 Here he began to cast off the shyness and reserve which afflicted him, joining the local militia, becoming a regular contributor to the college magazine, and becoming leader of the Victoria College debating society.For the first time, in both verbal and literary debate, Smuts began to grapple with the political and social issues facing South Africa.Though Smuts did much to cast off his shyness and reserve, he made few hard-and-fast friendships at Stellenbosch.