The first wave

Author

Stellen-Buzz with SMF
May 30, 2025

Dear reader,

I have unfortunately exhausted most of my writing inventory this week. The shred that remains is being saved for the second wave of assignments, so I do not have too much to say this week.

However, to commemorate the ending of our first semester of BAHons Journalism (one week left!), we are doing a very special weekly rundown.

We have the top stories of the semester, according to reads on the SMF News website, and the top visuals, according to our multimedia editor, Jared Moorgas.

I have to admit, compiling this newsletter reminded me of how talented our class is. Please take a moment to peruse and reminisce and be impressed.

Anke Spies, newsletter editor.

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OUR TOP STORIES FROM THE FIRST SEMESTER

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🧑‍🎓 Students call for change at mass meeting by Hlomla Mdala and Daniela Botha
(20 February)

💥 SU stunned during academic shutdown by Anke Spies and Enzokuhle Sabela
(21 February)

🌲 Stellenbosch students make forestry breakthrough by Danielle Schaafsma
(28 February)

 🐦 Think: SU unveils second sculpture in series by Onthatile Mahlangu
(27 April)

🏘️ White city shooting incident ‘out of the ordinary’ by Jared Moorgas
(25 March)

🚔 Cloetesville a town under siege, says mayor by Reid Donson
(8 March)

OUR TOP VISUALS FROM THE FIRST SEMESTER

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The remains of 5 Daisy Street, a week after the fire in Mooiwater that ravaged the property on 12 April. PHOTO: Reid Donson

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Prince Mulela, prop for Maties, embracing fellow teammate Samuel Badenhorst, centre for the team, as Maties progressed to the Varsity Cup final. PHOTO: Anke Spies

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Calling Academy, a school in Stellenbosch, aims to develop learners’ character, its motto being “making every effort to confirm our calling”, said Werner Cloete, chief executive officer (CEO) of Calling Education. PHOTO: Marise Schoonraad

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Team Namibia and Team France warming up for the Maties Cup of Nations tournament at Lentelus Sportsgrounds on 26 April. “This is the first tournament of its kind,” said Thabang Mollo, Student Representative Council (SRC) International students manager and final-year BA (International Studies) student. PHOTO: Buhle Bam 

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Cyclists taking part in the Songo.info Champions Race held in Kayamandi on 13 March. The event was broadcast live on the fibertime.tv YouTube channel, according to the Songo.info website. PHOTO: Kuhle Tshabalala

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Get to know me!

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

    My favourite song is Lost by Frank Ocean, but I don’t think I have a favourite artist.

  2. What is your favourite film?

    My favourite film is tied between The Incredibles and Mamma Mia.

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

    I’m actually not sure what my favourite book is, but the first thing that came to mind was We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal. I’m currently reading Angels and Demons by Dan Brown.

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

    Again, I’m not sure, but the first place that came to mind was Gordon’s Bay, because I love the beach in summer. And because I once did a night swim there when the water was bioluminescent, which was a lot of fun. 

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

    My late great grandmother. It would be lovely to meet her, because my mother and grandmother speak about her so often, and because she had such an important role in my mother’s life growing up. 

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

    I would probably be getting a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

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

    I’m not proud of it, but I used to post poetry on Wattpad.

  8. What is your current guilty pleasure?

    Drinking more tea and coffee than water, now that the weather’s cooling down. 

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

    I read, doom scroll on Tiktok, and play crossword puzzles.

  10. What do you want to achieve this year?

    I’d love to pass, become more confident in myself as a journalist, and figure out which direction I’d like to go into next year career-wise.

What we’re reading:

What we’re listening to:

The Downtown Lights

The Blue Nile

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