Stellenbosch University (formally University of Stellenbosch/Afrikaans: Universiteit van Stellenbosch) is a public research university situated in the town of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Other nearby universities are the University of Cape Town and University of the Western Cape. Stellenbosch University designed and manufactured Africa's first microsatellite, SUNSAT, launched in 1999. Students are nicknamed Maties. Some claim the term arises from their maroon rugby colours: a tamatie is the Afrikaans translation for tomato. It is more likely to come from the Afrikaans colloquialism maat (meaning "buddy" or "mate") originally used diminutively by the students of the University of Cape Town's precursor, the South African College. The origin of the university can be traced back to the Stellenbosch Gymnasium, which was opened on 1 March 1866 , which became the Stellenbosch College in 1881 and which was located at the current Arts Department. In 1887 this college was renamed Victoria College; when it acquired university status on 2 April 1918 it was renamed once again - to Stellenbosch University.