In February 2020, Manie du Toit, now a PhD student in mechatronical engineering, saw an opportunity – and a cause worth dancing for.
At the time, Du Toit needed to raise funds for his outreach project with Kruiskerk’s Transkei werkersaksie. As someone who loves to sokkie, the answer came naturally: host one himself. The timing was perfect – Opskop, the go-to student dance spot, had shut its doors just a few months earlier, and people were itching for a place to move again. The first sokkie, held on 5 February 2020, marked the beginning of Stellies Sokkie.
Five years and countless nights on the dance floor later, Stellies Sokkie has grown into a well-known event. But as Du Toit prepares to start his engineering career and explore life beyond Stellenbosch, he faces the challenge of handing over the reins. The role offers no salary – only the satisfaction of creating a welcoming and safe social space.
“This has never been about the money,” Du Toit says. “It’s about creating a space where people feel welcome, whether they can dance or not.” He recalls guests arriving on crutches, unable to join in but eager to soak up the atmosphere. For him, the sokkies have always been about community and safety – particularly for girls, who know what to expect from the night.
Each week, the gatherings raise around R4 000, all of which goes to Isibindi Echo House in Jamestown. The house provides accommodation for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and for missionaries from across South Africa and abroad. Du Toit has also opened Stellies Sokkie to other outreach projects, helping them raise funds through these dances.
Balancing a PhD with organising regular socials might sound impossible, but Du Toit thrives on the challenge. “The more you have to do, the more you get done,” he says. Alongside his studies and event planning, he lives at Stellenbosch High School hostel and works there as a supervisor.
The popularity of Stellies Sokkie is clear. It’s Instagram page now has nearly 2 400 followers, and each dance regularly draws large, enthusiastic crowds.
When the music plays, Du Toit’s favourite track to dance to is “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” by Starship – though for the average sokkie, Kurt Darren or Theuns Jordaan will do just fine.
As Du Toit searches for the next organiser, one thing is certain: The beat that began in 2020 is worth keeping alive.
By Hannerie Rossouw
