AstrolldownVictoriaStreet

CarmenLeGrange “Haveagoodday!”

Afterabriefexchangeofsmilesandsmalltalk,studentssingthisgreetingastheystroll pasteachotherfollowingtheirdailyroutefromhometoanotherlecture,fromthelecture backhomeCheerfulgreetingsbounceoffancientoaktreesthatdecoratethewalkwayof ourbelovedVictoriaStreet.

Uncontrollable laughter and glistening tears; ecstatic rejoicing and fretful anxiety; exuberantdancingandsolemnmourning–VictoriaStreethassharedinitall,holding dearlytothefootprintsthatconstantlypaintitwithbrushstrokesofvaluablemoments.

The endless ebb and flow of change creates a subtle rhythm in busy, bustling Stellenbosch;arhythmthatgrowswithusdaybyday,seasonbyseasonHot,amberdays filledwithnewstudentslostinthewonderandcomplexityofthetownmorphintoquiet momentscharacterisedbythenostalgicsmellofrainandlazinesspouredoverthetown bygrey-blanketskies.

So the seasons of our lives flow

Soft summer sunlight smiles down on SU. Mocha brown columns support a luscious green roof of leaves that bobs to the upbeat chatter of students passing by. The aroma of new beginnings filled with potential swirl through the warm Stellenbosch air with a refreshing, hopeful scent. It’s the start of a beautiful journey.

In time, the once green leaves must greet our cobbled streets farewell and leave them to say hello to scarves and beanies, coffee and rust coloured leaves. Slowly, Autumn weaves its way into our busy lives It colours our trees and streets with notes of auburn and whispers of gold, calling us to pause on our way. Always rushed and always late; yet Victoria Street lets our breath hitch in our throat as we appreciate its breath-taking beauty. It compels us to just take one moment.

As the moment fades the foliage takes its leave. In an instant our mighty trees are left vulnerable, exposed to the piercing cold of winter in the Boland. Nights are long, days are short. Students bundle up in comfy oversized jackets, comforted by the familiar path leading them back home.

And then suddenly – flowers, bees and mornings as sweet as honey. Sunrays dancing in the trees, freedom and family calling, friends eating scones and drinking tea September sings its way into Stellenbosch and hums its vibrant tune to every street, plant, and student it meets. It’s welcoming a new melody of change.

And so we grow, with the endless ebb and flow of change and the rhythm it creates that accompanies us through life. Day by day. Season by season.

Victoria Street. Our friend that walks alongside us, every day, every season. Victoria Street. A small, beautiful detail to the painting that is our university days.

Welcoming Week 2023:

“Weknowwhatweare,butknownotwhatwemaybe.”

RachelKleyn

407yearsago,WilliamShakespeareleftthisworld.However,hedidleavebehindamultitude of words, poems and plays that still glitter in literature lectures and on the Broadway stage. Whathealsoleftbehind,aresomesayingsthatI’llusetodescribeWelcomingtoyou.

Light Night

Walking through the Stellies town, exploring all the go-to places Learning all the tips and tricks, while meeting friendly faces Our journey ended at the Nerina door, with a surprised shout When we entered the building, and all the lights were out We walked in our mentor groups and came across four stalls Which were promoting our house values through the halls Integrity, respect, potential development

And of course, Ubuntu, the final element And in Ubuntu, we stood together We sang our song – Nerina forever Light Night taught us what we could rely upon: are made on.”

Housewarming

Karaoke with our Nerinas of old Encouraged some of us to be bold And jam to Taylor and a little Katy And of course, Nerina’s version of “Baby” A game of rock, paper, scissors, which would not end And a “Would-you-rather” send us ‘round the bend But what really kept us going all along Was the voices of Nerinas in song Housewarming taught us what we could rely upon:

“If music be the food of love, play on.”

Morning Of Hope

The conclusion of our Welcoming week Ended on what could only be described Dressed in white, and wondering where We were going – were we almost there? Hope for the future, and hope for the da Inspired as we were by what Cara had t The future was bright, the future had co Now it was our chance to start Year On And as we walked down the hill, looking follow,

We thought to ourselves

“Parting is such sweet sorrow.”

The memories of becoming a Nerina, w years

Just as the Vensters experience, and ou

VENSTERS / CONNECT / SOCIALS

Meeting the other residences, took us to a new end, Where each Nerina said a prayer, "Boldness be my friend."

Dancing and acting at Vensters, was where we were all taught:

"Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.”

Dreamwalk

With hostels and PSO’s alike, cheering down Vic Street The ancient trees seemed to rejoice at the treat When dreams and wishes were planted on each tree, With words to the sum of:

"We know what we are, but know not what we may be " And so the first year students were welcomed to be a p On Victoria Street, their journey did start