For much of her childhood, Hannah Sieberhagen lived a life that few students at Stellenbosch University (SU) can relate to. Born in South Africa to South African parents, she spent her early years moving between countries as her missionary parents served in Central Asia. By the time she returned to South Africa at the age of nine, she had already experienced more cultural transitions and uncertainty than many people encounter in a lifetime.

“My parents took me to Uzbekistan when I was three months old,” she says. “I grew up in different countries in Central Asia and spent some time in the United States as well.”

The experience left her with an American accent that still prompts questions today. At times, it has made her feel like an outsider, but mostly people think it’s cool, she laughs. Yet, those years also taught her something invaluable. “Cross-culturally, I really don’t struggle as much as others because I’m used to adapting to different cultural settings. My childhood experiences have also taught me how to deal with uncertainty.”

Now a third-year BA Humanities student majoring in French and psychology, Sieberhagen is someone who seems instinctively drawn towards connection. She chose SU partly because she wanted to experience life beyond her hometown of Gqeberha, but also because she was attracted by something less tangible. “I felt Stellenbosch stood out in terms of the community it created and the opportunities to connect and have life outside of academics.”

She found exactly that in Harmonie residence. “It’s a place where you can connect, learn new things and have a safe space to make friends.”

Building bridges through action

If there is one phrase that captures Sieberhagen’s approach to life, it is her personal motto: “Why not me?” It is a philosophy that has shaped much of her leadership journey.

As Social Impact House Committee member at Harmonie, she became increasingly aware of the financial pressures facing many students and the growing conversations around inequality on campus. Rather than simply discussing the issue, she wanted to find a practical way to help.

The result was the popular Dunk a Prim campaign. The concept was deceptively simple. Student leaders from residences and commuter communities would pour water over their primarias and nominate other student communities to do the same, while encouraging donations to the #Move4Food initiative, which supports students experiencing food insecurity.

What began as a single social media challenge quickly spread across campus. Residences, commuter communities, societies, cluster conveners and student leaders joined in. By the end of the campaign, more than 1 500 food items had been donated, helping support hundreds of students through food parcels. For Sieberhagen, the campaign’s greatest success extended beyond the donations themselves. “It was a way for student leaders to say they see students who are affected by barriers to education.”

That desire to bring people together around a common purpose also extends beyond campus fundraising. She has helped coordinate tutoring initiatives at Aitsa Aftercare Centre in Kylemore, where Harmonie residents support learners from less privileged backgrounds. She has also organised outreach activities with residents of the Utopia Home for the Aged, helping students build meaningful relationships across generations.

Underlying all these projects is a belief that community is built intentionally. “If you see a need, don’t expect others to fix it,” she says. “Pull up your sleeves and get involved.”

Creating places where people belong

Perhaps the clearest example of that philosophy emerged when Sieberhagen noticed a gap on campus. As a first-year French student, she became frustrated by how difficult it was for students learning French to connect with other French speakers and exchange students.

Instead of accepting the situation, she decided to start a French Society. The process was far from easy. Sieberhagen and two friends worked around the clock to draft a constitution, recruit members and establish an executive committee.

What motivated her was the belief that students needed a space where they could connect around a shared passion. “It was very important to me that it wasn’t only for people taking French as a subject,” she explains. “I wanted anyone with an interest in French to feel welcome.” Today, the French Society continues to thrive. 

For Sieberhagen, moments when students tell her they’ve found friendship, belonging and community make every obstacle worthwhile.

As South Africa marks the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising this Youth Month, she believes young people still have an important role to play in confronting injustice and shaping society. “If I see a problem, I want to do something about it, no matter what the risk,” she says.

It is a philosophy rooted in faith, strengthened through experience and visible in everything she does. Underpinning much of Sieberhagen’s approach to leadership is her Christian faith. She says her belief in Jesus has shaped the way she thinks about community, compassion and service to others. Growing up in missionary communities and witnessing the positive impact that faith-based networks can have on people’s lives, reinforced her conviction that people flourish when they feel connected, supported and valued.

Beyond her studies and community work, Sieberhagen fills her time with photography, dancing, singing, hiking and travel. “One of the biggest struggles I have is that there are so many things I want to do and be a part of, but there’s just not enough time for everything,” she laughs.

Whether she is organising a campus-wide fundraising campaign, building a cultural society or mentoring others through social impact projects, Sieberhagen keeps returning to the same idea: Communities become stronger when people choose to create spaces where others can belong.