Department of Geography & Environmental Studies, Stellenbosch University

Department of Geography & Environmental Studies, Stellenbosch University Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Stellenbosch University
(1)

At the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of Stellenbosch, we conduct research and teach students about social and biophysical systems and the events that shape the world in which we live. Our focus is on understanding these dynamics with a special emphasis on human-environment interactions as well as the science and the technologies that are needed to analyze, model, and visualize geographic processes.

The Department had the opportunity to host students from Rollins College from the USA this week. A great learning experi...
03/06/2026

The Department had the opportunity to host students from Rollins College from the USA this week. A great learning experience, and we look forward to welcoming you next year!

Suzanne Grenfell took her Geomorphology Honours students out on one of their field classes this week. Much was learnt.
27/05/2026

Suzanne Grenfell took her Geomorphology Honours students out on one of their field classes this week. Much was learnt.

A final few photos of a memorable visit by students and staff from the University of Iceland to the department. I person...
25/05/2026

A final few photos of a memorable visit by students and staff from the University of Iceland to the department. I personally will visit them in three weeks' time. It was great hosting you!

The Department was delighted to host again a group of staff and students from the University of Iceland who focus on geo...
22/05/2026

The Department was delighted to host again a group of staff and students from the University of Iceland who focus on geography and tourism issues this past week. We have expanded on a now firm tradition of exchanges between us.

Dr Nora Winsky of the University of Freiburg and Research Visitor, presented her preliminary report on "German Swallows"...
21/05/2026

Dr Nora Winsky of the University of Freiburg and Research Visitor, presented her preliminary report on "German Swallows" in the Western Cape. Many new insights were shared.

Today, Frida and Edda, University of Iceland, presented students and staff with an insightful talk on energy utilisation...
21/05/2026

Today, Frida and Edda, University of Iceland, presented students and staff with an insightful talk on energy utilisation in Iceland. They have been trusted partners of the Department within the Erasmus+ programme for a number of years.

Please join us for this wonderful story!
21/05/2026

Please join us for this wonderful story!

Last week, Dr Lydia Osei organised a highly successful symposium titled "Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining: The past, pre...
08/05/2026

Last week, Dr Lydia Osei organised a highly successful symposium titled "Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining: The past, present and future" in the Department. The keynote speaker was Professor Bjorn von der Heyden of Earth Sciences at SU. He is currently the ARM Chair in Geometallurgy at SU.

Hannes van der Merwe gave a wonderful presentation on his newly released book about the "Houdenbek uprising of 1825". It...
04/05/2026

Hannes van der Merwe gave a wonderful presentation on his newly released book about the "Houdenbek uprising of 1825". It also became something of a mini reunion for some past and present staff members.

Join us for the results of this wonderful research project!The farm Houdenbek in the Koue Bokkeveld was the site of a bl...
24/04/2026

Join us for the results of this wonderful research project!

The farm Houdenbek in the Koue Bokkeveld was the site of a bloody slave uprising in 1825 involving two central figures: Galant van die Kaap and Willem Nicolaas van der Merwe. In 1982, André P. Brink retold these events in his novel Houd-den-Bek, but noted in the author’s preface that, although the text drew on recorded facts, it was presented as fiction. He therefore allowed himself certain liberties regarding topography, historical events, and characters. The year 2025 marked the 200th anniversary of what became known as the Bokkeveld uprising.

The text opens as follows:
“I grew up in the Koue Bokkeveld with the story of Houdenbek. The story began on 2 February 1825, when my great-great-grandfather, Willem Nicolaas van der Merwe, owner of the farm Houdenbek in the Koue Bokkeveld, a sub-region of the Ceres district in the Western Cape of South Africa, was shot dead in his front doorway by his slave Galant van die Kaap. It is now exactly 200 years and seven generations later.”

Houdenbek 200 was written by a descendant of Willem Nicolaas van der Merwe. Hannes van der Merwe is a research fellow at the Centre for Geographical Analysis and professor emeritus in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Stellenbosch University.

Address

Corner Of Ryneveld Street & Merriman Avenue
Stellenbosch
7600

Telephone

+27218083218

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Department of Geography & Environmental Studies, Stellenbosch University posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to Department of Geography & Environmental Studies, Stellenbosch University:

Shortcuts

Share

Category