Maties Sport and Faculty of Education Unite to Advance Sport Leadership, Research and Social Impact.

Stellenbosch University (SU) has taken a significant step in integrating sport, education, and social impact through a new partnership between Maties Sport and the Faculty of Education. The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalises the collaboration with the Centre for Sport Leadership (CSL) and the South African Centre for Olympic Studies and Social Impact (SACOSSI) as implementation partners.

This strategic alignment creates a shared framework for research, education, and capacity building, while strengthening SU’s position as a thought leader in the global discourse on sport for development and education.

The various units aim to deliver joint initiatives to produce high-impact research, postgraduate supervision, and strategic projects across management, sociology, and education.

The collaboration is guided by principles of autonomy, shared resources, and multidisciplinary cooperation, ensuring that both entities continue to contribute to the University’s vision of excellence, innovation, and inclusivity. Joint projects will include postgraduate bridging courses, curriculum integration, and collaborative research aligned with national and international priorities in sport and education.

“The Faculty of Education values this partnership as a way to strengthen our academic offerings and promote sport as a key driver of learning, wellness, and social cohesion,” said Professor Mbulungeni Madiba, Dean of the Faculty of Education.

Prof Nicola Smit, SU’s Acting Chief Operating Officer, emphasised the institutional importance of the collaboration: “This partnership is a tangible reflection of SU’s strategic commitment to fostering cross-disciplinary innovation and social impact. By aligning the academic and operational strengths of Maties Sport and the Faculty of Education, we are enhancing both student success and community development, locally, nationally, and across Africa.”

“By connecting the world of sport with the academic environment of education, we are developing new pathways for research, teaching and community impact,” said Ilhaam Groenewald, Chief Director of Maties Sport. “This partnership deepens our commitment to holistic student development, sport leadership, and the advancement of our communities, with sport as a tool for social transformation.”

Through this collaboration, SU reaffirms its leadership in advancing education through sport, harnessing academic excellence to inspire future generations of educators, researchers, and sports leaders across Africa and beyond.