Hoërskool Brackenfell High

E ERA

Jaargang 21 − November 2020

PLAASMOORDE:

’n Hulpkreet

Einstein of Jack Parow? Wagter Slagtand

LOVING LOCAL Tannie Edna

PHOTOGRAPHY

COMPETITION WINNERS

REDAKSIE Redakteur Hannah Abrahams

Subredakteur en Hoof van Bemarking Ehan W. Smit

Hoof van Bladuitleg en Fotografie Darrah Hose

Sekretaresse Carolien Antuma

Joernaliste Bladuitleglede

Hannah Abrahams Emma Basson Darrah Hose

Darrah Hose Mathew Steenkamp Sidney Poggenpoel

Lilitha Dyosi Annique Louw Telitha Maree

Margaret Louw Caitlin Otto Mia Lourens

Nika Verwey Mia Lourens Zak Muller

Wymhar Hattingh Hayley Cloete Caitlyn Otto

Alaine Du Plessis Sidney Poggenpoel Nika Verwey

Keziah Solomons Carolien Antuma Alaine Du Plessis

Peter Zonneveld Fotograwe

Nurah Hannibal Darrah Hose Anri Muller

Lana Basson Nicolene Huskisson Caitlyn Otto Stephan Fourie

INHOUD Editorial Letter

Wagter Slagtand: Pliggies of Problematies?

Rescue. Rehabilitate. Rehome.

Shining light on the locals

Loving Local

Brakkies Photography Club Competition Winners

Brackenfell’s very own helpende hand, Lilitha Dyosi & Molo Tata

Goodbye Brakkies

A Day in The Life of tannie Edna

Einstein of Jack Parow?

stuDYING?

Covid-19 vs Interskole

8 July 2019

Plaasmoorde: ’n Hulpkreet

2020 Vision (The World Hasn’t Stopped Completely)

Post-Covid-reise Op Jou Voorstoep

Wanneer die inperking jou brakkie se stert laat hang

HBO cut off all my hair (and here’s why)

Rocking Recs

2020 Brakkie Memories

Advertisements

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6-7

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12-13

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16-17

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20-21

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26

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27-28

Artikels & Bladsynommers

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Strokiesprentkunstenaar

Charlene Higgo

Karikatuurkunstenaar

Anastacia Swartz

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Editorial Letter And just like that, it’s almost time to say goodbye to another school year. If you ask me, it couldn’t have come soon

enough. I think all of our brains are just about fried.

I am proud of our last edition of the Re Vera for 2020. The rest of the editorial team and I really wanted to end on a

positive note, while simultaneously shedding a light on important topics. I think we have been successful. At a time

when it can be difficult to find the silver lining, I think the articles in this edition remind us that we don’t have to look

very far. In addition to the article Loving Local (p.8-9), we chose to focus on four businesses in and around Bracken-

fell. Not only did we highlight the importance of local businesses and entrepreneurship for our economy, but also our

community. It was also fitting that we honour our local heroes: Lilitha Dyosi (p.10), Thobela Tyetshani (p.10) and

tannie Edna (p.12-13), people we can all be inspired by.

I had lots of fun putting this edition together and I think everyone who contributed did an excellent job.

When I look ahead to 2021, I want to make sure that we, at the Re Vera, continue to ask important questions. I’m

glad to be leaving behind the rollercoaster that is 2020 and I am excited for what next year holds.

Sending love and good vibes

Hannah

Carolien Antuma , Hannah Abrahams , Ehan W. Smit , Darrah Hose

Hannah:

Culaccino ~ Italian

A word used to describe

the ring left on a table

from the condensation of

a cold glass.

“I find it so interesting that

many languages have

words for complex

situations that English

doesn’t have.”

Carolien:

'n Tyd, tye en 'n halwe tyd

~ Afrikaans

“Iets wat ek sê wanneer

iemand vra hoe laat dit is

en ek nie weet nie, en ek

sommer simpel wil wees.

Dit klink so

gesofistikeerd, maar dit

sê eintlik niks nie, en dis

hoekom ek daarvan hou.”

Darrah:

Attraversiamo ~ Italian

Meaning let’s cross over

“It encourages me to live in

the moment and to cherish

those who are always there

for me. Cross over, don’t be

scared to venture outside

your comfort zone and

always make an effort to

meet new people.”

Ehan:

Katarsis ~ Afrikaans

Dit beteken sedelike

reining. “It’s my

favourite word

because it sounds

cool. Dit is ’n lekker

woord om te sê en

boonop het dit ’n

diep betekenis.”

OUR FAVOURITE WORDS

A1’s en E1’s word al vir jare geklassifiseer as die “pliggies”, “slimkoppe” en “bleeksiele” van die skool.

Reality check: ons is net soos al die ander kinders in die skool. Baie van ons doen ook nooit ons huiswerk

nie, baie van ons leer ook nie vir toetse nie en ja, baie van ons is ook nie mal oor skool nie.

Daar is hierdie standaard wat vir ons aan die einde van graad 9 gestel word: neem Fisies, Biologie, IT,

Rekeningkunde of jy’s dom. Moenie eers met Wiskundige Geletterdheid begin nie. Dít is nou die definisie

van onnoselheid. Ek het self in daardie gat geval en Fisies geneem, selfs al was ek nie mal oor die vak nie.

Raai wie het Fisies na die eerste kwartaal van graad 10 soos ’n warmpatat gelos? Jy het reg geraai. Dit is

nie omdat ek dom is nie. Dis net dat dit glad nie in my belangstellingsveld val nie. Tog het ek vir maande

na die tyd skuldig gevoel oor my besluit, want wat as die ander kinders dink ek is dom?

Daar is aan die begin van hierdie jaar ’n nuwe stelsel ingebring dat A1’s en E1’s Wiskundige Geletterdheid

kan neem en nog steeds in die klas bly in plaas daarvan om na ‘n ander klas geskuif te word. In my klas is

daar omtrent agt leerders wat die vak neem en hulle is niks anders (of minder intelligent) as die res nie.

So, hoekom word ons so uitgesonder?

Die vakke wat jy neem, is nie noodwendig ’n maatstaf van jou intelligensie nie, maar eerder jou

belangstellings. Ja, dit is lekker om saam met mense met dieselfde ingesteldheid as jy in ’n klas te wees,

maar dit beteken nie dat ons noodwendig afgesonder wil word van die res van die leerders in ons graad

nie.

Ons is ook maar net deurmekaar en moeë tieners wat geen idee het wat ons met ons lewens doen nie.

Ons het nie die onnodige druk van hoë verwagtinge nodig nie. Die meeste van ons sit al klaar daardie druk

op onsself.

Ek verstaan wel onderwysers se perspektief: ons is die intelligente en gemanierde klas wat ’n voorbeeld

vir die skool stel. Ja, sekere kinders doen dit wel, maar sommige kinders in ander klasse is die “perfekte

student” en kry geen erkenning daarvoor nie.

Dalk, as ons almal oor dieselfde kam geskeer word, sal daar minder rebellie en meer samewerking

plaasvind.

Wat sê Wagter

Slagtand?

The views expressed in this article are not those of Brackenfell High’s Re Vera, but rather those of the writer.

To keep the conversation going, we invite anyone to reply to Wagter Slagtand by writing their own opinion

piece. Send your piece to reverabhs@brackenfellhs.co.za.

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TEARS was established in 1999 after Emma Geary-Cooke, one of the founders of the

organisation was tragically killed in a car accident. The Emma Animal Rescue Society (TEARS)

was established in her memory. This organisation aims to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome

animals in need. They also provide outreach programs that offer veterinary care, sterilisation

programs, vaccinations, and general vet care to those who otherwise would not be able to

care for their pets.

“For many similar organisations, the volunteers provide the manpower and the hours to spend

extra time with the animals, which might not be possible if it was just down to a small amount

of staff,” says Marnie Steffny, Adoptions Coordinator at the TEARS Foundation.

Volunteers are incredibly special because they give up their own time to serve a great cause.

Volunteering is a brilliant way to experience all aspects of animal care. It reveals what life is

like for people and animals living in low-income communities and therefore teaches humility

and appreciation.

Marnie says, “I have learned many things, not only about dogs, canine behaviour, veterinary

procedures, nutrition, and day-to-day animal care, but also about people and their relationship

with their pets, and how to be able to read situations when it comes to interaction with

animals. It is also a good way to learn how to deal with potentially emotional situations and

not something that everyone is comfortable with!”

The first step to becoming a volunteer at TEARS is to send an email to volunteer@tears.org.za.

Details on how to join the team will follow. Volunteers can contribute any amount of time.

Long term commitment is wonderful as it allows a relationship to develop between the staff

and animals. Short term volunteer work can also be a great help, for example, helping at

fund-raising events.

“We have a large group of experienced volunteers, but it’s always great to have new faces on

the team and the best way to inspire new volunteers is to encourage them to help with a

cause that’s close to their heart.”

Marnie Steffny’s contact details:

021 785 4482

volunteer@tears.org.za

www.tears.org.za

R escue. ehabilitate. ehome.

- Darrah Hose

@darrah0403

Shining light on the locals

Ferndale Mini Market - Mathew Steenkamp

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are especially scarring for SMEs (small, medium enterprises) at the

periphery of South Africa's economy. Analysts predict that almost 60% of all these businesses will shut their

doors before the crisis is over.

In an effort to bring light to a threatened industry the Re Vera thought it best to dedicate an article to explore

the struggles some businesses had to face.

Ferndale Mini Market is a small convenience store located on Old Paarl Road. It attracted a local client base

that consisted of traders and construction workers who often went there to grab a snack during their lunch

breaks.

With the implementation of a lockdown came different operating procedures for this business. Provided that

the business sold essential goods and had a permit, it was allowed to stay open during the lockdown.

The store was forced to conform to strict health and safety rules and even received information pamphlets from

the government to hand out to customers. The owner of the store had the following to add, "It was quite

challenging to get used to, but we were forced to adapt to the sudden shift to make ends meet."

However, as a result of the new restrictions on movement, the business saw a great decline in clientele. And

with declining daily balances, the business was forced to let go of one of their employees.

Just as for this one employee, retrenchment is a reality for up to 95% of SME employees in South Africa's

economy.

When asked about how the government handled the lockdown with reference to SME's, the employer had the

following to say, "In connection to Covid-19, I think that the immediate closure and strict lockdown regulations

were absolutely necessary and was a huge benefit to curbing the infection curve. However, as a small business

owner it harshly affected us as many people were left with a growing hole in their pocket."

Because of shortage of capital as a result of a decrease in demand, the owner had to sell their business and is

currently under new management.

An already crumbling economy has placed many in poverty and has forced millions of South Africans to tighten

their costs and expenditure on goods and services. This has resulted in a loss of revenue for many local trading

stores such as Ferndale Mini Market.

Local and small businesses are the heart of South Africa, they employ roughly 50-60% of South Africans and

greatly contribute to economic growth in our country. It is vital that we as South Africans realise the importance

of small, local trade in our developing country and continue to support it to grow our economy.

Beauty by Riska - Annique Louw

Beauty by Riska is ’n klein, intieme skoonheidsalon langs skoonheidsterapeut Mariska

Volschenk se huis in Ruwari, Brackenfell.

Mariska het al vir drie jaar haar eie salon. Sy is ’n mamma en kan dus haar tye aanpas soos

dit nodig is. Dit is vir haar lekker om haar kliënte te leer ken en lang geselsies aan te knoop,

want daar is niemand anders wat hul kan onderbreek nie.

Covid-19 het as ’n skok vir die meeste besighede gekom. Niemand het geweet wat gaan

gebeur nie en jy kon ook nie daarvoor beplan nie. Om jou besigheid vir twee maande te

moes sluit, was ’n groot terugslag. Gelukkig was Mariska se man bevoorreg om deur die

hele grendeltyd te kon werk en dit is wat hulle staande gehou het.

Daar was ook heelwat kostes aan verbonde om die salon Covid-19-gereed te kry. Mariska

sê dat sy nie regtig ’n keuse gehad het nie. Dit is vir almal se veiligheid belangrik en sy wil

hê dat haar kliënte gemaklik moet voel en weer van haar dienste moet gebruik maak. Alles

word ontsmet en daar was baie uitgawes nodig aangesien ontsmettingsmiddels en

koorsmeters aangekoop moes word en skerms opgerig moes word.

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Sy het spesiale aanbiedinge gehad om kliënte te lok toe sy weer kon oopmaak. Sy het ook ’n mobiele opsie

gehad en behandelings by mense se huise gaan doen, indien hulle dit so verkies het. Die mense was maar

skepties en skrikkerig aan die begin. Sommige kliënte was finansieel negatief deur die pandemie geraak en

kon nie meer kom vir behandelings nie. Gelukkig raak dit nou weer besiger aangesien die nuwe seisoen ook ’n

rol speel. Almal wil graag hul voete en hande weer mooi kry vir die warmer weer. Tans betaal jy die weggeeprys

van R200 vir ’n gel pedikuur.

’n Behandeling deur Beauty by Riska is ’n moet. Jy sal dadelik mal wees oor die omgewing, die behandeling, die

terapeut en die atmosfeer. Jy kan vir Mariska skakel by 0820737408 om ’n afspraak te maak. Ondersteun

haar asseblief en ondersteun plaaslike besighede. Sy is ook in Brackenfell vir Brackenfell.

Mariska se raad aan ander plaaslike besighede is om dit dag vir dag te neem, vas te byt en te glo en vertrou dat

almal hierdeur sal kom.

The upcoming exams added to stress from lockdown, might make it feel impossible and incredibly stressful to

study. What better help can you get than finding yourself a great tutor like Celeste Muller?

Teaching and helping children has always been her passion. She started studying to become a Child Advocate

Attorney, but decided to take a different path instead, “After realising that it might not be the best route for

someone with a soft heart like mine, I changed courses. The urge to help children never faded and later I had to

find another way to do my part. That led me to tutoring, and I love it!”

If you think there is nobody who can help you, you are wrong. Celeste strives to help every student she tutors

until they have the confidence to believe in themselves. “Children just want someone to believe in them and not

give up on them,” she tells me. Seeing those she tutors push through the more challenging phases and

reaching academic goals they didn’t think were possible, is what motivates her. “When this happens, children

start gaining confidence and that is a massive reward to me.”

Although she specialises in the dread many know as Mathematics, she can also help with other subjects you

may be struggling with. She prepares every lesson beforehand with extra examples, finding a way to evaluate

exactly what you struggle with. She feels that tutoring can make a huge difference. Although parents want to

help their children, they often just don’t have the time.

Celeste always finds ways to help and never leaves her students working alone. To her,

tutoring is a team effort and together she can help you achieve wonders.

For more information you can visit her website or contact her via email.

https://appleseyetutoring.co.za/

info@appleseyetutoring.co.za

Rite-Autoelectric is ’n familiebesigheid wat begin is in die 1970’s. Die eienaar Peter Reske is al vir 30 jaar

betrokke by die besigheid.

Die onderneming het onlangs van Bellville na Brackenfell verskuif. Die Covid-19-pandemie het verbruikers en

sake-eienaars wêreldwyd hard getref en as jy bietjie nader kyk na die impak wat dit op gesinne gehad het, is dit

’n hartseer prentjie.

Peter en sy span het egter iets ongeloofliks reggekry. Hulle het ’n hele onderneming geskuif, die meerderheid

van hul klante behou en steeds klante bedien met die entoesiasme wat hulle voor die pandemie gehad het.

Met hulle slagspreuk, No job too big or too small, bereik hierdie dianamiese span nuwe hoogtes.

’n Mens sou dink dat motorelektriese dienste nie noodsaaklik is nie, maar motorelektrisiëns speel ’n baie

belangrike rol in padveiligheid. ’n Motorelektrisiën is ’n elektrisiën wat spesialiseer in elektriese stelsels wat in

motorvoertuie ingebou word. Hulle is kenners van al die stelsels in motors:

hoofligte, diagnostiese ligte, alarmstelsel, stroombaanbord, alternator en

aansitmotor. Die val alles onder die kundigheidsdomein van die

motorelektrisiën.

As iemand volgende keer hulle motor se ligte in jou gesig flikker, bel gerus vir

Rite-Autoelectric by 021 948 6795.

- Caitlyn Otto @crazzy.cait

- Mia Lourens @_mia_lourens_ Rite-Autoelectric

Apple’s Eye Tutoring

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Have you ever dreamt of doing what you love while being your own boss? Tarynne Keown Rajh, founder and owner of local online boutique, The Shopaholic, is living

proof that this is possible.

Tarynne attended Fairmont High School in Durbanville and completed her tertiary studies at The Future Excellence Design Institute South Africa, better known as FEDISA ― a fashion school with campuses in Cape Town and Sandton. For most teenagers like ourselves, it's quite challenging to figure out which career we want to step into, but not for Tarynne (23) who always knew she wanted to work in the fashion industry. "I used to make clothes for my dogs and my brother when I was very small and I used to cut up my mom's table cloths

and stuff, so I always had a calling for it," she tells.

But The Shopaholic is a far cry from its humble beginnings in 2013 when Tarynne was just 16 years old. She found a wholesaling website which allowed you to import clothing items from China, but it allowed her to buy in bulk. "I wanted some things for myself, so I thought I may as well buy a bunch of things and sell it here." However, sizing was inconsistent, and the clothes often never fit properly. Her natural next step? Teaching

herself how to sew.

In the beginning, she treated The Shopaholic as a "side hustle" and didn't take things too seriously. A career in fashion isn't typically seen as something that will allow a financially stable life. And this was exactly the way Tarynne had been conditioned to think, "I brainwashed myself to believe that I would become a chartered accountant. Even though I knew I was destined to be in fashion, I let other people tell me that it wouldn't be a sustainable career." But even when she decided to take it more seriously, she was lucky

enough to have family and friends who supported her.

She was also fortunate not to have the added pressures of the average adult life ― like paying rent or caring for a family, since she was still in high school and living at home. Today, all her materials are locally sourced, and she runs The Shopaholic with the help of her husband, Jesse. She tells me it's become a "family business". There is no other staff and she often makes all the garments on her own. It's when I ask Tarynne to explain this that the entrepreneur in her shines through and I know she means business, "We use independent service providers. The best and most cost-effective way to run a business, in my opinion, is to outsource as much as

you can and keep your overheads as low as possible."

It's quite clear that Tarynne won't make clothes she doesn't plan on wearing herself. One indicator being that she models many of the items for the website and another is that she wears each design first. It's comfort that is key. "I literally hate clothing that looks amazing, but when you wear it you can't lift your arms or swim or walk around without having to pull the dress or top down." She also looks at whether the item will be affordable, "I think a lot of people make the mistake of making this beautiful art piece, but you can't sell it. And it's just nice

to look at but isn't profitable."

Upon visiting The Shopaholic website, one thing that immediately stood out to me were the girls who model the clothes. They look real, which is refreshing. Sizing and representation is something Tarynne has taken seriously and this doesn't go unnoticed. "I genuinely think I speak for every plus-size girl who's ever purchased from The Shopaholic, but your sizing is EVERYTHING. It's so refreshing to have a brand where sizes make sense. Where

you buy a large and it fits well and there's still room…" reads a review on the website.

Local businesses took a large financial blow during the nationwide lockdown period, with many having closed their doors. "Of course, I was stressed, I'm not going to lie and say I wasn’t," Tarynne confesses. However, she is one of the lucky ones, with lockdown having the opposite effect. It's no secret that we all spent more time looking at our screens while in isolation, and with The Shopaholic being an online store, this is exactly what helped business. But she isn't unaware of how fortunate she is and tells me she can "only imagine" what it

must feel like for those who have had to close the doors on their life's work.

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- Hannah Abrahams LOVING LOCAL

Brakkies Photography Club Competition Winners

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1st Place − Nicolene Huskisson 10A1

“Someone who is constantly battling her inner demons and no one is aware of the pain she feels.”

2nd Place − Caitlin Jacobs 8E2

“The wandering mind of a content child.”

3rd Place − Desiree Coetzee 11A4

“Die onskuldige geluk van ’n kind met ’n sweempie kinderlike ondeundheid.”

So, what does the 23-year-old do when she isn't working? By the looks of her Instagram feed, she loves to travel. The photos of her sunbathing or swimming in crystal clear oceans, whether that be in Mauritius, Thailand or Bali (all places where she sports The Shopaholic swimwear), and even her winter honeymoon in Paris is enough to make anyone envious. We all know social media can get ugly, so I am surprised to find out that Tarynne, who has over 37 000 followers on Instagram, hasn't experienced the wrath of internet trolls. "I think before I post," she says with a laugh. But social media doesn't come without its downside, "I am very guilty of spending too much time on social media," which she admits sometimes stunts her productivity and creativity. But she also remembers to not take it too seriously and reminds herself that social media "is not real, a picture you see on my feed, you don't know how long it took me to take that, or

whether I cried before or after I took it”.

When our interview comes to a close, Tarynne shares some wisdom she received from her father, "It's never a step backwards. It's a step to the left or the right, but you are still moving forward." She sees failure as a stepping stone that will lead to something greater, rather than as a sign to give up. I think we can all take a

page out of her book on this matter.

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In September, our school was encouraged to bring

along a variety of different items that we no longer

needed, which included: clothes, shoes, homeware,

kitchenware, small plants and bedding. The brains

behind all of this? Matric learner, Lilitha Dyosi, who is

passionate about giving back and helping people

wherever he can, "I saw the need to reach out to

those less fortunate because of the pandemic. I was

worried about people who didn't have as much as I

did and I wanted to do something about it, to help

them in whatever way possible."

The items have been donated

to the non-profit organisation,

Helpende Hande, specifically

their Ons Winkel charity shop

in Kraaifontein, which then

resells all donations at a

much cheaper price. These

Ons Winkel shops serve as job creation for those who

work there, and profits go towards study funds for

children in the community who would not otherwise

have the opportunity to study. When asked why he

chose Helpende Hande Lilitha said, "I had done some

research on the organisation and realised they had

t h e s a m e

vis ion and

mission as I

d i d w i t h

regards to

r e d u c i n g

poverty so it

was a no

brainer." He

also tells me

t h a t t h i s

project was all about spreading love.

Lilitha also serves on the RCL and senior council and

has definitely earned his position because he is

someone who takes initiative. His advice for all

leaders is to "spread as much love as you can and be

empathetic towards one another. That way, everyone

wins!"

Lilitha's ultimate goal is to save the whole world and

everyone in it. He knows how unrealistic this sounds

but adds that "there is no harm in trying". We should

all think like Lilitha and realise that no matter who we

are, we have the power to make a difference.

Brackenfell’s very own helpende hand, Lilitha Dyosi

- Hannah Abrahams

Ever wondered who the person is behind the friendly

smile? We sat down with Thobela Tyetshani for a short

Q&A.

What is your name, surname and clan name?

Thobela Tyetshani and my clan name is Mdumane.

Where are you from and where do you stay at the

moment?

I am from Ngqeleni, a town in the Eastern Cape and at

the moment I live in Kraaifontein.

Are you married?

Yes, I am married.

How many children do you

have and how old are they?

I have one child and he is 25

years old.

Do you remember when you

started working here?

I started in April 2018.

How can we greet you in your home language?

You can say “Molo tata”.

What are some of your likes and dislikes?

I like soccer and my favourite team is Orlando

Pirates. I dislike anything that involves conflict and

violence. I also don’t like anything associated with

alcohol. It has been 17 years since I last consumed

alcohol.

Do you ever encounter rude parents and learners and

how do you handle it?

I have encountered rude learners and I decided to

ignore it because I’m at work. However, one of the

learners came back to me and apologised for his

actions. He claimed he was stressed and that is why

he lashed out at me.

How do you manage to be so friendly every day?

It’s because I am passionate about my job. Even if I

have stress, I will choose to not think about it so that I

can be focused on my job and duties. The easiest way

to be friendly every day is to leave your problems at

home.

Molo Tata Get to know our security guard, Thobela.

-Lilitha Dyosi

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I think we can all agree that 2020 has been a crazy year. Unfortunately, it is also the year that we have

to say goodbye to Mr Stofberg and Mrs Botha.

Mr Stofberg

Mr Stofberg has been teaching at Brackenfell High School for thirty-five years and

the time has finally come for him to say goodbye. When asked how he felt about

leaving, he said, “It feels good to be leaving, because that means that I have spent

my life working and I can have a long deserved rest, but I also feel sad because I

leave behind a lot of memories.”

Mr Stofberg said that he plans to “do as little as possible for as long as possible”,

which includes reading, gardening, travelling and continuing to coach sports for as

long as he can.

He said that the biggest lesson he learned while working at this school was

that people who work hard are always successful, even if the success does not

always come when they expect it. He believes that “Hard work will beat talent

every time.”

When asked what they would miss most about Mr Stofberg after he left, his

students all agreed that they would miss his humour, straightforwardness and

his willingness to help those who were struggling.

Mrs Botha

Mrs Botha has been teaching at Brackenfell High School for twenty years and many

of her students would say that they wish it were more. When asked how she felt

about leaving she said, “Obviously it is sad to leave because this has been my home

for twenty years. I have grown here and started loving kids. Staff members became

friends and I feel sad to leave. I also believe in seasons and this is the end of a

season and I am looking forward to the next one.”

Mrs Botha said that she has no long-term plans, but she is going to teach extra

accounting classes for the next year.

When asked what they would miss most about Mrs Botha after she left, her

students said that they would miss how well she explained the work and always

made it easy for them to understand, as well as the way that she always involved

the class and made her lessons interesting.

She says that the most important lesson she learned while teaching is that “It’s

not about me.” She believes that you should not only focus on yourself and your

own needs and wants, but on other people too.

- Margaret Louw Goodbye Brakkies

You can’t call yourself a Brakkie and not know who Edna Brandt is – I’m afraid that’s just not possible.

I’m sure in the past you’ve wondered where she’s from or who she really is. You’ll be glad to know that

I spent a day working with her, and I’m here to tell you all about it.

Edna, affectionately known as “tannie Edna” by learners or “Ettie” by those who work with her, leads

Brackenfell High’s hard-working team of cleaning staff. Edna (56) was born on the 20th of January,

1964. She was raised in Elsies River, where she still lives today with her husband of 25 years,

Sameul. She also has a daughter and a 9-year-old grandson, Matthew. Before getting her job at BHS,

she worked at a factory for 17 years. It was former principal, Mr Ossie Theron, who first employed her

in 1999, making it her 21st year on the job.

My day with tannie Edna began by wiping and sanitising the benches next to

the tuckshop and on the matric deck. I started sweating halfway through, but

maybe that’s just because I’m unfit. After this, we sanitised the gate at the

main entrance and then moved on to the toilets in the Ossie Theron centre.

Because of the pandemic, every surface needs to be cleaned more thoroughly

than before. This means basins, taps mirrors and even the pipes underneath

the basins. Once this was done and both bathrooms had been swept and

mopped, it was time to wash the windows. Having cleaned 15 windows (yes, I

counted) and feeling very proud of my handiwork, it was time for a tea break

or, in my case, a water break.

When we started conversing, the topic of her family came up almost

immediately and I could tell that they are her pride and joy. She told me more

about her grandson, Matthew. He was born prematurely at 7 months, “He was very, very sick. I

thought I was going to lose him,” she said. He had many issues with his lungs and had to stay in

hospital for two months.

After our break, we fetched about 12 desks and loaded them onto a big trolley I

then failed miserably at trying to pull the wagon forward. However, Sarah, one of

tannie Edna’s co-workers came to my rescue. Sarah and Edna have worked

together for 15 years, the longest of the bunch. Sarah, whom tannie Edna has

dubbed “Ouma”, is 60 years old and will retire at the end of this year. They will

definitely miss working together.

I didn’t get to spend time with the rest of the team, but I can tell they all work very well together. There

is an unspoken rhythm they all follow and each person always has a task. None of them are lazy,

tannie Edna told me, but she reminds them to take a break if they need to, “ʼn Perd kan nie aanhou

jaag nie,” as she said.

I am surprised to find out that on the night before a big sports day or tournament, tannie Edna and

Sarah sleep over at school. This allows them to be there super early the next morning and get straight

to work. The 1st rugby team is also tannie Edna’s favourite sports team, “Kom Brakkies kom!” she

exclaimed.

My last task was to sweep the staffroom and after a few concerned teachers asked me if I was okay,

or if I had got into some sort of trouble (the sweeping being my punishment), it was finally time to go

home.

12

A Day in The Life of tannie Edna - Hannah Abrahams

13

What I admired most about tannie Edna is her mindset and outlook on life. She

doesn’t wake up in the morning dreading the day of work ahead of her. She

doesn’t see her job as something she has to, but is thankful that she gets to do

it. She treats her work with respect and feels honoured to be able to be of

service. And I think if we all changed our mentality in that way, if we made the

conscious decision to be a bit more grateful every day, we would all be better

for it.

This might sound like a cliché, but I walked away from this experience with

more gratitude for what our cleaning staff does. Day in and day out, they give

their all to make sure we have a clean and tidy space to work in, a space we

can all be proud of. There are a lot of behind-the-scenes moments that we are completely unaware of,

not all of them pretty. For instance, when we cleaned the boys’ toilets, one of the urinals was blocked.

How do you clean a blocked urinal? You scoop the mess out. Having to do tasks like that cannot be

enjoyable, but the truth is: someone has to do it.

It’s true what they say: not all heroes wear capes. Sometimes, just like tannie Edna, they wear

cleaning gloves and the brightest smile.

- Charlene Higgo

14

Dit is geen geheim dat daar naby eksamentyd ’n fluistering in die gange van Hoërskool

Brackenfell onstaan nie. Dit is die angstige gefluister van graad 10’s wat hulle besluit om

die moeiliker “skoon” Wiskunde te neem, berou. Maar is dit regtig so moeilik? Is dit net vir

die leerders wat jaar na jaar met hulle top 20-balkies rondparadeer?

Verbasend genoeg hoef jy nie hoogs intelligent te wees of ’n hemelhoë gemiddeld te hê om

goed te doen in Wiskunde nie. Eienskappe van iemand wat suksesvol is in Wiskunde sluit

hardwerkendheid en dissipline in. Volgens juffrou Lombard, wat beide Wiskundige

Geletterdheid en Wiskunde as vakke aanbied, is die belangrikste eienskap om ’n

bittereinder te wees. Sy meen dat enige iemand wat Wiskunde ’n prioriteit maak en

selfvertroue in hulle wiskundevermoëns het, sal kan presteer. As jy dus van Wiskunde hou

en die towergetal van 60% of meer vir

W iskunde in g r aad nege se

November-eksamen behaal, is dit die

vak vir jou.

As jou broek egter bewe en jy

vreesaanjaende gedagtes kry elke keer as

jy aan ’n wiskundesom dink, is

Geletterdheid ’n uitstekende keuse. Ouers

se verouderde menings dat jy nie

suksesvol kan wees sonder Wiskunde nie,

is iets van die verlede. As jy nou al weet dat

jy nie ’n ingenieurs-, mediese- of

wiskunderigting oorweeg nie en jy

hoegenaamd nie in Wiskunde belangstel nie, is dit mos nie nodig om jou vingernaels af te

kou ter voorbereiding vir ’n Wiskunde-eksamen nie. Wiskunde mag dalk meer

indrukwekkend lyk op jou matrieksertifikaat, maar Wiskundige Geletterdheid kan jou

gemiddeld opstoot om jou ’n groter kans te gee om aanvaar te word by ‘n universiteit,

kollege of die toekomsrigting van jou keuse.

Nou wat gemaak as jy so deurmekaar is dat jy jou kop soos ’n volstruis in die grond wil

druk? As jy jou aanlegtoetsresultate volledig evalueer, behoort dit vir jou ’n goeie idee

te gee waar jou belangstellings lê. Juffrou Lombard stel voor dat jy vir ‘n jaar eers

die waters van Wiskunde toets en dan later na Geletterdheid oorskakel

as jy nie regkom nie, want dit is onmoontlik om jou keuse te verander as

jy eers Geletterdheid begin neem het.

- Nika Verwey

15

Nog steeds onseker? Kom ons delf ’n bietjie dieper in die wêreld van Wiskunde in.

Wiskunde is ’n heel ander vak as Geletterdheid, wat op graad agt en nege se werk bou.

Dit is ’n groot sprong van graad nege en dit word jaar na jaar meer ingewikkeld. Volgens

juffrou van Rooyen, ons vakhoof van Wiskunde, sukkel leerders veral met meetkunde en

trigonometrie. Sy vergelyk dit met ’n atleet wat

’n wedloop hardloop: ’n onfikse person kan

mos nie lag-lag ’n 1 000 m voltooi nie? Jy moet

deurgans oefen en meer doen as net die dag

se huiswerktake. Ekstra hulpmiddele sluit die

volgende in: studiegroepe, ou vraestelle

uitwerk, ekstra klasse, aanlynwebtuistes soos

DigiCampus en boeke soos X-Faktor. Jy moet

abstrak dink, nie konkreet nie en kan

visualiseer.

In Wiskunde kom die eeu oue sê-ding,

aanhouer wen, handig te pas. Sal ure voor die

boeke nie die moeite werd wees vir ’n goeie

punt op jou rapport en die feit dat jy trots op

jouself kan wees nie? Maar as jy

skraap-skraap 40% kry en nie die werk kan

baasraak nie, is dit ’n goeie aanduiding dat jy

eerder Wiskunde as vak moet los en Wiskunde

Geletterdheid moet neem. Die impak sal nie so

groot wees as jy dan van Wiskunde oorskakel na

Wiskundige Geletterdheid nie. Jy sal net sekere

konsepte hoef te hersien en sal gou-gou kan

opvang.

So, al is jy Einstein se protégé of jy oorweeg dit om in Jack Parow se voetspore

te volg, dit is jóú toekoms en jóú besluit is totaal en al in jou eie hande.

BRILJANTE TOEPE VIR HERSIENING:

Cymath: help met

Wiskunde

Grammarly: help met

Engelse taal en spelling

SATmath: help met

Trigonometrie

Homework: help jou om op

datum met al jou take te

bly

Chemistry: help met ekstra

Fisika- en Chemie-oefeninge

Quizezz: help met

eksamenhersiening vir alle

vakke

HOW TO TAKE NOTES FROM A TEXTBOOK THE

CORRECT WAY:

1. Flip through each page, just look at the

pages without reading.

2. Read the questions in the end-of-chapter

quiz. This will tell you what the most

important topics are.

3. Read the bold print and the first and last

sentences of each paragraph. This is like a

warm-up for your brain.

4. Now, you can read the chapter and take

notes.

16

EASY TIPS TO STAY MOTIVATED

TO STUDY FOR

PROCRASTINATORS:

Think about your goal, and think about it a

lot .

Set a time schedule, this helps reduce pro-

crastination.

Listen to music.

Have a list of things you need to work on, a

to-do list is essential.

Break it up into very small time slots.

Don’t just read the book − make sure you

understand the work that you are reading.

STUDYING MOTIVATION:

Remember your goals.

Imagine the look on the faces of those who want you to fail if

you succeed.

Don’t stop until you are proud.

You can do it.

Organise your time so you can go out and also study.

Remember why you started.

- Wymhar Hattingh

@dis_wymhar stuDYING?

HOW TO TAKE NOTES FROM A TEXTBOOK THE RIGHT WAY:

1. Skim the chapter for headings, subheadings and terms in bold.

2. Make an outline.

3. Start reading from the beginning. Read each section and fill in your outline when you finished

that section.

4. After reading the section, close the book and write down notes

from memory.

5. Then open the book back up and check your notes. Fix any

mistakes and add any missing information. This is a study

method called retrieval practice.

6. Be sure to add people, places or terms that are in bold or

italics.

7. Don’t copy from the book, paraphrase into your own words.

8. Start highlighting using a colour code key.

9. Annotate your notes.

10. Add small drawings or doodles to your notes that help

explain the information.

11. Write a short summary at the end. Write two to four sentences

that discuss the big idea you can take away from these notes.

17

STUDYING WEBSITES:

Senecaearning.com

Bbc.co.uk/bitesize

Khanacademy.org

EKSAMENSTRES-HULPLYN:

01708765200

KINDERLYN:

08001111

STUDIEWENKE:

Skakel jou foon af.

As musiek ’n groot afleiding is,

skakel dit af.

Stel ’n studieplan op.

Slaap voordat jy begin studeer.

Sorg dat jy 30 minute op ’n slag studeer.

Gebruik flitskaarte.

Vra vir jouself vrae.

Soek na goeie musiek en luister daarna

teen ’n lae volume.

Neem aantekeninge terwyl jy

studeer.

As jy vir ’n vasvra of toets

studeer, maak seker dat jy soggens voor jou

vasvra of toets studeer.

Soek ’n goeie en rustige plek

om te studeer.

Eet ’n versnapering.

UNUSUAL STUDY HACKS TO INCREASE YOUR LONG

TERM MEMORY:

Chewing gum increases your long term memory recall

by over 35%.

Studies show clenching your

fist for 45 seconds increases

memory retention.

Burning certain scented

candles provide specific

benefits.

18

Covid-19 het elkeen van ons se lewens beïnvloed. Ons moet nou ewe skielik aanpas by die “nuwe normaal”.

Ongelukkig moet ons interskole hierdie jaar ook daaronder ly. Interskole is elke jaar ‘n tradisie van Brackenfell

se gemeenskap, waar die Brakkies en Tiere bymekaar kan kom om ons liefde vir sport uit te leef deur teen

mekaar te kompeteer. Die Covid-19-pandemie het veroorsaak dat die meeste van hierdie leerders gefrustreerd

en teleurgesteld is dat hulle nie hul drome en doelwitte hierdie jaar kon bereik nie.

Baie van die matrieks van 2020 voel dat hulle laaste jaar en laaste kans net in ’n oogwink vernietig is saam

met al hulle drome en doelwitte wat hulle vir hulself hierdie jaar gestel het.

Ek het vir ’n paar van ons Brakkiespelers gevra hoe hulle oor hierdie situasie voel:

Onderhoud met Anke Olivier, eerstejaar in die eerste netbalspan:

Waarna het jy die meeste uitgesien hierdie jaar?

Dit is beslis om aan my eerste groot interskole deel te neem en om saam

met een amazing span te gaan toer.

Wat was jou doelwit vir netbal hierdie jaar?

Ek wou weer my Wes-Kaap kleure vir netbal kry.

Wie het jou motiveer om aan te hou?

Dit was eerstens my span, want ’n mens begin moeg raak, sal daar altyd iemand wees wat jou aangemoedig

het op die baan.

Onderhoud met Rohan Smith, eerstespan rugbykaptein van 2020

Wat was jou doelwit in rugby die jaar?

My doelwit vir ons rugbyspan was om ’n wenpresentasie van meer as 70% te handhaaf en om interskole weer

te wen.

Is jy teleurgesteld dat jy nie saam jou span kon speel as kaptein by interskole nie?

Natuurlik is ek teleurgesteld en hartseer oor die feit dat ek nie nog ’n kans het om saam met my span uit te

draf en die brakkiebom te doen nie. Soveel jaar se saam met jou span speel, lag, sweet en huil wat ons saam

op die veld beleef het, het ’n vriendskap tussen ons almal gebou.

Het jy enige motivering vir volgende jaar se spelers?

My motivering sal wees dat elke speler hard aan homself moet werk in sy vrye tyd. Doen die ekstra moeite, nie

net vir jouself nie, maar ook vir jou span. Wees iemand waarop jou spanmaats kan staatmaak.

Onderhoud met Kia Gibson, eerstespan hokkiekaptein van 2020

Waarna het jy die meeste uitgesien van interskole die jaar?

Ek het meestal daarna uitgesien om my skoolloopbaan op ’n hoogtepunt af te sluit deur saam met meisies te

speel wat vir my soos familie geword het die afgelope paar jaar.

Is dit vir jou hartseer dat jy nie hierdie jaar kon hokkie speel as kaptein vir die eerstespan nie?

Dit was by verre die grootste teleurstelling hierdie jaar. Ek het ongelooflik

bevoorreg gevoel om kaptein te wees en was so opgewonde oor die jaar van

hokkie wat vir ons voorgelê het. Ongelukkig het dinge nie so uitgewerk nie. Ek

weet egter dat die teleurstellings van 2020 nie die meisies sal onderkry nie,

maar dat hulle volgende jaar sterkter en nog meer vasberade sal terugkom en

dat hulle reg sal wees om te domineer op die hokkieveld.

COVID-19 vs INTERSKOLE - Alaine Du Plessis @alaine_duplessis

19

8 July 2019

I will never forget that day. I was sitting in a barber shop with my brothers and all of a sudden, I

couldn’t breathe. My body went in a panic, my heart was beating so fast, my sight went blurry, my

head was cloudy, and I thought I was dying. After a while, I drank a liter of water and ate Halls

sweets to open my airway. I felt a little better, but I didn’t know what had just happened to me.

The next day I went to the doctor. He was speaking about a panic attack and told me to tell him if

I experienced any chest pains, but I was convinced I had a breathing problem.

The next month or so I was living on strong sweets and bubblegum to help with my ‘breathing’

but little did I know...

A few months passed and life carried on as normal, but then one day I was sitting in class and

boom, I had a (mini) panic attack. This time I could gain control of my body sooner, so nobody

noticed. Some time passed again, and it was the November exams. The fear of the unknown not

only had a toll on my mental health, but now also on my physical health. I suffered from chest

pains that made me think I was going to get a heart attack, headaches that felt like I could faint

any second, I had knots on my chest and pains in my stomach and hands. I went to the doctor

and got all sorts of tests done and there was nothing wrong with me. Only then did it occur to me

that there was a psychological connection.

You might be wondering what is a panic attack? A panic attack is a sudden overwhelming feeling

of intense fear. Many may think that a panic attack is the same as an anxiety attack but it’s not.

Although they do seem to be the same thing, they are different. An anxiety attack often comes in

reaction to a stressful situation and as said a panic attack is unpredictable and unprovoked.

Here’s what helped overcome my anxiety:

Controlling my breathing in anxious moments. (Breathe in for 4 seconds & then out for 4 secs to help slow down your heart rate.)

Controlling my thoughts whenever I would think of the worst. I would redirect my thinking to something positive. I questioned my thoughts on the truths instead of the what ifs. When I would think, “Oh, what if I get a heart attack”

and then I would remind myself of the truths and say “You aren’t getting a heart-attack, you are

breathing, etc.”

The Bible App has been very helpful and inspiring devotions on how to deal with anxiety. A few of

my favorites are: “Overcoming anxiety by Mo Mydlo”, “From anxiety to peace” and “How to stop

worrying”.

I wrote down my fears and all my thoughts on paper. For someone who didn’t really speak much

about my struggles, this helped me to release all my mental tension. Whenever my fears would

resurface, I took out the paper and immediately prayed about it.

It took about several months for me to heal from a dreadful season of pain and confusion.

Something I’d like to leave with you, is to remember that, if you may experience anxiety, it is part

of YOUR personal journey of growth, where you overcome your fears and learn to gain control of

your body and not ponder on fear anymore.

If you would like to write about your own personal struggles or share

your story of hope, send it to reverabhs@brackenfellhs.co.za .

- Keziah Solomons

@_keziahsolomons

20

Suid-Afrika is besig om te sterf. Die mense van ons land is besig om te verdrink in die geweld en

haat onder mekaar. Elke dag hoor ons van nuwe aanvalle, martelings, verkragtings en moorde.

Sedert 1991 is ongeveer 3 000 boere tydens plaasaanvalle vermoor, waarvan daar meer as 20

000 was. Hierdie getalle is slegs dié waarvan die Suid-Afrikaanse polisie bewus is, en tussen 2007

en 2010 is daar geen statistieke opgeneem nie. Maar wat van dié jaar? In 2020 was daar reeds

340 gerapporteerde plaasaanvalle en tydens die aanvalle was daar 51 sterftes.

Gedurende die afgelope paar weke was daar baie opskrifte in die nuus oor die

blatante en wrede plaasaanvalle wat elke dag plaasvind. Teen dié tyd weet

almal van Brendin Horner, die 21-jaar oue plaasbestuurder wat gesteek en

gehang is op 1 Oktober net buite Paul Roux in die Vrystaat. Almal weet van

Gerrit Stander, ’n pa en eggenoot wat op 19 Oktober vermoor is op ’n plaas

naby Witrivier. En almal weet van die verwoestende brande wat nou al dae

lank brand regoor die land.

Die amptelike definisie van ’n plaasaanval is “die geweld teenoor inwoners, werkers en gaste op

plase en kleinhoewes met die voorneme van moord, verkragting, diefstal en liggaamlike

mishandeling en/of marteling”. Plaasaanvalle vind dus nie plaas om enige redes behalwe ’n

persoonlike haat teenoor die slagoffers nie.

As gevolg van die statistieke en die min aksie wat deur ons regering gedoen is, het AfriForum ’n

aanbieding voorberei vir die Verenigde Nasies in 2015. In hierdie aanbieding is die definisies en

eienskappe van plaasmoorde in diepte verduidelik.

Die aanbieding het verduidelik dat plaasaanvalle vooruitbeplande en georganiseerde misdade is.

Oortreders wat reeds hul teikens gekies het, sal vir weke voor die tyd die plaas of kleinhoewe

dophou en sal selfs die plaaswerkers vra vir inligting oor die beweging van die inwoners en die

algemene uitleg van die huis.

Die gemiddelde aantal aanvallers is vier, waarvan in die meeste

gevalle ten minste een van die aanvallers iemand is wat die

slagoffers ken. Gewoonlik sal elke oortreder ’n spesifieke doel hê –

om inwoners uit te lok, om hulle aan te val, te oorweldig en ander

moes op die uitkyk wees vir moeilikheid.

Die oortreders gebruik verskeie maniere om die slagoffers aan te val. Hulle sal wag vir die

inwoners om by die huis te arriveer en hulle onverwags oorweldig by die hek of deur.

Plaasmoorde: ’n Hulpkreet

21

Soms sal hulle in die huis inbreek en vir slagoffers binne hul kamers

wag. Nog ’n populêre manier wat die oortreders gebruik, is om die

inwoners uit te lok deur te sê hulle verkoop items of is opsoek na

werk, en wanneer die inwoners die veiligheid van hul motor of huis

verlaat, sal hulle deur aanvallers oorweldig word. Die slagoffers sal

dan vasgebind word met toue, drade of enige iets wat hulle in die

hande kan kry.

Slagoffers word met verskeie wapens aangeval. Staalpype, pangas, byle, grawe, messe en gewere

is net ’n paar voorbeelde van wat gebruik word. Hulle sal gedreig word vir inligting oor waar hulle

geld en waardevolle items gebêre word asook inligting oor buurplase vir toekomstige aanvalle.

Die slagoffers word dan gemartel op afgryslike maniere.

Hul naels word uitgetrek, hulle word gebrand met kokende water en strykysters, hulle word

gesleep agter bewegende motors en hul vingers word een vir een gebreek. In verskeie gevalle, is

kinders geforseer om te kyk hoe die aanvallers hul ma of suster verkrag. Na die marteling sal die

aanvallers hulle slagoffers vermoor of hulle sal die kinders forseer om hulle ouers te vermoor, en

dan die kind se lewe ook neem.

Baie oorlewende slagoffers sal na die aanval nie die stres en trauma kan hanteer nie. Sommiges

sal fisiese bewyse hiervan toon soos hartprobleme, tekort aan asem, hoofpyne en slaaploosheid.

Die meeste slagoffers word binne die eerste paar maande na die aanval met depressie of

post-traumatiese stres sindroom gediagnoseer en soms gaan hulle selfs so ver om hul eie lewens

te neem.

Die hulp wat hierdie slagoffers nodig het, is noodsaaklik. Daar is verskeie organisasies en

fondsinsamelings wat help met die psigiatriese en mediese hulp wat hierdie mense benodig.

Voorbeelde van organisasies en bewegings sluit in: Solidarity Movement Emergency Fund,

AfriForum, Wilmien Potgieter Fonds, Plaas Protect NPC, Safety Capital Fund en AgriSA.

Skenk gerus aan enige van die bogenoemde fondse en jy kan ’n groot verskil in ’n slagoffer of

toekomsige slagoffer se lewe maak.

Plaasaanvalle is nie ’n probleem wat vanself sal weggaan nie. Die enigste

manier om die wreedheid te beëindig, is om saam te staan as een nasie en te

veg vir ons land. Want op die oomblik, is Suid-Afrika besig om te sterf.

- Peter Zonneveld

@dis_peter_pan

22

• Air pollution plummets

The air has been cleaner since the shutdown of all the countries. India is the most air polluted area, and people

have reported being able to see the Himalayas for the first time in years due to the country’s shutdown.

Readings from the European Space Agency shows significanly lower levels of nitrogen dioxide in the air than

last year. Nitrogen dioxide is a gas released from car engines, power plants and other industrial processes. It is

also detrimental to one’s health.

• IVF Cheetah cubs are born

For the first time, cheetah cubs were born to a surrogate mother through in vitro

fertilisation. Semen was taken from a male cheetah at the Fossil Rim Wildlife centre in

Texas and eggs were harvested from Kibibi, a female cheetah. The fertilised embryos were

then transferred to Izzy, a three-year-old cheetah. The cubs were born at a zoo in Ohio on

February 19. This could increase the population and diversity of the endangered animal.

Despite 2020 feeling like a year that only brings constant downfall, there have been cheers of excitement and

delight on this rollercoaster. We need to celebrate all the achievements this year has had, even if they might

seem small.

• #Jerusalemachallenge

It started when Angolan dancers posted a video choreographed dance to the song “Jerusalema”. It has since

exploded and became the most Shazamed song in the world, has over 100 million views on YouTube and is the

world’s most popular dance challenge. From Brackenfell High School pupils to healthcare workers and even

nuns at the Vatican – everyone has taken up the challenge. Local

music producer, Master KG, did not expect the international

success. South Africans’ hearts are filled with pride as the talent of

the country is celebrated. In fact, President Cyril Ramaphosa

declared that we should dance on Heritage Day to “show the world

what we are capable of”.

The World Hasn’t Stopped

Completely

• HIV cure on the cards

It’s been more than a decade since Timothy Ray Brown, the “Berlin patient”, was cured of

HIV. Adam Castillejo, also known as the “London patient”, became the second person. He

was diagnosed with HIV in 2003 and later with cancer. He received a bone marrow

transplant from a donor, who had a mutation called delta 32. This mutation stops the HIV

from entering the cells. Castillejo took his last round of antiretroviral drugs in October

2017. This year doctors confirmed he is now officially cured of HIV after extensive testing.

- Nurah Hannibal

@nurah_hannibal

23

1. Babylonstoren

Babylonstoren is een van die oudste

Kaap-Hollandse plase aan die voet van

Simonsberg in Franschhoek. Hulle is bekend

vir hul wye verskeidenheid vrugte en

groentetuine, unieke akkommodasie,

restaurante en selfs hulle wynkelder. Jy kan

deur hulle 3.5 hektaar tuine loop en die dag

saam met familie en vriende geniet.

2. Acrobranch en Klein Joostenberg

Acrobranch en Klein Joostenberg is geskik vir

die hele familie. Dit bied oorgenoeg

aktiwiteite vir almal. Daar is aktiwiteite soos

zipline vir die kinders, asook restaurante en

markies vir die ouers. Daar is genoeg spasie

wat ideaal is vir piekniek hou. Perdekarre is

ook ’n groot treffer vir jonger kinders.

Post-Covid-reise op

jou voorstoep

3. Jonkershoek Natuurreservaat

Jonkershoek Nattuurreservaat in Stellenbosch is ’n

perfekte aktiwiteit vir die dag en laat jou toe om ’n

bietjie oefening in te kry met wonderlike watervalle en

die natuur wat jou omring. Daar is ’n klein

toegangsfooi om te betaal, so maak seker jy neem jou

beursie saam. Op pad terug kan jy die dag afsluit met

’n lekker koffie in een van Stellenbosch se gewilde

koffiewinkels.

4. Simonstad

’n Wegbreek na Simonstad is ook ’n ideale uitstappie

vir die hele familie. Dit is naby die hawe en kuslyn, en

die vars seelug beloof ’n lafenis vir alle ontmaskerdes

te wees. Daar is ook ’n verskeidenheid restaurante,

verskillende akkommodasiegeriewe en aktiwiteite vir

persone van 0-99 jaar oud om te ondek.

Dit is sommer net ’n paar idees om te oorweeg sodat

jou batterye weer herlaai kan word. Hopelik droom

julle nou reeds oor waar jul wil gaan verken.

Is jy al moeg van by die huis sit en het jy eenvoudig genoeg gehad daarvan om jouself te moet besig

hou? Hier is goeie nuus: ’n Uitstappie na een van die volgende plekke is net die regte medisyne om

jou eensamheid te verdryf.

Die meeste mense droom daarvan om ná die grendeltyd oorsee te gaan reis, maar dit is ongelukkig

nie vir almal beskore nie. Baie van ons het beperkte begrotings of vrees om deur die virus geïnfekteer

te word en daarom wil ons nie die kans waag om na die buiteland te reis nie. Gelukkig is daar talle

plekke om te kan besoek hier op ons eie voorstoep.

- Lana Basson

24

Nadat ons vir meer as vier maande tuis gebly het, het ek begin wonder

hoe ons honde sal reageer as ons weer terug by die skool of werk is.

Baie mense is bekommerd dat hulle honde aan skeidingsangs sal ly nadat

hulle dag en nag tyd saam met hul honde spandeer het. Volgens die

afrigter van koningin Elizabeth se corgi’s, is skeidingsangs iets wat heel

moontlik sal plaasvind nadat Covid-19-reëls opgehef word. Honde kan

baie geheg raak aan hulle eienaars veral omdat hulle so gewoond geraak

het daaraan om heeltyd by hulle te wees. Honde mag sukkel om by

normale omstandighede aan te pas.

Wat is skeidingsangs by honde? Skeidingsangs word gedefinieer as die toestand van stres wat ’n

hond bereik as hy nie toegang tot sy eienaar het nie. Die toestand kom nie voor omdat die dier

afhanklik van sy eienaar voel nie, maar omdat hy nie die situasie van eensaamheid en skeiding kan

verstaan nie. Daar is drie soorte of grade van skeidingsangs by honde.

Tipe A of primêre hiperapis: Dit vind plaas by honde wat voortydig van hul ma en die res van die

werpsel geskei is. Dit kom voor wanneer ’n babahondjie ’n nuwe huis kry en dan sukkel om daarvan

afskeid te neem.

Tipe B of sekondêre hiperapis: Dit kom voor wanneer jy baie tyd saam met jou hond deurgebring het,

soos tydens ’n vakansie of werkverlof. As jy dan weer moet terugkeer werk toe, kan die hond dit baie

moeilik vind om aan te pas. In ons geval kan dit weens die inperking wees.

Tipe C: Dit is wanneer ’n hond deur ’n traumatiese ervaring gaan deur alleen te wees.

Ons honde kan dus aan Tipe B skeidingsangs ly en simptome daarvan sal vernietigende gedrag wees.

Hulle sal voorwerpe of meubels beskadig, oormatige blaf of urineer en ontlas in die huis. Selfs braking

en diarree kan ook simptome wees. Jy mag dalk ook oplet dat jou hond nie meer eet of drink nie en

selfs sy speelgoed ignoreer. Indien jy enige van die bogenoemde simptome by jou hond opmerk, is

daar ’n paar dinge wat jy kan doen.

Verander jou gedrag: Die meeste van ons het ’n roetine wat ons volg voordat ons die huis verlaat:

stort, aantrek, eet ontbyt, gryp sleutels en loop. Sodra jou hond jou roetine herken, kan jou hond se

angs begin opbou. Om dit te voorkom, maak ‘n paar veranderinge aan jou eie gedrag soos

byvoorbeeld om jou sleutels te gryp en te gaan sit om televisie te kyk.

Sê totsiens vir jou hond lank voordat jy gaan: Op so ’n manier sal jou hond gewoond kan raak aan die

idee dat jy binnekort die huis gaan verlaat.

Moenie te veel aandag gee aan jou hond voordat jy gaan nie: Jou hond gaan gewoond raak daaraan

en dit gaan dit net nog erger vir die hond maak wanneer jy moet gaan.

Daar het jy nou ’n paar wenke om jou hond te help om sy stert weer te swaai. Begin sommer vandag

daarmee.

- Emma Basson

Wanneer die inperking jou brakkie

se stert laat hang

HBO CUT OFF ALL MY HAIR (and here’s why) - Haley Cloete @hayleycloete

Last year May, I was an extra for a series that

recently premiered on HBO Max, called Raised by

Wolves. It was an experience that I will never

forget.

Raised by Wolves is a show about androids that

are tasked with raising human children on a

mysterious planet.

I heard about the show when Mr Benadie came to

our class and explained that the school had been

approached with the possibility of using some of

the students as extras. We were all excited at the

prospect of being extras in a series, but we soon

found out there was a catch. We had to shave our

hair. For most boys that was absolutely no

problem, but for a girl who had never had her hair

cut shorter than her collarbones, it was a

daunting thought.

The process of actually getting picked as one of

the extras was nerve wracking, to say the least.

First, we had to have our pictures taken, to see if

we had “the look” and had to write down

information like; name, contact details, clothing

sizes, height and shoe size. Then, we had a

training day where we did different obstacle

courses on the school field and learnt to march

like army soldiers. We were playing child soldiers,

after all. One of the last things we did before the

actual day of filming was a costume fitting. This

was basically costume designers playing dress up

with us. We each had two looks. The basis of

those looks were old, dirty boiler suits with com-

bat boots. Everyone had different accessories,

which helped differentiate between those looks. I,

as well as some others, had goggles and scarves,

while others wore beanies, vests or literally

anything else that helped us look the part.

A week before film day, we had to cut our hair. My

parents, my mother especially, really weren’t

happy that I wanted to shave my hair so I could

play an extra, and I don’t think they thought I

would be able to go through with it. And if the

thought of shaving my hair wasn’t bad enough,

the fact that I would have to do it during the

school day, with my peers there, definitely put the

icing on the cake. I remember being terrified to

shave my hair and actually tearing up when the

first big piece of my hair was shaved off. Before I

knew it, it was done and when I looked into the

mirror again, I had a cool new mohawk as a

haircut.

The day of filming was an exciting one. We arrived

at the set at about 11 a.m. and we were sent to

get dressed and then get our makeup done.

When we got to the makeup tent we were rubbed

with a grey mixture on every part of visible skin,

including under our nails. When this mixture,

which we later found out was aqueous cream,

dried it made us look dirty and like we hadn’t

washed in a long time. After practicing our moves,

we were taken to a few different locations, where

we were instructed to do specific things, like

marching, cheering, and even some miming.

There was one scene where it was snowing, and

my friends and I gave Oscar-worthy performances

of us shivering. The day was long and exhausting

and I only got home at 1 a.m. the next day.

The most memorable part of being an extra (other

than finally having a good reason to miss school)

was definitely the food! On the day we filmed, we

got breakfast, lunch, supper, dessert, and a

snack before we left. The food tasted delicious

and each meal felt like a gourmet buffet.

Working as an extra, even if it was just for one

day, gave me a wonderful opportunity to see how

the series and TV shows I love to watch are

actually made. It also made me realize that there

is a lot more to movies and TV shows than we see

when we watch them.

25

You Should See Me In A Crown

by Leah Johnson

Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

When outsider Liz Lightly’s financial-

aid for university comes crashing

down along with her plans to become

a doctor, she feels it’s all over. Then,

she’s reminded of her school’s Prom

Queen Prize — a scholarship to

university of choice. Anxiety-ridden,

yet seeing no other way, Liz enters

the catty competition. The only thing making the whole

ordeal even halfway bearable is new girl Mack, who’s

just as smart and as much as an outsider as Liz — and

also running for prom queen.

Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her

dreams or make them come true?

Poppie Nongena (2020)

Biography, Drama

This film tells the story of Poppie

Nongena, an Afrikaans/Xhosa South

African woman. When Poppie's

husband, Stone, becomes too ill to

manage and maintain his contract

at work, Poppie is deemed an illegal

resident of South Africa by the State

of Law. Caught in the crossfire of her

children's needs, her husband's illness, community

anger and repressive laws, she was finally forced to

give in and leave them all, just as the 1976 riots for

freedom erupted.

26

Everything Sad Is Untrue

by Daniel Nayeri

Autobiography, Nonfiction

The story of a boy who flees from Iran as

a small child, detours through a refugee

camp in Italy, then winds up in a middle

school in Oklahoma, where he is met

with both curiosity and suspicion.

The Disastrous Life of Saiki K ((2016)

2 seasons, 24 episodes each

Comedy, Superpowers

Saiki Kusuo was born with nearly every

superpower imaginable — psychic

abilities, flight, telepathy, you name it.

This may seem like a blessing, but to

Saiki, they’re an absolute curse.

All Saiki wants is a peaceful,

undisturbed, normal life.

Well, it’s too bad that the colourful

and, in Saiki’s opinion, annoying people around him

just can’t seem to leave him alone. And to top it all off,

Saiki’s pesky powers get him into all sorts of sticky

situations. So much for a peaceful life!

The Umbrella Academy (2020)

2 seasons, 10 episodes each

Dark comedy, Drama, Science-Fiction

On October 1, 1989, 43 women around the world

gave birth simultaneously, despite none of them

showing any sign of pregnancy until labour began.

Seven of the children are adopted by

eccentric billionaire Reginald Hargreeves, and

turned into a superhero team that he calls "The

Umbrella Academy." Years later, when coming

together for their father’s funeral, the family

collaborate and learn the secrets of their

dysfunctional family, all the while trying to prevent

an impending global-apocalypse.

Knives Out (2019)

Comedy, Crime, Drama

When renowned crime novelist

Harlan Thrombey is found dead at

his estate just after his 85th

birthday, the inquisitive and

debonair Detective Benoit Blanc is

enlisted to investigate. From

Harlan's eccentric, dysfunctional

family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a

web of red herrings and self-serving lies as he tries

to uncover the truth behind Harlan's death.

Rocking Recs - Sidney Poggenpoel

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