DieMATIE WOENSDAG 2 JUNIE 2021
TAGTIGSTE JAARGANG | NO 5
NOTHING TIRING US OUT Some of the attendees at Dagbreek’s tyre changing workshop as part of their Pride Month activities organised by Kyle Duvenhage, organiser of Dagbreek’s “queer safe space”. Photo: Brynley van Aardt
Is campus coming out ? TIAAN BOOYENS
The increase of student communities that are creating spaces where members of the LGBTQIA+ community are represented and celebrated on campus seems to reflect a rise of tolerance towards the queer student community. However, this pride month, many members reflect on whether tolerance is enough. Many residences have taken up the tradition of introducing LGBTQIA+ themes and topics of conversation when it comes to their welcoming-period. Anneke van der Watt, Prim of Nemesia said, “Any culture can be radically changed or implemented during welcoming.” “I think it’s a lot easier, and more effective, to introduce students to something from the start of their university career,” said Van der Watt who also says that it’s important to make room for safe spaces in a residence to create a sense of security and then build on that. This year Dagbreek Men’s Residence welcomed its first-ever “queer safe space” community. This community’s first two meetings were held in the residence’s non-
denominational prayer room and were attended by a handful of LGBTQIA+ Dagbrekers, and even inspired a few to come out. Matthys Carstens, BCom Hons (Actuarial Sciences) student, who is a mentor and organiser of safe-space meetings, said that he looks forward to seeing how this space grows and leads to what he calls “brave spaces” as well, where heterosexual house members can join the conversation and learn more about the community. “I do feel that ever since the queer community has been stepping into its own a bit more, that the allies are coming out [to show support],” said Kyle Duvenhage, second-year (LLB) Dagbreker. Duvenhage, a member of the queer safe space, is collaborating with the Practical Development portfolio House Committee (HC) member of Dagbreek to host an event to kick off Pride Month. “I organised a tyre-changing [workshop] open to the whole residence,” said Duvenhage, explaining that the safe-space members saw it as “a cute idea” on the topic of celebration and empowerment in the community. QueerUS, the LGBTQIA+
student society of Stellenboch University’s (SU) Stellenbosch campus, is leading the student struggle for “queer liberation.” QueerUS recently collaborated with the SRC to create the BeYou initiative which aims to assist students who wish to have their titles on the university system and their student cards reflect their correct gendered or non-gendered titles if they have since changed from their time of application. Chulumanco (Junior) Nopote, Bcom Managing and Accounting (F) and chairperson of QueerUS, said that the pandemic exacerbated the problems that LGBTQIA+ students already face by taking away the security and freedom university offers a lot of queer youth. QueerUS has had difficulties with securing venues to facilitate events under COVID-19 regulations but has had numerous engagements with residences and private student organisations to combat issues that queer people face in university residences. “It’s not about starting a conversation about heteronormativity, it’s about continuing it into the modern space that we’re in 2021,” said Nopote, claiming
that residences need to progress past discussing definitions to find solutions to real problems. “Men’s residences are not the issue, the issue is residency as a whole in Stellenbosch,” said Nopote. Nopote claims that gender diverse and transgender people aren’t benefited by either gendered or co-ed student communities. “I don’t think it’s about getting residences out of the picture,” they said, “It’s about modernising tradition [to empower the people represented in residences].” Despite student communities appearing increasingly progressive and tolerant, there is a long way to go before SU’s LGBTQIA+ culture is structured towards uplifting the most oppressed people in the community, which according to Nopote are the Black transgender women. “If you exist from a place of privilege, you need to find a way to utilise that privilege to uplift previously disadvantaged people,” said Nopote. They leave one last message to members of the LGBTQIA+ community, “The onus is not on you. You existing is enough.”
Do you know your STD status ? Debut on Dorp Street
Hot and high
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Get your head in the game 11
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NEWS
US al nader aan afskaffing van RW Wilcocks-gebounaam Volgens die mediaverklaring wat in Julie verlede jaar op die US se webblad gepubliseer is, sal ie amptelike rede wat alle voorgestelde name deur die weergegee is vir die Naamgewingskomitee oorweeg sloer in die herbe- word. ’n Kortlys van name sal noeming van die RW Wil- dan aan die Rektoraat vir oorwecocks-gebou op die Universite- ging voorgelê word wat weer die it Stellenbosch (US) kampus is finale naam aan die Uitvoerende “COVID-19”. Komitee van die Raad (UKR) vir Dit is in Julie laas jaar aange- goedkeuring sal bied. kondig dat die proses ter herAlhoewel die naam intussentyd benoeming sou begin en dat 26 van die gebou verwyder is, soos Augustus die sluitingsdatum ook in die mediaverklaring gesê, vir die indiening van voorstelle is daar sedertdien nog nie weer vir die nuwe naam was. amptelike kommunikasie oor die Die proses is begin omdat herbnoeming weergegee nie. mense al vir jare ongelukkig Daar is egter na aanleiding op is oor dié omstrede figuur wat navraag aan dr Ronel Retief, Regsteeds verewig word op ’n istrateur van die US en voorsitter kampus wat tot transformasie van die Naamgewingskomitee, toegewy is. bevestiging ontvang dat die bal RW Wilcocks, was tussen wel aan die rol is. Volgens Retief 1934-1954 die rektor van die het die Naamgewingskomitee op US, was ’n aanhanger van eu- 27 Oktober verlede jaar vergadgenetika, en het H.F. Verwoerd er. Die vergadering is onder anse PhD-tesis nagesien. dere deur Studenteraadslede van MART-MARIÉ SERFONTEIN
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2019 en 2020 bygewoon, sowel as diegene wat in die Wilcocks-gebou werk. Aangesien daar so baie betrokke partye was, is die eerste vergadering slegs gebruik om die kriteria vir die stemproses te ontwerp en verfyn, soos om te be paal hoe die proses deursigtig kan wees. Tydens hierdie vergadering is daar dus toe nog nie gekyk na die 17 voorstelle wat vir die nuwe naam ontvang is nie. Die tweede vergadering is op 30 Oktober gehou en gedurende dié vergadering is elke naam wat ontvang is, na gekyk en bespreek volgens die proses wat ’n paar dae voorheen uiteengesit is. Daar is toe gestem om ’n kortlys van vyf name te kies en toe weer gestem om die gekose name in ’n rangorde te rangskik. Die hele proses het ná Oktober egter gaan stilstaan. Volgens Retief was COVID-19-verwante redes, soos die tweede golf, die grootste
oorsaak hiervan. Die proses om die Desember gradeplegtigheid te reël en die ongewone lang somervakansie het ook ’n rol daarin gespeel dat die herbenoeming van die Wilcocks baie laer af op die US se prioriteitslys geskuif is. Nietemin is daar nuwe lewe in die proses geblaas toe die kortlys van vyf name gister, op 1 Junie, voor die Rektoraat ter tafel gelê is. Die lys is vergesel met ’n volle aanbevelingsverslag wat deur Retief opgestel is en lê die hele besluitnemingsproses tot op hede, uit. Die Rektoraat is die rektor se topbestuur en bestaan uit prof Wim de Villiers (die rektor), prof Stan du Plessis (die uitvoerende bedryfshoof), verskeie direkteure, die onderskeie viserektors en Retief (in haar amp as Registrateur). Die onus rus nou op die Rektoraat om op ’n naam te besluit en dit voor die UKR vir goedkeuring ter tafel te lê. Dr Leslie van Rooi, Senior Direkteur van Sosiale Im-
pak en Transformasie en voorsitter van die Visuele Regstellingskomitee, sê dat “die US besluit het om ’n lang, openbare en deursigtige proses te volg” en dat dit inlyn is met die beleid vir visuele regstelling. Retief het ook genoem dat die US besig is om na ’n nuwe beleid vir visuele regstelling te kyk. Dié beleid sal die herbenoemingsproses van geboue en spasies op US-kampusse in die toekoms versnel deurdat die Rektoraat die finale besluit sal kan neem en nie meer vir die UKR sal hoef te wag om te vergader nie. Hierdie Raad vergader slegs twee keer ’n jaar en dit is deel van die rede hoekom die herbenoemingsproses van die Wilcocks-gebou meer as ’n jaar sal duur. Die aankondiging van die nuwe naam word eers ná 16 Augustus van hierdie jaar verwag, wat die volgende keer is wat die UKR vergader.
Free STD Testing 1,2,3…
MIA VAN DER MERWE
With COVID-19 testing on the forefront of health concerns, testing that is just as significant to public health has been neglected in the year that has passed. In light of this, we should turn our attention to the testing of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). According to the National Insti-
tute for Communicable Diseases, in 2017 it was documented that 7.3 million South Africans live with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). There were a total of 8.4 million cases of STDs and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) reported in the same year. COVID-19 has emphasised how important it is to look after one’s health. This, however, should include sex-
ual health. STDs like HIV have asymptomatic stages, meaning that one could have HIV without having any knowledge of it or being sick. It is important to practise safe sex, but not all students do. This is why it is important to stay up to date on your sexual health and to get tested frequently. Campus Health encourages all students to test, but according to sister February from the STD unit, more females are likely to test than males. “I personally see more females than males come in, get tested and treated. It is not that they (males) don’t have them, they are just less likely to come get tested” sister February stated on the matter. “We offer tests and treatments at no cost and everything stays confidential, so there isn’t a reason not to get tested,” February continued. The STD unit, with two working sisters and three working doctors, offers tests and treatment for both HIV and syphilis, at no expense. If, however, there is suspicion of another STD, blood work will be required at an additional cost. If the trained medical professionals suspect symptoms of an STI, broad spectrum medication can be given, at no cost. Campus Health offers these free HIV and syphilis tests at their office which can be found at 7 Claassen Street. All personal information remains private and confidential. Appointments are required. The results take approximately 15 minutes and patients are shown their results after the test to discuss further steps. For more information, contact Campus Health on 021 808 3496.
OSK HELP WEER IN DIE GEMEENSKAP Die Opvoedkunde Studentekomitee (OSK) het op Saterdag 30 Mei in samewerking met die groep Beyond Education (BE), ’n sub-komitee van die OSK se sosiale impak portefeulje, ’n uitreikingsprogram op Wesbank gehou. Die groep studente het die dag met die gemeenskap se kinders deurgebring en elke kind het ook ’n skryfbehoefte-pakket ontvang. In die foto is Marcel Adams, OSK-voorsitter, saam met een van die kinders. Foto: Chelsea Bester
NUUS
2 Junie 2021
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US-konvokasie kap Wim-administrasie oor taalkwessie WILLIAM SEZOE
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ie Uitvoerende Komitee (UK) van die Universiteit Stellenbosch (US) Konvokasie het verlede Dinsdag 25 Mei hulleself sterk uitgespreek in ’n mediaverklaring oor hoe die USbestuur die taalkwessie op kampus hanteer. Dit kom nadat ’n fluitjieblaser die Sondagkoerant, die Rapport, glo ingelig het oor die stigting van ’n propagandakomitee wat poog om uit te vind of daar wel op die Maties-kampus probleme is met taal. In ’n voorlegging met die komitee se doelwitte wat die fluitjieblaser aan die Rapport verskaf het, is daar vrae gestel oor wie agter die DAK Netwerk sit en wie hulle befonds. Dié groep bestaan uit bruin taal- en gemeenskapsaktiviste en fokus op die kwessies van agtergestelde Afrikaanse gemeenskappe. Die bogenoemde vrae het ontstaan na aanleiding van die protesaksie wat die DAK Netwerk op 9 April na Admin B gelei het om hulle eise vir ’n gelyke reg tot Afrikaanse onderrig aan die US af te lê. Daar was onder andere gespekuleer dat dié aktiviste as “fundamentaliste” deur “duistere magte” befonds word. Organisasies soos die Demokratiese Alliansie (DA) en die studenteorganisasie wat hulle beywer vir die regte van Afrikaanssprekende studente, Studente Plein, was ook onder die vergrootglas geplaas. In hulle mediaverklaring kritiseer die UK die US omdat hulle “slegs ’n vaag-bewoorde antwoord aan die Rapport gelewer [het] wat nie die bewerings en openbarings ontken [het] nie”. Die UK is ook bekommerd dat hulle nie van die stigting van die komitee ingelig was nie: “dit [is] verdag dat die bestaan van die komitee nie aan die president en sekretaris ten tye van [hulle] vergadering met US-bestuurslede op
HOU JOU BEK ’n Groep Afrikaanse aktiviste hou stille protes voor die Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), waar die US-bestuur op 10 Mei voor die Suid-Afrikaanse Menseregtekommissie (MRK). Foto: Jaco Marais 11 Mei, ná die beweerde komitee se stigting, geopenbaar is nie.” Verder lui die mediaverklaring dat die UK ’n mosie aanvaar het wat eis dat die US-bestuur sy komitee moet ontbind: “die [UK] eis die ontbinding van so ’n komitee en die verbintenis tot oop samewerking oor taalkwessies tussen die talle rolspelers.” Die US is ook aangevat oor hulle spekulasie dat bruin taalaktiviste befonds word om vir Afrikaans op die US te veg. “Ons neem kennis dat hierdie houding die sneller vir groot ongelukkigheid en aanstoot onder veral die bruin Afrikaanse taalaktivistiese leierskap was, juis omdat dit duidelik impliseer en die skadelike stereotipe versterk dat bruin mense nie vir [hulle] eie belange kan opstaan nie, en altyd iemand sinister se speelbal is,” lui die me-
diaverklaring. Die UK eis verder ’n onvoorwaardelike verskoning vanaf die US aan Afrikaanssprekende aktiviste en veral aan bruin aktiviste. Danie van Wyk, uitvoerende voorsitter van die DAK Netwerk, het aan Die Matie sy ongelukkigheid uitgespreek oor die uitlating dat hy en sy organisasie deur “duistere magte” betaal word om op kampus ten gunste van Afrikaans op te tree. “Ons verwerp die uitlating met al die minagting wat dit verdien. DAK Netwerk verteenwoordig geen drukgroep nie. Ons is nie ’n front van enige konserwatiewe groep nie. Ons word ook deur geen konserwatiewes befonds nie,” sê Van Wyk. Hy voer verder aan dat hy die bruinmense verteenwoordig en dat hy weer met die US hieroor in
verbinding sal tree. “Ons verteenwoordig die bruinmense. Vir te lank was daar namens ons gepraat. Ons praat nou vir onsself. Die US het ons uitgenooi vir ’n gesprek in Junie. Ek sal dit aan hulle duidelik maak dat [hulle] ons as bruines gedurende apartheid uitgesluit het as gevolg van ons velkleur, nou sluit [hulle] ons uit op grond van ons taal,” verduidelik Van Wyk. Die DAK Netwerk hoop dat die US ten minste drie van hulle eise wat hulle op 9 April teen Admin B vasgeplak het suksesvol in ag sal neem. “Ons wil ten minste [in Junie] wegstap van [daardie] vergadering met drie suksesvolle eise,” sê Van Wyk. Intussen het prof Hester Klopper, Viserektor van Strategie en Internasionalisering, in ’n brief aan personeel probeer “om die feite aan te bied en onakkuraathede en
wanopvattings oor die universiteit reg te stel”. In die brief noem Klopper dat die US besluit het om ’n Taalkommunikasiekomitee (TKK) te stig om kommunikasie oor die hersiening van die taalbeleid te ondersteun en strategies te rig. Sy maak dit verder in haar skrywe duidelik dat die TKK nie ’n propagandakomitee is soos dit in die media uitgebeeld word nie. Klopper noem dat sy op die TKK as sameroeper dien en dat die res van die TKK bestaande is uit prof Deresh Ramjugernath (Viserektor vir Leer en Onderrig), dr Antoinette van der Merwe (Senior Direkteur vir Leer- en Onderrigverryking), dr Choice Makhetha (Senior Direkteur vir Studentesake), dr Leslie van Rooi (Senior Direkteur vir Sosiale Impak en Transformasie), Karen Bruns (Ontwikkeling en Alumnibetrekkinge), Martin Viljoen (US-woordvoerder), Chirstelle Feyt en Desmond Thompson (Divisie Korporatiewe Kommunikasie en Bemarking), Gerhard Lippe (regsdienstiger), en dr Wayne Muller (bestuurder van die US se Verantwoordelikheidsentrum vir Strategie en Internasionalisering) as koördineerder. Martin Viljoen, US-woordvoerder, het aan Die Matie genoem dat die “ US ’n plig [het] om oor aktuele sake soos geslagsgebaseerde geweld, hoëronderwysfinansiering, transformasie en taal te kommunikeer. Vir dié doel is ’n struktuur [die TKK] geskep om kwessiegebaseerde kommunikasie te koördineer”. Viljoen verwys verder na ’n inligtingstuk wat Hester op 26 Mei gepubliseer het en haal daaruit aan wanneer hy sê: “Dít is nie ongewoon vir groot organisasies soos universiteite nie. Die doel is om konsekwentheid in ons kernboodskappe, doeltreffende reaksies op medianavrae en sinvolle bydraes tot die openbare debat te verseker.”
‘Third Wave’ raises concerns over augmented teaching AURELIA MOUTON
The first three weeks of May saw a 20% resurgence in reported Covid-19 cases in the Western Cape, as per the official website of the Western Cape government. This has caused various faculty student committees to survey students' thoughts about the upcoming face-to face exams. This “Third Wave” comes after three months of steady decline in active Covid-19 cases in Stellenbosch and the Winelands region. As Covid-19 cases increase nationally and in Stellenbosch, tensions and worries are rising with regards to augmented learning and teaching at Stellenbosch University (SU).
The latest feedback from the Institutional Committee for Business Continuity (ICBC), which serves as an extension of SU’s Contingency Committee, implores students to adhere to Covid-19 protocols as the “Third Wave” makes its way to campus. The Academic Affairs Council (AAC) states that it has taken note of these concerns. The AAC have sent out informal surveys on various social media platforms, with the help of faculty committees, for feedback from SU students. A formal report has been compiled by the faculty committees and the AAC, and forms part of discussions with the ICBC. “The faculty committees and the AAC have been in discussion with Prof. Deresh Ramjugernath, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Learn-
ing and Teaching, who has shown considerable effort to listen to our concerns”, said Katelynn Snyman, chairperson of the BA Student Committee (BASC). Snyman cites concerns over in-person examinations and assessments, costs of data, WiFi accessibility, adherence to Covid-19 protocols and face-to-face learning and teaching as some of the main issues causing stress amongst the SU student body, as per faculty surveys. “I don’t feel safe on campus, as many people take their masks off to eat or even to talk to each other in study commons. Online classes are also difficult in their own way, but face-to-face teaching and learning can only work if Covid-19 protocols are properly adhered to”, said Terri-Leigh San, final year
BEd (Intermediate Phase) student. Jarryd Luyt, chairperson of the AAC, said that the AAC is committed to ensuring representation across the board through all of its channels. “The debate itself simply raises concerns that we can engage and then build on, developing the issue to take it forward.There is a lot of complexity to every issue, and sometimes that leaves people unhappy with the outcome, which is understandable. [We] try [our] best to approach and raise every issue brought to us with the best [our] ability,” Luyt said. On Sunday 30 May President Ramaphosa addressed the nation, implementing adjusted Level 2 protocols and urging citizens to remain vigilant in their observance
of national Covid-19 protocols. The national curfew will now range from 23:00 to 04:00. Indoor gatherings have been limited to a maximum of 100 people and outdoor gatherings are limited to no more than 250 people. Non-essential establishments, like restaurants and bars, must close by 22h00. This follows a 7% increase in the national positivity rate of active cases from 4% to 11% in the last month. At the time of print, no new official correspondence from the ICBC has been received by SU students. The ICBC will meet on Thursday 3 June to discuss updated procedures for augmented teaching and learning at SU in light of the ‘Third Wave’.
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STUDENTELEWE
Danie du Toit vertel poësiestories KARLA DE BOD
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et ’n glas Chenin blanc en ’n hamburger, wat net beskryf kan word as hemel binne in ’n knoffelbroodrolletjie, het Spoegwolf- en poësieliefhebbers op Maandag 24 Mei by Drum Restaurant na Danie du Toit, hoofsanger van die musiekgroep Spoegwolf, se stories geluister tydens die bekendstelling van sy nuwe digbundel Sterreval. Van sy eerste digbundel Warmer voor die tuimeldroër, wat in 2020 bekend gestel is, het Du Toit 4 000 bundels verkoop. Na ’n jaar se skryf aan sy tweede digbundel en die bekendstelling van Sterreval, skat Du Toit dat dié nuwe bundel nou al by ’n 1 000 bundelverkope trek. “Dit sal maak dat ons nou al by 5 000 bundels [wat verkoop is] trek. Ek is baie dankbaar daarvoor,” sê Du Toit. “Die inspirasie agter Sterreval is maar net die opportunities in jou lewe en om rus te vind en om peace te vind en om die regte persoon te vind, en hoe hierdie dinge amper
soos sterre in die lug is wat êrens val en jy dit wil vind,” sê Du Toit. Du Toit het die vermoë om stories op só ‘n manier te vertel wat ’n mens laat glo dat daar soveel meer in die wêreld is om te ontdek. Voor elke liedjie wat hy die aand gesing het, het hy ’n klein bietjie agtergrond van die gegewe liedjie gegee – die inspirasie agter die lied, waar dit geskryf was, en hoe hy gevoel het terwyl hy dit geskryf het. Die meeste van die liedjies is gedigte wat deur Du Toit geskryf is, en elke gedig vertel ’n storie. Met elke strofe probeer luisteraars uitvind wat die stories is, en dít is die kuns van Du Toit se liedjies – jy ken dalk nie die storie agter die skryfwerk nie, maar jy vind die mooi daarin soos jy dit oor en oor luister. “Ons het die aand baie geniet,” sê Du Toit. “Ons is baie dankbaar vir die uitkoms [van die aand].” Du Toit se broer, medelid van Spoegwolf en hoofkok van Drum, Moskou du Toit, het die hoofsanger tydens sy optrede
bygestaan deur die bongotromme te speel. Die kombinasie van die twee broers se klanke het gemaak dat die gehoor nie anders kon as om saggies op die maat van die musiek met hulle voete by die ritme aan te sluit nie. Lisa van Deventer, derdejaarBScAgric (Veekunde)-student en een van die aand se gehoorlede, verwys na die einde van die optrede as een van haar gunstelingoomblikke toe Du Toit op die tafels rondbeweeg het terwyl hy en die gehoor sy bekende liedjie “Geel” gesing het. Sy sê: “Die hoogtepunt van die aand was toe Danie op ons tafel tussen ons wynglase kom sing het.” “Drum se toekoms lyk goed, ons is hard aan die gang,” se Du Toit, “Ons kap rustig voort, [ons] werk, want die nag kom nader.” Die aand was ’n storie op sy eie soos wat die musiek van Du Toit se kitaarsnare die restaurant gevul het en sy passie vir skryf, sy medemens en Stellenbosch aan die gehoor oorgedra het.
DANIE DU TOIT bekende Spoegwolf-liedjie “Storm” met ’n geleende kitaar. Foto: Karla de Bod
Juvenate Conscious Eatery makes a debut on Dorp Street
MAIN ENTRANCE to Juvenate Conscious Eatery facing Dorp Street. Photo: Jean-Marie Uys JEAN-MARIE UYS
Juvenate Conscious Eatery joined Dorp Street’s food scene a week ago, on 19 May. Chanel Carstens, the owner
and driving force behind Juvenate, hopes to encourage conscious healthy lifestyles and engagement with the environment by sourcing exclusively local sustainable products. The menu
is focused on creating healthy meals while still including a wide variety of dietary requirements such as vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Situated next to Versus Socks in Dorp Street, Juvenate brings a warm and joyful atmosphere to the otherwise dreary winter weather. The eatery takes pride in offering healthy meals and going the extra mile for its patrons, as Carstens states that each meal can be adapted to suit a variety of dietary needs. With that in mind, Carstens emphasises how Juvenate is “also not just for vegan people, [but for] health-conscious people as well.” Each meal is made from scratch in their kitchen, ensuring a fresh and ethically made meal with every order. Superfoods are added to their recipes to offer patrons, as Carstens put it, “an extra ‘umph’ of healthy [living]”. The menu offers a range of fresh-pressed juices, health shots, superfood lattes and smoothie bowls to vegan nachos, burgers and delectable healthy vegan treats. Not only is Juvenate conscious with regards to the ingredients they source, the recipes they serve and the atmosphere they create. Not to mention, they offer continued support to the community by retailing local products exclusively. These products range from Seven Clothing to health-conscious snacks and pasta, including but not exclusive to Happy Earth People. Juvenate’s conscious living
extends to the environment as all consumer goods sold are either sustainable or recyclable. Glass and paper straws are used, together with avoiding single-use plastics. Carstens said, “if we do have plastic, we always reuse it or recycle it”. Juvenate Conscious Eatery is looking forward to welcoming Stellenbosch to its tables – whether you are joining for breakfast or lunch, a quick juice or coffee, or to make use of their speedy internet to work or study.
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KAMPUS QUOTES “When I get bored, I just watch the SRC meetings” - student with too much time on her hands “The world is your oyster, maar vir my is dit ‘n drankyskas” - Bcom student by ’n braai “Dis asof ek nog nooit enigiets oor enigiets geweet het nie” - joernalistiek honneursstudent “What isn’t a war crime but feels like one? Online learning” - tired BA student in Humarga “Ek weet nie eers meer of die Rooiplein nog rooi is nie” - ingenieurstudent oorlaai met praktika “The devil is in the weather” - student unhappy about the cold “Wat is die punt van ‘n groepstaak as die groep bestaan uit my en vyf ander persoonlikhede” BA-student oor Algemene Taalwetenskap “I’m here, I’m queer, and I’m trying to presteer” - struggling final year student
JUVENATE’S MANTRA “Living Consciously”, on the wall upon entering. Photo: JeanMarie Uys
“I realise why we all get along, we all have insane God-complexes” - realisations on the Rooiplein
STUDENTELEWE
2 Junie 2021
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“Ek KAN lees”-projek verskuif grense WILLIAM SEZOE
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ie Universiteit Stellenbosch (US) se Fakulteit Opvoedkunde doen al vir die afgelope vier jaar die geletterdheidsprojek “Ek KAN lees”. Dié projek maak ’n verskil deur sowat 360 skoliere van drie skole in die Stellenboschomgewing se geletterdheidsvlak te help verbeter. Die naskoolse taalontwik kelingsprogram vir grondslag faseleerders (graad 1 tot 3) is deur dr Zelda Barends, dosent in Kurrikulumstudie en Grondslagfaseprogramkoördineerder aan die US, gestig. Die program het ten doel om die geletterdheidsvlakke van leerders asook voornemende Afrikaanse onderwysers te verbeter. Volgens Barends moet leerders met begrip kan lees om sodoende ’n positiewe bydrae tot die samelewing te maak. “Mense moet kan lees
ONS KAN LEES Die US-leesprojek help leerders hulle geletterdheidsvlakke verbeter deur woordbou en geluidsleer. Foto: Verskaf om ten volle in die samelewing te funksioneer. Deur leer-ders se leesvaardighede te verbeter, kry hulle toegang tot beter onderwys, wat ’n volhoubare impak op die
samelewing het,” verduidelik Barends. Sowat 77 finalejaar-onderwys studente wat in Afrikaans Huistaalonderrig spesialiseer, vorm deel van die projek en moet, as
deel van hulle kursus, twee maal per week vir 11 weke in die eerste semester graad 1 tot 3 leerders onderrig, met lesse spesifiek gerig op geluidsleer en woordbou. Volgens Emma Smit, ’n MEd-
student, het die projek haar gehelp om die diversiteit en kontekste van elke leerder in ag te neem voordat sy vir hulle boeke selekteer. “Ek kyk nou anders na die bronne wat ek kies en saamstel vir my klaskamer. Ek kan nie nou meer in die klaskamer gaan sonder om eers ’n boek te analiseer voor ek dit koop of aan my leerders voorlees nie,” vertel Smit. “Ek vra my eers: ‘Sal my leerders kan identifiseer met die teks? Watter tipe vrae sal dit ontwaak? Hoe kan ek seker maak die teks identifiseer met die leerders se konteks?’ Ek vind vreudge daarin om tekste te vind wat my leerders, hulle agtergronde en ervarings weerspieël,” sê Smit. Smit glo verder dat die projek nie net Suid-Afrika se geletterdheidskrisis aanspreek nie, maar ook sal help om die algehele akademiese standaarde van Suid-Afrika te verhoog.
Die Matie’s guide:What to watch this winter MARDENE VAN SCHALKWYK
As the days get colder, the prospect of leaving your bed becomes less and less appealing. So now that you’re snuggled up in bed, ignoring lectures – whatever will you do to pass the time? Have no fear, Die Matie is here. After much soul searching and extensive research, we have determined the five best films to keep you in bed this winter.
MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO (1988) My Neighbour Totoro is a charming film about a young girl, a giant chinchilla, and the surreal adventures that they embark on. Whether you’re an old fan looking for some nostalgic comfort or an adult totally new to the gorgeous world of Hayao Miyazaki, this stunning animation is the perfect place to escape. SHREK (2001) This iconic green ogre is turning 20 this year! Why not celebrate by re-watching a childhood classic? As a parody of modern fairytales, Shrek reimagines the prince-rescues-princess trope with just the right amount of spice. Eddie Murphy is phenomenally hilarious as the voice of the useless sidekick, Donkey.
Photo: Dreamworks 2001
NOTTING HILL (1999) Of course, no rainy day watchlist is complete without a rom-com starring Julia Roberts. The dashing Hugh Grant plays an awkward bookshop owner who falls for a deliciously cliched film star. Spike, the aptly named idiot roommate, provides comic relief while the story of forbidden love unfolds. DEAD POETS SOCIETY (1989) If you were the edgy outsider or the English teacher’s favourite in high school, this is the movie for you. An eccentric teacher rages against the machine of conformity at an elite boys’ college. Though it comes with a strong trigger warning, Dead Poets Society will make you laugh until you cry and then hurt you until you weep. Let’s be honest – anything starring Robin Williams is an absolute must.
Photo: Buena Vista Pictures
Photo: My neighbour Totoro.
GODZILLA VS. KONG (2021) First hitting the big screen in 1933, King Kong returns for a battle of the beasts with none other than your favourite reptile on a rampage. Godzilla vs. Kong is full of exciting fight scenes with larger than life special effects that will have even the biggest critic enthralled.
Photo: Allstar/Polygram Filmed Entertainment
Photo: Legendary/Warner Bros
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DAG & NAG
Dag & Nag Hot and high at the Chilli and Cannabis Weekend AURELIA MOUTON
S
pice lovers and cannabis connoisseurs alike, take note: Chilli and Cannabis Weekend at Greendrop Farm was the perfect place to be. Hosting the Stellenbosch Fresh Produce Market every Saturday, Greendrop Farm decided to up the ante and invite small-scale farmers to a meet-and-greet of a different variety. A cannabis conference! This event served as an opportunity for small-scale farmers to learn about the latest technology, research and legislation related to and necessary for the emerging commercial cannabis market in South Africa. Farmers were not only able to sell their organically grown chillies but also received an opportunity to get acquainted with homegrown cannabis. Whilst browsing the vegetables and herbs, Jaco Visser, owner of Greendrop Farm, invited market-goers to join in on the learning experience. “It’s for everyone, not just farmers. Young people can learn about small-scale farming too. It’s not just about cannabis, but
SPICY, FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS Organic chillies at the Fresh Produce Market. Photo: Aurelia Mouton the skills they can gain from the experience,” said Visser. Cannabis growing expert and enthusiast, Jannik Joubert said, “It’s a good opportunity to equip yourself for the emerging cannabis market. It’s about quality and opportunity. When the legislation eventually catches up, you’d be prepared to make the most of the
opportunities it offers.” The Cape Town Cannabis Collective, a close collaborator with Greendrop, functions as a tight-knit circle of professionals who seek to establish a positive cannabis culture in the Winelands and surrounds, focusing on educating communities on the economic benefits of mainstream
cannabis production and sales, and destigmatising the industry. Greendrop Farm has been in operation for a little more than a year and functions as a farming community, with many farmers collaborating to create a family atmosphere and supportive system. The markets at Greendrop Farms often boast different
themes, the next being Jam and Rusk Day. “Our goal is to have our products be fresher and 40% cheaper than what you would find in conventional supermarkets. We are focused on sustainable, ethical farming, using our hydroponic systems. Our produce doesn’t lose flavour or colour. It’s healthier and fresher!” said Lindie Viljoen, operations manager at Greendrop Farm. “After losing our income due to the [Covid-19] pandemic, this has been a great opportunity to get back into business and expand,” said Naushad Khan, owner of the House of K, a private kitchen business. Khan, the former editor of the newspaper, The Next 48hOURS, now sells his specialty curries and Durban-style Indian food at the market with his wife. The Stellenbosch Fresh Produce Market takes place at Greendrop Farm every Saturday, from 08:00 to 15:00 and Sunday 09:00 until 15:00. Fresh produce, coffee and many other specialty delicacies are available at the market.
DJ Tesla spinning the archi-decks FLAVIA DAVIDS
Architecture student and DJ Alunga Tesla’s passion for music began at three years old. His profound love for music was inspired when his mother asked him to dance for guests to entertain them. Years later, Tesla is keeping the Stellenbosch circuit dancing with his unique stylings of music genres such as afro-house, groovy techno and disco. Tesla’s first gig came at 14 and his first crowd consisted mainly of his friends. By the time he was 15, he had run a music event. Tesla, who is currently pursuing his master’s degree at the CAD4ALL Institute of Applied Architecture, is certain that he was meant to pursue this craft and his passion for DJing. Perhaps, it was predetermined. He explained that spelt backwards, his first name (Alunga) becomes ‘Agnula’,
which is an initiative that is centred around audio distribution with its origins in Europe. Tesla believes this to be a sign that he was meant to be a DJ and create a space for others to express themselves. “What the universe and my parents had planned is still interesting to me and I spend every gig trying to understand that at a personal as well as a soulful level,” said Tesla. Tesla’s mission with his music extends to his listeners as well. He acknowledges that people, especially young adults, are faced with the challenges that come with being adults and that through the music they are given a reprieve from the stressors of daily life. “I like giving people a reminder that things can only go up from wherever they find themselves through the radical expression of the ideal and right type of music,” said Tesla who is drawn to creating beats with ethereal
backdrops, brooding baselines and on occasion a vocal hook. “I would describe my DJ style as a deep infectious dance groove with a happy feel-good atmosphere,” said Tesla. Tesla hopes that he will be able to incorporate DJing into his chosen career path of architecture in such a way that it creates a difference in many lives. Tesla explained that he has been working on an idea to create container homes with his godfather. Ultimately, these container homes will be placed in various underprivileged communities, several of which struggle with insufficient housing. “The first step would be to provide Net-Zero housing systems, which would, in turn, teach people measures of sustainability, innovation, community and once again remind people of the importance of Ubuntu. These tactics can have a positive domino effect and teach
JACK OF ALL TRADES Tesla has an ambition to change the world with both his philanthropy as well as his music. Photo: Ben Olive people to fend for themselves in a sustainable manner,” said Tesla. He added that he and his godfather are passionate about turning underprivileged communities into vessels of hope, which they wish will one day drive South Africa and its
economy through unique arts, sustainability and agriculture. Experience DJ Alunga Tesla’s music live at his regular gigs at the Autograph Gin Distillery in Distillery Road, Stellenbosch Central and Nature’s Farmacy off the R44.
DAG & NAG
2 Junie 2021
Back’s boasts with their new Loubar KERSTIN LEE
O
n the corner of Church Street and Bird Street you will find Back’s, a cosy family-owned restaurant and deli. But, hidden behind this delicate setting is a fresh and elegant bar that is yet to make its debut Loubar! Operations manager, Valdemar Strydom Pretorius, describes Loubar as a “premium but not pretentious” bar with French elegance and a classy feel. It differentiates itself from student bars around Stellenbosch, most notably with its 21-year age restriction. The bar caters to young working adults. Coowner, Raphaël Chevalier-bak emphasised that it is an “upmarket and premium bar”. On a first impression one can see that the bar has a sleek and modern look. It also boasts an undertone of the early 20th century ‘gangster-esque’ aesthetic. The menu contains tongue-in-cheek names; the name of the bar itself, ‘Loubar,’ is French for ‘a scallywag’. All of the above contribute to the mysterious and suave feel of this swanky spot. “[The atmosphere] is intimate even when [the bar] is halfempty”, said Pretorius. This makes the space a refuge for those who want to convene after a long day. The décor, with its deep emerald bar stools, shelving filled with bottles of spirits, light
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LIT MATIE Bedank: die denke ‘n wêreld ‘n nasie ‘n biodiversiteit gepragmatiseerd besoedeld met Feite seëvier die Oorlog realisme die eed reguit (en stop) by een Waarheid in swart en wit is Idiote bekleed oorskadu ‘n Kosmos
‘n Gelykenis ‘n Geheel tesamemaking verbintenis gevoelige Vergifnis ‘n tere liefdesaanraking soekend na ‘n Pad Genade se gang na die vryheidsbaken waar Pragmatisme gebeur en Denkers vereer
’n Platform waar ons gedigte deur studente publiseer. Is jy passievol oor poësie? Stuur dan jou gedig na alexanderbrand98@gmail.com. Dié THE FIRST OF MANY A patron entering Loubar on a cold winter’s night at one of their first events. Photo: Sean Gibson glistening off glass, and plants hanging from the ceiling, provide a fresh take on a dark theme. The ambient atmosphere is both moody and titillating. The space is full of personality and possesses an old-world charm with clean and modern accents. The menu has the usual bar favourites, burgers and starters, but with a decadent twist. The drinks menu boasts a wider collection than the adjoining
restaurant. “There are your traditional drinks, like gin and tonics and mimosas, as well as sophisticated collections for the more mature customer,” says Pretorius. They’ve added a quirky rendition of a shooter special aptly named ‘the thug’, which ties in with the distinctive aesthetic of the bar. The shooter will change on a regular basis, adding a unique experience to each visit.
week se gedig is deur Maya Joubert geskryf. Both the co-owner and manager claim that Loubar provides value for money with a price range that can suit most wallets. They cater for those on student budgets and the affluent customer. Loubar plans to host DJs at least once a week, but this is still a work in progress. Not only will this draw crowds, it will also allow clientele to melt into and enjoy the idyllic atmosphere of the bar.
The bar has been dubbed the “French bar” by French exchange students, who treat the space as a home away from home. The continental elegance of the bar will no doubt attract a crowd. Whether you’re an old faithful patron of the restaurant, or a student transitioning from wild town nights to more demure nights, sipping drinks at Loubar will offer a decadent experience to all.
Big names rocking Stellies small spots JACQUES MARAIS
With over two million albums sold worldwide, The Parlotones are one of South Africa’s best-selling poprock acts. They were back to perform at the Drostdy Theatre in Stellenbosch on 30 May. The Parlotones have had many performances in Stellenbosch and at university festivals. They have performed at RAG’s (now known as “Maties MAD²”) and the Dorp Street Theatre. The band’s frontman, Kahn Morbee, admits that there were many other venues that he “just can't remember the names of”. When asked about their experience of performing in Stellenbosch, Morbee said that they were excited to be back again, since they love Stellenbosch. They also enjoy the atmosphere of performing in a theatre. The Parlotones’ members were all in the same primary and high schools, although at different times. They started practicing and writing music together in their drummer, Neil Pauw’s parents’ garage
in 1998. Since then they have won multiple awards, released eight albums, and achieved multi-platinum selling status. They have toured with names like Coldplay, Snow Patrol, Star Sailor, Ash and many more. They were also a part of the live international performance at the FIFA World Cup Kickoff Celebration concert, with an audience of over a billion people. On the uniqueness of the band, Morbee comments, “I think as soon as you bring four (nowadays five) personalities together, you are going to get something new that takes on its own unique personality.” The message they would like to convey in their music is one of hope, kindness and enjoyment. They make music that causes people to sing and dance along. The Covid-19 pandemic was challenging for the band members, who are full-time musicians. Nevertheless, they used their time to sharpen their skills and release a new album, Strike the Harp. Some also used the time to pursue new studies, having learnt that it is good to have alternatives to fall back on. Morbee started doing his MBA
THEY’LL BE THERE The Parlotones, in their iconic red and black, back on the stage. Photo: André Badenhorst degree during this time. “[It] has been something I have wanted to do ever since I never managed to complete my first attempt at it, because the band's popularity kind of forced me to quit and focus on music full-time,” says Morbee.
Before their performance at the Drostdy Theatre, Morbee said that they hoped the crowd would enjoy the performance free from the worries and stiffness of the pandemic for a while. “[Covid-19] starved us of performing and it is great
to be on stage again in an environment like Drostdy, he said” Morbee has a message to the students of Stellenbosch. He advises: “Have a lust for learning, always, beyond your student years.”
8
REDAKSIONEEL
Die meestermanipuleerder van die 21ste eeu
V
erlede week het ’n twiet van Robert Reeve, ’n digitale privaatheidskenner, soos ’n veldbrand op sosiale media versprei toe hy ’n advertensie van die tandepasta wat sy ma gebruik, gekry het gekry toe hy vir haar gaan kuier het. Hulle het nooit oor dié tandepastasoort gepraat nie, en hy het dit nooit op Google gesoek nie. Hoe weet jou selfoon watter tandepastasoort jou ma gebruik? Dit is volgens Reeve ’n ouvroustorie dat jou selfoon na jou luister. Hy sê egter dat jou
selfoon tot soveel meer in staat is as om jou bloot af te luister. Internetgebruikers is geneig om dieselfde e-pos en selfoonnommer vir sosiale mediaprofiele en aanlynwinkels of beloningsprogramme te gebruik, het Reeve verduidelik. Die privaatheidsprobleme gaan egter selfs verder, aangesien jou selfoon jou GPS-ligging kan bepaal en jou gedragspatrone en mense met wie jy dikwels mee in kontak is, kan saamstel. Adverteerders is dan in staat om kruisverwysings te maak tussen jou belangstellings, koopgeskiedenis en internetsoektoggeskiedenis. Verder is daar ook al toepass-
GORRELKOP Die kommentaar waarvoor almal bang is. Gorrel is nie verantwoordelik vir enige ongerief veroorsaak nie. LEVEL OP TOE Gorrel Saterdag hoor dat oom Cyril Sondag ’n familievergadering wil hou, het Gorrel sommer klaar begin om die botteltjies uit te pak, te rantsoeneer en te besef as Gorrel nie vinnig by ’n winkel uitkom nie, gaan al daai “goeie tye” maar bra droog wees. Gorrel kon dit net nie indink nie en het maar Ma en Pa se troubottel vir ’n noodgeval ingepak. Verbeel jou
Gorrel se verligting toe oom Cyril aankondig dat ons net level 2 toe skuif en die wingerdsap nog kan vloei. Al ding is Gorrel moet nou ’n hele uur vroeër in die bed wees, maar ten minste kan G orrel ’n hele paar proppe voor elfuur trap. LAAT HY GLY WAAR HY WIL DIT voel vir Gorrel asof enige staptog klas toe ’n lewensgevaarlike waaghalstoertjie is. Gorrel het gedink Gorrel het
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.
HOOFREDAKSIE
KONTAK ONS / CONTACT US
HOOFREDAKTEUR Carla Visagie INHOUDSREDAKTEUR Dominique Fuchs TESOURIER Selina Budhram BEDRYFSREDAKTEUR Tadiwanashe Mutibura UITLEGREDAKTEUR Mareli Swart FOTOREDAKTEUR Erin Johnston ENGLISH SUB-EDITOR Lesedi Mnisi AANLYNREDAKTEUR Tiaan Booyens AFRIKAANSE SUBREDAKTEUR Maryna Adshade NUUS Brynley van Aardt STUDENTELEWE Kirsty Bucholz DAG & NAG Alexander Brand SPORT Kuhle Mangana HOOFVERSLAGGEWER Tom Lee NAVORSINGSBESTUURDER William Sezoe ADVERTENSIES Nakishka Skriker
E-POSADRES diematie75@gmail.com POSADRES Langenhoven Studentesentrum; Privaatsak X1; Universiteit Stellenbosch; Matieland; 7602 WEBADRES w w w.diematie.com FACEBOOK w w w.facebook.com/ diematie OPLAAG 3 000 VOLGENDE UITGAWE 16/06/2021 SPERDATUM 11/06/2021 ADVERTENSIES Nakishka Skriker diematieads@gmail.com ARGIEF Vorige uitgawes van Die Matie is in die biblioteek beskikbaar
MEDEWERKERS UITLEG Michelle Kleynhans TEKSREDIGERING Karla van der Merwe, Mieke de Wet, Melissa Wrench, Bianca Haasbroek DRUKWERK PaarlMedia SPOTPRENT Robynne Lewis
ings wat met sensors verskeie (soos bewegingsensors, vingerafdruklesers, kamera’s en mikrofone), kan meet wat jou bewegingspatrone, gewoontes en voorkeure is. Die toepassing Sleep Cycle kan byvoorbeeld jou slaappatrone optel en kan monitor wanneer jou brein op sy skerpste is sodat dit jou juis dán kan wakker maak. As ek met iemand oor dataprivaatheid in gesprek tree, is hulle antwoord dikwels dat “hulle nie in my lewer sal belangstel nie”. Hoekom sou kommersiële reuse in jou persoonlike inligting belangstel? Daar is die sêding dat “as jy nie daarvoor betaal nie, is jy die
produk”. Dit is presies waarop die sosiale media besigheidsmodel gebaseer is. Sosiale media-toepassings gebruik jou inligting om adverteerders en inhoud vir jou te wys gebaseer op die soort inhoud waarvan jy hou, die tyd wat jy op sosiale media spandeer, en die tipe produk wat hulle dink jy in sal belangstel. Veronderstel jy loop in ’n winkel in en iemand begin jou volg. Die persoon hou al jou bewegings dop, en loop jou tree voetspoor-vir-voetspoor na. Hulle meet die hoeveelheid tree wat jy in elke afdeling gee, en hulle maak notas van elke beweging.
Terselfdertyd smeer hulle elke vyf minute pamflette aan jou af van goed waarna jy gekyk het. Hoewel dit verregaande klink, gebeur dié scenario daagliks, maar ons kan dit net nie sien nie. Hoekom is dié scenario’s amper ondenkbaar in die werklikheid, maar op sosiale media dink niemand daaroor nie? As iemand jou in die winkel agtervolg en al jou bewegings dophou, sal dit beslis agterdogtig wees. Hoekom word dit op sosiale media toegelaat?
die hele loop ding al jare lank onder die knie, maar as Gorrel so in Victoria afstap na ’n reënbui, is elke estetiese herfsblaar ’n lokval wat dreig om die mediese fonds uit te put; dít alles voor die aanbreek van die helfte van die jaar. Gorrel het al menige kere amper op Gorrel se agterstewe beland as daar op die gladde blare van die Eikestad getrap word in die haas om by ’n snoesige lesingslokaal uit te kom.
Gorrel reg vir die Maroenmasjien om vir Tuks ore aan te sit. Toe is dit egter Tuks wat vir Maties vermorsel het. Ongelukkig kon Maties nie Gorrel se raad deur die streaming hoor nie, anders sou hulle definitief gewen het. Moet Gorrel nie verkeerd verstaan nie, Gorrel is glad nie teleurgesteld nie, maar net jammer dat al die goeie dinge in sy lewe (buiten Gorrelina) tot ’n einde kom. Gorrel dink dit het alles gebeur omdat die studente sonder sente nie daar was om die span deur die kragmeting te dra nie. Gorrel wil dan ook net vir Tuks met die “groot” wen gelukwens, maar waarsku dat die beker in 2022 weer huis toe kom.
causing unnecessary headaches for Gorrel, it is the audacity of the university to charge Gorrel for things he did not lose and choices Gorrel did not make. The other day Gorrel wanted to enter a faculty building, like Gorrel has done for the past few years, and Gorrel’s student card refused to work. Upon entering the IT-hub and presenting said card, they told Gorrel that the card is too old for the readers. R80, no new photo, and an identity crisis later, Gorrel feels like he has to get a pensioner card to save at Game’s pensioners’ Wednesday. Gorrel doesn’t want to play this game anymore. At least the photo on the old card still has hope in its eyes.
VARSITY-BEKER TRANE GORREL voel
GEVUL
MET
terneergedruk
ná die Varsity Cup semi’s . Met Gorrel se 2020 Varsity-Beker-hempie aan, most valuable player-plakkaat in die hand, in die bed en onder ’n kombers, was
STELLENBOSCH PIGGY BANK IF there is one thing that is really
OPINIONS
2 Junie 2021
9
Does Stellenbosch know it’s Pride Month at all? GIUSEPPE RAJKUMAR GUERANDI
I
t’s the most queer time of the year: Pride Month is upon us. On the surface, this would typically mean a month filled with glitter, celebrations and the commercialisation of rainbows slapped on bottles of Absolut vodka (yes, that’s really a thing). As anyone with an entry-level education in queer history will know, scratch that shiny, spectral veneer and an important cultural tradition will pour out. A history so important to you and me that the tragedy of its niche status is never lost on me. Yes, even for you Frikkie with the unshakeable heterosexuality. Pride matters to all of us because oppression is not a one-way street. If we know what it feels like to be marginalised on the basis of our queer identity, then non-queer people know full well what it feels like to benefit on the basis of theirs. To this end, the moral obligation of non-queer people to have a vested interest in Pride is tantamount to white people unpacking their internalised racism. Pride Month is not for you, but it is certainly about you too.
Pride is protest. The queer activists who came before us understood that better than most. The black and brown transgender and gender non-conforming people who were the backbone of the Gay Liberation Front knew that best. Queer identity, when visible and unabashed, is the most potent weapon against an unforgivingly queerphobic world. I know this because I live it everyday. Every unflinching stare shot from a stranger is both induced and deflected by my leopard-print miniskirt. Every dehumanising word thrown is muted by hard-earned self-love. Make no mistake, however, visibility is both a weapon and a target on our backs. The Human Rights Campaign reported that at least 44 transgender and gender non-conforming people were violently killed in the United States in 2020. On our own soil, we are in the midst of what many activists and organisations are calling a ‘war on queerness’. In April, we lost Lonwabo Jack to one of many hate crimes that have taken queer lives in the last two months. His body was found
on a pavement in Nyanga East, like a discarded piece of litter. The stab wounds on his body drained the life out of him, but only after his attackers had first defiled his body. Say his name. Say all of their names. For this is our reality, and this is our history. If we are going to enter this month, let us do so with brutal honesty and hold up that daunting mirror to our community’s face. If the reflection staring back at us is monstrous and violent, as it so often is, then we must stew in that frightful sight knowing it is our own visage. Residences ought to be adorned with pride flags, this month and every month. Gender minorities should walk this campus knowing that there will be a gender-neutral bathroom for them to use at any given moment. Queer people should rest knowing that they will open their eyes again and again because the community around them cares for their safety. Perhaps it seems we want too much, but I’ll be damned if asking for a fraction of the bare minimum is too much. After all, ‘tis the season. Happy Pride everyone.
Giuseppe Rajkumar Guerandi is busy with their Honours in Journalism.
Die belangrikheid van lees in ’n digitale era CARMEN COETSEE
Carmen Coetsee is tans besig met haar Honneurs in Taalwetenskap. In 2020 het die hele wêreld tydens die COVID-19-pandemie gaan stilstaan. Ons lewens soos ons dit geken het, het gestop terwyl die aanlyn wêreld besiger as ooit was. Terwyl winkels, skole en universiteite toe was, het meer en meer mense tegnologie gebruik om hulle gedagtes besig te hou. Ons het begin om fisiese afstand te neem, maar deur toeps soos TikTok en Zoom kon
ons ons sosiale lewens na ’n aanlyn spasie verskuif. Volgens Bugsnag, ’n platform wat die stabiliteit van toeps mo nitor, het videoklets- en aanlyn konferensieprogramme met 627% in Noord-Amerika alleen gestyg. Snapchat en TikTok het die meeste in hulle aantal gebruikers toegeneem en het met 49% en 32% in nuwe toepinstallasies gestyg. Daar
kan dus nie oor die groot rol van tegnologie in ons daaglikse lewens, veral na dié statistieke en die grendeltydperk, getwyfel word nie; tegnologie speel ’n groot rol in ons lewens. Dus is dit belangriker as ooit dat ons in die nuwe post-pandemiese wêreld ’n balans moet vind tussen aanlyn en vanlyn. In die grendeltydperk was tegnologie vir my ’n wonderlike manier om van die realiteit te ontsnap, maar naderhand het dit net te veel geraak. Daar was te veel om mee te by te bly en die konstante stroom van nuus en vermaak was oneindig end . Elke dag was daar iets nuuts wat jy dalk gaan mis. Tegnologie-angs is nou ’n algemene probleem, veral onder studente wat gedwing was om hulle studies deur middel van aanlyn platforms voort te sit. Met die spoed van die “aanlyntrein” is ons aandagspan aansienlik verkort. Ons raak maklik verveeld en ons sukkel om te fokus in selfs net een 50 minute lesing. Ek het hierdie probleem in my eie aandagspan opgemerk en het besluit om dit reg te stel deur meer te lees. Data toon dat ander mense dieselfde idee gehad het. Volgens die statistieke wat Global English Editing, ’n globale proeflees- en redigeringdiens, versamel het, is daar 35% van webgruikers wêreldwyd wat tydens die gren-
deltydperk meer gelees het. In my poging om meer te lees en minder tyd aanlyn te spandeer, het my aandagspan aansienlik verbeter. Hoe meer ek gelees het, hoe langer kon ek fokus. Dit is ’n feit dat studente baie moet lees vir akademiese redes, soos elke keer wat hulle op SUNLearn gaan, elke lesing, elke e-pos. Dít is sonder al die leesstukke en ektra leeswerk wat hulle vir klasse en tutoriale moet doen. Wat van lees slegs vir vermaakdoeleindes? Die voordele van lees is amper algemene kennis en die meeste van ons weet dat lees jou brein en woordeskat aansienlik kan verbeter; die laasgenoemde is veral ’n groot pluspunt vir dié van ons wat opstelle moet skryf. Volgens Goodnet.org kan lees blykbaar ook depressie verlig en positiewe slaapgewoontes bevorder. Dit is ook al bewys dat lees stres kan verminder en dat dit mense kan help om hulle stres in toom te hou – iets wat ons as studente almal sal waardeer! Lees is nou in die digitale eeu, belangriker as ooit. Elke keer wat ons ’n boek optel om te lees in plaas daarvan om gedagteloos te scroll en scroll, verbeter ons ons brein se kognitiewe funksies wat ons aandagspan insluit. Lees kan dus ’n baie groot verskil maak in ons studies en punte. Danksy die internet en sosiale
media is dit makliker as ooit om ’n leesformaat te vind wat by jou pas. Die moderne boekwurm kan kies tussen fisiese boeke, ’n Kindle wat jou hele boekrak virtueel stoor, of klankboeke wat al hoe gewilder raak. Daar is baie genres van boeke en daar is iets vir elke soort boekwurm, alles van wetenskapfiksie tot romanse. Ek is ’n leser wat wil ontsnap as ek lees. Ek wil in die verlede invaar en stories geniet wat my toelaat om die alledaagse gewoel te ontsnap. In die blaaie van boeke kan ons die lewens van mense ervaar wat jare terug geleef het. Ons kan antieke Rome gaan besoek of terugkeer na die 1920’s en ’n draai in Amerika maak. Ek hou daarvan om in mense se lewens in te vaar, om te lees oor hulle kinderjare, die belangrike figure wat hulle gevorm het, en die lesse wat hulle geleer het. Die mooi en lelik van die lewe asook wat dit beteken om ’n mens te wees, word met lesers gedeel. Deur te lees kan jy jou realiteit vir ’n rukkie verlaat. Jy kan jou in die woorde verloor en ’n bietjie van die wêreld vergeeet. Terwyl jy tyd tussen die blaaie spandeer, kan jy terselfdertyd ook jou aandagspan verbeter, jou stres beheer en nog vele ander voordele geniet wat jou studentelewe kan verbeter. Dit is ’n wen-wen situasie!
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CANVAS
Mielie loer by Matieland in PIERRÉ MÜLLER
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ok eens ’n voorgraadse student met te veel hoop vir kampus-WiFi, betree Llandi Beeslaar weer die Stellenbosch-kampus in die strewe na haar volgende graad. Met ’n broodnodige koppie koffie in die hand skuif ons albei agter ons skerms in om mekaar oor ’n Zoom-oproep te ontmoet. Na ’n lang aand van neus in die boek steek, skuif sy haar bril rond soos ons gereed maak om oor alles en niks te gesels. Die aanvanklike gesprek, soos enige ander deesdae, is afgeskop met pandemiepraatjies. Die grendeltydperk was vir Llandi nie te ondraaglik nie, maar sy sê ook “niemand wil hoor dis vir jou nice terwyl massas doodgaan [nie]”. Aanlyn klasse het veral by Llandi aanklank gevind aangesien sy haarself tans in Melkbosstrand saam met haar meisie bevind. Dit versteek ook, sê Llandi, die onlangse besef dat sy, soos sy haarself beskryf, glad nie meer so “hip and happening” is soos die kampus se “VSCO girls” nie. Kampus, tesame met die biblioteek en museum, is nietemin een van Llandi se gunstelingplekke: “Ek love kampus en hou baie van goedkoop kos.” Dit is ook op kampus wat sy Die Matie by die dramafakulteit se voordeur gretig oppik om met kampusnuus tred te hou. Na hoërskool moes sy haar hoop en aspirasies om haar dramastudies in Engeland te voltooi, laat vaar toe sy na Suid-Afrika terugkeer. Sy skop toe haar studies by die Universiteit van Pretoria af wat ook gerieflik naby aan haar huis in Odendalsrus is. Nadat sy na twee jaar volleerd is, skuif Llandi na Universiteit Stellenbosch om verder kabaret en regie onder Marthinus Basson te studeer. Sy onthou die harde werk en baie films wat sy moes kyk. Sy herroep ook die DVD-winkel onder in Dorpstraat wat toe later deur Pulp Cinema oorgekoop is. Die goedkoopste kuierplek was ook altyd die go to spot, naamlik Mystics (of Mistakes soos sy die destydse gebruiksnaam onthou), maar sy kan vandag nie meer na die kuierplek gaan en terselfdertyd haarself ’n suksesvolle volwassene noem nie. Vandag is sy terug om haar honneurs te doen soos sy nog altyd wou. “Dit was nie toe ’n opsie nie. My ma hulle was arm en ek was net te wit en middelklas vir ’n beurs.” Na wye draaie, so wyd soos Suid-Korea, in die middel van ’n quarter-life crisis, vind sy weer vrede in akademie. “Ek geniet dit vreeslik en het selfs ná universiteit akademiese artikels gelees,” vertel sy. “Ek weet nogsteeds nie hoe ek hiervoor gaan betaal nie,” sê sy terwyl sy reeds planne vir ’n meesters- en doktorsgraad beraam. “Dis vir my lekker om te stry en hard te dink,” sê Llandi. Alhoewel mense volgens haar jou later nie meer na braaigeleenthede wil nooi nie, ag sy dit as ’n konstruktiewe manier om haar tyd te spandeer. “Ek dink nie dit gaan ooit die
LIPLEK-LEKKER Aktrise Llandi Beeslaar, beter bekend as Mielie, in die TV-geselsprogram Republiek van Zoid Afrika. Foto: Misha wêreld verander nie, maar dis f*kken lekker en dis gesonder as kerk [toe gaan],” sê sy. Met ’n onlangse deurbraak in haar loopbaan, is sy te sien in die Afrikaanse komediereeks Ekstra Medium. Voorheen ook beter bekend as Mielie Senekal van Republiek van Zoid Afrika, vertel Llandi dat sy graag karakters vertolk wat ver van haar eie persoonlikheid verwyder is. “Op hierdie stadium is ek die vet lesbian,” vertel sy. Aanvanklik het sy teen dié type casting geskop en het sy probeer om daarvan weg te bly, maar later het sy besef dat dit uiteindelik net besigheid is. Llandi sien haarself as queer. Dit is volgens haar net meer inklusief en makliker vir mense om te verstaan. Sy is krities teenoor sommige publieke houdings: “Ons is all-inclusive guys, like we’re so inclusive. Kyk al hierdie posters en sh*t. Jy kan wees net wat jy wil [wees], maar [moet ook nie] te veel k*k maak nie.” Haar lewensleuses verkry sy vanaf The Smashing Pumpkins (’n musiekgroep) en Rick and Morty. Die eerste, “Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage”, reserveer sy vir wanneer sy haar metal-musiek luister en oor die lewe peins. Die tweede leuse, wat ook dubbeldoelig as reklame vir haar shows geld, heet “Nobody exists on purpose, nobody belongs anywhere, everybody’s gonna die. Come watch TV”.
Llandi hou vol dat sy nooit vervulling in haar sukses sal ervaar nie. Sy het nie ’n held nie; die naaste aan ’n held wat sy kom, is die weergawe van haarself wat sy oor vyf jaar wil wees. Sy gee toe dat sy wel naby aan sukses sal kom wanneer sy ’n houtvloerhuis het sowel as ’n studeerkamer met ’n De’Longhi-koffiemasjien en ’n nice mat waar sy na haar hoërskoolplateversameling kan luister. Sy het haar loopbaan as produksieassistent begin. Llandi het, soos sy dit beskryf, soveel geleer en ge-shadow as wat sy kon terwyl sy koffie aangedra het. Sy is gretig om te leer en poog om haar vaardighede soveel as moontlik te verbreed. “Hoe meer jy doen, hoe meer kan jy voor nee sê,” meen sy. Sy vertel ook hoe sy eindeloos baie by vervaardiger, Karien Laubscher, geleer het en hoe die tyd van koffie aandra, gelei het na een van haar grootste obsessies. “Daar is vir my niks f*kken grosser as instant coffee nie. Níks! Jy bederf my glad nie met House of Coffees nie. Ek raak kwaad in fact,” sê sy. Sy meen dat sy eerder haar koffiebone self maal en rooster, maar sê dat dit baie geduld verg. Llandi vertel dat sy elke dag ’n film kyk. Sy sê geniet die obskure B-graadse rillers en spanningsfilms uit die 70’s en 80’s en haar gunstelinganimasie is The Amazing World of Gumball. Verder
KOFFIE-SNOB Mielie verkies haar koffie varsgemaal. Foto’s: Netwerk24 hou sy ook van “local goedjies” en besoek sy gereeld markte omdat sy daarvan hou om mense se vaardighede en inisiatiewe te ondersteun. Verder meen sy dat sy ’n braaimeester is: “Ek is in die Vrystaat gebore [en] my van is Beeslaar. Ek gaan goed wees in braai.” Tans skryf sy toneelstukke en gee sy klas by AFDA, ’n filmskool. Die COVID-19-regulasies maak
dit moeilik om vertonings te hou en films te skiet en dit was toe juis die geskikste tyd om honneurs aan te pak. Haar droom is egter om meer regiewerk te doen en dit is natuurlik waar haar passie lê. Haar raad aan studente is om nie werk tot die laaste minuut te los nie. “Moet nooit ophou leer nie. Moet nooit ophou lees nie. Leer net uit alles wat jy doen, (selfs) al maak jy ’n kas.”
SPORT
2 Junie 2021
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Maties-roeispan terug in die water na droë jaar
DINGE LYK NIE MEER TE DROOG NIE Die Maties-roeispan besig om te oefen vir opkomende regatta. Foto: Caylee Sinclair SIBELLA SWANEPOEL
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ie kansellasie van Universiteitsport SuidAfrika (Ussa) se nasionale roeinaellope regatta (Ussa-R Naellope) en verskeie ander toernooie was ’n groot knou vir die Maties-roeispan en ander universiteitsroeiers regoor die land. Regattas (oftewel roeikompetisies) het verlede jaar tot ’n stilstand gekom as gevolg van COVID-19, maar hierdie jaar
is die Maties-roeispan weer aan die gang en hard aan die werk. Vandat die universiteit weer oopgemaak het en die COVID19-regulasies gelig is, spandeer die Maties-roeispan soveel tyd as moontlik in die water. Die roeispan het in April teen verskeie hoërskool- en privaatspanne aan ’n agt uur lange roei deelgeneem by die Eikenhof Dam in Elgin. “Ons is besig om die klub op te bou na ’n jaar sonder enige behoorlike afrigting en oefening,” sê Edwin Olivier,
binnekoördineerder en lid van die uitvoerende komitee. As gevolg van COVID-19, was daar hierdie jaar nog geen formele regattas nie. “[Die] meeste groot toernooie is gekanselleer of vervang deur kleiner en meer informele regattas. Toernooie is moeilik om te organiseer onder die streng COVID-19-regulasies,” sê Olivier. Die kansellasies kry egter nie die span onder nie. “Ons oefen elke naweek by die Elgin Grabouw Country Club en in die week oefen
ons op die ergometers in ons binnenshuise oefenlokaal,” noem Olivier. Elke jaar is daar twee hoofregattas, naamlik die Ussa-R Naellope (wat 1 000m is) en die Ussa-R Bootresies (wat ongeveer 5 000m is). Die Ussa-R Naellope is gekanselleer, maar die Matiesroeispan gaan in September aan die Ussa-R Bootresies, wat in die Kowie Rivier plaasvind, deelneem. “Toernooie motiveer ons om te oefen, stel ons bloot aan ander klubs en is oor die algemeen baie
pret,” sê Olivier. Die regattas waaraan die roeispan deelneem, vind oor die hele land plaas en hulle kompeteer gewoonlik teen ander universiteite in Suid-Afrika. “Onlangs, met die klein kompetisies, kompeteer ons teen hoërskole en private roeiklubs,” sê Olivier. Enigiemand is welkom om by die span aan te sluit, ongeag of hulle al voorheen geroei het of nie. Meer inligting oor die roeispan kan op Instagram by @maties_rowing gevind word.
Get your head in the game ACROSS
3. Who won the Varsity Cup in 2021? 7. Who is the first team Maties netball coach? 8. Where is The Olympics held this year? 9. Which Maties sport’s club was established this year?
DOWN
1. Which athlete recently broke the SA and Africa record for Pole vault? 2. Who is Die Matie’s sports editor? 4. Which sport did the late Nomzamo B uthelezi play? 5. Who did the springboks play in the Rugby World Cup final? 6. Which tennis player recently spoke out about mental health? 10. How many Maties alumni made the SA hockey team for the Olympics?
WOENSDAG 2 JUNIE 2021 | GR ATIS
CLOSE BUT NOT CLOSE ENOUGH For the first time since 2015, Maties captain was unable to lead his team to a Varsity Cup final. The Maroon Machine lost against the eventual Varsity Cup champions, Tuks in the first of the competition’s semi-final. The final score was 44-35, leaving Tuks victorious. Photo: Christiaan Kotze
Copeland goes for gold FLAVIA DAVIDS
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he University Sports South Africa (USSA) athletics competition recently made a champion out of Stellenbosch University (SU) athlete Sarah Copeland. The championship was hosted by the University of Johannesburg (UJ) from 13-15 May. Copeland, a first year BSc Sport Science student, earned a gold medal at USSA in the 5000m race with a time of 17 minutes 36 seconds. She also won a silver medal in the 1500m category, where she was narrowly outsprinted by UJ athlete Prudence Sekgodiso. This championship was a first for Copeland. She only started running competitively in grade 11
after joining the Central Gauteng Athletics club (CGA). Her first thoughts after winning the race were of utter surprise. Her goal in the race, which was her first 5000m race of the season, was simply to give her best. Copeland was incredibly pleased with the outcome. Copeland spoke of an incredibly pleasant experience at USSA, where she could get to know her fellow athletes and competitors. “I was so grateful for the opportunity to race and to participate in a championship. The friendships I got to make with the girls I raced against were brilliant,” said Copeland. Despite her brilliant fare at USSA, Copeland’s journey to the championship was not without obstacles. Significant challenges were posed to her last year after
she sustained an iliotibial band (ITB) injury. After the injury she could not train for a total of six weeks. Copeland reflects that such obstacles can make you more appreciative of being able to run. “It was hard not to run and do what I love, but coming back made me love running so much more, and made me more thankful for the ability to run. It is a privilege,” said Copeland. Copeland admits that the balancing act between academics and running can be tricky. Stress and pressure can make training days more difficult. Luckily, running is her passion, so Copeland is able to be optimistic about the hard work. She believes that she is able to honour God with her talent, and that it challenges her to become stronger, faster and fitter. She is willing to face that challenge.
THE FINAL STRETCH Maties athlete Sarah Copeland, who obtained gold at the USSA Athletics Championship in May 2021. Photo: Supplied