Lights, camera, action

Author

Stellen-Buzz with SMF
July 18, 2025

Dear reader,

We are back in business!

The second and final semester has begun for the BAHons Journalism class of 2025, and with it comes the familiar sense that there is already too much to do and too little time. We came back to campus a week before the rest of Stellenbosch University, which has truly been a blessing – Crozier Street has been a haven of open parking spaces right in front of the department of journalism. 

This week has also given us a chance to grapple with the very real possibility of becoming successful filmmakers. Theoretically, this is feasible, because it has been done by the students that came before us. In fact, a group of students that graduated last year made a documentary that was selected for the Durban International Film Festival, which is the country’s most esteemed film festival. This is according to the university website, which states that the short documentary, For His Sake, will be screened on 24 and 25 July. The film depicts the story of Art’s Barber Shop, a family-owned business that has been a cornerstone of the Ida’s Valley community for three generations. It was directed by Antoinette Steyn, with Nkululeko Ndlovu as cinematographer, Iva Fulepu as producer, and Abigail Baard as editor. 

This has inspired great ambition for the coming weeks, as we will be focusing exclusively on documentary filmmaking in class. Outside of class, we will be going on various adventures to shoot and produce our own documentaries. Once we manage to figure out the mechanics of hand-held video cameras and Adobe Premiere Pro, I have no doubt in our abilities. 

Additionally, and unsurprisingly, we are diligently performing our expected journalistic duties with news carrying on as normal. Expect a fresh delivery of stories in your inbox for the coming weeks. For now, we present another exciting batch of profile articles.

Anke Spies, newsletter editor.

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The weekly rundown: A fresh batch of profile articles

🎓 Limpopo boy’s journey to academic excellence by Aubrey Phungo
(Metji Makgoba)

🧪 She’s the only girl… in biocrusts! by Ishmael Mabena
(Tallulah Rose Glasby)

🍎 12 million little tummies have been filled by Kyla Laing
(Shelley Godsell)

🧮 The herder who loved maths by Uendjizuvira Kandanga
(Mesias Alfeus)

💎 Bringing the sparkle back to the Diamond City by Casey-Lee Anhony
(Merissa Meyers)

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Superman (2025): A review

James Gunn’s Superman absolutely delivered. I walked out of the theater buzzing, smiling ear to ear and honestly, I still haven’t come down. This isn’t just a reboot, it’s a declaration: DC is back and it’s in good hands.

It’s colorful, earnest and full of heart. Gunn creates a lived-in superhero world that actually feels fun to be in, with just the right amount of chaos. There’s workplace screwball comedy, big splash-page action, rampaging skyscraper monsters, Krypto the superdog being an adorable menace — and it all works perfectly!

David Corenswet absolutely nails Clark Kent. He’s not this perfect, untouchable symbol, but a guy who gets hurt, messes up, and carries emotional baggage, which makes him feel more real than any Superman we’ve seen in a while. Rachel Brosnahan is perfect as Lois. She’s sharp, witty, and magnetic, with a chemistry that effortlessly sells their relationship. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor? One of the pettiest, most committed haters I’ve ever seen. I loved every second of it.

Visually, the movie looks terrific — seriously, shoutout to the cinematographer Henry Braham, because every frame pops. The action is dynamic and brutal in the best way, some of the best comic book movie action I’ve seen in a while.

It doesn’t feel like a box-checking franchise starter. It feels like a movie made by someone who loves these characters. I’m already dying to see what’s next from James Gunn and the future of the DCU!

4/5 stars

By Christopher Naidoo

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Get to know me!

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

    Currently, my favourite song is Summer Daze by Nick Holder. It’s such a cool house song. My favourite artist is Yanni. He’s a Greek composer. 

  2. What is your favourite film?

    The Godfather — Al Pacino (Michael Corleone) and Marlon Brando (Don Corleone) were an unbelievable duo in that movie.

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

    The Plot to Save South Africa by Justice Malala. 

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

    San Lameer — A holiday resort on the South Coast of KZN. From the extremely dangerous quad biking nearby to being reckless on the river while kayaking, it was really cool.

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

    Chris Hani — to understand how he thought and why he was regarded as the future president of South Africa, and Arsene Wenger — I’m a huge Arsenal fan and I would love to meet the man who revolutionised Arsenal Football Club.

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

    Definitely International Studies or diplomacy. 

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

    All the sneakers I own are white.

  8. What is your current guilty pleasure?

    Surprisingly, it’s running — the psychological aspect of running is really addictive.

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

    Watching sports, going to the gym, and running. 

  10. What do you want to achieve this year?

    1) Finish my honours degree, 2) Run 10km under an hour.

What we’re watching:

What we’re listening to:

GEWOONTEMISDADIGER

Francis Na Die Maan

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