BRUTUS January 2023 | The Claassen Street edition

Our Story

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 laid to rest in Nerina’s soil where he still finds peace in the purple shade of our beautiful Jacaranda.

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.

Nerina Residence

Letter from the editor

Dear Newcomer

Welcome to Nerina! I can't believe it has been a year since I was in your shoes; not knowing what to expect and unsure of what to pack. Take comfort in knowing that everyone else feels just as unprepared as you do. Nevertheless, welcoming and the whole of first year is definitely something to look forward to. You will learn so much about people, life and yourself this year.

My advice to you is to step out of your comfort zone and talk to the stranger sitting across from you in the dining hall. You would be surprised at how much you have in common.

For now, just enjoy the excitement of preparing for your new home. I hope to see you soon! With love, Mia

About this edition

The theme for Brutus this year is streets, owing to Nerina's iconic section names. This special newcomers' edition of Brutus is named the Claassen Street edition because that is the name of the street where Nerina is located. In this edition you will find welcoming tips, photos of the residence, moments to look forward to and much more. Happy reading!

Message from Fina

FirstlyI'dliketosaycongratulations andwelcometoNerina!!!I'mreally excitedtohaveyouguyscomejoin usinourbeautifulhome.Wehave spentalotoftimepreparingaway tomakeyouallfeelwelcomedand thatyouareabletofindyourplace inourhome.

Ithinkthebestwayoffindingyourplaceisfindinga friendorfriends,findaplacethatresonatesbestwithyou. Being completely yourself and not being ashamed of anything. Be loud, be quiet, be shy, laugh out loud, whateveryouwanttonameit.Thepointisthatwhenyou arebeingcompletelyyourselfthenyoucaneasilyfindyour placeandbecomfortable.

Wehopeyoulikeithereandthatweallbecomeand belong.

Lotsoflove FinaMacuacua

A poem by Jess

when I walked through those wooden doors

I didn't know my place wishing people knew my heart although they always knew my face

there were nights I spent alone hearing chatter far away or cautiously walked into a crowded room thinking, "Should I go or should I stay?"

but the way these walls became a home began with the walls in my heart letting them down, just brick by brick, allowed new foundations to start and before you can say "ewig trou" my eyes were opened to the truth Nerina turned the soil and watered The roots grown in my youth

In this house I learnt that I become because of you The way I think, the things I say, How I feel and what I do Because living as an " us " takes the focus off of " me " And when you look through the lens of others Then – you really start to see

I saw the things that bother you And the things that make you laugh The music that you listen to In the shower (sadly not the bath!)

I saw the clothes you like to wear And the language that you speak, The hello's, molweni's and hoegaanit's, Always the highlight of my week

I learnt that disagreement Is a key to deeper ground Where the way that we treat difference Is where real connection is found

I learnt to close my eyes and jump Into the depths of deepest blue And put myself out on the line Knowing it was something safe to do

Knowing that the place I rest my head each night

Had become a safety net Made of multitudes of people With the kind of hearts you don't forget

Nerina gave me people That I now call family That room I was alone in Now filled with laughter and cups of tea

There was nothing I deserved But looking back, i see it's true Nerina chose to be my home The day I chose her to be too

Welcoming tips

Stellenbosch gets incredibly hot in February. So, drink lots of water, apply sunscreen regularly and wear a hat!

Rinse your Nerina shirt regularly. You might have to wear it again on short notice.

Wear comfortable shoes at all times. You will be walking a lot.

Talk to an NCC-member if you need help with anything, whether you can't find Admin A or you just want to know what time lunch is. They are very friendly and more than willing to guide you.

Know your limits and take a break when you need to. All activities are voluntary, but just make sure an NCC-member knows where you are, as they are responsible for your wellbeing.

Room Chats

It's important to discuss a few practical topics with your roommate once you meet them to ensure that you both can live comfortably without infringing on the other's boundaries.

Bedtime

Are you an early-bird or a night owl?

Discuss when you typically go to bed at night and wake up in the morning as not to mess with each other's beauty sleep. NB: notify your roommate when you set an alarm for the next morning.

Visitors

Are you planning on having visitors in the room regularly? Make sure your roommate knows beforehand that you will be bringing a visitor to your room. Also discuss what visitors are allowed to do in the room and when is an appropriate time for them to leave.

Dirty dishes

Would you prefer to wash your own dishes or would you like to wash your dishes together? This may seem trivial, but discuss this topic before you wash your roommate's special mug with the wrong kind of sponge. Remember to discuss where you want to pile up the dirty dishes and for how long they are allowed to sit.

Study habits

Do you study better at night or in the morning? If you tend to work late, but your roommate goes to bed early, consider studying in the rec hall at night. Also ask each other whether you prefer a quiet study environment or if you would like to listen to music.

The fridge

What is yours and what is mine? If you plan on sharing a fridge, make sure to discuss what items in the fridge are shared and what items are exclusively for one roommate. Never assume you can have some of your roommate's food just because it is in your shared fridge. Always ask first.

Your Room

This is what your half of your room will look like when you arrive at Nerina.

Some examples of what you can do with your space.

The residence

Moments to look forward to...