BRUTUS November 2020 | Survival Edition

NOVEMBER 2020

BRUTUS NERINA RESIDENCE

respect | integrity | ubuntu | potential development

SURVIVAL EDITION

SURVIVAL GUIDE: THE HOLIDAYS How to stay productive during the three month holiday p.6

SURVIVAL GUIDE: NERINA 2021 Mental wellness during a pandemic p.12

SURVIVAL GUIDE: NEWCOMERS The ultimate Nerina bucket list p.18

Content INTRODUCTION Our story Letter from the editor

SURVIVAL GUIDE: THE HOLIDAYS Skin care and Covid masks How to stay productive during the holidays How to digital detox Movies to watch and books to read

SURVIVAL GUIDE: NERINA 2021 Budgeting tips for student life Stellenbosch must do's Mental wellness during a pandemic Things you should care about

SURVIVAL GUIDE: NEWCOMERS Survive welcoming 2021

The ultimate Nerina bucket list Things you didn't know you should pack Academic tips from our seniors Some inspiration

Our story NERINA RESIDENCE

Nerina’s name comes from the indigenous South African flower, Nerine Filifolia. This delicate,

yet

enduring

flower

brings

colour

to

the

open

grasslands

and

humid

locations in the Eastern Cape, Transkei, Swaziland, Mpumalanga and the Free State.

It takes three years for this bulbous to bloom for the first time during autumn – and likewise most Nerinas are rooted here in our precious home in Stellenbosch for about three years before they need to exit into the world and start to bloom in their respective careers.

Nerina hosted our first residents in 1968. The residence was only completed in 1972 and for the first four years the residents had to use the back entrance next to the bicycle stands, as the front door was not yet complete. Mrs Rabie was Nerina’s first residence

head.

Her

dog,

Brutus,

was

a

beloved

resident

of

the

house

and

unfortunately passed a tragic death. He is layed to rest in Nerina’s soil where he still finds peace in the purple shade of our beautiful Jacaranda with our resident owls reminiscing over his memory.

Mrs. Kritzinger joined Nerina as residential head in 1995 and had to bid us farewell in 1999. Tannie Annette du Plessis has been deeply planted in our hearts as residential head and house mother since July 1999. Although greeting Aunty A. after twenty years was a heartfelt and difficult goodbye, we are overjoyed to have Joy Petersen as our current resident head. Her name is true to her joyful spirit and with her honest and practical servant leadership she captured our hearts. Oh, the stories our walls could tell... Stories filled with love, tears, joy and growth. Since 1968 Nerina has been home to many. With every new face that she greets, her face changes as well. While striving to grow and adapt as time goes by, we also know that our firm foundation was laid long before our time and will stand long after we leave. We often say, “Nerina is such a big part of our lives” but in fact, for a little while, we have the privilege of being part of hers.

Today

Nerina’s

heart

blooms

with

pride

for

our

residence

–

a

progressive

and

innovative home-away-from-home in the beautiful town of Stellenbosch. We stand for respect, integrity, Ubuntu and potential development. In this house, true to the roots of our name, Nerinas prosper and flourish.

Letter from the editor Karmen Wiid

Dearest Nerina,

What

a

tumultuous

year

it

has

been!

The

uncertainty

surrounding

university,

the

academic year and even our futures have been strenuous on us all. However, in the midst of all this chaos I have found comfort in my fond memories of Nerina and her inhabitants. Since we’ve all merely been surviving this past year, I have made this edition of Brutus a survival guide that will give you the tools to thrive in 2021. My vision was to make it a happy edition filled with soothing pastels and a sense of coming home.

I’m

sure

we’re

all

missing

our

home

away

from

home,

our

beautiful

quad,

the

mountains and the laughter of friends filling the hallways. I’m so excited for all of us to return soon and be together as a sisterhood once again. Until then, I hope this edition of Brutus carries you through the long holidays ahead and offers a little Nerina companionship until we meet again.

All my love,

Karmen

HOLIDAY

SURVIVAL

GUIDE

SKIN CARE AND COVID MASKS We all know that masks play a vital role in reducing the spread of the coronavirus, but they can also be very hard on your skin, causing problems that range from acne and peeling to rashes and itchiness. To help prevent skin problems from developing under your mask during the December heat, try the following actionable tips.

1.

Cleanse and moisturise your face daily.

Gentle skin care can prevent skin

problems. When washing your face, use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser.

2.

Protect your lips by applying petroleum jelly.

Dry skin and chapped lips are

common face mask skin problems. You can prevent chapped lips by applying petroleum jelly to your lips, but avoid the surrounding skin area.

3.

Skip the makeup when wearing a mask.

Beneath a mask, makeup is more

likely to clog your pores and lead to breakouts. If makeup is necessary, use only products labelled “non-comedogenic” or “won't clog pores.”

4.

Wash your cloth masks.

Many health care organizations now recommend that

you wash a cloth mask after each use. Washing it also removes oils and skin cells that collect inside the mask, which could lead to a skin problem.

PRO TIP: You can prevent breakouts by using a moisturiser formulated for your skin type.

Oily skin (or when weather is hot/humid): Gel moisturiser Normal or combination skin: Lotion Dry to very dry skin: Cream

How to stay productive during the holidays READ

Use this time to delve into all the unread books that have been calling your name from

your

bookshelf.

For

once,

read

MOVE

YOUR

BODY

something that you will enjoy, whether that may have

be

philosophy

proven

that

or

you

romance. sleep

You do not need to get a gym membership

Studies

better

or

and

torture

yourself

to

stay

healthy.

Find

something active that you love, like tennis,

relax more when you read for fun.

hiking or yoga. It is a great way to look after your body while also getting out of the house and staying positive.

SPEND WITH

QUALITY

YOUR

TIME

FAMILY

Ask your parents questions about their just

childhood be

interesting sparks.

and

you

surprised

the

conversations

Watch

favourite

might

by

movie

your with

it

sibling's them

and

grab a coffee with grandma.

GET

Be

CREATIVE

brave

something

enough new!

to

Try

be

your

bad

hand

at

at

a

creative hobby like painting, writing poetry,

dancing

or

pottery.

Spend

some time with yourself or do it with a friend and make a memory of it.

STAY

CONNECTED

The holidays are going to be long, so make time

to

catch

up

with

friends

that

you

DO

GOOD

won't see as often. A quick coffee date or message will go a long way to strengthen

Find

out

how

a valuable friendship.

community

you

outreach

can

get

involved

programs

or

in

charity

events. Not only will it enrich your soul and sense

of

gratitude,

but

it

will

also

look

great on your CV. Find something that you are

passionate

about,

shelters or the SPCA.

like

anti-GBV

HOW TO

digital detox

After a year of online study, most students’ overall screen time has increased exponentially.

If

you

are

feeling

stressed,

depressed

or

the

need

to

persistently check your phone, then you should consider doing a digital detox this holiday. A digital detox refers to a period of time when a person refrains from using tech devices such as smartphones, televisions, computers, tablets, and social media sites. “Detoxing” from digital devices is often seen as a way to focus on real-life social interactions without distractions. By forgoing digital devices, at least temporarily, people can let go of the stress that stems from constant connectivity.

Actionable tips: 1. Delete social media apps from your phone.

2. If that is too difficult, start by turning off push notifications.

3. Do not charge your phone in your room.

4. Set a time limit for your screen time.

5. Download a social media blocker app.

6. Watch "The Social Dilemma" on Netflix.

7. Keep a journal.

8. Explore new hobbies.

ENTERTAINMENT OUR TOP PICKS FOR YOR YOU THIS HOLIDAY

1.

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS This charming Woody Allen film imagines what would happen if one could travel back in time to

The

Golden

Age

of

Paris.

Marvelously

romantic and poignantly nostalgic, this film has found

the

wisdom.

Owen

dissatisfied reinvigorate glory.

perfect

While

blend

Wilson

Hollywood his

plays

whimsy a

on

dreams a

and

perpetually

screenwriter

youthful

working

of

novel,

trying

of

to

literary

he

finds

himself inexplicably travelling back in time and mixing with Paris’s elite. Among his new friends are Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein.

MONA LISA SMILE This

classic

centres

starring

around

a

Julia

1950s

Roberts

art

teacher

who wants to change the world one student at a time. Katherine Watson is something of a bohemian, but when she gets an opportunity to teach art history

at

one

prestigious Wellesley

of

the

country’s

institutions

College,

she

for

most

women,

jumps

at

the

chance. She moves to New England, but

brings

female

her

progressive

equality

heart-warming

with film

her. of

sisterhood and modern art.

values This

love,

is

of a

loss,

2.

TO READ:

1.

AMERICANAH Americanah is a 2013 novel by the Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, for which Adichie won the 2013 U.S. National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction. Ifemelu and Obinze are young and in love when

they

depart

West.

Beautiful,

military-ruled

self-assured

Nigeria

Ifemelu

for

the

heads

for

America, where despite her academic success, she is forced to grapple with what it means to be black for

the

hoped

first to

time.

join

Quiet,

her,

but

thoughtful with

Obinze

post-9/11

had

America

closed to him, he instead plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London. Fifteen years later, they

reunite

in

a

newly

democratic

Nigeria,

and

reignite their passion — for each other and for their homeland. This is a powerful, tender story of race, identity and ambition.

THE CLOCKMAKER'S DAUGHTER In the summer of 1862, a group of young artists led

by

the

passionate

and

talented

Edward

Radcliffe, descends upon Birchwood Manor on the banks of the Upper Thames. Their plan: to spend a secluded summer month in a haze of inspiration and creativity. But by the time their stay is over, one woman has been shot dead while

another

has

disappeared;

a

priceless

heirloom is missing; and Edward Radcliffe’s life is in ruins. Over one hundred and fifty years later,

Elodie

Winslow,

a

young

archivist

in

London, uncovers a leather satchel that leads her back to the mystery of Birchwood Manor.

This is a beautifully written book of love and secrets.

2.

NERINA

2021

SURVIVAL

GUIDE

BUDGETING FOR STUDENTS ESTABLISH YOUR INCOME Firstly, you need to calculate how much money you receive. This will set the parameters of your spending, so think carefully about every possible source of revenue. The most common streams of income for students are savings, money from parttime jobs, money from parents and extra money from scholarships or bursaries. List all the sources of income to estimate your monthly revenue.

WHY A BUDGET IS IMPORTANT Budgeting is essential if you do not constantly want to worry about your financial situation or whether you will survive the month. Use apps like Starling Bank and Monzo to create a budget and easily keep track of your spending.

SET FINANCIAL GOALS Set small reachable goals for yourself each month, like spending less on a certain category, saving a certain amount of money or finding new ways to boost your income.

You can also listen to interesting podcasts, such as Bossbabe, to learn more about managing your money as a young woman.

INVEST EARLY The earlier you begin to invest, the more your money works for you in the long term.

Educate yourself by reading books and listening to investment podcasts. When you are ready, invest a portion of your savings with a credible brokerage.

ESTIMATE YOUR OUTGOINGS Next, you need to figure out where all of your money is going. You can either look back at your bank statement to your previous purchases, or simply input a rough estimate of how much you think you spend on each category. Essential student expenses include groceries, textbooks, entertainment, clothes, subscription services, mobile devices and transport.

Group lists of expenses under specific categories and set a budget for each based on the reality of your spending during previous months.

CALCULATE WEEKLY BUDGET Once you've got all your expenses laid out before you, it's time to break it down into a weekly budget. Work out your total income for a term at university minus your essential expenses for the same period. Then divide the number you're left with by the number of weeks in a term. You've now got your weekly student budget – in other words, how much money you've got to spend on all those non-essential things each week. It's better to budget your expenditure per week rather than per month, as it's easy to go overboard at the start of the month and be penniless by the end.

STELLENBOSCH MUST DO'S

01

02

BABYLONSTOREN

COETZENBURG

03

04

JONKERSHOEK

LANZERAC

05

06

JAVA

BOTANICAL GARDENS

Mental wellness DURING A PANDEMIC

PAUSE. This pandemic has slowed everything down. Instead of fighting it, try to slow down with it. In many ways we have been given a year filled with pauses.

Challenge

feeling

and

yourself

what

you

to

are

stop

and

thinking,

notice.

without

Notice

how

judgment.

you

are

Instead

of

responding or reacting to those thoughts or feelings, note them, and then let them go. Notice all the small moments you never would have had if it were not for the pandemic, like eating meals with your family, having your morning coffee in your own bed or being able to take your siblings to school. After everything, I think our biggest lesson is that humans were never meant to live in such a hurry. Pausing cultivates peace and peace ultimately cultivates happiness.

BREATHE. When you are feeling anxious, take some slow breaths: in through your nose, then slowly breathe out. Slow breathing is one of the best ways to lower stress, because it signals to your brain to relax your body.

One of the best ways to become present during a crisis, is through intentional breathwork. Try five minutes of breathing exercises when you wake up in the morning and before you go to sleep. It sets the tone for your day so that you can take anything on with clarity and concentration, no matter what is thrown your way. It also gives your brain more oxygen, thus enhancing focus and reason.

REFLECT. During times when your life is being thrown upside down and everything that

was

once

familiar

recedes

into

uncertainty,

it

is

important

to

reflect on your experiences and feelings. We are standing at the end of a year filled with ambiguity and turmoil. The best you can do now is to pause, breathe and reflect on everything that happened. Focus on the lessons you have learnt and the things you are grateful for. Make these thoughts feelings.

tangible

by

journaling

or

creating

art

that

echoes

your

8

T H I N G S

Y O U

S H O U L D C A R E

A B O U T

PEOPLE, EVENTS AND MOVEMENTS AFFECTING THE WORLD IN 2021

1

GBV

I N

S OUT H

3

AF RI CA

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a profound and

widespread

problem

in

South

Africa,

# E N D S A R S

impacting every aspect of life. It is systemic and

deeply

cultures

and

traditions

government centre

entrenched

GBV

alone

in

and

in

institutions,

our

country.

femicide

recorded

more

The

command

than

120,000

victims in the first three weeks of lockdown.

The numbers

have increased exponentially

since

is

then.

It

time

to

unite

against

this

cruel assault against humanity.

2

The

Special

Anti-Robbery

Squad

was

assembled in 1992 after armed robbery became

widespread

in

Nigeria.

Under

multiple presidential regimes, SARS has abused

its

arrests

which

beating, young

power have

through resulted

kidnapping Nigerians.

and

unlawful in

raping,

stealing

from

have

been

There

massive protests in Nigeria following a

A R M E N I A

recent

A Z E R B A I J A N

shooting a man. Not long after this, the

C O N F L I C T

“The

video

Lekki

of

Toll

SARS

Gate

unjustifiably

massacre”

took

place, which was also caused by police brutality.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have reignited their

32-year

struggle

over

4

Nagorno-

Karabakh, a mountainous territory of 150 000

people.

brokered peace clashes

Despite

ceasefire

Nagorno-Karabakh

international-

agreed

negotiations erupt

an

have

to

stalled

frequently and

in

1994, and

around

along

the

Azerbaijan-Armenia border. Hundreds of people have been killed since this recent conflict began in September.

During

a

country’s North

K O R E A N M I S S I L E S

military 75th

Korea

ballistic

N O R T H

parade

Worker’s

Party

unveiled

missile,

which

celebrating

a is

the

Anniversary,

massive the

new

largest

to

date. According to Reuters, “Analysts said the

missile,

which

was

shown

on

a

transporter vehicle with eleven axles, would be

one

of

intercontinental

the

largest

ballistic

road-mobile

missiles

in

the

world if it becomes operational." The threat of nuclear war depends on the tolerance of countries like the U.S.

5

C L I M A T E

7

C H A N G E

The planet's average surface temperature has risen 1.14 degrees Celsius since the late 19th century, and most of the warming occurred in the past 40 years. The six warmest years on record took place since 2014. Also, since the beginning

of

the

Industrial

Revolution,

the

acidity of surface ocean waters has increased by

about

30%,

both

of

these

a

result

of

humans emitting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and hence more being absorbed into the ocean. Climate change results in the extinction

of

species

and

the

increase

in

L I V E S

South

Africa

have

increased drastically since 2011, with shocking

200

attacks

and

50

a

brutal

murders in 2020 so far. Agri South Africa says

the

differentiating

factor

between

farm attacks and other crimes in South Africa

is

attacks rural

the

are

setting

brutality

with

which

executed.

Because

of

the

farms,

farm

of

the

perpetrators

have more time to torture their victims.

various races are heavily affected.

M A T T E R

the

unlawful

deaths

of

George

Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery in the U.S. The movement stands for freedom,

justice

in

to recover. Farmers and farm workers of

B L A C K

after

liberation,

murders

lasting, with farms taking up to five years

BLM is a movement that took the world by storm

M U R D E R S

The long-term effects of these attacks are

natural disasters.

6

Farm

F A R M

the

for

end

of

oppressed

police

brutality

minorities

across

and

8

H U M A N T R A F F I C K I N G

the

globe. An estimated 15 million to 26 million

The

people, although not all are members or part

women and girls have reached shocking

of the organization, participated in the 2020

statistics,

Black

women

Lives

Matter

protests

in

the

United

trafficking

States, making Black Lives Matter one of the

These

largest movements in the history of the United

sexual

States,

such

further

historic year.

emphasising

that

2020

is

a

of

with

an

enslaved

women

are

domestic

South

estimated

in

exploitation as

young

South

155

Africa

trafficked and

African

alone.

mostly

other

labour,

000

for

purposes,

for

criminal

activities, as well as organ transplants. In the last two decades, increasingly, reports of

human

exploitation and

visual

African brothels.

trafficking have

surfaced

media,

Police A

Rustenburg

fuelled

Service

new as

for

by

the the

(SAPS)

report

the

in

sexual

hub

trafficking in South Africa.

print South

raids

on

has

named

of

human

NEWCOMERS

SURVIVAL

GUIDE

SURVIVE WELCOMING 2021

sunscreen and water

protect your voice

You are going to be active in the sun

Screaming, singing and chanting are

for ten days straight! Drink at least 3

common activities during welcoming.

litres of water daily and continually re-

If you don’t want to lose your voice

apply your sunscreen. There is nothing

by

worse than dehydration or a sunburn

have

during welcoming.

drink lots of water!

utilise your wellness

Plan outfits the night

mentor

before

You

have

reason. stressed

If

a

wellness

you

or

are

mentor

feeling

uncomfortable,

for

the

second

some

day,

Strepsils

make at

sure

hand

to

and

a

Make sure to check the dress code,

anxious,

plan and lay out your outfit for the

talk

to

following

day

each

evening.

This

them! They are more than happy to

helps a lot if you oversleep, which is

listen and give advice.

bound to happen.

be open to making new

keep healthy snacks in

friends

your room

During welcoming you will meet a lot

Being

of new people. Challenge yourself to

hungry and the portions of res meals

make some new friends. If you are

are not that large. In your off time,

going

make

to

be

negative

about

socialising, you will miss all the fun.

highly

sure

active

to

buy

makes

some

you

very

healthy

snacks so you can stay energised.

MEMORIES

OF

WELCOMING

2020

The Ultimate Nerina

BUCKET LIST Have a sleepover on the balcony

Participate in MolassesĂŞr

Attend a House Forum

Take part in Nerina Amiga

Take a snapshot of the owls

Picnic on the front grass

Witness Pieke sing Save Tonight

Help save the bicycle

Babysit Pancakes

Attend HIIT FIT in the rec hall

Use a fake name at a social

Tan in the quad

Splash in the fountain

Read through Brutus

THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW YOU SHOULD PACK

printable Shower flip flops Plastics crates under bed Hangers Combination locks Robe Prestik Fan Multiplug and extension lead Study lamp Curtain tie-backs Rug in front of bed Laundry basket Pen holder Sponge on top of matress Push pins Coffee, tea, sugar Water bottle USB memory stick Tupperware boxes Tea towels Washing powder

NOTES

Academic tips from our seniors Prepare for class.

Go through all the readings before attending the lecture.

Make additional notes of what the lecturer says!

Engage in lectures.

Always ask and answer questions during lectures.

This will help you to understand the work.

Review notes frequently.

Make time each week to go through all the notes you have made for your modules.

Ask for help.

Form a study group.

Find a couple of friends in your class that are willing to put in the same effort as you.

Then, divide the work equally, have discussions about it and share notes.

If you are too nervous to ask your lecturer, ask a friend or your academic mentor in res for some tips.

Use time blocking Take productive breaks.

After studying for an hour, don't just use your break to scroll through social media.

Do some stretches or go for a walk to keep you in a productive mindspace.

Schedule what work you are going to do when. Be specific when blocking out your time for certain tasks. Instead of putting "History" in your calendar, rather put in "review history lecture 4 and 5 notes." Make your tasks as actionable, bite-size and realistic as possible.

inspiration

Happy holidays, Nerina!