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Stellenbosch Mourns as Matie Student’s Death Linked to Meningitis

Published

2 months ago

August 5, 2025

Chiraag

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A beloved student, a silent illness, and a campus community in shock

It was a quiet Saturday in Stellenbosch when tragedy struck at Dagbreek Men’s Residence. Inside a second-floor dorm room, 19-year-old Chris Scheffers, a second-year theology student, was found lying on his bed, unresponsive, with all his belongings untouched.

Chris had not been seen for days. When residence staff raised concern, campus security and police entered the room. What they found shattered the silence of the academic town.

Paramedics declared him dead at the scene. At the time, there were no obvious signs of foul play, and the campus waited anxiously for answers.

Now, Stellenbosch University has confirmed the cause: meningococcal meningitis.

A shockwave through the SU community

Chris was not just a student number. He was a quiet, dedicated presence on campus. Originally from Riebeek West, he had moved to Stellenbosch to study theology, a path that spoke to his gentle character and depth.

The news of his sudden passing sparked an outpouring of grief from classmates, residence mates, and lecturers alike.

Professor Richard Stevens, the university’s acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching, called it a painful moment for the entire institution.

“The passing of a cherished young life leaves a deep and lasting ache. Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and everyone in Dagbreek who knew Chris,” he said.

What is meningococcal meningitis?

The illness that claimed Chris’s life is a rare but serious bacterial infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis. It attacks the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Left untreated, it can progress rapidly, sometimes within hours.

Symptoms often include:

High fever
Stiff neck
Severe headache
Nausea or vomiting
Confusion or drowsiness
Sensitivity to light

The disease is endemic to the Western Cape, where cases spike during the winter months. In many instances, there is no clear source of infection.

What the university is doing now

Following confirmation of the cause of death, Stellenbosch University has launched urgent health protocols:

Contact tracing is underway for anyone who had close interaction with Chris in the 10 days before his death.
The university will issue chemoprophylaxis (preventative antibiotics) to those individuals within 24 hours.
All meetings and gatherings at Dagbreek Residence have been postponed as a precaution.
Stellenbosch is working closely with the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness to ensure full adherence to medical and containment guidelines.

Trauma counselling and support services have also been made available to students and staff affected by the incident.

A loss that hits close to home

South African students, especially those living in res, are no strangers to health risks that often go unnoticed. What happened to Chris is a stark reminder of how quickly life can change and how crucial it is to seek medical help early when something feels off.

On social media, tributes have poured in under the hashtag #RIPChrisScheffers. Classmates have remembered his warmth and humility. One post read, “Chris always greeted with a smile. This hurts more than we can say.”

While authorities continue to monitor for any further risks, one truth remains clear: Stellenbosch has lost a young soul far too soon. And in the halls of Dagbreek and the classrooms he once attended, the memory of Chris Scheffers will not fade quietly.