EEN-EN-TAGTIGSTE JAARGANG | NO. 5
WOENSDAG 4 MEI 2022
COMING TOGETHER The Shumeez Scott Foundation had volunteers handing out food to the needy at their mass iftar event on Freedom Day. Photo: Sebastiaan Whitward
MSA Stellenbosch gives back on Freedom Day ANSELA SLOMAN
W
hile many students were enjoying a day’s break from classes on Freedom Day, the Muslim Students Association (MSA) of Stellenbosch University took the opportunity to give back to the Stellenbosch community by hosting a sandwich drive as well as a mass iftar in Cloetesville. Both events, which occurred on 27 April, were centred around providing for those less fortunate, which is especially significant during the month of Ramadan. “Coming from a student perspective, we are quite privileged to have meals on campus, so during Ramadan while
we are fasting during the day— especially on Freedom Day while we’re away from class—why not come and feed some people?” remarked Frederick Fahim Boer, the head of media and marketing for the MSA. The sandwich drive was hosted in collaboration with HashtagV (also stylised as #V), an organisation founded last year. “HashtagV was founded in 2021 and aims to expose human rights violations throughout the world. We live in a world where violations of human rights happen every day, many of which go untold,” said Zakariyyah Jafali, the deputy chairperson of HashtagV.
KINDNESS The volunteers handed out food courtesy of several donors. Photo: Sebastiaan Whitward
Students were able to donate bread, peanut butter and other sandwich ingredients, or simply give of their time to make sandwiches, according to a poster that advertised the events. In the end, they made over 200 sandwiches, which were later distributed to homeless shelters around Stellenbosch.
“it’sIn aRamadan, time we
bring everyone together.
The MSA’s second outreach event on Freedom Day was the mass iftar, which is the evening meal with which Muslims break their fast during Ramadan. This event was organised by the Shumeez Scott Foundation, a registered non-profit organisation, and held at the Cloetesville Sport Stadium. According to Bahia Janodien, co-director of the Shumeez Scott Foundation, the aim was to feed 5000 people with the 16 pots of food provided by their various donors, such as the Africa Mus-
lims Agency, Muslim Hands, as well as MSA Stellenbosch. Despite the event being a Muslim tradition, anyone who needed a plate of food was welcome to sit down for a meal. “In Ramadan, it’s a time we bring everyone together. We don’t look at who you are or what you are, your culture or religion. It’s about feeding; it’s about humanity, giving to people who don’t have anything,” said Janodien. Safira Govender, chairperson of MSA Stellenbosch, who attended the event, agreed and said, “This mass iftar is the largest event the MSA has been a part of, as far as I recall. 5000 people is the largest amount we have helped cater for. What’s really nice is that it’s for the entire Stellenbosch community, not just those celebrating Ramadan. Anyone who needs a plate of food can just come in and have a meal.” Janodien, who works with people with special needs, took the opportunity to get them involved in the event by helping to serve food. Janodien explained that this was a valuable experience, as it aids in breaking the stigma around those who are differently abled by showing that they are also able to give back to those in need.
Dep. Afrikaans en
Nederlands word 2 100 jaar oud
Continuing to destigmatise
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mental health
Palesa festival blooms in its first season
Danie Craven comes alive for thrilling final
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2
NEWS
Nooit te oud om te leer
Departement Afrikaans en Nederlands word 100 MARYNA ADSHADE
D
ie departement Afri aans en Nederlands aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch (US) betree vanjaar sy 100ste bestaansjaar. Om di eeufees aar te vier, beplan die departement verskeie geleenthede met “van hulle nogal akademies van aard en ander dalk ’n bietjie minder akademies”. Dit was volgens Lenelle Foster, ’n dosent aan die departement wat ook as die departement se mediabestuurder optree. n eufees aar gee mens nie net die kans om terug te kyk na wat reeds bereik is nie, maar ook om met nuwe krag die uitdagings van die hede aan te pak en seker te maak dat daar nuwe dinge tot stand kom waarby baie mense kan baat,” het Foster gesê. rof arold esch, departementele voorsitter, het die volgende genoem oor van die departement se planne: “Ons het ’n klein komitee wat hierna omsien en alle aktiwiteite wat vanjaar plaasvind in die departement, byvoorbeeld middaguurgesprekke, USAN-kongres [die departement se tweejaarlikse kongres vir nagraadse studente en ong navorsers , Fri Ponelis-gedenkgeleentheid en die kollokwium, sal onder die vaandel van die 100-jarige bestaan geskied.” Verder het Lesch gesê: “Die moontlikheid is ook nie uitgesluit dat ons later van aar n afsonderlike geleentheid [gaan] bied waar ons gaste en oud-kollegas sal verwel om om te deel in ons eeufeesviering nie; maar meer hieroor op ’n later stadium.” Soos Foster uitgewys het, bied
VEELS GELUK Die US se departement Afrikaans en Nederlands vier vanjaar hulle 100ste bestaanshaar. Foto: Afkomstig van die departement Afrikaans en Nederlands se Facebook-blad die eeufeesvieringe n mens die geleentheid om oor die departement se geskiedenis en hoogtepunte terug te dink. Lesch het uitgebrei oor die departement se ontwikkeling: “’n Oorsig oor die ontwikkeling van die departement Afri aans en ederlands neem ’n mens terug na die voorlaaste dekade van die negentiende eeu en die universiteit se voorgangers, te wete die Arts Department van die Stellenbosch Gymnasium, die Stellenbosch College en die Victoria College.” Hy het verduidelik dat die departement se wortels uit 1904 kom toe die destydse departement Nederlands ontwikkel is, en dat dié departement later die depar-
tement ederlands en Afri aans geword het, wat weer op die beurt die departement Afri aans- ederlands geword het. Die laasgenoemde was volgens Lesch die departement se naam tot en met die laat sewentigerjare waarin dit uiteindeli die departement Afri aans en Nederlands geword het. Alhoewel die departement se ontstaan dus tot 1904 terugdateer, het Foster gesê dat die departement nie n spesifie e dag as die verjaarsdag wil uitlig nie. “Jy sou dal by die Argief on aan lop as jy sterk daaroor voel om ’n spesifie e dag te identifiseer, het sy bygevoeg. Oor al hierdie jare het die departement baie ontwikkel en uit-
gebrei sodat dit tans divers is in die vakkundige gebiede wat dit studeer en onderrig. “Die departement [lewer] ’n besonder wye aanbod van akademiese sowel as praktykgerigte, meertalige opleiding in s eppende s ryfwer , le si ografie, vertaling, tol ing en redigering,” het Lesch gesê. “Die nagraadse program in vertaling is die enigste van sy soort in die WesKaap en die nagraadse program in le si ografie is die enigste van sy soort in Suid-Afri a Lesch het genoem dat hy al byna 20 jaar by die departement is en oor die jare gesien het hoe van hierdie ontwikkeling plaasgevind het. “Ek het in 2003 by die departement aangesluit en kon in hierdie tyd daarin slaag om tolking, veral opleiding en navorsing in die dissipline, te vestig in die departement,” het hy gesê. rof ufus Gouws, oo n dosent aan die departement wat boonop al 50 jaar deel is daarvan, het by Lesch aangesluit. Hy het gesê: “Veranderinge was daar baie – en dikwels ten goede. Veral belangrik vir my was die invoer van n omvattender a ademiese aanbod ier is dit veral die fo us op vers illende afdelings van die taalpraktyk wat vernuwend was en die daarstelling van die nagraadse program in reatiewe s ry unde Studente word opgelei om die arbeidsmark te kan betree.” Volgens Gouws strek die departement se navorsingsfo us oo verder as Afri aans Alhoewel dit n departement Afri aans en ederlands is, striem die tale wat ons doseer en waaroor ons navorsing doen nie ons internasionale optre-
de en publikasies nie. Omdat ons wetenskaplik met die vak omgaan, het die navorsingsresultate ook ’n waarde buite die Afri aanse en Nederlandse wêreld.” Alhoewel baie oor die jare verander het, het Gouws ook uitgewys dat sommige merkwaardige eienskappe egter behou is. “Opvallend deur al my jare as deel van die departement is die voortgesette goeie verhoudinge tussen dosente en studente en die betrokkenheid van alle dosente by alle jaargange. As eerstejaarstudent was ek verras (en beïndruk met die departement) toe prof G ouw, n gesiene letter undige en digter, as n senior lid van die departement vir ons kom klasgee het,” het Gouws verduidelik. Gouws het verder gemeen dat geen dosent te senior of te unior [is] om vir al [die departement se] voorgraadse studente klas te gee nie” aangesien dit goeie verhoudinge bou en “studente [lok] om nagraads betrokke te raak”. Om die departement se identiteit saam te vat, het Foster dit opgesom as “toegewyd, krities, vernuwend”. Sy het uitgebrei en gesê: “Iets wat myns insiens konstant gebly het, is die departement se ingesteldheid om voortdurend oordeelkundig te vernuwe. Nie om te kan sê ‘ons is met vernuwing besig’ nie, maar met die oog op akademiese ontwikkeling wat weer teruggeploeg word in die lesings, tutoriale en studieleiding waarby kollegas betrokke is.” a ende die presiese planne het Foster en Lesch gesê dat die details eers op n latere stadium gefinaliseer gaan wees.
Puffing smoke into the face of sustainability NICOLA DAVIDS
STELLENBOSCH University (SU)’s EcoMaties recently hosted various Earth Week events addressing themes such as climate change, the effects thereof, and sustainability. Given that sustainability is such a prominent topic on campus, Die Matie decided to look into the growing trend of single-use disposable vapes amongst students. “There seems to be a trend, and everyone wants to hop on it, said icholas Fourie, a firstyear BA(Humanities) student who vapes. “[Disposable vapes] create a large proportion of plastic waste, and so have strayed away from them and turned [to] the more environmentally favourable option refillable or reusable vapes Kelly Lin, a third-year BA(Law) student who also vapes, mentioned that although the sustainability of disposable vapes is not “great”, she understands why some people prefer it thin that more people lean towards the disposable ones because [they are] cheaper . . . . [T]hat is the only reason why I [pre-
DISPOSABLE VAPES According to Palesa Magashule, the vice-chairperson of EcoMaties, explained that disposable vapes are unsustainable due to the materials they are made of. Photo: Vicky Hendrikz fer disposable vapes she said Lin went on to explain that the upeep of reusable vapes is uite e pensive, specifically replacing the coils if they get burned out Palesa Magashule, the vicechairperson of coMaties, e plained that disposable vapes are unsustainable due to the materials they are made of apes are bad,
considering [they have] plastic contents, electronic contents and hazardous waste. E-waste contains many chemicals which is why it s bad for the environment such as mercury, which goes into soil and water,” she explained. hese harmful chemicals disturb natural systems. “The product is non-biodegradable, [which]
ma es it remain in the ground for 600 years,” said Magashule. egardless of the potential health risks, expenses and impact on the environment, it does not seem that students plan to stop using these vapes anytime soon, according to iam otha, a firstyear MBChB student. “I think we all see the issue but don’t care
enough to stop,” he said. For those students who do care about easing the impact that their vaping has on the environment, Magashule mentioned that there are more sustainable options available. “There are [sustainable] ways [in which] companies are producing vape products [by] ma ing them less harmful to the environment.” She explained that there are companies that use vegetable glycerin in their formulae to create organic “vape juice”. Furthermore, she said that consumers should make the sustainable choice to replace plastic cartridges with glass ones, which can be recycled more easily. “It comes down to one being aware and educated as the user to ensure they properly recycle their coils. One could also rebuild their coils. here are facilities in Stellenbosch where [people can] take their e-waste, such as Dash Waste (Formally A aste emoval, . . . and Virgin Earth E-Waste ecycling, said Magashule
2 Maart 2022
NUUS
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Equality Unit introduces online reporting system SLADE VAN ROOYEN
T
he process of reporting unfair discrimination and harassment on campus has recently become more “streamlined” with the launch of the Stellenbosch University (SU) Equality Unit’s online case management reporting system. This is according to Qaqamba Mdaka, who serves as case co-ordinator at the Equality Unit. his platform allows for staff and students to report complaints anonymously. We would also like to note: the information provided on the platform is stored safely and securely, and all information is confidential, said Mda a In implementing the online platform, the Equality Unit aimed to “create an enabling environment” that encourages incident reporting. The new web-based platform, according to Mdaka, allows students and staff to submit complaints by logging on and filling in their personal details and the de-
tails of the incident, which, in addition to unfair discrimination and harassment, could involve “sexual victimisation, gender-based violence and bullying”. According to Mdaka, “an uality nit case o cer will be alerted and assigned to the complaint” after the submission of the complaint, and a reference number, which can be used to monitor the status of the complaint, will be assigned to the complainant. According to a press release issued by SU on 19 April, the platform will “seamlessly integrate reporting, monitoring and analysis”, providing the university with insights that will aid it in “controlling risks and acting on unfair discrimination and harassment incidents on campus”. Mdaka said that whilst the Equality Unit will continue to process cases in the traditional manner, students and staff have already begun to make use of the new platform. Responses from
would like “toWeencourage students and staff—no matter how small or big they believe their complaint might be
stakeholders and interest groups on campus have also been “very positive”, according to Mdaka. Ale in , a final-year student and member of Anti-G Movement SU, described the
platform as a “great initiative”, as students may not have felt comfortable using the Equality Unit’s existing reporting channels. “I believe this online platform can really be helpful for students who do not have that confidence, said Vink. He mentioned that he believes that the new platform will go a long way in making the Equality Unit’s services more accessible. “Most students do have telecommunication devices, or they can [access the platform] at their various HUMARGAs, FARGAs, in the Neelsie [or] in the SRC [Student Representative Council] o ce via the duroam iFi provided by the University. So it’s more ... user-friendly than what I thin previous G reporting systems have been,” he said. Vink said that he is enthusiastic about the prospect that this new approach to information gathering may be applied in other aspects of the Equality Unit’s work, such as
G A lesbian, gay, bise ual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, or otherwise queer) reporting on campus. He further described the platform as a “positive step [toward] eradicating G at our institution This sentiment was echoed by ernard osthuizen, a fourthyear Acc student hile expressing concern that complainants might not “enter enough information, especially when reporting anonymously, to enable the Equality Unit to investigate thoroughly, osthuizen said that, on the whole, the platform is “a very good initiative” that shows that “the university is thinking and moving in the right direction in respect of these issues”. Mdaka concluded on behalf of the Equality Unit by saying, “We would like to encourage students and staff no matter how small or big they believe their complaint might be to lodge complaints on the new platform.”
Student Constitution revision brings change to some SU bodies
UNINFORMED Students are not always aware of changes made to the Student Constitution because it does not affect them as much as their residence or PSO policies. Photo: Chéyenne Britten LESEDI MNISI AND FLAVIA DAVIDS
IN line with Stellenbosch University (SU)’s revision policy, the SU Student Constitution was revised at the end of last year. The amendment of the Student onstitution which, according to section 132(1), is to ta e place every three years brought structural changes to the Student Representative Council (SRC) and Student Parliament. The Student Constitution’s objective is enshrined in its preamble: to unite SU’s diverse student community by promoting constitutional values. It does so by regulating the activities of student bodies at SU, including the SRC, the Student Court and the Student Parliament. The members of the SRC, led by chairperson Viwe Kobokana and vice-chairperson Philip Visagé, have gained additional responsibilities. For example, the vice-chairperson is now responsible for “the internal monitoring and evaluation”, “internal relations and discipline”, and the appointment, of SRC managers. This is according to section 28(2) of the Student Constitution. The procedure for the removal of
Student Court members has been amended by section 78(1) to (3) of the revised Student Constitution. Student Court members could previously be removed by the dean of the Faculty of aw if they failed to fulfil their responsibilities or contravened SU’s disciplinary code. According to last year’s revision, members can still be removed for the same reasons; however, the removal now takes place by way of an impeachment by the Student mbizo After this procedure, it has to be approved by the dean of the Faculty of aw, according to the revised constitution. he Student mbizo is also known as the House of Delegates and is constituted by representatives from the SRC, the Academic Affairs ouncil, the rim ommittee, the ygerberg Student Parliament, the Tygerberg Student Council, the Students’ Assembly, the Societies Council and the Senior rim ommittee Claire Rankin, the chief justice of the Student Court, is of the opinion that “most students’ engagement with student leadership is rarely with the big three [SRC, Student Court and Student Parliament].”
Therefore, it is students’ involvement in, and with, leadership bodies closer to them (such as house committees and faculty councils), “which they regularly interact with”, that can increase their engagement with the Student Constitution, explained Rankin. Rankin also believes that in order to give students access to knowledge and understanding of the Student Constitution, student leaders must be equipped with that knowledge. According to her, one of the ways in which the Student ourt attempts to e uip student leaders is by providing training to student structures that wish to amend their constitutions. The amendments to the Student onstitution have also affected the structure of the Student Parliament. An independent bicameral Student Parliament, which is made up of the Students’ Assembly and the Student mbizo, has come into existence because of an amendment to the structure of the Student arliament his differs from its previous structure, as the previous Student Constitution provided for an independent Student Parliament that would facilitate cooper-
ation in student leadership, hold other leadership bodies such as the SRC accountable, and facilitate discussions about student issues. he ma or difference to be noted is that the Students’ Assembly deals with student leadership discussions and policy sectors of the Student Parliament, and the Student mbizo deals with the investigation and accountability sectors thereof,” said Monwabisi hlanhla usumuzi etersen, the chairperson and speaker of Student Parliament. Petersen further added that the Student Assembly is also the body that decides on and acts upon the outcomes of Student Parliament matters and matters related to the Student Constitution. The amendment of the Student Constitution has caused student representative bodies such as Student Parliament to undergo structural changes. Some students have found that the amendment of the Student Constitution has not had much of an impact on resi-
dence or private student organisations S leadership structures “I don’t think it has that much of an effect on us he only way can think that [the revision] would affect us would be if it changes drastically and we would have to readjust our constitution to align ourselves with it,” said Nirel Sithole, a final-year A rama and Theatre Studies) student and member of ie e S “I do think that its [the Student Constitution’s] changes should be a nudge towards progression. As the heartbeat of the university, the students have to be considered before anything else.” Sithole’s understanding of a constitution is that it plays an important role in shaping the identity of a student community and creating cultures and traditions that can be sustained by that community. However, Sithole regards the Student Constitution as more of an umbrella concept for all values that every SU body must align with.
SUPREME LAW A constitution is normally viewed as the highest law of an institution to which all other policies are subject. Photo: Chéyenne Britten
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STUDENTELEWE
Studentelewe
Continuing to destigmatise mental health
CIARA SHAYE SEAMAN
he month of October has been declared Mental Health Awareness Month in South Africa. However, there will likely be social media posts about it in the month ahead due to the United States celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month in May, so Die Matie decided that this would be a fitting opportunity to discuss the importance of mental health. If you are active on social media or pay attention to popular culture, you are probably aware of the rise in popularity of mental health awareness. If not, this is a great place to start. Mental health is integral to everything we are as humans it in uences our emotional, social and psychological prosperity by affecting how we handle our emotions, responsibilities and relationships. ith mental health affecting every aspect of our lives, it inevitably means that it is in uenced by a wide variety of factors. Your mental health is not a cloaked figure crouching in the shadows of your mind’s basement. Struggling with mental health is not limited to the cinematic depictions of screaming, constrained patients in white rooms—that depiction is ruefully offensive and a large motivation for mental health awareness.
Academic pressures and the weight of responsibilities towards yourself and the people around you are normal conditions that play a role in your mental health. ittle things that you never pay attention to may build up and lead to feelings of despondency or anxiety that you don’t seem to understand. Often, people can say things randomly that bother you and trigger feelings of sadness or anger within you. You may not be able to pinpoint the motivation, but they really stick around. This uncertainty can be so easy to ignore, and many fall into the routine of pushing these feelings aside and moving on with life. It may feel foolproof, but it truly is not, and that is why mental health awareness is important. Mental health awareness involves education about the causes and effects of mental distress, in uences on mental health, and how to identify when you or someone else is struggling. Elmarie Kruger, the acting head of the Unit for Psychotherapeutic and Support Services at Stellenbosch University (SU), mentioned that mental health awareness activities are important because they “challenge the myths and stigmas surrounding mental health issues”. Kruger expanded on the value
STUDENT SUPPORT SYSTEMS Students are encouraged to support one another. Photo: Carmi Wentzel
IMPORTANT INTERACTIONS Engage in conversations about mental health. Photo: Carmi Wentzel
that mental health awareness programmes hold for those struggling to recognise and better understand their own symptoms or experiences”. These programmes are informative and offer security to those who feel unsure or lost in their situation, whilst also offering them the support to navigate what they are dealing with. Another beneficial aspect of mental health awareness is its ability to “encourage the recognition of early signs and symptoms of mental health illnesses”, as mentioned by Kruger. Being alert to the indications that there might be something wrong can really help those struggling to get the help they need. Knowing what to look for helps you to look out for yourself and the people around you, which goes a long way in improving the welfare of our community. As mentioned by Kruger, mental health awareness plays a pivotal role in the destigmatisation of mental health illnesses. Struggling with your mental health has been painted in a secretive, reclusive light for so many years and many have not changed their perspective on that idea. Every single day, we are each faced with challenges that have an impact on our emotional and mental wellbeing. Mental health issues are not limited to the
fringes of society, and many people deal with them throughout their day. It is not something to brush aside with the thought that it will never concern you. You do not need to have a PhD in clinical psychology to be there for someone who is having a hard time; you do not even need to understand exactly what they are feeling. What we all need is simply the compassion and willingness to be there for those who need us and who just need people to pay attention and try The need to educate one another on this topic extends beyond a month in a year, but it is a good place to start. As May begins and you see more posts about mental health awareness, perhaps pay more attention to their content and what you can learn from them. However, be careful of the impression they leave on you. People often try to get your attention by stating something boldly, which you may then take to be the truth. This may lead to misappropriation and misrepresentation of mental health illnesses as well as desensitisation towards the topic because of the constant bombardment of media saying the same thing. Mental health is important, and we should all strive to be more aware of it. Active engagement with the topic helps us to
understand it better and to be more observant toward the people in our environment. Having conversations with people who are struggling, and with those who are not, is vital to spreading an atmosphere of acceptance and compassion.
FINDING STRENGTH Awareness strengthens the community. Photo: Carmi Wentzel
If you or anyone you know is struggling, please make use of the extensive resources provided by the university. The Centre for Student Counselling and Development hosts activities and programmes that offer education on mental health and what you can do to help, as well as support for those who need it. Their contact details are on the university’s website as well as on MySUN.
4 Mei 2022
STUDENTELEWE
Workers’ Day: Working 9 to 5 ALISON HERMANUS
orkers’ Day, also known as Labour Day or May Day, is a public holiday celebrated annually on 1 May. It is a celebration of the working class and labourers who are often overlooked and underappreciated. This Workers’ Day, Die Matie heard from some of the people who work hard to make our day-to-day lives a little bit easier Most students know the feeling of craving a meal that can be delivered right to one’s door, especially on days when academics are too overwhelming for one to leave one’s room. This is where Uber Eats drivers and other food delivery workers come in. “The best part of my job is that I can use my own schedule, and I can think of other things that I can do while I’m at the job,” said Nzukiso Kevin Motolwana, who became an ber ats driver after finding out online that he could make money delivering food. “If you think about it, if you are working for somebody else, it’s like working for a company, and that company demands your time,” said Motolwana. While he does enjoy his job, he mentions that there are di cult aspects to it hen you’re driving a motorbike, you face a lot of . . . troubles and challenges. It’s not nice when it’s raining, but we just
CAMPUS QUOTES “Catwalk gaan nie vir my ‘n graad gee nie.” – Student wat vir sy vriende verduidelik hoekom hy nie uitgaan nie. “Edibles ... at Clicks?” – An unconvinced friend. “Ek wil nie hê almal moet weet dat ‘n teologiestudent vir my maybe gonorrhoea gegee het nie.” – Student oor sekslewe op Stellenbosch.
have to endure it [in order to earn money] . . .” noted Motolwana. Students are not that far detached from the workforce either, as many balance their studies and full- or part-time jobs. Paballo Thabethe, a student assistant at Stellenbosch University’s Admin A call centre, said that the best part of her job is knowing that she has “helped pave a clear-
er path for a client on tackling their problem, or just knowing that one more student or parent is at ease because of the help [she] was able to render to them”. “That [warms my] heart in ways [I] can’t put into words.” However, working in a call centre is not only filled with happy moments. “[On days when we have] to deal with clients calling
ADMIN A hopes to pave a clearer path for clients to tackle problems. according to student assistant Paballo Thabethe. Photo: Carmi Wentzel
us in a frustrated disposition and screaming at us down the phone like we are the exact cause of that frustration . . . the job weighs heavier on our shoulders,” she explained. When asked what callers can do to ma e client services staff feel more appreciated, she said, “The occasional compliment on the other side from a client, and those little than you s or en oy your day’s, [engender] a great feeling of appreciation.” The hard days are made easier by customers and clients who treat workers with respect. Nasiphi Ndyalivane, a Servest landscaping technician, added to this by saying, “I like when students stop and chat. It makes us feel more appreciated.” It is important to appreciate those around us who work hard to
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make our lives easier, not only on holidays like Workers’ Day, but every day A little appreciation goes a long way.
GRATEFUL Students should remember to thank workers on and off campus as they walk by. Photo: Carmi Wentzel
Maties deel hulle uitkyk op maskers EMMA HAMMAN
MET die Universiteit Stellenbosch se regulasies rondom maskers wat vereis dat maskers ten alle tye binne gedra word en tans herevalueer word, deel studente hulle opinies oor die dra van maskers. Hierdie regulasies kan beteken dat studente sonder maskers toegang tot lesinglokale en studiesentrums geweier kan word. Die Matie het ’n paar studente genader om hulle menings oor die dra van maskers te hoor.
Joubert is van mening dat die dra van maskers belangrik was toe die COVID-19-getalle nog baie hoog was, maar dat studente nou ’n bietjie rustiger kan wees. “Ons dra nie maskers as ons buite rondstap of sit nie.” Sy het verder gesê: “My eerste stap nadat dié regulasie gelig word, is om my masker weg te gooi.”
since it’s not compulsory, I don’t always wear it,” she said. If the mandate is lifted, Townsend said she will probably continue to wear her mask if that is what the people around her prefer.
I will probably never wear my mask again, or burn it,” he said.
“The last question of my test was like creative writing because i didn’t know what was going on.” – Struggling law student after a test. “Ek meen ... ek wil nie vir die kaas gaan nie.” – Student wat praat oor die Nasionale Kaasfees.
MATT MORTEM
“Now THAT’S the kind of student discount I’m looking for.” – Student looking at sex toys online. “Ek ry nie om ‘n sirkel in Stellenbosch nie. Ek ry oor hulle. Mens moet spaar waar jy kan.” – Stellies student op ‘n budget.
MEGAN TOWNSEND
TEANA JOUBERT
Tweedejaar-BA (Menslike Hulpbronbestuur)-student.
First-year BA (Language and Culture) student. Townsend said that her mask does not bother her, as she feels very comfortable wearing it. “More often than not, I wear my mask, but
MATT ADAMS
Third-year BA (Humanities) student Adams explained that masks are not needed and that he only wears his mask when it is required, like when he goes to the library. “If the mandate is lifted,
Third-year BSc (Human Life Sciences) student Mortem feels that if a person is sick, they should wear their mask to protect those around them, but if not, it is not really needed. He said, “When I don’t feel sick, I only wear my mask when the security guard is scary enough or when it is expected of me.”
Foto’s geneem deur Kezia Daniels.
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STUDENT LIFE
Deciding on your 21st birthday? HANNAH THERON
or many people, turning 21 is one of the most exciting birthday celebrations of their lives. However, it also entails one of the most stressful parties to plan, and deciding how to celebrate can be a challenge. There is a lot of pressure to have a traditional, fancy party with many guests, but nowadays, many people are opting for more casual ways to celebrate. You do not have to have a huge party to have fun. If you’re stumped as to what to do for your 21st birthday, Die Matie has some ideas for plenty of fun and creative ways to make it memorable. THEMED PARTIES
Having a theme is a fun way to spice up any party and can dictate how formal or casual your party will be. For those who want a more casual party, a western-themed party is a great way to celebrate at home. Your guests can dress up as cowboys, and the decorations are very simple. For those who have extra funds you can hire a mechanical bull, which your guests are sure to enjoy. Owethu Mbele, a second-year BA (Human Resource Manage-
tiful location and some friends, and you are all set. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens is a great location because, apart from the beautiful scenery, it offers student discounts with tickets available at R50. GO CAMPING
For those who enjoy adventure, camping is a great way to spend your birthday. It is an intimate affair for those who only want to celebrate with the people closest to them. This can be BEST SUPPORTING PARTY-GOER Some of the guests won awards at this Oscars-themed birthday party. Photo: Supplied by Lana Fourie
ment) student, said, “It’s a lot more fun [to host your party at home] ‘cause you’re in a safe environment. . . . You feel comfortable to actually let loose and have fun.” For those who want a more glamorous event, an Oscars theme is a great option. Your guests can dress up in suits and formal dresses. You can also rent out a venue and have more extravagant decorations. Nominating your guests for different categories is also a fun way to involve them in the party.
“I wanted to do an Oscars-themed party with fancy dress because I feel like I don’t get enough chances to dress up all fancy,” said Sabrina Espag, a third-year BCom (Industrial Psychology) student. HAVE A PICNIC
A picnic is a great, casual way to spend your birthday with your closest friends and family. It is also an easy, fairly inexpensive party to plan. All you need is a picnic blanket, some food, a beau-
FRESH AIR Friends enjoying a picnic at Coetzenburg dam. Photo: Shannon Goodchild
Daar is ’n plek vir almal KEZIA DANIELS
DIT is geen geheim dat die Universiteit Stellenbosch (US) talle studentegroepe en -verenigings het waarby studente kan aansluit nie. As daar ’n verandering is wat jy wil maak of ’n groep waarvan jy deel wil wees, is daar ’n 100% waarborg dat die US ’n vereniging waarvan jy ’n lid kan word, het. Sommige van die verenigings waarby studente kan aansluit, is die Operation Smile-studentevereniging, SPYS en PULPfilmvereniging “Daar is ’n vereniging vir elkeen om by aan te sluit; ek
wil nie enige van die verenigings uitsonder nie,” het Tamara Wicomb, die Studenteraad se voorsitter van die verenigingsraad en honneursstudent in BAHons (Joernalistiek), gesê. OPERATION SMILESTUDENTEVERENIGING
Operation Smile-studentevereniging aan die S, gea lieer met Operation Smile Suid-Afrika (’n nie-winsgewende organisasie), is een van daardie verenigings waarby studente moet aansluit as hulle na verandering streef. Operation Smile doen fondsinsamelings en bewusmaking om korrektiewe gesigchirurgie te verskaf aan diegene wat met
“Een vereniging wat ek gedink het nogal cool was, is SPYS,” het Wicomb gesê. SPYS (Spirituality, Philosophy and Yoga Society) is ’n vereniging om by aan te sluit as jy aan jouself en jou gesondheid wil werk. Hierdie vereniging het weeklikse joga-, mantra- en meditasiesessies.
TROTSE Tamara Wicomb, die voorsitter van die verenigingsraad. Foto: Kezia Daniels
BEER AND WINE TASTING
Stellenbosch has an abundance of wine farms and breweries, so students should have no problem finding the perfect location This is a great way for wine and beer lovers to spend their day. The beautiful environment and relaxed atmosphere make this a perfect laid-back way to celebrate. Hayley White, a second-year BA (Law) student who celebrated her 21st at a wine farm, said, “We have really pretty settings and environments in Stellenbosch. . . . [Wine Farms are a really fun setting in which] to celebrate.” Turning 21 should be fun and exciting. You should not have to waste time being stressed about a party and instead should focus on making memories to last a lifetime. You only get one chance to celebrate your 21st birthday, so it is important to do something you enjoy! PULP-FILMVERENIGING
’n gesplete lip en/of verhemelte gebore is. “Die huidige vereniging, Smile Operation op die Stellenbosch-kampus, wil ’n gevoel van gemeenskap en bewustheid op kampus kweek wat na gebiede in nood binne die Stellenbosch-distrik vertak,” het Wicomb gesê. SPYS
a weekend-long event and, depending on your campsite, can also be an affordable way to celebrate. “Camping is more intimate and you can do a bunch of stuff . . . like hiking, board games or swimming in waterfalls,” said Lana Fourie, a third-year BA (International Studies) student.
JOGA, MANTRA EN MEDITASIE SPYS in aksie. Foto: Verskaf/SPYS Instagram-blad
“SPYS is vol regtig wonderlike, ontvanklike mense, waarvan baie buite die norm van studentekultuur leef,” het Ameryn Peters, ’n lid van die vereniging, gesê. “Stellenbosch kan ’n eensame plek vir mense wat ‘anders’ is, wees en al is jy nie, is jy gewaarborg om verwelkom te word, maak nie saak wat nie,” gaan sy voort. “’n Universiteit is ’n plek om te leer, maar moenie jou eie welstand afskeep nie.”
Geen student is ’n vreemdeling vir die PULP-bioskoop nie. Met die doel om hulle lede se den e deur middel van film uit te brei, hoe kan jy nie by hierdie vereniging wil aansluit nie? PULP is ’n vereniging wat ’n kulturele ervaring en gemaklike omgewing vir alle filmlie ebbers bied “Ek dink dit is goed om by die PULP-filmvereniging aan te sluit, want dit stel jou eerstens bloot aan ’n reeks flieks wat jy gewoonlik nie sal oorweeg om te kyk wanneer jy ’n fliek op Netflix of Showmax kies nie. Tweedens, om by die PULP-gemeenskap aan te sluit, sal jou help om met ander fliekliefhebbers te skakel,” het Mikayla Brown, lid van die PULP-filmvereniging, gesê. Om by enige gemeenskap op kampus aan te sluit, sal ’n goeie stap wees om met nuwe dinge en mense te skakel. Soos Wicomb vroeër gesê het: “Daar is ’n plek vir elke student in elke vereniging.”
SLUIT AAN Nuwe vriendskappe word gebou. Foto: Carmi Wentzel
20 April 2022
REDAKSIONEEL
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The student newsroom This morning, I had the privilege of attending the Stellenbosch University (SU) Department of Journalism’s World Press Freedom Day celebration. There was an insightful panel of journalists discussing the power of the perspective—which is also the theme of this year’s BAHons Journalism students’ LIP publication—on “constructive and solutions-based approaches to journalism, including an inbuilt ‘ethics of care’ approach”, as the event’s description reads. In addition to the department’s chair, rof izette abe, the notable spea ers in attendance were Adriaan Basson, editorin-chief of News24, Heather obertson, editor of Daily Maverick168, and Florence de Vries, communications specialist and journalist. The panel discussion was poignant and meaningful, and celebrated journalism throughout
our communities and local contexts on a day when the free press is celebrated all over the world. This day reminds us that the making and honest sharing of factual, accurate news in a time of mass disinformation and manipulative rhetoric is more important than ever before. oday was the first time in a very long time that I reexamined why I started pursuing student journalism, and why I’m passionate about Die Matie. If I have to be completely honest, this realisation was surreal to me because up until today, I had been growing exhausted by the seemingly never-ending cycle of trying to keep a newspaper alive, barely being able to get through the bi-weekly sprint, and then seeing (and hearing about) everything there still is to be improved on. Then starting all over again the next Monday. Balancing this with university studies and personal matters
GORRELKOP Die kommentaar waarvoor almal bang is. Gorrel is nie verantwoordelik vir enige ongerief DIT WAS VIR SEKER VOORWAARTS Gorrel wil net ’n shoutout gee aan almal wat by die Varsity Cup was – van die 1000’e aanhangers, wat veroorsaak het dat Gorrel in ’n lang ry by die drankstalletjie moet staan net om te hoor dat die bier uitverkoop is en hy nou een of ander groen drankie moet drink, tot die skeidsregter wat seker nou nog op sy vingers
Nina Krüger Slade van Rooyen Siwaphiwe Bam Tehillah Truter
UITLEG
Sisonke
DRUKWERK
Aanlyn
sentiment that I echoed today after being reinvigorated by the power of a new perspective: the younger generation doesn’t have the option of not being activists. We will receive the world we grow up in, whether we’ve actively participated in creating it or not. The best way to ensure that it’s a place where you’d like to be is to get up and do your part where you can. Journalists are said to be guardians of truth and democracy, alert to injustice and willing to insert themselves into the fray, which can be very tiring. After hearing more about ethics of care and constructive journalism today, I’m reminded of the words of the oman poet uvenal uis custodiet ipsos custodes (“Who guards the guardians?”). In the face of doomscrolling and despondency, it’s important that journalists start to care about each other as much as they claim to care about their communities.
vir ’n brandewyn by De Akker. Nog nooit het Gorrel al so baie kwaai Afrikaanse Maties in een vertrek gesien nie.
motorversekering moet kry ingeval Gorrel “perongeluk” in die fietsbaan indraai
het na Julian’s gegaan vir hulle Woensdae nachos-special maar toe hy daar aankom, moes hy volprys betaal want dit is Donderdag. As gevolg van al hierdie vakansiedae is Gorrelina ook nie meer so beïndruk met Gorrel nie aangesien Gorrel en Gorrelina se anniversary blykbaar verlede Saterdag was, maar Gorrel het nog vasgesit in die vorige Donderdag.
McTELEURSTELLING
moet tel om te onderskei tussen vorentoe en agtertoe. Op daardie noot wil Gorrel ook net noem dat SpecSavers nog ’n special vir oogtoetse het. DIE LANG RYE BY DIE DE AKKER AGTER-NAGTER
FORTUNER-FIETSE VAT KANSE IN VICTORIA STRAAT
Nie net het Maties die wedstryd verloor nie, maar Gorrel het ook sy humeur verloor toe Gorrel besef dat hy al 40 minute in die ry staan
Gorrel hoop dat hierdie week beter sal wees, maar die fietsryers wat dink hulle ry die nuutste Fortuner gaan maak dat Gorrel
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
TEKSREDIGERING Rentia Meyer
Journalism—especially student journalism—should be a source of happiness and fulfilment t should be something that you can’t get enough of, not because of the praise and congratulations, but because of the genuine desire to be a journalist—a good journalist, someone who is a part of their community and who facilitates important (and sometimes very di cult conversations that could directly improve the lives of those around them. This is the job, and with it come opportunities to get to know the people around you, to understand what a community cares about, and what we enjoy talking about. You learn a lot about yourself and others, and you get to have a lot of fun on the journey. I’m convinced that if you haven’t been experiencing that as a student journalist, you’ve been doing something wrong, like yours truly. The second thing that has kept Die Matie alive this long is the
Op pad terug van De Akker se onmoontlike rye het Gorrel geglo dat ’n McChicken regular meal die aand beter sal maak, net om by ’n geel toe deur te kom wat alles behalwe McLekker was.
HOOFREDAKSIE
MEDEWERKERS
shouldn’t be impossible, since so many others have gone through the same thing. However, despite the awareness that every generation feels as if they’ve had it worse than any of their predecessors in some way, I struggle to imagine the amount of effort, fatigue and stress it has required for each term of Die Matie to help this publication survive until its 81st year. On this Monday-like Tuesday, after the umpteenth long weekend that Maties have had this term, I can only think of two things that have helped to create this indescribable platform that burns year in and year out in an attempt to inform, entertain and empower the student community of Stellenbosch. he first originally sounded antithetical to what I’ve mentioned so far, but so many of my senior journalism mentors mentioned it that I had to accept that it’s true: enjoyment.
SEE YOU LATER, STELLIES SKATER BOYS As die fietsryers nie genoeg is om die binnekant van Gorrel se motor soos ’n Jack Parow-konsert te laat klink nie, dan sal die man op sy skaatsplank op pad na die ingenieursfakulteit verseker dat Gorrel sy graad van megatronies na megatragies verander. IS DAAR SO ’N DING AS TE VEEL VAKANSIEDAE?
Gorrel kan nie meer byhou met watter dag dit is nie Gorrel
KONTAK ONS / CONTACT US E-POSADRES diematie75@gmail.com WEBADRES www.diematie.com FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/diematie POSADRES
Langenhoven Studentesentrum Privaatsak X1 Universiteit Stellenbosch Matieland 7602 OPLAAG 3000 VOLGENDE UITGAWE 18/05/2022 SPERDATUM 16/05/2022 ADVERTENSIESEmmaCochrane,diematieads@gmail.com ARGIEF Vorige Die Matie-uitgawes is in die biblioteek / op hul 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.
FAT BUTCHER OP ’N STUDENT BUDGET
Nietemin Gorrel het maar ’n booking by Fat Butcher gemaak aangesien al die paartjies soontoe gaan – ’n side salad is blykbaar dieselfde prys as ’n Chicka Chicken-meal.
8
DAG & NAG
DAG&NAG KU N S EN VERM A A K • A RTS A ND E N T E R TA I N M E N T
Palesa Festival blooms in its first season MARDENE VAN SCHALKWYK
fter being cancelled in 2020 and then limited to an online platform last year, what was previously known as Toneelfees reemerged from the ashes of the pandemic as Palesa Theatre Festival. This cultural institution is an amateur theatre competition hosted by KuKo (the Student Representative Council’s arts and culture division) that invites student communities to write, direct, cast, stage and produce an entire 20-minute-long stage production internally. The renamed festival debuted on Monday 2 May at the Drostdy Theatre. Moniq Gouws, a BAHons (Drama and Theatre Studies) student specialising in creative writing, is the u o e ecutive committee s project manager for the 2022 Palesa Theatre Festival. “I do think that one can make the argument that [the festival] lost a lot of momentum because it was cancelled [in 2020] and because it was strictly online last year. This year, we sort of rebranded because we were aware of the momentum that was lost,” said Gouws. According to Gouws, palesa is a Sotho word that means ower and is meant to symbolise the metaphorical blooming of the festival. Talking about the name’s link to
A MUSICAL MOMENT Elizma van Geest, John Graayenstein and Anrika Engelbrecht in Nemesia and Huis Visser’s Palesa Festival production, Roof of Stars. Photo: Aurelia Mouton the theme of this year’s competition, she said, t s about finding your place here in Stellenbosch. When you arrive as a newcomer, when you come back from [COVID-19], when you come back from holiday—where is your place in Stellenbosch?” The beauty of an amateur
drama competition is that it offers an opportunity for any student to explore their theatrical side, regardless of their acting e perience or field of study ella Pretorius, who is a second-year BA (Social Work) student and a cast member of the joint production by Huis Visser Men’s Residence and
Nemesia Women’s Residence, is one such student. “I’m not really a drama person, so the acting was a new experience for me. It was so much fun to get to know the other cast members and our band while pushing myself out of my comfort zone was a firstyear in 2021, so I was never really
part of pre-COVID campus life,” she said. uis isser and emesia affectionately referred to as ‘Vimesia’ within the communities) stood out as they stepped into the world of stage activism with their musical retelling of the homelessness crisis and the everyday battles fought by the homeless community in Stellenbosch. “The script was amazing and all the music was written specifically for the production,” said Pretorius. The production also boasts a skilful band and well-trained cast, including John Graayenstein, a third-year BA (Drama and Theatre Studies) student. Graayenstein is a local musician with two singles out on YouTube. On Tuesday 3 May, the judges announced that the PSOs and residences that will be advancing to the final round of the competition are: Pieke Private Student Organisation (PSO) and Simonsberg Men’s Residence, Lydia Women’s Residence, Olympus PSO and Metanoia Residence, Harmonie Women’s Residence and Monica Women’s Residence, Aurora PSO, and Huis Visser and Nemesia. The finals will ta e place on Saturday May at at the rostdy heatre. Tickets are available at KuKo’s Instagram bio (@kukosr).
Students DJ’s keep spinning the decks EMMA HAMMAN
THE well-known and loved practice of DJing is once again making waves on the social scenes of Stellenbosch. With so many local disc jockeys (DJs), good quality music for all tastes is just around the corner. As student DJ Damian Woolward described it, “The Stellenbosch music scene is based on culture. If you’re into house or techno music, Fool’s Gold [Social Bar] would be the place to play, but for more mainstream music, such as sing-alongs and golden oldies, Centraal, De Lapa, Dorp Bar or Penthouse would be more your scene.” For these DJs, music is not only their lifestyle, but their passion as well. For some, the decks have been calling since a very young age, and for others, their love for the genre started a bit later. Fourthyear BEng (Industrial Engineering) student Francois Bruwer performs as part of a duo called Father. e too the first steps to ing in high school but only actively started performing in his second year of university. “What pulls me through is my massive love for music—I could listen to music all
DJ CULTURE Damian Woolward in his element producing some tunes. Photo: Chad Swart and Nicholas Farmer
day, every day. It’s not about performing but about sharing music with people who share this love,” explained Bruwer. DJs not only get a crowd going with feel-good music, but also have the opportunity to connect a diverse group of people through music. Woolward emphasised this by explaining that it can be extremely rewarding to see how happy crowds get whilst he plays at different locations For oolward, playing at bigger festivals such as Rumours by the Lake could be described as the climax of a student DJ’s career. When the pandemic took over and social gatherings came to a complete stop, these DJs did not sit still. With so much spare time, it was an opportune time for them to improve their skills. “[COVID-19] had a positive in uence on me by making me hungrier than ever to get back out there and do what I love!” said Woolward. Bruwer explained how exciting the big rise in DJ culture and the new curiosity regarding this genre is. “A lot of places in Stellenbosch are investing in good DJs—we love to see it!”
4 May 2022
DAG & NAG
Students see the long-awaited return of culture in clusters KEZIAH MEYER
he post-pandemic return to “normalcy” is upon us, and with that comes the return of cultural events in clusters on campus. Between talent shows, debates and plays, there has been no shortage of the arts in clusters. Culture evenings are events during which students from various residences in a cluster come together and perform, offering them a brea from academics. The consensus on campus seems to be that students are eager to get bac into embracing the arts. “[COVID-19] did major damage for many of us, but since the regulations have lessened, we’re really excited to recover from the last two years and finally have these events again,” said Asanele Ndevu, the HC in charge of culture for Irene Women’s Residence. “It feels so refreshing to have these events again,” said Leonah Marewangepo, the Culture HC for Monica Women’s Residence. “With the participation we’ve been getting, it seems a lot of
people were really waiting for culture to come bac to life thin the pandemic made us appreciate art and performing a lot more because for a while we couldn’t really do much of it,” added Marewangepo. The Victoria cluster evening that was held on 3 May at Wilgenhof Men’s Residence was one of these events. “Victoria cluster is a melting pot of some really talented people, so it’s super cool that we get to showcase that. And, I mean, culture evenings are always a vibe!” said Marewangepo. There are also plans in place to start a cluster poetry club. “We started up a poetry club this year, which was a first for Monica esidence], and we’re planning to extend that to the rest of the cluster in due time,” added Marewangepo. The AmaMaties cluster also intends to ta e advantage of the ability to have more cultural events, according to Elizna Horn, the Culture HC for Nemesia Women’s Residence. “Last year, we weren’t able to have any cultural events, so it’s a big step up that we’ve had two culture evenings with Majuba [Men’s Residence] and Erica [Women’s Residence], and we hope to have more between the
Ken jy vir
9
SINGING IN THE MOONLIGHT Spectators shine their flashlights as they sway to the music at the Nemesia - Majuba culture evening. Photo: Carmi Wentzel three sisters—Nemesia, Erica, and Serruria [Women’s Residences]— in future.” The Wimbledon Hub is also planning a cultural cluster evening for 24 July at which they hope to showcase the talents and diversity of the cluster. “We’ve
been planning a huge talent show where we plan to include all the residences [in] our clusters. We want to embrace each other’s cultures, [as] Stellenbosch has a lot of diversity, and we want to showcase that in the cluster,” said Ndevu.
So, whether students are loo ing for a creative outlet or an escape from their wor load, cultural events provide the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind whilst meeting some new and interesting people along the way.
Cara Rossouw? HART OP DIE MOU Amptelike foto van Cara Rossouw. Photo: Suanelle Steyn
AURELIA MOUTON
STELLENBOSCH se strate, met goud-geel a erblare, deurme aar weer en ’n nuwe lovesong-enelsnit, nt en , vir studente vir wie die liefde hierdie seisoen bes ore is ara ossouw, ons A (Drama)-student aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch (US), sing vandat sy on praat en droom al lan om haar liedjies met die wêreld te deel. p haar eie terme, natuurli , soos dit enige goeie, plat-op-die-aarde Afri aanse unstenaar betaam het op laers ool sang ompetisies gedoen en op ho rs ool in die stort gesing,” het Rossouw gegrap en verduideli dat sy tydens die inper ingstyd oor die laaste twee aar aan nt en en n paar ander snitte wat moontli binne ort vrygestel gaan word, s ryf Rossouw het vertel dat sy as deel van haar voorgraadse program toneelstu e moes s ryf en s vertroue in haar s ryfvermo gevestig het.
het een dag besluit, weet y wat, om e s ryf lyrics en toe s ryf e n hele paar lied ies en herontde daai passie wat e eintli al van leins af gehad het, het ossouw gesê. Rossouw het verder gesê: “In my graad was daar min geleenthede vir sing, maar di aar doen e abaret en ewe s ieli is daar al hierdie geleenthede vir sang, which is great geniet dit baie Dis daai tipiese ding van ‘die deur sal oopmaa op die regte tyd Haar Instagram-blad (@cararossouw) is vol videos van haar naastes se blind reactions op haar liedjie wat sy stil-stil oor die laaste jaar opgeneem en verfyn het met die hulp van Theo Mulder, een helfte van die indie-duo loudin ossouw is nie op ontra nie en stel self haar musie op vers eie aanlyn musie platforms, soos Spotify en Apple Music, vry. iemand het eintli geweet nie! Nie my ma nie, nie my vriende nie wou nie almal vertel en dan
is daar al hierdie hoë verwagtinge nie. [Die opname] het vir ewig gevat omdat e swot Almal was baie opgewonde omdat dit so uit die bloute was,” het sy gesê.
Rossouw het vertel dat inspirasie ma li by haar om uier het en dat die lied ie oor die onse erheid en teleurstelling van verlief wees op iemand wat nie heeltemal
JONK EN VERLIEF OP STELLENBOSCH Albumkuns van die enkelsnit “Ontken”. Foto: Suanelle Steyn
weet waar hulle staan nie en die verhouding ont en , gaan ossouw is een van min Afri aanse unstenaars wat oor ueerliefde in Afri aans sing en meen dis lan al tyd vir mense om musie oor liefde te maa , ongeag tussen wie dit is. or die onserwatiewe lede van Afri aanse gehoor het ossouw ges wil s dit was n moeili e euse, maar dit was eintli ma li vir my om te besluit e gaan my musie vrystel op my terms.” Sy het verder gesê: “Ja, dit is minder mar etable, want my hele album cover is ueer, maar e het net gevoel dit is hoe e dit wil doen wou dit true to me maa en dis die vers il tussen uns maa vir geld en uns maa vir ouself wil nie myself afwater nie nt en is op Spotify en Apple Music bes i baar, met die musie video wat oo binne ort gaan vers yn ara ossouw beplan om haar naam nog lan in die musie w reld te hou
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DAG & NAG
“Daddy issues?” Hier is die show vir jou ILA ALBERTS
andklas-aanhangers kan uitsien na ’n boeiende optrede op 7 Mei, wanneer Tasché Burger haar debuut by hierdie kroeg sal maak. Hierdie musiekster betower al Suid-Afrikaanse gehore sedert 2019, toe sy op die skamele ouderdom van 19 die jongste wenner van The Voice South Africa geword het. Burger mag dalk nog jonk wees (22, om presies te wees), maar sy het beslis nie ’n tekort aan ervaring nie. Hierdie rockster neem al sanglesse van die ouderdom van vier af, en werk saam met ander groot name in die bedryf, soos Hunter Kennedy (“Hy kan enige blerrie ding skryf,” volgens Burger) en Francois van Coke. Sy noem dat Fokofpolisiekar, sowel as P!nk, groot invloede op haar musiekstyl het. “Daar is nie een groep wat my beïnvloed
nie, maar soos ’n wide range van groepe by wie ek aanklank vind. Ek skryf meestal oor wat in my lewe gebeur het – dis meer real. Ek resonate meer daarmee as ek sing,” het sy gesê. Dit is ook duidelik te hore in haar enkelsnit, “Baby, Ek Bly”, wat sy saam met haar verloofde geskryf het en oor hulle verhouding gaan. Alhoewel sy al baie in Stellenbosch opgetree het, sal dit haar eerste optrede by Aandklas wees. “My gunsteling-show wat ek [al] ooit in Stellenbosch gedoen het, was seker by Daisy Jones saam met [Fokofpolisiekar]. Dit was absoluut insane,” het sy gesê. Met haar aangrypende stem en raakvat-lirieke, kan konsertgangers uitsien na ’n intieme vertoning bestaande uit Afrikaanse en Engelse musiek en ’n kombinasie van haar ou bekende liedjies en nuwe musiek wat nog nie vrygestel is nie. Haar nuwe
enkelsnit, “Pappa Probleme”, wat in Februarie vrygestel is, is ook beslis op die set-lys. Volgens Burger is dit haar gunstelingliedjie om voor ’n gehoor te sing omdat dit so musikaal uitdagend is. “Ek love dit om “Pappa Probleme” te perform, maar elke keer wonder ek hoekom ek dit vir myself so moeilik geskryf het!” Burger se raad aan studente wat self die musiekbedryf wil betree, maar dalk nie weet waar om te begin nie, is dat ’n mens so dikwels as wat jy kan, moet optree, en dan iets waaghalsig doen. “Show! Show! Show! Ontmoet so veel as moontlik mense en connect met so veel as moontlik mense. Ongelukkig gaan dit maar grootliks oor wie jy ken. Sodra jy jou brand het, doen iets groots.” Die vertoning vind 7 Mei om 18:00 by Aandklas plaas. Kaartjies is op Quicket beskikbaar en dit kos R60 om die vertoning by te woon.
SA SE NUUTSTE MUSIEKSTER Bemarkingsfoto van Tasché Burger vir haar nuwe enkelsnit, “Pappa Probleme”. Foto: Jaco Venter
DIE MATIE MOVIE REVIEW
Photo: Taken from Empire Online STELLA JOUBERT
“GEKAAS EN GEWYN” Die Suid-Afrikaanse Kaasfees het die naweek van 30 April tot 2 Mei vir die eerste keer sedert 2019 by Sandringham-landgoed net buite Stellenbosch plaasgevind. Feesgangers kon ’n oorvloed van plaaslike en internasionale kase asook ’n verskeidenheid wyn proe en koop. Top Suid-Afrikaanse kunstenaars soos Die Heuwels Fantasties en Francois van Coke, en ander plaaslike kunstenaars soos Will Linley het vir vermaak gesorg. Met verskeie kosstalletjies, kaas en wyn was duisende feesgangers behoorlik gekaas en gewyn. Foto: Sibella Swanepoel
The 2022 Oscars were overshadowed for a multitude of reasons. One reason was that there were many questions surrounding the relevance of the Oscars and award shows in general, and another was, of course, that slap. Thus, the movie CODA winning Best Picture was overshadowed too … and this might not have been a particularly bad thing. “CODA” stands for Child of Deaf Adults he film follows uby, the only hearing member of her family of four, and her attempts to improve her singing ability whilst simultaneously helping her family keep their fishing business a oat he film s themes are, for the most part, original and eye-opening, and its merits—which include the witty humour and the honest, heartfelt depiction of disability—should not be overlooked. he film does ma e one feel good and hopeful; however, this is only because of its exceptionally predict-
able, ‘teen movie’-esque plot (including tropes like the quirky choir teenager who challenges the protagonist and a nondescript, Timothee Chalamet-impersonating love interest) and storytelling. Its plot, tropes and storytelling do not challenge the viewer in any way. When watching, one may question why the film won the scar for Best Picture. This accolade perhaps even does the film a disservice, as it may cause it to be compared to films with truly phenomenal plots, storytelling, etc., such as the other Best Picture nominees—which included, amongst others, Dune and West side Story. he film is most definitely heart-warming and pleasing to watch and creates a lot of visibility for the deaf community, but in comparison to the other nominees, it may not be deserving of the Oscar win he film can be found on Apple TV, and feel free to watch it to form your own opinion!
4 May 2022
SPORT
Campus volleyball bounces back ANAKIN CURTIS
ylan Cooper, a third-year BA (Language and Culture) student, has brought competitive volleyball back to campus. After the end of his high-school hockey career, Cooper wanted to change things up when he came to Stellenbosch University. Inspired by a volleyball-themed anime called Haikyuu!! , Cooper decided to pursue the sport on campus. When Cooper reached out to the organisers on campus, he failed to get a response; however, this did not deter him, as he decided to take matters into his own hands. “I just started messaging my friends and sending out WhatsApp statuses saying ‘I’m keen on playing volleyball, come meet us here [next to the Astro at Coetzenburg]’.” At that point, Cooper had managed to field around 10 consistent players. But just as things were gaining momentum, the university started renovations in the area, making it impossible to play. “They locked us out of those grass fields and said we must figure it out ourselves.” And so, they did. Following their removal from the field next
to the astro turf, they moved to the field in the middle of the athletics track. This came with its own struggles, as they were often chased away by campus security. “Once, we were practising there and there was a netball tournament going on, so they had everything locked to show people where to go, so there was only one gate to get into the field. People were practising athletics at the same time and, as they were about to leave, we asked them to keep the gate open. They didn’t wait and locked us in, so we had to hike up the mountain and come down behind the rugby fields,” said Cooper. Finally, Cooper and his team found a home in the Spelesaal inside the Sport Science building for Friday and Sunday practices as well as on the grass behind Heemstede Women’s Residence for more informal outdoor sessions. From there, Cooper set up his stand at the Societies Fair at the beginning of the year in order to attract new talent to his expanding roster. “Over 100 people showed interest, and it resulted in a massive influx of players. There [are] now consistently 25–35 people at every practice.”
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VICIOUS VELOCITY Volleyball players in action at the Coetzenburg Sports Centre. Photo: Supplied
This allowed Cooper to select the 12 best players to form a men’s and a women’s team. These teams competed at the University of Cape Town on Thursday 21 April. “[The women] played against
their first team and beat them quite decisively, and the men’s games were quite close ending in sets 25 – 17 loss and 25 – 23 loss,” he said. To join them for Friday and Sunday practices from
17:00 to 19:00, contact the Recreation and Lifestyle Unit (RALU) on campus for more information. Cooper and his team will be playing against the University of Western Cape on 4 May.
Maties Gholf blink uit met silwer by USSA-toernooi SIBELLA SWANEPOEL
MATIE MANNE Lede van die Matie-gholfspan poseer vir `n foto. Foto: Karen Swart MATIES Gholf se A-span het onlangs tweede plek by Universiteitsport Suid-Afrika SSA se ghol ampioens appe behaal. USSA is verantwoordelik vir die regulering, organisering en koördinering van sportaktiwiteite van Suid-
Afrikaanse universiteite en bied elke jaar die USSAghol ampioens appe op vers illende ghol ane regoor die land aan. Vanjaar het die toernooi van 10 tot 14 April plaasgevind en USSA het die toernooi in samewerking met die Universiteit
van Kaapstad aangebied. Hierdie jaar het gholfspanne uit verskeie universiteite, insluitend Universiteit Stellenbosch (US) se Maties Gholf, by aarl Ghol lub op oschenmeer-ghol andgoed vir die eerste keer sedert 2019 vir hierdie toernooi bymekaargekom. Maties Gholf het hulle A-span, wat uit Matt illis, ames orster, lee er en A ezuidenhout bestaan, uitgestuur om die US te verteenwoordig. “Dit is elke jaar ’n ander universiteit wat die geleentheid kry om dit aan te bied,” het Vorster, ’n tweedejaar-BCom (Bestuurswetenskappe)-student, genoem. Die toernooi het uit twee formate bestaan, naamlik individueel- en spanformaat. Vorster het sesde in die individuele kategorie geëindig, en Bleeker sewende. “Die toernooi was baie pret en almal het dit geniet,” het Bleeker, ’n derdejaar-BCom (Beleggingsbestuur )-student, gesê. “[Die USSA-gholfkampioenskappe] is ons grootste toernooi, maar ons neem ook aan plaaslike kompetisies deel,” het Vorster genoem. Maties Gholf bestaan uit ’n A- en B-span wat aan hierdie toernooie deelneem. “Ons bestaan uit ’n squad van sestien spelers, maar afhangende van die mense se beskikbaarheid vir die toernooie word die
twee spanne volgemaak,” het Vorster verduidelik. Maties Gholf se volgende toernooi is die Kruger-liga. “Ons begin in Mei aan hom deelneem en dan strek hy tot middel Augustus of September. Dit is bane in die omgewing, net hier in die Boland,” het Vorster gesê.
Twee spelers gaan ook later die jaar die geleentheid kry om aan die Boyd Quaichgedenktoernooi in Skotland deel te neem. “Ons sien uit om die spel hier in Stellenbosch te laat groei en hopelik in die nabye toekoms ’n paar oorwinnings te kry,” sluit Bleeker af.
SILWER SWAAI James Vorster in aksie. Foto: Kyle Lucas.
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SPORT
Danie Craven comes alive for thrilling final ANÉ HAVENGA
niversity of Pretoria (UP) Tuks shifted into another gear in the second half of the Varsity Cup final, and after some edge-of-your-seat rugby in the last few minutes of the game, won with 29 – 23 over the men in maroon. This match took place on 25 April and although Maties’ loss might have tempered the spirits of their supporters, seeing the Danie Craven stadium at full capacity with students and other supporters singing along to every song was still a sight to behold. The excitement at the stadium began earlier in the evening when Tuks’ Young Guns beat NWU Eagles Young Guns 22 – 14, making it their sixth title in eight tournaments. After the match, the stadium prepared for the much-anticipated final. The South African flag covered the field, the cheerleaders had a wonderful dance, fireworks were blazing, Stellenbosch High School learners sang the national anthem, and Paralympic athlete Charl du Toit welcomed everyone to the final. Maties was in control of the first half. The forward pack controlled the breakdowns, and the backline converted and made use of the 11 penalties Tuks conceded in the first half alone. Maties went into halftime with a 20 – 10 lead after a brilliant try by right wing Mike Mavovana and five penalties from flyhalf Nevaldo Fleurs. In the second half, Tuks
FIERY DISPLAYS The Varsity Cup final did not only ensure mouthwatering displays of rugby, but an impressive ceremony as well. Photo: Ané Havenga brought a different dynamic, and the 19 points scored in the second half to Maties’ three points helped them claim their win. It was especially Tuks’ last try, from a counterattack by Stefan Coetzee and try scored by Bernard van der Linde, that raised some eyebrows in the stadium, as it was suggested that it might have been a forward pass, but the Television Match Official (TMO), Egon Seconds, said that there was no
clear evidence that the ball went forward, and thus awarded the try in the 77th minute to Tuks. Walter Visser, flyhalf, kicked over for the last two points. His brother, Impi Visser, a legend Blitzbok player and 2017 Varsity Cup winner for Tuks, said after the game, “I was a bit nervous [about] last week’s semi-final against the Shimlas [University of the Free State]. I didn’t know if they could pull it through. But after I saw that
MATIES TRAMPLED Tuks crowned the champions of the 2022 Varsity Cup. Photo: Ané Havenga
performance in the semi-final, I knew Tuks had a chance to take this game. It was a slow start to the final, but the Tuks boys kept believing and building the stages to stun Maties at home. What a final—what a moment for the Tuks boys! They will remember it for the rest of their lives. It is quite emotional seeing my brother play. I am very happy for him. It is a very special moment to be here with him and having the family here.
I am really happy for him.” Tuks won the prestigious trophy for a fifth time. Their captain, Lincoln Daniels, was quoted in an article from 26 April on the Varsity Cup website as having said, “When it mattered, no one panicked, and everyone stepped up.” The same article quoted Nico Luus, the Tuks coach, who said, “Maties played brilliantly in the first 20 minutes. We were just sort of hanging in there. Maties dominated in the scrums and lineouts, but we won the small battles. During half-time, I made a few tactical changes. It paid off. In the latter stages of the game, our forwards started to dominate. All [in] all, it was a fantastic team effort. I am so proud of the team!” In the article, Tuks flank Stephan Smit, the FNB Player that Rocks of the final match, is quoted as saying, “It has been a privilege to be one of the boys. We showed character when it mattered. We had to, as part of Tuks’ sports culture is to never give up. You can’t give up if you play to honour Tuks’ stripes.” The Maties supporters in the stadium were left in shock and disappointment after coming to support Maties but leaving the stadium empty handed. Ilhaam Groenewald, Maties Sport chief director, sums it up perfectly by saying, “I, and especially our team, feel the pain of losing, but we accept our defeat with dignity because it is now time to take rest and regroup.”
WOENSDAG 4 MEI
SPORT
STELLIES STYLE The Stellies shop in the Neelsie advertising their clothing with digital advertisements and a mannequin. Photo: Chéyenne Britten
Health and wellness: Stellies not fitting in LESEDI MNISI
ody positivity has been a topic in the media for quite some time. This is evident in celebrities, such as Lizzo, speaking out about body types that don’t fit conventional beauty standards and the pride they have in them. It is also evident in the increasing popularity of body-positive influencers such as @thickleeyonce, plus-size models like Ashley Graham, and the introduction of fashion brands that are more inclusive of bodies of different sizes and shapes; however, Stellenbosch University (SU) students feel that the Stellies premium retail brand does not fall into this category of fashion. According to verywellmind.com, there are two movements that encapsulate the aims of inclusive and diverse representation of all body types in media and society: body positivity and body neutrality. Body positivity is a movement focused on the acceptance
and equality of all body sizes and types. It promotes that a person’s body is beautiful no matter what; however, it has been criticised for focusing too heavily on appearance, as well as for creating a culture that allows people to disregard the health risks that come with skinny culture and dangerous eating habits which may lead to obesity. Body neutrality, on the other hand, focuses more on acknowledging the non-physical characteristics of the body, rather than appearance, and promotes that a person’s worth is not based on their body. Beauty standards, which for most of history were “unattainably high”, were largely shaped by advertisers, according to an article about advertising and post-feminism on The Middlebury Blog Network. These beauty standards were based on certain body types that are, according to some SU students, the body types that the Stellies store markets their clothing to.
Stellies stores sell athleisure wear such as shorts, T-shirts and accessories and can be found in the Neelsie, Mill Street (in Stellenbosch) and Somerset Mall. The store also has an online shopping option for their customers. Some SU students, however, have opted not to purchase clothing from Stellies. Mbasakazi Songololo, a third-year BCom (International Business) student, bought a hoodie from Stellies in 2020; however, she has not bought from the store again due to the high price of the clothing. This sentiment is shared by Zoe February, a second-year LLB student, who has never bought clothing from the store, as she feels that they are “way too overpriced, especially considering that they are marketing to students.” Some students choose not to shop at the Stellies store not just because their prices are high, but because their marketing seems to be aimed predominantly towards people with specific body types.
“While their clothes are good quality, I believe that they have the wrong marketing strategy. The few ads that I have seen, as well as the video that is displayed in the store window in the Neelsie, is targeting a very specific group of people,” said Chané Calitz, a first-year Bsc (Chemistry) student. Calitz went on to say that “in the window display, their clothes are only worn by women of a particular body size, and all of them are wearing shirts (for example) over bikinis.” Calitz is not against the wearing of bikinis; however, she does feel that Stellies marketing “unnecessarily sexualize[s] the clothing items” that they have on display. In Unnati Shukla’s 2017 thesis titled “Selling Skinny: Marketing, Social Media and Female Body Image”, she pointed out that marketing campaigns from the late 20th century “were geared toward pointing out to women what is wrong or what needs to be corrected in their
bodies, rather than encouraging and celebrating the diversity of shape.” According to February, the ads and videos she has seen from the Stellies store feature “women [who] are obviously a size small and have ‘desirable’ body types. The same goes for the men—they only use male models who are muscular and well built.” Shay Slauck, a second-year LLB student, says that she has seen this type of marketing in a few other stores but that “the [Stellies] store definitely stands out” for that kind of marketing. February seems to agree with this, as she said that she does not think Stellenbosch “is as progressive as it should be”, and that there is “definitely more of a culture of body exclusivity amongst men”. The Stellies store manager chose not to comment on their marketing tactics or students’ thoughts on their marketing.