In our latest issue, editor Nelia Andrag reflects on meaningful experiences through which we can each create a personal ode to joy.
The festive season is a time for joy and gratitude, though often tinged with longing and loneliness – all of which invite us to reflect more deeply on the sense of purpose our emotions inspire.
Reading the articles in this issue, you will, I’m sure, also be struck by the strong emotional undercurrents, even in features on subjects as diverse as architecture, fashion and gardening. I could relate to many of the words of wisdom shared by the people featured.
One of them is Prof. Pierre Volschenk, all of 99 years young. I had the privilege of spending time with him and was bowled over by the pure joy he radiates. “Joy is found in continuing to create, to learn, and to love what you can do.” He recently created the sculpture of a young girl expressing joie de vivre for the Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof, a work he aptly titled Dankbaarheidsvreugde, the joy of gratitude (p. 134).
Botanist extraordinaire Ernst van Jaarsveld also spoke often of “joy” when talking to publisher Igna Schneider about his latest book, Waterwise Gardening. “Sometimes I find a tiny leaf on my windowsill and feel sorry for it. I put it in water, and when I see it start to swell and grow, it’s pure joy.” (p. 126).
When emotion is present – be it care, passion, joy, or curiosity – it often fuels collaboration. Architect Ann Erasmus and owners Nell and Kevin Harris shared abundant care and passion when they undertook the restoration of Libertas, a farm linked indelibly to Stellenbosch history, and now receiving a new lease on life (p. 78).
A shared vision also inspired the collaboration between the fashion studio Viviers and the textile house Romo, transforming upholstery fabric into avant-garde fashion garments (p. 98). Somewhat more daring is the alliance between Range Rover and high-end fashion for the London Collection (p. 76), while the collaboration between Porsche and Smeg resulted in kitchen appliances now sporting race-car livery (p. 40).
On another level, with a line-up of excellent restaurants featured in this issue of Stellenbosch Visio, as well as articles on Sauvignon Blanc and Cap Classique, there’s more than enough to whet your appetite for meaningful moments.
Nostalgie is een van die emosies wat die meeste van ons hierdie tyd van die jaar ervaar. Die sjefs van ’n aantal van Stellenbosch se voorste restaurante is nie daarvan vy te spreek nie. Kyk wat gaan hulle hierdie Desember vir hul huisgenise op die kole sit: seekospotjie in ’n potjie, geletter en garnale, kreef met knoffelbotter, tjoppies en braaibroodjies. En vir die Italiaanse sjef – ’n eenvoudige seekospasta. Só smaak herinneringe mos (p. 32).
In haar essay, “’n Bruid uit die rantjies”, haal Dominique Botha herinneringe aan feeste op die plaas uit die sneespaar vier van vergetelheid en besef weer hoe die jare reeds galop het oor die rant (p. 144).
Ek kan natuurlik nie nalaat om te sê hoe trots dit my gemaak het om vanjaar die geleentheid van die Universiteit Stellenbosch se Sentrum vir Sosiale Geregtigheid by te woon waar eerbewys vir hul bydraes aan ’n viertal buitengewone vroue oorhandig is nie. Net so betekenisvol was Stellenbosch Visio se Vrouedag waartydens GraySwan ook inligting oor hul veldtog “Walk with a purpose” met gaste gedeel het (p. 124).
Dis die gees! Nie net in die feestyd nie, maar dwarsdeur die jaar. Mag ons deurentyd met vreugde en dankbaarheid leef.
