Dear Newcomer

All the things we wish we knew. From us, to you.

The advice dispensed below has been published as it was submitted by members of the student body. Where possible, we have provided some more info to help you along. Please note that while this advice is meant to assist, it must be used with discretion.

"If you are asked to remove/adjust your hijab or niqab in a manner that you feel is inappropriate, please consult with your mentor or house committee asap to assist you in reporting the matter to the equality unit. Or report it yourself at unfair@sun.ac.za. You may also reach out to the SRC regarding this matter. "

"If you plan on staying at a res and your prefer to dress modestly bring skirts and flowy pants as the welcoming week t-shirts are short in every way. You will also need undertops as well. Also don't be afraid to try new scarf styles with a bucket hat or visor. Welcoming week is an experience you don't want to miss out on so whether you are at a res or pso take part you won't regret it."

"Don't feel afraid to do vensters in a scarf. I was the only person who wore a scarf and had an amazing night. You'll be surprised how accepting people are, so don't feel uncomfortable and just have fun."

"If you stay at a res that is not halaal and you are on the Nsfas bursary you can request to get your meal quota in cash to cook food for yourself. In order to do this you have to ask your house head to write a letter stating that the res is not halaal and there is cooking facilities in the res. You can also request to get a portion of the money cash and keep a portion to still book meals. You will take this letter to the bursary department and they will assist you further."

The Bursaries & Loans department is situated in the Admin A Building.

"If you live in res don't be embarrassed to take an istinja bottle with you or to make wudhu in the bathroom basins. It's super uncomfortable at first but eventually you realise that no one really cares. "

"Get a Qibla app and learn how to use it before hand. Because trust me some apps make no sense. A little embarrassing but I read Salaah in the opposite direction for like a month😂. Honestly it's going to take a while to feel comfortable making wudhu in the bathroom basin but you get used to it. Tip would be to bring a spray bottle and bathroom mat. "

"A lot of people do not know anything about Islam and you just have to be patient and kind so you can educate them."

"Your HK and mentors are there to assist you. Do not be afraid to ask them for help or to let them know that you want slip away to pray. "

"If you are someone staying on res, you should keep in mind that most non-Muslim residents know very little about Muslims. Due to this, you should try not to feel uneasy when practising Islam in this environment, people is only looking at you in that way because they don't know and are probably curious."

"Just note there's only one halaal food place in the Neelsie (Mariam's Kitchen), so if you ask anywhere else and they say they are, they aren't."

For a comprehensive list of the halaal university facilities & fast food places on campus, click here.

"Make sure to get your card activated at the halaal residences before classes start because it take time for them to activate your card and you have to book 2 days before the time. Remember you can also ask for access at Wimbledon hub (now called chalkboard) as they are halaal and open till later in the evening. When you are given access to Wimbledon they give access to pay with your student card, however, you will need to go to the It hub to get access to the door of Wimbledon hub (chalkboard) . You will have to do this if you are not apart of the Wimbledon cluster. Other halaal places include on campus include Padkos, chalkboard inside the engineering building and mariams kitchen inside the neelsie these places are open to everyone."

"That access to the JK was as easy as going to the SRC office!"

"No idea there was a prayer room in the Neelsie"

For more information on how to get access to the JK, click here.

"It would have been nicer to get involved in the MSA but it wasn’t easy as a non-res student as a lot of the MSA events happened after classes ended (and I’m in a lift club). Another thing, I still don’t know how to become an MSA member"

To find out more about becoming an MSA member, contact vice chairperson, Shafi Sonday at @shafi_sonday on Instagram.

"Don’t get too invested in the hype of your first year. The excuse of 'it’s first year' isn’t valid always."

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