What began as a quiet hobby during moments of pain has taken flight into a powerful academic journey for Stellenbosch University (SU) graduate Annie de Villiers. 

De Villiers graduates this week (Monday, 23 March) with a master's degree in history, cum laude. Her thesis, Avian Nation: A cultural and political history of blue cranes in Southern Africa, from the precolonial past to the present, is as unique as it is deeply personal, exploring how South Africa’s national bird has shaped cultural identities, political narratives and environmental histories. 

Her work was inspired by a life-changing diagnosis. 

In 2021, De Villiers was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a condition characterised by chronic pain that is often disproportionate to the initial injury or trauma. The diagnosis left the former Paarl Gimnasium learner living with constant pain. 

“This disorder has taken over every aspect of my life – it has changed what clothing I can wear, how I sleep, how I sit and work at a desk, and what social events I can attend,” she says. 

She emphasises the unpredictability of the condition as one of her greatest challenges. “Some days I feel great and can play padel with friends or go on a hike, whereas during flare-ups I am bedridden for days. CRPS has made my life very unpredictable.” 

As she adjusted to her new reality, De Villiers found solace in an unexpected place: birding. What started as a manageable activity during pain flare-ups gradually grew into a deep fascination with birds and their place in history. 

It’s a hobby she only discovered later in life. When her soon-to-be aunt took up birding during the pandemic, De Villiers followed suit. “On days when I had a lot of pain, my fiancé would take me on drives so I could birdwatch on the farm in Komani (Queenstown) in the Eastern Cape, where I now live,” she explains. 

The pastime quickly became an obsession. She even started an Instagram page, Funky Feathers, to share her encounters. “I got completely hooked.” 

Living with a chronic illness can be challenging and isolating, she says. But through her interest in cranes, De Villiers found a sense of community among birders, conservationists and fellow scholars. She travelled across the country and abroad sharing what she calls the “crane gospel”. 

“This phrase is often used in crane conservation to explain why cranes matter for our ecosystems and biodiversity,” she explains. “For me, it’s about sharing stories about our blue crane and why it is such an important historical icon. After doing the research, I feel very protective of these vulnerable birds.” 

Her academic journey has taken her far beyond Stellenbosch. She participated in a blue crane planning workshop, presented a paper at the South African Historical Society conference, and spent four months in Venice as part of an international globalisation programme. 

“My illness has never been an excuse not to chase my dreams,” she says. 

Still, the realities of living with CRPS made student life difficult. A high-achieving and dedicated student, De Villiers faced what she describes as “many silent struggles”. She underwent intensive treatments and physical therapy, and in 2024, she was forced to take six months off for medical procedures that left her in severe pain and often unable to walk. 

“Returning to my studies after this setback required significant determination and adjustment,” she says. “I ended up completing my degree in three years.” 

Despite these challenges, she remained actively involved in her department, tutoring and assisting lecturers, while also teaching high school history. “I tried to maintain a ‘normal life’ as best I could and make the most of my student years,” she reflects. “Over time, I made a deliberate decision that I am not my illness, and to accept each day as it comes.” 

Although her degree is now complete, De Villiers’s journey is far from over. She plans to continue writing about birds and advocating for what she calls “the feathered others”.