Stephan Van Heerden

Welcome to 2010, freshers and returning students. I am Stephan, your fortnightly dose of humour, and thought-provoking literature.

A quick intro. I’m 21 and I am currently doing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in History. Last year I wrote a little column called “Welcome to the Jungle.” It was a pleasant read. This year will be different though. In this column, I will challenge the social norm (hence the name of the column). It’s not to be a pretentious ass-face, but more to present to alternative to a situation, as the best way to form an opinion and wholly understand a situation or a topic is to be informed of both sides of it. That’s where I come in. I’ll present you the other, greener side of the fence.

So, to know what that side is all about, you need to know what makes that side different to the norm. The ideals to which that “side” adheres to. The morals and upbringing of that “side.” This essentially makes that “side” a unique entity in its own right. Its own “person.” So, essentially you when read my column this year, you will go on fortnightly “dates” with the opposing view. Keep it PG guys and let’s get to know each other.

I don’t really know what else to say at this point. I’ve just moved into a new flat which is cool. It’s a strange thing to move out of home. For those of you who have, you know the feeling. For those who haven’t, you will. It’s really interesting to feel that feeling of your parents aren’t coming home. Before the move, I thought I would love being alone, no nagging parents around or anything. It seems like it would be idyllic. But it’s almost unsettling. To me anyways. Obviously it would be different depending on the person but yeah. That was me. Big props to the people who can handle uni and sustaining a life. It’s not always the easiest thing.

That’s all from me guys, I hope you like this introduction to the opposing view. It will get better I promise. I might include some puzzles or perhaps even clues to a mystery project I’m working on this year. It involves something from the south.