Stellenbosch University: Maties, Veldskoen Shoes team up to help students in need

Stellenbosch University (SU) this week announced their collaboration with celebrated local shoe company, Veldskoen Shoes, which also produces the flip flop brand, Plakkie. Named the Maties X Veldskoen, the new shoe will contribute proceeds of the sales to the university’s Annual Fund Bridge The Gap (BTG).

BTG aims to remove the obstacles that are hindering Maties from having a meaningful student experience and obtaining that sought-after degree. The University is raising funds for several initiatives under the umbrella of Bridge the Gap. These include, #Move4Food, the Tygerberg Pantry Project, #Action4Inclusion, #GradMe, #Zim4Zim, End Period Poverty, #MatiesHaveDrive and Caught in the Middle.

Incorporating the iconic SU maroon colour, alumni who purchase a pair of hand-crafted, maroon-soled Maties x Veldskoen shoes and Maties Plakkie, can take pride in the fact that 5% of the total sales will go to the University’s longstanding initiative which provides food security and financial aid to students who, otherwise, wouldn’t be in the position to complete their education. This new collaboration will allow Maties of yesteryear to contribute positively to the next generation of Maties today.

​Bridge the Gap Coordinator Viwe Benxa says: “We are truly excited by this new venture partnership with Veldskoen and Plakkie. Our students will be benefitting immensely from it and this will lead to the further success and the prosperity of our student community. “

The Maties x Veldskoen shoe and Plakkie will officially launch at the 2022 Alumni Homecoming weekend celebrations, during the Matie Soirée at the Alumni Clubhouse at Die Stal.

With the influx of two thousand alumni returning to Stellenbosch for their annual Homecoming celebrations, the sentiments of fraternal pride and solidarity are even stronger than usual. The well-known slogan ‘Always a Matie’ has never rung truer.

Director of Principal and Transformative Gifts at SU, Pieter Swart adds: “Stellenbosch University is excited to partner with Veldskoen/ Plakkie, a truly South African product. We believe that through the venture we will not only grow the SU brand in a unique way but also significantly contribute to our student community in need through Bridge the Gap.”

Veldskoen’s continued mission to support, uplift and champion South Africa via multiple sectors is driven by its purpose to power an inclusive future for all, which includes empowering future Maties generations and making a positive impact through the Bridge The Gap initiative.

Veldskoen Shoes co-founder and proud Matie Ross Zondagh says: “As an alumnus the opportunity to contribute meaningfully is a privilege. Knowing the work that Bridge The Gap does, we know this endeavour will have a positive effect on students that need assistance.”

The Matie Veldskoen and Maties Plakkie

Veldskoen embraced SU’s signature colour and the name The Matie – nickname for students of Stellenbosch University which came from the Afrikaans colloquialism maat (mate or friend), originally used by the students of the University of Cape Town’s precursor, the South African College. ‘The Matie’ has been integrated into Veldskoen’s Heritage range with matching coloured soles and laces. They are available branded with the SU logo at R1199 or without for R1099. The specially designed Maties Plakkie will retail for R280 and will be available from the Matie Shop on campus and at veldskoen.com as of 9 September.

Veldskoen Shoes

Veldskoen Shoes is a footwear and apparel company that champions South Africa. Since its inception in 2016, Veldskoen has grown from a small start-up to a global brand that sells in over 30 countries worldwide.