DIPLOMA IN SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT
PROSPECTUS

Grounding students in sustainability & entrepreneurship

for future social impact and ecological justice

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diploma@sun.ac.za | 021 881 3952 | www.maties.com
This prospectus was originally created by our first student cohort
during their final year in 2020. Thank you, Team One! This version
was update in 2024.

Abigail Gilbey I Keneilwe Gumede I Hannah Hopper I

Anita Kawana I Florah Makele I Lisedi Maki I Dorcas
Mapitseng I Ntando Mncube I Refiloe Mohalanyane I
Mandisa Mathaba I Zama Confident I Iviwe Ndengane I
Khensani Nkatingi I Mitchel Nkama I Lesego Nkosi I
Carrie Noble I Ash-Leigh Ockhuis I Natasha Piprek I
Anesha Sierra I Caitlin Thomson I Courtney-Leigh van
Niekerk I Lutho Vika I Diavean Wildschut

USEFUL CONTACT INFORMATION

Diploma enquiries: diploma@sun.ac.za
General Enquiries: info@sun.ac.za | +27 (0)21 808 9111 Apply here
Bursaries: Undergraduate
Bursaries & Loans: General +27 (0)21 808 4627
Division Student Fees: +27 (0)21 808 4913/4519/4521; web
Division Student Records: +27 (0)21 808 4575
Faculty Student Support: emsinfo@sun.ac.za
Undergraduate Internationals: interoff@sun.ac.za;+27 (0)21 808 2565; web
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 CONTENTS
Do you want to contribute to sustainable, just futures? 4
Why we learn 5
What we learn 6
Values, Perspectives and Ways of Thinking 7
Future of Work 7
Sustainable Design 8
Strategic Communication 8
Regenerative Leadership 9
Social Entrepreneurship 9
How we learn 10
Experiential learning 11
Group Work and Action Learning 11
Co-creation 11
Reflection 11
Where we learn 12
Stellenbosch University 12
Lynedoch Ecovillage 12
Programme information 14
Admission requirements 14
Application procedure 14
Selection 15
Application enquiries 15

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Do you want to contribute to sustainable,
just futures?
A learning journey for a new generation of change agents
and social entrepreneurs
The Diploma will build your entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial competencies. Entrepreneurs are inde-
pendent thinkers who use their knowledge and skills to create employment opportunities for themselves
and others. Intrapreneurs are innovative, action-orientated, self-motivated people who drive positive
change in organisations and companies.

The Diploma uses place-based, applied learning in real

world contexts to develop your skills and abilities. Our
students graduate with focused knowledge and
skills in sustainable development and social
entrepreneurship.

Our desired graduate attributes A DYNAMIC

PROFESSIONAL
Problem solver | Uses sustainable and effective
technology | Innovative
“To be a strategist, a facilitator, a planetary
steward, a trail blazer and a professional
communicator.”
- Team 1, 2o2o
AN ENQUIRING MIND
Lifelong learner | Critical and creative thinker |
Exercises responsibility for learning and using
knowledge
“To be a reflective activist and a grounded
philosopher. Curious, creative and
passionate.”
- Team 1, 2o2o
A WELL-ROUNDED
INDIVIDUAL
Connected to head, heart and hands | Takes
responsibility for own development |
Takes informed and considered decisions.
“To live principles of Ubuntu, community,
Earth and culture.”
- Team 1, 2o2o
AN ENGAGED CITIZEN
Leader and collaborator | Social entrepreneur |
Effective in a diverse environment
“To innovate with empathy and to advocate for
socio-ecological justice. To be an authentic voice.”
4 - Team 1, 2o2o
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Why we learn
Sustainability and entrepreneurship for future social and
ecological justice

“The top 9 skills that employers are looking for are communicational skills, problem-solving skills,
leadership skills, organisational skills, teamwork skills, commercial awareness, analytical skills,
digital skills and innovative thinking.”

– Europe Language Jobs’ The Top 9 Skills Employers Want In 2020

“We need to work together to combat challenges like climate change,

poverty and inequality. This means we need to build networks that can
tackle complex problems and create entrepreneurial opportunities for
social change. We learn how to do this in the Diploma by working in
groups to design and implement collaborative solutions as part of our
practical work.

The Diploma teaches us how to understand and work in complex

systems by immersing us in both theory and practical experience. We
need to have an interdisciplinary approach to learning – and so we
learn about many topics, tools and techniques. We attend workshops
in different venues and go on field trips to meet innovative business
owners, activists and change makers. We have guest lecturers that
share their experiences of working in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and
ambiguous (VUCA) world.

We learn both in and from nature to understand the interconnections

between people and plants. Nature’s wisdom helps us to create sus-
tainable solutions through methods like permaculture and biomimicry.
The Diploma teaches us systems thinking and how to think deeply
about the actual, potential and unintended consequences of products,
technologies and practices.

Most importantly, the Diploma emphasizes experiential learning

through continuous reflection. This helps us to understand ourselves
and others better. Emotional intelligence and empathy are key ele-
ments of successful collaborative partnerships – the kind of partner-
ships necessary to shift the world towards sustainable, just futures.
Changemakers need to be aware of power dynamics, organizational
culture, and worldviews to be effective leaders in different contexts.

The theoretical knowledge and practical skills empower us to find

ways to create regenerative processes and sustainable solutions. We
are taught how to think critically and creatively so that we can create
meaningful work for ourselves and others that benefits society and the
environment.”

- Team 1, 2020
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What we learn
The Diploma in Sustainable Development offers a series of interlinked modules over three years. These
modules cover theory, tools, and practical skills to empower us as entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs
in the working world. We learn how to develop our ideas and build campaigns to drive change in the
world. Beyond that, we are equipped with the necessary personal skills, including facilitation,
mentoring, heightened emotional intelligence and the ability to work in diverse teams.

“The top skills and skill groups which employers see as rising in prominence in the lead up to
2025 include groups such as critical thinking and analysis as well as problem-solving, and skills
in self-management such as active learning, resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility.”

- World Economic Forum, The Future of Work Report 2020

“I have learned how to master my emotions and to deal with those of others.”

“We learn about the different types of leadership and how to lead by example, treating all peo-
ple with respect and tolerance.”

“The modules on entrepreneurship have unlocked a hunger in me. I have become opportunity
obsessed.”

- Team 1, 2020

YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3

Regenerative Leadership (10)* Green Economy (15) Regenerative Leadership (10)

Worldviews (15) Social Change (15) Sustainability Reporting (15)
Sustainability Perspectives (15) Regenerative Leadership (15) Strategic Communication (15)
Sustainable Design (20) Strategic Communication (15) Social Entrepreneurship (40)
Strategic Communication (20) Sustainable Design (20) Internship (40)
Social Entrepreneurship (20) Social Entrepreneurship (40)
Ecoliteracy (20)
* credit value indicated in brackets.
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Values, Perspectives and Ways of Thinking
Throughout the programme we explore the narratives and paradigms that shape the concept of
sustainability. We think about the complex interconnected relationships between ourselves, other
people, and Nature. By learning about different worldviews and belief systems, we learn how to engage
meaningfully across differences. This helps us understand how we can facilitate positive social change
and ecological justice.

Explore interrelated crises from Afrocentric perspectives

Sustainability
Participate in a sustainability solution
Perspectives
Interpret sustainable development in local and global contexts

Develop ecological intelligence

Ecoliteracy Learn about environmental ethics, complexity theory and
systems thinking

Develop intercultural communicative competencies

Worldviews
Increase your global self-awareness

Investigate the impact of transformative social movements like

Social Change
#BlackLivesMatter and #FeesMustFall

Future of Work
The social and environmental crises we face call for economic reforms that provide opportunities for
decent livelihoods for all within the ecological limits of the planet. To achieve this, we need to develop
relevant skills for green economies. During the final year, we prepare for the professional environment
by completing internships at companies whose work aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Green Economy Identify green activities and green jobs

Analyze sustainability strategies

Sustainability Compare sustainability reporting tools

Reporting Interpret Impact measurement reports

Identify your relevant skills, competencies, and experiences

Internship
Develop your professional network

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Sustainable Design
Design is one of the forces that can either drive or hinder our efforts to create a sustainable future. We
learn about different design disciplines that enable us to understand the problem context so that we
can develop innovative, sustainable solutions. We use these design disciplines to investigate urban
sustainability challenges in their context before prototyping and testing simple solutions.

Methodologies
Year 1 Apply Design Thinking, permaculture, and biomimetic design
principles to generate sustainable design ideas.

Urban Systems
Year 2 Use design thinking to test a solution prototype for a
sustainability challenge.

Strategic Communication
During the programme we develop the communication skills we need to be effective change-agents.
We build critical reading and writing skills, reflective thinking processes, and presentation abilities. This
helps us with framing messages, understanding target markets, and developing communication out-
puts for social enterprises.

Communication theories and skills

Year 1 Articulate ideas and learning through written, visual, and oral
approaches.

Strategies and outputs

Year 2
Generate multimedia communication outputs

Strategic Communication for Social Enterprise

Year 3 undertake a real-life communications project for a social
enterprise.

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Regenerative Leadership
Regenerative leadership aims to transform communities, businesses, and organisations for sustainabil-
ity. To become regenerative leaders, we first explore how we lead ourselves, before thinking about how
we manage relationships so that we can help others achieve common goals.

Personal Leadership Development

Year 1 Self-awareness | Self-management | Improve academic language
proficiency | Peer-to-peer mentorship | Academic and personal
development plans

Facilitation and Leadership

Year 2 Social awareness | Relationship management | In-person
and online facilitation skills

Mentorship and Leadership

Year 3 Motivation | Self-performance | Mentor peers | Find your
own leadership style

Social Entrepreneurship
As a practice, Social Entrepreneurship involves thought leadership that is focused on transforma-
tional change. Social Entrepreneurship is also a solution-orientated process. In these modules we
develop entrepreneurial skills and competencies to understand our passion and purpose towards
change-agency.

Process and practice

Year 1 Self-efficacy | Creative competencies | Entrepreneurship |
Intrapreneurship | Ideation

Business Tools
Year 2 Business models | Basic financial management | Action-orientated
initiative | Experimentation | Business reporting | Pitches

Funding and governance

Year 3
Funding strategies | Governance models | Problem-solving skills

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How we learn
“What you see and experience you can never unlearn, whereas what you jot down with
no practical experience can easily be forgotten.”

“In my second year, we designed a social media campaign on an issue of our choice. My
group focused on body positivity with a campaign motto of ‘My mind, My body, My choice’
and aimed to encourage radical self-acceptance. In this process, working with these
women, I learned to love myself. My team pushed me to voice my opinions. I grew as an
individual in this process.”

“Experiences become memories and cannot be erased.”

- Team 1, 2020

How we learn has a profound effect on the kind of leaders that we will become and determines the kind
of change we will make in the world. The Diploma uses a combination of learning styles and teaching
approaches that enable us to explore and understand how we work best, what we have to offer, and
how to handle complex challenges.

We learn through
• Immersive and interactive face-to-face sessions. Our modules are presented in blocks, which
gives us the chance to engage deeply with the content. We typically have 2-3 days in-person class
per week. Most days class is from 9.30 – 15.30, with breaks throughout the day. In class, we actively
participate through facilitated discussions, debates, and group work.

• Self-directed online learning. While the bulk of our learning happens in-person, some days are
presented online. We work through theory, lectures, reading and various activities in our own time
to get the most from the in-person sessions. In-person sessions help us make sense of the module
content and practice our skills.

• Synchronous online sessions. Synchronous online sessions allow us to stay connected and
process content we have covered. Online sessions also develop our ability to work collaboratively
in virtual spaces.
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Experiential learning
We engage with real-world experiences through field trips
and visits to local businesses and organisations. We learn
through experience, which gives us a richer understanding
of the theory that we learn in class. Learning in different
environments, including nature, helps to broaden our un-
derstanding of the world. This, in turn, means that our work
will be more effective. We actively put theory into practice in
different contexts.

Group work and action learning

The world of work is rapidly changing and so are the skills
we will need. One way that we learn skills like collaboration,
negotiation and emotional intelligence is through group
work. We work collaboratively on projects to develop our
self-awareness, our leadership styles and sense of agency.
In the Diploma, we learn by doing. To develop our creativity
and critical thinking, we put theory into practice, take action
and reflect on our learning. This allows us to gain compe-
tence by practicing what we have learned in real-time.

Co-creation
We learn from our peers and from our facilitators who are
working professionals. We also meet expert guest lecturers.
We exchange ideas, stories, and experiences with each oth-
er. There is a strong sense of mutual respect as our facilita-
tors view themselves as knowledge co-creators rather than
authority figures. This helps us to develop critical commu-
nication and critical thinking skills. This also offers unique
opportunities to develop our professional network while we
are studying.

Reflection
We record our personal thoughts, ideas, and experiences
during the Diploma journey and, most importantly, reflect on
them. This helps us connect our learning to our lives and to
what is happening in the world. It helps us to find our voice
and sense of agency. Journaling is a great tool that has con-
tributed to our academic and personal growth.

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Where we learn

“We learn in a diverse range of spaces. Our learning is placed in a living context so that we can
understand how theory and practice impact real people, communities, and spaces. We learn in
classrooms, online, in nature, or field trips and by working in groups. The places and spaces where
we learn play an important role. These spaces inspire us to be more creative and to experiment
with new ways of learning. “

- Team 1, 2020

Stellenbosch University
• Some of our classes are presented on Stellenbosch main campus. We make use of all the services
available on main campus like WiFi, computer user areas, library services, academic services,
campus health, psychotherapeutic and other support services. We can apply for accommodation in
university residences and we can join private student organisations and societies, even if we do not
stay in university housing.

Lynedoch Ecovillage
• Many of our in-person classes are presented at the Sustainability Institute’s praxis hub in the
Lynedoch Ecovillage. The ecovillage is home to a Montessori pre-school and primary school, a
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) centre and the Sustainability Institute. The ecovillage is 11
kilometers from Stellenbosch. Transport is provided to and from main campus. WiFi access is
provided.

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The Diploma programme uses
place-based learning, meaning
that the space we learn in is
sometimes as important as what
we are learning. Favourite spaces
at the Sustainability Institute
are the Amphitheatre where we
meet every morning and host
large outdoor events and the
shaded grass under the oak tree.
Lessons are often taught here in
the middle of nature and it is a
peaceful place to sit and think.

We also use the Green Café,

library and work hubs in the main
building. The café is a great place
to relax, socialise and eat the
delicious farm-to-fork lunches
and drink freshly squeezed juices
– while chatting about how to
change the world! The library is a
meeting and group work venue
that overlooks the Lynedoch
Valley. We can book a work hub
to do individual and group work
between classes.

At the heart of Lynedoch

Ecovillage is the food garden,
which we also helped design and
maintain. Working in the garden
provides us with emotional,
physical and learning benefits.
We go to the garden to reflect,
at times of celebration and for
community gatherings. We
also go on fieldtrips to learn
about projects. Content is not
just theoretical but is placed in
a living context so that we can
understand how what we learn
and how we apply it impacts on
real people, communities and
spaces.

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 Programme Information
Faculty: Economic and Management Sciences
Department: School of Public Leadership

• Full-time (minimum duration of three years).

• 120 credits per year, 360 credits total.
• NQF (HEQF) 6 accreditation.

Most face-to-face classes in Year 1 take place at the

Sustainability Institute’s praxis hub. In Year 2 and 3, most
face-to-face classes are presented on main campus,
although some days are presented at the praxis hub. See
the section on “How we learn” for more details.

Admission requirements
Overall National Senior Certificate average of at least 55%,
excluding Life Orientation
+
English Home Language 50% or
English First Additional Language 60%
+
Mathematics 50% or
Mathematical Literacy 60% or
Mathematics 40% or Mathematical Literacy 50% and 60%
for Business Studies or Economics or
Accounting.
+
A completed departmental form.

Application procedure
Apply by the closing date of the year before your intended
studies. and the application portal can be found on
www.maties.com.

You must complete two applications.

1. Complete the official University application, via
www.maties.com.
Choose the following options on your onlineProgramme
Selection:
• Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences –
• Stellenbosch
• Programme Type: Undergraduate
• Programme: Dip (Sustainable Development)
2. Complete departmental application, which will be sent
to you via email once your official application has been
reviewed.

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 Selection
A selection process is followed internally by the School of
Public Leadership. The number of students selected will
be influenced by, among other things, staff capacity and
the availability of resources within the school, as well as
academic merit and University transformation objectives.

A committee selects applicants based on a combined

score. The combined score is derived from academic
merit (NSC average), and the interest and experience you
demonstrate in key areas (indicated in the departmental
application form). Key areas include sustainable develop-
ment, social and environmental justice, entrepreneurial
mindset, creativity, and leadership.

Application enquiries
Your SU online application:
University Call Center
+27 21 808 9111 | info@sun.ac.za

Your departmental application:

Programme leader
+27 21 918 4135 | diploma@sun.ac.za

www.maties.com | @stellenboschuni

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