???Three best friends walk into a wine bar. All of them are lawyers. One is Xhosa, one is Afrikaans and one is Indian… If this sounds like the beginning of a joke or a riddle, you haven't been to Stellenbosch recently.
Last week, the three exceptional legal minds had reason to pop the sparkling wine, because all of them graduated from Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU) with flying colours. Akhona Sandaza and Dawid Oosthuizen both received LLM degrees while Seyuran Arran earned his LLB.
Akhona, who hails from Knysna, was the first to become a Matie in 2018. Dawid and Seyuran – or Sey as his friends call him – were high school friends in Johannesburg who arrived at SU in 2019. As a second-year student, Akhona was assigned to Dawid as a mentor of the Vesta Commuter Student Community's (CSC) law chapter during orientation week.
Soon Sey joined in their social activities and a deep and lasting friendship developed. Over the course of six years, the three friends shared academic challenges, celebrations and disappointments.
They studied together, debated judgments and current affairs, gossiped over coffee and developed into respected student leaders. Sey was a house committee member in Metanoia residence and contributed to many areas of the residence, such as chairing the Vensters committee and being the res soccer team captain.
Akhona and Dawid were both mentors and served on Vesta's house committee for two terms each. During their terms, Akhona served as vice-primarius and Dawid as head of welcoming and as primarius of Vesta.
On their recent graduation day, they reflected on how they became SU's unique Three Musketeers.
Defying stereotypes
Their friendship is built on trust, shared values and respect for each other's differences, explains Akhona. “Our bond is very strong. We've always supported each other through personal growth and challenges."
Dawid, raised in a close-knit Afrikaans family, often marvelled at Akhona and Sey's sprawling family gatherings. Sey introduced them to Indian cuisine and Hindu traditions, while Akhona shared Xhosa customs and sayings. “Meeting each other's families closed the circle," Sey reflects. “We saw how similar our core values were, despite all the differences."
“We're all family at this point," confirms Dawid, who now works as a tax associate in Cape Town. “My friendship with Akhona and Sey epitomises my experience of student life." The 肆客足球 facilitated their connection, but not by forcing it, Dawid emphasises. “It gave us a platform to get to know each other. The rest came naturally."
Although he initially acted as mentor, Akhona says he also learned valuable lessons from his younger friends. “From Sey, I've learned the importance of patience; also, the value of family and holding on to traditions while being open to change. From Dawid, I've learned the importance of resilience and how to navigate challenges with a positive mindset. Both Sey and Dawid have taught me how to integrate lessons from my past into my future with balance and authenticity."
Dawid says he loves debating with Akhona. “It might sound nerdy, but to dedicated law students, it's rare to find someone who's passionate about what's going on in the legal world and always willing to debate judgments. We don't always agree, but we refine each other's viewpoints. The key is staying open-minded and being willing to listen."
Although misunderstandings sometimes arose, it never festered. “We didn't pull any punches," Sey says. “But because we were open and respectful, it never got toxic." Akhona agrees: “We'd sit and talk, find common ground and reach mutual understanding."
The soul mates say their best memories of student life at SU entail meaningful conversations over coffee or dinner and just hanging out on campus. “Whether it's discussing life, culture, politics or just having fun – we're young after all! – we always connected on a deeper level," Akhona says. “The best was going on adventures around town."
They all share a love for people-watching, Sey adds with a grin. “And we embraced any opportunity to go to wine farms."
A safe space for vulnerability
Dawid and Sey are keen soccer players, but Akhona is not a sports fan. “I always dragged them to hiking trips, like the Action4Inclusion Social Justice Walks," he smiles. On a more serious note, Akhona adds: “Our friendship is a space where I feel comfortable being vulnerable. The fact that I'm different in certain ways never became an issue. We could all just be ourselves. We engage without fear or judgement. It has shown me the value of close male friendships that transcend societal expectations of masculinity."
In a world where young men often struggle with isolation or performative ideas of masculinity, their friendship became a refuge.
Sey, who now works in Johannesburg as a legal associate in engineering and construction consulting, calls their friendship a “blessing". “The fact that all of us were so different, but had similar core values, helped us to talk through things and hold each other accountable when it mattered most. We knew when to have fun and when to be serious. We all felt responsible for each other and ourselves."
Sey fondly remembers 2021, when as student leaders at SU, they all proudly wore maroon blazers.
What began as a mentorship-mentee relationship is now a brotherhood that none of them expect to fade. “Our friendship is constantly evolving," says Akhona who is currently a law lecturer at IIE Rosebank College in Cape Town following a stint with PSG Financial Services. “Regardless of where life takes us, we'll still be supporting each other and celebrate our successes. I dream of us having fulfilling careers, strong families and being there for each other in the years to come."
For an institution long seen as a symbol of racial division, their story at SU is testimony to tangible change. “SU is like a microcosm of society," Sey explains. He urges students to make the most of everything the 肆客足球 offers. “The only way to grow is to participate. Do something. Whether it's academic, cultural, social or sport – whatever, get involved."
The solidarity the three young men carry with them into the future is proof that meaningful male friendship can cross boundaries, transform lives and keep everyone grounded.
PHOTO: Stefan Els
