News Week: Special Feature

March 14, 2025

Dear reader,

You are in for a treat!

This week is news week, and on Monday you’ll have a pick of 27 exciting, brand-new articles, each produced by a Journalism Honours student of the class of 2025. If there has ever been any doubt about our claims of hard work, this week is a testament to the truth — the grind really does not stop. 

The news in numbers

I detest maths, but let me try to quantify the work that our team has produced this week. It might be the best way to give our readers a comprehensive illustration of how special news week truly is. One article consists of roughly 380 words, includes about three sources, and is checked by at least seven people.

With some slight approximations, and not including the dead-ends, this equates to roughly 10,000 words and 80 sources reviewed, verified, processed, and refined. All in a relatively timely manner. 

If you are not properly impressed by our hard work yet (unlikely), let me direct you to our previous two newsletters to remind you that we look good while doing it. 

Now that I have successfully positioned our class securely upon a pedestal, I feel it is safe for me to admit that I am writing this with the help of a heavy dose of caffeine. The newsroom’s occupancy has been steadily increasing each night. Our chief sub-editors are definitely not reaching the recommended daily calorie intake. 

So news week has been tough and briefly demoralising. There have been threats of dropping out, if not for the love of journalism. But we persevere! I am choosing to believe that the bird flying into the newsroom and leaving droppings everywhere was a sign of good luck, but in reality it might just be a case of unnecessary clean-up.

But come Monday, we can each formally claim to be a published journalist. That is something to be incredibly proud of! Make sure to give any journalist in your life a tight hug (they need it), and if you really want to help, buy a newspaper.  

Anke Spies, newsletter editor.

My submission for official SMF merch*

*Not endorsed by management

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Special congratulations are in order for the following members of our team:

🔥 For publishing the story she’s cared about since our first week as journalists in training.

📰 For tenaciously finding a story despite multiple dead ends.

🏑 For making a Maties hockey squad. #sexysix

The weekly rundown:

News week edition

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A Stellenbosch-based fiber internet provider is in the process of expanding their unique business model to townships across South Africa, with its next major move to townships in Durban later this year.

By Lienke Norval

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By Reid Donson

Stellenbosch Municipality is planning a beautification project in Cloetesville to discourage illegal dumping. This is according to Stuart Grobbelaar, head of communications at Stellenbosch Municipality. 

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A reward of R1.2 million has been offered for the return of the world’s first painting sheep — BAAnksy — one month after her disappearance. 

By Kiara Wales

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By Danielle Schaafsma

A new international literary project will allow researchers to access previously hard-to-find literature in many African languages, including Afrikaaps.

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Stellenbosch Municipality and the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) are working together to assist community members in obtaining their new PostBank black cards, according to Sonique Manuel, the ward 17 administrator. 

By Daniela Botha

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Visual of the week:

The mountains we’ll overcome

A group of endurance athletes recently managed to raise R2.3 million for an educational group focused on learners from low-income areas. This is according to Werner Cloete, chief executive officer (CEO) of Calling Education.

By Marise Schoonraad

Behind the scenes of news week:

spot the bird

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Key takeaways:

  • People with full-time jobs rarely have time to speak to student journalists.

  • We underestimate the power of community journalism.

  • What’s considered “news” is subjective.

  • A little kindness and grace can go a long way.

  • Am I allowed to swear in the newsletter?

What we’re watching:

What we’re listening to:

I’m Like A Bird

Nelly Furtado