Die Matie - 10 August 2022

EEN-EN-TAGTIGSTE JAARGANG | NO. 8

WOENSDAG 10 AUGUSTUS 2022

ELECTION SEASON House Committee members partake in the Nemesia Residence caucus. Residences and societies all over campus have been partaking in various elections to determine next year’s leaders. Photo: Carmi Wentzel.

SRC hopes for greater voter turnout ILA ALBERTS

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t is election season and campus is buzzing. The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) elections will take place between 8 and 12 August. 15 candidates have put themselves forward for the council and made it through the academic screening process. Candidates will partake in seven rigorous caucuses, the first of which took place on Thursday 4 August. Caucuses take place in person in the VV Hall in the Neelsie from 18:00 to 20:00, according to this year’s Electoral Commission on their Instagram account (@maties_elections). Viwe Kobokana, the outgoing SRC chairperson, said, “I think it is always a concern when few people avail themselves for leadership positions, particularly [for the] SRC. It is always nice to see a bigger group, as it means there is more competition and proper filtering of candidates.” Kobokana said that she thinks

the biggest challenge that the new SRC will face will be “ensuring sustainability”. “This year, we tried to institutionalise a lot of our work so that there is continuity, but also one year is not a lot of time, so we had to ensure we lay foundations for most of the important matters,” she explained. Chris Briel, the outgoing SRC wellness officer, decided to run for office again. He explained that he believes his experience on the SRC will stand him in good stead. “It is an absolute joy of mine to be able to serve students and a gift that the Lord gave me . . .,” Briel said. He said that what he has learnt from his previous experience at SRC caucuses is that you “should not be afraid of what you stand for”. According to his campaign, he wants to “rejoice with those who rejoice and to weep with those who weep”. When asked about what he

means by this, he clarified that he aims to have compassion and empathy with those who experience different types of suffering on campus.

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It all boils down to active citizenship. As people say in national elections, if you do not vote you cannot complain. Unlike Briel, Banzi Bottoman, a second-year LLB student, is running for office for the first time but mentioned that he has “worked in social justice and philanthropy with various companies throughout the years”. He also has previous leadership experience and is an “established student activist”. Bottoman is running for chairperson and describes his mandate

as “institutional” and “based in policies” that he feels “still need [a few tweaks] here and there.” Kobokana encouraged students to vote and said, “It all boils down to active citizenship. As people say in national elections, if you do not vote you cannot complain. There are rights and responsibilities: everyone has rights afforded to them by the Bill of Student Rights in the Student Constitution, but it is our responsibility as students to engage in elections and vote. Your leaders represent you whether you like it or not.” Bottoman added, “People who are not voting for the SRC need to understand that they cannot hold us accountable because they do not vote for us. Every single year less than 5 000 people vote out of [approximately] 29 000 students. So, I am imploring them to actually vote so that they can hold us accountable for whatever we said we’d do but couldn’t do.”

Neelsie facelift has campus 2 abuzz Women who inspire SU 5 students Women’s Comedy 8 Night at Dorp Tag — you’re 15 it!

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NEWS

SU once again ranked amongst top universities worldwide ANAKIN CURTIS

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ccording to ShanghaiRanking’s 2022 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS), various faculties and departments at Stellenbosch University (SU) have been placed amongst the top 500 in the world. “The GRAS rankings use a range of objective academic indicators and third-party data to measure the performance of world universities in respective subjects”, which include the research quality, output and influence, as well as international collaboration and international academic awards, as per ShanghaiRanking’s website. According to a corporate communication and marketing article posted by the university on 27 July, SU is the only South African university to be ranked for its achievements in food science and technology, with both departments featuring in the top 150 out of the more than 1 800 institutions listed in the rankings. Other notable achievements include agricultural sciences in the top 200 globally, and first place in biotechnology and political science locally. Furthermore, SU is also the only South African university to have placed in the rankings for communication and

CLIMBING HIGHER Many Stellenbosch University faculties and departments ranked very well on ShanghaiRanking’s 2022 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects . Photo: Johan Hanekom falls within the top 300 universities in this field. “Overall, SU is one of the 500 best institutions in the world in 14 of the 54 subjects featured on the list for 2022,” reads the university’s communication. The university has managed to maintain high standards in various fields of research throughout the pandemic. Professor Gunnar Sigge, associate professor and departmental chair of food science at SU, said

that many research projects continued throughout the pandemic, as they were food industry-­ related. The facilities involved did not close, so research could continue. He further explained how his department managed to overcome challenges and maintain the research output necessary to achieve a ranking amongst the top 150 universities in the world. “We are blessed with an incredibly ­ dedicated and

Neelsie facelift has campus abuzz

IN THE MOOD FOR FOOD The newly opened Moody Blue diner will serve students at all hours. Photo: Slade van Rooyen SLADE VAN ROOYEN

THE Stellenbosch University (SU) campus has been a hive of activity since the start of the second semester, which saw a return to fully in-person lectures and a revival of campus life. This has led to increased foot traffic in the Neelsie Student Centre, which underwent several noticeable changes in recent months. The new additions to the student centre include Sweetbeet, Jacks Bagels, Sausage Saloon, the Candy Shop and Moody Blue. My Brew Coffee Roastery expanded their premises, and Crumbs & Cream, a gelateria offering ice-cream sandwiches and freshly baked cookies, is presently under construction. “The Neelsie is constantly exploring tenant additions to complement the tenant mix. We will look for a replacement when a tenant’s contract ends and is not renewed,” said Petro Mostert, a communications specialist in SU’s operations and finance

department. “In some cases, the tenants upgrade their own shops and spaces, whereas the university will, from time to time, refurbish or renovate the general areas of the complex that it is responsible for.” Mostert emphasised that “the management of the centre reviews and refresh[es] its tenant offering and composition regularly to ensure client satisfaction”. Maddy Basson, a third-year BA (Law) student, mentioned that she is excited about the fact that Sweetbeet “is providing vegan options, which the Neelsie was seriously lacking”. “The Jacks Bagels is unreal and will always have a special place in my heart,” she continued. Pierré Müller, an LLM student, said, “I like [the upgraded Neelsie] because it’s new. But it’s also more expensive. . . . Now I don’t go to the Neelsie all that much anymore. The Neelsie is a student centre and must

have student offerings.” Reevin Hermann, a fourth-year BCom (International Business) student who, together with Thomas Janisch and Ronan Morris, paid homage to the student centre in their 2021 single, “Neelsie Coffee”, was more tempered in his reaction to the upgrades. “Right now, it’s very half and half,” said Hermann, before going on to detail his disappointment with the Neelsie’s new aesthetic, which he describes as “a mismatch”. “You either have to holistically rebrand or at least if you’re going step-by-step, you have to do it in a cohesive way,” he continued. “There’s something to be said for variety, but at least, have that variety [together with] a common image.” When asked whether the Neelsie continues to cater primarily to students, Mostert stated that most visitors to the Neelsie fall within this demographic. She also made reference to the conversion of the erstwhile Pulp Cinema into a “multi-purpose venue”, known as Neelsie Cinema, which is managed by SU’s Central Events and Conferencing Office. “Apart from regular screenings of films by the Pulp Film Society, the venue is also available to rent for other functions, conferences, and events,” said Mostert. In explaining the process followed by the Neelsie management when selecting new tenants, Mostert said, “The management of [the centre] uses a set of selection criteria to ensure that they host the correct tenant mix to make the centre feasible and operate optimally.”

­ assionate staff that ensured that p teaching and online practicals were instituted to keep students engaged,” Sigge said. “Postgraduate graduations and research outputs have also been maintained, mainly because we collaborate widely locally and globally, and during the pandemic there were also opportunities for researchers to write up research that hadn’t been written up yet.” On what sets SU apart from other universities in the field of food science, Sigge added, “I believe Stellenbosch attracts a high calibre of students and academics.” Sigge continued by saying that the food science department collaborates closely with the food industry and with many other disciplines within the university and internationally. This means that research outputs are increased and are industry-relevant. “Excellent staff, students and collaboration are the key to our success,” Sigge concluded. Jenna Egberink, a third-year BSc (Food Science) student, added that it is reassuring to know that the food science students are in good hands. “You definitely feel a sense of pride knowing you’re a part of the

food science faculty,” Egberink said. She added that the knowledge and experience gained in the food science department will be invaluable for the futures of all the students in their further endeavours. According to GRAS, SU also ranked highly in the field of technology. These rankings are based on the research output of the many researchers and postgraduate students toiling away in the laboratories on campus. This plays a key role in the decisions made by prospective students when determining where they will continue their academic careers. Nathan Luke Misdorp, a firstyear BEng (Mechanical) student, said that he considers it very special to be afforded the privilege of studying at a top institution such as SU. He said, “It does feel rewarding because a very small percentage of all applicants get accepted.” About the plans he has for joining the group of researchers responsible for the high ranking in the future, Misdorp added, “Fourth-year is still some time away, so if I find a niche that really fascinates me, I will continue on and contribute to the research that our faculty is doing.”

Male student found guilty of sexual misconduct LAURA MUTYAMBIZI

THE Central Disciplinary Committee (CDC) of Stellenbosch University (SU) recently found a student from Majuba Men’s Residence guilty of sexual misconduct. In a bulletin released by SU on 5 August, they announced that the student had been expelled from the university. This judgement follows after a female SU student reported the sexual assault, which took place on 17 May, to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the SU Equality Unit the following day. The latter referred the matter to the CDC, whereafter the proceedings began. “In terms of the SU Student Disciplinary Code, the male student has five workdays to appeal the CDC finding and sanction,” the bulletin read. “The criminal case with regards to this matter proceeds.” Captain Nathalie Martin, spokesperson of the Stellenbosch SAPS, stated that the case has been referred to the Stellenbosch Magistrates’ Court, and the accused is set to appear on 1 September. According to Luhan van Wyk, prim of Majuba, the residence supports the CDC’s findings. “The Majuba leadership took note of the outcome of the independent CDC hearing held on the 4th of August,” Van Wyk said. “We echo the sentiments of Stellenbosch University in condemning any type of gender-based ­violence as well as any other type of human rights infringements.”

Van Wyk continued to explain that in the context of Women’s Month, the residence will “continue [their] active efforts to educate [their] residents as well as members of other residences on gender-based and discriminatory violence”. With regard to how the residence’s student leadership plans on doing this, he said, “We endeavor to combat GBV by means of critical engagements and discussions both internally and externally. The sessions with topics and dates will be advertised on our social media platforms.” According to Holley Wilson, the women empowerment executive of the United Nations Association of South Africa Stellenbosch Chapter, the accepted bail amount of R1000—although she acknowledges that factors like economic status need to be taken into account—is “incredibly insulting and belittling to many women and GBV survivors”. Wilson also thinks that people should remember that “this case serves as a symptom of a much larger and prevalent issue, [a]nd just because he [the male student] has been expelled, doesn’t mean the issue has been eradicated”. “Although the university does have a role to play . . . in making it a safe campus, it really does come down to the culture” that “made it possible for him to feel comfortable enough to proceed in the way that he did,” concluded Wilson “It’s a cultural, ideological issue at hand.”

10 Augustus 2022

NUUS

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Maties on matters: Theuns du Toit’s expulsion and appeal

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n a bulletin released by Stellenbosch University (SU) on 21 July, SU’s independent Central Disciplinary Committee (CDC) announced that Theuns du Toit faced immediate expulsion from the university. This followed the disciplinary case that had been made against Du Toit, who was filmed urinating on the belongings of fellow Huis Marais resident Babalo Ndwanyana. Since then, it has been found that Du Toit appealed this decision made by the university. As such, Die Matie’s Amber April asked some students about their thoughts on the decision to expel him, Du Toit’s appeal, and the way in which the university handled the process.

LWANDISILE MHLANGA THIRD-YEAR BSC (HUMAN LIFE SCIENCES) STUDENT Overall, how do you feel about the way in which the university handled the process? “I am satisfied with the outcome, even though they took so long to make the decision. I am also interested to see how this appeal will turn out, but hopefully the expulsion is final, since the university was saying they are taking all necessary procedures to make sure that it doesn’t backfire.”

STEFANI TERBLANCHE DERDEJAAR-BA (INTERNASIONALE STUDIES)-STUDENT Oor die algemeen, hoe voel jy oor die manier waarop die universiteit die proses hanteer? “Ek dink die universiteit het alles baie vinnig hanteer. Dit mag dalk nie altyd so voel nie, maar daar is al hierdie sisteme in plek wat hulle tyd neem. Wat my wel irriteer, is die konstante ‘ons moet Stellenbosch transformeer’ en dan word daar absoluut niks daaraan gedoen nie. Of dalk net min. Dis frustrerend dat studente institusies moet herinner aan die veranderinge wat hulle so beloof om aan te bring – die universiteit moet self verantwoording doen.”

ABENATHI SIGABA SECOND-YEAR BCOM (ECONOMIC SCIENCES) STUDENT Theuns du Toit has appealed the decision to his expulsion, what is your opinion on this decision? “I feel it is not contrary to any sort of legal policy which our country has as he has, the right to appeal, but I feel that it says a lot about his view of the whole situation and the idea of remorse and the understanding of the repercussions of his actions . . . . [F]or him to appeal says that what he did was not necessarily wrong, or at least to the extent of expulsion, which I tend to disagree with as well, as we all saw the video. We all know what happened. The university needs to be very firm in their stance and be very open about the fact that he has appealed it, and be open about the response to his appeal.”

DANIELLE DE WET SECOND-YEAR LLB STUDENT How do you feel about the announcement of the expulsion of Theuns du Toit? Do you believe the process was fair and just? “The process was utterly unfair, and the verdict by the disciplinary panel smacks of bias with little to no regard to the actual facts of the matter. I sincerely hope that the panel hearing the appeal determines the outcome in a reasonable and fair manner, and thereby proves to the university community that they will not submit to the radical and unfounded demands of the uninformed masses.”

JEANETTE ROUX DERDEJAAR-BCOM (REGSGELEERDHEID)-STUDENT Hoe voel jy oor die aankondiging van Theuns du Toit se skorsing? Glo jy die proses was regverdig en billik? “Ek voel die universiteit het die proses van Theuns du Toit se skorsing regverdig en billik hanteer. Hulle het hulle tyd geneem om ondersoek in te stel om uit te vind wat presies gebeur het en te verseker dat daar verantwoordelikheid vir hierdie afskuwelike rassistiese insident wat plaasgevind het, geneem word. Ek glo die publiek se uitroep het tot die aksie wat die universiteit geneem het, bygedra. Daar is steeds baie rassisme wat elke dag op kampus plaasvind, veral in die vorm van mikroaggressies, en hopelik sal dit met tyd heeltemal uitgeroei wees, maar hey, ten minste is ons een rassis minder nader aan daardie droom.”

TAPIWA MANDA SECOND-YEAR BA (LAW) STUDENT How do you feel about the announcement of the expulsion of Theuns du Toit? Do you believe the process was fair and just? “I’m glad that Theuns got expelled, but I feel like it only happened because this story got a lot of media coverage. I’m not sure if the university would have come to the same outcome if it wasn’t so public. I have yet to see the university put all these new policies they have spoken about in action.”

SIVIWE KILANA SECOND-YEAR BSC FOR (WOOD AND WOOD PRODUCT SCIENCE) STUDENT Overall, how do you feel about the way in which the university handled the process? “They handled it quite well, but I was just not happy with how they prolonged the process . . . . I was happy with the decision.”

Theuns du Toit has appealed the decision to his expulsion, what is your opinion on this decision? “I feel like everyone has the right to appeal if they are not happy with the decision, but . . . given the evidence like the video, I don’t think the appeal will change anything.”

Oud-Matie aangewys as ekonoom van die jaar JAN-HENDRIK PRETORIUS

HUGO Pienaar, oud-Matie en hoofekonoom van die Buro vir Ekonomiese Ondersoek (BEO) wat aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch (US) se Fakulteit Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe geaffilieer is, is onlangs as die ekonoom van die jaar aangewys. Volgens Netwerk24, wat tans die kompetisie aanbied, word die ekonoom van die jaar-toekenning aan die ekonoom wat spesifieke belangrike makroekonomiese aanwysers soos die inflasiekoers die akkuraatste kan voorspel, toegeken. Volgens Pienaar is dié kompetisie reeds in die 34ste jaargang en

dit is die eerste keer wat hy, sowel as ’n ekonoom verbonde aan die BEO, die toekenning ontvang. ­Pienaar, wat die afgelope 16 jaar by die BEO betrokke is, het opgemerk dat “’n mens moet erken daar is maar so bietjie van ’n gelukskoot [by ekonomiese voorspelling betrokke]”, maar hy ag die toekenning as erkenning vir sy jare-lange werk wat hy al by die BEO gedoen het. Vir studente wat graag ekonome wil word, maar nie noodwendig tans iets in daardie rigting studeer nie, kan Pienaar as rolmodel dien. Hy het sy ekonomiese loopbaan as finansiële joernalis begin voordat hy by die BEO aangesluit het. “Ek

was vir ’n jaar en ’n half ’n ekonomiese verslaggewer by Die Burger gewees. As ekonoom moet jy baie skryf, so daai tydjie by die koerant het my skryfvaardighede nogal goed gedoen,” het Pienaar gesê. US-studente wat binne die Fakulteit Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe studeer, is opgewonde om te sien dat alumni van hulle fakulteit so goed presteer. Gabriella Neilon, ’n HonsBCom (Ekonomie)-student, het gemeen dat Pienaar juis te danke aan sy “akkurate ekonomiese voorspelling” die toekenning ontvang het. “Dit is wat ekonome doen – [dit is] hulle hele vibe. Dit [getuig van] die goeie program wat ons

by Stellenbosch het,” verduidelik Neilon. Christopher Solomon, ook ’n HonsBCom (Ekonomie)-student, praat met trots oor sy fakulteit: “Ek dink enige nagraadse student by die [fakulteit] sal erken [dat] die kaliber van onderwysgehalte wat gehandhaaf word uitstekend is. Ongeag of jy klas kry by, byvoorbeeld, prof Servaas van der Berg, prof Johan Fourie of prof Dieter von Fintel, jy is verseker om blootstelling te kry aan individue wat kundiges in hulle veld is. Die verwagtinge is hoog, ja, maar die beloning nog groter.” Neilon voeg by: “Kritiese denke is wat ons leer en waarop ons in-

gesteld is. [Die fakulteit] wil op die ou einde die beste ekonome kweek en [Pienaar] se toekenning is bewys daarvan. Wat ’n wen!”

TOP EKONOOM Hugo Pienaar van die BEO is as ekonoom van die jaar bekroon. Foto: Verskaf

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STUDENT LIFE

Studentelewe

Die begin van Spoegwolf se wêreldoorheersing KARLA DE BOD

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uiten hulle tiende ­verjaarsdag, vier die bekende musiekgroep Spoegwolf hierdie jaar nóg ’n mylpaal: hulle eerste o ­orsese musiektoer in Europa en die ­ Verenigde Koninkryk. Tussen 13 ­ en 20 ­Augustus gaan die musiekgroep hulle musikale klanke en ­woordkuns met buitelanders deel. Dit is egter, volgens die groepslede, maar nog net die ­begin. “Ons het nie gedink ons gaan eendag ’n oorsese toer kan doen nie,” het Danie du Toit, ­hoofsanger van Spoegwolf, gesê. “Toe ons jonk was, het ons g ­ edink die hele wêreld is Afrikaans, en dat die hele wêreld die Wes-Kaap is, maar dis amazing.” Moskou du Toit, die tromspeler van die groep en jonger broer van Danie, en Chris von Wielligh, wat die klavier en kitaar speel, het gesê dat hulle nie kan wag vir die toer om te begin nie. “Dis amazing; ons het altyd ­gehoop ons kan dit doen, maar dit gebeur nou actually vir die eerste keer,” het Chris gesê. Spoegwolf het in 2012 hulle eerste album, Swaartekrag, uitgebring. Dié album behels ­ steeds van hulle bekendste l­ iedjies soos “Lenie Blou”, “Kort Donner” en “Somersetwes”. Vandag het die musiekgroep al nege albums agter hulle naam, met die nuutste album ­Droombrief wat in Maart vanjaar uitgereik is. Danie het vertel dat, tussendeur die voorbereiding vir die toer, die groep ook besig is om te werk aan hulle volgende album. “Ons sien uit na ons volgende album wat

CAMPUS QUOTES

“But my mental illness is my defining personality trait.” - Senior student walking past Krotoa on the phone “How is it the third week? It feels like I’ve been here for three months.” - An exhausted student “Ek moet my meisie nou bel terwyl sy tweede pouse het.” - Derdejaarstudent wat met ‘n matriekmeisie uitgaan “Sorry, I’m all over like a rash!” - Lecturer after getting sidetracked a couple of times “En toe besef ek, sy is ‘n opregte teef.” - Student aan haar vriendin op die Rooiplein “I will take a broom and moer them!” - Tannie in Eikestad Mall

WOLWE OP TOER Spoegwolf se eerste oorsese toer gaan tussen 13 en 20 Augustus, met optredes in Melkweg Max in Amsterdam, Grand Social in Dublin, en Electric Ballroom in Londen, plaasvind. Foto: Instagram (@spoegwolf)

ons hier vroeg Desember wil uitbring met regtig amazing musiek waaraan ons baie hard werk,” het hy gesê. “Dis iets waaroor ek baie excited is.” Die idee van ’n oorsese toer is vir die groepslede ’n groot voorreg, met die wete dat hulle aanhangersgroep oor die waters gegroei het. “Dit beteken die wêreld ­– mind the pun,” het Danie gesê. “Die punt is: Daar is actually baie meer Afrikaanse mense as wat mens dink.” Moskou het saamgestem

en gelag: “Ons is orals.” Terwyl Moskou die meeste ­uitsien om die Harry Potter World in Londen te besoek, is Chris ­ opgewonde om deur ­Amsterdam te reis. “Ek sien uit om Amsterdam bietjie te explore en die res van die wêreld te sien,” het hy gesê. “Om shows daar te speel gaan die lekkerste wees – en om mense te bekeer.” Volgens Danie verwag die groep nie groot verskille tussen hulle Suid-Afrikaanse en buitelandse aanhangers nie. “Dis nog steeds

MOSKOU CHECK, ONE TWO Moskou du Toit beskryf Spoegwolf se eerste oorsese toer as die begin van hulle “world domination”. Foto: Karla de Bod

dieselfde mense, dieselfde musiek,” het hy gesê. Terwyl die aanhangers en musiek dieselfde bly, gaan die plekke waar Spoegwolf ­optree verskil van dié waaraan hulle gewoond is, meen die groepslede. “Ek dink dit gaan lekker wees. You make the place,” het Chris gesê. “En ons het nie ’n toerbussie nie, so ons gaan stap na die venues toe, wat cool is.” Die musiekgroep beskryf hulle eerste oorsese toer as ’n draaipunt in hulle lewens ­ – die begin van iets groter wat nog voorlê. “Met só ’n draaipunt, waarvoor ons nog opgewonde is, is world domination,” het Danie gesê. Moskou het ­ bygevoeg: “Ek voel [dit] is ­amper die begin van ­Spoegwolf. Ons het nou tien jaar ge-prep vir ’n nuwe begin ­– phase two van S ­ poegwolf,” het hy gesê. “Die world ­domination is nou on board.” Tien jaar, vier vriende, nege albums, honderde ­ optredes, duisende aanhangers en nóg meer kilometers later is Spoegwolf steeds besig om te werk aan één droom – om die wêreld te verander deur harde, opregte musiek.

“En toe, twee treë later, is ek op die grond.” - Student wat verduidelik wat met haar tydens beurtkrag gebeur het “I will only make a documentary including 7de Laan music.” - Journalism student “Hoekom drink jy so baie, Jason? - Vriendin aan haar vriend wat ‘n babbelas het “Ek het vanoggend myself letterlik ­presies dieselfde vraag gevra.” - Haar vriend se antwoord “Don’t let your Monday fuck up your Sunday.” - The bartender at Bohemia “Luister, ek verstik – ek kan nie nou dink nie.” - Student wat deur ‘n ­moeilike tyd gaan “I’m a strong, codependant woman.” - A tired feminist “Die verskil tussen my en ‘n alkoholis is dat ‘n alkoholis wil ophou.” - Finalejaar-student “Daar was baie [potensiaal].” - Student se terugvoering oor die Quad Party “Nu’bar is Penthouse se ­basement.” - Iemand wat ‘n probleem met Kurt Darren het

10 Augustus 2022

STUDENTELEWE

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Women who inspire SU students HANNAH THERON

The month of August is annually celebrated as Women’s Month in South Africa. As such, Die Matie spoke to students on campus regarding women who inspire them.

RUE JANSEN, SECOND-YEAR BA (LANGUAGE AND CULTURE)

JESSICA BOTHA, FIRST-YEAR LLB

“I think Winnie Mandela inspires me because . . . her strength empowers me, her courage empowers me . . . her not caring what other people think about her — I think that inspires me.”

“Probably my gran . . . . [S]he was in an abusive marriage and throughout the whole thing she always remained so positive, . . . and she’s such a strong woman today.”

TYLER WEST, FIRST-YEAR BCOM (MANAGEMENT SCIENCES)

STEFANI TERBLANCHE, THIRD-YEAR BA (INTERNATIONAL STUDIES)

“My mom [inspires me] because after her divorce, she completely focused on me and supporting me and getting me to where I am today.”

“Greta Thunberg, who is a young climate change activist who just shows how much the youth can really do, [inspires me].”

LEONAY BOTHA, SECOND-YEAR LLB

CHLEO PHEIFFER, THIRD-YEAR BSC (BIODIVERSITY AND ECOLOGY)

“Nina Simone [inspires me] because she’s a music legend. . . . She [didn’t] really fit in the then bracket of femininity . . . so she didn’t really subscribe to . . . women norms, and I just really like that she was just herself.”

“I would choose FKA Twigs . . . [because] she’s a really creative person. . . . As a creative person myself, I find her very inspirational because she finds a good way of channeling her trauma and her life in general into her music and her dancing.”

CARTOON BY LUC VAN HOUTEN

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STUDENT LIFE

Biere knak regoor die wêreld vir ­Internasionale Bierdag KARLA VAN DER MERWE

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lke jaar op die eerste Vrydag van Augustus sedert 2008 lig bierliefhebbers van omtrent 200 stede regoor die wêreld hulle glase ter viering van hulle ­gunstelingdrankie, volgens die International Beer Day-­webblad. Vanjaar se ­Internasionale Bierdag het op 5 Augustus geval. Die punt van ­Internasionale Bierdag is drievoudig, meen dié webblad. Eerstens bestaan dit om saam met vriende te kuier en die heerlikheid van bier te geniet. Dit is tweedens ’n geleentheid om die toegewyde mense wat vir bierfliefhebbers bier brou en bedien, te vier. En derdens dien dit as ’n dag om die wêreld te verenig deur biere van alle nasies en kulture op hierdie merkwaardige dag te vier.

Maties se opinies oor bier strek omdat dit die ‘Light’ gedeelte in egter van die een ­uiterste na die het en ek is lightweight.” Vir mense wat nog nie bier proander. Aan die positiewe kant, meen Ernst Jordaan, wat vanjaar beer het nie, maar dalk wil, waarsy meestersgraad in elektroniese sku Strümpher dat dit waarskyningenieurswese aan die Universi- lik vir die eerste nege keer “rêrig teit Stellenbosch voltooi, dat bier rêrig sleg” gaan wees voor hulle “maklik is om te drink, dit rede- dit werklik sal geniet. Hoewel Kelly-Robyn Molik goedkoop is en dis [lekker om rey, ’n HonsBA (Drama- en te drink] as dit warm is”. Jordaan se gunstelingbier ­ Teaterstudie)-student, al bier is Black Label en sê dit is die probeer het, hou sy steeds nie ­lekkerste bier wat hy al geproe daarvan nie. “Ek vind dit bithet. Hy is van mening dat selfs ter en te skuimerig,” het sy verdiegene wat oor bier twyfel daar- duidelik. “Buiten dit, herinner die nasmaak en reuk daarvan van sal hou as hulle dit probeer. As ’n selfverklaarde semi-­ my werklik aan ’n dronk en tokbierdrinker, meen Simoné siese oom wat way te naby in jou ­Strümpher, ’n HonsBA ­(Afrikaans persoonlike bubble inkom by ’n en Nederlands)-­student, ook dat familiekuier en al wat jy ruik is bier vir haar lekker is omdat dit, sy bierasem.” Selfs al is bier nie vir almal nie, soos koffie, bitter is. “Dit is soos koue koffie, [maar] het die Internasionale Bierdag vir dit maak jou ’n bietjie sluggish,” diegene wat wel daarvan hou die het sy gesê. “Ek verkies ’n Castle verskoning gegee om uit te gaan Light. Ek hou ook van Black La- en saam met mede-bieraficionabel, maar ek hou van Castle Light dos ’n koue enetjie te ­geniet.

BIER VIR PLESIER ­Internasionale Bierdag het vanjaar op 5 ­ ugustus plaasgevind. Foto: Sibella Swanepoel A

leader of the original Stellenbosch divestment campaign. For students involved with campus climate action, the efforts made for immediate climate action since 2017 have been futile. Long-term changes may be challenging to implement when students are on campus for a few years before graduating, and institutions are sceptical to implement changes in short timeframes. According to Matthew ­Wingfield, PhD candidate and

address the climate crisis”. Myburgh seemed to echo the same sentiment. “The fact that this has been successfully achieved at UCT is another reason why we became motivated to pursue the same goals at SU,” she said. The Umoja Summit, which took place on 29 July, included important key speakers and stakeholders at SU. These speakers and stakeholders included Prof Guy ­Midgley, acting director for the School for Climate Studies at SU. The themes

Students call for climate action now SKYLA THORNTON

MATIES have again made it clear that they expect climate action from their academic institution. Fossil Free Stellenbosch, a climate change advocacy group on campus, aims to revive the movement of divestment, urging Stellenbosch University (SU) to support the future of its students. Another effort to facilitate conversation about climate change between students, academics and university staff was the Umoja African Student Leaders Network’s recent summit focused on climate change. Lize Myburgh, BAHons (Sociology) student, and Anaïs ­ Breytenbach, LLM student, are leading the divestment portfolio for EcoMaties and challenging SU to divest from companies and corporations associated with the fossil fuel industry. “If we are establishing a climate school and have access to the most sophisticated research regarding climate change, we as a university should not be investing in fossil fuels, which is a main driver in the climate crisis,” said Myburgh. Students concerned with c­ limate change are calling for massive changes to be made before time runs out, according to Breytenbach, who urges more students to support ­Fossil Free Stellenbosch’s cause. “Rallying mass student support will place pressure on the university to take the necessary steps to divest from fossil fuels,” said B ­ reytenbach. “We have become morally obliged and duty bound to do everything in our power to bring about institutional change.” It has been some time since Fossil Free Stellenbosch was last active on SU campus. “It was last active in 2017, and it died. Both of the original coordinators graduated in the same year,” said Steven Myburgh,

member of the Climate Justice Movement, Fossil Free Stellenbosch was purposefully silenced in its first iteration. He urged students to examine critically why the advocacy group was silenced. The group’s being silenced “also indicates the different institutional climates at SU and the ­University of Cape Town (UCT), the latter of which has voted to divest”, according to Wingfield. He further said that “SU seems unwilling to take radical steps to

FOSSIL FREE AFRICA A photograph taken during a climate march in 2019. Photo: Supplied EcoMaties

of the summit included African specificity and ethical leadership. This encouraged conversation with leaders within SU on the climate crisis and how to hold an institution like SU accountable. Nina Hugo, chairperson of the United Nations Association of South Africa’s (UNASA) SU chapter and facilitator for the conference, said, “What we now need from the institution [SU] is to hear the student leaders out, and to see where their priorities are at, for them to start aligning their practices with our values because this world needs institutions to start being the leaders in this direction.” As encouraged by climate change activists, student action r­equires mass cooperation and m ­ otivation from as many students as possible. “We need people to show up. We need support and passion behind this project if we are to succeed,” said Myburgh. The prospect of the climate crisis is daunting for many and may lead to eco-anxiety and feelings of hopelessness for those concerned, but Tegan Gibaud, sustainable development goals executive of U ­ NASA Stellenbosch, stated, “Moving ­towards renewables and d ­ ivesting from fossil fuels can decrease ­climate anxiety and give us hope for a better future.” On how people can be more involved, Breytenbach said, ­“Students and staff can get ­involved, firstly, by ­raising ­awareness ­surrounding the issues relating to climate change ­ generally, SU’s ­ ­ investment of R100m into Sasol, and the objectives of the divestment campaign.” Student activists have spoken: supporting divestment can be a ­defined action in choosing to ­believe in a viable future for fellow students and humanity itself.

10 Augustus 2022

STUDENTELEWE

7

Matie students back in the Bosch

On 18 July, Maties made their way back to campus. Students were greeted by silly season, in-person c­ lasses, maskless faces and a packed Neelsie, making their return one for the books.

TAKE A BREAK, get some vitamin D, and remember to enjoy your time on campus. Before you know it, your student days will be over and student discounts a thing of the past. Photo: Uyanda Tyusha

ROOIPLEIN REMINISCING about silly season. Photo: Sebastiaan Whitward

LOOK GOOD, FEEL GOOD, and take the semester by storm. You might be in the next feature of Die Matie’s campus closet! Photo: Sebastiaan Whitward

LOOK RIGHT, LOOK LEFT, look right again, and try not to fall apart this semester. Photo: Sebastiaan Whitward

SMILE, WAVE, and pretend academics are not causing you great suffering. Photo: Uyanda Tyusha

STUDENT STEPS Getting some steps in by rushing from class to class is an added bonus of being back on campus. Every step is one step closer to getting that degree! Photo: Uyanda Tyusha

10 August 2022

DAG & NAG

8

DAG&NAG KU N S E N VE R M A AK • ARTS AND EN TE RTA IN ME N T

WOMEN’S MONTH EDITION

Women’s Comedy Night at Dorp CIARA SHAYE SEAMAN

D

orp Bar’s weekly Comedy Nights were recently brought back with a line-up to honour Women’s Month. On Monday 1 August, a show of comediennes kept the audience entertained with an hour of laughter and selfdeprecating advice. Women’s Month is dedicated to honouring women who stood up for themselves and those who continue to do so. If there is one attribute all women in comedy seem to have, it is a backbone, which was displayed by the headlining act, Tracy Klaas, and her confident disapproval of whispering audience members or journalists attempting to make notes on their phones. Mienke Burger, a first-year B in Social Work student and audience member, said, “I feel like they’re [the comediennes] so risky, they don’t hold back — they just go.” The riskiness came through in the bluntness with which they —

MELISSA OHLSSON “I’ve been here for 30 minutes, and no one’s pissed on me yet. I’m a bit disappointed.” Photo: Ciara Shaye Seaman especially the host, Nicola Date — spoke about topics like dating, age, and the economic viability of marriage.

The opening acts, Lerato Sokhulu (rebranded: Rapunzulu), Melissa Ohlsson, Tumi Mkha, and Nazreen Bester, were more than willing to

Angie Oeh sit female energy in Afrikaans ANÉ HAVENGA

ANGIE Oeh se eerste tattoo was ’n smiley op haar gesig, haar antwoord op amper alles is Post Malone, en nee, sy is nie Yolandi Visser nie, maar tog is daar meer agter hierdie Pretoriaanse mumble rapper. In Mei het sy haar EP, Sex in Afrikaans, uitgereik en dit het tonge behoorlik laat klap, maar een ding is wél seker ‒ dit is iets heeltemal nuuts in Afrikaans. Nog meer, dit is ’n vrou wat haar stem in hierdie genre dik maak. Einde Julie het haar eerste musiekvideo met dieselfde naam die lig gesien en sy beskryf dié video as “open space, cars, bikes, booties, smoke and Jägermeister. Overall, just nice shit!” Die 23-jarige het begin musiek maak toe sy skool voltooi het en in ’n streetwear-winkel begin werk het. Haar passie vir musiek en sang het haar geïnspireer om

vir twee jaar in die Engelse mark te probeer inkom, maar met min sukses. Dit is egter toe sy verlede jaar net eenkeer na Afrikaans met “Dis jou Wyfie” gedraai het wat alles ontplof het. Sy droom steeds om die Engelse en internasionale mark te betree en met mense soos Nasty C, Post Malone of Jack Harlow te werk. Oeh verduidelik haar naam as volg: “In my Engelse musiek het ek baie die ad lib ‘oeh’ gebruik. Toe dink ek ‘kom ons fokken doen dit net, want ek gebruik dit heeltyd’. Mense gaan my in elk geval tune daaroor!” Oeh verkondig een boodskap: “Ek wil net vir meisies in SuidAfrika dit beter maak om shit te doen; dis tans bietjie kak met al die male energy oral. Ek is super excited om te sien waarmee ander females gaan opkom en ek hoop regtig dit gaan gebeur. As daar chicks is wat wil begin rap, doen dit net.” Sy is ’n vrou van vele talente en skryf graag haar eie musiek

delve into their personal experiences to expose the common struggles of the modern-day woman. Between stories of gender role

(sowel as die beats) by die huis. Daarna werk Peach van Pletzen, van die musiekgroep Van Pletzen, daarmee om dit net nog beter en meer opwindend te maak. Oeh het ook al saam met ander kunstenaars soos Jack Parow, lil saddyz, Loufi en Van Pletzen gewerk. Oor wie haar inspireer, lig sy drie mense uit, naamlik Wynand van Fokofpolisiekar, Post Malone en Jack Parow. Oeh gee aanhangers vir tyd en wyl die opwindende nuwe musiekvideo vir “Sex in Afrikaans”, maar daar is nog baie in die pyplyn, soos nuwe merch, haar nuutste EP wat in September uitkom en ’n lekker partytjieliedjie wat ons selfs nog meer gaan laat gons en bons as Sex in Afrikaans. Haar benadering tot die lewe is eenvoudig: “Voel ’n fok met net goeie vibes. Doen wat jy wil doen en doen dit goed.” Oeh se musiek kan op Apple Music en Spotify gevind word, en sy kan by @angie_oeh op Instagram gevolg word.

reversal from Bester and the benefits of marriage from Mkha, the evening was an exposé encouraging women to take whatever path they desire and to fight against the preconceived notions placed upon them. “Women comedians are ordinary comedians . . . . [I]t kinda sucks that we need our own night; I wish we didn’t, but it’s the only way some of our female comedians get booked,” Tumi Mkha admitted. “It is, however, always great to connect with the ladies in the industry and support each other.” Dorp partners with South African Comedy Shares to bring Comedy Nights as a means for them to connect to the students in Stellenbosch, bringing them love and laughter after the gruelling time of COVID-19. The organiser of the event, a representative of SA Comedy Shares, explained their motive for starting with Women’s Night was that “women are the mother nature; that’s where happiness is, and that’s where you connect people.”

SEX IN AFRIKAANS Angie Oeh uit eie reg. Foto: André Badenhorst

9

DAG & NAG

Glitter, graphics, glam and gloss A euphoric night at the arts department

SIBELLA SWANEPOEL

T

he long-awaited quad party recently took place, and there was glitter—lots of it. The quad party, which was hosted on 5 August, is held every year to raise funds for the final-year visual arts students’ Graduate Art Exhibition (Gradex). Gradex is curated and created by the fourth-years of Stellenbosch University’s visual arts department to showcase and celebrate their work from the past four years. The tradition of hosting a graduate exhibition at the department has become an anticipated event, and the quad party is no exception. “The fourthyear art students have been hosting a quad party since about the 1980s. We are proud to be able to continue this tradition, which was lost for two years due to Covid,” said Mignonne Busser, fourth-year BA (Fine Arts) student and one of the organisers of the event. This year’s Euphoria-themed

quad party lit up the visual arts department with fairy lights, a hazy purple glow and lots of disco balls to set the mood for a sparkly event under the moonlight. “Everyone in the décor team did such a good job. . . . [T]he creativity of my team added a lot of cool, extra detail and elements that pulled the decorations together. . . . [I]t turned out even better than I thought,” said Megan Anne Badenhorst, fourthyear BA (Visual Communication and Design) student and head of the décor team. With glitter, glowing graphics and glossy outfits, the department’s quad transformed into Euphoria High, and all students were invited along for the ride. “Everyone looked hot and wore lots of glitter. . . . [I]t really added to the sparkly event,” said Thalia Alberts, an attendee at the party and a thirdyear BA (Drama and Theatre Studies) student. The event included face painting, a polaroid photo booth and a candyfloss machine to pair with the sparkly drinks.

GLITTER, GLAM AND GLOSS Students dancing in the art department’s quad. Photo: Sibella Swanepoel The shiny dance floor catered for everyone with a sound that progressed from singalongs to

house music and ended things off with some groovy techno. “We just wanted it to be a fun, glittery mess

of a party, and I think everyone who was there had a good time,” Badenhorst concluded.

Studenteskrywer publiseer weer TIAAN BOOYENS

JOHA van Dyk het Universiteit Stellenbosch (US) se storieboekagtige kampus betree met ’n droom om ’n skrywer te word. Met ’n passie vir woorde neerpen, het Van Dyk vandag twee gepubliseerde jeugromans op winkelboekrakke landswyd en toegewyde lesers wat gretig uitsien na toekomstige opvolgromans. Van Dyk is tans op ’n somerskooluitruil in Berlyn, maar keer binnekort terug na dié kant van die berge waar ’n reeks boektoere, haar skrywersgemeenskap en haar studies op haar wag. “Van skool af het ek die ding wat ek meer as een ding moet doen, en dit is nie altyd ’n goeie impuls om

te hê nie,” sê Van Dyk, wat die studenteneiging van besig bly goed ken. Sy het haar debuutroman, Branderjaer, in wat sy noem die besigste jaar van haar akademiese loopbaan geskryf. Destyds was sy besig met haar honneurstesis en moes drie dae ’n week klasdraf terwyl sy ook drie deeltydse werke gehad het. In ’n selfoononderhoud met Die Matie het sy gedeel dat sy burnout teen die einde van die jaar ervaar het, en daarom sê sy: “Dis goed om net half stil te raak soms.” Om ’n studenteskrywer te wees, verg dissipline en dryfkrag. Van Dyk vertel hoe sy byna elke vrye oomblik, al was dit laataand, of selfs tussen klasse, aan haar

debuutroman bestee het. Haar vriende is gewoond daaraan om aan ander te verduidelik waarheen sy verdwyn wanneer sy uit-zone en skielik iets op haar selfoon vasvang. “Met Vuurvreter [haar nuutste roman] het ek die eerste Januarie tot die aand voor my verjaarsdag, die 26ste, solidly geskryf,” sê Van Dyk. “Ek het gaan sit in my flat by die tafel, ek het Monsters gedrink ‒ konstant ‒ en ek het net geskryf.” Sy het ’n groot tydlyn teen haar kasdeur opgeplak en geweier om links of regs van die doelwitte wat sy vir haar opgestel het, af te dwaal. “As jy geblok is, moet jy maar uit die flat uitkom. Jy moet maar gaan hike, gaan draf, jou vriende sien en

OPVOLGROMAN VAT VLAM Joha teken haar nuutse roman by haar boekbekendstelling. Foto: Joha van Dyk

REËNWOLF EN VUURVRETER Danie du Toit praat by Joha se boekbekendstelling. Foto: Joha van Dyk

net iets doen om jou kop skoon te kry, maar ek het intense doelwitte gestel met my skryf, editing en snywerk.” “Ek wil skryf vir ’n lewe, so ek doen my bes om my lewe só te maak dat ek dit eendag kan doen. Ek wil die dissipline kweek dat ek dit makliker kan doen.” Van Dyk juggle die lewe van student en skrywer, maar is ’n in-

spirerende voorbeeld wat bewys dit kan gedoen word. Haar nuwe jeugroman Vuurvreter, gepubliseer deur die uitgewer Human & Rousseau, is tans landswyd op die rak en aanlyn beskikbaar. Van Dyk doen ook tans haar PhD in Engels en sy ondersoek die belangrikheid van Namakwalandse storievertellers se rol in die behoud van ’n gemeenskap se geskiedenis.

10 August 2022

DAG & NAG

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Upcoming female creatives in Stellies JEAN-MIRI OLIVIER

U

ntil feminist activists started the feminist art movement in the 1960s, many feminists felt that female creatives had been undervalued for decades. The movement shifted cultural attitudes and dismantled gender barriers in the creative industries. In honour of Women's Month, Matie women should be recognised for their artistic endeavors. Each of these women has used their own unique talents to tell their own tales.

aspires to bring forth light. It is important that the work she creates elicits an emotional response from the audience, or a transformation in their thinking or behaviour. As a female artist in 2022, Van Rooyen believes she has a voice. "I think what motivates me most is sharing what I believe God has placed on my heart." Her art can be found at @illonevanrooyen.art.

Her work can be found on her Instagram: @weggooi.gedagtes and @karmenwiidpoetry.

JEAN-MARIE POTGIETER, PHD IN THEORETICAL SYNTAX, WRITER.

KARMEN WIID, THIRD-YEAR BA (HUMANITIES) STUDENT, WRITER. ILLONÉ VAN ROOYEN, FIRSTYEAR BA (VISUAL STUDIES) STUDENT, ARTIST. Van Rooyen’s artwork is inspired by people in candid moments. "I love capturing what is experienced in the moment. I have also been getting into prophetic art as I feel God reveals more to me." Creating is not only a part of her degree, but her passion. When it comes to her work, Van Rooyen

Wiid is inspired by people and their habits, snippets of strangers’ conversations, her environment, nature, and the feeling of moving through the world. Her art gives her a way to understand herself and interpret her emotions. “I don’t know how else to make sense of anything. In a way, my work is the articulation of my desire to get to know myself better, whoever that may be,” says Wiid.

Queen B is back

MIEKE KARA WIEHMAN, THIRDYEAR BA (LAW) STUDENT, ARTIST.

SARA STAPAR, THIRD-YEAR BSC (MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY), DJ.

Wiehman’s charcoal and graphite works are mostly inspired by her artistic fascination with female figure studies, the use of light and shadow, and animals — especially horses. “Art has always been part of who I am and how I express myself, so I had no choice but to pursue art,” said Wiehman. Her work plays with the relationship between physical presence and mental absence. She stays motivated as a female artist by drawing upon the collective female desire to speak up about what women experience in their gender roles — including what women could not experience due to patriarchal societies controlling

Stapar uses organic sounds, voices and drums of afro and desert techno. Being a DJ brings her joy since she has made so many great connections on the dance floor. Her interest was piqued when she started working at Fool’s Gold Social Bar in 2020. Now, a year and a half later, she plays the opening slot at Fool’s on Wednesdays and performs at festivals. According to Stapar, she hopes to start producing her own music too. "The industry is difficult to enter into, although I think currently female musicians are being acknowledged and presented a lot more," added Stapar. Catch her on her Instagram under the handle of @sarastapar_.

LITMATIE WO

S

H

NT O M

N

TIO I D E

A SEASON OF THE CATEGORY IS QUEEN Bey has once again raised the musical bar. Photo: Taken from Pinterest

BEYONCÉ'S renaissance has begun, and she has shared her revival and artistic evolution with the world through her new album RENAISSANCE. The highly anticipated album, which is the first of a three-act project and the artist’s seventh solo studio album, was released on 29 July. “RENAISSANCE”, the title of the album, beautifully encapsulates what the album is: Beyoncé’s artistic transition postLemonade and her interpretation of life as she explores themes of love, hedonism, self-worth and sex. Throughout the album, Beyoncé both pays homage to and draws inspiration from ballroom culture (voguing). This seems to be Beyoncé’s acknowledgement of the influence the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer

government, the law and women's bodies for so long. She showcases her work on Instagram @mkw_fineart_.

’ MEN

Album review

LESEDI MNISI

The central theme of Potgieter’s poetry is breaking away from the narrow-minded norms and rules that some people follow. “I write about things that are often not spoken about in Afrikaans societies, like queerness, sex and mental illness,” says Potgieter. The idea of the poet being "dead" allows her to unpack and untangle her thoughts, as she can distance herself from the words on the page. Her poems create a stepping stone for speaking about the experiences of post-Calvinistic Afrikaans women in the 21st century. “Remember that your voice needs to be heard, especially when so many artistic fields are still male-dominated,” said Potgieter.

Her poetry is published in the “Penseel” poetry collection that the department of Afrikaans and Dutch publishes every year.

or questioning, intersex, asexual, or otherwise queer) community has had on her artistry and success. The album is a melting pot of genres, ranging from house, dance and hip-hop to R&B, afrobeats, disco and more. The authentic lyrics, well-executed vocal performances, minimal breaks from high energy beats, and lack of sad songs give the album a carefree vibe. “HEATED”, the eleventh track, faced controversy for including ableist language; however, Beyoncé has re-recorded the track to remove the offensive lyrics. RENAISSANCE, with its seamless transitions, audibly pleasing production, thoughtprovoking lyrics and pristine vocal performances is a no-skip album and could quite possibly be the best album released in 2022.

LONGING KARMEN WIID a warm breeze envelopes me tangling summer in my hair when I close my eyes it feels like your fingers tucking laughter behind my ears but these days the memories don't comfort me like they used to they keep me up at night curling at the edges of dawn I guess everyone has a season of longing before the letting go

Is jy passievol oor poësie? LitMAtie is ’n platform waar ons gedigte deur studente publiseer. Stuur dan jou gedig na swanepoelsibella@gmail.com.

Are you passionate about poetry? LitMatie is a platform where we publish students’ poems. Send your poem to swanepoelsibella@gmail.com.

10 August 2022

DAG & NAG

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THE STELLIES KUIER CROSSWORD Use the clues below to fill in your favourite bars and clubs! Across 3. 4. 6. 8. 9. 10.

Robots special Three-in-one Afterparty pizza Oldest pub in Stellies Pink neon signs Sunday bingo

Down 1. 2. 5. 7.

Students' silly season

Throwback Thursday Comedy nights Karaoke nights Longest lines in Stellies

Scan here for the answers: Photos by Uyanda Tyusha

12

REDAKSIONEEL

On Stellenbosch’s Cults A

contributing reporter of the Yale Daily News student newspaper, Sean Pergola, wrote an opinion piece around two months ago about the student communities and societies at his university titled “On Yale’s Cults”. He explained that he used the term “cult” not like the flippant pejorative that is sometimes ascribed to communities on our own campus, such as certain men’s residences and interesting societies, but for a different reason. His use of the word was inspired by Walter Benjamin’s essay “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction”, which introduc e s t h e c o n c e p t o f “ c u l t va l u e ” . Pergola explained Benjamin’s proposal, writing that art has cult value through its uniqueness, and said that the reason we go to museums instead of viewing art online is because of this irreproducible quality. The Yale Daily News writer concluded that the problem of the

modern student condition is missing out on experiences with cult value because of the pandemic’s influence on in-person gatherings. I have been fascinated by this idea since reading about it because I think most students already intuitively understand this. Sure, some student communities may have seemingly stranger traditions than others, but being a Matie in itself arguably comes with just as many strange traditions. For many students, becoming involved in specific student communities and joining in on some of these traditions is a big part of choosing to study at Stellenbosch University (SU). Losing a lot of that due to MS Teams lectures and online campus events has taken a blow to student life in a university town. With the lifting of the national mask mandate, and restrictions on social gatherings gone, the cults under these oak trees have made a comeback. Year after year, as was the case before the “new normal”, Maties revive campus with new

energy for community building, and a passion for participating in writing history whilst studying at this institution. This campus election season seems to be a critical moment for determining whether student life at SU will reclaim a lot of its cult value, or continue to be reproduced through stale virtual alternatives. Die Matie has, through several trials and tribulations, survived another year to see its 81st birthday! After the pandemic’s influence on printing physical newspapers consistently for the last two years, I am very proud to see that Die Matie has “made it to the other side” in print — with many sleepless nights, grey hairs and help from our elders. Each of this independent student newspaper’s editorial teams over the past roughly 81 years has played a role in building community amongst students. Very soon, the torch will be passed to a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed

GORRELKOP

EEN JAAR WYSER

Tussen die koue waarteen Gorrel skuil met sy “winskopie” van ‘n Maties-serp, en die wissel van in persoon klasse, kry Gorrel amper nie eers tyd vir asem skep nie. Met toe neuse en droë hoese regoor kampus, is hy ook huiwerig om sy masker by die huis te los. Dit is ’n groot aanpassing dat Gorrel heel stom geslaan is deur die Facebookaankondiging dat hy reeds een jaar ouer en wyser raak. Geluk

aan Die Matie wat nog steeds hard skop (en nie opskop nie)!

HOUSE DANCE SEASON Gorrel is convinced that his birthday is the reason why students wait until August to go wild at residence and PSO House Dances. Everyone likes a good Matie kuier, and what better way to do it than at a fancy venue wearing an even fancier fit? Gorrelina has been asked to five different dances so far, and

HOOFREDAKSIE HOOFREDAKTEUR Tiaan Booyens INHOUDSREDAKTEUR Maryna Adshade UITLEGREDAKTEUR Mareli Swart AFRIKAANS SUBREDAKTEUR Mieke de Wet ENGLISH SUB-EDITOR Jessica Garschagen ONLINE EDITOR Lesedi Mnisi NUUS Karla van der Merwe STUDENTELEWE Karla de Bod DAG & NAG Sibella Swanepeol SPORT Jan-Hendrik Pretorius BEDRYFSREDAKTEURTadiwanasheMutibura ADVERTENSIES Emma Cochrane FOTOREDAKTEUR Vicky Hendrikz TESOURIER Marco Marais HOOFVERSLAGGEWER Aurelia Mouton

MEDEWERKERS TEKSREDIGERING Rentia Meyer

Nina Krüger Slade van Rooyen Siwaphiwe Bam Tehillah Truter UITLEG

Sisonke

DRUKWERK

Novus Print

new editorial team to ensure that it continues to do so for years to come. Die Matie, in some ways, is a cult. We have an office hidden away on the third floor of the Neelsie Student Centre that only a few people have access to. We survive bi-weekly schedules of student news circulation on nothing but caffeine, a bit of arrogance and a lot of editing. Our team of journalists consists of about 50 people who know about strange newsroom jargon, and the more intimate main editorial team — the members of which are no strangers to staying up until midnight the day before publication. Being a part of Die Matie has a certain cult value that one can’t experience anywhere else, and that’s why it still exists after 81 years. The same can be said for PSOs and residences and their absurd, yet endearing, traditions that are too numerous to list. (It would also betray my partiality were I to mention a few). Many student societies have ways of captivating like-mind-

ed people with similar interests. Student committees are integral to creating community amongst academic peers. Sports teams demonstrate some of the clearest signs of cult-like behaviour to anyone who doesn’t play sports. Even upon leaving Stellenbosch, outsiders may look at Maties like we come from a world of our own, which is not too far from the truth. A generation of university students has awaited being able to experience SU and all its cults in its entirety. Now might finally be the time for Maties to have that again, and I’m excited to stick around a bit to enjoy the show. There is a lot of opportunity and privilege that comes with being a student in this beautiful place, and we only have a limited time to experience it all. That’s why I’m ending off with a question to the reader: what cults are you currently a part of, and how will you ensure that the experience is good enough that you’ll never be able to recreate it elsewhere?

Die kommentaar waarvoor almal bang is. Gorrel is nie verantwoordelik vir enige ongerief

hasn’t once had to feel the cold sweat of slowly bankrupting oneself due to ticket prices.

NEELSIE-NUWELINGE So gepraat van geldsake, die nuwe name wat in die Neelsie opduik is ook ‘n rede waarom Gorrel sy begroting moet herevalueer. Sweetbeet motiveer Gorrel om gesonder te eet, maar die pryse stuur hom weg om troosting by Vida se hot chocolates in die koue

weer te vind. Die Neelsie Cinema is glo slegs vir Pulp-lede — nou meer as voorheen — en die MyBrew-uitbreiding het nog meer van sy lekker dinge. Jacks se Bagels was Gorrel se gunsteling nuwe verwikkeling in die gat van kampus totdat hy hoor Moody Blue is oop 24/7. Nou kan Gorrel enige uur van die dag en nag aan wafels smul in sy eie tuiste.

front row tickets to election season across campus. Gorrel and the total of 26 other attendees of the SRC caucus (candidates included) can now sit on their high horses and glare at everyone else who complains about the state of affairs on campus without getting involved to change anything. Die Matie ’s own circus is set to happen soon, and Gorrel can already smell the A NEW SEASON popcorn in the air. Until then, Gorrel will be stuffing his face Gorrel is very excited to have with his 81st birthday cake.

KONTAK ONS / CONTACT US

Die Matie is onderhewig aan ’n gedragskode wat by die SR-lid vir Media beskikbaar Matie is onderhewig aan ’n gedragskode wat by die SR-lid vir Media beskikbaar is. Di is onderhewig aan ’n gedragskode wat by die SR-lid vir Media beskikbaar is.ww

E-POSADRES diematie75@gmail.com WEBADRES www.diematie.com FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/diematie POSADRES

1 Augustus 2022 merk die 81ste versjaarsdag van Die Matie. Dié studentekoerant is dankbaar dat dit steeds studentestories kan vertel; mag dié stories nooit opraak nie. Dankie aan ons leserskap. Die Matie Trust, en die mense wie ons vertrou om hulle stories te vertel.

81ste Jaargang

Langenhoven Studentesentrum Privaatsak X1 Universiteit Stellenbosch Matieland 7602 OPLAAG 3 000 VOLGENDE UITGAWE 24/08/2022 SPERDATUM 22/08/2022 ADVERTENSIESEmmaCochrane,diematieads@gmail.com­ ARGIEFVorigeDieMatie-uitgawesisindiebiblioteek/ophul webtuiste beskikbaar. COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE AND REPORTING ERRORS Die Matie is onderhewig aan ’n gedragskode wat by die SR-lid vir Media beskikbaar is. Alle klagtes word deur ’n regsdosent ondersoek, waarna Die Matie voor die Mediaraad kan verskyn. Klagtes moet volgens die uiteengesette prosedure binne veertien dae ná publikasie aanhangig gemaak word. Die Matie subscribes to the South African Press Code that prescribes news that is truthful, accurate, fair and balanced. If we don’t live up to the code,

please contact the Ombudsman. You may also lodge an internal complaint or report factual errors by contacting the SRc member for Media. Also following the procedure explained above. Die Matie is accountable to its readers and will correct errors where necessary. Please send any complaints to the paper’s ombudsman/ public editor, George Claassen at gnclaassen@sun.ac.za or 083 543 2471.

MEDEWERKERS

PHOTO PAGE

10 August 2022

13

Our Eikestad on film

Despite the ever-increasing quality of digital cameras, film photography has seen a recent rise in popularity amongst local student photographers. Die Matie curated a few film snapshots that capture Stellenbosch.

STREET PERFORMERS Iconic Stellenbosch street performers. Photo: Mike Donaldson

OLD MAIN(TENANCE) Maintenance workers on the Ou Hoofgebou. Photo: Mike Donaldson

VOLLA A favourite sight in Victoria Street. Photo: Julian Skye Nel

ROOFTOP TANNING Sunbathing with a view. Photo: Carmi Wentzel

REFLECTION Friends in a fisheye mirror. Photo: Julian Skye Nel

INTO THE GARDENS Sunshine and flowers. Photo: Carmi Wentzel

DAYTIME DRIVE An exam-time procrastination drive with friends on Jonkershoek Road. Photo: Lize Van Rooyen

DOWN THE HALL A sunlit door on the second floor of the general engineering building. Photo: Fuzail Dawood

CAUTION: SLIPPERY The steps outside the HUMARGA. Photo: Craig October

A ROMANTIC GESTURE A stranger with a bouquet. Photo: Olivia Moller

MASKED SMILES A socially distanced gathering. Photo: Craig October

THE MEETING PLACE Late 2000s fashion in the 2020s. Photo: Olivia Moller

14

SPORT

Basketball bouncing back after a two-year hiatus

BUHLE BAM

T

he Maties Basketball players will be back to dropping dimes, making it rain and getting opponents stuffed as the nation says goodbye to the “new normal” and welcomes back a basketball season familiar to all. The past two years have been quite the trial for Maties Basketball. According to Masie Ntali, the head of the Maties Basketball Coach Programme, they were faced with challenges like “taking extra precautions when a team member is not feeling well, even though it’s a simple flu symptom”. Furthermore, there were injuries as well as a late start to the district federation league, which resulted in a longer pre-season. Although there has not been an official league for the past two years, Ntali said, “Judging from the friendly games we played, the

team is getting better each day.” He further said that Maties Basketball is in a building phase, as many seniors have not participated in any competition or league. According to Troy Williams, first-year BA (Humanities) student and basketball player, “The Maties programme is excellent — personally, I believe we can be one of the best teams in the country.” Williams has seen a lot of improvement in his overall fitness and athleticism and believes that “the access to resources provided by the university allows players to be in peak condition”. The highlight of Williams’s basketball season was a game his team played against the University of Cape Town (UCT). “We played a game at UCT, where the atmosphere was insane. We beat UCT, but the game was very exciting, and the crowd added to

FEEL THE HEAT Players getting serious on the court during a practice match. Photo: Buhle Bam

Maties-rotsklim spog met nuwe opknappings KOBUS ERASMUS

MATIES se rotsklimklub het onlangs die opening van ’n splinternuwe klimmuur gevier. Oor die wintervakansie het die klub van lokaal verskuif om die alewig groeiende sport te akkommodeer. Die nuwe lokaal sluit nuwe klimmure en ’n moonboard in. Dié opening en die opknappings was op 29 Julie gevier. Rakende al die opknappings het klublid Iben Swarts verduidelik dat dit alles deur komiteelede gedoen is. “Ons het regtig hard gewerk en alle onkostes is uit ledegelde betaal. Die nuwe muur is nie net groter nie, maar is meer modern as die vorige muur,” het Swarts vertel. Tian Nothnagel, ’n tweedejaarBIng (Megatronies)-student, deel sy opgewondenheid oor die nuwe

klimmuur. “Die renovasies beteken natuurlik baie vir ons by die klub, maar meestal gaan dit oor die feit dat ons ons eie spasie gekry het. [Ons het uiteindelik] spasie om uit te brei en net heelwat meer spasie op die muur wat die potensiaal vir nuwe roetes net soveel [verbeter].” Die rotsklimgimnasium is net buite Coetzenburg naby die krieketvelde geleë. Die klub is oop vir beginners sowel as ervare klimmers en volgens hulle Instagram-blad (@ matiesclimbing), kan diegene wat gretig is om die nuwe muur uit te toets dit kom doen deur óf ’n lid van die klub te word (deur die skakel www.matiesclimbing.co.za te volg), óf deur gewoon ’n dagpas aan te skaf.

QUICK FEET Maties Basketball team working hard to reach their goals. Photo: Buhle Bam the excitement,” he said. The basketball season holds a lot in store for the players. First up is the Intervarsity Tournament, also known as the 3x3 Campus Basketball League, which will be hosted over a time period of about six weeks starting on 12 August, as per the Google Forms sign-up sheet (available in the bio of Maties Basketball’s Instagram account @maties_basketball). Apart from this, Maties Basketball will also partake in the Cape Town Basketball League, Western Cape University Sports South Africa (USSA) Basketball League and the USSA Basketball National Tournament.

KLIM EN KLOUTER Die splinternuwe moonboard-klimpaneel. Foto: Instagram (@matiesclimbing)

Maties athletes at home at the Commonwealth Games ANÉ HAVENGA

THE 2022 Commonwealth Games have been the start of some athletes’ careers, whilst others bow out of sport with smiles on their faces. This has been the story for some Matie athletes competing this year in Birmingham, England. Adam Moncherry, originally from Seychelles, decided to stay in Stellenbosch after visiting for a training camp, since it had the best training facilities in the Southern hemisphere. He was even part

of the team that broke the Maties swimming record in the 4x50 m medley relay. But nothing beats going to the Commonwealth Games as he explained, “I was, of course, very happy to qualify, but I did not believe I was going till I got my ticket! I love representing Seychelles. The Olympic committee really takes care of us when we go overseas. We never have to lift a finger. They sort everything out.” It was not only the socialising with friends and driving around

QUICK SILVER Charl du Toit and Akani Simbine both won silver for South Africa. Photo: Sport24

in a Tesla that made the Games memorable for Moncherry, but also that he made the big screen during his race and achieved a great personal best as he took off a whole second of his previous time. Charl du Toit has been representing Maties for over 11 years (and South Africa for even longer), but the time has come for his retirement. The Commonwealth Games will be his third and last race, even though many people tried to twist his arm to stay a bit longer. Du Toit said, “I had a career that blew my expectations. It is sort of full circle: I had my first big race in England and here it will also be my last. It truly is special. You know when it is your time. A lot of my friends in the same practice group at Maties also retired recently. It is, as they say, an end of an era!” Of his three experiences, 2018’s Games in the Gold Coast will always be the most special. He competed in the T38 category even though he is a T37 athlete, broke the T37 world record, and got a bronze medal in the race. To date, it is still his fastest 100 m time. It is not only his South African memories that he is fond of but also his Maties family — something which he will try to be a part of for as long as he

MARINE MONCHERRY Adam Moncherry gave a stellar performance at the Commonwealth Games with a personal best. Photo: Instagram (@adam_moncherry) can, no matter in what capacity. “Maties was a constant thing in my life. It gave me a lot of exposure, especially with parasport. I always felt at home, and Maties Sport truly is inclusive not just to tick the right boxes, but they

value each person,” Du Toit said. Du Toit ended his career on a high note, as he won a silver medal in the T38 100 m and holds the Commonwealth Games record for the Men’s T37/T38 100 m final with a time of 11,54 seconds.

10 August 2022

SPORT

15

Who runs the world? ANÉ HAVENGA

NICHOLÉ TALJAARD

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Nicholé Taljaard, who is busy with a PgCE (FET), has had her fair share of ups and downs with netball, especially with a few injuries that almost ended her career. Her netball CV involves her having represented the Western Cape Schools’ Netball team for seven consecutive years, making the u. 17 South African netball team, and making the u. 18 South African squad. In her first year of studies, she made the Maties first team as well as the u. 21 Baby Protea squad. Unfortunately, in 2016 she tore a ligament in her knee and was out for the remainder of the year. She came back stronger and worked herself back in the Spar Proteas squad, where she made the squad of 23 who were contracted, through representing Maties (as well as captaining the side in 2019 and 2020), the Baby Proteas squad and the Western Cape Southern Stings Taljaard, as a proud Matie, singles out this moment, saying, “My favourite Maties netball memory was when we beat Kovsies in the Varsity Netball semi-final in Bloemfontein when we were behind the entire game. My favourite achievement is being named the Varsity Netball Player of the Tournament in 2021.” Things happened quickly for Taljaard, since she heard

his Women’s Month, Die Matie is celebrating the mighty women who carried the South African and Maties-flag during the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Die Matie spoke to some of the athletes. TILKA PALJK

TILKA PALJK Enjoying every moment at the Commonwealth Games. Photo: Instagram (@tilka_paljk_oly)

NICHOLÉ TALJAARD In action on the netball court. Photo: Instagram (@nicholetaljaard)

Tag – you’re it!

NINA-MARIE ANKER & ALISON HERMANUS

LATELY, Stellenbosch University (SU) students may have seen people being chased across the Rooiplein in a frenzy of fear. This game of cat and mouse is a campus-wide competitive game of tag involving 30+ students. Founder Jandré Coetzee (aka “Bungee”), a graduating BCom (Law) student, saw the University of Cape Town’s Ultimate Frisbee Society and wanted to create a similar sense of community and dedication here at Stellenbosch but without affiliation to the university. In 2019, Coetzee implemented his tag-on-campus idea after thinking it through. Whilst it is a fun activity, he explained that they needed to plan it carefully. “It pretty much takes over our lives, so we can’t do it too often or during too important academic times.” Some may be wondering how the game of tag works. The rules are as follows: three people are “it” at all times, and their job is to tag the other players before the end of the week, which is Friday at 15:59. A WhatsApp group with all the players involved allows players to share regular updates and use videos as proof of people being tagged. The players are allowed to tag any other player except for the

After a swimming training camp last year at Maties, Tilka Paljk, a first-year BA (International Studies) student originally from Zambia, toyed with the idea of moving to Stellenbosch permanently. She has not looked back since and has enjoyed every moment with her Maties team, especially walking to the pool every afternoon to train with them. Paljk loves competing at the Commonwealth Games. “It is always exciting to be told I’ve made the team. It is such an honour to represent my country. My favourite moment at this year’s Games has been swimming the mixed 4x100 m medley relay. We were friends with all the teams in our heat, and it was nice to make jokes before and during the race.” She wants to try to qualify for the 2024 Olympics, but for now she enjoys every moment possible by making new friends and appreciating the people around her.

ones who tagged them. Playing hours are 08:00 until 23:00 on weekdays and 16:00 on a Friday in order to take into account the students who can visit home on the weekends. The mobile app, Live360, is an important player in this game, as everyone needs to share their live locations on the group at all playing times to keep it fair. Live360 shows the other competitors each player’s speed, past locations and schedule. There are, of course, “safe dens” where players cannot be tagged at all. “All bathrooms are ‘safe’, and no one can get tagged or tag inside any bathroom area,” explained André Pretorius, a second-year BCom (Economic Sciences) student who participated in the tag game this past week. “The circle around the statue on the Rooiplein next to the library is also a safe zone. The last three people who are ‘it’ at the end of the week are deemed the losers and are punished accordingly.” Amongst the 161 tags in last week’s tag game (all verified by videos sent to the WhatsApp group), there were sure to be a few memorable ones. For the 34 participants, the week was exciting, stressful, and unforgettable as they chased each other through lectures, jumped off balconies, copied house keys, and snuck into residences — all in the name of the game.

three days before the team left that she made the team for the Commonwealth Games team. This followed after Lenize Potgieter was not medically cleared to play. Despite the late notification, Taljaard loved every minute of being part of the team. “The culture is amazing. The team is so positive and so inclusive with everything. They just want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable. They are super supportive. They help you find your strengths and encourage you with everything you do. I still remember my first test cap and when I took my first shot. The entire bench stood up and cheered for me. It was an insane feeling of support and love in the team.” Taljaard has especially enjoyed all the games they have played during the Commonwealth Games, since the crowd plays a huge role in such a massive stadium, and all the teams are amazing. She singled out the game against Australia because of the high level of competition and the opportunity to play against her idols. Off the court, her experience was also special. According to Taljaard, “The opening ceremony [was] amazing. It was just WOW, and they put so much effort into it. It was honestly just a breathtaking experience.”

YOU CAN’T HIDE Live360 shows players’ locations. Photo: Supplied

COMMITTED TO THE GAME Players are known to go to great lengths to tag other players. Photo: Supplied

SAFE ZONE Players hiding out in the safe den (all bathrooms) with board game supplies for two hours mid game. Photo: Supplied

WOENSDAG 10 AUGUSTUS | GRATIS

Helshoogte vs Eendrag: Dis Derby!

Cold feet...? Join during the month August and receive a pair of Maties Gym Versus socks.

MIK HOOG Helshoogte wen EENDRAG Die mans van Eendrag hoop om Helshoogte hierdie die bal tydens ‘n lynstaan. Foto: week te troef. Foto: Jan-Hendrik Sebastiaan Whitward JAN-HENDRIK PRETORIUS

D *valid while stock lasts *t's & c's apply

Contact us on : 021 808 9133 gymsales@sun.ac.za

Come and enjoy a complimentary session at Maties Gym Valid for the month of August T's & C's apply

ie Arende van Eendrag pak vandeesweek die Hane van Helshoogte in hulle jaarlikse Derby aan. Alhoewel die Derby reeds Maandagaand met ’n reeks aktiwiteite afgeskop het, gaan die hoogtepunt van hierdie hoogs verwagte wedywering, die Sauerrugbytoernooi, Vrydag plaasvind. Die aand het op ’n hoë noot met vertonings van beide koshuise se sêrgroepe begin. Daarna het die Hane die Derby-telbord verbygesteek met ’n oorwinning in die eetkompetisie, waartydens die deelnemers hoenderschnitzels blitsvinnig afgewurg het. “Vanaand se ervaring was ongelooflik gewees. Ek het nog nooit so ’n samesyn ervaar nie en ek is baie opgewonde vir die week wat nog voorlê,” noem Nico Coetzee, derdejaar-BIng (Meganies)-student en Helshoogte-inwoner. Die rugby is natuurlik die hoogtepunt op die Derby-kalender. J.W. Snyman, vierdejaar-BScAgric (Plant- en Grondwetenskappe)student en kaptein van Helshoogte se eersterugbyspan, noem dat sy span die hele seisoen al hard voorberei het. “Ek dink ons voorbereiding vir die spesifieke wedstryd gaan nie veel meer inhou as vir die ander wedstryde nie, want net omdat dit [die] Derby is, moet ons nie toelaat dat die oomblik te groot word nie. Met dit bygesê, dink ek ons koppe is reg om harde,

fisiese rugby Vrydag te speel.” Terwyl die twee koshuise se rugbyspanne tydens hierdie jaar se Sauer-rugbytoernooi stadig uit die blokke is, met beide Eendrag en Helshoogte wat hulle vorige wedstryde teen Dagbreek en Wilgenhof onderskeidelik verloor het, behoort die rugbywedstryd egter vir intensiewe spanning te sorg. “Ons seisoen het sy goeie en slegte punte gehad. Ongelukkig het dinge nie altyd ons kant toe [gedraai] nie, maar ons het uit elke wedstryd ’n bietjie geleer om [tot] die groter prentjie by te dra,” het Snyman gesê. Die Derby is vir Daniel Tukker, Eendrag-inwoner en derdejaar-BIng (Bedryfsingenieurswese)-student, ’n spesiale geleentheid. “Dit is een van ons grootste gebeurtenisse, [dalk selfs] die grootste van die jaar. Die gees en kameraadskap wat in die twee koshuise getoon word, is fantasties en dit bind ons in ’n positiewe manier saam.” Jaco Wagener, derdejaar-BCom (Aktuariële Wetenskap)-student en Eendrag se intredende prim vir die komende jaar, het gemeen dit is ongelooflik om te sien hoe die twee koshuise bymekaar kom. “Toe ek hier inloop en almal weer in ons eetsaal [vir die openingseremonie] sien, [was dit] fantasties.” Hy glo dat Eendrag die gunsteling is om die wedstryd Vrydag te wen, maar glo “dit gaan definitief ’n close game wees”. Benewens die rugby, gaan die

HELSHOOGTE Vir die mans van Helshoogte, is Derby ‘n ernstige affêre. Foto: Jan-Hendrik Pretorius twee koshuise teen mekaar meëding in ander sportaktiwiteite soos tennis, toutrek, touch rugby, gholf, skaak en e-sport, volgens Hannes Swart, intredende onderprim van Helshoogte en derdejaar-BA (Regte)-student. Daar is ook meer kulturele aktiwiteite wat plaasvind, soos ’n wynkenniskompetisie tussen die twee inwonende hoofde, 30-seconds en a capella-sang. Luke Cuff, inwonende hoof van Helshoogte, sien uit na ’n week van uitnemendheid. “Die groot ding van Helshoogte en Eendrag se Derby is dat beide gemeenskappe geweldige belangstelling het om ’n gevoel van aanvaarding te bewerkstellig. Dit is inklusief – daar is geleenthede vir almal om deel te neem,” het Cuff gesê. Pierre Viviers, inwonende hoof van Eendrag, is ook opgewonde vir die week wat wag: “Dit is so great om weer [skouers te skuur]. Mense bymekaar, styf teen mekaar. En ek dink dis waaroor die kampuservaring gaan. Dít is ongelooflik.” Beide Cuff en Viviers glo dat hierdie week die ideale geleentheid skep vir vriendskaplike mededinging en opbouende kompetisie om uitnemendheid te bevorder. “’n Groot fokus is om die beste uit jou mededinger te neem en die dele waarin hulle beter is te gebruik om jouself te verbeter – en dit is iets spesiaals wat daaruit kom wat positief is op kampus,” het Cuff afgesluit.