Retro romcoms

Looking for the perfect movie to watch with your partner this Valentine’s Day? We’ve got you covered. Below you will find our Editor’s carfully curated list of the best romcoms out there!

10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

For all our enemies-to-lovers fans; this movie has got you covered for a passionate night in. Based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, the film follows local bad boy Patrick Verona’s attempts to charm Kat, the older sister of popular girl Bianca. Patrick is paid by Cameron, the new kid, to woo Kat, in an attempt to side-step their father’s rule that Bianca would only be allowed to date once Kat has. The film is equal parts funny as it is romantic, with its iconic titular poem scene - a love confession from Kat to Patrick. Starring Julia Stiles and the late Heath Ledger, 10 Things I Hate about You is bound to have you in stitches and tears the whole way through.

“To the girl giving temp tattoos at the Welcoming Fair - wish I had asked your number”

“ek’t ’n crush op my mentor”

“Daar is die meisie op kampus, haar naam is Zoe B. Sy is die mooiste mens wat ek al ooit gesien het.”

Starring Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo, this fantasyadventure romcom is the ideal flick for a night of escapism. After moving into his new apartment David experiences strange, inexplicable events, only to discover that the previous tenant, Elizabeth, had seemingly died and returned as a ghost.

Saving Face (2004)

Closeted Wil falls for Vivian, an openly gay dancer. Wil, a surgeon, meets Vivian at a dinner at Planet China, where she had been set up with the son of one of her mother’s friends. This film navigates the nuances of tradition, sexuality and cultural norms. Still funny, yet poignant,

After a failed exorcism David and Elizabeth become reluctant friends and, in an effort to restore her memories from before her death, they go on an adventure to all her frequent haunts. Just Like Heaven is ridiculously hilarious and stirringly sweet. It’s a must-watch and certainly lends new meaning to the term ‘being ghosted’.

“To the gent who had on a gold earring at Pieke who I saw come out of Huis ten Bosch, hi :)”

“Anna en Abraham de Villiers julle is die mooiste, oulikste en beste <3” this film is for anyone looking for a heartfelt and sensual night in with their partner. The cast of the film includes Lynn Chen and Michelle Krusiec and is written and directed by Alice Wu - also the producer of Netflix’s The Half of It, another must-see for those queer inclined.

Take it from me: Advice from those that have come before

TIAAN BOOYENS

1. Try Everything Once (except flatcest)

Let’s face it: everyone fortunate enough to be in university is privileged to a certain degree. With this privilege comes the responsibility to make the most of your student life experience. That’s why this is the perfect time to be responsibly irresponsible and try (almost) everything once. Go to digs jols, finish an assignment minutes before the deadline, download - and deletethe dating apps. Take time to figure out what you like and what you want.

2. “A” is for going to Admin A

It takes a lot of students way too long to find out that the answer to all of their questions is waiting behind the helpdesk at Admin A. If you don’t know where to upload printing credits, or how to connect to Eduroam, Admin A can show you the way to both. If you need financial aid, or help with your registration and course-related concerns, just go ask. You’ll find that someone out there is ready to help. Don’t be that person who only finds out after graduation.

3. Find Campus Health ASAP

If you only use Google Maps once throughout your university career, please let it be to locate the Stellenbosch University (SU) Campus Health services. These lovely receptionists and nurses could mean the difference between fever dreams in your residence room, or having a prescription for antibiotics (speaking from personal experience). You can get free HIV testing and access to a range of different health services if you provide your medical aid information.

4. The SRC is free to consult

When you find yourself thinking: “the university should really have someone in charge or sorting that out”, chances are that they already do. Make use of the Student Representative Council (SRC)’s entire umbrella of student representation to ensure your queries don’t go unanswered. From academic and faculty enquiries, to finding your perfect fit in the Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD), the SRC knows someone that can help you.

“Mariet eloff from serruria’s hk”

Just Like Heaven (2004) Campus Crush Confessions

5. Get out of Stellenbosch

My last bit of advice for any newcomers, is to savour as much of the goodness as you possibly can - and then leave. Some people stick around for three years, and some stay three years longer than their degree requires. However long you stay, you will most likely experience “Stellenbosch Cabin Fever” at least once. The easy solution is to get some perspective. Go to the beach, hike some trails, visit neighbouring tourist traps to cleanse your palette. You’ll be able to come back with fresh eyes and appreciate the town of oaks even more.