DieMATIE WOENSDAG 18 APRIL 2018 | GR ATIS
SES-EN-SEWENTIGSTE JAARGANG | NO 5
Agt jaar later... ’n wen!
Maties wen Varsitybeker, bl.8
Foto: VARSITY SPORTS
KAMPIOENE Maties vier hulle Varsitybeker-oorwinning teen Pukke Maandagaand by die Danie Craven-stadion. Dit is die eerste keer in agt jaar wat Maties die beker wen.
World’s best choir does not sing national anthem at Varsity Cup
SU Choir declines national anthem offer LIAN VAN WYK
T
he Stellenbosch University (SU) Choir declined an invitation to sing the national anthem at Monday’s Varsity Cup final. The choir, who are the recipients of gold medals in three categories at the 2016 International Choir Games, was approached by Maties Sport to sing the national anthem as part of the opening ceremony of the Varsity Cup final match between Maties and Pukke. However, the choir turned down the offer to sing the national anthem at the Danie Craven stadium. A member of the SU Choir, who chose to remain anonymous, said that when told about the decision to decline the invitation, the members of the choir questioned André van der Merwe, the choir conducter, on this choice. According to this member, Van der Merwe told the choir that he felt hurt to sing the national anthem. He said that he is disappointed by the fact that some people sing only certain parts of the national anthem with enthusiasm, while neglecting to do so with other parts, or not singing parts at all.
Foto: SUPPLIED
Another member of the choir, who also chose to remain anonymous, said that Van Der Merwe referred to the Afrikaans part of the national anthem. According to Cindy van der Merwe, Events Coordinator at Maties Sport, the SU Choir declined the invitation without providing a reason for doing so. Van Der Merwe said that he had not simply refused Maties Sport’s offer and that the situation surrounding the matter was far more complex. He did not want to comment on the issue further, stating that it was a private matter.
Ulrike Vorndran, Coordinator of Hospitality and Accommodation at the US Woordfees office, said the decision to decline the invitation was not made by Van der Merwe alone, but that it was a collective resolution that the entire management of the choir had carefully considered. “The management’s decision to decline the invitation hinged on a few factors,” Vorndran said. “Firstly, the choir was only approached about taking part in the Varsity Cup at a very late stage, and the wrong channels were used in communicating with us. The choir also
spent the whole weekend preparing for more than five performances waiting on us in the coming three weeks. “We are currently using all available time in preparation for our tour to Wales.” Saartjie Botha, Woordfees Director, confirmed that the choir had spent the weekend preparing for the busy schedule ahead of them. “Participation in the Centenary Concert of the University has had the choir quite busy these past few weeks and took up a significant amount of repetition time,” Botha said. “André van der Merwe is therefore
committed to using all available time optimally.” Botha also added that the national anthem is not currently part of the choir’s repertoire and that it would have been difficult for the group to learn to sing the anthem in eight voices in the short amount of time that they were given before the Varsity Cup final. Botha also said: “In a diverse environment, as is the case within a university and definitely within a choir, differing and sometimes conflicting opinions will, without a doubt, arise over a variety of topics. This includes the national anthem. “We agree that a discussion on these differing opinions is necessary. To rush this would, however, be irresponsible. “The timeframe before [Monday’s] match was simply too small to accommodate such a complex conversation. Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson, said that the University had taken note of the reasons the choir had given for declining the invitation, which he emphasised include a busy schedule. The University is also aware of “the conversations that are taking
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NUUS
Toneelfees 2018 skop af Die eerste ronde van die jaarlikse Toneelfees het hierdie week begin. Sedert Maandagaand speel daar elke aand tot Saterdag vertonings op die Drostdy-teater se planke. Toneelfees is ’n ou Matie-tradisie en word deur die SR se kultuurkomitee (KuKo) aangebied. Verskeie koshuise en PSO’s kry die geleenteid om daaraan deel te neem en hulle kan kies om saam met ander koshuise of PSO’s iets op te voer. “’n Mens kan enige tipe toneelstuk hierdie week kom kyk; van komedie en drama tot klugte en romantiese toneelstukke,” het Reinier Stoop, ’n akteur van Oude Molen, gesê. Stroop sê sy toneelstuk, A Series of University Monologues, spreek gebeurtenisse aan wat deur Stellenbosch inspireer is. “Dit spreek byvoorbeeld verkragting, misbruik van vriendskap en die verloop van liefde aan. Dit is alles kwessies wat ’n rol in studente se lewens speel,” het hy gesê. Dina-Marie Geldenhuys, Aristea
se HK vir kultuur, meen daar is baie moeite wat in Toneelfees gaan. Aristea en Huis Visser se selfgeskrewe musiekblyspel, Chronicles Of A Bartender, gaan die gehoor ’n blik op die lewe aan die ander kant van ’n kroegtoonbank gee. “Hierdie toneelstuk is die somtotaal van baie harde werk en lang ure, sodat net die beste vertoning vir die gehoor opgevoer kan word,” het sy oor die stuk gesê. Zian Blignaut, MA-student in kreatiewe skryfkunde, het Dinsdagaand Toneelfees bygewoon en dink van die stukke was suksesvol, maar ander weer baie onsuksesvol. “Dit is lekker dat studente kultureel verkeer en hulle hand aan kreatiewe dinge waag. Daar is beslis potensiaal onder sommige stukke om verder ontwikkel te word,” het hy gesê. Gaan maak ’n draai as jy die waarheid van die lewe wil uitvind of sommer net jou lagspiere wil oefening gee. Kaartjies is beskikbaar teen R30 by die deur. -S.Z. Minnaar & Carla Visagie
Theologian to be awarded Prof. Louis Jonker, a lecturer and supervisor at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Faculty of Theology, is to be awarded the honourable Andrew Murray-Desmond Tutu prize in May 2018. This award celebrates the best theological publication in South Africa over the past three years. A panel of reviewers from various churches and academic backgrounds were appointed by the board of the Andrew Murray Prize Fund. After reviewing and shortlisting various books for the prize, Prof. Jonker won the award for his book, Defining All-Israel in Chronicles. When asked about what makes his book unique, Prof. Jonker said that “I developed a new interpretation model to read the biblical book of Chronicles.” “By studying strategies of identity negotiation through reinterpretation, we as modern-day communities of faith may learn something for our own
time”. Being “very excited that [his] book was acknowledged”, Prof. Jonker stated that this award “means that academic theological publications are still given recognition in a country where it is hard to get that kind of book published”. He will continue to write commentary for Chronicles, as the professor has been contracted for a series published in the USA. He explained that “they gave me about 8 to 9 years to write that commentary, so that will take me to my retirement.” Prof. Jonker has remained in Stellenbosch from his first year as an undergraduate student to his appointment as a professor at the university. He can, therefore, remind students who want to follow in his footsteps as an award-winning author and professor that “there is no substitute for hard, self-disciplined and focused work”. -Kathryn van den Berg
VER[r]AS-bekendstelling KARA VAN DER BERG
Die Vereniging vir Afrikaansstudente (VER[r]AS) se jaarlikse bekendstelling het Donderdag, 12 April by die HB Thom-teater plaasgevind. VER[r]AS is die amptelike studentekomitee van die Universiteit Stellenbosch se departement Afrikaans en Nederlands. Du Toit Albertze het die funksie afgeskop met sy selfgeskrewe eenpersoonstuk, Die Meerminkompleks, wat onlangs by die KKNK gedebuteer het en vir drie Kannatoekennings genomineer is. Daarna het S.Z. Minnaar, derdejaar-BA-student en VER[r]ASvoorsitter, die komitee bekendgestel en ’n oorsig van al die komitee se opkomende bedrywighede gegee. Vanjaar se komitee bestaan verder uit Aletta Simpson, Anri Els, Arno Carolus, Cornel Koorts, Emile Opperman, Jana Scheepers, Jonathan Malan, Kayla Muller, Mari van der Merwe, Meagan Stephens en Natasha Harmse. Die komitee se tema vir die jaar is ook bekendgestel, naamlik “spe(e)l”. “Daar is ongelooflike talent in die departement Afrikaans en Nederlands en VER[r]AS is onder andere daar om ’n platform te gee vir al daardie kreatiwiteit. VER[r]AS gaan probeer
Slut walk returns to SU MARIE MJACU
P
articipants of the 2018 Slut Walk chanted “enough is enough!” The walk took place on Stellenbosch University’s (SU) campus on 12 April. Organised by a committee of students and supported by the Student Representative Council (SRC), aimed to protest rape culture on campus. Participants gathered on the Rooiplein in the afternoon to listen to an opening address by Thembelihle Bongwana, the coordinator for the Gender Non-Violence portfolio at the Equality Unit. Bongwana paid tribute to the late Winnie Mandela with a moment of silence. This year’s Slut Walks took place in April, apposite for the what is remembered as the month of freedom. The committee decided on this because they wanted the march to advocate for the freedom of women everywhere, but especially on SU’s campus. “What is freedom without gender equality?” asked Bongwana. The march also served to highlight the notion that many female students still do not feel safe in their learning environments at SU. Bongwana concluded her address with encouraging people to use her Gender Non-Violence portfolio to speak up about their grievances and experiences. Rape Culture has been a subject of debate at SU since 2016 when the Rape Culture Report was released and the first Slut Walk was held in response. Rape Culture refers to everyday attitudes and actions which normalise or trivialise sexual assault and rape. These include victim-blaming, slutshaming, sexist jokes, discriminatory language and the objectification of the female body. Some female students chose to walk topless at the event, mimicking the actions of women at previous Slut Walks. When asked why they chose to walk topless, Motheo Bolele and Nambitha Bolani said that they wanted to highlight how ridiculous the double standards are between male and female nudity, and that not wearing a shirt was their way of embracing the
idea of desexualising the female body. Bolele and Bolani said that it was “liberating and empowering” to know that they can be safe in their own bodies. In her closing address, Aluwani Ramarumo, SRC member with the Womxn Empowerment portfolio, made a point to thank the male participants of the march as well. Although they were in the minority, the men who attended the march were not overlooked and were reminded of their role in combatting rape culture, especially in a university environment. Sechaba Madison said that, for him, the march was a very invigorating experience and highlighted the importance of listening and learning to understand things from a different perspective. Similarly, Bongani Dlamini reiterated that as males, they had come to this event not to teach but to learn. Vuyokazi Hlawatika, one of the organisers of the march, said that she was satisfied with the turnout at the event and that it highlighted just
Photos: MARIE MJACU
SIGNS ALL AROUND Two signs of many on the rooiplein.
how important discussions about rape culture still are on Stellenbosch’s campus. “ The event was one of solidarity and empowerment and highlighted the idea that there is still a long way to go in breaking down the barriers to women’s freedom.”
Kannas kom huis toe: studente presteer ELODI TROSKIE
Foto: RUAN GOOSEN
VOORSITTER S.Z. Minnaar om vanjaar op ’n lekker speelse manier geleentheid te gee aan almal wat kreatief verkeer in Afrikaans,” het hy gesê. Verskillende studentedigters uit Penseel 2017, asook digters wat in Nuwe Stemme 6 gepubliseer is, soos Marcel Spaumer, Remona Voges, Ryan Pedro en Elodi Troskie, het van hulle werk voorgelees. Penseel is ’n studentebundel wat jaarliks deur die VER[r]AS-komitee saamgestel en uitgegee word en Penseel 2017 is ook onlangs herdruk. Penseel 2017 is teen R70 beskikbaar. Vir bundelverkope kontak Liana Roos by lroos@sun.ac.za of +27 21 808 2158.
Na afloop van die KKNK wat jaarliks in Oudtshoorn aangebied word, is die nominasies vir die Kanna-toekennings op 4 April bekend gemaak. In die kategorie Beste Opkomende Kunstenaar is al drie die nominasies vir studente van die Universiteit Stellenbosch (US). Hulle is Du Toit Albertze vir Die Meermin-kompleks, Stephren Saayman vir Brandmerk en die ensemble van NRNNSA of die Nuwe Republiek van die Nuwe Nuwe Suid-Afrika. Albertze is tans met sy HonsBA in drama besig. Sy eenpersoonstuk, Die Meermin-kompleks, is in 2017 by die Kunste Onbeperk Teksmark gekies om as deel van die KKNK se Uitkampteater ontwikkel te word en by Woordfees 2019 ’n speelvlak te hê. Du Toit beskryf KKNK as ’n uitdaging, maar beveel Uitkampteater vir alle opkomende kunstenaars aan. “Dit help jou met die ontwikkeling en bemarking van ’n produksie, asook met die toets of die bedryf vir jou is of nie,” het hy gesê. Die produksie is ook vir twee ander Kannas genomineer: Beste Uitkampteater-produksie en Beste Teks. Die Meermin-kompleks sal as vollengte produksie by die US Woordfees
Foto: VERSKAF
KANNA-NOMINASIES Stephren Saayman tydens die KKNK. 2019 aangebied word. Stephren Saayman is ’n tweedejaardramastudent by die US. Hy het die produksie Brandmerk self geskryf en vertolk ook self die hoofrol daarin. Romeo Jantjies het die regie behartig. Die toneelstuk handel oor die innerlike konflik waarmee ’n gesin gekonfronteer word wanneer hulle deur ’n geheim uitmekaar geskeur word. By die KKNK is die produksie ses keer per dag aangebied. “Ek is baie dankbaar vir hierdie nominasie en die exposure wat ons gekry het,” het Saayman gesê. Brandmerk word weer einde April by die Suidoorsterfees in Kaapstad opgevoer. Die geselskap van “NRNNSA”
sluit in Conradie van Heerden, Lara de Bruijn, Devonecia Swartz, Kistin Pienaar, Carla Smith, Reuben Murphy en Hendrik Nieuwoudt, almal derdejaar-dramastudente. Die groep het die toneelstuk self geskryf en dit het in 2017 by Vrystaat Kusntefees se Vrynge-fees debuteer. Hulle het ook by die US Woordfees in Maart vanjaar opgetree en Carla Smith het ’n woordTRofeesnominasie vir haar spel in die stuk ontvang. Mercy Kannemeyer het die regie behartig en Chris Petri en Celeste Botha was die musikante. Die produksie word ook weer by die Suidoosterfees in Kaapstad opgevoer. Die wenners van die Kannas word op 14 Mei bekend gemaak.
18 April 2018
NUUS
Regskliniek stel saak reg
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EEUFEES DINEE
DANÉ DOOGE
D
ie regshulpkliniek, wat deel vorm van die Universiteit Stellenbosch (US) se regsfakulteit, is van mening dat die publiek die verkeerde indruk rondom grondeienaarskap het. Volgens ’n verklaring wat die regshulpkliniek op 29 Maart op Facebook uitgereik het, het die media die verkeerde indruk geskep dat okkupeerders van grond op plase sekere eienaarskapregte kry in terme van die Wet op die Uitbreiding van Sekerheid van Verblyfreg, Wet 62 van 1997 (ESTA). Dié interpretasie ingevolge ESTA is egter verkeerd. Nikita Roode, ’n prokureur van die regskliniek, het gesê dat die regshulpkliniek ’n artikel in die Legalbrief gesien het waar daar ’n verkeerde aanhaling deurgegee is. Die aanhaling het gestipuleer dat ESTA eiendomsreg aan plaasokkupeerders verleen. ESTA verleen egter glad nie eiendomsreg aan okkupeerders nie. ESTA stipuleer dat okkupeerders slegs ’n verblyfreg het. “Geen eiendomsregte word geskep deur ESTA nie. Publikasies wat inkorrekte aanhalings deurgee, skep ’n wanpersepsie vir die publiek dat okkupeerders op plase regte het
in sommige aspekte waar daar nie is nie,” het Roode gesê. As gevolg van wanpersepsies wat die publiek het, skep dit probleme vir die regshulpkliniek waar sommige kliënte aanneem dat hulle geregtig is tot sekere eienaarskap op die grond waarop hulle woon. “Wanpersepsies word ook geskep deur raadslede en gemeenskapswerkers wat ESTA verkeerd interpreteer en meen aangesien individue plaasokkupeerders is, is die huis op die plaas hulle eiendom en dat hulle vir altyd daar kan bly. “Artikel 8(4) van ESTA stipuleer egter dat as jy langer as 10 jaar op ’n plaas bly en jy 60 is, of as jy langer as 10 jaar op die plaas bly en jy het as gevolg van siekte of ongeskiktheid nie meer die vermoë om te kan werk op die plaas nie, dan kry jy lewenslange woonreg. Maar weereens nie eiendomsreg nie. “Dit was vir ons belangrik om die inligting korrek vir die publiek deur te voer omdat studente ook vatbaar vir die posisie is. Veral studente wat regte studeer kan soms oproepe kry van plaasokkupeerders wat onder die indruk is dat hulle regte het waar daar eintlik nie is nie, en dus kan die student
dan die korrekte inligting deurvoer,” het Roode verder gesê. Garrick Blok, ’n vierdejaarBRekLLB-student en voorsitter van die Juridiese Vereniging, het gevoel dat dit uiters belangrik was vir die regskliniek om die korrekte interpretasie van ESTA aan te spreek. “Ons almal weet dat studente dikwels gesien word as leiers in hul gemeenskappe. Dit is daarom baie belangrik dat ons altyd bewus moet wees van die invloed wat ons as studente op die mense om ons het. “Ons het ’n verantwoordelikheid, om sover moontlik, die mense om ons op te voed en om te verseker dat almal ’n ingeligte opinie kan vorm. Kwessies, soos dié, wat die regskliniek aanspreek is relevant vir alle studente omdat ons ’n diverse studentegemeenskap is. Ons moet altyd bewus wees van hierdie sake want die kwessies kan baie persoonlik wees vir ons medestudente. “’n Liggaam soos die regskliniek is in die unieke posisie om die publiek in te lig oor die regsfeite rakende algemene kwessies. So ’n onpartydige liggaam kan ’n mate van sekerheid bring in situasies waar die publiek nie altyd toegang het tot al die feite nie.”
VARSITY CUP THEFT
Maties arrested after Varsity Cup finals
INGRID HEŸDENRŸCH
Five students from Stellenbosch University (SU) were arrested Monday night after the Varsity Cup finals. Lieutenant Colonel René Matthee confirmed to Die Matie that five students were arrested on 16 April 2018, for theft of signs at Varsity Cup. When first enquiring if any of the students that were arrested were Huis Marais students, Ben-Louis Kriel, prim of Huis Marais, denied
that residents of Huis Marais were arrested. However, he confirmed later on Tuesday that one of the arrested students was from Huis Marais. “The necessary disciplinary process will be followed,” he said. Two of the other arrested students were from Helshoogte. Frederik van Dyk, prim of Helshoogte, said that more information regarding the arrests will be gathered before any steps are
taken, if there will be. The signs that were stolen are alledgedly FNB and Steers signs that were used at Varsity Cup. The students who were arrested spent the night in a jail cell. Lieutenant Colonel Matthee said that all five were released on 17 April 2018 “on a warning to appear in court.” It is not yet known if the students will appear in court and when the court dates will be.
Foto: VERSKAF
De Villiers praat oor omstrede US-geskiedenis INGRID HEŸDENRŸCH
Prof. Wim de Villiers, rektor en vise-kanselier van die Universiteit Stellenbosch (US), het erkenning gegee aan die US se rol in Apartheid by die US se eeufeesherdinkingsdinee wat op 23 Maart plaasgevind het. Hy het gesê dat dit belangrik is om te erken wat die US in die verlede gedoen het, maar dat daar ook onthou moet word dat daar mense binne die Universiteit was wat nie stilgebly het oor die onreg rondom hulle nie. Hy het Frederik van Zyl Slabbert as ’n voorbeeld genoem. De Villiers het ook gesê dat die US nie anti-Afrikaans is nie. Hy het beklemtoon dat daar ’n balans tussen tale gevind moet word. “Sommige mense voel dat hulle nie volle toegang tot leer het nie en ander voel dat hulle kultuur weggeneem word,” het hy gesê. Die eeufeesherdenkingsdinee het plaasgevind by Paul Roos Gimnasium, wat saam met Victoria Kollege wat later die US geword het,
albei oorsprong in die Stellenbosch Gimnasium het. Universiteitstatus is in 1918 verkry toe Victoria Kollege die Universiteit Stellenbosch geword het Ander sprekers by die geleentheid het Helen Zille, die premier van die Wes-Kaap ingesluit. Sy het die US se status in Suid-Afrika vergelyk met Stanford-universiteit se status in Amerika. Adv. Gesie van Deventer, die burgermeester van Stellenbosch, het ook ’n huldeblyk aan die SU gegee. Sy het gesê dat die US ’n integrale van Stellenbosch se ekonomie is. Van die gaste het ingesluit Thuli Madonsela, voormalige openbare beskermer van Suid-Afrika en die hoof van sosiale geregtigheid by die US se regsfakulteit, asook persone wat eredoktorsgrade ontvang het by hierdie jaar se gradeplegtigheid. Margaret Gardiner, voormalige Mejuffrou Heelal, het ook bygewoon, aangesien haar man een van die ere-doktorsgrade ontvang het.
Shuttle Services for Botmashoogte Residence under negotiation EMILY O’RYAN
The university’s night shuttle service will remain free until further notice Its route will include Botmashoogte Residence (Idas Valley), following increasing concerns around student safety. In a media statement in March 2018, the SRC announced that the proposed R9 fee per trip for the night shuttle will not be implemented by the
University, as the SRC had “taken a stance against the implementation of the […] payment system for shuttles”. Furthermore, students living in the Botmashoogte Residence will be provided with a night shuttle with proposed collection times of 19h30, 20:30, and 21:30. At the time of publication, these times were yet to be confirmed by representatives from Botmashoogte and the Transport Department.
Following increased incidents of muggings in the area, the provision of a night shuttle for students at Botmashoogte became a priority for the SRC. Botmashoogte is situated 2.1 km outside of Stellenbosch. The night shuttle system, which currently runs from 18:00 to 02:00 from the Neelsie, was introduced Brandon Como, SRC member in 2007, to assist with the alleviation of transport issues. According to Axolile Qina. SRC
chair of 2015, this was particularly for students living further away from campus. At the beginning of 2018, a R9 fee was proposed as payment for the night-time shuttles, which has added pressure to negotiations about a shuttle service. However, the SRC took a stance against this proposal. “Often, those using the shuttles are those who do not have the means to stay in central Stellenbosch, or did not
get placement in a residence closer to campus. This means that a fee would only indebt the very students it set out to assist,” said Lwando Nkamisa, SRC chair. The implementation of this proposal has been postponed until term 2, while negotiations continue between Pieter Weaver, Nkamisa and Prof. Stan du Plessis, Chief Operating Officer of SU’s Department of Economics.
STUDENTELEWE
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Campus Closet: Our eyes are on Autumn trends With autumn peeking around the corner, it is time to change up your closet. Willow-Ruby van der Berg spotted some stylish students on campus.
Eclectically elegant Talya Beyers has mixed and matched her way to perfection and we love her for it. At the top she has the preppy striped white knit which is perfect for those cool autumn days. There is also the 80’s plaid skirt and of course the lovely patent leather shoes. She seals the deal with the Mathilda Landon bob as seen in Léon: The Professional which makes her edgy and somewhat of a street style icon.
Yellow youth Tebogo Namane has it all figured out with his combination of our two favourite looks – black on black with the yellow rain jacket. “Winter is coming,” so a black polo neck is essential for fighting the cold. Black sneakers are also ideal because they do not get dirty as easily on those rainy days. A pop of yellow immediately brightens those dull autumn days and makes you stand out from the sea of students around you.
Women & wine Surely there is nothing better to fight the cold in Stellenbosch than a nice glass of wine, be it a merlot or rosé, but why stop there? These wine colours are perfect to wear in autumn since they resemble the colouring leaves in the background. Maria Stallman knows how to pull off 50 shades of wine better than anyone else. With her oversized lightpink jersey and maroon trousers, she screams autumn.
Casual corduroy Jamie September shows us that it is possible to turn your casual outfit into an autumn style phenomenon on campus. Sneakers are non-negotiable, especially when you need to speedwalk around campus. Sweatpants and a t-shirt do not need to be limited to your house anymore since it is now becoming a trend of its own. The corduroy jacket is the perfect substitute for your the denim jacket.
Denim devotee In a world that is constantly changing, one thing always remains: the classic denim jacket. Over the years it has been seen on icons such as John Lennon and Jim Morrison and these days it is seen on the icons in Stellenbosch. Courtney Yon wears black vellies and by cuffing his jeans, he shows off his patterned socks, which are a statement on their own on campus these days. His well-groomed caps off his whole look.
Bootlegger Coffee Company: New kid on the Stellies coffee block ELODI TROSKIE
For the coffee-lover, Stellenbosch certainly is a goldmine. The only problem here is deciding where you want to get your early morning wake-me-upper, where to meet up with a friend to unwind over an almond milk latte or get serious with an espresso to catch up on your fast-rising pile of work (even though recess was less than two weeks ago, so you struggle to understand why you suddenly have four essays due in the next two days). Bootlegger Coffee Company recently opened a branch in
Koetziershuis, Stellenbosch, across from De Luxe in De Warenmarkt and down the street from Häzz and Meraki in Ryneveld. Located amid a handful of coffee shops alike, you now have yet another option for where you want to take a ‘productive’ coffee break in between classes. Bootlegger Coffee Company started in Cape Town in 2012 and has expanded all over the city and surrounding areas. They are characterised by their black and white interior, neon lights and throwback music.
In addition to their free Wi-Fi and R18 special on coffee from 7.30–8.30 every morning, students can enjoy half-priced beer from 16.30–18.30 in the evenings. Their coffee beans are imported from Guatemala in Costa Rica and are roasted by the Bootlegger Roastery. Apart from their coffee menu, they also offer a wide variety of breakfast foods, smoothies, juices and snacks. Those still sound asleep at 8.30am can get a coffee from R19 to R32, with almond or soy milk available for an extra R10. Perfect for your next Insta-story.
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL Bootlegger offers an R18 special until 08.30
Your ultimate guide to the perfect leather tote bag WIANDA GILLILAND
“When you’re in Nu’Bar and you see two people you know from Pretoria, then you know town must be full.” - a girl from Cape Town “I told a girl I was obsessed with stationery and she told me I was really weird. And then stated she was into latex gloves.” - a PNA rewards card holder “As plante kan groei op die onderste vloer van die bib, dan kan plante enige plek groei.” “I think I’m pregnant. It must be Huis Marais.”
Leather tote bags are more than just bags for your books – they are classy and stylish, and their durable quality makes them a fashion investment for years to come. With all the different brands, styles, prices and colours out there, it is difficult to decide which one will fit your style best. Here are our top picks for the ideal campus leather tote bag. Rowdy: Tote Variation More is less with the Rowdy Tote Variation. Classic, simple, practical – this bag will get the job done, whether it is for everyday class runs or looking stylish while shopping. The longer strap is a nice little extra for when you want the look of a tote with the feel of a messenger bag. The leather is soft and malleable, which gives this bag a casual look and feel. It also features a hidden inner pocket, perfect for your phone and small items for easy access. However, this tote’s base is quite narrow, which can cause a messy bag if you have to layer your stuff on top of each other. It is available in four different colours: matte black, worn brown,
Photos: WIANDA GILLILAND
THE CAT’S OUT OF THE BAG Jinger Jack, Rowdy and Freedom of Movement is your secret to style blonde and rich wax brown. Priced at R950, it also fits the student budget rather well. Freedom of Movement: The Jane Robust, but classy and elegant – the Jane tote looks and feels luxurious and durable. This tote is lined on the inside and features multiple inner pockets, as well as an easy-access back pocket with a zipper, ideal for valuables and organising your bag. The Jane is strong and independent, as the leather is smooth but firm enough to hold the bag up and keep her shape without any help. The Jane’s size makes her very
versatile – small enough to take to class but big enough to fit your towel to go to the beach. She is also available in three colours: black, toffee and timberland (deep brown) to fit with your style. However, The Jane’s beauty comes at a pretty price of R2 295. Jinger Jack: Ubud Jinger Jack’s Ubud tote is laid-back and hassle free; the ideal all-rounder. This tote is soft to touch and has a smooth waxy finish, which gives this casual day-to-day companion an element of sophistication. This bag features a practical hidden inner pocket and is unlined, placing
all the attention on the beautiful raw leather. The leather is soft and delicately strong, making it light and collapsible. The Ubud has a wide base of 15 cm, ensuring that there is enough space for everything you need without having all your belongings cramped together. However, the Ubud’s straps are quite narrow and can cause discomfort when your bag is loaded heavily. The Ubud comes in four colours: black, toffee tan, waxy tan and chestnut and is also reasonably priced at R1 990. (Jinger Jack has recently been rebranded as Zemp).
DAG & NAG
18 April 2018
All the chaos was worth it
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Van Pletzen het K** Lekke Vibes
JANA GREYLING
M
edicine Boy is old hats on the South African music scene. Last week Aandklas was rocked by this Cape Town-based band. This Dream-Noise duo consists of Lucy Kruger and Andre Leo. Apart from having toured South Africa several times already, they have also been on tour in Europe, playing in countries like Italy, France, Germany, Holland and England. Their music has been described as “Psychedelic Rock” and they aim to create some “sort of framework for feeling” through their music. “We want to move and stir and seduce things in people that are always there but don’t always get the chance to breathe,” Kruger said. Their debut album, Kinda Like Electricity, was released in August 2016. The duo wrote and produced the album themselves after having returned from their first tour in Europe and had stated that they are inspired by the likes of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and Spiritualized. Medicine Boy are currently working on their next album and have another tour in Europe planned. They indicated that playing to international audiences can be intimidating but also freeing. “Sometimes the energy around the show is quite different because the space is unfamiliar, but once the music begins and you’re able to get inside of it you really could be anywhere in the
VAN PLETZEN se debuutalbum sal jou laat lag en dans. LIAN VAN WYK
Foto: Calvin Siderfin
LIVING FOR THE LIVE MUSIC Medicine Boy on the rise. world.” The international response to their music has been positive and they describe the “on tour life” as wonderful and exciting, but also stressful. “But it’s all part of the adventure,” said Kruger. “Both of us love playing live, so all the chaos is very worth it.” During their 2015 and 2016 tours in Europe they performed with ‘Psych heavyweights’, Dead Meadow, Night Beats and Cosmonauts, and frequently collaborate with Hezron Chetty, who played the violin on their first album. Their plans for the future include
creating their next album, touring Europe again and finding ways to tour more widely in South Africa. Lucy remarked, “I think being an alternative band in South African is quite tricky. We’d love to find a way to tour more extensively. To play more often in spaces that can handle noise”. To find out more about some of Medicine Boy’s upcoming events, follow them on social media or take a look at their website: Instagram:@medicine.boy Facebook: Medicine Boy bandcamp: http://medicineboy. bandcamp.com.
Keep an eye out...
Reuniting Cape Town through the power of music GEORGE VAN DYK
Social reform and sincerity drive The Steezies to success. It’s not every day you find a band that blends isiZulu hip hop with European trumpet lines within Afro song structures. Hout Baybased musical group, The Steezies, is successfully bringing this stark degree of stylistic variation to the forefront of the South African music scene, all while dealing with societal issues. “It started as a group of friends who loved music as a lifelong burning passion and when we reached our late twenties it became a now-or-never mentality,” said George Kirkinis, vocalist and guitarist for The Steezies. The Steezies explained that they funnel a lot of their time and efforts into addressing pertinent societal issues. “[Our] music is an attempted cathartic attack at things that we do either consciously or subliminally as we exist today. Each song is a kind of treatise on some element of human nature that we try and garner into fun, dance (and) escapism,” Kirkinis explained. He defines good music by its authenticity and states that he listens to anything where the artist’s intentions are genuine, irrespective of the genre. He expanded on this by explaining how it is always possible to tell when there are ulterior motives
Foto: Zoe Cornell
THE STEEZIES belive that good music comes from authenticity beyond genuine expression. “You know when someone has one hand in your pocket and another blindfolding you. It’s usually when someone is only trying to rehash trends that have been commercially successful.” Furthermore, The Steezies places great emphasis on being genuinely connected to their audience as they believe this is indicative of an immersive, memorable performance. “It all has to do with authenticity,” Kirkinis said. When asked about the South African status quo with respect to sociological and cultural factors, Kirkinis stated that “we have so much to fix”. “We are still so segregated and broken and the vast majority of
our country is disenfranchised and impoverished. The minority seems desperate, clawing onto what they have without sharing it.” This viewpoint, coupled with a general sense of authenticity and genuineness, makes it unsurprising that The Steezies will be running a festival called “We Are One” in September this year. The festival will take place outside of Imizamo Yethu with the purpose of “dismantling the separation between informal settlements and wealthy Cape Town through music”. “Cape Town is a horribly segregated place, but music is one of the few things that has the ability to transcend the boundaries between people – no matter how insurmountable they may seem at times.”
Somtyds stel ’n album aan sy resensent ’n uitdaging: aansteeklike ritmes laat ’n voet, dalk twee, op ’n monotone maat onder ’n tafel tik, maar die lirieke weerspieël dieselfde soort onbesonne sentimente waarmee so baie Afrikaanse kunstenaars deesdae hul “lekker sokkie treffers” vul. Die elektroniese Afrikaanse duo Van Pletzen se debuutalbum, K** Lekker Vibe, is so ’n soort album. Vir iemand wat nog nie ’n bekeerde “Pletzhead” is nie, mag die musiek van Peach van Pletzen (Bittereinder en Oorlog Frankenstein) en Matthieu Auriacombe (ook bekend as NIK NAX, van Hello Beautiful en Beach Party) ietwat volksvreemd klink. Gelukkig vir hierdie twee elektrograpjasse vermag hulle beats baie meer as om net voete te laat dans en die pure lawwigheid van hul lirieke ontlok gereeld (soms ietwat onwillekeurige) giggels. “S**t die beats amazing,” sing Van Pletzen in die eerste strofes van ‘Die Beats Amazing’. Dit is dalk ’n wilde aanname, maar in hierdie geval doen die Van Pletzen-voorman se reguit woorde hom ’n groot guns: Van Pletzen se beats is dalk nie heeltemal “amazing” nie, maar dit ís bitter lekker. Van ‘Dutchman Dude’ regdeur na die aansteeklike ‘Zaberfluten’ kom Van Pletzen hul belofte na om “k** lekke vibes” regdeur Suid-Afrika te laat resoneer – met oorgawe. Die bekende kletsrymer, Early B, verleen aan hierdie vibes sy vinnige woorde en skerp tong en maak in ’n allemintige vier uit die album se tien liedjies sy verskyning. Alhoewel
hy nie heeltemal soveel van die verhoogruimte as Van Pletzen en Auriacombe geniet nie, steel hy op verskeie geleenthede die kollig met sy tongknoop-rymelary. Daar is baie om oor opgewonde te wees in K** Lekke Vibe, maar soos met verskeie voorafgaande eerste pogings, is die poging van Van Pletzen nie immuun teen ’n paar onreëlmatighede nie. Die mees opvallende hiervan is sekerlik die lirieke, veral wanneer in ag geneem word dat die duo as satiries voorgehou word. Dat Van Pletzen homself vir die totale duur van die album se sowat veertig minute in ’n toestand van chroniese draakstekery bevind, is nie te betwyfel nie. Hierdie sogenaamde “satire” manifesteer egter nooit in suksesvolle, skerp humor nie en sy inkoherente gebrom kan maklik as sinneloos afgemaak word. Aan die ander kant (en daar is ’n ander kant), blyk dit egter nie of Van Pletzen hulself te ernstig opneem nie. Van Pletzen voel veral dat die samelewing te ernstig geword het. Dit is hier waar die sleutel tot K** Lekke Vibe se sukses lê. “Mense baklei dikwels oor allerhande kwessies en nie-kwessies op sosiale media. Ons bied eerder ’n ontsnapping uit hierdie “besprekinge” as om aktief daaraan deel te neem,” het Van Pletzen gesê. Ernstig of nie, K** Lekke Vibes bly interessant. Luisteraars op soek na poëtiese lirieke en diepgaande boodskappe getoonset tot strelende en hartroerende deuntjies moet liefs Laurika Rauch probeer. Vir diegene wat egter bereid is om die album te sien vir wat dit is, gaan K** Lekke Vibe ’n, wel, k** lekke vibe wees.
Getting Kitsch at the Art Party KARA VAN DER BERG
The Department of Visual Arts hosted its annual Quad Party, which took place on Saturday, 13 April. Students might have noticed the tent-like stall blasting music last week on the Rooiplein. This, along with the students dressed in colourful attire, was the Art Department’s attempt to promote their annual party that takes place in the Visual Arts building’s quad. The eclectic event has become one of Stellenbosch’s iconic festivities over the past few years. As the event is hosted by art students, the theme is central to the feel of the evening.
This year the theme was Kitsch Karnival with elements of American Horror Story. The almost contrasting themes made for an inclusive vibe with outfits ranging from zany and colourful, like balloon dresses, to more dark and somber. Past themes have included Harry Potter and the quad Party. As with any party, the music was the staple of the evening. Trance and techno music added to the somewhat alternative vibe of the party. Various DJ’s performed throughout the evening. The carnival theme was reinforced by the presence of fire breathers and a bedouin tent
6
EDITORIAL
editorial/redaksioneel THE VALUE OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM AT VARSITY CUP There are a lot of things happening around us on campus while most of us are trying to get our degrees unscathed. Zolani Mahola from Freshlyground sang the national anthem at Monday night’s Varsity Cup final. Although she sang it beautifully and was an excellent selection to be the person for the job, she was not the initial choice. Initially SU’s choir was approached to have the honour of singing the anthem. Due to a variety of reasons, which include the choir having a full schedule and a plethora of performances approaching. However, one of the other reasons
that was given to the members of the choir itself, was that the choir director did not want the choir to sing the national anthem because some members of the public sing some parts of the song louder than others, or they don’t sing certain parts at all. The best choir in the world doesn’t want to sing their own country’s national anthem. Apart from the first reaction being, “what’s wrong with singing the national anthem?” isn’t it other people’s problem if they are not singing it? A few other thoughts arise from this. Why is it being assumed that the
national anthem will be used to make a politcal statement by a crowd of university students? People are being sketched as being a lot more negative towards the national anthem than they might actually be. Singing the national anthem at the beginning of sports matches creates a feeling of unity among the spectators and players alike. Even if you feel as though some people might not value all parts of the national anthem equally, you should set an example to those around you and sing the anthem with pride. Feeling ashamed or “hurt” to sing
the national anthem does nothing to create the sense of unity or pride that you feel is lacking. Maybe, just maybe, if people were not afraid, ashamed or saddened to sing the national anthem, it would create a ripple effect. Luckily, Maties can walk around with smiles on their faces this week, since we won the Varsity Cup for the first time in eight years on Monday. Of course, not everyone is that excited about rugby (even though the number of people in the stadium on Monday night might indicate otherwise). While the Maties rugby team was
lining up for a kick, other students were going to the theatre to see the shows that residences and PSOs have been working on for weeks. (Toneelfees is still going on, by the way.) It takes a special kind of student (a very needed kind!) to offer up personal time in between studying to go to rehearsals and put effort into a play that very few people will see. While you are cheering on your favourite sports teams, just remember to give a bit of acknowledgement to these types of people. After all, just like a rugby team wants a crowd, the arts would appreciate one, too.
HOOFREDAKSIE HOOFREDAKTEUR Ingrid Heÿdenrÿch NUUS Gizellede Götz STUDENTELEWE Nina Fouché
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GORRELKOP Wim by Varsitybeker Gorrel wonder watter onvanpaste mode-gees Maandag in prof Wim ingevaar het. Terwyl Francois Pienaar en Pukke se rektor netjies vir die Varsitybekeraffere opgedaag het, het Wim behoorlik soos “one of the boys” gelyk; T-hemp en al. Hierdie uitrusting sou miskien meer gepas gewees het tussen die afrigters. Varsitybeker is ’n wen vir almal, behalwe Steinhoff Gorrel is baie bly daaroor dat Maties uiteindelik weer die Varsitybeker gewen het. Miskien was Steinhoff die vloek wat verbreek moes word voordat Maties weer die titeldraers kon wees. Gorrel is in elk geval seker dat daar genoeg fondse in die stelsel is vir Maties en Varsitybeker om sonder Steinhoff te oorleef. Gorrel verwys nou spesifiek na die enorme prysgeld wat Maandagaand uitgedeel is. Miskien sal hierdie onlangse wen nog borge vir Maties inwin en die ander sporte by Maties ook tot op wen-vlak help. BA-studente kry ook swaar Gorrel kry Gorrel se BA-vriende baie jammer dat hulle nie meer ’n sosiale
The gossip behind the news. The truth behind campus politics. Die kommentaar waarvoor almal bang is. Gorrel is nie verantwoordelik vir enige ongerief veroorsaak nie.
lewe het as gevolg van al hulle opstelle en toetse en klasse nie. As daar maar net ’n BA-week was waarvan Gorrel se BA-vriende ook verskoon was van klasse sodat hulle al hulle verpligtinge kon afhandel, sou Gorrel nie alleen Kaas en Wyn toe hoef te gaan nie. Kaas en Wyn So op die punt van Kaas en Wyn wil Gorrel sommer ’n vriendelike versoek rig aan almal wat nou op die laaste nippertjie wakkerskrik. Gorrel is nou al moeg daarvoor om elke 10 minute op elkeen van Gorrel se WhatsApp-groups ’n boodskap te kry van iemand wat na ’n kaartjie vir Kaas en Wyn op soek is. Gorrel verstaan dat dit een van die sosiale hoogtepunte van die jaar is, maar Gorrel het regtig nie genoeg data hiervoor nie. SU Just Kidding Gorrel het dit altyd vreeslik geniet om SU Just Kidding op Instagram te volg, maar deesdae lyk dit vir Gorrel asof elke tweede foto op hul story ’n advertensie is vir iemand wat ’n handboek probeer verkoop of hul beursie of studentekaart in Nu’Bar verloor het. In die eerste plek dink Gorrel dat dit nie juis die tipe ding is om op sosiale media te verkondig wanneer jy
lank genoeg in Nu’Bar is om iets so belangriks daar te verloor nie. Tweedens sou Gorrel ook nie die risiko wou neem dat Gorrel se studentekaart dan moontlik afgeneem kan word en so voor almal uitgestal gaan word nie. Gorrel se studentekaartfoto is nie iets wat Gorrel vrywilliglik ten toon stel nie. Gorrel weet nie of Gorrel die grap mis nie, maar al hierdie advertensies is nie regtig vir Gorrel baie snaaks nie. PSO-fooie Gorrel is baie trots om te sê dat Gorrel in eerstejaar in die voorste ry tydens Vensters gedans het. Gorrel verstaan egter nie waarom Gorrel nou vir die res van Gorrel se studentelewe vir hierdie genot moet boet in die vorm van PSO-fooie nie. Gorrel neem al lank al nie meer deel aan PSO-aktiwiteite nie, weens persoonlike en akademiese redes. Don’t judge. Gorrel sien elke jaar dat daar ’n x-bedrag aan Gorrel se PSO afgestaan word, al doen die PSO geen moeite om kontak met Gorrel te maak nie. Gorrel wonder selfs of hierdie PSO nog bestaan. Gorrel dink dit is tyd dat hierdie geldmaakstorie verduidelik word. As Gorrel geweet het dit so maklik is om geld te maak, sou Gorrel dalk meer by die PSO betrokke gewees het.
Die winter kan maar kom Gorrel wens dat dit nou uiteindelik wil begin reën, sodat die weer by Gorrel se mismoedige bui kan pas. Hierdie kwartaal is behoorlik vir Gorrel ’n donker wolk, met geen silwer randjie nie, aangesien dit nou eers die derde week is. Gorrel moet dalk die een en enigste sosiale werker op kampus gaan sien. Dalk sou Gorrel minder mismoedig gewees het, as daar meer emosionele ondersteuning op kampus gebied word.
Condescending lecturers Gorrel is really tired of condescending lecturers. They expect students to be on the same intellectual level as they are, but the reality is that we are here to study and not because we already know everything. Gorrel doesn’t feel that oppit with some of the things Gorrel’s lecturers are saying, but Gorrel doesn’t feel safe talking to them about it, because Gorrel is afraid the lecturers might make Gorrel feel stupid. The worst thing for Gorrel is when a lecturer knows that Gorrel doesn’t know the answer, but asks Gorrel anyway – in front of the whole class. Gorrel is too young and pure for this kind of nonsense. It is not good for Gorrel’s emotional well-being to be this stressed.
OPINIONS/ SPORT
18 April 2018
7
Who am I when the Wi-Fi is not working? ELODI TROSKIE
H
ave you ever woken up to the stress-inducing news that the Internet was not working? I recently did. Aimlessly, I paced up and down the house, waiting for the emails I needed to plan my week to send more emails to plan my next week. I had four essays to write and still needed to download the instructions. I needed online sources to start working. My day was ruined. It worries me how I had to remind myself: you do not need the Internet to write. After all, I am not going to find any pieces of myself online. Or am I? I wonder whether I have built such a safe little nest for myself on the Internet that I feel most at home when YouTube knows exactly which song to play next, based on my preferences, creepily aware of my current mood. When the daily news and my favourite
blogs are sent to my inbox, timeefficient snippets that keep me up to date with the world before distracting me with a captivating ad in the sidebar, flirting with me to buy new boots or a sweater or maybe discounted plane tickets to a city I have no intention of travelling to. Have I modified the Internet to keep up with my likes, in which case, am I dwelling on the preferences of the ‘me’ from a few months ago? Or, has the Internet reshaped me according to the likes of the world, in which case, I am robbed of control over where I choose to invest my time? Even as I am writing this piece, I am amazed at how long it took to convince myself to sit down and write. I spent how long procrastinating before making the simple commitment: put the words on the page. This makes me anxious. To think about the many opportunities I have every day to create – and then I channel all my creative energy into the
online sphere. I have been battling with the idea of the “online” world for a while. Has the Internet exposed me to something bigger, something I would not have been able to find amidst the printed words in the library? Do Instagram stories and WordPress blogs really qualify as creative outlets or have these online platforms prevented me from exploring my real creativity? Am I considered “creative” for finding the perfect, Instagramworthy angle to photograph my R28 cappuccino that will be cold by the time I get around to drinking it? Am I considered “creative” for curating images for a blog post about my favourite brunch spots around town? And it gets worse: to what extent can we take credit for the digitalised ‘creative tools’ which the Internet equips us with? If we’re all using the same filters or apps, doesn’t it mean
we’re all creative in the same way, which means we aren’t creative at all? What does it mean to be creative? Is our creativity being guided, perhaps limited, by an invisible hand hovering over the digital world and its social media spawn? Think of it this way: what if creativity and creative inspiration, in their truest sense, can only be found in the rawest of places? In the agonising pleasure of getting cramps from writing for too long; in giving up hope of washing the paint stains out of your jeans; in the publicly undocumented passage you write in response to waking up at five to watch the sunrise from a misty hilltop; in the thrill of turning the pages of a yellow-stained book you bought at a street market for R10. Writer Zadie Smith is known for staying away from social media to “protect her right to be wrong”.
An interesting motivation for her choice, especially when contrasted to singer Adele, for example, who avoids social media when writing new music because, as she puts it, how can you create a best-selling album when you are constantly occupied by how many likes your latest photo is receiving? How creative can you really be on the Internet?
students, I’m not studying for a specific career. I’m in my final year and am still unsure what my majors will be. Seeing people your age making huge decisions like getting married or emigrating can make one feel a little lost. I think we have to remember
that we’ve gotten this far. There’s a difference between being unambitious and confused. I try to take pride in the small victories. I knew I was not going to meet my “soul mate” at university, and so far that has materialised. I may not know what I will do with my degree, but at this rate I know that I will get it.
Humans are living longer. We have more time to figure out what we want to do with our lives. To those of you with a five year plan, I commend you. But for those of us who are still finding our feet, be it in first or final year, I feel like we need to breathe. We’ve gotten this far, haven’t we?
Is it truly necessary to impose a due date upon permanent decisions? KARA VAN DER BERG
Nothing makes you question your life like seeing other students getting married. These people know whom they want to spend the rest of their lives with. This made me realise how many students have their futures, or some
aspect thereof, figured out. I am not one of those students. At 18 I thought that I would have a clear idea of where I wanted to be in life by the time I reached 21. That landmark is less than a week away, so I think it’s safe to say that that notion did not materialise. Unlike engineering and BAcc
SPORT
Talking sport technology with Grant van Velden ADRIENNE VAN DER MERWE
With the annual Varsity Cup officially over and the Maties men’s hockey team in their build-up for the Varsity Sports competition, many students attend these sporting events, unaware of the technicalities that lie behind the training of a Maties athlete. Maties athletes have to balance their sporting and academic lives. It is, thus, important for the Maties Sport High Performance Centre to maximise productivity during their limited contact sessions. Grant van Velden, Sport Technology and Training Innovations manager at the Maties High Performance Centre remarked, “We are trying to enhance our athletes’ performances through the use of different pieces of technology. All of this technology falls under the blanket term ‘performance enhancement’. Every instrument has a different role and improves the performance of athletes in a different way.” Their most frequently used device is the VX Sport GPS, which is predominantly used to monitor the performance of athletes, in order to guarantee their best possible physical condition during matches. Van Velden added, “The VX Sport GPS is used to see how our athletes perform physically on the field, in order to give our sport scientists and our strength and conditioning coaches better information on how our athletes play their sport, whether it is hockey, rugby sevens or rugby fifteens. “The physical demands of the game are different and we need to train our athletes for the game according to how they play. If we don’t train them according to how they play or what the demands of the match entail, then we aren’t doing our jobs properly.” The VX Sport GPS allows coaches to obtain match information such as the distance an athlete has run, the athlete’s top speed, the number of
sprints or laps the athlete has done and how many accelerations and decelerations the athlete has made. Subsequently, this information allows coaches to monitor training sessions. Van Velden further remarked, “We have been using the VX Sport GPS actively since 2011 and it has made a big difference. Athletes are no longer able to hide on the field with the GPS unit. Satellites track their movements, which are then recorded as data and put into excel reports. This has also helped us reduce our injury numbers. To summarize, we can’t make sense of things if we can’t measure them. Our big role is to make sense of what our athletes do so that we can get them to perform at their best.” Maties Sport also makes use of other technology to enhance the performance of their teams. This includes the fusion sport smart speed system, a set of lights used for testing speed, the athlete’s agility and decision-making ability. Additionally, they make use of the Polar Team2 heart rate system for recovery testing. iPads are also used for performance analysis; for example, they film athletes in the gym to see whether they are able to lift weights correctly to prevent injuries. The vast amount of data that has been collected as a result of athlete monitoring devices might be used for the publication of an academic paper in the near future. A research topic, such as “The movement characteristics of a Maties Sport rugby player” might be explored, promising an interesting journal article. Due to limited funds, the Maties High Performance Centre is not able to use as much sport technology as they would like to. However, van Velden concluded, “I’d like to think that we run quite a good programme with what we have.”
SIMONE NORTMANN SHARES HER STORY
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APRIL
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WOENSDAG 18 APRIL 2018 | GR ATIS
Photo: VARSITY SPORTS
THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM Maties players celebrating their victory on Monday night after losing in both the finals in 2016 (also against Pukke) and 2017 (against Tuks).
Maties crowned as Varsity Cup champions COURTNEY WILLIAMS
T
here was a sense of excitement and anticipation that filled the air at the overflowing Danie Craven Stadium when the boys from Stellenbosch took on FNB NWU Pukke in the penultimate final on Monday evening. The men from Stellenbosch who topped the log in the league phase of the competition secured themselves a home final in this year’s Varsity Cup campaign. Maties clinched their 4th Varsity Cup trophy after a lengthy wait as it has taken them seven years and three consecutive finals to break the Maroon Machines’ drought. The home side, who proved to be a difficult opposition, going undefeated in this year’s Varsity Cup, provided the same continuity in the final. The
sell-out Maties crowd had their flags flying high when they were celebrating their team’s first try, for it only to be disallowed for illegal scrumming. The sea of maroon had to wait until the 19th minute before the home side was awarded a penalty try as a result of a dominant scrum. The home team certainly was looking to catch NWU out wide and they did on numerous occasions, but were let down by their composure in crucial areas inside NWU’s territory. Dominant in all phases of the game, Maties proved too structured in defence and aggressively swift in attack. Maties furthered their lead to ten points in the 31st minute through Smith with a drop-goal. Against the run of play, it was the boys from Pukke who had the last say going into
halftime when Tiaan Bezuidenhout put his team in contention with Schalk Hugo converting his efforts. The teams went in, 10-7 at the break. On the other side of the interval it was Maties who struck early from the offset with a televised interception from fan-favourite Edwill van der Merwe who touched down for a seven-point try. Chris Smith, who has been remarkably consistent this season, added some extras to put the home side ahead, 19-7. There was a sense of victory in the air when the Maroon Machine controlled the passage of play with their watertight defensive display and resilient urge to get their hands on the ball. Backed by a roaring Danie Craven, the supporters were sent into a frenzy when Johan Momsen powerhoused
his way over the line from short range, putting the home side 26-7 in the lead. As the University celebrates its centenary this year, pink flags commemorating the hundred years flew high after Munier Hartzenburg and Rick Nwagbara sealed off a very convincing 40-7 win. The sky filled up with fireworks and champagne, with thousands of supporters invading the pitch to celebrate the kings of Varsity Cup. As security controlled the crowd and the post-match interview, boards were erected and there were a few special mentions made. Maties’ very own Duncaan Saal and Marno Redelinghuys received forward and backline players of the tournament respectively, with Johan van Niekerk receiving the game’s Player that Rocks award. As the
trophy was passed down a line of the captains of its previous winners, it was a proud moment for Oelfse and his men who hoisted the gold into a cheer of confetti and jubilation. After three consecutive finals, Maties certainly looked like a welloiled Maroon Machine with Captain Neil Oelfse attributing the root of his team’s success to a collective effort. “It’s a very special moment for us. We learnt from our mistakes, it was an all-round effort from the players, coaches and supporters.” Maties’ Player that Rocks, Johan van Niekerk, also placed emphasis on the resounding support, giving credit to the role that the fans played. “In front of a crowd like this, it’s impossible not to pitch up… Look at the crowd, look at the team, we’re happy it’s back home!”
Maties skitter by die Statebondspele ANKE VAN DER MERWE
Suid-Afrika het ’n spoggerige 13 goue, 11 silwer en 13 brons medaljes by vanjaar se Statebondspele ingepalm. Naas die individuele prestasies het Suid-Afrika ook sesde op die algehele punteleer geëindig. Christian Sadie het ’n silwer medalje vir Suid-Afrika in die mans S7-klas 50 m-vryslag verlede Maandag losgeswem. Dié 21-jarige Matie het die hoogtepunt van sy loopbaan bereik met ’n tyd van 29.54 sekondes. Australië se Matthew Levy het goud gewen in dieselfde item. Op die atletiekbaan het Maties behoorlik stof in die ander atlete se oë geskop. Dyan Neille Buis en Charl du Toit het beide in die T38-klas 100 m-naellopefinaal medaljes gewen.
Buis het met die silwer weggedraf na ’n legendariese “dip” oor die wenstreep en ’n tyd van 11.33 sekondes. Charl du Toit, wat in die T37-klas deelgeneem het, het met die brons ’n splinternuwe wêreldrekord opgestel met ’n tyd van 11.35 sekondes. Du Toit het met baie dankbaarheid beskryf hoe lekker dit was toe hy die telbord gesien het: “Ek het op Dyan gespring toe ek die tyd sien. Dit was regtig spesiaal om daardie oomblik met hom te kon deel. Dit was die eerste keer ooit wat ek en Dyan kon saam hardloop by ’n internasionale byeenkoms. Dit was regtig ’n great gevoel gewees.” Du Toit het bygevoeg dat hulle ook kamermaats is en by dieselfde afrigter oefen. Verder het Du Toit baie lof vir die span by Maties gehad: “Ek wil
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hulle regtig bedank vir die groot ondersteuningsrol wat hulle gespeel het. Ek glo regtig dat die Universiteit Stellenbosch die universiteit is wat die meeste vir gestremde atlete in die land doen. Daar was effense ontsteltenis in die atletiekgemeenskap toe Du Toit voor die byeenkoms gesê het dat dit sy laaste 100 m gaan wees. Na die wedloop is hy egter nie meer so seker nie. “Alles hang maar af van hoe Tokio se program lyk. As die 100 m na die 400 m is, sal ek dit oorweeg. Maar die 400 m bly my eerste prioriteit.” Maties se 2017 sportman van die jaar, Keenan Horne, het vir SuidAfrika se manshokkiespan uitgedraf. Die span het tiende geëindig, met net een wedstryd wat 2-0 teen Kanada gewen is.
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Foto: MATIES HIGH PERFORMANCE
STATEBOND-STERRE Dyan Neille Buis en Charl du Toit. www.diematie.co.za
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