Student Initiatives

By taking part in this event, students will better understand how their skills can be applied to address real-world challenges, including those related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Social Impact Community Morning

The Social Impact Community Morning, which serves as an introductory community- engagement experience, is designed to introduce first-year students to the concept of engaged citizenship and provide a platform to form reciprocal relationships with the local communities, surrounding the university. By taking part in this event, students will better understand how their skills can be applied to address real-world challenges, including those related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Centre for the Advancement of Social Impact and Transformation, in partnership with the Centre for Student Life and Learning (Division for Student Affairs), has been working closely with student leaders to establish a robust framework for engaged citizenship throughout the year.

Students will be equipped with the tools and guidance to lead sustainable initiatives that contribute to societal transformation and impact, benefiting local communities and organisations.

Engaged citizenship encourages the action-orientated, conscious, and impactful involvement of individuals in the social, economic, and political spheres of society. It highlights the importance of contributing to community centred initiatives, advocating for the collective responsibility of higher education institutions in shaping sustainable futures.

These initiatives align with SU’s commitment to bridging academic knowledge with practical action, providing students with a transformative experience that will shape their ability to contribute meaningfully to society.

Social Impact Community Morning introduces newcomers to engaged and active citizenship at SU – 6 February 2026

As part of the Welcoming Week for newcomers at Stellenbosch University (SU), more than 6 000 students will take part in the Social Impact Community Morning on Friday 6 February 2026 (09:00–12:00).

Hosted by the Centre for the Advancement of Social Impact and Transformation (CASIT), the morning provides newcomers with a hands-on introduction to engaged and active citizenship, community partnerships and sustainable development. Students will engage in activities with community partner organisations around Stellenbosch and Tygerberg campus, experiencing first-hand how they can contribute to positive social change.

The morning aligns closely with SU’s commitment to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. As Africa’s decade of acceleration (2024–2033) builds momentum, education and youth engagement will continue to be critical drivers of sustainable development. To support this, the Social Impact Community Morning will equip students with the awareness, values, graduate attributes, practical experience and volunteer opportunities to be of service to society. At the same time, the strong focus on SDGs throughout the morning’s programme will demonstrate how global development goals can be implemented through local action.

Students will gain insight into:

the value of community-driven solutions;
how individual contributions can have a tangible impact;
the importance of collaboration between students, communities and the University; and
practical ways of implementing the SDGs at local level.

To embed these lessons even further, CASIT and the Centre for Student Life and Learning (Division of Student Affairs) will continue to support and guide SU students throughout the year to lead sustainable initiatives that mutually benefit communities, organisations and students.

For more information, email Michelle Pietersen (programme manager) at CASIT at mpieters@sun.ac.za.