' for Convocation, but it facilitated a wider involvement of alumni that exponentially reduced the limitations of a physical gathering and at the same time opened new avenues for the advisory role and task of Convocation, "says Prof De Villiers.

The purpose of Convocation, as set out in the Statute of Stellenbosch University, is to promote the welfare of the University through a mutually beneficial relationship between the institution and the members of Convocation, and to, where appropriate, advise Senate and Council.

Prof De Villiers congratulated the elected candidates on their appointment as members of the Executive Committee of Convocation. He looks forward to constructive input from and interaction with Convocation in further advancing the interests of the University.

Votes:

President:

Adv Jan Christiaan Heunis [1900]

Dr Leslie van Rooi [1480]

Secretary:  

Frederik Rudolph van Dyk [1444]

Thulani Hlatswayo [1055]

Roelf Bert van der Merwe [665]

Jason Lord [233]

Ordinary member:

Merlyn van der Rheede [1211]

Hannchen Elizabeth Louw [536]

Roelf Bert van der Merwe [471]

CS Mukhari [421]

Andrew Wigley [315]

Jason Lord [146]​

The Executive Committee of the SU Convocation now consists of the following people:

President: Adv JC Heunis

Vice-President: Dr Leslie van Rooi

Secretary: Mr FR van Dyk

Ordinary members: Ms Esterbeth Singels and Ms M van der Rheede

Issued by Stellenbosch University, 9 December 2020