WILGENHOF MEN'S RESIDENCE

WILGENHOF
MEN’S RESIDENCE

Introduction
This booklet contains some of the information that will prepare you for joining our
community at Stellenbosch University. Please be aware that all dates, times and other
information in this booklet are subject to change, based on the national state of disaster
set out due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Should anything change, we will contact
you in due time. All information of your Residence Leadership is contained in this booklet,
so please feel free to contact us should you require any further information.

                                        Who we are
Wilgenhof is a men’s residence that was established in 1903 and is located at the crossing
of Ryneveld and Victoria Street, in the heart of Stellenbosch. We house approximately 215
students studying various degrees at the University of Stellenbosch (SU).
Throughout Wilgenhof’s history, we have tried our best to challenge the norm on campus
and the greater society when such norms do not accord with our Ground Principles (see
below). From early on in Wilgenhof’s existence, we saw the value of independent thinking,
which led us to critically define who we are and what we stand for. The Wilgenhof
environment serves as a catalyst for personal growth and leadership development for all
residents, which is evident in the alumni of Wilgenhof, such as Dr Danie Craven, Beyers
Naudé, Justice Edwin Cameron (the acting Chancellor of SU) and Christo Wiese.
An integral part of Wilgenhof is the emphasis we place on individuality while being mindful
of the community, both within the residence and outside of it. We are a diverse group of
individuals coming from different backgrounds from across the country and the continent,
but instead of treating this as an obstacle, we see it as an opportunity. Diversity of thought
can be powerful, especially in a safe environment. Therefore, we prioritize community
interaction and shared experiences. Wilgenhof strives to cultivate a space where every
student feels confident to be their true selves while also being able to build empathetic and
honest relationships with his fellow residents.
In Wilgenhof, our ultimate aim is to equip individuals for the rest of their lives, confidently
grounded in their unique identity. Individuals who are equipped to take life's challenges
head-on and who are capable of positively reshaping themselves and their environment for
good. When you walk into Wilgenhof on March 3rd, you will walk into 118 years of history
and legacy. At first, this might seem very daunting, but don't be fearful. The goal of the
Welcoming Week is to assist you in finding your identity in a university setting while also
building new, meaningful relationships. Every individual – his opinion and beliefs – is
respected within Wilgenhof, as long as such opinions do not harm others. We hope that the
coming together of such a diverse group of individuals lights the way for growth and
development within our community and every individual therein.
We are very excited to welcome you into this institution that has shaped our lives and will
undoubtedly help shape yours. It is a space where we were equipped to find our identities.
A space that we share with our fellow Wilgenhoffers that we respect and care for. A space
we call home…

Our Ground Principles
Our Ground Principles form the foundation of what our residence stands for. We strive to
internalize these Ground Principles by understanding and applying them in our everyday
lives.
Our Ground Principles are:
      Respect,
      Individuality,
      Sense of Community and
      Critical Thinking,
      All undergirded by Excellence.

                               The Wilgenhof Manifesto
Wilgenhof must be:

    A modern and inclusive residence founded on the principles of Respect,
     Individuality, Sense of Community and Critical Thinking, informed by the pursuit of
     Excellence.
    A place of belonging, proud of our heritage but inspired by progress, where all are
     free to be themselves and where diversity of thought is championed.
    A platform to grow and excel at University and beyond, empowering Wilgenhoffers
     to become true agents of change and leaders of thought to propel South Africa
     forwards.
    Fully in support of the law and spirit of the Constitution of the Republic of South
     Africa and the Bill of Rights contained therein, as well as the foundational values of
     freedom, equality and human dignity.
    In support of the statutes and values of Stellenbosch University, contributing to the
     uniquely rich experience of student life in Stellenbosch, with specific reference to
     the broader community.
    A source of pride for its residents, Stellenbosch University and South Africa, broadly
     recognized as an institution of thought and leadership.

The Wilgenhof Manifesto is Wilgenhof’s creed for the future and can be found in the
Constitution of Wilgenhof. It serves as a guiding light when making decisions regarding
our future, as we are always striving to become better. Our aim is to be a world-leader in
defining what a men’s residence can contribute to society.

The Wilgenhof Leadership
                                 Residential Head
The Residential Head is responsible for the overall well-being and development of the
Wilgenhof community and provides guidance and support to the leadership and residents
of Wilgenhof.

                                Spurgeon-Haddon Wilson
                                    Residential Head

House Committee 2020/2021
The House Committee is the governing body of Wilgenhof and is led by the Primarius and
the Vice-Primarius. It consists of twelve members having various portfolios which they
manage in conjunction with other committees. The House Committee is responsible for the
administrative operation of Wilgenhof.

  Christo van der Bank              Dewald Pieterse                  Daniel Demas
       Primarius                     Vice Primarius                Welcoming Leader

    John van Niekerk                  Ilan Meintjes                 Tyrique Slingers
      Head Mentor                      Secretary                   Integration Officer

Thomas Linnegar      PJ Volkwyn       Gerard de la Bat
    Maestro             Sport             Archivist

Heinrich Anderson   Theodore Pauw    Ferdinand Ferreira
  Ambassador          Treasurer     Facilities Management

Mentors 2021
The Mentor system at Wilgenhof is there to guide and support you through your transition
into university life and to help you in any area that you need. You should view your mentor
as your peer, someone you can trust and confide in at any point throughout the year. The
Wilgenhof Mentors 2021 are as follows:

      John van Niekerk (Head Mentor)                     Cynan Cleaver
      Louis Schoonbee                                    Julian Munz
      Erik de la Bat                                     Pieter Conradie
      Ross Samuels                                       Daniël Wesson
      Matthew Lahoud                                     Emil van der Walt
      JG Marais                                          Patrick Kilbourn
      Kamvalethu Hlatshwayo                              Andrew Sparks

                       What you need to know when you arrive
The Welcoming week that precedes the commencement of the official academic year plays
a vital role in ensuring Newcomers are well integrated and adequately prepared for the
start of their university careers. We strongly urge you to join us for this period as it will go
a long way in preparing you for all aspects of university and residence life. From a
Wilgenhof perspective, this week is crucial in ensuring you are comfortable in your new
home but also that you understand the ethos of this House and community you will form
an integral part of.
In order to ensure we are ready for the start of the welcoming program, we would like to
ask that Newcomers arrive on Wednesday, 3rd March. In the event that you cannot arrive
on this day, you may still arrive on Thursday, 4th March but we ask that you please inform
your mentor of this decision.
Dates of Arrival:
   •   Newcomer Law Students: Tuesday, 2nd March 2021, between 17:00 – 18:00

   •   Rest of Newcomers: Wednesday, 3rd March 2021, between 12:00 – 18:00

   •   Remainder Newcomers: Thursday, 4th March 2021, between 09:00 – 12:00
Please take not of the following:

   •   Physical address: 25 Victoria Street, Stellenbosch, 7600

   •   Upon arrival you will have the opportunity to unpack your belongings and get
       settled into your room.

   •   You will also meet the House Committee and Mentors and will then be taken on a
       tour of the residence.

COVID-19 Protocol
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all students entering the Wilgenhof residence will have to
complete a 7-day screening (screening every day for seven days) before they arrive at
Wilgenhof. Thus, please register with the link below, and please show your seven days
screening to your Mentor on the day you arrive. You will not be able to enter the residence
without this screening (Higher Health Check tool: https://healthcheck.higherhealth.ac.za).
Furthermore, your parents/guardian will be allowed to accompany you to Wilgenhof on the
day, but we ask that no more than two people accompany you and that they all wear masks
and adhere to social distancing protocols.
During Welcoming Week, all newcomers will be required to wear their masks both inside
and outside the residence, with the exception being when they are in their rooms, the
showers or seated in the dining hall. The residence itself will be supplied with the necessary
sanitiser dispensers and soap. Social distancing will be maintained where applicable and
there will unfortunately be limited social interaction with other residences until further notice.
We have received confirmation that the residence will be at full capacity, which excites us
greatly after 2020 deprived many Wilgenhoffers of a year at Die Plek.

                                         Our history
The story of Wilgenhof, much like the story of our country, is a chequered and complex one
– but without which we would not be where we are, and, more importantly, we would not
be able to go where we are going.
It is the main objective of Wilgenhof to produce individuals of quality and excellence –
individuals who embody our Ground Principles. As you will come to realise, there have been
countless extraordinary Wilgenhoffers who have roamed the kwod as you will soon.
One of our hopes is that during your time here, you will grow and shape Wilgenhof with
your unique experience. However, it is our primary objective that Wilgenhof will shape you
and best equip you for your life outside these walls.
Wilgenhof’s oldest building, Old Bachelor’s, was originally built as a farmhouse in 1799 and
is honoured as a national heritage site. Today, it houses mostly post-graduate students and
serves as a quieter sanctum for such hardworking students away from the busier and more
youthful lives of the under-graduates in the Coliseum.
After a century of changes in ownership and purpose, (most notably becoming a distillery)
the property, once known as Willows Grove because of its many willow trees, became ‘The
Willows’. However, it was in 1903 when Wilgenhof was born as a residence that was home
to around 100 students studying at the then Victoria College (now Stellenbosch University.)
Wilgenhof grew slowly but surely throughout the coming decades, producing many quality
sportspersons and activists – most notably theologian and anti-Apartheid activist Beyers
Naudé in 1939. However, in 1949, after many years of structural decay, the University

planned to demolish the residence and sell the property on which it stands to the
Department of Education. Residents and old-Wilgenhoffers alike were appalled with the
thought that their home would be razed. What followed remains one of the proudest
moments in Wilgenhof history.
After some negotiation, an opportunity for survival arose. Wilgenhof would be saved if it
could somehow amass £15,000 (approximately R7 million today) within ten years and pay
it to the University. Despite the seemingly insurmountable sum, on 10 December 1959
Wilgenhoffers achieved their goal in the proverbial injury time as Dr Danie Craven handed
over the £15,000 cheque that still stands in our Archive today. The cheque formed one half
of the price for building a new Plek, with the University contributing the other half. The task
was achievement thanks to many reunions, fundraisers, and records and performances by
the Kraaie (the a cappella group of Wilgenhof which exists even today).
This is a cornerstone of our history and a paradigm of the Sense of Community that we strive
for.
The new Plek was built in 1963 and has remained in its current form ever since – producing
droves of excellent individuals along the way. Wilgenhof has undergone various trials and
tribulations in the past few decades and in recent years as our wonderful country too has
evolved into the nation it is today.
Our history is incredibly important to us because it serves as a reminder to us of where we
have come from. It remains the greatest educator – teaching us to learn from the successes
and failures of our institution and our predecessors to become a more perfect establishment
with each passing day.

What to expect in the day-to-day?

With our open-plan design and the Kwod being as inviting as it is, Wilgenhof always seems
to buzz with life and activity. Upon walking out of your hool (room), you can see what the
other Wilgenhoffers are up to, find someone to drink a mokkie (coffee) with or engage in
one of the various political or philosophical debates which are bound to be transpiring at
any given time.
On any day within the walls of Wilgenhof one can find a wide variety of engaging and
insightful activities taking place. At around 13:00 every day, the House gathers for the
traditional “block” lunch. Here the residents gather to enjoy lunch together, with tables
made up of a mix of all year groups. Lunchtime is the opportunity for important
information to be shared to the House and for general communication amongst the House
members. A unique aspect of our lunch is the “Groot Boek” or “Big Book”, where residents
can share jokes, stories and throw some banter around. A relatively new addition to our
lunch times is the Critical Engagement Debate, where an interesting, polarising topic is
presented, and two opposing teams debate their views.
The moment of silence, concluding each lunch, is immediately followed by a rush to the
Kwod by the kwottie-hungry Wilgenhoffers. Residents populate the Kwod for the
traditional post-lunch Kwottie (Kwod cricket) session - and whether you're batting, bowling,
fielding or spectating, you're bound to find yourself engaged in the thrill of it all.
Kwottie forms a big part of the day-to-day happenings in Wilgenhof, but if you're thinking
“is there ever any quiet time?”, you'll be pleased to know that Wilgenhof operates on
effective noise slots. This ensures that our residence is still a suitable place to study and
relax with some quality quiet time. Instead of traditional quiet times, Wilgenhof implements
specific noise slots (raastye), outside of which silence must reign in the Kwod.
Should you be looking to blow off some steam in other ways, Wilgenhof boasts a wide
variety of smaller facilities for you to explore and use. On our property you can find a
tennis court, where we host our own annual Willows Wimbledon, a squash court (Dok se
Hok) and (if you're looking for smaller scale racket action) some table tennis! If you're just
looking to pump some iron, then the Shred-centre, our very own gym, is awaiting your
membership. Upon your arrival at Wilgenhof you'll notice the field we have outside of the
building, which is often used for some footy, touchies, ultimate frisbee and once a year...
the infamous TET tournament.
Although we take pride in our sports (Dok Danie Craven was resident and Residential
Head, after all...), Wilgenhof is not all about physique and fitness - in fact, a recent addition
was our own library. The Nate van Wyk Memorial Library houses a variety of fiction, non-
fiction and textbooks for our residents to take out and read in their leisure time. A few
times a week, the choral sounds of a Kraaie practice will emanate from the Common Room.
We pride ourselves on our cultural prowess as well, and many opportunities will arise for
those interested. We always excel at the annual Molassesêr, Toneelfees and SU Acappella

competition (of which we are the reigning champions). Above all, Wilgenhof prides itself as
being an institution of thought and leadership, which is why we have set our aim to
improve our academic performance (the reason for our lacking results may be found in the
lyrics ‘Mamma vat Die Plek weg van my / anders gaan ek te lank hier bly’). Above all, we
aim to provide a parallel education to the formal academic programme of every student. As
a former Minister and Wilgenhof alumnus said of us: “Wilgenhof is ‘n praktiese oefenskool
in menslike verhoudings.” (“Wilgenhof is a practical school of human relations.”)
Throughout the year, Wilgenhof has many Big Nights such as the House Dance, Ramdinee,
First Years’ Dance, etc. We will have to navigate these events as the situation with COVID-
19 develops, but they are extraordinary highlights on the Wilgenhof calendar.
A day in Wilgenhof is filled with such rich complexity that it is nigh impossible to
summarise it in a single document – we trust that you will experience the tapestry of
Wilgenhof life yourself and forge your own path with the possibilities presented to you.

DMTMKGWM