The piano in the Neelsie has been a fixture in the student centre, filling its already noisy floors with the gentle (and sometimes discordant) sounds in the student center. However, at the start of the new term, its absence seemed to leave a hole in the vibrant atmosphere of the centre, with many students left in the dark as to the reason for its disappearance.
Its disappearance sparked rumours among students, ranging from maintenance to outright theft during recess. Die Matie investigated the mystery behind the missing piano and the role it played in the SU student experience by speaking to a few students on campus.
“I think people got tired of shouting to each other to be heard,” said Ruth Joy Binder, a second-year BSc (Molecular Biology and Biotechnology) student. While she expressed sadness at the piano’s removal, she acknowledged the disruption it often caused.
Many others expressed some annoyance at the cacophony for which the piano was often responsible. However, some students also emphasised the joys the piano could bring. Jada Nel, a first year B (Accounting) student, shared the story of a student who “could play basically anything”. Others, like B (Accounting) student Luanda Phakula, simply missed the atmosphere it created. “The Neelsie doesn’t feel the same,” he said.
Despite the differing opinions, the reason for the piano’s removal remained unclear – until Die Matie turned to My Brew, the coffee shop located across from the piano’s former spot.
According to employees at My Brew, the piano was not university property but rather belonged to the coffee shop itself. Staff explained that the decision to remove it followed multiple complaints about the noise.
While the piano’s melodies – both harmonious and chaotic – may have been a point of contention, its removal has left a noticeable void. For now, the Neelsie remains quieter, and many students hope that My Brew might reconsider bringing back a piece of Stellenbosch University culture.
By Ben van der Walt and Hannerie Rossouw
