STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY
Visual Redress Collection
In Memoriam
Prof Elmarie Costandius
It is with profound sorrow that Stellenbosch University (SU) mourns the untimely passing of Prof Elmarie Costandius, a visionary academic and a beacon of inspiration within our community. More…
Definition of visual redress at SU from the Visual Redress Policy:
An attempt to right the wrongs of former and current powers by removing hurtful symbols (e.g. of apartheid), social injustice and misrecognition and by remedying the harm that has been caused by these visual symbols through compensation with new visual symbols that allow for the inclusion of a variety of expressions, stories, identities and histories aligned with the restorative processes of healing at SU. (SU, 2021:7)
The 2015-2016 student protests at universities across South Africa foregrounded the need for the transformation, decolonisation, and Africanisation of the country’s higher education institutions. One way that Stellenbosch University has endeavoured to address these issues is with the Visual Redress project, whose aim is to change the visual landscape of the university’s main campus. This project, in alignment with the Visual Redress Policy (SU, 2021), focuses on the removal and/or contextualisation of sensitive artwork or symbols, the introduction of new visual symbols with African centrality as an outcome, updating campus signage, the naming and renaming of buildings or other spaces, and other such initiatives.
Visual redress is an important facet of the decolonisation and transformation of previously colonised and marginalised spaces. It strives to provide equity and spatial justice to change symbols and spaces of hurt and exclusion into welcoming, comfortable spaces for all.
This website provides information regarding various visual redress initiatives at Stellenbosch University. Here you will also find published articles and other materials about this topic.
Stellenbosch University. 2021. Visual Redress Policy.
If you are interested in learning more about the Visual Redress project, please send an e-mail to gera@sun.ac.za
The Circle
The Circle sculpture was conceived of during the 2015/2016 student protests by Stephané Conradie,...
Welcome Benches
Thirty welcome benches have been installed throughout Stellenbosch University’s campus. These...
Die Vlakte Map
Die Vlakte Map was installed at the entrance of the Arts and Social Sciences Building, which was...
Maps on Rooiplein
Maps of the different areas that make up Stellenbosch were installed on the outside walls of the...
Signage in three languages
In 2015, the Department of Visual Arts at SU initiated a preliminary survey in which students...
Centenary Message
Plaques with a centenary message in three languages, English, isiXhosa and Afrikaans were...
Context boards
Context boards in Afrikaans, isiXhosa, and English have been installed throughout campus to...
Workshops
In 2019, several visual redress workshops with students and lecturers were facilitated at...
SU Library Project
Student project reacting to the Special Collection (previously called Afrikana Collection) in the...
Covid-19 Commemoration Lights
Remembering members of the university community who passed during the covid-19 pandemic. The...
Craven, Tobias and Patel Contextualisation
Engagement with Maties Sport is currently underway regarding the possible contextualisation of and...
Forced Removals Garden
The Arts and Social Sciences building stands on land where the indigenous peoples of South Africa...
Book Mural
As Nelson Mandela stated in a 1997 address, "When we read we are able to travel to many places,...
Krotoa Building Project
In 2021, the RW Wilcox building was renamed the Krotoa Building. It houses the departments of...
Hardekraaltjie
Hardekraaltjie was a cemetery that was in use from 1909 to 1946. It had a central place in the...
Die Klip
This is an engagement with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences regarding a plaque affixed...