Sustainability Institute

Sustainability Institute The Sustainability Institute is a non-profit trust, founded in 1999. We activate collective imagination to accelerate shifts to just and regenerative futures.

Today on , we share some inspirational stories about acts of teaching that had profound impacts on the lives of those t...
05/10/2026

Today on , we share some inspirational stories about acts of teaching that had profound impacts on the lives of those touched. Teachers play a vital role in shaping the minds, a love for learning and sense of wonder and possibility within children. We thank each and every teacher!

Did you know that across Southern Africa, September is widely recognised in native languages as a month of cultivating l...
29/09/2026

Did you know that across Southern Africa, September is widely recognised in native languages as a month of cultivating land, renewal, and new beginnings (such as uMandulo in isiZulu or Lwetse in Setswana/Sesotho). 23 September marked the African New Year, Inzalo yeLanga, coinciding with the spring equinox in the Southern Hemisphere.

As we enter this new year, it is beautiful to witness how the Woodland is taking shape and thriving. Together with Tree-preneurs (a programme run by W**e Farm), yet another pocket forest was planted this month. Over the last few weeks, the new trees have happily settled into their environment, silently adored by passers-by. Pocket forests are dense plantings that restore biodiversity and provide living classrooms for learners.

Our learners also made insect hotels to stimulate biodiversity and attract beneficial insects and pollinators, serving as a hands-on opportunity for them to learn about ecosystems.

Meet Our Trees (Part 3): Wisdom of the CanopyEvery day is tree day at the Sustainability Institute because we see how th...
29/09/2026

Meet Our Trees (Part 3): Wisdom of the Canopy

Every day is tree day at the Sustainability Institute because we see how they shade and nurture our campus and people. In the woodland you can hear the leaves rustle and birds singing their hearts out in what seems to be an expression of sheer joy at being alive. Our trees bring fresh air, fresh ideas, and sanctuary to visitors, be they young ones walking the labyrinth or our oldest community members sitting in the shade to reflect on their day.

Here are three more remarkable indigenous trees to be found in our woodland ecosystem: Natal Fig, Wild Peach and Forest Elder.

Whether you come to walk the labyrinth, reflect under the canopy, or connect with nature, our trees are waiting to welcome you. Stop by the Green Café after your walk to taste our local indigenous menu items. Everyone tells us how delicious they are.

Few conversations invite a change in perspective quite like our interview with author Tom Renault, who took us through t...
28/09/2026

Few conversations invite a change in perspective quite like our interview with author Tom Renault, who took us through the relevance of education in transitions, the concept of ‘wicked problems’, the power of empathy and much more.

In 2023, Tom co-authored a chapter for the book Pedagogy of the Anthropocene Epoch for a Great Transition: A Novel Approach of Higher Education alongside Reinhold Mangundu.

This chapter delves into the value of the Sustainability Institute as a praxis hub, bringing together complexity and place-based learning. It calls for a just transition, recognising the traumas of Apartheid, inequalities and environmental crisis, and further argues that in light of these crises, it is essential to value learners’ emotions and to build resilient communities within the learning process that ultimately allow for transformative learning.

Visit https://www.sustainabilityinstitute.net/2026/09/21/learning-to-engage-with-complexity-through-the-sis-approach-to-transformative-learning-interview-with-the-author-tom-renault/ to uncover more of Tom’s pockets of wisdom from the interview.

24/09/2026

On Saturday our children, youth, parents and SI staff came together for a joyous Heritage Day Community Festival!

Together we celebrated a day of culture, creativity, learning and food.

The children and their parents had the opportunity to get hands-on and curious through volcano making, cloud dough making, literacy games and clay art, while drumming, face painting and cultural food tasting brought colour, energy and plenty of smiles to the day.

We were also incredibly fortunate to enjoy a wonderful performance by the Inkwenkwenzi Cultural Group, who filled the day with music and dancing and gave our children the opportunity to experience and celebrate cultural expression in a truly special way.

And of course, no community celebration is complete without good food! Apart from the traditional food tastings, our children and families also enjoyed delicious burgers generously donated by Ken Forrester, making the day even more special.

Most importantly, this day was made possible through the generous support of the Jannie Mouton Foundation, which covered the costs of the festival and allowed us to create these meaningful experiences for our children and community. We are so grateful for the partnerships that help us create spaces where children can learn, explore their heritage, celebrate diversity and experience a strong sense of belonging.

Ken Forrester W**es

Meet Our Trees Part 2: The Sustainability Institute’s Woodland Indigenous Trees Discover White Pear, Wild Laburnum & Kei...
23/09/2026

Meet Our Trees Part 2: The Sustainability Institute’s Woodland Indigenous Trees

Discover White Pear, Wild Laburnum & Kei Apple — indigenous trees with healing traditions, wildlife value and climate resilience.

We hope you enjoyed meeting our first three trees this Arbour month. Could you imagine them in your areas and how they would shade you during the hot days of summer? What is your favourite indigenous tree? Share in the comments below!

We’ve been growing the trees in our woodland and on campus for more than two decades, helped by many hands during many tree planting experiences. The result is restored soil health, space and place for biodiversity to thrive and flourish; a sanctuary of beauty, peace, and succour for humans and wildlife alike.

Continue walking our landscape in your mind’s eye and meet the next three indigenous trees that bring life, shade, and botanical wisdom to our Imaginarium: https://www.sustainabilityinstitute.net/si-imaginarium/

You are invited to come and visit us! Walk our winding paths, meet our trees, and enjoy a nourishing meal from the Green Cafe’s wonderful menu that includes recipes made with local wild indigenous edibles.

The Valley Collaborative unites a wide range of stakeholders across Lynedoch and Vlottenburg in support of creating a co...
22/09/2026

The Valley Collaborative unites a wide range of stakeholders across Lynedoch and Vlottenburg in support of creating a community worth believing in. Over the past year, these connections have grown into community initiatives, workshops and collaborations rooted in collective action:

• A Grant-in-Aid proposal was co-created and funded by Stellenbosch Municipality.
• Stellenbosch University’s Social Impact Fund has supported coordinated action and capacity building.
• Young people have been involved in planning and participating in youth activities.
The mid-year reflection and planning session assisted in identifying current and future priorities.
• The first Grant-in-Aid-supported activity took place through the Women’s Month gathering on 31 August.

Read more about what Valley Collaborative has achieved and what lies ahead: https://www.sustainabilityinstitute.net/2026/09/18/from-collective-imagination-to-collective-action-update-on-the-the-valley-collaborative/

Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch Municipality

To celebrate Arbour month we'd like to introduce you to some of the incredible indigenous trees in our woodland and arou...
19/09/2026

To celebrate Arbour month we'd like to introduce you to some of the incredible indigenous trees in our woodland and around our campus.

Growing this woodland over more than two decades has healed degraded soils, anchored local ecosystems, and established a place of beauty and peace.

We love our trees and are guided to learn from their quiet, resilient wisdom. This is also why the symbol of the SI's Knowing Collective is represented as growth rings of trees, as we acknowledge and appreciate collective wisdom gained over decades of life, in community, and through our partnerships.

Meet our first three trees: The White Stinkwood, False Olive and Sagewood

Book a tour, meet these trees and enjoy the Green Cafe's wonderful indigenous menu afterwards.

Address

Lynedoch Road, Lynedoch
Stellenbosch
7603

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+27218813500

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