A healthy dose of optimism

Author

Stellen-Buzz with SMF
March 21, 2025

Dear reader,

An honours programme is in actual fact an endurance sport, and I would consider our class as having finally achieved the level of fitness needed to participate. 

We exceeded our own creative expectations this week by producing (according to the lecturer) an excellent series of broadcast videos, and dutifully mastering the industry standard programme for publishing design. 

Well, mastering might be an overstatement. We can competently use maybe 5% of the available tools on Adobe InDesign, but I think that makes us all the more impressive. True professionals (us) can create masterpieces even with the most basic of tools. I will be adding this to my CV.

While our brains might be a bit deflated after this week, I would like to urge us all to spend a few minutes remembering why today is a public holiday. 

I am finding it difficult to write about Human Rights Day in a way that makes sense of the position that we find ourselves in as journalism students. We are fortunate to be able to sit in class and learn about our constitutional right to freedom of expression and press, especially if we consider the dystopian media landscape of the USA. 

We are also new to having our words published for anyone to read, and it can be challenging to reconcile personal motivations with academic obligations. Personally, I haven’t fully come to the realisation that what I write can have a meaningful impact yet. As inspirational as it might seem, I think a lot of us are finding this quite scary. We are ultimately assuming more than just academic responsibility when we write, but this awareness is encouraging as well. It would be safe to say that we remain driven by a healthy and rational dose of optimism.

The Journalism honours class of 2025 is truly a special group of people, and I think it is only fair that our readers get to know and appreciate them as more than bylines on articles. To this point, the newsletter will be spotlighting a different member of our team every week, so stay tuned to see your favourite one ;)

Anke Spies, newsletter editor.

The weekly rundown:

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A local netball club based in Cloetesville has created a safe environment for young players, keeping them off the streets.

By Annemieke Thomaidis

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By Casey-Lee Anthony

A newly discovered plant has halted future developments on Botmaskop Nature Reserve grounds. This is according to Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager at Stellenbosch Municipality. 

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The impact of the wine excise tax increase will affect the entire local wine industry, from the producer to the consumer. 

By Hannah Abrahams

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By Kuhle Tshabalala

The 10th anniversary of a local cycling race saw the participant rate for this year’s event double compared with last year. 

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Visual of the week:

Maties undefeated

Maties’ winning streak continues in the Varsity Cup tournament as they beat the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Ikey Tigers 31 – 24, at the Danie Craven stadium on 17 March.

Daniela Botha

Get to know me!

  1. What is your favourite song and who is your favourite artist?

    My favourite song is Pride by Monique Bingham and my favourite artist is JP Cooper.

  2. What is your favourite film?

    Past Lives.

  3. What is your favourite book, and what are you currently reading?

    My favourite book is The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. I am currently reading Who Will Rule South Africa by Adriaan Basson and Qaanitah Hunter.

  4. What is the favourite place you’ve ever visited and why?

    My favourite place I have ever visited is Lesotho. It is where my extended family lives.

  5. If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

    I would like to meet Muhammad Ali. I have always admired his grit.

  6. If you weren’t studying journalism, what would you be doing?

    I would be a festival organiser because I love the platform it offers to showcase the talent of artists.

  7. What is something most people don’t know about you?

    I played hockey for two weeks in grade 5.

  8. What is your favourite spot in the department or on campus?

    My favourite spot on campus is the library stairs at sunset.

  9. What do you do when you’re not busy working?

    I hang out with friends.

  10. What do you want to achieve this year?

    I would like to build a strong community for myself.

SMF News’s top 5

coffee spots

  1. Mood - friendly baristas

  2. Crumbs and Cream - best cappuccinos

  3. Justice - is in an art gallery

  4. Expresso - most affordable spot in town

  5. DCM - good hot chocolate, plus slushies

What we’re watching:

What we’re listening to:

I’m Only Human

The Parlotones