By Jana Burger
Residences and their residents at Stellenbosch University (SU) annually pride themselves on their unique events and traditions during Welcoming.
Die Matie interviewed a few senior residents from different residences regarding iconic events aimed at making newcomers feel seen and welcomed into their new home away from home.
Monica
Monica has an evening called Sorro Sanctus. Lené Janse van Rensburg explains that “throughout Welcoming your mentors and House Committee (HC) keep an eye out for who has that special bond and aren’t roommates”. A note gets slipped under their doors to be at the sitkamers (“sitting rooms”) at a certain time. Newcomers sit back to back to each other and receive a card, revealing the name of their Sorro Sanctus (or res sister). This event celebrates “the bonds newcomers have made and embracing these new friendships!”
Harmonie
During Claim to Fame, Harmonie’s quad is decorated with fairy lights and origami hanging from the trees. Delané Potgieter, an HC member, shares that the first-years get the opportunity to walk through the quad, where the rest of the house members are there to cheer them on. The newcomers would also share their Claim to Fame Fact with the rest of the house. Potgieter says, “It provides the opportunity for the seniors and newcomers to officially meet and hopefully make lasting friendships. It creates bonds between us all and creates a unity, or should we say harmony, within our residence.”
Huis Visser
The Huis Visser Welcoming leader, shares more about the newcomers’ annual hike up Coetzenburg. “It’s a good bonding experience between the HC and the first-years.” Upon reaching the top of the mountain, the HC’s achievements during their time in the residence get shared and the newcomers receive their Huis Visser golf t-shirts. This marks their integration into the residence.
Helshoogte
Caps and Collars is a special trust-building exercise where newcomers are split into teams. According to Eben Olivier, all except one per team are blindfolded. The HC plans a “maze” through the residence. The newcomers form a train, holding on to one another’s shoulders, depending on their teammates to navigate through the maze. They finally reach the deck area looking out over Helshoogte’s breathtaking view of Stellenbosch, where they receive their Helshoogte jerseys and hats. After this, they celebrate with a braai.
Heemstede
“The Moment of Awe is a very special and vulnerable tradition that fills our first-years with a sense of pride and belonging in our home,” as described by Heemstede’s HC. Newcomers bring a photo of themselves and open heartfelt letters from their parents. Their photos get hung up on the Ditsem wall, where they are able to write their names in a book that has been passed down from generations since 1966. This moment completes “their integration into our home.” Another iconic event is the HC’s cricket hats. If a HC member is spotted without their hat, they must do the chicken dance in front of another residence, while the rest of Heemstede cheers them on. To mark the end of Welcoming, they take their hats off in union.
Lydia
During Lydia’s Starry Night evening, newcomers have their sleepover on their residence balcony. HC Member, Lara Bornmann, explains how newcomers would take their mattresses outside, play games and make s’mores by the braai. They also have a pajama party, where the Seniors Committee and newcomers would dance together in their coffee hall. Both traditions allow newcomers to have fun and bond with other Lydianers.
