By Anica Hattingh
For the club members of Maties Climbing, their climbing wall has been more than a place to train – it has been a place where they can relieve stress and socialise too. However, in January of this year, they received the news that there was a possibility of their facilities being demolished. Jeremy van der Riet, Chairperson of Maties Climbing, shared that, to save their facilities, he had to set up a petition on 2 February.
“It was kind of a last resort,” Van der Riet explained when asked about the motivation that led to creating a petition. “The outpouring of support when this ordeal was happening was incredible,” he continued. With a closing number of 1 485 signatures, on 3 February, the petition has proven successful in its mission. Members did not just sign the petition, but also shared written testimonies of how important the space is to them. “There’s been a lot of happiness – a lot of joy […] over the years,” Van der Riet concluded. Members of the general public also poured in their support and soon the petition was spread further than just the members’ circle.
While plans for future upgrades are still unknown, members of Maties Climbing can still enjoy 24-hour access to their facilities, which are located near the Coetzenburg cricket fields. One of the concerns that led to the initial intervention were non-student members. As the climbing facility is the only one in Stellenbosch, the club is often visited by high school children and other members of the public. Another concern is also how “to register who comes in and out”. Safety remains a top priority for both the club and university.
Maties Climbing offers the chance to “explore something you hadn’t really experienced before” – one of the fastest growing sports in the world.
For its members, however, climbing is more than just a global trend or athletic achievement. It creates an opportunity for students to grow their resilience, form a community and find balance amongst demanding academic schedules.
Maties Climbing is a beacon to its members – a place where their worries can quite literally be left at the top of the climb.
