BRUTUS July 2021 | Nerina on Film

BRUTUS NERINA RESIDENCE

respect | integrity | ubuntu | potential development

N E R I N A J U L Y

O N

F I L M

2 0 2 1

photo by Heike Edeling | @vyfendertig

"There’s a timeless old-painting or polaroidworn-away-at-the-edges kind of beauty about this daydream."

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BRUTUS INTRODUCTION

Editor's Note

04

The Brutus Team

05

Our Story

06

A Story of Hope

17

A Powerful Morning Routine

19

SU International

21

Stellenbosch in Art

Making a Difference

07

Taking Care of Your Three Homes

09

Life Lessons from Nerina's Owls

11

Dealing with Roommate Stress

13

The Fight Against GBV

15

Please note: all photos without direct recognition to a photographer were found on Pinterest.

22

editor's note

M

Moments are flighty things, whispering watercolour

So, what is the solution? Surely, we cannot stop taking

hazes that often seem to elude memory. I think

photos. One alternative that I have come to love is film

sometimes the mind is good at collecting feelings.

photography. Something in its subtle grain feels like

Looking back over the first semester, I remember the

layers of time folding themselves between the pixels.

sensation of awe when I woke up on the balcony and

Its slight unfocussed feel and non-redo-able nature

saw the pink sun tiptoeing over Coetzenburg. I feel the

lend an in-the-moment quality, making the picture

deep sense of nostalgia as I walk out of the warm folds

almost feel like a memory. The theme quote for this

of the library and realise it has been raining all along.

edition is: “There’s a timeless old-painting or polaroid-

The images themselves are faded, amorphous, but the

worn-away-at-the-edges kind of beauty about this

feelings are acute. One perhaps more so than the others

daydream.” That is precisely what I feel when walking

- the sense that I am being watched, fondly, by my future

the streets of Stellenbosch, and interestingly enough,

self through my memories. This leaves in me a strange

for me, only film photos have come close to replicating

sentiment of longing for the very moments I am living,

that emotion in print.

yet also deep gratitude and awareness that I am busy creating my “good old days.”

I hope this edition feels like a fond memory, something to reach for through the thick fog of time

Then comes the problem of photos. There is a reason

and savour anew when the elusive feeling is grasped. I

that cameras and phones have “memories,” for they are

hope it made you feel like someone looking back over

the materialisation of the human need to better capture

their life and living it at the same time. Perhaps that’s

moments. But that’s the thing; I have always felt that a

the beauty of nostalgia - it’s just as much a

photo never does the moment or the person justice.

reminiscence as an excitement. It reminds us, much

Have you ever said the words: “It was more beautiful in

like film photography itself, that moments are flighty

person.” Well, then, on some level, you probably feel the

things. It’s our responsibility and privilege to catch

same way. Cameras capture images, not moments. They

them and string them together to create a beautiful

are stationary and unfeeling, and more likely than not, devoid of the very emotion you remember when thinking back to the instant.

life.

Karmen

the team The brutus Brutus Team

Karmen Wiid | Editor

Lisa Nauta

Jess Holing

Elani Smith

Embeth du Toit | NCC

Lara Opperman

Hannah Roux

Leandrie du Toit

Ané Havenga

Jéan-Miri Olivier

Anja Steyn

our story

reyeM aiM yb otohp

N Nerina’s South

name

comes

African

delicate, colour

yet

to

the

locations

in

State.

It

bulbous

to

takes

–

here

in

Stellenbosch

for

they

exit

need

Nerina The

to

in

into

their

three

the

years

world

respective

residents

first

the

stands,

complete.

residence beloved

four

back as

Mrs

head.

layed

to

finds

in

peace

beautiful

of

in

the

Jacaranda

reminiscing

over

greets,

her

striving

to

was

Kritzinger

residential farewell

in

Plessis

has

hearts

as

mother

head

was

not

privilege

1995

a

and

death.

Today for

1999.

shade

of

resident

memory.

for

been

deeply

residential

since

July

1999.

planted

head

and

in

of

well.

to she

While

time

goes

foundation

time We

part

part

that

as

of

while,

the

heart

town

of

and

will

often

say,

our

we

lives”

have

the

hers.

roots

of

with

Nerina Residence

pride

progressive

Stellenbosch.

our

flourish.

us

our

blooms a

integrity,

du

house

–

development.

as

bid

Annette

growth. home

home-away-from-home

respect,

potential to

Nerina

Tannie

our

big

and

firm

leave.

little

residence

beautiful

purple

to

a a

being

Nerina’s

our

innovative

he

had

we

Oh,

Stories

as

our

and

servant

hearts.

face

adapt

that

spirit

been

new

Joy

head.

tell...

joy

has

before

such

of

our

changes

after

for

joyful

could

and

know

fact,

He

where

and

face

have

practical

tears,

grow

to

first

was

soil

joined in

in

is

but

walls

twenty

difficult

resident

her

and

every

long

long

“Nerina

and Mrs.

laid

stand

to

Nerina

also

the

house

our

we

overjoyed

love,

With

after and

captured

our

1968

A.

current

true

she

with

to

Nerina’s

with

his

1972

residents

next

tragic

Nerina’s

1968.

in

Brutus,

the a

in

door

was

dog,

passed

rest

the

front

Rabie Her

resident

unfortunately

years

entrance

the

many.

are

honest

stories

before

by,

completed

the

the

Aunty

heartfelt

our

is

leadership

Since

start

we

her

filled

and

a

as

name

with

in

careers.

first

use

Her

are

home

only

bicycle

owls

about

this

during

Nerinas

our

for

our

most

precious

was

to

still

our

Free

greeting

was

Petersen

for

time

hosted

had

is

likewise

first

years

goodbye,

the

years

the

Although

humid

Transkei,

and

residence

and

yet

and

for

This

brings

and

Cape,

three

rooted

bloom

flower

Eastern

bloom

indigenous

Filifolia.

grasslands

Mpumalanga

autumn

to

the

Nerine

enduring

open

the

Swaziland,

from

flower,

In

name,

and

in

We

Ubuntu this

house,

Nerinas

the

stand and true

prosper

making a difference Hannah Roux Often as individuals, we feel inadequate to make a difference in this big, wide world.

The problems many people face are so overwhelming that it is difficult to know where to start or how to help, but as Ronald Reagan said: "We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone".

Animal Welfare If

you

feel

passionate

combatting

the

about

abuse

of

animal

animals,

rights

then

and

Animal

Welfare in Stellenbosch is a worthy cause for your attention. Animal Welfare aims to prevent cruelty and ill-treatment of animals and to improve the health

of

animals.

completing

a

You

volunteer

can

volunteer

application

form

https://www.awss.co.za/volunteer-2/, can such

also as

sponsor

products

sterilisations,

needed

or

by

vaccinations,

by at: you

animals

etc.,

at:

https://www.awss.co.za/get-involved/.

Volunteer Wildfire Services If you care deeply about the environment and the effects of global warming, a cause in need of your help is the Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS).

Here

in

Stellenbosch,

experience wildfires.

of

the

we

devasting

Jonkershoek

is

a

have

first-hand

effects

prime

of

these

example.

The

VWS, as suggested by the name, is run purely by volunteers

giving

up

their

time

to

provide

firefighting assistance. The VWS is a non-profit organisation funding

and

thus

functions

and

https://vws.org.za/support-us/

purely

through

donations.

Feeding in Action Feeding

in

General Help

Action

organisation

that

people

week

a

Stellenbosch many

ways

is

feeds

assist

non-profit

nearly

in

the

municipal to

a

area.

them

5000

broader There

in

are

providing

people with much-needed food security, such

as

donations

of

your

time,

skills,

Even if none of these charities speaks to you and you have a cause in mind that you would support instead, or you would rather adopt general

charitable

behaviours

in

your

life,

here are some other ways that you can assist: • Give up an indulgence for a period of time and save the money you would have spent on that

indulgence

to

donate

to

a

charity

or

money or food.

organisation.

https://www.feedinginaction.co.za/donat

• Hold an auction or raffle with unwanted but

e/

quality goods and donate the proceeds to a charity of your choice.

Kayamandi Women Development Project The

Kayamandi

Development

and and

was

Children's started

to

empower women and children through the provision

of

life

environment

for

affected

by

counselling

skills,

providing

women abuse,

to

• Donate your unwanted but quality goods to a charity shop.

Women

Project

Children's

and and

victims

a

safe

•

Support

charity

shops

–

rather

than

shopping at ordinary clothing or book stores, instead

shop

at

charity

clothing

or

book

stores.

• Pick up litter in the areas you walk.

children

• Recycle.

offering

• Carry around extra food with you when you

of

abuse.

Unfortunately, their website is temporarily unavailable; however, you can phone them

go

out

–

there

are

always

less

fortunate

people asking for support on the streets of Stellenbosch.

on +27(0)21 889 7686 / +27(0)74 717 9676 or

email

them

(info@kayamanditraumacentre.co.za)

to

offer your support of some kind.

The Haven Night Shelter The Haven Night Shelter is an organisation that

I'm

however,

sure

is

what

known is

often

to

most

people;

unknown

is

how

you can help give someone a bed for the night, which is especially needed during these cold winter months. There are many ways

in

which

your

monetary

donations

can be used. For example, you can buy one or more people a bed for five nights.

You are also able to donate your time and volunteer at a shelter. The nearest one is at 3 Tennant St, Tenantville, Stellenbosch. https://www.haven.org.za/donate

photo by @stellenboschonfilm

L O O K I N G

A F T E R

Y O U R

P L A N E T ,

B O D Y

A N D

M I N D

taking care of your three homes Lisa Nauta A few years ago, I read something that changed my way of looking at life. "You don't have a soul. You are a soul.

You have a body." This immediately shifted my focus from material things to realising the value of taking care of all three of my homes in this life - my mind, body, and planet.

Without looking after all three, there is bound to be a feeling of incompleteness somewhere down the line of one's life. It is so easy to feel discouraged when hearing about the significant concerns of our world in the news. It is so easy to feel utterly helpless about a virus that has turned everything as we know it upside down. It is easy to forget about the damage we are doing to our own planet and our anthropogenic demise. It is easy to forget about one's own happiness and privileges in the face of constant stress and uncertainty. But then, it is even easier to forget about the invisible battles being fought within the minds of the people you walk by every day.

THE ENVIRONMENT There is actually nothing major to be done by the ordinary person to change global circumstances; therefore, every small individual effort counts. This has no other starting point than within oneself. It is a common saying that you cannot love others without loving yourself first – and this starts with personal care of one's body, mind, and the planet. Whether using less plastic in the form of straws and packaging or recycling by building with bottle bricks, there is hope at the end of the tunnel if everyone's efforts are combined. Being cognizant of the consequences of one's daily routine and making small changes could mean the world to our future and the beings we currently share this photos by Amy Wilson | Heike Edeling | Mia Meyer

planet with.

PHYSICAL HEALTH The importance of looking after one's physical health could probably not

have

been

stressed

more

in

high

school

Life

Orientation.

Everyone has heard the sermons about exercise, diet, and drugs to the point where we stop listening. However, I found satisfaction in this aspect of my life when I stopped worrying about rules and goals said to be the best or healthiest by strangers. I started enjoying exercise only when I stopped forcing myself to go for jogs. Now I run, not to lose weight, but because it makes me feel free and lets me explore my surroundings at a faster pace than wandering. I think once everyone does what makes their body happy, it spills over into the mind.

MENTAL HEALTH

In more recent years, there has been a much-needed shift in focus to also

include

the

importance

of

mental

wellbeing.

Society

has

become more aware of the impact one's psyche can have on an individual's simple functioning and happiness. Emotional and mental wellbeing

starts

with

introspection

and

self-care

to

gauge

and

regulate one's own feelings. It is important to regularly get in touch with oneself to untangle confused emotions and name them when you aren't feeling like yourself. And if you cannot overcome personal problems alone, remember that there are always non-judgemental ears ready to listen in Nerina and professionals that can positively intervene.

Happiness is often first found within oneself and can then be reflected in the greater society. To be personally whole, one must look after multiples aspects of oneself. You are a soul with a body and a mind that exists on a habitable planet floating around in a practical vacuum – and that in itself is already a miracle. So take care of the small things, make time to be healthy in all aspects of your life, and the big things will follow.

photo by @stellenboschonfilm

life lessons from Nerina's owls Leandrie du Toit

"One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through, and it will be someone else's survival guide" – Brené Brown Picture today, the

you

clean your

on

5

a

have

dishes

no in

this:

are

hours

university

life,

to

are

many

up,

you

you

her

this

point be

live

sound your

able

to

Luckily, has

and

corridors,

R0.13

in

Nerina

living

have

you

scenario.

residents

tests,

you

and

will

alone.

due

have

Does

some

this

not

through them

piling

sleep.

At

is

upcoming

account,

familiar?

you

3

clothes,

bank

relate

project

had

walking

and

all

Simone Stapelberg

of

survived.

It

Have

you

ever

expression: could

talk"?

Nerina's us

a

but

"if

some

of

we

our

experienced challenges life,

here

senior and

on

talk

how

have

seniors.

are

owls

a

survive,

They all

juggling

a

survival

content. would the

room.

you

Get

stupid,

more

productive

stationery.

Get

res

all

is

for

one's

wisdom for

vital

the

different can

look

picnic enough

if

you

said.

that into

you

love

that

might will

a

to

inspiring dish

for

Take Get

Also,

take

Street

Nerina

much

waterproof it

walks.

and

see

with

the

pictures

you

changes

to.

sound

be

have

a

sanity

seasons.

blanket!

way walk

toiletries.

Victoria

scenery

and

a

yourself and

room

safe

to

This

your

back

in

you

dishes

down

it

pen

but

for

how

a

your

feel

happy

smoothly.

very

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make to

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make

writes

to

need

basket

life.

guide

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carrying

Nerina's

their

essential

the

still

social of

of

have

and

few

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providing

university.

a

give

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to

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the

unfortunately,

academics,

managing So

can't

tips

luckily

only

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walls

few

heard

is

homey.

yourself

front

a

grass…

Shihara Senaratna Do

not

trust

the

washing

room;

they

clothes!

The

ever

make

Balance No

is

always

So,

don't

buy

feel

at

like

part

and

is

your

fellow

are

where

zone

involve

Step

Look

out

past

the

yourself that

to

aren't

with

activities, will

it.

regarding

allow

you

behind.

about

picture.

people

Res

you

perspective.

like-minded in

this

work,

don't

with

necessarily

rack.

that

groups.

connect

you

have

will

important.

up

bigger

stereotypes

your

you

drying

you

comfort

friendship

Take

a

Always

the

your

shrink

yourself

memories

Look

the

SUPER

much

beat

academics.

WILL

in

investment

really how

will

of

to

is

matter

Make

best

dryers

you.

because

meet

more

of

Nerinas.

Rozaan Muller photo by @stellenboschonfilm

You

need

academics;

Juanita Botha

is

a

to it

is

wish

I

knew

Botanical that eat

it

gardens

is

your

a

lovely

lunch,

summer.

If

difficult

day,

or

is or

crucial a

world"

spot

get

coffee. and

diary.

That

way,

assignments. of

Go

the

you

mental

not

and

a

unnecessary

will

"outside

your

down

room.

in

don't

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stress.

you

motivation, a

test.

regret in

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to

might

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some have

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and

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don't

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self-care,

music

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listen

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activities. but

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before

you

be

afraid

FOMO,

friends.

movie

be

and

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read

they

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day

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that

the

work;

questions.

wellness

with

the

here.

study

make

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class,

lecturers no

and

in

are

to

especially

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your

help

we

your

or

watch

guilty

about

it.

your

capacity

save

it

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deadlines It

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should

for

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just

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remembering

in

home,

out.

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not

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and

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waste

go

just

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miss

and

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where

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to

are

you

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especially

you

everything

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you

academically be,

sooner

why

privilege

Stellenbosch

I

prioritise

to on

and a

lot

These are just a few suggestions you can keep in mind when you feel overwhelmed by university life. Remember, we are all in this together!

dealing with roommate stress Elani Smith

"HOME IS WHERE LOVE RESIDES, MEMORIES ARE CREATED, FRIENDS ALWAYS BELONG, AND LAUGHTER NEVER ENDS.”

Living scary you

with

a

complete

thought.

come

room

to

with

before.

In

think

you

roomie

because

DONT'S

to

in

your

of

and

open of

instead

all,

the

it:

to

a

idea

if

share

a

never

met

Fetch

the

perfect

quite

odd

it!

are

the

of

time. if

to

the

are

conflict

or

with

Be

of

in

your

DOS

and

atmosphere

is

of

some

a

sit

way, rules

a

can

any

practical

roommate

tell

your you

space

with

your rules'

always

and

go

situation.

examples can

for

helpful

'room

you

that

conflict

A

down

in

Honest

bothers

year.

to

problems

and

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write

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set

an

vital.

prevent

candid,

the

and In

is

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living

document.

with

an

have

conversations

roommate

living

you

here

recommendation

Here

about

communication

rest

back

is

guessed

create

roommate

the

it

is

room.

First

most

fact,

someone

Yes,

stranger

arise

how

to

of

from deal

them:

photos by Amy Wilson

photo by Amy Wilson

Different sleep schedules: It

can

your at

be

hard

roommate

different

early

birds,

(and

some

trying

a

20

if

your

in

who

owls

are

still

Try

rec

Leandrie du Toit

sleeping to

For

the

roommate

night

are

find

that

both.

study

study

us

proper

schedule

accommodate to

of

are

years).

with

and

Some

pigeons

find

after

sleep

others

are

combined

offer

compromise

you

times. and

to

pattern

to

if

a

will

example,

hall

instead

wants

to

go

the

rooms

that

gathering

spots.

These

to

bed

are

the

early.

Socialising: We

all

know

central rooms but

that entire

moment and or

no

to

of

think

Both

room's and

ask

of

do

your

all

about is

you

be

balconies.

else,

some

to

butterfly this

is

of

meet

perhaps

the

superior,

alone to

into

Phone calls: We

all

our

miss

our

roommate

hear

your

your

family

does

space

and

you're

not

entire

significant

to

friends,

always

other.

make

a

to

with

Respect

going

but

want

conversation

consider

going

and

their

outside

phone

if

call.

friends

title

one

afraid

roommate

somewhere

no

Take

the

a

roommate

inviting

hold –

Take

social

when

need

not

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the

residents

your

introvert.

ownership

we

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she

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consideration over.

have

communities.

whether

more

longer

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just her one

time. kindly

friends of

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Tidiness: Sharing else

a

living

comes

dirty

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dishes

make

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and work

find for

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warm

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to

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exciting in

you,

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balance

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We

a

own mind

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put

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a

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you.

homes,

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to

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their

be

of

two-week-

roommate

perfect

both

different

in

bit

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do

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with

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living

N E M O W

N E M O W

the fight against gbv Jean-Miri Olivier

Over the past year, there have been many

woman, child or LGBTQIA+ person is sexually

new

the

assaulted, beaten or murdered. The majority

to

of communities seems to be unfazed by the

emphasise, once again, the inequalities that

large numbers of femicides in our country.

are

This

and

old

foreground.

still

movements Covid-19

raging

(gender-based

in

stepping

has

our

helped

world.

violence)

to

is

Anti-GBV one

such

is

place

precisely in

April

at

the

another Union

march

took

Buildings

regain

and

movement's

pace

living really change? Are women safer? Are

Abou-Zeid,

22,

communities more aware of their prejudice

participated because I'm tired of gender-

and

based

publicity,

discrimination?

stopped?

The

did

people's

Has

movement

the

way

of

violence

appears

to

anti-gender-based

to

movement. However, after all the protesting media

the

why

violence

and

from

motivation.

Tygerberg,

happening

in

our

violence Ayesha said:

"I

country.

be

I'm tired of being scared, and I'm tired of

dying, with more people being unconcerned

South Africa being the rape capital of the

when a

world."

People

have

based

violence

problem

in

to

be

aware

is

still

South

Africa

that

gender-

a

fundamental

and

significantly

impacts all women. Victims suffer physically and mentally. GBV results in loss of life and loss of earnings, children ending up on the street,

and

increased

healthcare

costs.

The

health

providing giving may

sector

health

them

need.

costs

plays

of

care

a to

the

support

The

social

intimate

vital

role

in

victims

and

services

they

and

partner

economic

and

sexual

violence are enormous and have ripple

I

effects throughout society. feel

that

should GBV

the

place

minister more

movement

of

Basic

emphasis in

on

subjects

Education the

anti-

like

Life

Orientation. It is not enough to learn a few bullet

points

about

GBV;

widespread

GBV

stretches

wounds

women

may

the

physical

suffer

isolation,

inability to work, lack of participation in regular

awareness should be the norm.

-

beyond

activities

and

limited

ability

to

care for themselves and their children.

The frightening statistics of GBV, especially its

spike

during

emphasises

the

its

2020

lockdown,

importance.

only

Estimates

published by the World Health Organisation indicate that 1 out of every 3 women in the

Children who grow up in families where there is violence may suffer emotionally and

or

physically.

Sexual

violence

eradicates the peace and security of an entire country. Anti-GBV is a movement

world has been subjected to either physical

that

should

be

supported

by

every

or sexual violence. Fewer than 40% of the women who experience violence seek help of

any

against

sort.

This

structural

the home.

is

an

sexism

absolute and

outcry

misogyny

in

person

in

Stellenbosch.

The

more

conversations are held on this topic, the more

we

direction.

are

stepping

in

the

right

a story of hope Jess Holing

I didn't have to look very far for the story of hope that unfolded right under my nose this past term. It was in my very room, room 2015, to be specific. My roommate, who I won't name (but her name starts with a C and ends with an 'aleigh'), has endlessly inspired

me

without

even

knowing

it.

She

has

taught

me

that

sometimes the smallest stories or most private decisions, decisions made in the quiet spaces of life when no one else sees your hard work, can create the most rewarding and inspiring testimonies.

photo by @stellenboschonfilm

She

was

given

off

When speaking to her about this decision,

from her original cell group (a group where a

she reflected that "pushing your capacity is

community

the

of

encourage

opportunity

Christians

each

other

to

branch

gather

and

together,

study

the

Bible

something that isn't necessarily comfortable in the moment," and academics was her life.

together) and start her own cell group. When

However, taking this step forward and being she

first

told

me

about

this,

she

was

clearly

excited about it, but I could also see a touch of fear and uncertainty in her eyes when she spoke about

taking

this

step

forward

in

her

faith.

stretched growth

produces

comes

the

growth, realisation

and

from

that

we're

here for more than ourselves.

Doubts about her ability to take the step from being lead to leading others crept in. As much

Is there something you've wanted to do, or a

as I could encourage her and tell her that she

next step you've been wanting to take, but

was capable, some things have to be realised at their

own

pace

and

will

settle

slowly

into

something holds you back? Maybe it's fear, or perhaps a lack of self-confidence? I hope

someone's heart. With Caleigh, I could see this

that this little story of hope inspires you to happening slowly but surely. One day, she came into our room after a long day of online learning with

a

spark

in

her

eyes

and

a

child-like

excitement in her voice. "I'm going do it!" That's all

–

a

simple

statement,

but

one

that

take that leap of faith into whatever it is that you want to do – the reward will be so much greater than you can imagine!

held

infinite weight and breakthrough in her heart. I knew it did.

photo by Amy Wilson

She began preparing to be a cell leader with discipline and enthusiasm, and it brought me so much joy to see her choosing to believe that she was capable and able to impact the lives of others. But she was told that her role as a cell leader

started

sooner

than

she

expected,

cutting her preparation time short, and again, launching her into the deep end. Through all of this, she smiled her way through the process and did not deny her nerves or humanity. She also kept

me

dancing

entertained and

inspired

with me

her as

I

spontaneous watched

her

diligently filling herself up first before she gave to others. It has been incredible seeing the fruit of her decision to take this step forward. She has grown so much in such a short space of time already.

a powerful morning routine Anja Steyn Your

morning

routine

affects

how

you

conquer the day, so establishing a proper one can be the key to success. Here are some tips and tricks on how to (and how not to) tackle your morning.

What to do in the morning: • Wake up at the same time every day. This has been shown to reduce anxiety.

• Make your bed! People who make their beds

are

more

productive.

Your

environment influences your state of mind, so you are more likely to be focused and at ease if your room is tidy.

• Eat a high-protein breakfast. Your brain needs nourishment, and without a proper breakfast, you'll struggle to focus.

• Drink a glass of water. Your body needs it!

• Take a walk or go for a run. Getting some fresh air in the morning can boost your

mood

and

put

you

in

a

positive

mindset for the day.

• Make a to-do list of things you want to achieve during the day. Instead of making it

a

goal

which

to

part

work

of

the

on

a

project,

project

you

specify

want

to

work on and what you want to achieve by the end of the day. Make sure to define your tasks properly – be specific!

•

Start

tackling

your

to-do

list;

start

with the easy tasks and tick them off as you go along. This will motivate you to

move

on

to

the

bigger,

more

daunting tasks.

• Put away your phone right before

A powerful morning routine can completely change your life. How you wake up has a direct impact on your energy levels, productivity and mindset for the day. So, start your day right!

you get to work. If your phone is in your

line

of

sight,

it

can

be

very

tempting to abandon your work and scroll through social media. Rather put it in a drawer for optimal focus.

What not to do in the morning: •

Don't drink coffee first thing in the

morning. doing

Research

this

leaves

has

shown

that

tired

and

you

stressed. Rather, wait a bit!

•

Don't start your day in a rush. This

causes unnecessary stress. Try to sleep and wake up 30 minutes earlier than usual,

as

this

will

help

you

have

a

calmer approach to the day.

• Don't avoid light. Studies have shown that

exposing

yourself

to

sunlight

in

the morning will increase your sense of alertness.

• Don't complain! It is the start of a new day; there is no need to fixate on negativity.

Take

a

few

breaths

and

remind yourself to focus on the good.

photo by @stellenboschonfilm

SU International Ané Havenga

Studying abroad is about pushing your limits and venturing beyond your comfort zone. A common saying

at

university

is:

"I

just

want

to

get

my

degree and get out of here to travel the world."

But before we know it, reality kicks in, and when looking at your student bank account, the idea of having a luxurious travel opportunity overseas seems

too

farfetched.

However,

the

university

does help with this since Stellenbosch is one of the

top

connected

Stellenbosch options

universities

University

for

semester

truly

in

offers

exchanges

Africa.

numerous

and

summer

schools abroad.

Post-graduate Opportunitites The first opportunity is for students who already have a degree and want to continue their studies abroad. The best way to find out about this is to email your specific faculty to ask them what current opportunities there are. The university will cover some of the costs if it is a partner university.

Undergraduate Opportunities: The second opportunity is for undergraduates to attend

either

exchange. option says will

summer

Visit

"Studies"

"Study get

a

expenses

list

the

All

of

By

find

a

semester

clicking a

this

your

office

on

the

category

that

page,

universities

if

information

Abroad

or

visiting

partner

the

By

will

included

Studies

school

MySun. you

Abroad."

are

successful. but

a

and

you

what

application

is

on

is

in

this

is

page,

Admin

A

if

you want to pay them a visit.

From

folding

paper

planes

in

China,

sipping

coffee while looking out at the Eiffel Tower, to attending a Demi Lovato concert in Switzerland, having

a

white

Christmas

in

Germany,

and

roaming the streets of Oxford University, let us become citizens of the world together!

Stellenbosch in art Lara Opperman

Beauty. There is definitely no shortage of that in this

stunning

town,

Stellenbosch.

From

the

canopy of autumn leaves in Victoria Street and the

historical

architecture

of

our

university

buildings to the vast array of wine estates in the area, beauty is all around us. With the views that Stellenbosch witnessing

students

each

day,

have it

is

the

privilege

difficult

to

of

not

be

inspired.

Where there is beauty, there is art. It will thus come as no surprise that the town is filled to the brim with art. As beauty is in the eye of the beholder, each person's taste for art is unique.

Stellenbosch has something to offer for every searching

artistic

eye.

If

you're

a

theatre

or

music lover, the Drostdy Boutique Theatre is just the

place

for

you.

This

majestic

Victorian

building houses the space for various musical performances Music

and

plays.

Department

performance Upcoming

in

the

actors

also

Every offers

theatre,

and

Thursday, a

splendid

absolutely

actresses

the

can

free.

also

be

seen in the Adam Small Theatre in some of the US Drama Department's productions. The true culmination Stellenbosch Woordfees. celebration

of

performance

is The for

the

annual

Woordfees Afrikaans

art

and

music

literary

festival,

started

literature,

in

as

but

a

over

time developed into a celebration for various languages of the Rainbow Nation. At this very festival, the remarkable Stellenbosch University choir can be seen in all their glory.

photos by @stellenboschonfilm

With it

the

is

theatre

time

collection

each

of

and

Art

you

on

all

forgotten.

You're

that

their

a

of

few

activity without

include

the

Dorp

Street

Church one

Gallery.

of

Even

This

can

it is

only

band as

is

no

Fantasties.

of

Stellenbosch art

available

However, in

has

this

is

Stellenbosch

Some

the

used

wide

day

the

not

where

comes

top

of

to

this

as

Stadium

night.

altyd

Stevens. struggle that

is

It to

not

will find

an

art

end. use

is

the

song

through

Coetzenburg

on

a

by

definitely

familiar

Stellies with

the

Monday

lente"

a

the

Moet

Heuwels Leef",

the

band

student and

and

memories

living

each

fullest.

In

literature,

found

in

the

Rabie

Stellenbosch works

and

of

Sheilla

can

Adam

be

Small,

Cussons.

Talented through

artists the

magical

Stellenbosch creating

are

each

the

masterpiece

walking

streets

day,

next in

of

already possible

their

minds.

inspiration.

list

echo

"Dis

the

even

itself

of

public.

to

to

Die

the

Stellenbosch

Another

that

variety

for

artists

Stellenbosch At

a

"Ons

their

Stellenbosch

is

between

as to

of

here.

used

recalls

such

majority

written

inspiration

only

directly

the

has

the

band,

Although

refer

that

to

the

songs,

be

an

budget.

doubt

that

their

were

cannot

referring

wrote.

Stellenbosch,

Jan There

songs

"Skemer,"

songs

music

without

of

Ampie,

enjoyed

your

some

the

also

be

on

is

in

Spoegwolf,

duet

created

if

various

are

into

artist

strain

these

worries

pulled

minutes.

any

most

Gavin

each

that

around

the

your

brush.

Art

Gallery,

enter

galleries,

that

with. away

Some

Art

the

galleries

Gallery,

Gallery

for

mentioned

galleries

Collins

with

into

hidden

Stellenbosch

world

dive

art

corner.

When

Stellenbosch

boasts

are

popular

satisfied,

to

Stellenbosch galleries

lovers

Nic

be

a

student

this

Whatever be to

for

each

witness

have that is

this

a

masterpiece artist,

it

as

feeling

that

Stellenbosch

yet

to

an

I'm

may

excited

observer. the

has

best

ever

I

art

seen

come.

tune.

photos by @stellenboschonfilm

being alive

is

the special occasion