PALLAS 2020
|
ISSUE
NO.1
hello
FROM THE EDITOR I challenge you…
“These are exciting times to live in,” a quote by my roommate, taken to heart in the last few weeks of Varsity. Humans always find something to be scared of. While flying back home to Pretoria amidst the Corona-panic I realised that I’m not even scared of the plane crashing anymore. That fear has taken a backseat to the much more pressing matter of whether my hand sanitizer will last all the way back home. I A week before I was ranting about the GBV issues on campus, the week before that about the new alcohol policy and the week before that about the crazy Stellenbosch heat. A hectic term has passed. Despite this, I can’t get rid of the small voice in my heart asking, “If there’s always something to fear, isn’t there always something to celebrate, too?” And I look back at a successful O-week here at Minerva that made the newcomers feel welcome. I remember the gees through Minerva week that had me running and yelling MINEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERVA on a Sunday evening while putting up posters, waking up sick the next morning (note to self – take a jacket next time) and not caring at all. I giggle when I think about the section activities and the Minerva-lympics that had an actual javelin athlete throw a paper straw across the dining hall. I think back to a successful house-fund-dance and all the amazing costumes I saw. I reminisce about a lovely Friday by the dam after the river clean-up when the heat was too much to bear; and about midnight chats with my friends when we just can’t stop talking. Keep your heads up, Minervianers. This term was tough, but there is still so much to be thankful for. Take this (extra-long) recess to think about what you’re grateful for in res and how you can help make it a better place for others. Let us not forget that we are at university, except for the studying, to discover who we are. We should participate in the things that we enjoy and step outside our comfort zones in order to grow into who we want to be. I hope that you, dear Minervianer, remember to challenge yourself to find that something to celebrate every day. Hugs and kisses (currently replaced by the elbow-greeting)
Alta
Meet the team Designer & Co-Editor
Co-Designer
Chelsea Jearey
Tara Grobbelaar
Richel Wilson
Zenande Tunguntwana
ShanĂŠ Swart
Cassandra Vellema
Bianka Basson
Cara Adams
Rita Crafford
Nothile Mthembu
Malakhiwe Mahlulo
Sarah Scott
Mia Fourie
contents • First Term Recap • 2020 Recap • First Year Feedback • Life in Pictures • Vensters • Simply the Best Quotes • Elevation: A Style Piece • Tolerance • Microwave Mondays • Masterchef Mondays • Games • Defining Moments: A Short Story • House Song •
BY: CHELSEA JEAREY
FIRST TERM RECAP
A few stats and figures to summarise the highlights of the Minerva calendar so far…
MINERVA WEEK
638 beads used for the BigSisLilSis bracelets
10/10
Song of the week “Come Get Her” – Rae Sremmurd
1 in 3 Minervianers lost their voice
rating for the vegan brownies & the whole of Housewarming
98.9% the McDs ice-cream machine broke after we left
HOUSE FUND DANCE
1 in 6
35% chance you found another Minervianer at Jan Marais beforehand
were dressed as tourists or something food-related GENERAL > 100 sandwiches made to 'spread' the love
>30 tyres changed
3rd
at Vensters!
that feeling of seeing everyone on Merch Wednesdays
A Quick Recap of
2020
BY TARA GROBBELAAR
First Year
FEEDBACK BY BIANKA BASSON
The start of a new year always welcomes new beginnings. For some of us, this year brought a whole new package of beginnings. We came to Minerva, not knowing what to expect nor what awaited us. We were so clueless that most of us only discovered that O-WEEK is the abbreviated term for ‘Orientation Week’ after the week was finished. Alas, after many wrong turns (yes, inside Minerva as much as outside of Minerva), we slowly started this new journey with warmth and reassurance in our hearts. As a first year, I just want to wish all my fellow Minervianers the best year ahead, filled with many adventures, successes (as well as mistakes), tears, laughter and friends. Here are a few reflections from the first years about their journey so far...
What were your expectations before coming to Minerva and how have they changed since then? - I didn’t know much about Minerva before coming here. I thought there would be many age divisions between the girls, but everyone is so including. It really feels like a big family. - I thought it would be similar to the movies where all the girls would conform to a certain image, but since being here, I realised everyone is part of Minerva while being themselves. -I felt so scared coming to Minerva. I thought the seniors would orientate me with syrup in my pants! But when I came here, everyone tolerated each other in such a nice way and all the seniors and HK members were super friendly.
What was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you during O-Week? - I got lost in Minerva twice, and both times my mentor had to come fetch me. - I kept crying in front of everyone (especially the HK’s/ Seniors) - During one of the conversations I had, I spoke to one of the seniors thinking she was a first year and I got such a fright when I found out that she wasn’t a first year.
What is a new habit that you have What is one thing you wish you knew developed since living in Minerva? before coming to Minerva? - Buying hot chocolate at En Route. - Showering with “plakkies” or sandals. Drinking way more coffee. - Always choosing the calamari and chips option when the food menu comes out. - Buying popcorn at En Route when I’m studying late at night.
- I wish I knew that I didn’t have to stress so much before the time. When I came here, all the HK’s, mentors and seniors helped me in every way. - It is possible to have a home away from home. - I wish I knew what was on the menu.
If you had to 'stereotype' Minerva, what would it be?
If you could describe the seniors in one word (according to your observations), what would it be? - Busy (they are always doing something)
- “Gees” - “Kuier-Luiers” (we know how to have a good time)
- Successful (they passed first year) - “Oppit” (on top of things)
- “House of Sisterhood” - Accommodating
Min Week
Life in Pictures BY MALAKHIWE MAHLULO Graayenstein
DEGREE
BA Humanities I & Part-time MusicÂ
HOMETOWN
Bellville, Cape Town
emit 'em' yM
My passion
etanitsarcorp I nehW
Joy
Exam grind When I hear 'Simply the Best'
Chuma
Mtshontshi
DEGREE
tiftuo supmac ot-oG
BA Law III
HOMETOWN Centurion, Pretoria
My passion
Something in Minerva that makes me smile
Moot Court Mode
Exam grind
VENSTERS BY MIA FOURIE & NOTHILE MTHEMBU
Talented, staggering and show-stopping - a very accurate description of all the first years of Eenerva on the night of the 31st of January 2020. Some of us genuinely did not know what Vensters was until we were dancing to Beyoncé’s ‘Before I Let Go’ on Minerva’s front lawn. Some of us didn’t even know how to dance until we were getting down to ‘Motivation’ and ‘Umlilo’. Some of us had never even been on stage until that night. The whole five day rehearsal journey was not as easy as we made it look when our 15 minute runs began. During rehearsals, our choreographers had to perform miracles, because some of Eendrag’s hips refused to move. The blazing hot Stellenbosch sun was also against us but being a Minervianer during O-week you were taught to always have your water, sunscreen, visor and a whole lot of GEES. We will never forget that final morning when we marched to Eendrag, determination dripping from our visors. Those boys had no idea what was about to go down; Minerva was in it to win it. Few words can explain that high we felt running through res, eagerly awaiting a turn to shower and borrowing red lipstick from people we had hardly known for ten days. THIS WAS IT! Crowds cheering, music pulsing through the air and bursts of adrenaline as we claimed the stage – Vensters 2020 had begun. We performed nine times and each time felt better than the last. When we eventually left the stage, we were ecstatic, high on a feeling that we will remember for many years to come. At no point during O-week did the realization of what awaited us truly sink in… but in the end, with the help of the Vensters committee, the dance instructors, the scriptwriters and our very own Minerva GEES, we were able to create a beautiful, memorable and magical night! The first years want to specially thank the following people from the very bottom of our hearts for helping to make Vensters possible for us: Wilmie Cronjé and her incredible Vensters Committee Dances: Zenande Tunguntwana, KK Mametja, Grace Kazaji and Richel Wilson Script: Carla-Marié Smuts and Grace Mngadi Oh, and as if the experience could not get better – Eenerva placed third at Vensters 2020! What an exceptional and well-deserved achievement. We could not be prouder!
Vensters
House Fund Dance
simply the best sometimes
the
strangest
BY MIA FOURIE Shower in bursts; sleep in bursts; shout and sing in bursts. When I found out that I got into res, I could never have anticipated the “hectic” (as I have now been taught to say) journey I was about to embark on… From red visors to dusty shoes to Claudi’s hoarse voice singing ‘Welcome to Cape Town”. And, of course, the most majestic sound I have ever been exposed to in my life, “MINÊÊÊÊÊRVAAA! Staying in res has, however, exposed me to some unique and weird experiences. A house full of so many talented young souls provides many opportunities to walk into some bizarre conversations. Here are a few examples of the strangest things Minervianers said this term...
“The swing is mis-SWING, get it?!” “A plate of cheese with a muffin on the side… and that’s why I don’t eat res breakfasts.” “My life’s a mess.” “Nah I’m not going… The rugby’s boring because we ALWAYS WIN.” “I fell asleep laying on the washing room table…” “We spit on mass production!” “I go now.” “We need a res turtle.” “Dik hectic.” “What do you call a thick telephone cable in an awkward situation? Dik Aux.” “AND HE HAD FOUR INJECTIONS!!!”
“I’m so tired, like, it’s been A WEEK… and it’s only Tuesday.” “Skr.” “…drowning in a basin is an art.” “We live in a ‘hoender’ period world.” “It’s not that deep.” “Vegan brownies are so NAASSSS!” “I was in EnRoute and I let a stranger decide what I was going to have for dinner.” “…but he’s not my boy.” “I shall YEETeth thou out of yonder ‘klapping’ door!” “The relevant question is… who actually stayed AWAKE during the Dean talk?” (When the first years were given the fake motion that they would have wash the seniors' dishes) “Whose dishwasher are we using?”
I now take pride in calling Minerva “home” after a long day of sprinting up and down Victoria street. I love the sisterhood I share with my fellow lovely (and often very strange) Minervianers. Deep down I know being a Matie would not have been enough. My university experience so far has been ‘Simply the Best’ (and sometimes the strangest).
Elevation:
The Secret Power of Detail BY ZENANDE TUNGUNTWANA Everywhere we go, we make statements about ourselves without even having to part our lips. When I look at someone, I always notice what they’re wearing and how they’re wearing it. We put a great deal of ourselves in what we wear. Fashion is one of the most exciting methods of self-expression and silent storytelling. Sometimes, the story isn’t even told by the entire outfit, the voice is simply within the detail. Let’s take a look at four outfits that Minervianers wore on different occasions. Notice how a simple accessory or detail can switch up any look.
Look 1: Effortless Choosing an outfit for class can be a bit of a hassle. Michaela, however, doesn’t look like she can relate in this effortlessly fabulous denim and white going-to-class outfit. She wore a denim dungaree dress with a white t-shirt and pair of lovely slides. What makes this outfit even brighter and cuter, is the blue toenails. This small detail draws our eyes to the slides, and as we’re there, the blue of the toenails gives the outfit a sense of consistency and also makes the denim look very intentional. This outfit is also perfect for an occasion like an ice-cream date, styled with a neutral-coloured purse.
Look 2: Goddess KK graced our eyes with a beautiful white dress that she wore with a pair of grey boots and a printed head wrap. She accessorized with vintage glasses and gold jewelry to compliment her melanin skin. This look is perfect for almost any kind of event, from a party to a semi-formal dinner. I love the playful element strategically added to the dress with the pleats and how loosely fits. The secret here lies within the chosen colours: white and gold is the ideal combination if you want to look like the goddess you already are.
Look 3: Simplicity The best way to wear prints is to make sure to pair them with solid-coloured pieces and Lesley definitely got the memo. She wore a plain, black t-shirt, printed, flowy pants and a pair of plakkies. Simplicity is always satisfying to look at, she is stunning and the simple t-shirt and plakkies makes it seem like she’s not even trying. I feel so relaxed just by looking at this outfit and the pants, with their thin material and loose fit, are doing the trick. This look is fitting for most day activities like going to class or, if paired with sneakers or sandals, a drink with friends.
Look 4: Elegant Here we have Chuma in a jaw-dropping, elegant, black dress. She tied her dreads in a high bun and accessorized them with brown beads, this allows our attention to fall undividedly to the beautifully cut top of the dress. The thin straps and deep cut give us the perfect amount of skin which goes well with the gold earrings and brown beads. She wore it with grey, strappy heels that match her purse. This dress is all kinds of perfect on her and the soft, silky material is creating this smooth and subtle feel.
Put some effort into the details and watch it elevate your outfit - for any occasion.
Housewarming
Tolerance BY CASSANDRA VELLEMA
“I feel like it’s wrong to be black,” a student says as the documentary begins to play. “I sometimes ask myself when I’m alone, why did God make me black when a lot can happen in a good way when you’re otherwise?” This was the sentiment I was faced with when I attended the event recently held by the Diversity and Spirituality Committee here in Minerva. A sentiment that came from a student who attended Stellenbosch University during 2015, when the documentary titled “Luister”, was released. A sentiment, when compared to the current situation here at this institution 5 years later, still has relevance. “Luister’’ is an eye-opening and candid view into the culture of intolerance that undoubtedly simmers beneath the surface of this campus. In this documentary, students expressed major concerns with the previously enforced Language Policy, the high rate of racist incidents occurring on campus, and how students were unable to have the same access to the level of education they paid for, due to factors starting from their proficiency in Afrikaans, to the colour of their skin and the race they identified as. As I watched the feelings of discomfort, pain and distress that these students experienced be relayed to me, I could not help but compare these themes of injustice and unfair treatment, to the events that have been taking place on campus as of late. I’d like to refer to the recent incidents surrounding Wilgenhof. The men’s residence had come under scrutiny following alleged questionable welcoming practices, after the Division for Student Affairs was said to have received a letter of complaint from the parents of a student who has subsequently left the university. In a separate incident, an image containing derogatory remarks made towards a student’s gender identity was allegedly posted on an Instagram account associated with Wilgenhof. This was an account run by first-year students of the residence. These are newcomers who are furthering the existing harmful narratives that already exist in what should be a progressive learning environment – lengthening the thread of intolerance that seems to lay underneath the fabric of Stellenbosch as a whole. Remember that this is merely one incident that I can compare to the feelings of inequality experienced by the students featuring in Luister. The on-going fight against Gender Based Violence, where appeals to get the university involved have gone unanswered by management. Unauthorised individuals entering Metanoia and invading womxn’s rooms during the night. A student being caught in an extremely dangerous situation where she was cornered by a “security guard” after her exam in the bathroom, managing to escape past him as he was unfastening his belt.
The cry for equal rights and representation for the queer community on campus being met with public attacks directed towards queer folk, social media status of a Wilgenhof mentor expressing their disgust towards the LGBT community, protests against the recent actions of the forementioned residence resulting in little to no reaction from both the management of the residence and university, welcoming practises and socials that are unnecessarily heteronormative and hyper-masculine in the case of several men’s residences… Need I list more? It is evident from the incidents I just described that there is a clear link between the motif of intolerance shown towards those affected by these recent events, and the students who featured in Luister, a mere 5 years ago. The statement quoted in the introduction about the student feeling like it was wrong to be the race he was born as, has become a statement that many students seem to relate to on some level. Whether you are a person of colour, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, identify as a womxn/female individual, or even a person who cannot speak Afrikaans; chances are that at some point, you too have felt like it was wrong to identify the way you do. The Stellenbosch campus, held in high regard internationally for being one of the most academically performing institutions, should not be a place that remains to foster archaic mindsets and beliefs, in a world where equality and equity for all is not even a “modern buzz word”; it is a basic human right. So, what is the solution? An anonymous Instagram user responded to the question on the official @sujustkidding page, “Wilgenhof should no longer accept first years”. Do we simply remove/prevent the students who have these uncomfortable opinions? Barring entry will not help in building a socially intuitive and progressive society on campus, as our aim must, at the end of the day, be to take part in building a global and universal community. Our responsibility as students of this institution, and of the future leaders of global civilization, would be to educate as far as possible; share our experiences as the outliers, so that the majority can understand our grievances. Keep the energy in our fight for equity and equal standing in this space, and pass the microphone to those who have had their voices taken away from them. At the same time, when we realise that people outside of the majority are treated like outcasts and exiles in the spaces that they pay tens of thousands to live in; when people who have the same goal in mind are not given equal access to that opportunity to achieve; when people are physically, mentally, sexually, and outright totally violated for being who they are; when we have been educating for the nth time that disadvantaged folk deserve a place in society, is when we have to step in as a collective and decide how much of the intolerance we are actually willing to tolerate.I leave you with this question – does becoming tolerant of the intolerant lead to being complicit in our own dehumanisation? References to incidents are given by public statements released on social media, WhatsApp, Facebook posts and the @sujustkidding stories.
Microwave Mondays BY SHANÉ SWART Have you ever had the feeling on a Saturday night at 23:59 that you are forgetting something? That’s probably your stomach telling you, “stop feeding me two-minute noodles and book for a change!” Luckily, Minerva’s got you covered for the nights you do need to cook for yourself! No longer shall your res-room-cooked-meals leave the microwave in shame and your tongue endure a tasteless journey (*read in dramatic voice*). Here are some easy and mouth-watering recipes for every occasion you can make by just using a microwave, your mug and a few budget ingredients.
Five-Minute Mac & Cheese Ingredients
Veggie Rice Bowl Ingredients
½ cup of macaroni ½ cup of water Salt to taste 1 tablespoon of milk Cheese (as much as your heart desires)
½ cup of rice ½ cup of water 1 teaspoon oil ¼ cup tomatoes, black Beans and avocado
Instructions
Instructions
1. Place the macaroni in a mug. 2. Add water and microwave for 2-3 minutes. 3. Add salt, milk and as much cheese as you like. 4. Microwave for 30 seconds.
1. Pour the ½ cup of rice in a bowl and add the water. 2. Cover the bowl with a plate. 3. Microwave for 6-8 minutes. 4. Add the tomatoes, black beans and avo.
Chocolate & Banana French Toast Ingredients 1 egg 2 tablespoons of milk 1 table spoon of cocoa powder (or hot chocolate powder) 2 slices of bread, sliced into cubes Choc chips (or peanut butter) Half a banana, sliced
Instructions 1. Mix the eggs, cocoa powder and milk in a separate bowl. 2. Add half of the bread, choc chips and banana in a mug. 3. Throw the liquid mixture in the mug. 4. Top it up with the rest of the bread, choc chips and banana. 5. Microwave for two minutes. 6. Top it with cream and chocolate sauce for something extra sweet.
Masterchef Mondays BY SARAH SCOTT Whether you consider yourself the next Masterchef or are a novice wanting to experiment, here are some gourmet meals to try next time. These recipes require a few more ingredients (some of which are staples), time and a stove or hot plate, but it can be so worth it to prepare delicious home-cooked meal for yourself and your friends.
Vegetable Napoletana with Penne Ingredients 1 jar of napoletana or tomato & basil pasta sauce Tomato paste ( roughly 1 tbsp) Roughly 1 tbsp of olive oil 1 small red onion, diced Red and orange peppers, finely diced ½ tsp of fresh chili (optional) 1 Handful of tenderstem broccoli 1 Handful of baby corn About 6 baby marrows, chopped 3-4 patty pans, cut in half Enough penne to satisfy your hunger
Instructions
This easy pasta dish is great for meat free Monday and can be fully customized to suit your vegetable preferences (I personally feel these work best in the sauce, but feel free to swop them out)
1. Bring a pot of water to boil and salt generously 2. Heat another saucepan to a high medium heat and warm oil 3. Fry onions, peppers and chili until softened 4. Add pasta sauce and tomato paste to saucepan and salt to taste. If you like a fuller tomato flavour, stir in more tomato paste 1. Add broccoli and baby corn and bring heat down to a low simmer 2. Simmer for +/- 5 minutes and then add the marrows and patty pans 3. Simmer until almost all vegetables are cooked 4. Add pasta to boiling water and cook for 10-15 minutes or until al dente 5. Drain pasta and serve with a generous helping of the vegetable sauce 6. Enjoy!
Masterchef Mondays BY SARAH SCOTT
Sunday Morning Pancakes Ingredients 140g of cake flour 5ml baking powder 2ml salt 1 jumbo/large egg OR 2 medium eggs 200ml milk 175ml water 5ml lemon juice 125ml sunflower oil
Cheer up your weekend mornings by sharing these yummy pancakes with your friends in res. Good with any toppings at any time of day (fruit, syrup, cheese).
Instructions 1. Sift flour, baking powder and salt together 2. Beat eggs, milk, water and lemon juice 3. Add flour mixture to liquids and mix well 4. Add oil as you mix well to obtain a creamy batter 5. Set batter aside for a few minutes to thicken 6. Pour small spoonfuls of batter into a wellgreased pan 7. Flip when it starts to bubble on the surface 8. Enjoy!
HINT: Fold a piece of roller towel into a square and saturate with sunflower oil. Use this to grease pan between pancakes
WORD SEARCH Can you find all of Minerva's sections? BY RITA CRAFFORD
Alpha | Beta | Gamma | Delta Epsilon | Zeta | Eta | Theta Iota | Kappa | Lamba | Mu Nu | Minerva Court
HINT: try taking a screenshot of the word search and use the highlighter option in edit mode to colour in the words as you find them.
a short story
Defining Moments BY RICHEL WILSON
Have you ever wondered if you were the only one who is conscious in the whole damn world? That maybe we are living in a matrix system or a dream? That the people around you are just part of your imagination or a hallucination? Solipsism is this philosophical view that believes only the self exists, only your own consciousness. No matter how pessimistic it sounds, it kind of makes sense. How do we know that anyone is real? We could be living in a programmed world, hell even I could be programmed. We tend to not think about those questions though. We are so absorbed in our own lives that we sometimes don’t even notice others. We are selfish beings by nature, our animalistic tendencies controlling our thoughts of survival. We walk through the world with our own ambitions and drives, yet when do we stop and look at others. Are they just characters part of our story, no conscious, only there to fill the gap? We walk from class to the next, passing the next person without even thinking that they may be the main character of their own story, fighting the battles in their own lives. We just pass them without batting an eye in their direction. Maybe if we did we might be able to save lives. If my eyes were more invested, maybe I could have helped. But I was so preoccupied with my own life that I did not notice, did not see the signs. *** “Flippit, Natalie, staan op!” I shouted at my roommate who was still sound asleep. “Natalie, you dumbass, get up! It is ten to eight, we have class.” I threw my closet door open with a bang, the hinges shrieking in pain. “No!” Natalie moaned back and threw her blanket over her head. “It’s too early.” “You were the one who dragged us out yesterday. I told you we shouldn’t go, yet here we are. Both with babalas, heh?” I rubbed my head in frustration; I had to find my Advil pills urgently if I was to survive the day. “I didn’t say you had to join.” “Oh yeah, says the one who called me a wimp for not going out last time. Remember you didn’t speak to me for a week?” I raised my eyebrow.
Natalie was my best friend and roommate of two years. We met here at res, clicking in an instant. She was one of the strongest females I have met. Nothing brings her down from her high horse; she was a regal and majestic queen. She had her flaws, though, don’t get me wrong. She had major mood swings, most ending in aggressive rants or impulsive decisions. We joked that there were two Natalie’s: The queen (energetic, yet irritable if she does not get her way) and the troll (burned out, aggressive and not to be messed with). But overall she was my fun loving, crazy roommate who just enjoyed life. “Whatever!” She wrapped her blankets over her head, “Me. Sleeps. Now.” “Oh no, you don’t! If I have to suffer, then you are going too.” I ripped the blankets away from her body, laughing at the fact that she was still dressed in the previous night’s clothes. Cursing at me, she finally got up and into more appropriate clothes, pairing it off with her dark shades. With only three minutes to spare, we walked out of our room and into the corridor. “Nonhle? Walk of shame again?” Natalie whistled at one of our friends. Nonhle stayed in the room opposite us and was part of our little gang. One thing about Nonhle was that she was extremely sensual. She was a very active woman, especially with the opposite gender. She was the life of the party and after party, if you catch my drift. She was extremely beautiful, with her clear skin and high cheekbones. Her curly dark hair was always in a trendy afro style that suited her fiery personality. “Stay out of it, Natalie,” Nonhle grumbled, opening her door with one hand, the other balancing her combat boots and purse. “Fine, details tonight at ten. Let the others know,” she said irritably and led the way to class. Nonhle and I gave each other knowing looks: we were dealing with troll-Natalie today. Quickly running after her, I just waved at Nonhle. After a hectic day of classes, on my way to the gang’s get together, I almost wished we lived in the eighteenth century. Don’t get me wrong, I was all for technology and female empowerment, but the world back then was simpler.
We did not need to worry about money, relationships and tests. Women back then only focused on finding a wealthy suitor that would pay everything for them. The pressure of getting a degree was pressing too hard. I only wished to be free and leave the thoughts of adulthood behind. People tend to exclaim that we young adults can be anything we want: “dream big and follow your heart”. But can we? They say that we should enjoy our lives right now, because we won’t ever get it back, but the moment we fail, due to ‘enjoying our lives’ they shove the red card of failure and irresponsibility in our faces. They forget that we have all of these responsibilities and pressures that lie on our shoulders. “Have you seen Sammy? She wasn’t in class today.” Ana nervously questioned. Ana was Nonhle’s roommate, the weirdest combination you would ever find. Nonhle was outspoken and wild, having flings here and there, while Ana was more reserved and quiet. She was currently in a relationship with Nathan, and sometimes through the cuteness, things seemed just a bit off. Sammy was the last one of our gang of five. She was a mysterious one though, always cultivating a babalas. I probably saw her day-drunk more than in class. If there was alcohol, you could find Sammy nearby. She was hardly ever in her classes, so her not being there today, was of no importance. “Maybe we should just call her. She is either sleeping her hangover off or at Jeremy’s. She was pretty wasted last night. I just saw her doing one shot after the other,” Nonhle commented. “Remind me to never go to one of those parties again,” Ana said with a sobering expression, scrunching her nose . “Why not? It is always fun, the weirdest shit happens every time. Not to mention free booze,” Nat laughed out. Ana, however, looked more disgusted, she never was a party girl, but also never opposed to the idea of having fun with us. “Something happened?” I asked again. "No! No.” She exclaimed too quickly. “Nyani?” Nonhle asked with a raised eyebrow also sceptic about her sudden outburst, “I saw that you and Nathan were arguing and then both you disappeared.” “You got lucky girl?!” Natalie loudly chuckled. “No, nothing happened, we just had a little fight, but everything is good now.” Ana whispered with a pout. “Let’s just call Sammy or Jeremy already.”
Natalie reached for her phone, clearly irritated that she had to wait for Sammy. Sometimes we don’t realise what is going on around us. We tend to only process the physical problems directly around us. We only see above the water and not what is underneath. Who would have expected what that phone call led to? Who would have suspected such a mundane party? It was strange how one tiny pebble could make such a big ripple in our rivers of life. The whole dynamic of our personhood could change within a blink of an eye. We rushed to the hospital and into the nauseating room where she laid. The heart monitors beeped softly in the background, overpowered by Sammy’s laughter. “Guys, I am fine!” “Hayini! You’re telling us you’re fine, yet here you are, hooked to machines in a freaking hospital. You scared the living shit out of me, I drove like a maniac to get here,” Nonhle exclaimed, running up to Sammy and enclosing her in a hug. We all joined in around the two, savouring the moment that could have been so much different. Life was too short, so we cherished the bit of time we had. “Thank you,” Sammy whispered softly with tears in her eyes. We all knew what she was saying: she was alive. Sammy was a closet alcoholic, or so we called it. We have all tried to tell her that she needed help, that she had a problem, but she never listened. I don’t know when it started, but since the first time I met Sammy, I knew her with a bottle of Tequila. “What happened?” Natalie asked as she placed herself on the sofa to the left. Sammy sighed and looked ashamed, her eyes cast downwards and her nostrils were flared as she fought back tears. Her cheeks coloured red, contrasting against her pale looking skin. She wasn’t well. “I was drugged.” Everyone in the room fell into a deafening silence. Guilt slowly started gnawing at every one of us. We should have looked out for each other. ”Luckily Jeremy was there. But I don’t understand why? I mean I was with Jeremy the whole night, we never leave each other’s sides.” “My question is how did they do it? I never saw you take a drink from someone we don’t know.” Jeremy’s voice boomed around the room. He was clearly angry - a rare sight to behold “Never mind all of that, at least you are safe,” Natalie waved it off. “And let it be a lesson.”
“Yeah,” Sammy agreed, nodding her head slowly.
“That is why we are here, Sammy. We are here to help support each other. When your day is dark, we’re here “I am serious Samantha. It could have been avoided if to share our light with you,” I whispered while I looked you’d drink less. They probably thought you’d be an easy each of them in the eye. “I am going to the café to buy target since you’re always drunk. Hell, they sometimes some cake for us all to calm down. Then, Sammy, we are don’t even need to use a drug, just wait till Samantha all going to talk. We are going to bring the sunrise to passes out drunk in a few hours.” your night.” “Nat!” Ana warned. “No! I am tired of seeing her wreck herself with alcohol. I don’t want to worry myself every time we go out for the call that Sammy died of alcohol poisoning.” “That is enough, Natalie,” Nonhle tried to take charge.
On my way back, I heard laughter filtering through the passageway. The previously dark hospital room looked cosy as everyone was sitting around Sammy. Natalie and Nonhle on the bed and Ana on a chair next to them. Every one of them was laughing as Nonhle explained something.
“No! No! It is the truth.” Sammy came up for Natalie. “I have a problem. Jeremy and I spoke a bit earlier and decided that I should get help,” she started to hiccup loudly as tears started to fall, “It is just all too much. I am struggling to cope with everything, all the tests, stresses of passing and doing good and the future and just, just... everything. I am sorry that I put you guys through all of this. I am making my problem yours.”
It is strange how one moment in life could be so perfect that you just want to pause; to think that this pictureperfect moment won’t last, but we want to believe that it will. We don’t always appreciate what we have, even the smallest things like talking about nothing with your friends. Things we won’t remember in a few years, as new memories replace them. Moments we will long back to in the uncertain times ahead.
We all slowly crawled back towards her bed, every one of us touching her softly with hugs and squishes.
To be continued...
House Song Hier in die hart van boskampus pryk trots die Griekse godin. (Here in the heart of campus, the Greek goddess stands proud)
Waar almal kan sien dat ons die huis dien in wysheid, skoonheid en kunste. (Where everyone can see that we serve the house in wisdom, beauty and art.)
'n Dankbare gees, 'n eer om te wees, die lede van Minerva. (A thankful spirit, an honour to be, the members of Minerva)
Minerva Sibanye (Minerva, we are one)
Saka uxolo nothando (We build peace and love)
Sibumbane sibanye (We are united, we are one)
iMinerva likhaya (Minerva, our home)
All of us together standing here, we form a mighty union, unable to be broken by anyone at all. Minerva we want you, to be wanting us for being a Matie is just not enough.