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Recess (not)
Stellen-Buzz with SMF
September 12, 2025
Dear reader,
This week has technically been the last recess for the BAHons Journalism class. It was theoretically meant to be our last chance to catch a breath, or the last week with our heads above water. Of course, by now we are all aware that a week without class is just a week dedicated to more hours of production time.
We are in the throes of creating a magazine, and Adobe InDesign continues to pester those of us not technologically inclined. Dani, our managing editor for the SMF Project, has not been in the department this week, so nobody has changed the numbers on the “days to print” countdown on the pinboard. We are all operating under the guise that we have 19 days left, when in actuality it is much less.
While the magazine has been occupying most of our focus, the tumultuous political landscape of the USA has also been a topic of conversation in the newsroom.
Charlie Kirk, a famous conservative activist, was shot on Wednesday while he was speaking at an event at a university in Utah. This is according to a BBC article, which states that the search for the shooter is still ongoing.
Kirk, who was an avid supporter of gun rights in America, was confirmed dead by Donald Trump a few hours after the shooting, according to the BBC. The topic of gun control is currently at the forefront of much online discourse, with a strong emphasis on the prevalence of gun violence in the US.
Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether this will have an impact on the regulation of firearms in the US.
Anke Spies, newsletter editor.
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The weekly rundown:
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The Stellenbosch Municipality acting director of corporate services, Alexander Kannemeyer, has until this Friday, 12 September, to explain to the municipal council why he should not be suspended. |  By Jared Moorgas |
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 By Aubrey Phungo | Stellenbosch Municipality recently launched a new bin project aimed at reducing the amount of landfill waste by encouraging better recycling practices. This is according to Stuart Grobbelaar, communications manager for Stellenbosch Municipality. |
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Two Stellenbosch locals have taken the initiative to feed and care for over 45 stray cats around town. |  By Christopher Naidoo |
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Visual of the week:
A night at the orchestra
Saxophonist James Cilliers, a first-year BMus student at Stellenbosch University (SU), performed with an orchestra as a soloist for the first time at this year’s University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra Concerto Festival. The orchestra was conducted by Rik Ghesquière, freelance conductor and extraordinary associate professor of music at SU’s music department.
By Hannah Abrahams
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Get to know me!
What is your favourite song and who is your favourite artist?
A bit niche but at the moment I’ve been obsessed Fontaines D.C.’s cover of Can you feel my heart?, originally by Bring Me The Horizon.
What is your favourite film?
I can’t quite recall my favourite film right now, but a guilty pleasure film that I can quote every line to is Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging — it was Nickelodeon’s first-ever PG-13 film.
What is your favourite book, and what are you currently reading?
It feels a bit embarrassing to admit as a journalist, but I’m currently wading through Eat, Pray, Love — a staple, so I’m told. To be honest, I read for pleasure more than for knowledge/information, so most likely a romance — I enjoyed Gone with the Wind and The Secret History.
The Little Prince is a timeless classic that I hold dear though, if you need a short answer.
What is your favourite place you’ve ever visited and why?
Barcelona. Perfect climate, kind and beautiful people, awe-inspiring architecture and colour EVERYWHERE.
If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
My maternal grandmother, Selma. She’s the one person that I’ve never heard a soul say anything bad about (and our family loves gossip), and she sadly passed away while I was too young to remember.
If you weren’t studying journalism, what would you be doing?
A lot less stressed, for one. Most likely either studying genetics or an LLB, if I had to study at an undergrad level again. Otherwise, possibly an honours in media studies at UCT, or an honours in international studies here at Stellies.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I’ve had arthritis since I was 10, lol. I also competed in mountain biking quite intensely for a few years.
What is your current guilty pleasure?
Turning off my phone and being utterly unreachable.
What do you do if you’re not busy working?
Cooking elaborate meals, spending time with friends/going out, cold plunges, hot yoga and any other get-out-of-the-house activity possible.
What do you want to achieve this year?
Finishing this degree is first and foremost on my mind, because I’m not sure I’d have the strength to do this year again to be honest.
What we’re watching: | What we’re listening to: |
 | 3am Łaszewo  |
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