Stellenbosch University (SU) was well represented at the International Sport Promotion Society (ISPS) Sports Values Summit – Special Edition in Japan last week, with the institution’s rector and vice-chancellor, Professor Wim de Villiers, and choir flying the South African flag.
De Villiers participated in a panel discussion at the summit, which brought together sporting legends like former All Black flyhalf Daniel Carter, renowned polo player Nacho Figueras and Steve James (Royal Australian Navy veteran and Invictus gold medallist), among others. They were panellists alongside Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, who attended as co-founder and patron of Sentebale.
The panel discussed ways in which the power of sport can change lives and the impact of sports for philanthropy on the global stage. “We want to be relevant to the people of our country, continent and the rest of the world, and we want to make a meaningful contribution that will take humanity forward. And sport is part of this vision,” De Villiers said.
“SU shares some of its values with that of the Olympic and Paralympic family, including excellence, respect and equity.”
De Villiers and the SU Choir were invited by His Excellency Dr Haruhisa Handa, a renowned international philanthropist who is known for his long-standing commitment and contributions to public service and charities across the world, to take part in the summit.
The institution considers sport a strategic asset and an important part of its value proposition, offering 31 sporting codes, supported by a diverse human resource team and world-class facilities.
Social impact is one of the strategic themes of the University, supported by Maties Sport – to aid in advancing knowledge while being of service to society – especially in surrounding communities, added De Villiers. Initiatives include school holiday programmes, sports clinics and equipping learners with life skills like resilience, determination, courage, and self-belief.
With Maties Sport having a long history of sporting excellence in disability and parasport, producing many household names, learners are also exposed to sport for persons with disabilities.
SU Choir conductor André van der Merwe said they are honoured to have received the invitation: “It is interesting how choral singing speaks to an international audience like this. I believe it is the diversity of our choir that inspires people. The choir is a microcosmos of the South African community and they have a unique energy. It is wonderful that they are getting recognition on this level and that we get the opportunity to bring hope to people.”
The SU Choir has been ranked the leading mixed amateur choir in the world for the past 11 years by Interkultur, organisers of the World Choir Games. They shared a light-hearted moment with Prince Harry when he met with them backstage. He encouraged them to “keep sharing the love”.
Van der Merwe thanked him for sharing some time with them after which they engaged in a group hug on Prince Harry’s request.
The SU representatives also met with Noriyuki Tanaka, group leader at Toyota Tsusho and project general manager for Africa, and his team in Tokyo, where the choir performed as an expression of the gratitude for the motor manufacturer’s support of the institution.
