A Rhodes student leader said the tragedy of student Anja Jooste's death had brought the university community together. "This is a really terrible time for everyone at the university, but at the same time we have got to know each other better, said SRC President Allan Magubabe at a memorial service for Jooste.
A Rhodes student leader said the tragedy of student Anja Jooste's death had brought the university community together. "This is a really terrible time for everyone at the university, but at the same time we have got to know each other better, said SRC President Allan Magubabe at a memorial service for Jooste.
"[Anja's death] managed to get us close, even though we are from really different backgrounds," he said. Flags on campus hung at half-mast and the Chapel of St Mary and All the Angels on the Rhodes campus was filled to capacity as friends, family and Rhodes University staff gathered to remember Anja "AJ" Jooste, a second-year BA student from KwaZulu-Natal, who died in a car crash on Sunday night.
Jooste's parents were there and Rhodes staff included Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr Sizwe Mabizela, and Dean of Students Professor Vivian de Klerk. During tea afterwards, at Eden Grove, Jooste's friends spoke of the shock of realising they would never see their friend and classmate again.
One friend, who wished to remain anonymous, described Jooste as having been "friendly, warm and accessible". Another said she had touched many people's hearts. The accident also claimed the life of Chris Wilson, whose memorial service will be on Saturday, at Salem. Jooste will be buried this weekend in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal.
