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Dabbling in nostalgia
Stellen-Buzz with SMF
May 02, 2025
Dear reader,
As the weather in Stellenbosch is getting colder, the pressure in the newsroom is heating up.
Not only are we doing (struggling with) data journalism this week, but the honours class is also facing an infinite number of deadlines. This wouldn’t be that terrible if we didn’t also have the In-depth project pitches to prepare for.
“In-depth” will be a term used frequently in the newsletters to come, so allow me to fill you in:
It is the equivalent of an honours thesis in other subject fields. It will consist of, among other things, four articles, a photo gallery, a podcast, a mini-documentary, data visualisation, and a blog.
Deep breath. My heart is racing from just typing that out.
Basically, everyone in the class is a bit on edge. A few words used to describe how we were feeling in data class this week include:
“glum”, “nervy”, “ahhhhbhbb”, “sorrows”, “overwhelmed”, “stressed”, “not good”, “doom”, “agitated”, “it’s the government”, “hayibo”, “crap”, “I want my mom”.*
*As we know, the media can be skewed sometimes, and I must clarify that I deliberately picked the words that support my own sentiment. But they were the majority!
The anxiety from work has sparked a unanimous sense of longing for home, or perhaps rather for support and comfort. It would seem that the prior knowledge of journalism being a demanding course did not extinguish the basic human need for relying on other people. We are all very independent and well-adjusted, of course, but any external encouragement will be greatly appreciated.
I think missing home can also make you notice ordinary things not only for what they are, but what they remind you of.
For example: This week I went on a run, which puts my tally of total runs this year at a solid two. During my 20-minute escapade of wheezy inhales and sputtering coughs, I was reminded of my mother. My mom, ever the optimist, would force my primary school self to go on afternoon runs with her in our neighbourhood. This caused me a great deal of suffering. I kept trying to convince her that I must have childhood asthma because running was simply too painful, but I suppose I am mature enough now to admit that I was just dreadfully unfit. And lazy.
In any case, I have buried those grudges. I go on runs now of my own free will (the above figure is not a comprehensive representation of my running habits), and I miss having her close enough to encourage me to do so.
The journalism class has also shared some of their most nostalgic comfort meals that they make to remind them of home. Food is such an important point of connection, and in our case, a great way to have a sense of familiarity when sometimes feeling adrift. We hope you enjoy!
P.S. Pay special attention to what we’re listening to this week – our very own Kobus Erasmus is in the band that released the song 🎵
Anke Spies, newsletter editor.
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The weekly rundown:
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Two weeks after a fire ravaged homes in Mooiwater, Franschhoek, residents are still struggling to rebuild. This is according to Nicolene Barends, a resident of 5 Daisy Street in Mooiwater. |  By Reid Donson |
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 By Onthatile Mahlangu | The second in a series of sculptures, unveiled on Stellenbosch University’s (SU) campus, is aimed at inspiring people to think critically about the meaning of the work. This is according to Professor Wim de Villiers, former SU rector. |
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Stellenbosch University’s (SU) new rector and vice-chancellor’s vision for the university centres around holistic transformation. This was according to Professor Deresh Ramjugernath, during a recent lunch-hour conversation. |  By Annemieke Thomaidis |
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 By Rentia Weber | In South Africa, a discussion on gender has to include a discussion on race. This is according to Dr Azille Coetzee, a writer and research fellow at Stellenbosch University (SU). |
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Visual of the week:
Tournament kickstarts community integration
The Maties Cup of Nations debuted on 26 April with the aim to foster integration between international and local students at Stellenbosch University. The picture shows team Namibia and team France warming up for the first group stage matches.
By Buhle Bam
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Get to know me!
What is your favourite song and who is your favourite artist?
My all-time favourite song is, and forever will be, Knocking on Heaven’s Door by Bob Dylan, and my favourite artist is The Lumineers – I quite literally cried when I saw them live in 2022.
What is your favourite film?
My favourite film HAS to be How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days – Andie Anderson was little Dani’s favourite journalist.
What is your favourite book, and what are you currently reading?
I think it’s quite literally impossible to choose one favourite book. There are so many that are great in so many different ways. I’m currently reading Happy Place by Emily Henry – am loving it so far, but her novel Funny Story is still superior.
What is your favourite place you’ve ever visited and why?
Without a doubt, it has to be the Eastern Cape. It is such a beautiful part of our country. My family and I have spent a few summers there playing in the river, swimming in the ocean, and enjoying the sun – it really is the people that make the place.
If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
At the moment it would be my mom – she’s only in Joburg, but I would kill for one of her home-cooked meals right now.
If you weren’t studying journalism, what would you be doing?
The ‘plan B’ was an honours in visual studies focusing on curatorship.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I spent most of my life growing up on the Vaal River and have my skipper’s licence.
What is your current guilty pleasure?
Rewatching old seasons of Below Deck – forever and always my go-to guilty pleasure.
What do you do if you’re not busy working?
Most of the time, I’m probably in meetings (crying face), but if I have free time, you can normally find me swimming in the ocean with my wonderful boyfriend, or curled up reading a book.
What do you want to achieve this year?
During this year, the biggest thing I want to achieve is making myself proud. This degree definitely isn’t easy, but it’s so incredibly fulfilling. I just want to make the most of every minute in the department and soak up as much knowledge as possible.
SMF News’s top comfort recipes
Gaatjie
Butter two slices of bread and cut a hole in the centre.
Put one slice butter-side down in a pan and crack an egg in the centre.
After cooking for a bit, put the other slice of bread on top and flip it over to cook the other side.
Now you have a sandwich that you can eat with a knife and fork (if you like a runny yolk).
“My grandmother used to make it for me on the weekends, and she called it a Gaatjie, because you make a hole in the middle of the bread.”
Hannah Abrahams
Pap and wors
Fry your wors in a little water until crispy (not burnt). Put that to the side.
Add onions in the pan with a little butter, then add your favourite spices and braise it until fragrant. You can add garlic as well.
P.S. Your pap should already be cooking — boil water and keep it on medium, then add your maize meal and stir! Continue stirring until your desired texture for about
20-30 minutes.
Add your tomato paste and grated tomatoes to the onions and stir. When that is well incorporated, cut up your wors and add it back into the onion mixture. Wait a few minutes and it will all be done!
“I love the recipe because every Friday in my first year, my roommate and I would cook this, and it’s been a slightly upkept tradition.”
Casey-Lee Anthony
Chopping rice in fish.
Fry an onion in a pan.
Wait for it to turn golden brown.
Add a tomato and mix.
Stir until tomato is liquidy (I don’t know what the word is, but you get it)
Add your tinned fish (deboned).
Add salt and flavouring of choice.
Don’t burn it!
Assuming you already made your WHITE* rice... eat and enjoy.
“Made with a mother's love, this slaps❤”
Ishmael Mabena
“I eat peanut butter sandwiches because my mom used to put it in my lunchbox when I was little, and now it makes me feel comforted when I eat it.”
Reid Donson
“I make risotto because it reminds me of the Adriatic cuisine my mum made growing up, and sausages in the air fryer because my dad used to braai them for us.”
Kiara Wales
Chicken viennas cooked in butter, salt and pepper.
Melt butter in a pan.
Crack black pepper into the pan.
Fry the viennas one minute on each side.
Plate and salt to taste.
“Don’t judge me.”
Buhle Bam
Indomie noodles
Cook a packet of "hot and spicy" Indomie noodles in the microwave or a pot with some boiling water for two minutes.
Drain most of the water.
Add the spices, soy sauce, oil, dried onions, etc. that come with the noodles and mix.
Add a tablespoon of peanut butter and mix until the water and peanut butter form a sauce.
Add some more boiling water if the sauce is too thick or the peanut butter doesn't mix well.
“It’s sooo good.”
Iman Allie
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What we’re watching: | What we’re listening to: |
 | KALM! Francis Na Die Maan  |
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