Maties go MAD at Vensters
February 3, 2012 
5 Comments
These group of first-years show off their dancing skills. (Photo: Justin Alberts)
On Thursday night (2 February) crowds flocked to Stellenbosch to experience the annual ‘Vensters’ performances (video). First-year Matie students performed on huge, colourful stages, entertaining the crowd with short plays with themes ranging from environmental awareness to social responsibility.
In total, 20 productions of approximately 10 minutes each were repeatedly performed between 19:00 and 23:00 on the stages, with brightly coloured backdrops, at different residences. Each production was presented by at least two residences or private student organisations, and all first-years in those residences or private student organisations got the opportunity to show their acting and dancing skills.
Two performers in one of the productions for Vensters 2012. (Photo: Justin Alberts)
The Vensters performances are part of MAD² (Making A Decision 2 Make A Difference), which took place this week on the campus of Stellenbosch University (SU). This festival is a student-driven effort to raise money for Maties Community Services (MGD) through several student events.
On the stage on the lawn in front of Simonsberg residence, first-years – dressed in colourful costumes – from this residence and those from Huis ten Bosch taught their audience valuable lessons about the environment. Rhino poaching, the destruction of forests and saving electricity were some of the issues they addressed.
Sonop and Elsenburg told a fairy tale about a chocolate and a lollipop who are exported to Australia, where the lollipop finds love in the arms of a local alcohol-free beer. Also, Huis Marais and Irene performed a fairy tale in which they poked fun at the Karakte Kid movies.
Helshoogte and Nerina showcased some energetic dancing, while Dagbreek and Heemstede showed how technology influences our lives today. Eendrag and Huis Francie van Zyl of the Tygerberg Campus blew audiences away with costumes à la Tron that shined in the dark.
The first-years of Sonop and Elsenberg dance in their Vensters production. (Photo: Wayne Muller)
MAD² presents a “March for MADness” on Saturday (4 February). The march will start at 10:30 at the Neelsie Parking Area and end in Bird Street. Thereafter, the Carling Black Label Community Festival, with food and games stalls, as well as musical entertainment for the whole family, will start at 12:00 at the Van der Stel Sports Grounds.
- Tickets cost R25 and are available at the entrance.
Uitstekende organisering!! 10/10!!!
Welcome to our university!!! Be rest assured of 90% time for studies and maybe 10% play – time. That was your very last time to play!!!!!
OUR HOPE IS TO SEE YOU GRADUATE & EVERYTHING OF THE BEST.
Baie geluk met die puik idee. Min van ons het seker gedink die armbande gaan werk. Dit wys jou net.
many thanx have to go to all US Protection Service as well. They kept everything safe for us.
thanx
Die belangrikste aspek om te noem is waarskynlik die feit dat vir die eerste keer in die geskiedenis van Vensters is ‘n baie groot bedrag ingesamel t.b.v. MGD deur die verkoop van toegangsarmbande. Die finale bedrag moet bevestig word, maar vooruitsigte dui op ‘n bedrag goed oor R100 000.