The first instalment of a new video series covering notable Stellenbosch University (SU) alumni was recently launched.
The series, Matie Legends and Pioneers, was launched on 4 August via Microsoft Teams, according to Karen Bruns, co-producer of the series. Bruns is also the senior director of the Development and Alumni Relations Division at SU.
Morné du Plessis, a former South African rugby union player, and Bun Booyens, former editor of Die Burger, in Du Plessis’s home in Hermanus during the filming of Matie Legends and Pioneers. PHOTO: Supplied/Keli van der Weijde
SU’s Development and Alumni Relations Division made the decision to start the series with an interview with Morné du Plessis, given the recently concluded rugby series between the Springboks and the British & Irish Lions in South Africa. This was according to Bruns.
“Morné is a former South African Rugby Union player, often described as one of the Springboks’ most successful captains, and he’s a proud Matie,” said Bruns.
Bun Booyens – Matie alumnus, former editor of Die Burger and Weg! magazine, and presenter of the Megaboere TV programme – on the set of Matie Legends and Pioneers. PHOTO: Supplied/Keli van der Weijde
The episode was hosted by Bun Booyens, former editor of Die Burger. Booyens told MatieMedia that he also conducted the interview with Du Plessis.
“It was wonderful to be able to talk to [Du Plessis] now – more than four decades later – about his campus memories and the lessons he learned from the victories and defeats on the sports field,” said Booyens.
In the first episode of the series, Du Plessis speaks about the British Lions of 1974 and 1980, the All Blacks of 1976, and the [Rugby] World Cup of 1995, according to Booyens. “He also talks about his relationship with ‘Doc’ Danie Craven,” he added.
Former Springbok captain, Morné du Plessis, in his hometown of Hermanus. PHOTO: Supplied/Keli van der Weijde
Jo Higgs, director of GoTrolley Films, is the director and producer of the series. “[I work] with Bun Booyens on research and development, and taking the series to full completion,” said Higgs.
SU alumni were updated on current affairs at the Maties Rugby Club before the first screening of the episode, according to Dr Pierre Viviers, president of the club.
“[Maties Rugby Club] also used the opportunity to give more information to alumni about the Craven Bursary Fund – the vehicle through which we give academic bursaries to our students,” said Viviers.
The first episode is available on SU’s YouTube channel, and two further episodes will be produced in 2021, according to Bruns.