Forthcoming: The newly revamped Neelsie Cinema

Forthcoming: The newly revamped Neelsie Cinema

The next time you go to the Neelsie, remember to take a peek into the newly-revamped Neelsie Cinema which boasts a beautiful new look. The newly renovated multi-purpose space featuring two theatres – a 121-seater and a 98-seater – both boasting a projector, powerful surround sound and lighting. The luxurious seats with fold-away writing tablets, will add to the multi-functionality of the venue and enhance the overall visitor experience.

The auditorium is intimate enough for all types of celebrations and an ideal space to host a wide range of event types, including private screenings of films, corporate meetings, talks, workshops, fundraisers, launches, birthday parties (from kids to milestone celebrations), and so much more.

It is the vision of Stellenbosch University to use the space to its maximum advantage, and in turn provide an unforgettable experience through a high-tech multi-functional venue for both students - as an integral part of the art community and film society - as well as to the rest of the campus and corporate business partners.

"Innovus and SUNCOM are responsible for the commercialisation of SU's assets to ensure the 5th stream of income for the institution. With CECO on board, they promote spaces such as Die Neelsie Cinema as a venue for functions or will hold special events there as part of our income strategy," says Anita Nel, SU’S Chief Director: Innovation and Commercialisation.  

The iconic cinema will remain the hub for the Pulp Film Society and regular film screenings for its members will continue.

“We are in the process of planning all types of exciting events, including a film festival in the next couple of months,” says Catherine Channing, manager of Innovus’s CECO (Central Events & Conferencing Office).

“The support so far has been wonderful,” adds Channing, “and we are genuinely excited to see how the community utilise this beautiful space.” Bookings are open for events from 15 June onwards. Please email events@sun.ac.za for any enquiries or fill out the online form here. 

Stock up for winter at Maties Shop

Winter loading! Innovus and SUNCOM’s Maties Shop - the official carrier of Stellenbosch University's branded merchandise - has a gorgeous new collection of comfy winter gear. Grab a warm cuppa, curl your feet up on a couch and tuck a blanket all around, while you browse the new online shop.

If you prefer seeing the gear up close and personal, then be sure to visit the flagship Maties shop on the first floor of the Neelsie or the newly opened store on Tygerberg campus. The Maties Mobile Shop is also getting a lot of traction and chances are you’ll be able to snatch some much-loved merch at the next SU hosted event.

Whether you’re shopping online or in-store, you’ll be sure to find a piece of clothing or accessory that will show off your Matie spirit. Encompassing the gees that is unique to Stellenbosch University. And we’re not talking branded pens, we’re talking branded leather accessories, quilted laptop bags, one-of-a-kind designs, and superb quality. Talking about designs, did you see the SU Creative winning t-shirt design? It’s stunning.

To keep up with new product launches, promotions, and competitions, you can follow Maties Shop in real-time on Facebook and Instagram. You don’t want to miss the special collab with ALUMNI for this year’s Home Coming in September. Just saying.  

GradLinc - addressing graduate employment one job at a time 

A graduate employment platform, GradLinc, is currently being developed to join the need for employers, graduates and universities to connect with each other on one national platform.

“The Graduate Employment Platform will enable graduates to connect to existing opportunities by bringing employers and graduates together,” says Jaco Burger, Director of Strategic Commercial Projects at SUNCOM. “The platform will launch towards the end of the year, with the expectation that it will have a huge impact on the process in which graduates find employment opportunities nationwide.”

A big undertaking, the strategic projects team are working hard to build a user-friendly and efficient platform.  “We are developing a model to match students with opportunities relevant to them,” says Lizane Füzy, project manager at SUNCOM. While also helping employers to save time and money; and helping universities achieve a key objective – creating employment opportunities for their students as soon as they graduate.”

More information will be shared here closer to the launch of the platform.

GradLinc is one of many ideas and businesses that are currently under incubation with Innovus, SU’s innovation and commercialisation company. At Innovus business ideas are cultivated to grow into independent businesses that can eventually be spinned out and become entity’s with their own identity competing in the business market, locally or internationally.