Faculty of Theology, Stellenbosch University

Today we celebrate the birthday of our Prof, for some a colleague, for many of us a mentor, the former Dean of Theology, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Social Impact, Transformation and Personel, Prof Nico N Koopman.

Prof Koopman’s contribution reaches far beyond titles and offices. Through his scholarship, public leadership, commitment to social impact, and unwavering investment in people, he has touched countless lives, crossed boundaries, and built bridges across communities, institutions, and generations.

His influence is reflected not only in academic achievements, but also in the hopes, dreams, and vocations he has helped nurture in others. Many of us have been shaped by his wisdom, encouragement, and vision for a more just, compassionate, and reconciled society.

Today, we honour him as an elder among us, a scholar, leader, mentor, and servant whose legacy continues to inspire.

May this new year bring renewed strength, joy, and fulfilment as he continues his ministry of leadership, scholarship, and transformative impact.

Happy Birthday to our dearest Prof Nico Koopman.

We celebrate you and give thanks for your enduring contribution to the Faculty, the University, the Church, and society.

In Verbondenheid!

(Photo taken at booklaunch of his most recent publication)

It very special on this 50th celebration of 16 June 1976 Student Uprising to walk with our student leaders for Inclusion… with Prof Tuli Madonsela at the Centre for Social Justice. This is our charge today, “to leave no student behind”. Let us continue our march to address financial debt and food security on our campus.

of the 2026 Winter School.

of the 2026 Winter School with Prince George Mahlangu on corruption and socio-economic Justice.

of the Winter School with Rev Vusi Vilakati on the 2026 theme: Ethical behaviour as a cornerstone of society's soul

of the Winter School 2026. The “Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka (Adv) engages Winter School participants on ethics, accountability and constitutional democracy.”

Please explore this possibility if you come from any of the SADC countries.

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐒𝐀𝐃𝐂 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐡 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲

Are you an international undergraduate student from the SADC region currently studying at Stellenbosch University? This is your opportunity to apply for financial support towards your studies in 2026.

𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞: R50 000 per award

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲?
International undergraduate students from SADC member countries who will be in:
✔️ 2nd Year of study in 2026
✔️ 3rd Year of study in 2026
✔️ 4th Year of study in 2026 (of a four-year programme)

Eligible SADC countries include:
Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Eswatini, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

📅 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: Friday, 24 July 2026 at 16:00

📧 Enquiries:
Email: [email protected]
Subject line: SADC Bursary + Surname + Student Number

Apply here:https://files.su.ac.za/public/su-international/documents/2026-06/2026-bursary-undergraduate-international-sadc-students.pdf

This public lecture will be on the theme "Sawubona [I see you]: A politics of decency and its contribution to resilient faith in an age of populism."Prof Dion Forster, our former colleague, is University Research Chair and Professor of Public Theology and Ethics in the School of Religion and Theology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and extraordinary Professor of Systematic Theology and Ethics in the Faculty of Theology at Stellenbosch University.

In commemoration of Youth Day, the Faculty of Theology—in partnership with the Centre for the Advancement of Social Impact and Transformation—hosted its annual lecture, which critically examined methods for bridging the gap between higher education and youth unemployment.

Exciting news to our postgraduate Maties at the Faculty of Theology. Here is an opportunity to for funding. Please Share | Like | Follow our page.