STELLENBOSCH

a new view ISSUE 01 2015 #01
FREE GRATIS
STELLENBOSCH
PERSPECTIVE
REVIEWS
SIMUNYE
SAVVY STUDENT
THE
ART OF
‘SELFIE’
MAJOZI
WAAR PAS
EK IN?
OORLEEF DIE
EKSAMEN
NAGMERRIE

who are we?
Hello!
Before I say anything else about Scope
Magazine, I want to thank you for taking some
time out of your busy schedule to give it a
read.
It’s fitting for us to launch our first edition
under the overarching title, ‘The Redefinition’
because this is precisely what we’re intending
to do this year. As the printed version is
going out onto university campuses across
the Western Cape, thousands of students
will be picking it up and reading about issues
that are prevalent in our culture today. Young
people will be engaging with issues from a
perspective that they may have never been
exposed to before, and our hope is that they
will consider a new definition of reality.
It’s important for you to know from the outset
that we will never impose a religious agenda
on you, nor force you to accept anything that
we publish. We truly respect your viewpoint
on the things that matter most in life and
would love to hear what you believe. Our
desire is to create a platform where those
with seemingly opposite worldviews still feel
like they can freely dialogue.
It is during these exciting varsity years that
you will start to solidify a framework of
belief that will shape the way you think and
be reflected in the way you live. I would
encourage you to come with an open mind
as you grapple with the questions that we all
need to ask, make time to hear how other
students and older folk around you answer,
and formulate a worldview that is true not
because it is accepted by the masses. You
have been blessed with the capacity to
think and now have ample opportunity to
investigate for yourself where Truth may be
found.
A central aim of Scope Magazine is to try
and show the scope that the Gospel has
to permeate into all spheres of life. Jesus
Christ was the best person to demonstrate
this. He associated with the religious elite as
much as the social outcasts of that day and
claimed to have the authority to deal with
the sin He recognised equally in both groups.
His purpose wasn’t to judge but rather save
sinners who believe that they are loved and
forgiven on the cross and can have eternal
life beyond this world by trusting in their
Saviour King.
There is so much more that can be said, but
that’s why we’ve got a website. Please head
on over there if you want to know anything
more about who we are and what exciting
things are happening online.
Much love,
JONATHAN JUST: EXECUTIVE EDITOR
STELLENBOSCH
Issue 01, 2015, #01
d Scope Magazine
f @scopestudents
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www.scopemagazine.co.za
Introducing students to a bigger scope of our world
today through the lens of the Bible.
ON THE FRONT
SIYASANGA HAYI
PHOTOGRAPHER
ANDREW JURIES
team
SEND ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS TO: COMMUNICATIONS@SCOPEMAGAZINE.ORG.ZA
contributors
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
MANAGING EDITOR
COPY EDITOR
PROOF READING
DESIGN & LAYOUT
DESIGNER
PHOTOGRAPHY
DISTRIBUTION
SECRETARY
JONATHAN JUST
MICHAEL JUST
..
ZOE RAS
PAULA-ANN SMIT
CATHERINE BURGESS
DANIELA HAMMOND
MARCEL VAN TONDER
MINDY FOURIE
JAQUES LOURENS
MAX QOYO
MAIN FEATURE JEREMY JAMES BRADFORD
ENGAGE DR. ELISABETTA PORCU & ELLIS H. POTTER
OUTLOOK CHRIS & SOPHIE DE WITT
PARADIGM SHIFT JENNA COWLEY
REASON JOHN-PAUL HARPER
WHAT’S MY STORY? LEONARD STRYDOM
INTERVIEW PROF. NICO KOOPMAN
GEMEENSKAP RUAN SLABBERT
NUTTIGE WENKE NICOLETTE VAN SCHALKWYK

IDENTITY
contents
05
16
18
PERSPECTIVE
TESTIFY
WHO AM I?
03-04
WHAT’S MY STORY? / LEONARD STRYDOM
15
ENGAGE BUDDHISM
05
INTERVIEW / PROF. NICO KOOPMAN
16
COMPARISON & COMPETITION
06-07
THE ART OF ‘SELFIE’
VARSITY PULSE
08
09
SIMUNYE
WHAT MAKES JESUS SO SPECIAL?
10
PLUGGED IN
17
GEMEENSKAP / WAAR PAS EK IN?
18
REVIEWS
RESOUND / MAJOZI
NEW TUNE / ANECNOTE
FOR YOUR READING / MIRROR MIRROR
11-12
13
14
SAVVY STUDENT
RHYMES & RECIPES
OORLEEF DIE EKSAMEN NAGMERRIE
19
20-21
THE FIRST WORD
GREETINGS,
It has been quite a busy and eventful
first half of 2015. Now as we head
into the exam time, it can be very
stressful for a lot of students. I
encourage you, for this reason,
to read some of the stuff in this
“
THE ISSUE OF
IDENTITY IS
SOMETHING
SO ENGRAINED
WITHIN US.
publication which may just be that
voice of hope, guidance and peace
that you need.
The issue of identity is something
so engrained within us. There are
many things that form who we are
as humans, factors that make us
the way we are today. It’s good to
stop in the hurry of everyday life and
examine what these are exactly.
Two articles that particularly stand
out for me in this first edition of
Scope Magazine is The Art of ‘Selfie’
by Jenna Cowley on page 8, and
Waar Pas Ek In? by Ruan Slabbert on
page 18. How do we view ourselves
in relation to the rest of the world?
And how does community in the
church fulfil our deep need for
belonging? Expect to find some
surprising answers to these and
other questions.
We are so quick to judge our
intrinsic value as humans based
on the subjective standards that
we set for ourselves instead of
remembering how God created us
and how He showed His love for us.
I’m reminded of Psalm 139:14 which
says, “I praise you because I am
fearfully and wonderfully made; your
works are wonderful, I know that full
well.” When you were created, God
carefully knitted together something
wonderful. In Isaiah 43, God
promises to redeem or buy back
His people from the consequences
of their sin which is judgement and
death. This was pointing to when
Jesus would come and die on the
cross, freeing those once enslaved
to their sin. If you believe this, God
has the following words to say to
you from Isaiah 43 verse 1: “I have
summoned you by name; you are
mine.”
Good luck with the exams and enjoy
the holidays – I know I will!
ZOE RAS
MANAGING EDITOR
“Humility is not thinking
less of yourself; it is
thinking of yourself less.”
(C.S. Lewis)

PERSPECTIVE
MAIN FEATURE
I
remember walking home from university on a clear
day, pretty typical of Cape Town summer weather.
I came up to an intersection with traffic lights and
pressed the pedestrian crossing button. As I waited
for the light to change, I noticed a man walking between
the cars holding a sign asking for money or some food.
On the rare occasion car windows opened to offer help
while others simply closed. The majority, however, had
come up with a strategy of ignoring the beggar despite
his efforts to make eye contact with them. And while I
was watching this pattern unfold, I began to realise that
this behaviour is something that I do as well. I turn my
eyes away because I understand on a human level what it
means to look at someone. If I made eye contact I would
recognise not a beggar but a human.
This interaction happens on a daily basis. In most
institutions there are invisible people, invisible not to
the eye but to the soul, people with stories and lives,
seen but never heard. The invisibility of these people
is the objectification of them. It is the reduction of
these lives to nothing more than what meets the eye.
Objectification is the determining of people’s values
based on their appearances and how ‘useful’ they are
to you. Objectification makes people invisible because
the only thing one ‘sees’ is an object and not a human.
Objectification, simply put, is the dehumanisation of
someone else – the making of an-other into an ‘other’.
In the Gospel of John we read a story of Jesus
encountering a Samaritan woman at a well. 1 The political
context of the time was one in which women were
considered inferior to men and Samaritans inferior to
Jews. It was against the political and social customs
of the time for Jews to interact with
Samaritans and for women to interact
with men in this particular setting. But
Jesus, who is a Jewish man, does. What
is of utmost significance is Jesus’ ability
to look beyond the woman’s political identity
and see her as more than an ‘other’. He
treated her with humility and empathy, asking
her questions about her life, recognising her humanity.
It might seem strange to use this type of language, but
what is of interest is the dismay of the disciples when
they witness Christ speaking with her. It is this dismay
that points to the political and social objectification of
other people. What Christ did in this instance was, to
quote Rick Turner, “be open to other people and to react
to them and their needs, not in terms of preconceived,
stereotyped ideas and attitudes, but afresh in each new
situation. To be able to love other persons is to be able
to communicate with them, to be open to their
way of seeing the world. It is to go directly
to the person, rather than to the role or
stereotype.” 2
THE SLAVE MASTER WAS
NEVER FREE
What are the ethics
behind objectification?
I wish to continue
to draw on Rick
Turner’s work as
he speaks about
BY JEREMY JAMES BRADFORD
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ISSUE 1, 2015

transcendental ethics over and above
an internal ethics. The latter
refers to a code of ethics that is
determined by relationships and
institutions while the former
refers to an ethic that transcends this. In the case of a
slave-master relationship, internal ethics and morality
“
PRIVILEGE FEEDS PRIDE AND PRIDE
FEEDS PRIVILEGE. PRIVILEGE IS
EXPRESSED IN NOT BEING ABLE TO
UNDERSTAND THE EXPERIENCES
OF THOSE THAT ARE HURTING,
THOSE THAT ARE MARGINALISED
AND OPPRESSED.
would be structured around how the master and the
slave interact in relation to each other. The master could
then be seen as a ‘good’ master should he or she treat
the slave well, and a ‘bad’ master would do the opposite.
However, when one applies an ethics that transcends the
structure, it allows for one to call into question the slavemaster
structure entirely. A transcendental ethics would
argue that there is no such thing as a good master or a
bad master, because being a master of anyone is wrong.
In fact, the ‘good’ master would be considered to be just
as bad, if not worse than the ‘bad’ master, because the
‘good’ master makes the unjust structure bearable
for the slave and therefore limits the
slave’s conception of freedom to that
particular system. In the same way, the
master is only free insofar as the there
are slaves, and therefore the master’s
freedom is dependent on the slave. In fact
the master is a slave to the political and
social structures that he or she is
surrounded by.
In South Africa the brutality
and oppression of Colonialism
and Apartheid were horrific. It
was not only violence done against
bodies, but violence against languages
and cultures. It was a violence of instilling
an inferiority complex into people to ensure
the superiority of another. It was a system
that produced, as Rick Turner argues, “white
lords and black slaves, and no human
beings” 3 . The existence
of white people in South
Africa was founded on the
negation of others, such that one
can only be a master if there is a
slave. One can only be rich if there
are poor, beautiful if there are ugly,
intelligent if there are stupid, and
white if there are blacks.
PRIVILEGE MAKES IT EASIER FOR A CAMEL TO PASS
THROUGH THE EYE OF A NEEDLE
“It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a
needle, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of
Heaven.” 4 Privilege prevents one from listening to and
loving those who are oppressed. Privilege feeds pride
and pride feeds privilege. Privilege is expressed in not
being able to understand the experiences of those that
are hurting, those that are marginalised and oppressed.
Oppression is not always visible and privilege makes it
even more difficult to see and understand it, and often
listening to those who are in fact oppressed is the only
way to begin to see it. The Kingdom of Heaven is for
those who give up their privilege for the sake of others.
Privilege is what allows for a statue to silence the
voices of many. Privilege allows one to never have to
meet the person but only the roles and stereotypes of
people. Privilege is being enslaved by the social and
political structure of society at a particular time. Privilege
deafens us to listening to how other people experience
reality. Privilege makes us believe that people want to be
like me – rich, educated, white, male and so on and so
forth. Privilege is believing that we hold the solution to
problems without having to acknowledge that privileged
people are problematic. It is obvious why it is so hard for
a privileged person to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven,
because privilege makes us believe we are loving when
in fact we are limiting others’ conceptions of freedom to
accepting the status quo, which is an oppressive status
quo.
Take some time to read the Bible and as you do you will
find that God is for the oppressed, opposed to the rich
and prideful, and in Jesus Christ He has shown the best
example of one who interacts and loves those that are
marginalised. If you are white and/or middle to upper
class, be honest with who you are in the Bible. At times
I identify more with the Pharisees wanting to protect
tradition and social norms, while Christ tries to change
these for His Kingdom and for the oppressed. I think
many people upon entering heaven will be surprised to
find that Christ is not a white man.
Ignoring the beggar at the car window is possibly an
indication of trying to protect privilege and maintain
social norms. Could I ask you to pray that we would work
with Christ in loving each other beyond what is socially
acceptable?
ENDNOTES
1) John 4:1-42
2) Rick Turner, Eye of the
Needle
3) Rick Turner, Black
Consciousness and White
Liberalism
4) Matthew 19:24
JEREMY JAMES
BRADFORD
is an undergraduate
student at the University of Cape Town
studying towards a Psychology and
Sociology Major. He has aspirations
of becoming an academic in either
Sociology or Psychology, specific to
post-colonial theory. He enjoys playing
frisbee and reading.
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PERSPECTIVE
ENGAGE
“
ACCORDING TO THE
BUDDHIST TEACHINGS,
EVERYTHING IS
IMPERMANENT, INCLUDING
ONE’S OWN SELF.
DR. ELISABETTA PORCU
TEACHES ASIAN RELIGIONS
IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
RELIGIOUS STUDIES AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN.
HER FIELD OF SPECIALISATION
IS JAPANESE RELIGIONS.
According to the Buddha’s hagiography,
after having spent 29 years in his luxurious
palace away from all the suffering and
anxieties of this world, the historical Buddha
(Siddhartha Gautama) decided to take four
rides with his charioteer. It was then for the
first time that he encountered an old person,
a sick person, a dead body, and a religious
mendicant. The charioteer explained to
him that old age, sickness, and death are
common to all individuals, and, at that
point, Siddhartha Gautama decided to leave
his palace and began a religious path that
brought him to attain awakening and thus
become a Buddha (“The Awakened One”).
The Buddha realised that his luxurious life
was linked to attachment to both mundane
things and his own ego (self). In his first
sermon, he taught that life is suffering and
suffering is caused by attachment. However,
suffering can be ended by removing the
cause of attachment.
According to the Buddhist teachings,
everything is impermanent, including one’s
own self. It is precisely by recognising and
understanding this impermanence that it is
possible to reach the stage of awareness
called awakening or enlightenment. Through
the teachings of the Buddha the original idea
of the self (ātman) still present in Hinduism
was thus transformed into the concept of
“non-self” (anātman), which is one of the
three marks of existence in Buddhism, the
other being impermanence (anitya) and
suffering (dukkha).
WHAT IS THE
BUDDHIST’S
FRAMEWORK OF
THINKING WHEN IT
COMES TO THE NOTION
OF ‘SELF’?
PURE LAND
BUDDHISM IN
MODERN JAPANESE
CULTURE
“
“
ELLIS H. POTTER
IS AN INDEPENDANT
MISSIONARY TEACHER LIVING
IN BASEL, SWITZERLAND.
HE WAS A ZEN BUDDHIST
FOR MANY YEARS BEFORE
BECOMING A CHRISTIAN.
IN CHRISTIANITY
RELATIONSHIPS
SUCH AS LOVE ARE
ABSOLUTE AND
ETERNAL.
Buddhism is a Monistic worldview,
believing in the basic unity of all reality. This
can be expressed by very inviting phrases
such as “All is One” or “You are one with the
ALL.” If all is One, then the SELF is all. So
the SELF itself is the framework of everything
and it is everything. If all is One then unity
is good and diversity is a distortion or
illusion. Diversity is necessary for thinking
because thinking involves relating one thing
to another. So, the Buddhist’s framework is
not a framework for thinking but for being.
A Buddhist doesn’t want to think about the
notion of ‘self’ but to be SELF. Wanting
or desire is a function of diversity and
relationships, so when a Buddhist realises
Buddha Nature they no longer want to think
or want anything. They simply are in the
non-relational Bliss of Unity.
Christianity, in contrast, is not a Monistic
worldview, but a Trinitarian one in which
both unity AND diversity are absolute. In this
worldview, thinking is valid on every level
of existence. Diversity and relationships
are also valid. The Christian framework
3 THEORIES OF
EVERYTHING
of thinking when it comes to the notion of
‘self’ is a framework of relationships. This
means that the ‘self’ has meaning only
in relationship to ‘other’. In Christianity
relationships such as love are absolute and
eternal. The Christian framework supports
thinking.
Although our question does not invite a
description of Christianity, perhaps we can
understand “the Buddhist’s framework
of thinking when it comes to the notion
of ‘self’” by talking about what it is not.
The absolute starting point of the Biblical
worldview is a Personal God. What the Bible
means by “personal” is not only identity
but relationships. In a Trinitarian reality
personality is beyond identity only and in
relationships. So, in the Christian framework,
our personal relationships in the creation
have a ground outside of the creation in the
absolute Personal Creator. Christians don’t
hope to transcend relationships but to fulfill
them in the context of a truly personal God
who loves us.
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PERSPECTIVE
OUTLOOK
ave you ever been to the shopping
centre, passing someone as you
quickly give him/her an up-anddown
scan? It’s just a two second
H
appraisal. And as you look at
them, the truth is, they are also probably
doing the same thing.
What are we doing? We’re comparing
ourselves with each other. How does my
figure match up to hers? Does he seem as
confident/cool/effortless as me? On these
measuring scales do I win, compared to
them? Or do I lose?
Why do we do it? Essentially we tell ourselves
what I’m after is to make sure I’ve got more
of something than others, so that I can feel
significant, satisfied and secure about who
I am. Comparison and competition is the
compulsive measuring of myself against the
standard of others, desiring to be better.
LOOKING UP AND LOOKING DOWN
When we compare ourselves to others we
will either ‘win’ or ‘lose’. If we lose, we’ll find
ourselves doing a ‘looking up’ comparison.
We might think, “His life is so much more
interesting than mine,” or, “She is so much
more confident than me.” If we win, then
we’ll do a ‘looking down’ comparison,
proudly thinking: “I just take better care of
my appearance than her,” and, “I would never
let my life become as disorganised as his.”
‘Looking up’ comparisons and ‘looking down’
comparisons each produce a different set of
symptoms.
How do you feel when you compare and
compete and come off worse? Perhaps
you will recognise some of the ‘looking up’
symptoms:
Inadequacy, despair, self-pity: this may be
fleeting or it may be more profound. You’re
not the person you want to be. You’re just not
good enough.
Envy: it’s not fair. They’ve got what you want.
And you dislike them a little for having it. How
come they get to have what you need to be
satisfied?
Anxiety or insecurity: You’re not doing as well
as others. If only you were as confident, or
wealthy, or energetic or loved as that friend,
there’d be no need to worry. But you’re not.
Guilt: you’ve let others down. You’re failing
the ones you love. So perhaps they won’t
keep loving you now…
Bitterness, grumbling: we can get bitter with
other people, and grumble about all sorts
of things. But in the Bible, bitterness and
grumbling tend to be directed at God. ‘Why
did God give me this life when he has given
so much more to others?’ and this can lead
us to ignoring God altogether – because if
there was a God, he would’ve made you more
like the other person.
Here are the symptoms of ‘looking down’
comparisons:
Pride, arrogance: You’re just so much better
than that girl. You would never let your hair/
marks/boyfriend look like that. Well done to
you for getting where you are. When we see
this kind of self-congratulation in others,
we usually call it arrogance. When I see it in
myself, I like to call it ‘self-confidence’! The
Bible calls it ‘pride’.
Superiority: Pride in yourself leads to a sense
of superiority over others. After all, you’ve got
what he hasn’t, so you are, in a sense, better
than him, aren’t you?
Inverted superiority: You’re glad you aren’t >
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OUTLOOK
as arrogant as her. You feel superior that you
don’t feel as superior as them!
Insecurity and anxiety: You’re doing better
than him, but how about the next person you
compare yourself to? What if they’re doing
better than you?
THE SEARCH FOR SIGNIFICANCE
Each day we look up and we look down, and
feel anxious and self-sufficient, guilty and
proud, despairing and smug. What we don’t
feel is the sense of significance, satisfaction
or security that we’re searching for as we
compare ourselves to others. One of the
things I find the most unsettling about the
Bible, but also the most liberating, is that it
calls things for what they are. ‘A great air of
confidence’ to God is ‘arrogance’; a desire
to be self-sufficient. He describes people
who are “arrogant and never at rest … never
satisfied” 1 .
Perhaps you’re someone who always feels the
“
COMPARISON AND
COMPETITION IS THE
COMPULSIVE MEASURING
OF MYSELF AGAINST THE
STANDARD OF OTHERS,
DESIRING TO BE BETTER.
need to be better – and, let’s be honest, it’s
exhausting. You struggle to admit to yourself
that someone does something better than
you, because that will undermine your whole
self-image and your sense of significance.
Your identity is based on the idea that you
are better than others. This comparison and
competition is ultimately caused by our desire
to put ‘me’ at the centre of the universe,
and at the centre of our hearts, to feel more
significant for our own satisfaction. Being
made by God, uniquely formed by Him in His
image isn’t where we find our significance,
but rather it is by measuring ourselves
against others. In the end, the treatment
to this problem is as wonderful as it is
challenging. It can be summed up simply as:
let God be God. Instead of pushing God out of
the centre of our lives, the cure is to reverse
this by restoring God to His rightful place,
finding all we need in Him.
A SOBERING VIEW OF SELF
Seeing ourselves as we really are doesn’t stop
there. It involves not only seeing that we are
not God; it means confessing that we have
lived thinking that we are God, and He isn’t.
The Bible calls this sin.
Sin is an unpopular concept in our culture,
which tends to tell us that the answer to our
problems and worries is to build ourselves up.
The Bible does the opposite of this: it shows
us that we are worse than what we think.
If I’m honest, God’s way of looking at me is
far more accurate than mine. When I honestly
look at my own heart, at the pride and envy
and bitterness that live there, I begin to see
that I am truly what God says I am: a sinner.
That’s the reality. It’s depressing. But at least
it’s real. And in that sense, it’s liberating to
know that I’m a sinner. If it were simply left
at this, we would have to continue comparing
and competing for significance or simply
despair. The good news is that God hasn’t left
us here and by letting God be God we can ask
Him to be our Saviour.
Ephesians 2 verse 5 says that God “made us
alive with Christ even when we were dead in
our transgressions”. That’s how significant
you are. God loves you enough not to leave
you facing His punishment. In Christ, He came
and lived and died and rose as a man so that
you could be made alive.
That’s how loved you are. No one can love
us any better, any more, than the Lord Jesus
who gave up heaven and experienced hell for
His people. If this is you, that’s the value God
places on your head, simply because of His
great love. It’s not image, circumstances or
achievements that affects how He sees you.
It’s God choosing to love us and you enjoying
the blessing of being with Him forever.
ENDNOTES
1) Habakkuk 2:5
CHRIS & SOPHIE
DE WITT
are happily married and have
three children: Molly, Zach
and Joseph. Chris is an associate pastor at the
Message Church in Mowbray. Sophie has written
“Compared to Her,” a book on comparison and
the biblical solutions for women. Chris is in the
process of writing a book on competition and
comparison specifically for men.
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ISSUE 1, 2015

‘
PERSPECTIVE
PARADIGM SHIFT
‘
S
eeing #selfie on social media platforms such as Twitter
and Facebook has become commonplace these days.
The ‘selfie’ is now a cultural phenomenon worldwide, with
participants ranging from teenagers to celebrities and even
to presidents. The word “selfie” has even been recognised
by the Oxford Dictionary which defines it as “a photograph
that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a
smartphone or webcam and shared via social media”. An
alternative and simple definition is “a picture taken of a
person by that person”. A popular dance song entitled
“Selfie”, with over 300 million views on YouTube, is a tangible
indication of the pervasiveness of the selfie culture.
The Wikihow page, “How to take good selfies” has been
created to assist selfie-takers in perfecting their selfie
skills. To further complement the endeavour, the inventive
‘selfie stick’ has been designed to overcome physiological
limitations; enabling improved angles of one’s appearance.
All this media hype and societal acceptance depicts an
attitude that we should embrace and encourage ‘selfie’
behaviour – because it’s just a fun, social activity.
But what are the reasons behind taking a selfie? Is it just
an innocent recreational activity among individuals? A
way of expressing yourself? Many selfies include multiple
individuals and even the selfie-taker’s surroundings, but the
majority of selfies portray only one individual. This reveals
“
ARE YOU TRYING TO PROJECT YOUR
SELF-IMAGE SO THAT YOU CAN FEEL
SELF-ASSURED?
the underlying issue of the selfie: it could be seen as a type
of narcissistic act, an obsession with the self. No longer are
we taking photos of our friends and the sights we see, but
rather the photo is of me, my image, and my identity. We all
have a particular image of ourselves that we portray to those
around us, an image that we want validated by others. The
more ‘likes’ and positive attention our selfies get, the better
we feel about our self-image; our anxieties are comforted by
others. Our egos are too easily affected, not only by others,
but by the fickle standards that we set for ourselves.
American author and theologian, Timothy Keller, explains in
his sermon and book, “The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness” 1
four traits of the human ego (empty, painful, busy and
fragile) which create our need to be affirmed.
1. The emptiness of our egos is due to our desire to build
our identity on things besides God. We are constantly trying
to achieve our own sense of self-worth, looking to other
things beside God to fill the void. We find our identity and
confidence in our careers, relationships and self-images –
things that are imperfect and fleeting.
2. Our egos feel pain because our self-image is constantly
being hurt by others and by ourselves when it doesn’t
measure up to those set standards, therefore it is never
happy.
3. The busyness of the ego is revealed in the way it never
fails to draw attention to itself by comparing itself to others
and boasting in what it is. This is exactly what will cause us
to be proud. C.S Lewis very wisely states that “pride gets no
pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of
it than the next person.” 2
4. In being proud and trying to build up our identities in this
way, the human ego reveals its fragility. We’re always feeling
either inferior or superior to others and are never content
with who we are.
After admitting these flaws in the foundation of our selfimage,
what or who should we allow to shape our image and
identity? Where should we find our identity and comfort?
For Christians, identity is found in the finished work of
Jesus. He was condemned for the sin of the world in His
death on the cross to make it possible to live in opposition
to self-obsession. It’s not about high or low self-esteem
based on the verdict of what you do or how good you look,
but remembering, as Keller says: “In Jesus Christ you get the
verdict before the performance.” This is what it means to be
self-forgetful.
Next time you take a selfie, think about why you’re doing it.
Is it innocent fun? Or are you trying to project your selfimage
so that you can feel self-assured? Consider these
words from Paul in Philippians 2 verse 3-4:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in
humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you
should look not only to your own interests, but also to the
interests of others.
ENDNOTES
1) Scan this
QR code
to listen to
The Freedom
of Self-
Forgetfulness
for free
2) Mere Christianity, page 122
JENNA COWLEY
is a linguist in the
making and works at
Stellenbosch University
as a part-time teaching assistant in the
General Linguistics Department and in
the Postgraduate Skills Development
programme. She loves running, forests
and striving to serve the Lord in every
opportunity.
WWW.SCOPEMAGAZINE.CO.ZA 0 8

PERSPECTIVE
VARSITY PULSE
How do the recent
xenophobic attacks
in South Africa
show a failure to see
who we could be
as a multicultural
country?
BY JAMES DE VILLIERS
M WORD
ON THE TWEET
@mailandguardian
After the recent #xenophobic violence in SA the
#NewYorkTimes wrote that 5m immigrants call
South Africa home.
@SakinaKamwendo
#Afrophobia or #Xenophobia, it is equally
abhorrent. I’m ashamed of fellow South Africans
who are perpetrating these attacks. #notinmyname
I am not part of the ‘born-free’ generation,
I am a part of the scared generation. I am a
part of a generation that would rather run
to the comfort of their own homes than use
their freedom to stand up for human dignity.
This is a compassionless generation – a
wasted generation. Or, that is what some
make me believe.
For you see, today I set out to ask the
masses at Stellenbosch University how
they felt about xenophobia. This seemed
like a simple enough question, with a
very predictable answer. I thought that
it would be easy for Christian students
at the very least to reach the consensus
that xenophobia is wrong. However, the
responses I received were shocking. “Will
this be anonymous?” and, “I don’t think this
is my place to talk,” and even, “I try not get
involved” were just some of the responses
thrown around carelessly. Some person
even replied that he doesn’t want to hear
about xenophobia because he’s planning
to leave this country. He hence implies that
“this is not applicable to me.”
It seems that this is a careless generation
because they do not see that refusing to
take a stand against the common “this
doesn’t concern me” consensus keeps the
truth from being spoken. It keeps the voices
of thousands who fled into the darkness to
save their lives from being heard. It keeps
their plight silent.
The reality for Christians is that when
the world cries, we do not respond. When
people cry we simply look away. How can
we say that we love our brothers when we
fail to speak up for the injustices against
them? How can we say that we follow
Jesus’ example when we are too afraid to
feel the hurt of the people affected?
I cannot blame society for being as
twisted as it is, because when society asks
for leadership, we shy away. When we
need to be the morally just voice against
xenophobia, we rather choose to stay silent.
How can we expect change when there’s no
one willing to take responsibility for what
has been happening?
Like I said, it seems like I am a part of
a scared generation. We are a part of a
generation that chooses to stay silent; a
wasted generation. Why is this? We cannot
be careless when God is looking for people
who are courageous.
Here are some students’ answers:
“Xenophobia scares me because of the fact
that people are being attacked without their
attackers being certain whether or not the
victim is a South African citizen or not. This
creates an opportunity for people to commit
crimes against humanity and property
without legal consequences or fear of being
prosecuted.” - MICHELLE BEZUIDENHOUT (LLB,
5TH YEAR)
“I feel that xenophobia in our country is
out of control. I do agree that it is wrong
that there are illegal immigrants, but the
way that foreigners are being attacked is
inhumane. It’s been happening and swept
under the rug.” - YIUFAI RICKY CHAN (BACC,
3RD YEAR)
“I believe that I am an African before I am
a South African, therefore I am against
xenophobia.” - PRUDENCE PONASO JANTLO
(SOCIAL WORK, 2ND YEAR)
“As a foreigner living in South Africa I feel
so disheartened and unsafe. I simply cannot
fathom the thought of having someone feel
the need to take away all that I own and
have come to know and love, simply because
in their eyes they feel I don’t belong.”
- FRANCINE INGABIRE (FORESTRY, 2ND YEAR)
“I do not support the acts of violence against
foreigners. We are one nation and should
welcome everyone.” - KAYLA SCHOLTZ (BCOM
LAW, 2ND YEAR)
“It’s atrocious that South Africans cannot
seem to welcome others in their midst so
shortly after the shocking effects of Apartheid.
When people were once discriminated against
on the basis of their race, they’re now being
discriminated against on the basis of their
nationality. However, in order to overcome this,
we need to overcome pride- it all stems from
an issue of the heart.” - EDWIN BUNGE (BACC,
2ND YEAR)
@NDzedze
South Africa WHY Have we been led to allow
Xenophobia to resurface? A good leader would
NEVER... #SayNoToXenophobia
@lead_sa
Black, white, Asian, Coloured. Inside, we are all the
same #NoToXenophobia @947Crew
@DonUe
The Church cannot and must not be silent or
passive in this crisis. Speak, do!
@timkellernyc
Culture is never so bad that it can’t be redeemed,
nor so good that it can’t be critiqued.
@CSLewisU
You find out the strength of a wind by trying to
walk against it, not by lying down. #CSLewisU
@QuotableYancey
All too often the church holds up a mirror
reflecting back the society around it, rather than a
window revealing a different way.
@MahaneySports
“We have seen a broad shift from a culture of
humility to the culture of what you might call the
Big Me.” @nytdavidbrooks
@JohnPiper
“The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the
outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the
heart.” 1Samuel 16:7
KEEP TWEETING @SCOPESTUDENTS WITH #ANEWVIEW
0 9
ISSUE 1, 2015

Jesus
@Jesus

REVIEWS
RESOUND
MAJOZI
MAKING HIS MARK WHERE IT MATTERS MOST
BY JONATHAN JUST
Truth Coffee Roasting in Cape Town is buzzing
with caffeine lovers and surrounding steampunk
décor. It feels like I have just stepped into an
almost other-worldly atmosphere as I eagerly wait to
meet Majozi.
I see him wearing his trusty Simon and Mary hat, and
coming across with a very approachable demeanour.
We take our seats and start some casual
conversation, but it’s not long before I rattle off my first
two questions: “Where are you from and when did you
start making music?”
“I’m from a little place called Mount Edgecombe
in Durban and I started making music, well I started
playing guitar, when I was thirteen,” he begins. “I
started making music more seriously around 2011 just
recording stuff with my iPad.”
Nhlanhla Majozi (or just Majozi as he prefers to be
called) has received recent acclaim with singles like
‘The River’, ‘Someday’ and ‘Fire’ which have made him a
standard feature on mainstream radio stations like 5FM
and KFM. Signing with record label Universal Records,
he’s released his second EP entitled ‘Mountains’ which
has been available on iTunes since the end of March.
Though clearly a gifted musician who incorporates a
unique combination of folk, indie and electro into his
set, what strikes me most about Majozi is his downto-earth
humility.
Interested to hear what inspired him to become a
songwriter in the first place, he answers candidly:
“I’m not good with much else so I enjoy writing songs
and I found that it was a good way to express myself.
I actually found feelings within myself that I didn’t
even know how to express to myself, if that makes any
sense? It sounds like I don’t know what I’m thinking in
my head. Honestly, a lot of the times I don’t know. Only
1 1
ISSUE 1, 2015

“
THOUGH CLEARLY A GIFTED MUSICIAN WHO
INCORPORATES A UNIQUE COMBINATION
OF FOLK, INDIE AND ELECTRO INTO HIS SET,
WHAT STRIKES ME MOST ABOUT MAJOZI IS HIS
DOWN-TO-EARTH HUMILITY.
when I start writing things down and sing it I actually
realise what’s in my heart and I guess that inspired me
to be a songwriter.”
It’s not easy for local South African musicians to
actually pursue a career in music, so what made him
decide to take this bold leap into becoming a full time
musician?
“Long story short, I recorded an EP with a friend. You
know, I just wanted to record something so that I could
say that I’ve put it onto iTunes, and it was actually
well received. One thing led to another and I got some
support from guys at church and just went for it.”
If you hadn’t guessed it already, Majozi is a professing
Christian. Many, either consciously or subconsciously,
have this idea of a society divided into the categories of
‘sacred’ and ‘secular’, but is it possible for something
or someone to bridge this gap? Majozi and other local
mainstream artists like Matthew Mole and Gangs of
Ballet who are also followers of Jesus have shown
that it is. They have opened their music up for anyone
to enjoy, and have brought something refreshingly
different to the music scene in the process. But what is
Majozi’s reason for broadening his reach?
“You listen to the radio and you listen to the songs
and a lot of the time the songs are catchy and I love
that. I love listening to the radio. It’s embarrassing
the songs that I like. It always used to bother me that
the material and the meaning behind the songs are so
shallow and one-sided and then I realised that they
were just singing about what they believed…
and I was like, why can’t I do the same? You
know, why should I be ashamed? Why can’t
I sing commercial songs and sing what I
believe? Not necessarily sing Christian
contemporary music, just sing music
that everyone likes and have what I
believe in it because that’s what everyone
does. That’s what Nicki Minaj does. That’s
what Drake does. They sing about what
they believe, so that’s what I want
to do and sing to everyone.”
Those who wouldn’t
normally be interested
in listening to ‘Christian
music’ in the past are
being exposed to a new
and perhaps more
attractive form of what
this could sound like. Excellent production matched
with creative lyrics salted with the truths of the Bible
is inviting more people into a new perception of reality.
Not only is the word ‘Jesus’ tattooed on Majozi’s body,
but Jesus is also honoured in the words of his music.
There is a definite anthem of hope that rings through a
number of his songs, probably most poignantly in ‘The
River’. Here is an extract from the chorus: “Sometimes
life it feels like a cancer and there’s no reason to love.
But I tell you now you will find the answer in the God
who came from above.”
Majozi has been active in the local music scene for
about two years now. The question I pose to him is how
he has been able to hold to his identity as a Christian
in an industry that could easily try to squeeze him into
something that he’s not.
“Luckily working in the church made me, I don’t want
to say pretty strong, but it gave me a good foundation,”
he shares. “I’ve always had a good foundation growing
up and people around me when I go back home after
touring are very supportive. They understand what I’m
trying to do so I don’t want to say I’m super strong but
God has given me the strength and He has prepared
me through a lot of things for this.”
He ends on an honest note: “There was a time when
I thought about becoming a full-time musician, but I
was like there’s no ways I can do it now. I think now it
just seems like the right time and I’ll see how it goes.
Maybe something will happen but I can handle it now.”
Things are indeed happening for Majozi.
And even though this talented musician
is becoming a well-known name in
South Africa, it is his openness and
love for God that has made the
biggest impact on me.
Go and get his sixsong
EP, Mountains, on
iTunes – scan this
d e b Nhlanhla Majozi
JONATHAN JUST
graduated from UCT
at the end of 2013.
He is chasing after
his dream of becoming a publisher and
is a squash player and coach at a few
schools close to where he lives. Jesus
has redefined who he is today.
WWW.SCOPEMAGAZINE.CO.ZA 1 2

REVIEWS
NEW TUNE
What do you get when you mix
five individuals from diverse
backgrounds, a love for smooth vocals,
and what was once considered “the purest
form of music”? I would like to introduce
you to AnecNote, the Cape Town-based
a cappella super group that seem to be
hitting all the right notes on the local scene.
They are Daniel Nambassi, Kevin Smuts,
Morne Kuhts, Leah Adams and Emma de
Goede. The group’s name, in case you
missed it, is a play on the word ‘anecdote’.
This, says Nambassi, fits well because they
aim to convey short little stories through
their music. They have only been together
since early 2014 but, despite this, have
enjoyed great success. Some highlights
include a live performance on the KFM
Morning Show with Ryan O’Connor,
shining at Kirstenbosch Gardens during
the Christmas season last year, and being
invited to sing at a TEDx Cape Town event
which happened in the Cape Town City
Hall.
AnecNote was co-founded by Daniel
Nambassi and Kevin Smuts, two students
from the UCT Music School. Drawn
together by their love for contemporary a
cappella music, they decided to start their
own group. As they were looking around
they soon came across Morne Kuhts who
does the bass vocals but were still in need
of some treble. It didn’t take long for them
to meet Leah Adams and Emma de Goede
through mutual friends and they have been
blending their voices ever since.
WHAT MAKES ANECNOTE SO SPECIAL?
According to Nambassi, “What makes us a
unique force is the fact that the five of us
come from very different backgrounds, yet
when we join to make one sound we get to
“
A CAPPELLA SINGING
IS NOT EASY, YET
ANECNOTE MAKE IT
LOOK EFFORTLESS.
be part of something beautiful.”
The diversity in each singer’s upbringing
and musical background makes AnecNote
original as a unit. Individually they have
explored different genres ranging from
classical and folk through to jazz and
instrumental music, and each member has
this to bring to the table. It’s evident in their
selection and arrangement of songs. Some
of their favourite cover songs to perform
are “Problem” by Arianna Grande and “Fix
You” by Coldplay.
A cappella singing is not easy, yet
AnecNote make it look effortless.
Nambassi says it’s all about listening and
trust. “In order to make something sound
harmonious, the five of us have to listen
very carefully to each other. We also have
to trust each other. Trust is a skill that can
be hard to master.”
ON A HIGH NOTE
AnecNote believes God is to be honoured
in everything they do, both in their
performances and practice sessions
but also in their everyday lives. They are
thankful for the opportunity God has given
them to develop their skills and share their
talents with others.
If you would like a taste of what they
have done, go and find them on YouTube.
For bookings and more info email info@
anecnote.com. Stay in the loop about all
things AnecNote on Twitter and Facebook.
JOSH
GARRELS
ALEX FAITH & DRE
MURRAY
NF
KB
HOME
SOUTHERN LIGHTS:
OVEREXPOSED
MANSIONS
TOMORROW WE LIVE
Another original alternative folk
jam by an artist who shares his
unique perception of what God
has to say about the idea of
home. Pop into noisetrade.com to
get the full album for free (score!).
Collision Records never cease to
disappoint and the same can be
said about their latest offering.
Emcees Alex Faith and Dre
Murray tackle socially conscious
issues like love, race and faith
with sound production that’s
second to none.
If one was to describe NF’s first
full album in one word, ‘raw’
is probably about right. With
razor-sharp honesty about the
metaphorical mansions that we
often build to give us a false
sense of security, it’s straight
down the line rap.
Pumping beats and insane
lyrical flow is what you can come
to expect from Reach Records
hip hop artist, KB. This, his
second album, may also surprise
you with a few slower songs
and interesting collaborations
thrown in the mix.
1 3
ISSUE 1, 2015

REVIEWS
FOR YOUR READING
“
MIRROR MIRROR GRAHAM BEYNON
160 PAGES, + - R170
Y
ou’re worth it. Become a
better, slimmer you. Buick
makes you feel the man you
are. The Relentless Pursuit of
Perfection. Be all you can be...
We are constantly being
bombarded with slogans that tell
us what we should be, what we
should own, and how we should
value ourselves.
We have been given
worldly scales by which to
measure ourselves based
on achievements, looks or
intelligence. I admit that how I
GRAHAM BEYNON
SUGGESTS THAT
THERE IS ANOTHER
WAY WE MUST
SEE AND VALUE
OURSELVES,
ANOTHER MIRROR
WITH WHICH TO
LOOK AT.
value myself changes from hour
to hour as I compare myself to
the various people around me.
Our identities are hardly stable.
Our self-worth is constantly
under threat. In his book, Mirror
Mirror, Graham Beynon suggests
that there is another way we
must see and value ourselves,
another mirror with which to
look at.
This ‘mirror’ is God’s word
and it does not offer us the
‘good’ self-image that the world
has told us we need, but a right
self-image. James 1:23-24 says
that the Bible, God’s word, is like
a mirror. We look into it and see
what we are really like - warts
and all. It is there where you will
find who you really are, not from
culture, but from God.
Beynon has written this
book specifically with young
adults in mind as he discusses
how we carve out an identity
in our battles with bad selfimage.
It skilfully analyses
contemporary pop psychology
of self-worth and compares it
to that of the Bible in a manner
that is accessible and friendly,
yet remarkably insightful and
challenging. This terrific book
paints an accurate picture of
who we truly are. It’s a quick
and easy read that doesn’t
come across as ‘preachy’ or
judgemental, rather it is a vital
encouragement for you to relook
the way you see yourself as God
sees you. - CLAIRE MORRISON
THE JESUS I
NEVER KNEW
THE HEART OF
RACIAL JUSTICE
DISTINCTIVES
MEET THE
REAL JESUS
PHILIP
YANCEY
BRENDA SALTER
MCNEIL AND RICK
RICHARDSON
VAUGHAN
ROBERTS
JOHN
BLANCHARD
Thousands of books have been
written about Jesus, and yet still
He remains an elusive figure
in history. Who was this man
Jesus? What was He like? No
one who ever meets Jesus ever
stays the same.
The problem of racism must be
solved through both internal
change and community
transformation. Are you ready to
find out how soul change leads
to social change?
Targeting difficult areas such
as our attitude to money
and possessions, sexuality,
contentment, and service is
crucial for a contemporary
generation.
This book is simple without
being simplistic, and doctrinally
rich without sounding dull and
dry. It persuasively presents the
truth about Jesus Christ in such
a coherent way that nobody who
reads it can miss its message.
WWW.SCOPEMAGAZINE.CO.ZA 1 4

TESTIFY
WHAT’S MY STORY?
LEONARD
STRYDOM
m
y name is Leonard and I’m a Christian. But I
wasn’t always and I haven’t always felt like
staying one. That, however, is the beautiful thing about this
Jesus that I serve. He can change anyone. In fact, He can
change anyone completely. Here is how He did it for me.
In 2007 I went on a camp, where for the first time in my life
I experienced the love of the Father in a worship session; I
cried my eyes out and walked away a different person. I went
from living the average teenage lifestyle which included lots
of alcohol, fights, blurred lines with the opposite sex and all
round rebellion to pursuing a godly lifestyle with everything
in me. It’s natural to wonder why and how something like this
happens. In my case, it was definitely not because I had a
desire to be better. In fact I absolutely loved the way I was
and saw nothing wrong with it. The only reason for this drastic
change was because (as Jesus explained in John 3) I had been
born again. I realised that my life was meaningless without
God and empty of any sustaining joy. As I cried out in faith by
asking God to forgive me and give me new life, He did exactly
that. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of an
adventure far greater than what I could have ever imagined.
From that day onwards my life has been marked by change. I
remember one instance clearly where this was made evident
to me. About two months after I had given my life over to the
Lord, I got into a bit of trouble. To this day I chuckle at the
thought of what happened. I had a couple of church friends
coming to sleep over at my house and we decided to walk to
a nearby shopping mall to go have coffee. That evening on
our way back, one of my friends accidentally bumped into
a stranger with a mohawk. In those days a mohawk meant
trouble and trouble is exactly what we got. Mr. Mohawk turned
around and punched my friend in the face. I can’t remember
much after this but I was told that as I tried to stop the guy, I
received the same brutal punishment. As he knocked me over, I
hit my head against the pavement and got a concussion.
What followed was the real Leonard, without any filters, like
something out of a comedy movie. On my way home, I spoke
about Sponge Bob. At the hospital I tried to wee on the sofas
and when we got back I walked around half naked. One thing I
apparently kept asking my friends was what had happened to
me. They graciously explained it over and over again. Herein
lies the moral of my story: each time they explained it I had
a different response. At first I said: “I hope you guys hit the
punk back!” But shortly after, my tune changed to the exact
opposite: “Oh my, that’s horrible! Did you pray for the guy?”
This incident has always served as a faithful reminder that
I was, still am and always will be a work in progress. I was
given a new heart on the 2nd of March 2007, but am still being
changed to become more and more like Jesus until the day I
die or He returns.
This change, should you desire it, takes place primarily
through giving your life over to God by faith (Ephesians 2:8,
Romans 10:9). Thereafter we are changed by getting to
know Him better in prayer and by reading His word. Just like
catching on to the habits of a good friend as you spend time
in his presence, you will become more like Jesus as you spend
time in His presence and around His people. Change comes
in the most unlikely of ways through our difficult times where
God says we should rejoice in our sufferings, “because we
know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance,
character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)
As I look at my life which is continuously changing, I am
confident that I will be able to say in the end it was lived in
relationship with God who will forever remain constant in the
change.
I REALISED THAT MY LIFE WAS MEANINGLESS WITHOUT GOD
AND EMPTY OF ANY SUSTAINING JOY.
1 5
ISSUE 1, 2015

TESTIFY
INTERVIEW
PROF. NICO
KOOPMAN
CHATS TO LYNNE SCHOEMAN
/
WHEN HE WAS UNCERTAIN ABOUT WHAT
TO DO WITH HIS LIFE, HE ENROLLED FOR A
COURSE IN ENGINEERING. HOWEVER, AFTER
SOON REALISING THAT THIS WAS NOT FOR
HIM, HE OPTED FOR A CAREER IN “SPIRITUAL
ENGINEERING” INSTEAD.
PROF NICO KOOPMAN HAS JUST BEEN ELECTED FOR
A SECOND TERM AS THE DEAN OF THE FACULTY OF
THEOLOGY AT STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY. LYNNÉ
SCHOEMAN ASKED HIM ABOUT HIS LIFE PATH, HIS
ROLE MODELS, HIS PASSIONS AND HOW YOU LIVE OUT
YOUR FAITH IN THE WORLD OF ACADEMIA.
1
2
3
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHILDHOOD – WHERE DID YOU GROW
UP AND WHO WERE YOUR ROLE MODELS?
I grew up in small towns in the Northern Cape – I was born in
Niekerkshoop and I spent most of my childhood in Koegas and
Lime Acres. These were small communities where everyone
knew each other and people from different ethnic and church
backgrounds were exposed to one another. I learnt a lot about
life there.
My role models were my parents and people from school
and church. I was 12 when I went to high school in Kimberley,
where I had to stay with boarding parents who were like a
second set of parents to me. I still consider them as role
models and I buried both of them in Kimberley as a pastor.
My mother died 25 years ago, but my dad is still alive. They
are humble people, who inspired me to live according to
Christian values. They also taught me a love for academics.
They themselves could not go to high school, but they could
encourage me. My mom stayed at home and my dad was a
mine operator. But to me they are professors because of their
wisdom, their knowledge and their character.
WHEN DID YOU BECOME A FOLLOWER OF JESUS?
Well, in my case I don’t have a day or a date... I grew up in a
Christian home and all my life I have viewed myself as a child of
God, a disciple of Christ. Through the years I have just grown by
the grace of God and I strive and hunger for having, as the song
says, that ‘closer walk with the Lord’.
WHAT DOES A DAY IN THE LIFE OF PROF. KOOPMAN
LOOK LIKE? AND DO YOU PREFER TEACHING,
PREACHING OR WRITING?
I like teaching as preaching and preaching as writing! My job is
very exciting. Take today as an example – I went to bed at two
o’clock this morning after grading some papers. Then I woke
up early to do some administration. Then there are meetings
about language and what the best language policy is. I am
4
excited that Stellenbosch has opted for multilingualism.
South Africa is not just an English country – we have
other languages as well and we must cherish Afrikaans.
The multilingual policy is preparing students for life in a
multilingual society.
Then there are meetings about infrastructure – we need
more restrooms for women, because for centuries, theology
was a men’s thing and when they built this faculty, they only
planned for males. This afternoon I depart to Port Elizabeth
for a conference on how Christians live with an ethos of
freedom and responsibility. Later today I will also write
my column for Die Burger, about xenophobia and church
unity, and why church unity is so important to address the
country’s challenges. From PE I will go to Pretoria where
all the deans of the faculties of theology will meet. Being
the Dean is to manage research, teaching and learning,
community interaction, and to make sure there is a good
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR ANY STUDENT WHO
HAS COME TO VARSITY AND IS EXPOSED TO ENTIRELY
DIFFERENT VIEWS, IDEAS AND VALUES THAN BACK AT
HOME?
Come, and respect plurality. Embrace plurality of cultures,
ethnicities, religious and secular worldviews. Don’t come
and absolutise your own position. Stand by your own
position, because remember, if you stand for nothing you
will fall for everything. If you’re a Christian, say ‘I am a
Christian’ but open yourself to others to learn from them.
We must learn to practise two things amidst our differences
– tolerance and embrace. Say, ‘I differ from you but I will
tolerate you’ – not in a negative sense but tolerate like Paul
said in 1 Corinthians 13: ‘I will carry you.’ I would encourage
Christians on campus to love God with all their minds. To
love God is also to engage in intellectual analysis. Don’t
settle for over-simplified solutions – use your mind and
seek lasting solutions. Remember to honour God is to seek
the dignity of all His people and His creatures.
WWW.SCOPEMAGAZINE.CO.ZA 1 6

SIMUNYE
PLUGGED IN
1
JOSHGEN
What is Simunye?
2
SHOFAR
Scope Magazine is an on-campus church
collaboration initiative that operates through the
local church network for the Stellenbosch region
of the Western Cape. Simunye, which in Zulu
means ‘we are one’, is a desire for the up-andcoming
generation to belong to a community
radically changed by the love of God who openly
show what real unity in diversity looks like.
The words from Jesus Christ in John 13:35
are simple but challenging: “By this everyone
will know that you are my disciples, if you love
one another.” The time has come for churches
with a presence amongst students to be joined
together by their love for one another and their
love for the university. If Gospel partnership is to
happen anywhere, it must happen here. Simunye
is merely a medium for students both inside and
outside church to reconsider the importance of
this while studying.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SIMUNYE AND THESE
CHURCHES IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD GO TO
WWW.SCOPEMAGAZINE.CO.ZA/SIMUNYE.
5
KRUISKERK
4
GK
3
CHRIST
CHURCH
6
JOSHGEN
12
7
SHOFAR
8
EVERY
NATION
9
SG
10
GRACELIFE
11
KCI
SB
KEY
1. JOSHUA GENERATION CHURCH. PROVENCE, MILNER RD., WELLINGTON
2. SHOFAR CHRISTIAN CHURCH. HUGENOT PRIMARY SCHOOL, GENERAL
HERTZOG ST., WELLINGTON
3. CHRIST CHURCH STELLENBOSCH. 26 BANGHOEK RD., STELLENBOSCH
13
HILLSONG
14
NEWGEN
4. GEREFORNEERDE KERK. MARAIS ST., STELLENBOSCH
5. KRUISKERK. VICTORIA ST., STELLENBOSCH
6. JOSHUA GENERATION CHURCH. VAN DER STEL HALL, BERGZICHT RD.,
STELLENBOSCH
7. SHOFAR CHRISTIAN CHURCH. ANDRINGA ST., STELLENBOSCH
8. EVERY NATION CHURCH. JANNASCH RD., STELLENBOSCH
9. STELLENBOSCH GEMEENTE. 15 HEROLD ST., STELLENBOSCH
1O. GRACELIFE. RHEENISH GIRLS’ HIGH, KOCH ST., STELLENBOSCH
11. KINGDOM CHURCH INTERNATIONAL. 7 LINTON ST., STELLENBOSCH
12. STELLENBOSCH BAPTIST CHURCH. 6 MERRIMAN ST., STELLENBOSCH
13. HILLSONG CHURCH. CNR. OF MAIN & CENTENARY DR., SOMERSET WEST
1 7
ISSUE 1, 2015
14. NEW GENERATION CHURCH. 13 DERRICK DR., SOMERSET WEST

SIMUNYE
GEMEENSKAP
DEUR RUAN SLABBERT
Ek was al by `n verskeidenheid van
kerke- groot en klein. Sommiges
met net ou mense, ander weer met
verskillende ouderdomme. Kerke met ʼn
verskeidenheid van tale en uitdrukkings.
By party moes ek baie netjies aantrek en
by ander het dit gelyk of ons strand toe
gaan. By sommiges het dit gevoel asof
ek in ʼn fliek of by ʼn “show” was en ander
asof ek in die familie se sitkamer was.
Party het lekker geruik en ander soos
my oupa se klerekas met motbolletjies.
Dit het gevoel of daar ʼn tipe kerk vir
elke tipe mens was – selfs die met die
motbolletjies in hul baadjiesakke. Dit
was eers later toe ek wedergebore was,
wat my oë opnuut oopgegaan het vir ʼn
geestelike realiteit van Christenskap en
“die Kerk”.
DIE KERK AS FAMILIE
Ek was baie gelukkig dat ek ʼn vreeslike
liefdevolle familie gevind het. Daar het ek
geleer om liefde te ontvang en te gee. Ek
het geleer om te deel en op te offer vir die
familie. Ek het geleer dat ek deel bly van
“
GOD SE ANTWOORD IS
SY KERK, SY FAMILIE, SY
LIGGAAM.
die familie al maak ek foute. Ek het ook
geleer om te vergewe en weer te probeer.
As dit met die familie lede indiwidueel
goed gaan, dan gaan dit met die hele
familie goed. So ook as dit met een sleg
gaan, gaan dit sleg met die res. Ons is
een. Ek kon ‘ek’ wees en het myself leer
ken, omdat ons ʼn familie is.
Hierdie is ʼn spieëlbeeld van die hemelse
familie: God se familie. Die kerk is
gelowiges wat saamgevoeg word deur
ons Vader. Alhoewel ons studeer en werk,
deel ons ons lewe deur God saam te volg
en saam te aanbid. Ons help mekaar deur
moeilike tye en die ruimte is nie belangrik
nie. Of ons in die kerk, klaskamer of in
die sitkamer ontmoet, ons ondersteun
mekaar en God orals en deur als. As
familie, is ons ook so toegewyd dat ons
nie omgee om mekaar se las te help dra
nie.
DIE KERK AS LIGGAAM
In ʼn liggaam, byvoorbeeld, is als
verbind. As dit nie is nie, sien ons dit as
ʼn probleem of siekte. Wat met die een
deel van die liggaam gebeur, het ʼn impak
op die hele liggaam. Selfs die kleinste
deeltjies is belangrik- dink net aan hoe
waardevol jou kleintoontjie se beskerming
teen tafelpote is.
Verbintenis is ook belangrik. Die arm
word byvoorbeeld as deel van die liggaam
gesien, omdat dit verbind is. Sy lewe as’t
ware hang dus van sy verbintenis af. Die
arm is beperk tot die liggaam, daarom
het hy ook die vryheid om die beste arm
te wees wat hy kan wees. So ook is die
lede van Jesus se liggaam- die kerk. Ons
het almal mekaar nodig en vind elkeen
waardevol- klein of groot, aansienlik
nuttig of nie. Op die ou end is almal van
die grootste belang.
DIE KERK VERWELKOM MET OPE ARMS
Dit is deur hierdie beelde van ʼn liggamlike
familie wat God vir ons wys dat daar ʼn
plek vir elkeen is. Almal is verskillend,
sodat almal kan pas. Nie net is daar
plek vir elkeen nie, maar elkeen se
bestaan is noodsaaklik. God gee vir
ons ʼn Christenskap en kerk-wees
waar ons verbind en interafhanklik is
as identiteit. Sonder liefde, eenheid,
eer, verdraagsaamheid, deelname en
verantwoordelikheid, sal die liggaam of
familie ongesond, abnormaal of gebroke
wees.
Vroeër was die kerk vir my net ʼn plek, ʼn
gebou; iets waarna toe ek sou gaan as
roetine. As ek nie daarvan gehou het nie,
het ek nie terug gegaan nie. Daar was ʼn
spesifieke gemeente in Wellington waar
ek vir die eerste keer iets anders begin
ervaar het. Ek het gesien dat die kerk nie
net `n plek is waarnatoe jy gaan nie; maar
ʼn lewende organisme waarvan God jou
deel maak. As gemeente het ons lewens
gedeel. Ek sou die spesifieke gemeente
dalk nooit self gekies het nie- want daar
kon ek nie net ‘terugsit’ en ontvang nie.
Nadenkend weet ek, dat dit tog die beste
keuse was om daar te bly. Hulle het my
deel gemaak van hul lewens, hoe hulle
bid, kinders groot maak, besluite neem,
saam eet, verskil oor idees, op uitreike
gaan en soveel meer.
Ons besef maklik swaarkry. Ons
kan insien dat kinders sonder ouers
moet groot word of hoe mense met
gestremdhede die lewe moeiliker ervaar
as ander. Gelukkig is daar fantastiese
testamente van oorwinning, aanvaarding
en wonderwerke. God het wonderlike
planne vir ons geestelike tekortkomingeons
moet net Hom vertrou.
Vandag se generasie is (Hemels)
Vaderloos, en geestelik gestremd. God
se antwoord is Sy kerk, Sy familie, Sy
liggaam. Mens hoef en kan nie aldag
perfek in die uitleef van die Bybel wees
nie, maar mens kan tog groeiend en op
die pad bly om soos Jesus te word. In Sy
wysheid roep God almal om deel te wees
van die Kerk – van Hom.
RUAN SLABBERT
is ‘n kind van God, getroud, ‘n pa en
kerkleier van ‘n Joshua Generation
gemeente in Wellington. Hy is reeds
betrokke met student en die opleiding van jong leiers
vir die Kerk van 2001. Hy’s lief vir Jesus, mense van alle
agtergronde en ‘n goeie koppie koffie.
WWW.SCOPEMAGAZINE.CO.ZA 1 8

SAVVY STUDENT
RHYMES & RECIPES
..
POESIE & PROSA
DEUR ZANI STOFFBERG
WRIGHT RECIPES
GREG WRIGHT
MY VUURTORING
‘n verskynsel in die
donkerte...
kontras raak sterker...
‘n vuurtoring in die
verte...
‘n landskaps merker...
hierdie lig brand
skerp...
- vir almal om te sien...
die lig word na buite
gewerp...
om ons Vader te dien...
kortsluitings mag
kom...
‘n kers sal staande
bly...
vlam nou ‘n vuur...
het die wind vermy...
U omvou my
- verhoed dat ek
inkeef...
U liefde
- rede om te leef...
my vuurtoring
- skynende lig
in my lewe ingekom
- my wêreld kom verlig
KINTSUKUROI
Ondanks
My krom nalatenskap
My murmurering
My teëspraak
Ondanks
My selfsug
My ydele eer
My omsien na eie
belang
Giet en tap U Uself uit
Maak U Uself leeg
Tot dienskneg, tot
menslike skuim.
Verneder U Uself in
gehoorsaamheid
-‘n skandelike
kruisdood
Sodat ek die woord
van die lewe
Kan, mag, waag
vashou.
Laat U ondanks alles,
my, ‘n gebreukte kruik
bruikbaar wees.
Kintsukuroi:
Tot ‘n nederige
kunswerk.
Ondanks alles
Gered
APPLE
CRUMBLE
COST: R44.65
SERVES: 2-4
(DEPENDING ON SELF-RESTRAINT)
This dessert is easy to customise. You can add chopped up
strawberries when you pour the fruit into the baking dish. Or
add nuts and sultanas for added texture. I normally use Tall
Horse Shiraz, which isn’t too fancy and adds a wonderful
flavour and colour.
I always serve this dessert with fresh pouring cream while
it’s piping hot, fresh out the oven!
INGREDIENTS
FILLING
2 large apples
3 large pears
250ml red wine
250ml water
5ml cinnamon
2.5ml nutmeg
1.25ml turmeric
1.25ml cloves
1.25ml ginger
METHOD
FILLING
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
Core, peel and cut the fruit into eighths.
Mix wine, water and spices in a medium-sized pot.
Add the fruit and poach (the water shouldn’t be
boiling excessively) for 20 minutes or until fruit is
soft when forked.
Remove from heat, leave the fruit submerged in the
cooking liquid for about 2-3 hours.
Drain the fruit, keeping the cooking liquid.
Place the fruit into a round 8” baking dish.
Reduce the cooking liquid down to roughly 200ml.
TOPPING
Pour the liquid over the fruit.
TOPPING
250ml cake flour
100g butter
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
80ml brown sugar
pinch of salt
5ml baking powder
Fillipense 2:1-18
3
4
5
6
Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt, giving
it a good mix.
Soften the butter.
Combine the flour mix and butter, and mix until it is
in clumps roughly the size of bread crumbs.
Crumble the topping over the fruit and place into
the oven for roughly 30 minutes or until the topping
has turned golden brown. The longer you leave it the
yummier the topping will get.
1 9
ISSUE 1, 2015

SAVVY STUDENT
NUTTIGE WENKE
DEUR NICOLETTE VAN SCHALKWYK
Die eksamentyd is vir meeste mense ’n oorweldigende en pynlike ervaring
en gaan dikwels gepaard met ’n groot dosis stres. Akademie het
gedurende hierdie tyd die ereplek in studente se lewens, maar jy moet
versigtig wees dat jou fisiese en geestelike gesondheid nie aan die kortste end
trek nie. Hier is ’n paar eksamenwenke wat jou sal help om deur hierdie tydperk
jou gees en liggaam gesond te hou sowel as die stresmonster behoorlik te tem.
TREF DIE NODIGE VOORBEREIDING
Dit is vanselfsprekend dat voorbereiding die eerste stap is tot sukses in die
eksamen, maar talle studente is onseker oor wanneer hierdie voorbereiding
moet begin. Eksamenvoorbereiding is nie net tydens die eksamen nie maar moet
reeds gedurende die kwartaal plaasvind. Gaan elke dag na klas deur jou notas
sodat jy enige probleme vroegtydig kan identifiseer en hulp kan kry voordat die
eksamen aanbreek.
Maak ook gebruik van die universiteit se hulpbronne deur uit te vind of daar
ekstra klasse aangebied word. Doen addisionele leeswerk in die biblioteek of
doen navraag by die dosent of tutor as jy ’n probleem het met die werk. Sodoende
kan jy die eksamen met ’n geruste hart ingaan.
“’N GESONDE LIGGAAM HUISVES ’N GESONDE GEES”
Alhoewel jou leerwerk baie tydrowend is, is dit steeds belangrik dat jy omsien na
jou liggaam. Kies ’n fisiese aktiwiteit wat jy geniet en knip elke dag ’n tydjie af
daarvoor. Nie net sal dit help om jou stresvlakke te verminder nie, maar volgens
Dr Anita Sturnham, ’n algemene praktisyn en velspesialis, stel dit ook endorfiene,
oftewel voel-goed hormone, vry. Hierdie hormone sal jou laat met ’n positiewe
uitkyk op die eksamen eerder as ’n gevoel van spanning.
Oefening is ook ’n manier om tyd saam met jou vriende deur te bring. Span hulle
in om saam met jou te oefen. Sodoende hoef jy nie ekstra tyd te maak vir jou
sosiale lewe nie aangesien jy dit sommer met jou oefenroetine kan kombineer. >
WWW.SCOPEMAGAZINE.CO.ZA 2 0

HELPFUL HINTS
EET GESOND
’n Groot euwel gedurende die eksamentyd is ongesonde
eetgewoontes. Dit is gewoonlik die tyd wat jy jou vergryp
aan elke moontlike vorm van gemorskos. Alhoewel dit
op die oog af lyk na ’n kitsoplossing, is dit nie altyd die
beste opsie nie. Volgens Lisa Guy, ’n voedseldeskundige,
veroorsaak ’n hoë suiker- en kaffeieninname dat jou
energievlakke fluktureer en jou konsentrasie afneem. Sy
stel voor dat jy eerder kos eet wat hul energie stadig vrystel
en jou energievlakke konstant hou soos lae-GI voedsel.
Hoender en groente is ook ’n goeie plaasvervanger vir
ongesonde, olierige kosse.
Buiten gesonde kos, moet jy ook seker maak jy neem
genoeg vloeistof in. Vermy suikerdrankies en te veel
kaffeine en drink eerder water of kruietee.
GOEIE TYDSBESTUUR
Stel vroegtydig ’n studierooster op en probeer jou bes om
daarby te hou. Begin deur te bepaal op watter tyd van die
dag jy die effektiefste is. Party mense is meer effektief in
die aand terwyl ander weer beter leer gedurende die dag.
Hou hierdie inligting in gedagte wanneer jy jou rooster
uitwerk. Onthou natuurlik om ’n tydjie vir ontspanning in te
werk. Dit is nie gesond om vir lang periodes aaneen te leer
nie. Volgens die MIT Center for Academic Excellence moet
jy elke 50 minute studietyd afwissel met sowat 10 minute
rustyd. Gebruik hierdie tyd om te fokus op iets anders as
akademie.
KRY GENOEG SLAAP
Vir sommige van ons is slaap tweede natuur terwyl ander
se adrenalien die neiging het om in te skop sodra hulle die
bedlampie afskakel. Dr Lydia DonCarlos van die Loyola
Universiteit in Chicago meen dat jy moet poog om ongeveer
sewe ure se slaap elke aand in te kry. Maak dit ’n vaste
roetine deur dit in te werk by jou studierooster. Maak ook
seker jy begin vroegtydig leer sodat die hoeveelheid werk
jou nie onderkry nie en jy genoeg tyd het om te slaap. ’n
Goeie nagrus is nodig om die werk wat jy geleer het vas te
lê en om jou slaggereed te maak vir die volgende dag se
toets.
KIES JOU STUDIERUIMTE NOUKEURIG
Elke persoon se studieruimte verskil. Party mense verkies
dit om alleen te studeer terwyl ander weer beter presteer
indien hulle in ’n raserige omgewing leer. Kies dus ’n ruimte
volgens jou eie behoeftes en moenie jou studieroetine
verander deur te veel van ruimte te verskuif nie.
Universiteite het baie studiefasiliteite soos die biblioteek
of studielokale waar jy gedurende die eksamen kan
leer. Hierdie fasiliteite is voordelig aangesien daar geen
afleidings is nie en jy dus gedwing word om op jou werk
te fokus. Dit is ’n goeie opsie vir studente wat in die
koshuis bly. Jou kamermaat met sy of haar luidrugtige
musieksmaak en vreemde studiepatrone is nie noodwendig
die beste ding vir jou besige eksamenrooster nie. Dit is net
’n onnodige afleiding wat ekstra spanning sal veroorsaak.
Vind dus eerder uit waar hierdie fasiliteite is en maak
gebruik daarvan.
BELOON JOUSELF
Daar is min dinge in die lewe wat ’n mens so vinnig aan die
werk kry soos die vooruitsig van ’n beloning. Stel doelwitte
en beloon jouself as jy dit bereik. Elke persoon se idee
van ’n beloning sal verskil, maar maak seker dat dit iets is
waarna jy werklik sal uitsien sodat dit genoeg motivering
verskaf. Jy kan selfs iets beplan om die eksamen mee af te
sluit as ’n beloning vir jou harde werk.
PRAAT MET IEMAND
Eksamentyd en eensaamheid is beste vriende. Almal fokus
op hul werk en vergeet skoon van hul vriende, familie,
goudvis en meeste van al, van jou. Dit is juis in hierdie
tyd wat jy iemand nodig het om mee te praat. Daar is min
dinge so gerusstellend soos ’n gewillige oor gedurende die
eksamentyd. Vind iemand met wie jy gemaklik voel en by
wie jy al jou bekommernisse oor die eksamen kan afpak.
Dit kan enigiemand wees, van ’n familielid, vriend of God. Jy
sal verbaas wees om te sien hoe baie jou stresvlakke daal
indien jy iemand daarvan vertel.
Die groot geheim om die eksamen ’n suksevolle en selfs
genotvolle ervaring te maak, is om balans te vind. Akademie
is belangrik, maar dit moet nooit die alfa en omega van jou
studentelewe word nie. Deur ewe veel tyd te spandeer aan
akademie sowel as jou liggaamlike en geestelike welstand,
sal jy vind dat jy die eksamen nie net oorlééf nie, maar dalk
selfs geniet ook.
NICOLETTE VAN SCHALKWYK
studeer tans drama by die Universiteit van
Stellenbosch en hoop om na my dramagraad
joernalistiek te studeer. Ek beskou God as die anker
in my lewe en die Een op wie ek altyd my hoop en vertroue plaas.
My grootste wens is om eendag te gaan backpack in Suid-Amerika...
2 1
ISSUE 1, 2015

Life through
a new lens

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