View source for Stellenbosch

{{Short description|Town in Western Cape, South Africa}}
{{about|the city|the university|Stellenbosch University|the municipality|Stellenbosch Local Municipality|the horse named after the city|Stellenbosch (horse)}}
{{Use South African English|date=August 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Stellenbosch
| other_name         = Eikestad
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
  | total_width            = 280
  | border                 = infobox
  | perrow                 = 1/2/2/2
  | image1                  = Stellenbosch aerial photo from north-west 2024-01.jpg
  | caption1                   = Aerial View of Stellenbosch
  | image2                   = Moedergemeente NG kerk Stellenbosch.jpg
  | caption2                   = [[Moederkerk, Stellenbosch|Moederkerk]]
  | image3                   = 
Stellenbosch University.jpg
  | caption3                   = [[Stellenbosch University]]
  | image4             = 20190202 Vineyards in Stellenbosch.jpg
  | caption4                     = Vineyards
  | image5                 =Stellenbosch, Oom Sammie Se Winkel, Dorpstraat - panoramio.jpg
  | caption5                = [[Oom Samie se Winkel]]
  | image7                 = 108 Dorp Street, Stellenbosch.JPG
  | caption7                 = Dorp Street
  | image8                 = Stellenbosch Hofmeyr Hall.jpg
  | caption8                 = Hofmeyr Hall}}
| image_caption      = 
| image_flag         = Flag of Stellenbosch.png
| image_shield       = Crest of Stellenbosch.png
| nickname           = ''Eikestad'' ("City of Oaks")
| motto = {{force singular}} ''Fortis Et Superbus'' ([[Latin]]: Strong and Proud)<ref>{{cite web |title=Stellenbosch|date=20 February 2024 |url=https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/wiki/Stellenbosch|access-date=21 July 2024}}</ref>
| pushpin_map        = South Africa Western Cape#South Africa#Africa
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| coordinates        = {{coord|33|56|12|S|18|51|41|E|region:ZA|display=inline,title}}
| settlement_type    = [[Town]] 
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{RSA}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Provinces of South Africa|Province]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Western Cape}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[Districts of South Africa|District]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Cape Winelands District Municipality|Cape Winelands]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of municipalities in South Africa|Municipality]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Stellenbosch Local Municipality|Stellenbosch]]
| subdivision_type4  = Main Place
| established_title  = Established
| established_date   = 1679; 344 years ago
| leader_title       = Councillor
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="census-combined" />
| area_total_km2     = 10.12
| elevation_m        = 136
| population_footnotes = <ref name="census-combined" />
| population_total   = 77,476
| population_as_of   = 2011
| population_density_km2 = auto
<!-- demographics (section 1) -->| demographics_type1 = Racial makeup (2011)
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="census-combined" />
| demographics1_title1 = [[White South African|White]]
| demographics1_info1 = 66.6%
| demographics1_title2 = [[Coloureds|Coloured]]
| demographics1_info2 = 15.8%
| demographics1_title3 = [[Bantu peoples of South Africa|Black African]]
| demographics1_info3 = 15.0%
| demographics1_title4 = [[Indian South African|Indian]]/[[Asian South African|Asian]]
| demographics1_info4 = 0.9%
| demographics1_title5 = Other
| demographics1_info5 = 1.7%
<!-- demographics (section 2) -->| demographics_type2 = [[First language]]s (2011)
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="census-combined" />
| demographics2_title1 = [[Afrikaans]]
| demographics2_info1 = 70.4%
| demographics2_title2 = [[South African English|English]]
| demographics2_info2 = 20.8%
| demographics2_title3 = [[Xhosa language|Xhosa]]
| demographics2_info3 = 1.8%
| demographics2_title4 = Other
| demographics2_info4 = 7.0%
<!-- blank fields (section 2) -->
<!-- Other information -->| timezone1          = [[South African Standard Time|SAST]]
| utc_offset1        = +2
| postal_code_type   = [[List of postal codes in South Africa|Postal code]] (street)
| postal_code        = 7600
| postal2_code_type  = [[Post-office box|PO box]]
| postal2_code       = 7599
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in South Africa|Area code]]
| area_code          = 021
| official_name      = 
| website            = {{URL|https://www.stellenbosch.gov.za}}
}}
'''Stellenbosch''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|t|ɛ|l|ə|n|b|ɒ|s}};<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stellenbosch|title=Definition of 'Stellenbosch' |website=www.merriam-webster.com|language=en|access-date=2018-06-16}}</ref> {{IPA|af|ˈstælənˌbɔs|lang}})<ref name="Baldwin1852">[https://books.google.com/books?id=vtBiaIcwA5QC&pg=PT153 A Universal Pronouncing Gazetteer.] Thomas Baldwin, 1852. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & Co.</ref><ref name="Donaldson1993">[https://books.google.com/books?id=ftzioRvJzTUC&pg=PA39 A Grammar of Afrikaans.] Bruce C. Donaldson. 1993. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter. {{ISBN|3-11-013426-8}}</ref> is a town in the [[Western Cape]] province of [[South Africa]], situated about {{convert|50|km|mi|0|abbr=off}} east of [[Cape Town]], along the banks of the [[Eerste River]] at the foot of the [[Stellenbosch Mountain]]. The town became known as the City of Oaks or ''Eikestad'' in [[Afrikaans]] and [[Dutch language|Dutch]] due to the large number of [[oak]] trees that were planted by its founder, [[Simon van der Stel]], to grace the streets and homesteads.<ref name="Rees">[https://books.google.com/books?id=02EIAAAAQAAJ&q=stellenbosch&pg=PT139 ''The Cyclopædia; or, Univeal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Literature.''] Abraham Rees, 1819. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme & Brown</ref>

Stellenbosch is a popular tourist destination due to its history as the second oldest town in South Africa (dating back to 1679),<ref>{{cite web |title=A brief history of our town... |url=https://stellenbosch.gov.za/about-the-city/ |website=Stellenbosch Municipality |access-date=23 April 2024}}</ref> its many historic buildings that are typical of [[Cape Dutch architecture]], its location in the centre of many famous wine farms, as well as its variety of cafes, restaurants, boutiques and art galleries. The town is home to [[Stellenbosch University]], one of South Africa's oldest universities, whose campus and buildings occupies large swathes of the town centre. [[Technopark Stellenbosch]], a [[science park]], is situated on the southern side of the town,<ref>{{cite web |title=A business park with a purpose |url=https://technopark.org.za/about/ |website=Technopark |access-date=23 April 2024}}</ref> and serves as a base for many large companies and startups, including [[Capitec Bank]] (South Africa's second largest retail bank).

Stellenbosch has its own [[Stellenbosch Local Municipality|municipality]] (incorporating the neighbouring towns of [[Pniel, Western Cape|Pniel]] and [[Franschhoek]]), adjoining the [[metropolitan area]] of the [[City of Cape Town]].

== History ==
[[File:Biface Stellenbosch MHNT PRE 2009.0.195.1 Global fond.jpg|thumb|[[Paleolithic]] [[biface]] from Stellenbosch]]

=== Pre-history ===
In 1899 [[Louis Péringuey]] discovered [[Paleolithic]] [[stone tool]]s of the [[Acheulean]] [[archaeological culture|type]] at a site named Bosman's Crossing near the Adam Tas Bridge at the western entrance to Stellenbosch.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Seddon|first=J. D.|journal=The South African Archaeological Bulletin|date=October 1966|volume=21|issue=83|pages=133–137|publisher=South African Archaeological Society|title=The Early Stone Age at Bosman's Crossing, Stellenbosch|doi=10.2307/3888433|jstor=3888433}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Butzer|editor1-first=Karl W.|editor2-last=Isaac|editor2-first=Glynn L.|last=Deacon|first=H. J.|chapter=Demography, Subsistence, and Culture During the Acheulian in Southern Africa|title=After the Australopithecines: Stratigraphy, Ecology, and Culture Change in the Middle Pleistocene|date=1975|isbn=9783110878837|pages=543–570|publisher=Walter de Gruyter |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-wQwW3WO5CkC}}</ref> This indicates that human habitation of the area dates as far back as 1 million years. By 10,000 to 20,000 years ago the population, assumed to have been ancestors of the [[San people|San]] people, were established in the area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Who Lived in the Stellenbosch Winelands Before 1652? |url=https://www.stellenboschheritage.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Archaeology-of-Stellenbosch-and-Winelands-for-SHF.pdf |journal= |via=Stellenbosch Heritage}}</ref>

=== Founding and early history ===
[[File:Bletterman House (corner view).JPG|thumb|right|The Blettermanhuis, built in 1789,<ref>{{cite web |title=Blettermanhuis |url=https://stelmus.co.za/village-museum/blettermanhuis/ |website=Stellenbosch Museum |access-date=17 April 2024}}</ref> a historic house in the typical [[Cape Dutch architecture|Cape Dutch]] style in Stellenbosch]]

The town was founded in 1679 by the Governor of the [[Dutch Cape Colony|Cape Colony]], [[Simon van der Stel]], who named it after himself<ref name=Fairbridge-105>{{cite book|last=Fairbridge|first=Dorothea|title=Historic houses of South Africa|year=1922|publisher=H. Milford, Oxford University Press|location=London|page=109|chapter-url=https://archive.org/stream/cu31924014905834#page/n195/mode/2up/search/stellenbosch|access-date=31 January 2011|chapter=XII – Stellenbosch}}</ref> – Stellenbosch means "(van der) Stel's Forest". It is situated on the banks of the Eerste River ("First River"), so named as it was the first new river he reached and followed when he went on an expedition over the Cape Flats to explore the territory towards what is now known as Stellenbosch. The town grew so quickly that it became an independent local authority in 1682 and the seat of a [[magistrate]] with jurisdiction over {{convert|25000|km2|sqmi|sp=us}} in 1685.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://showme.co.za/stellenbosch/tourism/history-of-stellenbosch/|title=History of Stellenbosch|website=ShowMe™ – Stellenbosch|language=en-US|access-date=2017-09-06}}</ref>

From the beginning, the population living in the town and its surroundings was highly mixed, consisting of European (Dutch, French, German) burghers, enslaved people, 15 individual free-blacks, 16 and indigenous Khoi and San people.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Giliomee |first=Hermann |title=Nog Altyd Hier Gewees – Die Storie van 'n Stellenbosse Gemeenskap. |date=2007 |publisher=Tafelberg |language=Afrikaans |trans-title=Always Been Here -- The Story of a Stellenbosch Community}}</ref> A minority of these free-blacks were able to amass significant wealth, even owning farms and enslaved people and employing white servants.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Malan |first=Antonia |date=April 2018 |title=An Archaeological, Archival, Oral & Spatial History |url=https://www.stellenboschheritage.co.za/wp-content/uploads/APPENDIX-1_Phase-3-Historical-Framework-Malan.pdf |access-date=6 March 2025 |website=Stellenbosch Heritage Foundation}}</ref> The indigenous Khoisan were never officially enslaved, but due to several factors, including colonial encroachment on their hunting and grazing lands, illness, and extermination by European hunting parties, they were gradually forced to submit to colonial rule despite widespread resistance.<ref name="Verbuyst 2021">{{Cite thesis |last=Verbuyst |first=Rafaël |title=Khoisan Consciousness : articulating indigeneity in post-apartheid Cape Town |date=2021 |degree=dissertation |publisher=Ghent University |url=https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/8708438}}</ref> Many became labourers on farms, domestic workers, or wagon drivers.<ref name="Verbuyst 2021"/> Life in early Stellenbosch society for the Khoi, San, and enslaved people was extremely cruel and characterised by violence, hard work, and strict discipline<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Worden |first=Nigel |date=1982 |title=Violence, Crime and Slavery on Cape Farmsteads in the Eighteenth Century. |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41056169 |journal=Kronos |volume=5 |pages=43–60 |jstor=41056169 }}</ref> Farming was the dominant industry of the town, and due to the massive size of the early land grants, European farmers depended on enslaved and Indigenous labour.<ref name=":2" /> The isolated nature of these farms, where most enslaved and Indigenous people lived and worked, meant that unified resistance action was difficult.<ref name=":3" />

The [[Dutch people|Dutch]] were skilled in hydraulic engineering and they devised a system of furrows to direct water from the Eerste River in the vicinity of Thibault Street through the town along van Riebeeck Street to Mill Street where a [[Watermill|mill]] was erected.<ref name="Martin">[https://books.google.com/books?id=pv0zAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA496 ''Statistics of the Colonies of the British Empire in the West Indies, South America, North America, Asia, Austral-Asia, Africa and Europe: From the Official Records of the Colonial Office.''] [[Robert Montgomery Martin]], 1839. London: W.H. Allen and Co. (p. 496)</ref><ref name="Bird1822">[https://books.google.com/books?id=aRoPAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA174 State of the Cape of Good Hope, in 1822.] [[William Wilberforce Bird (MP)|William Wilberforce Bird]]. 1823. London: J. Murray.</ref> Early visitors commented on the oak trees and gardens.<ref name="Rees" /><ref name="Backhouse">[https://books.google.com/books?id=u0YFAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA498 ''The Life and Labours of George Washington Walker: of Hobart Town, Tasmania.''] James Backhouse and Charles Tylor, 1862. Tasmania: Thomas Brady (pp. 498–499)</ref>

During 1690 some [[Huguenots in South Africa|Huguenot refugees]] settled in Stellenbosch,<ref name=Botha-155>{{cite book|last=Botha|first=Colin Graham|title=The French refugees at the Cape|year=1921|publisher=Cape Times Limited|location=Cape Town|page=155|url=https://archive.org/stream/frenchrefugeesat00both#page/154/mode/2up/search/stellenbosch|access-date=31 January 2011}}</ref> [[grape]]s were planted in the fertile valleys around Stellenbosch and soon it became the centre of the South African [[wine]] industry.<ref name="Martin"/>

In 1710 a fire destroyed most of the town, including the first church, all the Company property and twelve houses. Only two or three houses were left standing.<ref name=Trotter-174,179>{{cite book|last=Trotter|first=A.F.|title=Old Cape Colony a chronicle of her men and houses from 1652–1806|year=1903|publisher=A. Constable & co., ltd.|location=Westminster|pages=174, 179|url=https://archive.org/stream/oldcapecolonychr00trot#page/174/mode/2up/search/fire|access-date=31 January 2011}}</ref> When the church was rebuilt in 1723 it was located on what was then the outskirts of the town, to prevent a similar incident from destroying it again. This church has been enlarged a number of times since 1723 and is currently known as the "Moederkerk" (Mother Church).

=== Since the 1800s ===
The first school had been opened in 1683, but education in the town began in earnest in 1859 with the opening of a seminary for the Dutch Reformed Church. [[Rhenish Girls' High School]], established in 1860, is the oldest school for girls in South Africa.<ref name="Eikestad">{{cite web |title=Rhenish prepare for their 150th birthday |work=Eikestad News |publisher=Eikestadnuus |date=2006-02-17 |url=http://www.news24.com/Regional_Papers/Components/Category_Article_Text_Template/0,,387_1883243~E,00.html |access-date=2007-11-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120082322/http://www.news24.com/Regional_Papers/Components/Category_Article_Text_Template/0,,387_1883243~E,00.html |archive-date=20 January 2008}}</ref> A [[Gymnasium (school)|gymnasium]], known as ''het Stellenbossche Gymnasium'', was established in 1866. In 1874 some higher classes became Victoria College and then in 1918 [[Stellenbosch University|University of Stellenbosch]].

The first men's hostel to be established in Stellenbosch was Wilgenhof, in 1903. In 1905 the first women's hostel to be established in Stellenbosch was Harmonie [http://www0.sun.ac.za/harmonie/?cat=6].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www0.sun.ac.za/harmonie/?cat=6 |title=Huisdinge: Harmonie Dameskoshuis |publisher=Sun.ac.za |access-date=2013-07-29}}</ref> Harmonie and Wilgenhof were part of the Victoria College. In 1909 an old boy of the school, [[Paul Roos (rugby union)|Paul Roos]], captain of the first national rugby team to be called the [[South Africa national rugby union team|Springboks]], was invited to become the sixth rector of the school. He remained rector until 1940. On his retirement, the school's name was changed to [[Paul Roos Gymnasium]].

With the manumission of enslaved people in 1838, the population of Stellenbosch's town centre increased as formerly enslaved people moved there, away from the isolated farmsteads.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Du Toit |first=Justin |date=March 2011 |title=The role of memory in urban land restitution: Case studies of five families in Stellenbosch |url=https://scholar.sun.ac.za/server/api/core/bitstreams/34277b8b-0806-48ea-a7f0-9f535a83fa6f/content |journal=University of Stellenbosch}}</ref> This small exodus formed the basis of the District's coloured community, and by 1850, they had established a neighbourhood and community which became known as ‘Die Vlakte’.<ref name=":1" />

In the early days of the [[Second Boer War]] (1899–1902) Stellenbosch was one of the British military bases, and was used as a "remount" camp; and in consequence of officers who had not distinguished themselves at the front being sent back to it, the expression "''to be Stellenbosched''"<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Spencer |date=2024-03-11 |title=The British Army and the Lessons of the Boer War |url=https://warontherocks.com/2024/03/the-british-army-and-the-lessons-of-the-boer-war/ |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=War on the Rocks |language=en-US}}</ref> came into use; so much so, that in similar cases officers were spoken of as "Stellenbosched" even if they were sent to some other place.<ref name=":0" />

== Apartheid ==
The [[Group Areas Act]] of 1950 led to ‘Die Vlakte’ in central Stellenbosch being proclaimed a White Group Area in 1964. In the following decade, roughly 3,700 (mainly coloured people) either left or were later forced out of Central Stellenbosch, relocating or being settled to the urban periphery areas of Idas Valley and Cloetesville.<ref name=":1" /> Black people were forcibly removed to [[Kayamandi]]. Several homes, religious and educational buildings, and community centres were bulldozed. One remaining building which stands in what used to be a central street of 'Die Vlakte' is the Goejjatul Islam Mosque.
[[File:Newspaper clipping, detailing the closing of the Gaiety Bioscope.png|thumb|Plea from locals to reopen Gaiety Bioscope, after the land it was built on was declared a White Group Area. Article in the Cape Herald newspaper, 4 August 1973.]]
In post-Apartheid Stellenbosch and its surrounds, residential areas are still notably segregated: although the [[Group Areas Act]] was abolished in 1991, the economic and residential patterns it enforced have proven difficult to overcome.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":2" /> This continued residential segregation, soaring wealth inequality,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Yang |first=YoungJun |date=March 2015 |title=Producing post-apartheid space: An ethnography of race, place and subjectivity in Stellenbosch, South Africa |url=https://scholar.sun.ac.za/server/api/core/bitstreams/cb9c78c4-ffbe-4fec-8915-e72103237eb0/content |journal=University of Stellenbosch}}</ref> the reputation of Stellenbosch as the ‘cradle of apartheid’,<ref name=":1" /> and several racial discrimination scandals related to the university<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-05-19 |title=Stellenbosch University sets up inquiry to deal with race and gender inequalities – SABC News  |url=https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/stellenbosch-university-sets-up-inquiry-to-deal-with-race-and-gender-inequalities/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240420174417/https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/stellenbosch-university-sets-up-inquiry-to-deal-with-race-and-gender-inequalities/ |archive-date=2024-04-20 |access-date=2025-03-06 |work=SABC News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Metelerkamp |first=Tamsin |date=2022-11-16 |title=Racism at Stellenbosch University a 'pushback' against change, says Prof Jonathan Jansen |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-11-17-racist-incidents-at-stellenbosch-university-a-pushback-against-change-says-prof-jonathan-jansen/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}</ref> all indicate how Stellenbosch continues to reckon with legacies of racism and discrimination in both its institutions and physical, social, and economic landscapes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Govender |first=Indira |date=31 March 2014 |title=What they don't tell you about Stellenbosch. |url=https://africasacountry.com/2014/03/what-they-dont-tell-you-in-the-brochure-about-stellenbosch |access-date=6 March 2025 |website=Africa is a Country}}</ref>

== Population ==
At the time of the [[South African National Census of 2011|2011 census]], the population of the urban area of Stellenbosch was 77,476, living in 23,730 households, in an area of {{convert|20.9|km2}}. Roughly 63.8% of the residents spoke [[Afrikaans]] as their [[home language]], 19.6% spoke [[Xhosa language|isiXhosa]], and 6.8% spoke [[South African English|English]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=993&id=stellenbosch-municipality |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=www.statssa.gov.za}}</ref> 28.1% of the population identify as [[Bantu peoples in South Africa|Black]], 52.2% as [[Coloured]], and 18.5% as [[White South African|White]].<ref name="census-combined">Census 2011: https://www.statssa.gov.za/?page_id=993&id=stellenbosch-municipality</ref>

The [[Stellenbosch Municipality]] extends beyond the town of Stellenbosch itself to include rural areas, villages, and the town of [[Franschhoek]]. At the time of the 2011 census, the municipal population was 155,728, while by 2016 it was estimated to be 173,197.<ref>{{cite report |date=2018 |title=Community Survey 2016: Provincial profile: Western Cape |url=http://cs2016.statssa.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/WesternCape.pdf |publisher=Statistics South Africa |page=8 |access-date=26 July 2018}}</ref> In 2017, the municipality estimated that the population in 2018 would increase to 176,523.<ref>[https://www.westerncape.gov.za/assets/departments/treasury/Documents/Socio-economic-profiles/2017/wc024_stellenbosch_2017_socio-economic_profile_sep-lg_-_22_december_2017.pdf Stellenbosch Municipality 2017 – Western Cape Government]</ref>

The [[South African National Census of 1936|1936 census]] recorded a total population of 8,782 residents with 3,558 of them recorded as Coloured and 4,995 recorded as White.<ref name="yearbook1936">{{Cite book |last=Malherbe |first=E.G. |title=Official Year Book of the Union of South Africa and of Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate, and Swaziland |publisher=Union of South Africa |year=1939 |volume=20 |location=Pretoria |pages=1044}}</ref>

==Climate and geography==
[[File:Stellenbosch WC ZA.jpg|thumb|Stellenbosch's eastern suburbs in the winter months. In the background are the snowcapped Jonkershoek Mountains, with the prominent peak "The Twins" (elevation of {{convert|1494|m|ft|abbr=on}}) visible.]]
Stellenbosch is {{convert|53|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of [[Cape Town]] via [[National Routes (South Africa)|National Route]] [[N1 road (South Africa)|N1]]. Stellenbosch is in a hilly region of the [[Cape Winelands]], and is sheltered in a valley at an average elevation of {{convert|136|m|0|abbr=on}}, flanked on the west by Papegaaiberg ({{langx|af|Parrot Mountain}}), which is actually a hill.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} To the south is [[Stellenbosch Mountain]]; to the east and southeast are the [[Jonkershoek Nature Reserve|Jonkershoek]], [[Drakenstein]], and [[Simonsberg]] mountains.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} Die Tweeling Pieke ({{langx|af|The Twin Peaks}}) has an elevation of {{convert|1494|m|ft|abbr=on}}; the highest point is Victoria Peak {{convert|1590|m|ft|abbr=on}}. [[Jonkershoek Nature Reserve]] lies about {{convert|9|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Stellenbosch, and the [[Helderberg Nature Reserve]] is about {{convert|23|km|mi|abbr=on}} south via [[provincial route (South Africa)|provincial route]] [[R44 road (South Africa)|R44]].{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} Just south of the Helderberg Nature Reserve is [[Strand, Western Cape|Strand]], a [[seaside resort]] [[Resort town|town]].{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} The soils of Stellenbosch range from dark [[alluvium]] to [[clay]].{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} This, combined with the well-drained, hilly terrain and [[Mediterranean climate]], prove excellent for [[viticulture]].{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} Summers are dry and warm to hot, with some February and March days rising to over {{convert|40|°C|0|abbr=on}}.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} Winters are cool, rainy and sometimes quite windy, with daytime temperatures averaging {{convert|16|°C|0|abbr=on}}.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} Snow is usually seen a couple of times in winter on the surrounding mountains.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} Spring and autumn are colder seasons, when daytime temperatures hover in the 20s.{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}}

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Stellenbosch, Western Cape
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes

| Jan high C = 27.8
| Feb high C = 28.1
| Mar high C = 26.4
| Apr high C = 23.2
| May high C = 19.4
| Jun high C = 16.2
| Jul high C = 15.8
| Aug high C = 16.1
| Sep high C = 18.0
| Oct high C = 21.0
| Nov high C = 23.2
| Dec high C = 26.0

| Jan low C = 16.0
| Feb low C = 16.3
| Mar low C = 15.1
| Apr low C = 12.6
| May low C = 10.1
| Jun low C =  7.2
| Jul low C =  6.5
| Aug low C =  6.8
| Sep low C =  8.0
| Oct low C = 10.4
| Nov low C = 12.1
| Dec low C = 14.6

| precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 33
|Feb precipitation mm = 35
|Mar precipitation mm = 36
|Apr precipitation mm = 60
|May precipitation mm = 95
|Jun precipitation mm = 141
|Jul precipitation mm = 127
|Aug precipitation mm = 107
|Sep precipitation mm = 86
|Oct precipitation mm = 68
|Nov precipitation mm = 53
|Dec precipitation mm = 37

|source = [https://en.climate-data.org/africa/south-africa/western-cape/stellenbosch-6770/ Stellenbosch climate]
}}

== Economy ==
[[File:Stellenbosch fan Papagaaiberch grut.jpg|thumb|480px|A panorama of Stellenbosch, as seen from ''Papegaaiberg'']]

Stellenbosch is home to several corporate headquarters of large and small companies including major South African bank, [[Capitec Bank]], fast-food chain, Hungry Lion, major dairy products group [[Lactalis]] South Africa, major private hospital group, [[Mediclinic International]] and investment holding company, [[Remgro]].

== Sport ==
Stellenbosch is a warm-weather training venue for cyclists, track and field squads, and triathletes. The Stellenbosch Sports Academy opened its doors in 2012 and hosts several rugby teams on a permanent basis, such as the 
Springbok Sevens and Western Province.{{Citation needed|date=August 2018}} It is also the home base of professional [[Association football|football]] club [[Stellenbosch F.C.|Stellenbosch FC]] who compete in the [[South African Premier Division|DStv Premiership]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stellenboschfc.com/about/|title=Stellenbosch Football Club About Page|publisher=Stellenbosch Football Club|accessdate=17 June 2023}}</ref>

==Viticulture and winemaking==
[[File:Stellenbosch Vineyard.jpg|thumb|left|Vineyards on the outskirts of Stellenbosch, with Helderberg in the background]]
The Stellenbosch, [[Paarl]] and [[Franschhoek]] valleys form the [[Cape Winelands]], the larger of the two main wine growing regions in South Africa. The [[South African wine]] industry produces about 1,000,000,000 litres of wine annually. Stellenbosch is the primary location for viticulture and viticulture research. Professor [[Abraham Izak Perold|Perold]] was the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University. The Stellenbosch Wine Route established in 1971 by Frans Malan from Simonsig, Spatz Sperling from Delheim, Neil Joubert from Spier and David van Velden from Overgaauw, known as Stellenbosch American Express® Wine Routes since 2002, is a world-renowned and popular [[tourism|tourist]] destination. This route provides visitors the opportunity to experience a wide range of cultivars and includes farms such as Warwick and JC Le Roux.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stellenbosch American Express® Wine Routes – Our Story|url=http://www.wineroute.co.za/story.asp|access-date=2 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209102721/http://www.wineroute.co.za/story.asp|archive-date=9 February 2014}}</ref>

The region has a [[Mediterranean climate]] with hot dry summers and cool wet winters. Stellenbosch lies at the foot of the Cape Fold mountain range, which provides soil favourable to [[viticulture]]. Grapes grown in this area are mainly used for wine production, as opposed to [[table grapes]]. The region possesses a wide range of soils in the area, from light, sandy soils to decomposed granite. Stellenbosch [[Cabernet Sauvignon]] is beginning to get a good reputation as a fine wine.<ref>[http://www.the-wine-library.co.uk/P-T/S/Terms/Stellenbosch.html The-Wine-Library] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123121701/http://the-wine-library.co.uk/P-T/S/Terms/Stellenbosch.html |date=23 January 2009 }} Short Description of wine in Stellenbosch</ref>

== Stellenbosch University ==
{{Main|Stellenbosch University}}

[[File:20190202 Stellenbosch University.jpg|thumb|Theology Building of Stellenbosh University, at the top of Dorp Street]]

[[File:Eerste River from De Oewer.JPG|thumb|Eerste River in Stellenbosch after heavy rains]]
[[File:UniStellenbosch.jpg|thumb|upright|right|View over the "Red Square" of Stellenbosch University with the peak, "The Twins" beyond]]

[[Stellenbosch University]] is one of South Africa's leading [[University|universities]].{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} This institution has a history dating back to 1863 and has 10 [[faculty (division)|faculties]], including [[Engineering]], [[Commerce]], [[Science]] and [[Arts]].{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering is the only university department in the southern hemisphere which has successfully built a communications satellite Sunsat which was launched in 2000 and orbited the Earth for three years.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

The University currently has about 29,000 students. White students in 2014, namely 18,636, constitute 63.4% of all students enrolled.<ref>"Core statistics 2014", Stellenbosch University, 2014, [online] http://www.sun.ac.za/english/statistical-profile-2014-test {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409135624/http://www.sun.ac.za/english/statistical-profile-2014-test |date=9 April 2018 }}, Accessed: 04/08/2015</ref> Although the official language of the university is [[Afrikaans]], most post-graduate courses are presented in [[English language|English]]. The university is in the process of introducing more [[English language|English]] centered undergraduate courses following mass protest by the student body. The university council with the concurrence of the senate approved a new language policy on 22 June 2016 for implementation from 1 January 2017. Since the campuses are situated in the Western Cape, the university has committed to introducing multilingualism by using the province's three official languages, namely [[Afrikaans]], [[English language|English]] and [[isiXhosa]].<ref>{{Cite web | title=Archived copy | url=http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Documents/Language/Final%20Language%20Policy%20June%202016.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910132243/http://www.sun.ac.za:80/english/Documents/Language/Final%20Language%20Policy%20June%202016.pdf | access-date=2024-12-15 | archive-date=2016-09-10}}</ref>

== List of suburbs ==

[[File:Kayamandi Stellenbosch.jpg|thumb|The township of [[Kayamandi]] located on the outskirts of Stellenbosch]]
[[File:Simonsberg Stellenbosch.jpg|thumb|View of Nuutgevonden Estate, Cloetesville and Welgevonden Estate in the foreground and the [[Simonsberg|Simonsberg Mountain]] in the background]]
{{clear left}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*Annandale
*Arbeidslus
*Brandwacht
*[[Cloetesville]]
*Coetzenburg
*[[Dalsig]]
*Dennesig
*De Zalze
*De Novo
*Devon Valley
*Die Boord, previously ''Rhodes Fruit Farms''
*Die Rant
*Ida's Valley
*[[Jamestown, Western Cape|Jamestown]]
*Jonkershoek
*Karindal
*[[Kayamandi]]
*Klapmuts
*Koelenhof
*Krigeville
*[[Kylemore, Western Cape|Kylemore]]
*Welbedaght
*La Colline
*Lanquedoc
*Meerlust
*[[Mostertsdrift, Western Cape|Mostertsdrift]]
*Onderpapegaaiberg, also known as ''Voëltjiesdorp''
*Paradyskloof
*Plankenberg
*Pniel
*Raithby
*[[Rozendal]]
*Simondium
*Simonsrust
*Simonswyk
*Techno Park
*Tennantville
*Town central
*[[Uniepark, Western Cape|Uniepark]]
*Universiteitsoord
*Vlottenburg
*Weides
*Welbedaght
*Welgevonden
{{div col end}}

== List of schools ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2018}}
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

'''''Primary Schools'''''
*A.F. Louw Primary School
*Bruckner De Villiers Primary School
*Cloetesville Primary School
*Devonvallei Primary School
*Eikestad Primary School
*Idasvallei Primary School
*Ikaya Primary School
*JJ Rhode Primary School
*Kayamandi Primary School
*Koelenhof Primary School
*Lynedoch Primary School
*Rhenish Primary School
*Stellenbosch Primary School
* St Idas A.C. Primary School
* Weber Gedenk Primary School

'''''Secondary Schools'''''
*[[Bloemhof High School]]
*Cloetesville High School
*Kayamandi High School
*Luckhoff Secondary School
*[[Kayamandi Secondary School|Makupula Secondary School]]
*[[Paul Roos Gymnasium]]
*Pieter Langeveldt Primary School
*[[Rhenish Girls' High School]]
*Rietenbosch Primary School
*[[Stellenbosch High School]]
*Stellenzicht Senior Secondary School
{{div col end}}

== Transport ==
=== Rail ===
Stellenbosch lies on the Muldersvlei rail branch of the ''[[Northern Line (Cape Town)|Northern Line]]'' operated by [[Metrorail Western Cape]] commuter rail system which connects Stellenbosch with [[Cape Town]] to the west via [[Eerste River, Western Cape|Eersterivier]], [[Kuils River|Kuilsrivier]] and [[Bellville, South Africa|Bellville]]. Stellenbosch has two railway stations including its main railway station, Stellenbosch Railway Station to the east of the CBD along the [[R310 (South Africa)|R310]] Adam Tas Road and Du Toit Railway Station to the north of the CBD in Plankenbrug.

=== Roads ===
[[File:Bird Street Stellenbosch.jpg|thumb|Bird Street, Stellenbosch Central]]

Stellenbosch is not directly linked to any major [[freeway]] or highway, however it is connected to the [[N1 (South Africa)|N1]] (to [[Cape Town]] and [[Paarl]]) via the R44 and R304, the [[N2 (South Africa)|N2]] (to Cape Town and [[George, South Africa|George]]) via the R44 and R310 and the [[R300 (South Africa)|R300]] (to [[Bellville, South Africa|Bellville]] and [[Mitchells Plain]]) via the M12.

The [[R44 (South Africa)|R44]] (Adam Tas Street; Strand Road) connects Stellenbosch with [[Klapmuts]] and [[Wellington, South Africa|Wellington]] to the north and [[Somerset West]] to the south. The [[R304 (South Africa)|R304]] (Bird Street; Koelenhof Road) connects Stellenbosch with  [[Klipheuwel]] and [[Atlantis, South Africa|Atlantis]] to the north-west. The [[R310 (South Africa)|R310]] (Adams Tas Street; Helshoogte Road) connects Stellenbosch with [[Franschhoek]] to the east and [[Muizenberg]] to the south-west.

Stellenbosch is also served by two [[Metropolitan Routes in Johannesburg|metropolitan routes]] linking it to nearby towns in the [[City of Cape Town]]. The [[M12 road (Cape Town)|M12]] (Polkadraai Road) which begins at the intersection with the R310 just outside Stellenbosch connects the town with [[Kuils River|Kuilsrivier]] and the [[Cape Town International Airport]] to the west. The [[M23 (Cape Town)|M23]] (Bottelary Road) which begins at the intersection with the R304 just outside Stellenbosch connects the town with Kuilsrivier, [[Brackenfell]] and [[Bellville, South Africa|Bellville]] to the north-west.

Bird Street is the main street through Stellenbosch Central stretching for about 2 kilometres in a north–south direction.

== Houses of worship ==
* [[Moederkerk, Stellenbosch|Moederkerk]]
* [[Stellenbosch Synagogue]]

== Notable people ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2019}}
*[[Ferdie Bergh]] – rugby player
*[[Bernette Beyers]] – track cyclist
*[[Kees Bruynzeel]] – Dutch businessman, timber merchant and yachtsman
*[[Dirk Coetsee]] – Chancellor (Hoofdheemraad) of the District of Stellenbosch and Drakenstein in South Africa for most of the 1690s and early 1700s
*[[Danie Craven]] – rugby administrator
*[[Giniel de Villiers]] – Rally driver
*[[David Earl (composer)|David Earl]] – composer and pianist
*[[Arnu Fourie]] – Paralympic athlete
*[[Justin Harding]] - Golfer 
*[[Hans Heinrich Hattingh]] - Dutch Cape Colony free burgher, proprietor of the Spier Estate
*[[Omar Henry (cricketer)|Omar Henry]] – cricketer
*[[Daniel Hugo]] – radio producer, lecturer and poet
*[[Charl Langeveldt]] – cricketer{{Citation needed|date=July 2018}} 
*[[Lee Langeveldt]] – football player
*[[Daniel François Malan|D. F. Malan]] – Prime Minister of South Africa from 1948 to 1954
*[[Jannie Marais]] (Johannes Henoch Marais) – mining magnate, politician and philanthropist who co-founded the multi-billion dollar media conglomerate Naspers and the University of Stellenbosch
*[[JP Pietersen]] – rugby player
*[[Paul Roos (rugby union)|Paul Roos]] – South African rugby union captain
*[[Anton Rupert]] – entrepreneur, businessman, conservationist
*[[Johann Rupert]] – businessman
*[[Dana Snyman]] – journalist, writer and playwright{{Citation needed|date=July 2018}} 
*[[Conrad Stoltz]] – 2-time Olympian, 3 time [[XTERRA Triathlon|Xterra]] world champion{{Citation needed|date=July 2018}} 
*[[Roger Telemachus]] – cricketer
*[[Sampie Terreblanche]] – Professor in Economics, co-founder of [[Democratic Party (South Africa)|Democratic Party]]
*[[Rick Turner (philosopher)|Richard Turner]] – philosopher
*[[Frederik van Zyl Slabbert]] – anti-apartheid Member of Parliament and leader of opposition, lecturer in sociology
*[[Hendrik Verwoerd]] –"father of apartheid"- Prime Minister of South Africa from 1958 to 1966
*[[William Charles Winshaw]] - physician
* [[Luke Le Roux]] - footballer for [[Portsmouth F.C|Portsmouth]]

==Coats of arms==
The municipality currently uses a badge<ref>[http://www.stellenbosch.gov.za Stellenbosch]</ref> consisting of a fleur de lis and a cross issuing from a stylised [[bunch of grapes]]. In the past, the various local authorities used coats of arms.

* Drostdy – The drostdy (1685–1827) was the local authority for the whole Stellenbosch district, including the city. In 1804, when the [[Cape Colony]] was ruled by the [[Batavian Republic]], the government assigned an armorial seal to the drostdy. It depicted the shield of arms of [[Simon van der Stel]] superimposed on an anchor representing Hope, on a golden background.<ref name=stell1>{{citation |last=Pama |first=C. |year=1965| title=Lions and Virgins}}</ref> In 1814, the British occupation authorities ordered the drostdyen to use the royal coat of arms instead.<ref name=drostdy>''Cape Town Gazette'' No 418 (15 January 1814).</ref> Van der Stel's arms were quartered: 1 two red towers on a golden background; 2 a [[peacock]] on a red background; 3 three silver discs or balls stacked 1 over 2 on a red background; 4 a red tower on a golden background. In the centre was a smaller blue shield displaying six silver crescents (or, possibly, ribs) 2, 2, and 2.
* Municipality (1) – The Stellenbosch municipality was formed in 1840, to administer the city, but not the rest of the district. Although it was not the legal successor to the drostdy, it adopted the old drostdy seal of arms. A few changes<ref>[http://www.ngw.nl/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Stellenbosch changes]</ref> were made to the arms over the years: quarters 2 and 3 were changed from red to blue; the peacock was turned to a profile position; the three silver discs or balls were changed to golden rings; the central shield was changed from blue to black. Whether any of these changes was intentional, or whether they were the result of artistic errors, is unclear.
* Municipality (2) – The municipal council had a new coat of arms<ref>[http://www.ngw.nl/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Stellenbosch new coat of arms]</ref> designed by Michael Dawes in 1951. After some improvements, the [[College of Arms]] granted them on 26 June 1952. They were registered at the [[Bureau of Heraldry]] on 31 August 1979.<ref name=boh>[http://www.national.archsrch.gov.za/sm300cv/smws/sm300dl National Archives of South Africa: Data of the Bureau of Heraldry]</ref> The new design was a golden shield displaying the three towers from the Van der Stel arms, and a red fess displaying the peacock between golden rings. The crest was an anchor entwined with oak leaves and acorns. The motto ''Fortis et superbus'' ("Strong and proud") was chosen.
* Divisional council (1) – The divisional council, established in 1855, administered the rural areas outside the city. At some point, it adopted the plain Van der Stel arms, i.e. a golden shield displaying three red towers.{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}}

[[File:Arms of the Divisional Council of Stellenbosch, WC, ZA.svg|thumb|83px|right|Stellenbosch Divisional Council coat of arms (1970)]]
* Divisional council (2) – The divisional council had its arms re-designed by [[Cornelis Pama]] in 1970, and registered them at the [[Bureau of Heraldry]] on 30 October 1970.<ref name=boh /> The shield was divided down the centre into gold and red, and the three towers were counterchanged. A red tower was added as a crest.
* ''Kaya Mandi'' – The local authority for the Black township of Kaya Mandi registered arms at the Bureau on 27 November 1987.<ref name=boh />

== See also ==
* [[Murder of Hannah Cornelius]]
* [[Tygerberg Zoo]]
* [[Van Breda murders]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{commons and category inline|Stellenbosch|Stellenbosch}}
*{{Wikivoyage inline|Stellenbosch}}
*[http://www.stellenbosch.gov.za Stellenbosch Municipality]
*[http://www.stellenbosch.travel/ Stellenbosch Tourism Bureau]
*[http://www.eikestadnuus.co.za/News/articles Eikestad Nuus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317025202/http://www.eikestadnuus.co.za/News/articles |date=17 March 2015 }}
{{Western_Cape_Province}}
{{Cape Winelands District Municipality}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Stellenbosch| ]]
[[Category:Wine regions of South Africa]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1679]]
[[Category:Populated places founded by Afrikaners]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Stellenbosch Local Municipality]]
[[Category:1679 establishments in the Dutch Empire]]
[[Category:Populated places established by the Dutch East India Company]]