Die Matie - 18 May 2022

EEN-EN-TAGTIGSTE JAARGANG | NO. 6

WOENSDAG 18 MEI 2022

‘This is what white boys do’

“I AM ANGRY AS WELL” These are the words of Dr Choice Makhetha whilst she addressed student protestors outside Huis Marais Men’s Residence. Photo: Aurelia Mouton

SU students outraged after violation of student’s dignity at Huis Marais AURELIA MOUTON & ALISON HERMANUS

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n what has been described as a “destructive, hurtful and racist incident”, a resident of Huis Marais Men’s Residence entered the room of another student and urinated on his belongings, according to an official media statement made by Stellenbosch University (SU) on 16 May. Early on the morning of 15 May, a student, who wished to be referred to only as B.N., awoke to another student, identified by the media as first-year LLB student Theuns du Toit, urinating on his desk, books and laptop. When asked why he was doing so, Du Toit reportedly said, “This is what white boys do,” according to B.N. In an interview with Die Matie on Monday, B.N. said, “I was asleep when, around 04:00, I heard noises in my room. I thought it was my friend, so I called him, but nobody answered. So I got up and turned on the light and saw [Du Toit] peeing on my desk.” B.N. said that his textbooks were soiled and his laptop damaged by Du Toit, who appeared to him to be drunk. He proceeded to take a video of Du Toit urinating in his room, which he sent to the Huis Marais leadership immediately after the incident. He reportedly only received a response at 09:00. B.N. reported that the residence leadership said that the matter would be addressed with urgency. However, it was not until the South African Students Congress (SASCO) contacted Jaco Joubert, the Huis Marais prim, on 15 May and released

a statement later that day, that Huis Marais leadership reported the incident to the residence head, Dr Johan Groenewald, after 15:00. B.N. explained that he was moved to a single room for safety whilst Du Toit cleaned his room. According to B.N., Du Toit “just swiped the desk with a tissue . . . . [On] the floor, there was still urine. His friend went to him again and said he must clean the floor too. He just took a cloth and . . . wiped it up. He didn’t wash the floor. [He] just turned the fan on and opened the windows”. According to a post made on 16 May on their Instagram account (@huismarais), Huis Marais’s leadership acknowledged that they were aware of the incident and “[condemned] such behaviour”. Joubert, who declined to comment further on the incident, said that the matter was handed over to the Equality Unit on the morning of 16 May, following an emergency house meeting the previous evening. During the house meeting, Du Toit apologised. “I just want to apologise to [B.N.] and in general for my behaviour, which was wrong. Sorry, guys.” B.N. said that “the apology was not enough” and that he felt Du Toit was apologising “just to clear his image”. He further said, “It is up to him if he wants to speak. We can speak if he wants to do a proper apology.” Mkuseli Kaduka, B.N.’s father, said in a Facebook post on 16 May that he is “not surprised by the behaviour but [is] disgusted by the

slow reaction of those in charge to take the appropriate action against this boy”. B.N. said that he hoped that SU would take the matter seriously. He mentioned that Dr Choice Makhetha, the senior director of the Division of Student Affairs, had phoned him on the morning of 16 May and apologised for what had happened. Makhetha was also amongst those whom SASCO called to speak at a protest they hosted outside Huis Marais on 16 May. “We acknowledge that you are angry. I am angry as well because I am among the people who failed [B.N.],” Makhetha said to the protesters. “We all agree the culture needs to change. We have to go deeper and not just look superficially at what has just happened.” During the protest, Queen Majikijela, SASCO Stellenbosch chairperson, along with hundreds of other outraged students, demanded that the Huis Marais leadership and Groenewald come outside to address the crowd, but they did not do so. Groenewald was the subject of controversy earlier this year for using the k-word during a house meeting, as reported by Die Matie on 16 February. The protest then moved to the Admin B building, where students met with Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, deputy vice-chancellor of teaching and learning, who said that investigation into the incident would take about five days. The students demanded that Du Toit be expelled

by Friday, to which Ramjugernath responded by saying that it was not for him to determine if and when a student should be expelled. SU rector and vice-chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers was not present at the demonstration. In an official statement released by SU on 16 May, media manager Martin Viljoen said, “The university strongly condemns the destructive, hurtful and racist incident,” and announced that Du Toit had been suspended from the university and removed from Huis Marais. “A further swift but detailed investigation will determine the final outcomes. Expulsion and/or criminal charges are not excluded from the possible available options, based on the investigation’s finding,” said Viljoen in the statement. The Student Representative Council (SRC) expressed their solidarity with the protesting students and said they “urge students to support stands against systemic racism and hope that the call to action will be answered by all”, as in a statement made on 16 May. In another statement made on 17 May, the SRC called for the expulsion of Du Toit as well as the disbandment of Huis Marais. “We now call on the white staff and students at Stellenbosch University to take ownership of what happened at Huis Marais and not let the burden fall on the shoulders of the students and staff of colour. We note with disappointment the apathy with

which our white peers have treated this blatant show of racism,” the statement concluded. De Villiers released a statement on 17 May explaining that “despite the university’s strongest condemnation of the incident coupled with the significant and understandable public outcry, as required by law, proper procedures must be followed” to ensure a defensible outcome. “The Huis Marais matter is a top priority for SU management. We value the well-being of all our students and staff. Further engagement will take place once a final outcome is reached,” said De Villiers in his statement. Furthermore, the United Nations Association of South Africa (UNASA) Stellenbosch Chapter, SASCO, as well as the SU Palestinian Solidarity Forum (PSF) released statements condemning the behaviour of Du Toit, and will be hosting an engagement on 20 May in a rally against racism. “[Expulsion] would be appropriate, but I think we all deserve an education. It would be a fair punishment, but then his transcript will be ruined. We all deserve a second chance and two bads don’t make a right,” said B.N. Despite this, a petition to advocate for the expulsion of Du Toit, called “Expel Theuns Du Toit from Stellenbosch University”, was initiated on 16 May on­­ change.org. Du Toit did not avail himself for comment when contacted by Die Matie and has made no further public statements.

2

NEWS

NSFAS students struggling for rent ANAKIN CURTIS

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tudents living in private accommodation who are reliant on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) have been left in the dark concerning rent payments. Many students have reported that they have not received any rent payments, although they have complied with all the necessary procedures set out in the guidelines, according to students Pieter de Villiers and Olivia Moller. According to the Stellenbosch University (SU)’s guidelines ­regarding off-campus private ­residence accommodation accredi­ tation, “the full accommodation allowance is paid in 10 installments (March to December) for ­Stellenbosch campus . . . per year per student. It is the student’s responsibility to pay landlords on time”. However, some students have had to wait months for any feedback from NSFAS or the bursary office on the disbursement of their rental allowances. Moller, a thirdyear BA (Language and Culture) student and NSFAS recipient, is one such student. In her first year in 2020, she was living in the Goldfields Residence but then moved to private accommodation when students returned to campus last year. Regarding the regularity of payments last year, Moller said they were regular. “It was in the beginning where there was a weird window where it wasn’t on time, but not as bad as this year. It’s been insane,” she said. Moller stayed in the same accommodation this year, but when it was time to start receiving

rent money from NSFAS, Moller ran into some issues. “[In March,] I received book money, one allowance and no rent. So, I had to phone my estate agent, and I made arrangements with her,” said Moller. “We agreed that money would be taken from the deposit, and I was lucky that my gran and my mom helped with that.” Moller only received her first rent payment on 4 April. She explained that the uncertainty had become nearly unbearable, which had a massive effect on her mental and physical wellbeing. “When you’re trying to study and then realise that you have to buy groceries but then not being sure if you can actually afford any of the food you need, it can make everything much more difficult,” she said. De Villiers, a third-year BCom (Mathematical Sciences) student, had a similar experience. He said that he had received his first rent payment in late April and that his rent for May had also come late, only arriving on 7 May. “This year has been particularly terrible, seeing as in previous years I had to do more admin. I had to wait much longer this year than I had ever before, even though I thought everything had already been sorted,” he said. When describing how these late payments have affected his ­financial planning, De Villiers said, “I had to get the money somewhere. I looked to my parents for support, but that’s not really an ­option, ­seeing as I needed the ­bursary to cover those expenses in the first place. I was working for

two years before studying, so I had to use that. After that, I had pretty much no savings left.” De Villiers expressed his ­concerns on the transparency of the internal administrative ­ processes involving the disbursement of payments. He stated, “They must give clear frameworks on how many applications they’re processing per day. If I have a deadline for an ­ assignment, they should have a deadline for their assignment. Obviously, these things are communicated eventually, but ­ there’s no actual assurance on when that may be.” Marzhaun van den Berg, administrative officer at the Division of Student Finances, said that there are currently 4782 students ­eligible for NSFAS funding on ­campus, 1685 of whom live in p ­ rivate ­residences. NSFAS only made the funding list for eligible students available on 3 March. “The university could not make any payments to students without this approved list, as they only ­administer the bursary on behalf of NSFAS and follow their instruction as the external funder,” Van den Berg said. According to Van den Berg, 1500 students have completed the survey detailing the content of ­ their lease agreement and had their ­leases approved, meaning that they have received their rent payments. Those who have not ­ completed their survey or have incorrect ­details on their leases have still not received any payment. “Once we receive the ­funding list for eligible students from ­NSFAS, we send out the survey for students to complete, [which is] usually

WAITING FOR RENT The bursary office can be found in the Admin A building. Photo: Carmi Wentzel emailed within two days of receiving the list,” said Van den Berg. “Students are required to then complete the survey correctly, and payments are made within three weeks. We start with payments for books and then the living arrangements, based on the survey.” Late rent payments have serious

financial implications for students who already live in dire circumstances. Although the Division of Student Finances seems to have control over the situation, there are still students who fall through the cracks, evidenced by the ­experiences shared by De Villiers and Moller.

dent had access to in the past. He ­mentioned that the fact that s­ tudents now have access to ­high-end equipment and knowledge­ able people who are happy to help can greatly benefit those who have an idea that they want to bring to ­fruition. “There has been an increasing interest and uptake in the use of the [Makerspace], but there is still

room for students to make use of the f­acilities available,” said ­Hebler. “Students are welcome to pay us a visit any time of the day during the week to see and make use of the facilities we offer. There is always a staff member on hand to answer questions and provide oneon-one support for students.”

Bring your ideas to life in the Makerspace

SHAPES AND SIZES Some examples of the different filaments available at the library’s Makerspace. Photo: Kobus Erasmus KOBUS ERASMUS

EARLY last year, the S ­ tellenbosch University Library opened the long-awaited Makerspace. The Makerspace is situated on the ­upper level of the library in room 1003. According to the library website, the facility features a wide range of services, such as workstations with soldering irons and oscilloscopes, 3D scanners and 3D printers. The Makerspace also offers training for all its services throughout the year. Norman Hebler, head of the M ­akerspace, said that the

­ akerspace is intended to provide M students with a space that promotes collaboration and i­ nnovation. “The goal of the Makerspace is to e­nable students to create new digital ­ artefacts and materials, adapt new digital tools, processes and m ­ ethods, and participate in innovative projects, communities, ­ and discussions.” The workspaces are equipped with professional design software for 3D modeling, circuit design and even audio and video editing, according to Hebler. He stated

that the Makerspace can adapt the types of software on the compu­ ters to a­ ccommodate the needs of ­students. Daniёl Wykerd, a second-year BEng (Electrical and Electronic) student, expressed his excitement about the Makerspace. “Even though I have never used the ­Makerspace, I would love to make use of it in the future.” Brand new additions to the Makerspace are the robotics kits ­ that students can assemble themselves. Kits are available for both beginner and intermediate robotics enthusiasts. According to Hebler, the goal of the kits is to introduce students to the exciting world of robotics and technology. He stated that the Makerspace offers tools like Arduino, Raspberry Pi and various other components upon request. Darryl Geldenhuys, the admini­ strative officer, notes the value of the Makerspace for students. “Working in the Makerspace and getting hands-on is very ­stimulating as well as educational. Learning and creating innovative thinking is what [the Makerspace] is all about.” Hebler noted that the equipment in the Makerspace is generally ­expensive and difficult to use, and not something the average stu-

AMPLE ANALYSIS The 3D scanner captures the intricate details of a vase. Photo: Kobus Erasmus

18 Mei 2022

NUUS

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Education Week: The importance of faculty events HANNAH THERON

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he Faculty of Education recently celebrated their second annual Education Week on campus. The event, which took place between 9 and 13 May, was initiated last year by the Education Student Committee (ESC), as they believe that it is important for the student ­community to have events such as this one. “[Education Week is] for the students of the faculty so that they can feel included [in the faculty], . . . and [the ESC] wants to leave its footprint in the community,” said Lize-Mari Slabber, the ESC chairperson. “I think it’s important to let people know what [the Education] faculty represents and stand[s] for,” added Natania van der Spuy, a fourth-year BEd (Foundation Phase) student. On the significance of education, Isabella Cloete, a second-year BEd (Foundation Phase) student, said, “Education is an important part of our society, and I think it’s i­mportant to include ­different ­aspects that incorporate what ­ education is, like helping others.” To start off Education Week, there was a quiz night at Casa Cerveza on 9 May. The theme of the night was “Back to School”, and the winners of the event were awarded prizes. “Quiz Night was something fun

where students could just get away from their books, go out and ­mingle with each other,” said ­Slabber. On 10 May, the faculty ­celebrated Thank a Teacher Day, where students were encouraged to write letters to thank teachers who had a positive impact on them. Students were allowed to write chalk messages on the steps of the Education Faculty, and BEd students were also encouraged to think about how teachers from their past impacted their own teaching philosophy. This was according to Nerisha Adams, ESC Social Justice portfolio manager, who planned the event with the intention to show appreciation to teachers and to ­ remind education students of what they are working towards. “[Thank a Teacher Day was a] reminder just to say ‘thank you’ and be aware that it’s actually been nice to get education, since not everybody has that opportunity,” said Adams. The faculty’s annual Sandwich Day was held on 11 May. Students gathered at the Education Faculty and made hundreds of sandwiches to donate to underprivileged schools. The bread manufacturer, Blue Ribbon, donated more than 150 loaves of bread in support of this event whilst students donated spreads. Furthermore, on 11 May, the ESC also organised a CV ­Workshop

SANDWICH DAY Students making hundreds of sandwiches to hand out at underprivileged schools. Photo: Hannah Theron Day where they arranged for a professional photographer to take CV photos for students, as well as a guest speaker to give ­ students ­advice on putting ­together a CV and preparing for job interviews. This event was particularly ­ useful for students in their final year who are preparing to enter the job ­market. The final event of Education Week was Wellness Day, on 13 May, which consisted of a hike up Coetzenburg mountain so that students could

“relieve stress and enjoy the great outdoors”, as per a post on the ESC’s Instagram profile (@su_education_ student_committee). Education Week is a way for students to become involved in the faculty beyond academics, according to the ESC. The events not only benefitted the students personally, but they also allowed them to give back to the community. The ESC’s goal with events such as the Sandwich Day, was to highlight

the ­ aspects of teaching that exist outside of the classroom and to inspire ­ students to take initiative themselves. “Getting a degree is one thing, but getting an education is more about your holistic development,” said Delecia Davids, a lecturer in the Department of Curriculum Studies. “Participating in activities such as [these] contribute to not only who you become as a person but . . . how you teach.”

LBAL bied inspirerende beraad vir studenteleiers

ASPIRANTE LEIERS Studente neem deel aan ’n groep bespreking met sprekers by die beraad. Foto: Asher Adams BRADLEY GROVERS

DIE Sentrum vir Studenteleierskap, Ervaringgerigte Opvoeding & Burgerskap (SSLEOB) se Leierskapsberaad vir Aspirante Leiers (LBAL) het onlangs plaasgevind en het studente, sowel as verskeie kundiges in hulle loopbaanvelde, bymekaar gebring. Die geleentheid, wat op 7 Mei plaasgevind het, het dit ten doel gehad om huidige en ­toekomstige studenteleiers te help om die nodige leierskapsvaardighede te ontwikkel wat hulle sal toelaat om hulle leierskapsdoelwitte te bereik en te verbeter, volgens ­ Spurgeon-Haddon Wilson, die projekbestuurder van LBAL. LBAL het sprekers van verskeie lewensterreine verwelkom. Van

dié sprekers het die Universiteit Stellenbosch (US) se eie rektor en visekanselier, prof Wim de Villiers, Tonia Overmeyer (direkteur van SSLEOB), Lynette ­Francis-Puren (mediapersoonlikheid, ­joernalis, uitsaaier, en sosiale aktivis), ­sowel as studenteleiers soos Viwe Kobokana (voorsitter van die US Studenteraad) en ­ Je­ssica Davies (voorsitter van die Tygerberg Akademiese Belangeraad) ­ingesluit. Volgens Heidi October – voorsitter van LBAL, adjunkdirekteur van SSLEOB, en hoof van Frederik van Zyl Slabbert (FVZS) Instituut – het vanjaar se drie-fase beraad op “leierskap vir sosiale verandering” gefokus en het selfs internasionale sosialeveranderingsagente soos dr Sam Vaghar daaraan deelgeneem. “’n Hibriede beraad soos hier-

die het ons toegelaat om kenners op nasionale en internasionale vlak te kon betrek, en aan studente die geleentheid te gee om ook spesi­ fieke leeraktiwiteite te kon voltooi vir erkenning op die akademiese transkripsie,” het October gesê. “Ons wou sáám met studente nuut dink oor leierskap en wou weg beweeg van blote sprekerreekse en het daarom ook studente­panele van Cornerstone Universiteit en South African College of Applied Psychology by die program ingesluit,” het sy uitgebrei. Volgens Wilson is LBAL, gedryf deur SSLEOB se FVZS Instituut, ’n goeie voorbeeld van hoe studente en personeel van die verskillende studentesakesentrums kon saamwerk om ’n relevante program vir aspirante leiers te kon saamstel. Hy

het genoem dat studente deel van die ontwerpspan wat ’n omvattende leierskapsontwikkelingservaring in verskeie kontekste kon ag neem, was. Wilson het gesê dat “LBAL ­studente ’n platform [het] om op ’n kritiese, kreatiewe en innoverende manier by te dra tot hoe leierskap ervaar behoort te word, en ­welke aspekte van leierskap relevant behoort te wees vir die ontwik­ keling van studenteleiers in hoër onderwysinstellings”. Vanjaar se tema “Shifting gears… Reimagining Leadership” het deelnemers laat weg beweeg van die tradisionele idee van ­ leierskap, soos dat leierskap slegs vir dié is wat v ­ erkose titeldraers is. Dit het ook verder die dialoog aangaande

verskeie leierskapsvorme wat binne sosiale konteks aangeneem kan word, begin om sosiale verandering teweeg te bring, ­ volgens Kamryn Smith, programadministrateur by die FVZS Instituut. Abongile Quthu, ’n derdejaar-BA (Internasionale Studies)-student en een van die LBAL-studente­ mentors, het gesê: “Een van die ­belangrikste aspekte van leierskap is om inspirasie te vind en te leer van vorige leiers se mislukkings en positiewe ervarings.” Quthu het verder gesê dat LBAL noodsaaklik is vir alle studente aangesien dit help met ontwikkeling van leierskapsvaardighede asook die ontdekking van die self, en hoe studente kan bydra tot verandering.

GRETIG OM TE LEER Enige studente wat aspireer om beter leiers te word kon by die beraad baat. Foto: Asher Adams

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STUDENTELEWE

Studentelewe

Survival guide to the SU exam season

AURELIA MOUTON

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s the cold descends upon Stellenbosch University (SU), the exam season creeps closer too. With loadshedding and online classes, it has been a tough semester so far for many stu­ dents, but there is still time to turn that around. Die Matie is here to help with a few easy tips to make life a bit more bearable in the upcoming exams. Dr Erna Gerryts, psychologist and academic advisor for the Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD) said, “It is best to sit down with a calendar, write down your exam dates and plan your study s­ essions ahead of time.” This is because, Gerryts said, good planning helps to ease anxiety, so students should try to avoid cramming two days before a big exam. “Sleep and healthy eating should also not be underestimated. Don’t change your sleep schedule. Instead, maximise your daily routine to suit your study needs. Avoid overloading on ­sugar and carbs, as they don’t actually give you more energy and leave you feeling more tired and sluggish,” Gerryts added. Skip the syrupy, sweet donuts and pizza, and stock up on

TO THE BIB WE GO Students are encouraged to take the exam season day by day. Photo: Aurelia Mouton

can always rely on for a laugh or two between those intense study sessions. Listening to positive music or podcasts is also a good idea and keeps one’s mind stimulated ­during breaks. “I think balance is most important during exams. I make sure I exercise, eat and sleep enough, otherwise nothing I study sticks in my brain!” said Bella P ­ retorius, second-year B (Social Work) ­student. Gabrielle Koense, a ­second-year BA (Language and Culture) student, said, “I don’t know if I am ever really well prepared, but I usually start studying days before the exam, because I hate all-nighters, and sleep is important. When I feel overwhelmed, I put on a Disney playlist and listen to that while studying, then I don’t feel stressed and do feel more confident. “I also mute WhatsApp groups. I don’t know why, but it gets distracting for me when people ask questions and explain theories, etc. To prevent confusion and stress for myself, I mute them.” She also said that she lives by the motto “If I don’t know it by midnight, I just don’t know it” and believes that a person can’t do everything, but they can do their best.

some vegetables, leafy greens and good proteins like fish, nuts and legumes. If you are going to drink lots of coffee, make sure you match each cup with a glass of water to avoid dehydration. Gerryts suggests investing in a ­ few packets of Cup-a-Soup for those late night salty snack cravings, instead of eating something too heavy before bed. In terms of study breaks, taking them regularly is paramount. Ditch the phone though, as scrolling through TikTok and Instagram takes up too much mental

space, according to Gerryts. Take a walk or chat to some friends instead, she said, in order to feel refreshed and ready to continue working. Gerryts’ best advice? Identify a few good study spots and rotate them weekly. That way, one will not get stuck in a rut or feel scatterbrained by constantly looking for a quiet area to hit the books. “Always plan your comeback! Know what work you are going to do after your break before taking it. It gives you purpose and reminds you during your breaks not

to dawdle over the set break time. It also helps you avoid distracting, passive activities like scrolling on your phone,” she said. If one is watching Netflix during study breaks, opt for a show with a running time of less than 30 minutes. This will help to avoid falling into a binge session in front of the screen. Pick something light and comedic to relieve stress and increase the happy hormones, serotonin and dopamine. Shows like Parks and R ­ ecreation, Community and G ­ilmore Girls are crowd f­avourites that students

what Danette Smith, fourth-year BEd (Foundation Phase) student, likes about the Poké Co. “I like that I can see my food and how it is being made,” Smith explained.

they provide vegan and vegetarian-friendly options for their plantbased friends, as well as a selection of gluten-free sauces. They also have fresh orange, pineapple, ginger, turmeric, and carrot juice that you can share with your main squeeze. For the chilly winter months, Nyamukapa said they have a steamy in-house broth to cure the winter blues and keep the doctor away. Besides the vibrant explosion of flavour in every bite, another great thing about a poké bowl is that, according to Nyamukapa, whatever bowl you order or create will be a “balanced meal”. The Poké Co. also supports locals, as their fish are line caught in Cape Town, and their vegetables locally sourced. Andrew Flanagan, founder of the Poké Co., added on their website that “we at The Poké Co. invest in ‘good’ and every time you buy one of our Poké bowls you do too!”.

POKE BOWLING Bowled over by a deconstructed sushi salad from The Poké Co. Photo: Jani Roux

The new café on the block: The Poké Co.

JANI ROUX

SUSHI lovers’ dreams recently came true when the Poké Co. opened its doors to the healthy hearts of Stellenbosch. The opening took place on 29 April at 27 Plein Street, and to celebrate the opening of their new branch, the Poké Co. gave their first 100 bowls to the first 100 lucky customers who lined up outside the shop. Mabel Nyamukapa, supervisor of the Poké Co. Stellenbosch, remarked that “people were really excited about the new shop in town”. So, what is a poké bowl and how can you build one? In ­ Hawaiian, “poké” means “cut into pieces”, which describes the sliced fish, vegetables, fruits, nuts and other healthy foods lined up behind a glass-window that customers can pick and choose from. This transparency is exactly

GRAB A BITE of ­vitamin-sea. ­ anette Smith (left) and Zilke D Frienlingsdorf (right). Photo: Jani Roux Nyamukapa described the poké bowl as a “deconstructed sushi salad, adopted from a Hawaiian dish”, and proudly added that

18 Mei 2022

STUDENT LIFE

5

Chewable art: Hamburger Day LESEDI MNISI

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he bottom half of a soft bun, a little bit of sauce, some lettuce, a delicious patty, a few slices of cheese, a slice of tomato, some onion, a whole lot more sauce and the top half of a sesame seed bun—that is what 28 May is all about: h ­ amburgers. It is not always easy to find a good burger or even a good place to eat one, which is perhaps what makes celebrating Hamburger Day so difficult. It is for this reason that Die ­­ ­Matie went in search of the best places to get a burger that will meet the needs of all burger lovers, regardless of whether they are meat lovers, vegetarian or ­vegan.

beef burgers, one vegan burger and one vegetarian. The staff are friendly and helpful, and the food is prepared quite quickly. Stud. is perfect for someone looking for a burger that is prepared timeously, tastes delicious and is within the price range of R70–R95. The Stud. Burger is made with a double stacked boran (pure bred and grass fed beef) patty, pickles, onion, cheese, mustard, tomato and mayo sauces. All these ingredients are carefully nestled between two halves of a scrumptious brioche bun. FLAME & ASH

Flame & Ash is a restaurant that can be found a few stores down from Stud.

NO BULL Stud.’s delicious “No Bull” Burger, made with two vegan patties, tomato, pickles and different sauces. Photo: Kelly Lin STUD. THE BURGER SHOP

Located on Plein Street, Stud. is a unique burger shop in the sense that it only offers outdoor seating with a clear view of the kitchen. The design of the shop gives off the feeling of ordering and eating from a food truck. Instead of a lengthy menu, the shop only offers three

INFINITY AND BEYOND The Beyond Burger from Flame & Ash served with a side of scrumptious chips. Photo: Kelly Lin

Flame & Ash serves a few more burgers than Stud. and also serves chicken patties. They offer eight beef burgers, two chicken burgers, one vegetarian, and one vegan burger. Their burgers are within the price range of R58–R129 and are all served with chips and a free ice-cream. Additionally, the most exciting part about Flame & Ash burgers is that on Tuesdays, all their burgers are 40% off. Their delicious vegetarian burger consists of a vegetable patty with tzatziki, red onion, cucumber and a side of sweet potato fries. This burger looks good, tastes good and is good.

Unlike Stud., this restaurant not only serves burgers but woodfired pizzas, nachos, ribs and salads. This makes it the perfect place to go to with friends or family that (for some strange reason) do not want to eat burgers. This restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating and has a space inside for content creators and memory hoarders to take photos.

HUDSONS THE BURGER JOINT

is alcohol or a party involved, most students in Stellenbosch are simply not interested. “Capri has thousands of members that form part of our community, yet for most of our events we’ll be lucky to even get 50 people to show up,” said Luke von Willingh, Capri PSO HC member. Jamie Leigh Clark, Huis ten Bosch Women’s Residence HC, said, “You have to incentivise in your residence space. I understand that you cannot force people to attend events happening in res or around campus, but the issue remains that we try to create spaces for important conversations to take place about pressing matters in res and around campus, yet less than 15 people show up. It is discouraging because of the effort you put in.” However, the pandemic may not be the only factor at play, as the planned events might be missing the mark. “I don’t believe [that] COVID, as a factor on its own, is the determining factor for low attendance at events—it’s always been low,” said another anonymous student.

“As a person who has never had social anxiety before, going into social situations post-COVID where

Hudsons is, according to their Instagram bio (@hudsonsstellenbosch), “an American style burger joint with South African flare” that can be found at 77 Dorp Street. Hudsons also serves food other than burgers and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. It is

advised to keep an eye on their social media accounts to remain informed on when they are having live music or other events. This burger joint has a menu that offers 10 beef burgers, three chicken burgers, one pork burger and a whopping five vegan burgers! All of their burgers are dripping with

sauce and have various fillings, making them a true burger lover’s dream. Burgers from Hudsons cost ­anything from R70 to R135. Hudsons also offers athome kits that can be bought and used to make delicious burgers from the comfort of one’s home. The Vegan Cheese burger from Hudsons is made with a pea protein patty, battered onion rings, vegan cheddar cheese, homemade pickles and roasted garlic aioli. This burger is dripping with mouthwatering sauces such as their German mustard and is guaranteed to cause an explosion of flavours in your mouth. Stud., Flame & Ash and ­Hudsons are not the only places to eat good burgers. There are other places such as McDonald’s, Steers and KFC, which are suitable for people who want a faster and more affordable option. Either way, there is a burger for every kind of burger lover who wishes to celebrate Hamburger Day this year.

STACKED The Scheckters Raw burger from Hudsons, made with delicious fillings and dripping with sauce. Photo: Kelly Lin

Are student communities dying a slow death? SKYLA THORNTON

THE COVID-19 pandemic has affected the way in which many students interact with one another. There has been a high demand for adaptation in multiple spheres and little time to do so. In the context of Stellenbosch University (SU), participation in university events is at an all-time low. There has been a drastic decrease in subscription to student communities, such as committees and societies, and the attendance of events organised by these communities, Private Student Organisations (PSOs) and ­residences has been dwindling. “The only attendance that has improved post-COVID is at clubs and bars,” said a student who preferred to stay anonymous. Student communities thrive off of students taking the opportunity to try new things and explore various interests, but the pandemic has led to most people remaining within their comfort zones instead of broadening their horizons. For some, it may almost seem that unless there

STUDENTS PLAY with a hackie-sack at a braai hosted by the Maties Underwater Club. Photo: Skyla Thornton I don’t know anyone is a daunting experience, which has limited my exposure to clubs and societies,

because I won’t go if I don’t know ­anyone there. Because of COVID, we haven’t had as many opportunities to interact with classmates and be exposed to different clubs and societies,” the student continued. From a post-graduate perspective, Kira Courtaillac, co-chairperson of the Maties Underwater Club, said, “It does feel weird as a post-grad to go to PSO or res events at the moment. I feel like I’ve been there and done that . . . whereas as a first- and second-year [student], it was a lot of fun to go and meet new people.” Daniel Olivier, chairperson of The Guild (a tabletop gaming society), shared his thoughts and said, “A lot of student communities struggle with attendance because their events aren’t relevant, or our community members have lost a sense of ownership. “Our seniors have less uni experience than ever, and a record [number] have dropped out of leadership due to HEMIS issues. Two years online have pushed our PSOs, societies and residences into becoming content creators, not communities.

“Student communities should only exist to fulfil student needs. If our communities start serving student needs, obviously they’ll want to attend.” Whilst some may find it disheartening that participation is decreasing, it can be reassuring that there are students who care about their peers finding community and having enough of a sense of belonging to organise and see events through, despite low attendance. It can be interpreted as resilience in trying times, a lesson that the pandemic has conveyed to many. “What brings me joy at university, and perhaps that’s the key, [is] finding your community. Once you realise the doors that open for you by taking that leap to support a cause, attend an event, or join in on a webinar, you reap the benefits and will never want to go back. Active involvement looks great on your CV, and with vaccinations and boosters available, employers will no longer accept an unsatisfactory CV owing to COVID,” said an anonymous ­student.

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STUDENTELEWE

Guide to thrifting your winter wardrobe ANSELA SLOMAN

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s mornings get darker and the air chillier, it may be time for many Stellenbosch students to put away their shorts and plakkies and dig to the back of their closets for some winter necessities. For those looking to invest in some new winter basics (and unique statement pieces), the Stellenbosch thrifting scene is the answer! Many students may have heard of thrifting, or have those friends who always wear the coolest outfits and proudly announce, “Thanks, it’s thrifted!” whenever they get complimented. However, many students do not know where to start their own thrifting journey. Here is Die Matie’s guide to the hottest thrifting spots in Stellenbosch for winter. ONS WINKEL

This small, homely store can be found on 121 Andringa Street and is packed to the brim with everything from high heels ready for dancing, to pants and jerseys to keep people warm this winter! According to staff member Judy Mitchell, all their stock is donated by people who live in the community. “You save a lot of money . . . and you never know what you can find in a second-hand store! Whether it’s a jersey or something you want to

BEST BROWSING The Hospice Shop is a popular destination for students looking for their next second-hand find! Photo: Ben Wiese

­ argain, such as corduroy trousers b for R80 or even designer clothes donated by generous community ­members. “You will be amazed by the things you can find here! We had [brand new] shoes donated to us yesterday from overseas. People are donating quality stuff here,” Leiths commented. Additionally, a poster at the entrance to the shop informs customers that all proceeds from sales go to the Stellenbosch Hospice, which provides care to those suffering from life-threatening or l­­ife-limiting

­ embers and if their pieces sell, m they get 30% back. “People throw out beautiful stuff, perfectly good clothes that maybe just don’t fit, [so we] give those clothes second chances.” Coats, jerseys and even suede pants are some winter clothes up for grabs at Malaki, making it a great option for students wanting to invest in good quality second-hand clothing this winter. Van Heyningen emphasised the creativity that shopping second-hand sparks, saying that many customers like to “flip” their finds into something completely new “because [buying second-hand is] so cheap. [Customers] buy a dress and make a top from it! You can play around [and] even tie-dye it!” Malaki Second Chances is definitely worth popping into between classes to snag some unique winter must-haves.

dors before spending their money on fast fashion. “The Dorp Street Sunday Market has more than 10 different thrift and second-hand vendors to choose from, and—especially with winter [coming up]—that gives students hundreds of choices to choose from for their winter wardrobe. Instead of going to the shops and buying extremely expensive blazers, sweaters and coats, they can just come to the market and get the same quality for much more affordable [prices].” According to Breedt, there are ethical benefits of thrifting. Not only is thrifting better for the environment, but thrifters are also supporting a small, local business. “When you’re supporting [vendors at the Dorp Street Sunday M ­ arket] you’re supporting a family. . . You’re not supporting some huge company and someone buying their third Ferrari. “It is also super affordable—it doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg to come out and support the thrifting traders.” A visit to the vibrant Dorp Street

ONS WINKEL in the heart of Stellenbosch, is a must-stop for those looking for affordable winter basics. Photo: Ben Wiese

put in your room, you’ll always find something cute!” Mitchell said. Mitchell explained that items are priced depending on quality, but for those on a budget, the bargain box is their best friend. “[The prices] depend on how it looks . . . . If it’s nice, we give a decent price. If it’s not as nice, we give it a discount.” This shop is an essential stop for those looking for some winter ­basics at very affordable prices. THE HOSPICE SHOP

The Hospice Shop located on Borcherd Road is a bigger space with lots of fun pieces ready to be found. “All our clothes are donations from the community,” explained Ann Leiths, a staff member at the Hospice Shop. “For the 10 years I’ve been here, the students [have] . . . love[d] to come and shop here because it’s good for the planet . . . and they find it much cheaper than retail shops.” The shop is usually bustling with students looking for their next

conditions. So if the good prices and wide variety are not enough to draw you in, then the prospect of supporting a good cause may do the trick. The Hospice Shop is definitely a good stop for students and a must-visit for winter shopping! MALAKI SECOND CHANCES

On 36 Ryneveld Street, you can find Malaki Second Chances tucked between two coffee shops. With a beautiful interior and friendly staff, Malaki Second Chances is an absolute gem in the Stellenbosch second-hand scene and provides a curated selection of second-hand (as well as a few new handmade) pieces. The store sports a wide ­variety of second-hand clothing, from high-quality designer and imported pieces and evening dresses to the more casual items making up the R50 rail and R10 box. Urna van Heyningen, a staff member at the shop, explained that they get their products from students and other community

“If being tortured was my kink I would have been screaming by now.” – Student marking firstyears’ quizzes “Kan jy glo dis nou eers ­Dinsdag? Dit voel asof dit al volgende Donderdag moet wees.” – Gatvol honneursstudent. “How can a four-day week feel like two n ­ ormal ones?” – Tired first-year c­ omplaining “Ja, jy kan voedsevergiftiging kry van vuil koppies.” “Wel, dan het ek malaria.” – Twee studente wat praat oor vuil skottelgoed. “Pop off!” – Student encouraging her friend who has a lot of o ­ pinions. “Eina, hier is 'n drukspyker op die stoel.” – Student beseer deur k­ ampusstoel. “I can’t really think of any highlights at the moment, ­ but it’s fine.” – Student reminiscing about the past academic year. “Ek ken hulle nie persoonlik nie. Ek weet nie wat in hulle huis aangaan nie.” – Student wat nie 'n opinie oor die Johnny Depp en Amber Heard saak het nie.

DORP STREET SUNDAY M ­ ARKET

The Stellenbosch thrift guide would not be complete without the Dorp Street Sunday Market, which takes place every Sunday in the heart of Stellenbosch and has over 50 unique vendors, including many selling thrifted or second-hand clothing. Meagan Classen, a second-year BSc (Human Life Science) student, said that the market is her favourite place to thrift in Stellenbosch. “It’s honestly so easy and accessible to thrift in Stellies, since there is a market each Sunday in Dorp Street that mostly consists of thrift pop ups. Some of my favourite thrift stores are at the market most Sundays.” Leani Breedt, the market vendor manager, encourages students to come and check out the many ven-

CAMPUS QUOTES

“Bzz, bzz, bzz, bzz.” – Student mocking WhatsApp update.

EXCITEMENT Get your hands on the perfect thrift find at Dorp Street Sunday Market! Photo: Sebastiaan Whitward

Sunday Market should be on the bucket list of every Stellenbosch student, especially those looking to support local businesses and update their wardrobe for the cold months coming up.

“Ek moet my befok-quota m ­ anage.” – Student wat net nie meer kan nie. “Wow, guys, when last were you in the bib?” – Third-year student to her peers. “Ek het allegedly my shit verloor.” – Student wat haar shit verloor het. “Urgent: I can’t eat.” – Student to the NSFAS office. “Ek is baie jammer, dit is nog nie eens 19:00 nie en ons is klaar stukkend.” – Gatvol student voor die e ­ ksamen. “All my songs are about love and sex.” – Local artist.

A COLOURFUL display at Malaki Second Chances. Photo: Ben Wiese

“Wie eet al hierdie roomys?” – Student wat wonder oor die 6000 roomyswinkels in S ­ tellenbosch.

18 Mei 2022

DAG & NAG

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DAG&NAG KU N S E N VE R MAAK • ARTS AND E N TE RTA IN ME N T

Intimate Apparel : Student plays back in fashion JAN-HENDRIK PRETORIUS

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ntimate Apparel, a student-driven theatre production, signalled the welcome return of student productions to Stellenbosch. The production blew audiences away with a captivating plot and nuanced dialogue, showcasing experienced acting chops and high production value from Stellenbosch University (SU’s) drama department. Intimate Apparel made its debut at the Adam Small Theatre last week and ran from 6 May to 14 May. According to director Sukki Hofmeyr, the play was written by the acclaimed writer and two-time Pulitzer Prize for drama winner, Lynn Nottage. “She’s an African American playwright who is very famous. This is one of her earlier plays, and I thought it would work well with a student ensemble. It’s a diverse cast, which I believe is very important,” Hofmeyr said. “The actors were [cast] extremely well. It is a beautiful cast and every person is perfect for the role,” said Gita Fourie. Fourie, who is a third-year BA (Drama and Theatre Studies) student, played the role of Mrs van Buren, an upper-class white woman who employs Esther, the protagonist of the play. Intimate Apparel tells the story of seamstress Esther, who makes lingerie (or “intimate apparel”), and is desperate for intimacy herself. Her story takes place against

STELLAR CAST From left to right: Gita Fourie, Vukile Maseko, Mikayla Brown, Nirel Sithole and Anathi Bushet. Photo: Rikus Terblanche the background of early 20th-century New York. “Esther puts herself up as this very hard person. . . . She is just quite tough. But there’s something within her, like this longing and desire for intimacy,” said Mikayla Brown, a BAHons (Drama and Theatre Studies) student, who played the lead role. George Armstrong, a Barbadian immigrant, learns about Esther and decides to write to her whilst working as a labourer on the Panama Canal. Nirel Sithole, a third-

year BA (Drama and Theatre Studies) student who played the role of Armstrong, described his character as one with a traumatic past. “His main goal in the whole play is to find someone who makes him happy and may give him a comfortable life,” said Sithole. Esther and George’s love starts blooming, but the story contains many plot twists and suspenseful moments, which characterise the script’s masterful writing. The play tells a relatively heavy story, but carries a lighter tone with am-

ple comedic moments to ease suspense. Audiences may find intriguing social commentary hidden between the dialogue, addressing racism, class and abuse, amongst others. The production showcased a stylish set and powerful cast with excellent chemistry. Convincing metropolitan New York accents, marvellous costume design and impressive technical work topped it all off. Erin Francis, third-year BA (Drama and Theatre Studies)

medestudente is werklik ’n out of this world-ervaring.” Só vertel Ané Spies, wat tans besig is met ’n nagraadse onderwyssertifikaat en ’n lid van die USK is. Vir baie is dit lekker om weer sulke opvoerings te kan bywoon. André van der Merwe, dirigent van die USK vir die afgelope 20 jaar,

het dit beaam toe hy tydens die opvoering na die gehoor gedraai en gesê het: “Julle is ’n aantreklike groep mense. Hoe neerhalend dit ook al mag klink, weet julle hoe ongelooflik is dit om weer vir mense te kan sing?” Die konsert was uitsonderlik en ’n ervaring vir diegene daar. Inge

van Driel, eerstejaar-BCom (Aktuariële Wetenskap)-student, het die ervaring so bewoord: “Insane, [dit was] so, so mooi. Ek het kort-kort hoendervleis gekry.” Dit kom daarom as geen verrassing dat die USK nou al vir die afgelope paar jaar as die wenners van die Wêreld Koorspele

Hoor, hoor onse eie koor is voor! JANI ROUX

DIE Stellenbosch Universiteitskoor (USK) het onlangs die publiek met hulle pragtige sang in die Kruiskerk betower. Toegang tot hulle vertonings op 5 en 12 Mei was gratis, maar donasies vir kos en klere aan minderbevoorregtes was welkom. Die koor se keuse om met U2 se “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for” af te skop was beslis ’n treffer. Die verwerkings van die liedere was vars en uniek en het aanklank gevind by die gehoor. Die hoogtepunt van die dag was beslis hulle weergawe van die gedig “The Destroyer” wat geskryf is deur Lola Ridge en tot ’n lied verwerk is deur die komponis Séan Doherty. In die koor se weergawe gee die kombinasie van verskillende toonhoogtes en stemme weer hoe elemente soos wind en reën skade aan die natuur doen. Dit verwys dan terselfdertyd na die skade wat mense aan mekaar doen. “Ons Etensuurkonserte sal altyd my gunsteling bly, want die liefde en ondersteuning van ons

FAMILIE VAN STEMME Die USK tydens hulle Etensuurkonsert op die 12de Mei. Foto: Jani Roux

student and technical and stage manager for Intimate Apparel, mentioned, “I was pleasantly surprised by the theatre’s capability. I think everything that we’ve done technically, from the set to the costumes, worked very well together. It just gelled naturally.” The production opened to a positive reception from audiences, with audience member and second-year postgraduate LLB student, Willem Horn, remarking “One could immediately find a liking towards each character as soon as they entered the stage. The development in these characters showcased clever, subtle comedy and a beautiful touch of realism that caused the crowd to feel empathetic towards them. A stellar performance, definitely worth watching.” Relaxed regulations surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic gave the arts a sigh of relief as audiences could enjoy live theatre more freely. “This is the first year [since the start of the pandemic] that we are doing larger productions— even performing without wearing masks—so that is amazing!” said Fourie. Whilst Intimate Apparel will not feature again for the foreseeable future, students and locals may look forward to numerous other student productions taking the stage at Adam Small Theatre in the coming months.

aangewys is en ook tans spog as eerste op die Interkultur-ranglys van die topduisend internasionale kore nie. Vanjaar wou hulle weer hulle slag by die Wêreld Koorspele gaan wys het, maar die kompetisie is ongelukkig weens COVID-19 gekanselleer. Hulle sal dus eers weer in 2023 kan deelneem. Christiaan de Beer, vierdejaar-MBChB-student en 2022 se USK-voorsitter, het bygevoeg “daai droom is ongelukkig daarmee heen om weer die jaar ons titel te gaan verdedig”. Tog sien hy uit na die moontlikheid om deel te wees van ’n nasionale toer na Tshwane, Bloemfontein en Johannesburg later hierdie jaar. Hulle galakonsert by die Hugo Lambrechts Ouditorium is op 15 Mei opgeneem. Die opnames gaan op die USK se YouTube-kanaal (met die naam Stellenbosch University Choir) sowel as later die jaar op die Woordfees se televisieuitsendings verskyn. Die Tygerberg-studente kan ook ’n vertoning in die tweede semester verwag. Spies raai studente aan om “julle oë en ore oop [te hou] vir spesiale verwikkelinge”.

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DAG & NAG

A picture is worth a thousand shots KEZIA DANIELS

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reelance photographer Pierre Rommelaere is no stranger to the Stellenbosch nightlife and music scene. Rommelaere has been in the photography game since 2011, and started visiting bars and venues all over Stellenbosch and Cape Town in 2012 to take photographs at numerous parties, music gigs and events. He has been pursuing photography full-time since 2013. When asked about what he loved most about Stellenbosch, the place he would never grow tired of capturing, Rommelaere responded with “the nightlife and live music”. “I’ve always loved seeing and documenting how a night in a student town unfolds and the interesting scenes that come of it. Live music is where I found my niche as a photographer, and luckily, Stellenbosch used to offer live music almost every night of the week,” he continued. In every field of art, an artist has inspirations for their work and influences that are the reason they do what they do. “My biggest

inspiration is the local music scene. If there wasn’t such a vibrant and diverse music scene, I would probably never have picked up a camera,” said Rommelaere. It is also no surprise that in some way, COVID-19 has interfered in everybody’s life, especially freelance artists. When asked how COVID-19 affected his work, Rommelaere mentioned that because events were non-existent in the earlier phases of the pandemic, his work was negatively impacted. He also stated that it gave him time to reflect on his career and start planning for the way forward. “Luckily, events are making a comeback, so things are looking very positive again,” said Rommelaere. Rommelaere offers a piece of advice to young aspiring photographers starting their journey in this field: “Don’t worry too much about getting the best gear in the start. The photographer makes the photo, not the gear. Worry about that when things start to get serious.”

GOLDEN ANIMALS Rommelaere captured this performer at the Endless Daze Festival. Photo: Pierre Rommelaere

LIFE AS YOU BO IT Rommelaere captured this photo at Bohemia Band Night. Photo: Pierre Rommelaere

Murray. painting the town red

Look and listen with the chancellor

LAURA MUTYAMBIZI

Regardless of their generation, many people share one thing in common—the love of movies, series and music. Die Matie asked Justice Cameron, Stellenbosch University’s chancellor, what he has been watching and listening to, and he suggested a variety of entertainment, from understanding systemic racism and police reform in The Wire to laughing your socks off in Some Like It Hot. FAVOURITE SERIES

RED HOT The beautiful crowd at House of Machines in Cape Town. Photo: Tanya Steenkamp SKYLA THORNTON

AS they limbered up, straightened their iconic red beanies and tuned their instruments for their next performance, Die Matie spoke to Murray.’s lead singer and guitarist, Leonardo Angelucci about the Cape Town-based band. With the inspiration behind their sound being the music that the band members listened to at different stages of their lives, Angelucci described their music as being like “if Red Hot Chili Peppers and Lenny Kravitz had a love child, and that love child grew up listening to Dave Matthews Band, The Beatles, The Killers and a little bit of Foo Fighters.” The band are seemingly shrouded in mystery and have no story of how they got together— even when asked about the reason behind their iconic red beanies, Angelucci simply responded with “it was cold”. There is, however,

some information regarding the members of Murray.. According to Angelucci, a self-proclaimed “rhythmic gymnast with a guitar and singer-ish skills”, the band comprises the “lead actor in a guitaring role”, Matteo Angelucci; the “BASSic B#*tch” bass player, CJ Duckitt; and Jeanré Leo, who “flies in from Bahrain when [Murray.] need a drummer”. Murray. released their debut single, “Careless Me”, in 2019. When asked about the meaning behind their first song, Angelucci said it “means whatever you want it to mean” and talks about simpler days. “Does it touch on the concept of mortality as an ever-growing monkey on the shoulder of humanity? Why not?” he mused. Fans can expect to hear more of the band’s music in late June, when a new single is set to be released. The band is also set to release more music in the near future and will be collaborating with Jandre Span-

genberg from Totius Hill Studios. Angelucci also said that the band is working on a project that “will take things to a new level, and will most likely leave [them] broken and destitute again”. Whilst Murray. has mostly played in Cape Town, the band are really excited to make another appearance in Stellenbosch after having performed with Jackal & the Wind and Dope Folks at the Daisy Jones Bar in February. This show, which Angelucci described as “pure energy, times seven”, was a few months in the making after the bands saw each other perform last year at Misty Waters Music Festival and felt it was fate. Angelucci concluded by saying, “We are kind of unhinged and kind of weird and kind of rejects, but not really . . . and we will play music. And there you have it.” Murray.’s fans can catch them at Bohemia for their live performance tomorrow, Thursday 19 May at 20:00.

The Wire — This is a series about “policing and law enforcement in marginalised neighbourhoods in Baltimore—the racial and law and order issues are potentially relevant to us in SA.” The Night Of — “A gripping, recent series about guilt or innocence, courtroom processes and prisons.” FAVOURITE MOVIE

Some Like It Hot — According to Cameron, this is “the funniest movie ever made”. It is about “two musicians whom the Mafia want to eliminate after they accidentally witness the St Valentine’s Day massacre in Chicago’s gangland, and their only way to escape is to disguise themselves as players in an all-girl band leaving for Florida, with Marilyn Monroe,” said Cameron Don’t Look Up — “hugely enjoyable [and] morally provoking with dark comedy” ICONIC SONGS “Go Your Own Way” (1977) by Fleetwood Mac is the song that helped Cameron when he was struggling to come out as a gay man. “And ABBA, ABBA, ABBA! Almost any song by ABBA makes me smile—they were campy and nostalgic and heavily self-ionising—and LGBTIQ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or transsexual, intersex and queer or questioning] people loved them.” The chancellor’s cinematic recommendations have filled up my “added list” on Netflix, and have provided some binge-worthy content for a Saturday movie night or series marathon! If you are not in the mood to sit and watch a movie, turn on the speaker and have a dance party.

18 Mei 2022

DAG & NAG

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Francois van Coke KANNIEDOOD nie AURELIA MOUTON & ANÉ HAVENGA

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he Daisy Jones Bar net buite Stellenbosch het op 6 Mei behoorlik geruk en gerol en dit alles te danke aan Francois van Coke en sy band, Die Gevaar. Hy het die skare gaande gehou met sy stories, liedjies en verhoogpersoonlikheid. Hy het van sy bekende liedjies soos “Ek Lewe, Ek Belowe” en “Dagdrome in Suburbia” gespeel, maar hy het nie weggeskram van ’n paar ou treffers uit sy Fokofpolisiekaren Van Coke Kartel-dae soos “Ek Skyn (Heilig)” en “Tot die Son Uitkom” nie. In ’n kort onderhoud met Die Matie vertel Francois van Coke (oftewel Francois Badenhorst) dat die inspirasie vir sy nuwe album, Kanniedood, wat in September bekendgestel word, tydens die inperkingstyd in die vorm van ’n “wake up call” oor sy eie sterflikheid gekom het. “’n Groot inspirasie was om in touch te wees met mortality. Dis

crazy, maar dit is die waarheid. Ek het vriende [en] kennise gehad wat doodgegaan het in die tyd. Ek is miskien nou op daai ouderdom, 41, waar mense net meer doodgaan rondom my. Covid het beslis ook iets daarmee te doen gehad. Ek het net gedink ‘ek het ’n familie; ek kan nie doodgaan nie’,” het Van Coke gesê. Terwyl hy wel gegrap het dat hy op 18 wou doodgaan, het hy besef hy het baie om voor te lewe en wil nog lank nie die emmer skop nie. Hy het verder gesê: “Ek dink ook dat dit gaan oor determination [en] harde werk. ’n Kanniedood attitude. Daai twee goed het bygedra tot die naam.” Hy het in Stellenbosch vir die eerste keer twee nuwe liedjies van hierdie album gespeel, naamlik “Rus in Vrede” en “Nie Alleen Nie”. Die gehoor was in vervoering daarmee en dit blyk dat die twee liedjies groot treffers van die album gaan wees. “In die lockdown-tyd het ek ’n

laaitie gekry – hy is nou een en ’n half jaar oud. In die aande het ek by hom gelê en audiobooks geluister [oor bands], soos Bad Religion, sulke tipe goed. Dit het my weer gesit op al die ou stuff wat ek geluister het – albums soos Stranger than Fiction wat uitgekom het toe ek op skool was. So daar is ou punk influences op hierdie album,” het Van Coke gesê. Hy luister ook graag na moderne popmusiek soos The Weeknd en Post Malone. Meer onlangse klanke kan ook gehoor word op die album as gevolg daarvan. Dolf Willemse, die baskitaarspeler, het gesê: “Om in Stellenbosch te speel is ewe nerve-racking en exciting.” Van Coke deel die sentiment en het bygevoeg: “Ek is baie lief vir Stellenbosch en ek is baie bly ek is nie meer die ou wat in die gutter buite Bohemia [lê] nie. Dis nou lekker om te kan speel en daarna huis toe te kan gaan na die suburbs toe.”

Places to go, people to see and winter to enjoy CIARA SHAYE SEAMAN

IT is said that it takes Stellenbosch residents a month to settle into the chill of winter before going out regularly again, but why wait? Whether students want to support their peers or expose themselves to new cultural experiences, Stellenbosch is well prepared to entertain in this regard this winter. DRAMA FOR THE DREARY DAYS As one may have seen, the Stellenbosch University (SU) drama department has begun showcasing their students’ plethora of skills in their selected plays. If one has already missed

the department’s two previous productions this year, there will certainly be other chances to catch their future performances. The Honours students’ projects will be running throughout the second semester and are bound to give one a taste of the culture of our student community. In order to step outside the student realm for some thespian delights, the various productions and performances at the Drostdy Theatre may be a good choice. MUSIC IN THE MIST To enrich one’s cultural taste musically, the SU music department is the place to look

A MASTERPIECE OF MUSIC The SU orchestra is ready to wow. Photo: Ciara Shaye Seaman

to. Their students are hard at work presenting the best classical music in its various modes and enlightening genres. Their selection of performances includes the lunch concert series, public exams for bite-sized pleasures, and—for the chance to listen to the orchestra perform—the Endler concert series. Alternatively, if rock music is the goal, Aandklas is the place to go with their live gigs and open mic nights, which are perfectly catered to rock lovers’ musical enjoyment. CHOIR FOR THE COLD The SU Choir is recognised as the number-one choir in the world on the INTERKULTUR World Ranking List of the top 1000 international choirs—and what a privilege it is to be able to attend their regular performances. The choir has returned to the stage and is ready for us to indulge in its beautiful, mellifluous sound. Even for those who do not understand all four languages featured in the songs, the lunchtime concerts are a great opportunity to listen to their harmonies. It is also a good idea to keep an ear out for their major showcases to absorb the full intensity of their talent. So as winter sets in and we begin to bundle up, it may be worth stepping out of our blankets for an evening or two, despite the cold, to enjoy the arts on display in our town, celebrate the talents of other SU students and increase our cultural exposure.

“VREDE FOOLS’’ Francois van Coke kan aanhou “tot die son uitkom”. Foto: Ané Havenga

LITMATIE OÙ? (MY MENS) PETRA BLOM Ek hou van dans maar my mens, die dansvloer voel leeg sonder jou Jou menswees bly iets wat ek vir altyd sal onthou Die vonkel in jou, spook in my gedagtes Jou woorde bly diep in my hart geanker Jou lag, n akkoord soos geen ander nie Jou hart, volmaakte perfeksie Où? My Mens, waar is jy? Gee my hart n kans om weer n rukkie te kom bly daar waar jou siel daardie skoonheid verkry Liewe mens, liewe mens, kom red my.

Is jy passievol oor poësie? LitMAtie is ’n platform waar ons gedigte deur studente publiseer. Stuur dan jou gedig na swanepoelsibella@gmail.com. Are you passionate about poetry? LitMatie is a platform where we publish students’ poems. Send your poem to swanepoelsibella@gmail.com.

10

REDAKSIONEEL

You know what silence means D

ie Matie is an independent student newspaper. My team and I are students who work together to try to shoulder the responsibility of reporting factual, fair and accurate news to this student community. My team and I are also students from this community, and like many of our peers, we share the frustration and anger at the recent violation of a fellow student’s human dignity. A white resident of Huis Marais Men’s Residence at Stellenbosch University (SU) entered the room of a black student in the residence and urinated on his belongings. The video of this disgusting and dehumanising act has been circulated nation-

ally over the past few days and has become the topic of heated discourse surrounding systemic racism at SU. As a white student at a tertiary educational institution in South Africa, I undeservedly benefit from a certain degree of privilege due to the historical racial inequalities that persist in our country. In an environment like SU, where a large majority of the student community is white, I also experience a very different version of this university town to many of my black peers and other marginalised groups. I’m also exasperatedly aware of the fact that I have been given this platform, whilst at the same

GORRELKOP Gorrel decided to drop the jokes and thought it appropriate to step back and provide a platform to amplify the voices of students, given the recent events on campus. @TUMIMAFUZE “In Stellenbosch study breaks include protesting when you’re black.”

@STARRRLORDE “Stellenbosch University is the ONLY public university in South Africa with a majority white

student population (which is inconsistant with the countries racial makeup) so why in all these crowds protesting against racism on campus are their so few white faces??? Where they at?”

@TAJME_ “that perpetrator is a law student. let that sink in. the man

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

MEDEWERKERS TEKSREDIGERING Rentia Meyer

Nina Krüger Slade van Rooyen Siwaphiwe Bam Tehillah Truter

UITLEG

Sisonke

DRUKWERK

Novus Print

time I feel like the most unqualified person to be speaking to a student community. The official statements from student representative councils and societies are appearing in quick response to the situation, and to a student journalist with a lot to learn in a short amount of time, it feels like we’re running alongside professional news outlets with a lot more staff and experience than we have. My team is faced with difficult decisions and emotionally exhausting experiences in attempting to do justice to our community and the person who shared their traumatic experience with us. It’s hard to find the right words when so many

people are waiting on you. At the same time, I also know that staying silent in times of injustice means being complicit. The South African Students Congress (SASCO) Stellenbosch organised a protest on Monday 16 May, which was attended by a crowd mostly made up of students of colour. Their mobilisation demonstrated how many students viewed what happened at Huis Marais not as an isolated event, but as a symptom of a culture that perpetuates racist acts. Many Maties have taken to social media to share their thoughts about their peers and others who deny that the act was racially motivated. Some students

have expressed disappointment in their peers who were absent from the protest—and more so at those who watched it unfold from their windows in Huis Marais. Some said that it was a privilege not shared by all to continue their Monday unaffected, whilst their peers were protesting against racism. The United Nations Association of South Africa (UNASA) SU is amongst one of the many student representative structures spearheading the Rally Against Racism on the Rooiplein this coming Friday. The crowd in attendance— and the crowd absent—will speak volumes about the culture on campus.

is coming back after suspension to study to be someone who upholds our constitutional rights after just stripping someone of their basic right to dignity.

ing anywhere. These spaces will not remain as they are. We’re not going anywhere.

spaces and avoid them forever. “We have every right to be here.

“this is why ‘the past is the past’ and ‘that’s just how they grow up’ have never been valid arguments. they’re studying to be your teachers, your lawyers, your docters. they’re entering careers that serve the people and then picking and choosing when basic human ethics apply.”

@ZANDITABATA “kinda weird how other people who like us are asking why we chose to come here. I’d rather not explain things that are obvious. Oksalayo,

we

are

not

go-

“And we’re not confused this side. I would be fooling myself if I thought I and my black counterparts had the ability to fix the problem in the duration of a degree. “It is unfair to put that responsibility on black students. And that’s why some leave once they have been here or can’t wait to graduate and leave. “It’s taxing. “What’s concerning me is the amount of gratitude you are showing for not being here. “Are we going to leave these spaces as they are forever? When these are institutions in a country we all live in? We can’t be excluded from these

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 3 000 VOLGENDE UITGAWE 27/02/2022 SPERDATUM 25/07/2022 ADVERTENSIESEmmaCochrane,diematieads@gmail.com­ ARGIEFVorigeDieMatie-uitgawesisindiebiblioteek/ophul webtuiste beskikbaar. COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE AND REPORTING ERRORS Die Matie is onderhewig aan ’n gedragskode wat by die SR-lid vir Media beskikbaar is. Alle klagtes word deur ’n regsdosent ondersoek, waarna Die Matie voor die Mediaraad kan verskyn. Klagtes moet volgens die uiteengesette prosedure binne veertien dae ná publikasie aanhangig gemaak word. Die Matie subscribes to the South African Press Code that prescribes news that is truthful, accurate, fair and balanced. If we don’t live up to the code,

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

“it’s you here. okay. sons

all good and well that didn’t choose to come Your own choice. That’s For valid reasons. Reawe considered ourselves.

“But what is not going to happen is to say ‘They should expect incidents like this. Black students at SU can’t complain. They choose to go there’ “No one should be expected not to say anything when things happen because we chose to come here. “Instead of showing support, some are using this as an opportunity to emphasise that you helped yourself by not coming here. That’s alright. “But how is that helpful to us?”

18 Mei 2022

SPORT

11

YSTERVROUE Maties se vrouerugbyspan troon uit bo die Royal Navy Rugby Union. Foto: Verskaf

Maties-vrouerugby sink die skip van toerspan klub speel, het spesiale truie vir hulle speler van die wedstryd aties se vrouerugbyspan vertonings gekry. Die maroen het die Royal Navy Rugby vroue het ook die Britte ná die Union (RNRU) se vrouespan, wedstryd vir ’n tradisionele al die pad vanuit die Verenigde Suid-Afrikaanse braai ontvang. Maties se vrouerugbyspan Koninkryk, ontvang vir ’n vriendskaplike wedstryd geniet hierdie uitdagings wat van tien aan ’n kant. Dié na hulle kant toe kom. Michaela geskiedkundige wedstryd het Hanekom, flank en tweedejaarBEd (Seniorfase)-student aan die op 7 Mei plaasgevind. Maties het egter nie Kaapse Skiereiland Universiteit teruggehou nie en het die van Tegnologie, vertel: “Ons is wedstryd kafdraf 29 – 0 gewen. eintlik ’n groot groep meisies Ná die eindfluitjie het die wat ’n passie het vir rugby en spanne vir pret ’n gemengde ons voel vry om te speel soos 15-speler wedstryd gespeel ons wil. Ons is baie lief vir die waarna die spanne truie onder span en die gees wat ons het, is mekaar uitgeruil het. Lara baie opwindend.” Dit is nie verbasend dat Schats en Kim Karassellos, wat nie aan die universiteit studeer hierdie span so goed presteer nie, maar wel vir die Maties- nie, aangesien hulle vier keer ANÉ HAVENGA

M

LOSGEMAAL Dit was ’n taai wedstryd. Foto: Verskaf per week oefen. Hulle neem aan toernooie deel en hulle probeer tussenin soveel moontlik vriendskaplike wedstryde speel. Hulle motto is om altyd 110% te gee en dit verduidelik hulle puik resultate in laas maand se Athlone-liga waarin hulle derde gekom het. Hanekom sê die volgende oor die wedstryd teen RNRU: “Die uitslag teen Royal Navy het ons nie verwag nie. Ons het verwag

VERPLETTER Die rugbyspan tuis in Stellenbosch. Foto: Verskaf

dat dit ’n harde wedstryd gaan wees, maar ons het harder geveg en goed gewen. Wat ek gehou het van Saterdag was dat ons hard gespeel het en ons alles gegee het en dit het ons bo laat eindig.” Sy loof die afrigters en bestuurders van die span aangesien hulle die spelers dryf om verskriklik hard te oefen. Hulle is bevoorreg en dankbaar met hierdie afrigters en bestuur.

Dit is veral hulle passie wat vir Hanekom uitstaan en sorg dat die span gefokus bly. Hanekom sien uit na die toekoms saam met die span: “Ons sien uit om sterker te groei as ’n span en om almal saam net die spangees te geniet. Ons is ’n groep meisies wat goed oor die weg kom – ons geniet mekaar se geselskap en om wedstryde saam met mekaar te speel!”

Maties se vrouerugbyspan is opsoek na spelers! Daar is twee spanne – een vir dié met ervaring en dié vir vrouens wat nog nooit gespeel het nie, maar graag wil probeer. Kontak vir Johan Zeier (johannzeier@sasrugby.com) as jy graag wil speel, saam kom oefen of as jy net by oefening wil insit. Maak ook seker om hulle Instagram-blad (@matieswomensrugby) te gaan volg.

WOENSDAG 18 MEI | GRATIS

SPORT

BROTHERS IN ARMS Stellenbosch FC players celebrating their goal. Photo: Instagram (@stellenbosch_fc)

Stellenbosch FC debut at new homefield CHARLIE MOODY-STUART

S

tellenbosch Football Club (FC) held firm to defeat Kaizer Chiefs FC by 1 – 0 in an enthralling encounter at the Danie Craven Stadium. On the sunny evening of 23 April, a jubilant atmosphere vivified a near-full stadium. The encounter was the first time that fans were allowed back into the stadium for a DStv Premiership match since the COVID-19 pandemic began. If the sea of maroon- and yellow-clad supporters was anything to go by, the significance of the occasion was not lost on those on the ground. For the first time in history, Stellenbosch beat the Soweto Giants in the League Double, having also beaten them in the reverse fixture back in November. However, victory for Stellenbosch was by no means guaranteed. Even after a turbulent week—in which the Kaizer Chiefs head coach, Stuart Baxter, was dismissed two days prior to kick-off—it was the Chiefs who started off stronger. For the first 19 minutes, they comfortably pegged the Maroons back in their own half, though they were unable to trouble Stellenbosch goalkeeper Sage Stephens; however, they soon paid for their complacency.

On the 20-minute mark, Stellenbosch wing-back Dean van Rooyen sprinted after a through ball by the impressive Judas Moseamedi, before slamming the ball— potentially too easily—past Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen. This rattled the Amakhosi, who almost conceded another when Ashley du Preez narrowly fired wide after Mosamedi had yet again thread the eye of the needle with another delicate through ball. Although they were without the ball for long periods, Stellenbosch were rarely troubled at the back and posed a constant threat on the counter. Petersen atoned for the soft goal he had conceded by denying Maroon Moseamedi with his knee, after the latter had raced clear of the Chiefs’ high line early in the second half. It was only after the introduction of substitute Nkosingiphile Ngcobo that the otherwise anodyne Amakhosi attack was revitalised. Ngcobo almost stole a late equaliser with a well struck effort, only for it to be plucked from the air by Stephens. As second-year BCom (Management Sciences) student Afika Xundu noted, there was no shortage of support from the spectators.

FIERCE FEET Forward player Judas Mosiamedi beating a defender. Photo: Instagram (@stellenbosch_fc) “I found the atmosphere was vibrant in the stands . . . especially the Kaizer Chiefs fans—they showed up and stayed singing the whole game, even when they were losing.” Another student—Laura Schmidt, from Germany—was similarly gripped by the enthusiasm of the fans.

“I really enjoyed the atmosphere. You could really feel the extraordinary vibe. It was more than just watching a football match; it was more like an African party. People were dancing, singing and enjoying themselves. Although some were enjoying their drinks a little bit too much.

“It is different from the atmosphere you get when you watch football in Europe,” Schmidt added. Currently, Chiefs are on 43 points and in fourth place, whilst Stellenbosch are on 41 points and fifth in the table.