Not quite resting

Author

Stellen-Buzz with SMF
April 04, 2025

Dear reader,

In an effort to compensate for a lifetime of procrastination, I have vowed to myself to do a newsletter every week this year. This is something I have not yet discussed with our course coordinator, or the SMF News editing team. Surprise! (If you guys were hoping to have an SMF-free winter holiday: sorry).

I was feeling strangely untethered this week due to the sudden lack of routine – it’s recess – but luckily I had the familiar pressure of compiling the newsletter. And thank goodness, because news does not rest! We cannot possibly refrain from reporting on what is going on around us just because we are technically on a ‘break’. What a ludicrous thought. The journalism honours class of 2025 has in fact been very busy this week, whether it be by preparing for the upcoming term, continuing various journalistic exploits, or finally investing time in neglected hobbies. 

I have been attempting to negate the pre-newsweek jitters by focusing on my traditional hobbies/coping mechanisms, which include reading, cooking, and impulsive spending of my allowance. I was able to finish my book, cook my favourite meal*, and secure a collared shirt for our class’s parliamentary visit this upcoming Monday.  

The rest of the class has been equally, if not more, productive. The week has been eventful for multiple reasons, so please keep reading for insights into these events, courtesy of SMF News journalists.

*Kimchi fried rice.

**I cannot write down the recipe, it changes every time.

Anke Spies, newsletter editor.

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Letter from our Editor

Put South Africa First

Parliament has passed the fiscal framework for the 2025 budget. There were 194 members of parliament (MPs) in favour of the budget, while 182 were against. Looking beyond the budget and the 0.5 percentage point VAT increase on the cards, the biggest talking point will be political parties using the budget for political grandstanding. With the 2026 local government elections a stone’s throw away, political parties are drafting their campaigns. More importantly, cracks within the Government of National Unity are showing once again, with the two main parties (the ANC and the DA) at loggerheads. Oh, to be a fly on the wall in GNU meetings. But seriously, this VAT increase does not mean anything good for South Africans, especially those barely making ends meet.

Enzokuhle Sabela

A call for justice

On Tuesday 1 April, SMF News, along with a large group of SU students, attended a protest in front of the Western Cape department of education, which formed part of a national shutdown in honour of the 7-year-old girl, referred to in the media as Cwecwe, who was allegedly raped on school grounds in the Eastern Cape. Protestors were indignant about the way that Cwecwe’s case was handled. The mood was tense and full of frustration, as the crowd demanded for the member of the executive council (MEC) for education to meet them and accept their memorandum. Protest signs read “Protect young black girls”, “NO TO RAPE”, “Hands off our children and women”, and “Justice for Cwecwe”.

Reid Donson

Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees Excursion

Three of our classmates were selected to show off their journalism skills at this year’s Klein Karoo National Arts Festival. They are reviewing shows for the festival newspaper.

In the photo below, from left: Sebastian Paulus (who was in the BAHons Journalism class of 2023) with Danielle Schaafsma, Marise Schoonraad and Uendjizuvira Kandanga (members of our current class).

PHOTOS: Marise Schoonraad

“Gee my ń media-kaart en ek is unstoppable. VIP parkings, sold out shows en entrance gates. Gee my al die media-kaarte!”

- Marise Schoonraad

“KKNK to me has been an immersion into the Afrikaans language and arts. It’s been very enriching, and I have a profound respect to the various performances.”

- Uendjii Kandanga

“Alhoewel die KKNK nog iets is wat op my klaar oorvol bord geplaas is, is hierdie werklik een van die mees verrykende ondervindings. Van Frank Opperman 'n traan sien pik en my media-kaart rondswaai soos 'n mal mens, tot gesels met Gerben Kamper en langs Lida Botha stap - daar is geen ander geleentheid waarby ons soveel sou kon ervaar of leer nie.”

- Danielle Schaafsma

The weekly rundown:

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Herman Lubbe and Zuko Poswa, both students at Stellenbosch University (SU), were invited to join the training squad on 20 March, said Lubbe (19), a prop for Maties and a second-year BScAgric (Animal Science) student.

By Annemieke Thomaidis

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By Anja van Zyl

ʼn Groep studente in elektroniese ingenieurswese aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch (US) is tans in die proses om die heel eerste mensagtige robot wat in Suid-Afrika vervaardig is, te bou. 

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A recently-established non-profit organisation (NPO) is training its boxers to compete on regional level soon.

This is according to Duayne Smith, founder and president of the Stellenbosch Boxing Association (SBA) Giants NPO.

By Nadia Swart

What I’m watching:

What I’m listening to:

Morning Elvis (feat. Ethel Cain)

Florence + the Machine