Online campus 5 oct dec 2012

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October to December 2012

For daily updates visit

www.uwc.ac.za

Innovation Africa Summit at UWC: Improving lives through innovation Top level representation from many of the world’s top technology and communications companies, as well as leading South African entrepreneurs and more than 20 ministers from 12 African countries converged on the University of the Western Cape (UWC) for the first day of the three-day Innovation Africa Summit on Friday 5 October 2012.

The summit was jointly hosted by UWC and AfricanBrains, an online networking platform for African innovators, scholars and entrepreneurs, and facilitated partnerships to guide the future development of Africa’s fast-growing Information and Communication Technology (ICT), education and technology sectors. Delegates discussed such matters as: the transformation of African economies and the realisation of advances in technology for the benefit of education and research in Africa; developing e-skills and the knowledge economy; investment in African digital content; e-learning and e-teaching; improving connectivity; and advancing multi-stakeholder partnerships to better the continent.

South African Communications Minister Dina Pule speaks at UWC during the Africa Innovation Africa Summit.

South Africa’s Minister of Communications, Dina Pule, spoke at the opening ceremony about how technology is well placed to accelerate service delivery and to improve the lives of the poorest of the poor – mobile phones, for example, have revolutionised access to health, services, banking, education, entertainment and information for many Africans.

“Innovation plays an important role as far as national competitiveness is concerned,” Pule added. “We need to move past the 'doing for' and 'doing to' paradigm, into the 'doing together' approach.”

At the cocktail reception held on the first evening of the Summit, Wallid Tahabsem, President and CEO of the Integrated Technology Group (ITG), made the official announcement that NGOs, private sector and some governments had raised a massive $50 million in funding for tertiary education for African students.

Symbol of LGBTI pride flies at full mast at UWC From Tuesday 9 October to Monday 15 October 2012, the rainbow coloured flag could be seen in front of the pillars of the main hall at the University of the Western Cape – part of LoudEnuf UWC’s Power, Not Prejudice Campaign.

This is the second year that the South African Gay flag was flown outside the main hall, and the first time that it was hoisted alongside the UWC flag, as well as the South African national flag, at the same time. In a city that is lauded as liberal towards LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex) issues, yet has a high prevalence of homo- and trans-prejudiced attacks, this was momentous.

It was also announced in October by the Department of Arts and Culture that South Africa would officially recognise the Gay flag, which registered the flag under the Heraldry Act. This is a milestone for LGBTI rights and makes South Africa possibly the first country to officially recognise a symbol of LGBTI rights.

This act goes a long way in fostering a feeling of pride amongst the LGBTI community of UWC and helps demonstrate the commitment of a University and country that may at times struggle with LGBTI rights issues, but still strives to make provision for this community.

Story by Jerome Cornelius

Left to right: The Gay flag, the UWC flag and the South African flag.

Three flags keeping a careful watch over campus

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According to a recent National Research Foundation survey, UWC is one of the top three universities in South Africa in the research areas of Biotechnology, Molecular Biosciences, Physics, Computer Science, History and Departmental Studies.

Uwc Takes Pride In ...

Offering a Holistic Student Experience

Our Teaching & Learning Focus

Our Relevant Research & Innovation

Producing & Attracting Excellent Talent

Sustaining Financial Stability

Growing Our Profile Internally & Externally

Sense-making Through Leadership Development

H3 Africa helps investigate Africa's health and heredity

The recipients of nine initial Human Health and Heredity in Africa (H3Africa) Consortium grants – including the South African National Bioinformatics Institute at the University of the Western Cape (SANBI-UWC) – were announced at a meeting of the principal investigators in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Monday 8 October 2012.

H3Africa is an ambitious initiative that aims to transform the way genomic and epidemiological studies are conducted by African researchers, and has received nearly $40 million in funding from the United States National Institute of Health (NIH) and the London-based Wellcome Trust, one of the world's largest providers of funding for scientific and medical research. H3Africa aims to investigate and address African health matters through the study of genomics and environmental determinants of disease, as well as to develop expertise among African scientists.

SANBI's Dr Nicki Tiffin and Dr Junaid Gamieldien will be running the bioinformatics component for the H3Africa kidney disease research network, alongside investigators from the University of Ghana Medical School and the University of Michigan. Drs Tiffin and Gamieldien will also be involved, with researchers from the University of Cape Town and other African bioinformatics centres, in bioinformatics training programmes, capacity and infrastructure development, and the building of bioinformatics tools to assist the various H3Africa research teams.

SANBI’s Prof. Alan Christoffels will partner with pathologists and researchers from the NHLS/University of Stellenbosch at Tygerberg Hospital on a Biobank project – the creation and maintenance of a biorepository for the storage, retrieval, distribution and management of large sample collections collected under the entire H3Africa research umbrella.

Genomics for Africa; An army of attendees at the inaugural H3 Africa meeting in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

H3 Africa kidney disease researchers: Prof Dwomoa Adu, Prof Charlotte Osafo, and SANBI's Dr Nicki Tiffin (right).

Phelophepa: Communities board the health train

Students taking part in the fourth-year BPsych and Psychology Honours programmes have performed outreach in the Phelophepa Health Care Train community for the past number of years, as part of the Community Psychology Outreach initiative of the Department of Psychology.

In the rural communities of South Africa, healthcare clinics are often scarce, and many people have to travel huge distances to access even the most basic healthcare for themselves and their families – and, as a result, miss out on vital care. The Phelophepa ('good, clean health' in Sotho or Tswana) initiative is an attempt to address this issue with two trains that operate as mobile healthcare clinics, utilising the existing rail network and bring medical and educational services to rural South Africa where there is often only a single doctor for up to 5 000 people.

The UWC students who gave back to the community by serving aboard the Phelophepa Health Train.

The first Phelophepa train took to the rails in 1994, and comprises 18 coaches providing facilities to conduct general health, dental and eye checks, and to dispense medicines for diagnosed conditions. In addition to these essential health services, individual counselling sessions and group workshops are also provided to help people to cope with psychological issues.

It's not just UWC's Psych students who are involved in the Phelophepa Health Care Train initiative. The University's dentistry students, for example, spend spend two weeks of the year on the trains, providing oral healthcare to 100 patients a day.

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The Life Sciences Building fuses six departments, promoting transdisciplinary research on (among other things) fresh water ecosystems, metagenomics, hydrogen power, animal anatomy, and more.

Health and Wellness Market Day UWC's School of Natural Medicine (UWC-SoNM) hosted its first Annual Health and Wellness Market Day, an exhibition about various aspects of healthy living, on 24 October 2012.

The Market Day served as an opportunity for the SoNM to educate the public about the importance of good health and lifestyles while introducing a variety of alternative medicines.

Members of the public browsed through stalls, watched demonstrations, and shopped for organic foods, alternative therapies and health products.

For those looking for a little pampering and relaxation, treatments such as massages and threading (where a cotton thread is pulled along unwanted hair in a twisting motion in order to remove it) were available. For the more active health enthusiast, there was an open platform at the centre of the stalls where yoga, tai-chi and Zumba demonstrations took place.

Health and luxury: Student getting pampered with threading treatment.

Maths 4 Stats: Creating a nation that really counts Eighty-four Grade 10 to Grade 12 Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy teachers from around the Western Cape received certificates at UWC’s Library Auditorium on Saturday 13 October after completing the Maths4Stats programme.

To address the need for statistical development in South Africa. UWC, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) and Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) came together to create Maths4Stats, a programme aimed at producing a specialised body of educators who are both enthusiastic and well-informed about Mathematics and Statistics.

Speaking at the certification ceremony, WCED Chief Educational Specialist Mbulelo Bali noted that teacher development is a very important challenge. “The South African Matric results are very low every year,” said Bali. “Part of the reason for that is there is always new educational content that the teachers were not previously exposed to, and when this content gets to the classrooms the teachers grapple to deal with it.”

Dr Nancy Stiegler, HOD of UWC Stats Department; Manyano High educator Noncedo Nzulu; and Prof Mbulaheni Nthangeni, Executive Manager of Human Capacity Building at StatsSA.

Learning science and engineering through origami aviation The University of the Western Cape Science Learning Centre for Africa (UWC-SLCA) teamed up with the Sakhimva Foundation, a non-profit organisation that creates aviation awareness, to host the first Paper Jet Competition for primary and secondary learners in Worcester on Saturday 13 October.

The objective of the competition was to create an aviation platform where learners are challenged to apply their mathematics and science skills in a non-threatening and fun environment. Grade 6 to 9 learners from 13 primary schools from the Breederivier-Overberg Region flocked to the school hall of Victoria Park Primary in Worcester to take part in the competition. Each team consisted of three members: a “designer”, who developed and researched the design; an “engineer” who folded a single sheet of A4 paper into a jet; and a “pilot”, who threw it.

The competition was tough, and the greatest flight distances were attained by Worcester RC Primary (25.50m), with Victoria Park coming up just a little short (23.20m) and Worcester RC Primary a little further behind (18.25m). But everyone had great fun cheering their respective teams to greater heights (and distances).

The first fold is the deepest: learners start implementing their jet designs.

The secret to a good flight? A great take-off.

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The Hydrogen Systems Integration and Technology Validation Centre of Competence (HySA Systems, for short) is co-hosted by UWC and the South African Institute for Advanced Materials Chemistry, and is blazing a trail in research into hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

Uwc Takes Pride In ...

Offering a Holistic Student Experience

Our Teaching & Learning Focus

Our Relevant Research & Innovation

Producing & Attracting Excellent Talent

Sustaining Financial Stability

Growing Our Profile Internally & Externally

Sense-making Through Leadership Development

Getting to know the Wodaabe culture Celebrated Emory University anthropology and African studies professor Corinne Kratz delivered a talk on “The case of Recurring Wodaabe: Visual Obsession on Globalising Markets” at UWC's Library Auditorium on Wednesday 10 October 2012.

The talk formed the 3rd annual UWC Faculty of Arts Deans Distinguished Lecture, an event hosted together with the Centre for Humanities and Research (CHR).

Prof Kratz shared her research on the Wodaabe, a Fulani ethnic group of traditionally nomadic cattle-herders and traders residing in Niger and surrounds. She discussed their culture and their rituals – including the courtship competition called the Geerewol festival, where the young Wodaabe men wear elaborate make-up and outfits and sing and dance to impress the young Wodaabe women – while attempting to make sense of some of the widespread misconceptions about the Wodaabe people.

Prof Corinne Kratz of Emory University (United States) delivers a lecture on the Wodaabe people of West Africa.

She also touched on the economic impact of the globalisation of these materials.

“The sharing and the circulation of these materials globally generate large interest towards the Wodaabe people, which contributes to the number of tourists visiting Niger, and that has direct impact on their economy,” said Prof Kratz.

A night of puppetry and art with UWC UWC's Centre for Humanities Research (CHR), together with the Iziko Museums of Cape Town, hosted a performance by the internationally renowned Handspring Puppet Company on Wednesday 10 October 2010.

The show, titled I Love You When You’re Breathing, saw a puppet delivering a meta-theatrical address to critics and the general public. Using comedy and generous amounts of selfreflexive humour, the presentation gave insight into the behind-the-scenes life of a puppet, as an object in the world of international theatre.

The event also saw the showcase of Uncontained: Opening the Community Arts Project Archive, an exhibition featuring an important and historic body of artworks from the now non-operational Community Arts Project (CAP) initiative. The CAP movement was formed to provide accommodation, facilities and arts training for relegated artists and learners in order to develop the cultural voice of Cape Town’s oppressed communities.

A night of puppetry with UWC’s Centre for Humanities Research and the Handspring Puppet Company at the Iziko Museum.

UWC befriends learners on Buddy Day More than 300 Grade 12 learners from various schools across the Cape region attended the th University of the Western Cape’s 4 Buddy Day. Buddy Day is dedicated to allowing pupils who have been provisionally accepted for the following year’s studies to attend lectures and enjoy various other activities with current students and staff of the University.

Student Enrolment Management Unit (SEMU) Director Cheryl Pearce said Buddy Day is an important occasion because it gives learners the opportunity to experience tertiary education before they start their studies. “What makes Buddy Day different from our Open Day is that pupils are given access to lectures, labs and other facilities across the seven faculties,” said Pearce. She said it is important for them to know what they are in for before they come to University. “Fifteen percent Learners from high schools in the Peninsula enjoy of Matric pupils do not study further after school, which is unacceptable. UWC encourages all UWC’s annual Buddy Day. learners to further their education and it is our aim to lower those statistics with initiatives such as Buddy Day.” After all the formalities, the Matrics were treated to some live music by UWC’s very own talented students in the Student Centre – with Carl Wastie, Goodhope FM radio DJ and stand-up comedian, as the MC.

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The Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics has diverse research interests – including genome diversity, nanotechnology, enzymology and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

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Education students leave university as leaders The Post-Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) and final-year Bachelors of Education students bid goodbye on Monday 22 October 2012.

Addressing more than 300 education graduates, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Education Professor Juliana Smith observed that now that the students are fully equipped with knowledge, they must lead by example in their classrooms and their communities. “You are the torchbearers of this nation,” said Prof Smith. “Now go out there into your profession and be leaders.”

Guest speaker Zola Pahlana, principal of ID Mkhize High School in Gugulethu, encouraged the young teachers-to-be to inspire their learners. ID Mkize specialises in business commerce and management.

His school serves 1200 learners and has a staff complement of only 38 teachers.

He told the students that the hard work is only beginning. “The high dropout rate, the low numeracy and literacy, the low retention rates of learners – these are among the problems we face as teachers.

Now you as young teachers have to match your theoretical knowledge and put it into practice in the harsh conditions we face in our schools,” said Pahlana.

PGCE Professor Mogade Moletsane agreed, and added: “Teaching is a lifelong process. Remember teaching is the mother of all professions – doctors, lawyers and all other professionals come from our hands. So handle your learners with care.”

Education is the way forward for the nation, according to Zola Pahlana, principal of ID Mkhize High, who spoke at the PGCE and BEd farewell.

Science Learning Centres to benefit primary school learners The Science Learning Centre for Africa of the University of the Western Cape (SLCA-UWC) opened science labs at two learning centres in Swellendam and Worcester on Wednesday 10 October 2012.

SLCA-UWC is engaged in the development, training and support of educators and learners in science and mathematics education.

A major outcome of the support provided to teachers has been the development and construction of a science laboratory, appropriately, called the UWC Science Learning Centre – a total of 10 UWC Science Learning Centres have been constructed over the past two years. This implementation model has proven successful in both rural and peri-urban schools.

The laboratories are constructed in partnership with Garden City-Archway Foundation; a non-profit organisation that provides funds not only to help train teachers, but to fit and equip science laboratories in schools.

Climate change and adaptation workshop held at UWC UWC hosted a Climate Change and Adaptation Workshop at the School of Public Health on Wednesday 31 October, where representatives from the Cape Higher Education Consortium (CHEC), the Western Cape Government (WCG) and the four Western Cape universities met to discuss issues surrounding this global environmental phenomenon.

UWC Professor of Water and Environmental Science Dominic Mazvimani spoke about how the institution teaches about and researches climate change-related issues, and how the University’s Arts, Economics and Management Sciences, Law and Natural Sciences Faculties are involved in providing education on climate change.

Helen Davies, WCG Director of Climate Change and Biodiversity, discussed how the government is tackling climate change, and highlighted the challenges involved in financing and spreading renewable energy, promoting energy efficiency, and implementing a sustainable transport industry.

Jim Petrie, WCG Director of Energy and Green Economy, gave a short presentation on how climate change, environmental stress, resource constraints and consumption has an impact on unemployment, inequity and under-development in many communities. “Green Economy interventions for climate change, environmental stress, resource constraints and consumption will lead to a prosperous people and a flourishing planet,” said Petrie.

Jim Petrie, Director of Energy and Green Economy at the Western Cape Government, addressed the audience at a climate change workshop.

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To ensure that postgraduate students get the most out of campus life – and manage to graduate and move on to productive careers – UWC has appointed a full-time Director of Postgraduate Studies to run postgraduate seminars and workshops.

Uwc Takes Pride In ...

Offering a Holistic Student Experience

Our Teaching & Learning Focus

Our Relevant Research & Innovation

Producing & Attracting Excellent Talent

Sustaining Financial Stability

6 Growing Our Profile Internally & Externally

Sense-making Through Leadership Development

Internationalisation is the way to go, says Rector UWC Rector and Vice Chancellor Prof Brian O’Connell met with exchange students from Finland, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, USA and elsewhere on Tuesday 30 October, giving them the opportunity to share their experiences at UWC. “The first couple of weeks were hard because some students thought our accents sounded funny but I think as days went by they got used to us. On my first day at UWC I couldn’t get over the fact that I was not going to be able to find my way around the University – It was so big. But I have enjoyed myself here and the International Relations office has been of great assistance to me,” said Arts student Theodore Otey.

The rector discussed the importance of internationalisation, saying: “Internationalisation is one of the ways a country responds to the impact of globalisation yet, at the same time, respects the individuality of the nation. Today’s generation will be the generation that will solve the problems that face the world, but the greatest problem is when we confuse the ways of knowing. So how do we ensure that we don’t confuse ways of knowing? We share knowledge.”

Mr Leolyn Jackson, Director at UWC's International Relations Office, added: “Internationalisation gives us a platform to share information – what better way can we make our world a better place than by sharing knowledge?”

Theodore Otey sharing his experiences as a Howard exchange student at UWC.

Rector and Vice Chancellor addressing the 2012 international exchange students.

Julius Nyerere Lecture: Learning for Life “The planet will not survive if it does not become a learning planet.” Those were the words of Carolyn Medel-Anonuevo, Deputy Director of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Institute for Lifelong Learning at the 9th Annual Julius Nyerere Lecture held at UWC on 19 October 2012.

The keynote speaker delivered an address on “Resisting the Second Scramble for Africa through Lifelong Learning: Revisiting Julius Nyerere’s Thoughts on Development and Education”.

Julius Nyerere was one of Africa’s most respected figures; a former teacher, he became a politician of principle and intelligence, who had a vision of education that was rich with possibility. Medel-Anoñuevo supports Julius Nyerere’s vision, and especially his belief that there is nothing more important than for people to learn to read and write. She said in order for us to build our nations, we need to start educating our people.

In the past it was Government’s mission to provide all children with access to education, Medel-Anoñuevo said, but it is not only a matter of getting children into the classrooms - but we need to keep them there. “Education is a lifelong process, and we have to encourage people to continue to learn,” she said. “Lifelong learning encourages adult education as it enlarges people to understand one another, and helps them to make informed decisions and implement them effectively.”

Universities play an important role in lifelong learning, she said, and university policy makers, professor and students need to realize that we need programmes at our institutions to not only cater for young students but for returning and adult students as well.

“As adults we need to learn continuously,” said Medel-Anonuevo. “ Literacy is the foundation that allows people to engage in further learning opportunities and in turn job opportunities.”

The Vice Chancellor of UWC chose to name the Annual Lifelong Learning Lecture after Julius Kambarage Nyerere as he is one of the greatest African political leaders and most-respected postcolonial thinkers. Known affectionately as Mwalimu (Swahili for "teacher") throughout Africa and the world, he was a rare intellectual who was open to new ideas and criticism and yet often displayed a profound independent-mindedness.

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UWC has a successful reputation as three-time host venue for the Western Province Aquatic Championships, and a long-standing relationship with SwimSA, who nominated the university as a high performance centre. And with the new short course pool opened in October, UWC can host more national and international events.

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UWC Sports Stars shine at Awards evening UWC Sports celebrated a successful 2012 with the annual Sports Awards evening on Wednesday 10 October, where six national athletes and 42 provincial athletes were honoured. Janine Felix, one of the university's national rugby players, won the Sporstwoman of the Year award, while UWC Club cricketer Mujahid Behardien took home the prize for Sportsman of the Year.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ilhaam Groenewald, Head of UWC Sports, said the University had a lot to celebrate this year. “We co-hosted the International Rugby Board Junior World Championship in May and June, an event broadcasted in 307 million homes and 172 countries around the world. UWC beach volleyball players Grant Goldschmidt and Chiya Freedom represented the country at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Our swimming coaches, Karoly von Toros and Cedric Finch, were part of the national coaching team that went to the Olympics, and Jerry Laka was part of the Banyana Banyana coaching team who also went to London,” said Groenewald.”

UWC’s sporting accomplishments didn’t end there, though. UWC’s FNB Rugby men’s first team claimed the top spot in WPRU Premier League A. The university’s netball first, second and third teams won all three divisions at the Western Province National Championships earlier this year. UWC's cricket team is currently doing well in the top league. And UWC Chess Club entered the prestigious USSA Games as the reigning university champions, keeping up the tradition by ending with the best men’s team and the third best women’s team in the country. Michael James and Siviwe Mazingi respectively hold the top men and women’s spots for national university chess players.

Rugby director Peter De Villiers gives UWC cricketer, Mujahid Behardien, the award for Sportsman of the Year.

Rugby director Peter De Villiers gives the award to Janine Felix for Sportswoman of the Year.

UWC does it again: USSA football domination The University of the Western Cape football sides ended their University Sport South Africa (USSA) Western Cape Football league on a high note this season.

UWC's dream team: the USSA Mens team dominated the league this year.

Both the University’s Men's and Women's teams won their respective USSA Western Cape Football leagues. The men’s side ended their campaign on 15 points, above second-placed University of Cape Town, who were followed by Cape Peninsula University of Technology in third place. The women’s side ended their season on top form too, boasting a 20 point finish, 5 points above the Cape Peninsula of Technology, and with UCT in third.

Team captain and final year Sport Science student, Jade Koks from Athlone, who led her team to their third consecutive USSA Western Cape football league victory, said team coach Nathan Peskin was instrumental in the team’s success.

The USSA Football Club Championships will be hosted by the University in December, and will feature the best teams from across the country, going head-to-head for ultimate bragging rights. The University of Pretoria emerged triumphant in the mens’ section, with Tshwane University of Technology - Pretoria triumphing in the womens’ section.

UWC's league-topping USSA Womens team celebrate their victory.

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UWC doesn't believe education ever needs to stop – the University is internationally renowned for research into the philosophy and practice of Lifelong Learning and Adult Learning.

Uwc Takes Pride In ...

Offering a Holistic Student Experience

Our Teaching & Learning Focus

Our Relevant Research & Innovation

Producing & Attracting Excellent Talent

Sustaining Financial Stability

Growing Our Profile Internally & Externally

Sense-making Through Leadership Development

Occupational Therapy Awareness Day

The 2012 Annual Occupational Therapy Awareness Day was held at UWC on 16 October.

Occupational Therapy first year students divided themselves into seven groups around campus, each of whom developed their own theme and planned activities – including wheelchair rallies, balloon popping and quiz shows – and social awareness campaigns to educate people about what occupational therapy is all about, especially for people who have experienced a traumatic or life-changing event.

First year Occupational Therapy student Yusrah Adams explained: “We need to change people’s perceptions about occupational therapy, and make them understand that we go a long way with patients after they have had a traumatic experience, and we make sure they get back to their normal lives even if things are not the same any more”.

In addition to imparting knowledge, the Occupational Therapy Awareness Day activities resulted in funds being raised and toys collected for several hospitals around Cape Town, as well as children’s and old age homes. Donations were also received from Sonnendal, Nutriday, Bokomo and the Western Cape Blood Transfusion service.

Occupational Therapy Day: Students, stalls, sunshine, and strangely-dressed skeletons.

Set the Default to Open Access Information should be free for all – especially if it’s scholarly information. That’s one of the reasons why UWC Library chose to celebrate Open Access Week from 22 to 28 October 2012. During the week, posters were used to highlight some of the compelling reasons to move towards Open Access, reasons that were further explored in the newly-launched Library Blog.

The United Nations has defined Open Access as “the online availability of scholarly information to everyone, free of most licensing and copyright barriers – for the benefit of global knowledge flow, innovation and social development.”

Currently, most publicly financed research is locked behind usage and cost barriers – not everyone is able to use it, and most have to pay to access it. Peter Suber, one of the founding authors of the Open Access Initiative, has defined two categories of open access: gratis (freedom from cost, or more colloquially known as “free as in beer”) and libre (freedom to use, otherwise known as “free as in speech”).

From smallish beginnings, the movement towards open access is fast becoming mainstream. In 2012, institutions such as the World Bank, UNESCO and the UK and Australian Research Councils have mandated that the research they produce or fund should be publicly accessible.

In ten years, Open Access may become the default method for distributing new peer-reviewed research in every field and country.

Accounting Department appreciates AGSA The Department of Accounting would like to express its appreciation for the generosity of the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) in support of development within the department. The commitment and contribution of the AGSA has been incredibly helpful in enabling us to reach our goals and the dedicated partnership over the years has played a vital role in the current successes of the department.

AGSA member Annelien Feldtman currently serves on the advisory board of the department, providing valued input, and AGSA has contributed to the department in many ways, including sponsoring awards for top achieving students, a generous donation of 13 laptops for academic staff to enhance research and development and gifts for the honours class. We thank them for their generosity and we look forward to their continued support in the future.

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In its 1982 mission statement, UWC formally rejected the apartheid ideology on which it had been established, adopting a declaration of non-racialism and “a firm commitment to the development of the Third World communities in South Africa”.)

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UWC mourns Prof Jakes Gerwel The University of the Western Cape mourns the passing of one of its most eminent alumni, Professor Jakes Gerwel. An inspiring teacher who pioneered new approaches to literary studies, he was associated with UWC for most of his adult life, and was instrumental in its transformation from an apartheid institution to a leading intellectual resource for the new nation. At the same time, he was fully engaged in intellectual and practical ways with the struggle for freedom.

Professor Gerwel became Rector and Vice-Chancellor of UWC in 1987 at the height of apartheid in South Africa. His seven years in that role saw an unambiguous alignment with the mass democratic movement and a new edge to the academic project. It also saw the growth of UWC as a community of staff and students active in the transformation project. At a time when the slogan “Liberation before education” was widely heard, Vice-Chancellor Gerwel led UWC to articulate a confident vision of itself as an intellectual place hospitable to socio-political visions excluded from the South African mainstream of the time. His actions resonated through the South African higher education system, inspiring significant changes in other institutions.

Prof Jakes Gerwel, former Vice Chancellor of UWC and a man intellectually and practically engaged in the struggle for freedom, will be sorely missed.

Early in his term as Vice-Chancellor, UWC defied government segregation policies and opened its doors to all races. A period of rapid growth followed, with students coming from all around the country: UWC had become a national university. The teaching and learning challenges were (and continue to be) both demanding and exciting. Despite severe constraints, students from disadvantaged communities graduated in increasing numbers, equipped to make a professional contribution to the new South Africa. President Nelson Mandela lauded UWC for having transformed itself "from an apartheid ethnic institution to a proud national asset."

Professor Brian O’Connell, current Rector and Vice-Chancellor of UWC, said: “I’m saddened by this painful loss. Jakes and I studied and worked together for many years. He was not only my colleague, but my friend. We have lost a great intellectual at a time when our country sorely needs critical voices of reason and steadfast optimism like Jakes. Our heartfelt sympathy and condolences go out to his wife Phoebe, his children and the extended Gerwel family during this difficult time.”

UWC Carols by Candlelight

As a way to spread the holiday spirit and welcome the festive season, UWC hosted the Rector’s Carols by Candlelight Concert at the Main Hall on 29 November 2012.

This event marked the end of the year for the University, and also marked the final official 2012 performance by students from UWC’s Centre for the Performing Arts (CPA). Most importantly, the performance served as an opportunity for UWC to spread the Christmas joy to the wider community.

The event saw many different entities – including the UWC Choir, ERUB Children’s Choir, Rhodes High School Show Tune, and the UWC Chamber Orchestra – coming together to bring fun and festive sound to the campus. The performers captivated the audience with well-received and enjoyable classic Christmas sing-alongs such as “Oh holy night” and “O little town of Bethlehem”, among others.

“Silent Night” was the song that truly cemented the Christmas spirit and lit up the room, with practically everyone lighting a candle and singing along to the visibly beloved song.

Wesley Edward Jewels conducts the Carols by Candlelight concert.

Members of the ERUB childrens choir singing the chrismas favourites.

The focus of the event shifted briefly from the music to reflect on HIV/AIDs as a way to commemorate World AIDS Day on 1 December.

Larry Pokpas, from the University’s Institutional Planning Department, said: “I urge people not to think of World AIDS Day as a single day, not to think of who is infected and who is affected – but to think of the joint responsibility that we have, as a society, of spreading the right message, and spreading it the right way.”

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UWC holds a DST/NRF Research Chair in Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies, focusing on property rights, rural production systems and the politics of land and natural resources.

Uwc Takes Pride In ...

Offering a Holistic Student Experience

Our Teaching & Learning Focus

Our Relevant Research & Innovation

Producing & Attracting Excellent Talent

Sustaining Financial Stability

Growing Our Profile Internally & Externally

Sense-making Through Leadership Development

WIPO Summer School: Entrepreneurship, franchising and solving unemployment “If every entrepreneur in South Africa employs four more people, there will not be an unemployment problem in this country,” said Eric Parker, Senior Partner at Franchising Plus, during the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) South Africa Summer School on Intellectual Property and Transfer of Technology UWC. One of the course topics explored was franchises and the benefits they have for South Africa.“There are many opportunities for businesses, old and new, and also for franchises in our country,” said Parker, who has gathered a wealth of franchising experience as former Marketing Director of KFC and cofounder of Nando’s, and also as a past chairman of the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA).

Eric Parker, Senior Partner at Franchising Plus in Johannesburg explains to business people from across South Africa and the world of the benefits of franchising.

Parker’s presentation highlighted the idea that South Africa needs job creators rather than job seekers.

He addressed a question to academics: “Are our institutions doing enough to ensure that they are creating enough entrepreneurs for this country?”

In conclusion, he urged business owners to try to make a difference.“In times of drastic change it is the entrepreneur that inherits the future,” said Parker.“We need to stand up or be excluded.”

Community of Learning Principals rewards forward-thinking educators With effective leadership skills being critical to the success of organisations across all sectors, Western Cape school principals have been attending workshops and receiving guidance and support through the Community of Learning Principals (COLP) initiative, the brainchild of UWC'S Economic and Management Sciences Faculty and Symphonia for South Africa. To commemorate this year's knowledge sharing, the COLP team held a year-end event at UWC, with an address by keynote speaker Minister Trevor Manuel.

Minister Trevor Manuel, former EMS Faculty Manager Lindi Kamffer and Rector Brian O’Connell share a moment at the COLP function.

Minister Manuel addressed the role school headmasters can and should play in shaping South African education, with a talk focusing on the importance of mobilising communities to partner with principals and teachers in the education of our children, highlighting the significance of entire communities working together to be change agents in our society.

Bababi Fatyela, Principal of Zisukhanyo School in Phillipi, shared how attending COLP sessions has shaped his ability to lead: “Attending the COLP sessions has helped me grow as a person and as a leader within my school and community. I have found these workshops invaluable.”

Prof Brian O'Connell, UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, said: “Only 17 years ago, we South Africans gained the political power to shape our own destiny. Crucial to that destiny is the development of a strong modern education system. This challenge involves the focused participation of a large number of key players, chief of which is the school principal. It can be argued that the future of our nation rests on our principals' shoulders.”

SOP students give back to the elderly The Charity Foundation from the School of Pharmacy (SOP) opened their hearts and took a moment to give back to the Kensington Home for the Aged on Thursday 13 December.

When the second year students saw a big need for toiletries after their first visit to the Kensington Home, they decided to go back and do what they could to help. Led by Inecia Galant, Service Learning in Pharmacy (SLiP) Administrative Assistant at the SOP, they held fundraising activities throughout the year in order to collect funds – activities like monthly cake sales and the One Rand A Day initiative (where students each brought R1 in every day).

School of Pharmacy student Melissa Snyders handing out gift packets at the Kensington Home for the Aged.

More than one hundred elderly residents from various communities in Cape Town are cared for at the Home, and the students brought each resident a little joy as they handed out bags filled with sanitation essentials. The residents of the Home expressed their gratitude by singing a song of thanks as the SOP team made their way out of the Home.

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The School of Public Health is a World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Human Resources for Health. Training courses at UWC help build research capacity for many African Ministries of Health.

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Complete revitalisation of nursing education in Africa Over 100 delegates from 20 different universities across the globe attended the opening of the 1st International Scientific Conference of Schools of Nursing, which ran from 20 November to 22 November 2012 .

UWC Dean of Community and Health Sciences Faculty Professor Hester Klopper welcomed delegates, and also stressed the importance of this conference. “Research is central and we need to balance understanding research and applying it to the real world,” she said. “We can revitalise African education in three ways: through teaching, research and leadership in Institutions,” said Prof Mzobanzi Mboya, the Advisor: Education and Training for Youth of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and keynote speaker at the conference. “Harnessing the capacity in certain better-endowed African universities to assist with the development of resources in less endowed institutions would appear to be a useful strategy in dealing with the existing human resource problem for nursing and midwifery in Africa,” Prof Mboya added.

Prof Mzobanzi Mboya shares a word with conference delegates from Nigeria.

The conference aimed to evaluate the contributions of nursing scholarship to meeting healthrelated Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) officially established in 2000. The plan for the complete revitalisation of education in Africa was developed by education ministers from 54 African countries in 2006, and is an important goal of the African Union (AU).

Teaching towards an HIV free generation UWC's HIV and AIDS Programme and Faculty of Education, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), hosted their HIV & Education Certificate Award Ceremony at the University’s School of Public Health (SoPH) on 13 November 2012.

This ceremony was a celebration and certification of the students who completed the HIV and AIDS programme, voluntarily taking two extra modules on top of their existing curriculum for their teaching degrees to equip themselves with the necessary skills to cope with issues related to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, both in the classrooms and in everyday life.

Gershwin Kraikamp, Ferial Garfieldien, Claudia Iesch and Simone showing their certificates for completing the HIV/AIDS programme.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Faith Kumalo the Chief Director: Care and Support in Schools at the Department of Basic Education, talked about how teachers have the power to shape a young person’s mind, and how vital it is for teachers to understand that and use that power positively.

“It’s important that we recognise that HIV is not only about the virus,” Kumalo added. “It is about people and their relationships, connections, dreams and fears. Therefore it is something we need to work on as a collective.”

Nosisi Mfubu, a member of the programme’s Lisolethu Khayelitsha group, took the opportunity to thank Dr Lees James, who facilitated the programme, for helping create a support system in her community and addressing the stigma that goes with HIV and AIDS.

Dentistry students swear to serve with pride and professionalism UWC's Dentistry Faculty held its oath taking and prize giving ceremony on Tuesday 27 November 2012. The ceremony saw 75 dentistry and 23 oral hygiene students sworn in, taking a step closer to practicing as dentists and oral hygienists.

Baccalaureus Oral Health (BOH) student Lesley Ross Vorster and Baccalaureus Chirurgiae Dentium (B.Ch.D) student Euilliam Scholtz walked away with the most awards at the ceremony. Vorster claimed four awards: the Oral B/OHASA Award, OHASA Research Award Prize, Dean’s Prize, and the Dean’s Academic Excellence Award. Scholtz walked away with three awards: a bronze medal for Prosthetics, the Faculty Prize for Professional Conduct in the Clinical Environment, and the Clinical Achievement Award.

Dentistry and Oral Hygiene students take their oath, marking the beginning of their careers.

Taking the oath, each Dentistry student swore to benefit their patients to the best of their ability and never do anything which may be deleterious to them. Bidding farewell to his students, Dean of Dentistry Professor Yusuf Osman said: “Today you take the oath; after today you will have no one to remind you of the oath you have taken. I trust you will not disappoint.”

UWC’s Dentistry Faculty is by far the leading dental school in Africa, and produces 47% of South Africa’s new dentists. Dentistry has a 100% pass rate while the pass rate for Oral hygiene is 90%.

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UWC’s Community Law Centre played a key role in drafting the South African Children’s Act and the 2008 Child Justice Bill, and currently enjoys observer status with the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights.

Uwc Takes Pride In ...

Offering a Holistic Student Experience

Our Teaching & Learning Focus

Our Relevant Research & Innovation

Producing & Attracting Excellent Talent

Sustaining Financial Stability

12 Growing Our Profile Internally & Externally

Sense-making Through Leadership Development

Judge Rene Blattmann lectures on International Criminal Court The UWC Law Faculty of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) hosted a public lecture by former International Criminal Court (ICC) Judge Rene Blattmann on Thursday 22 November.

The former justice minister of Bolivia delivered a public lecture on the relationship between the ICC and Africa to a forum of lawyers, law students, judges and academics. Blattmann was recently appointed as Professor of Law at Humboldt University, a collaborating partner of UWC, where he teaches international criminal justice

Professor Lovell Fernandez,left, and Judge Rene Blattmann at the Moot Court

“The role of the victim plays an important role in the ICC ,“ said Blattman. An example of the victim’s voice being heard in court was the 2008 trial of Congolese militia leader, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, who was accused of recruiting children under the age of fifteen to fight in the DRC civil war. “In this case the victims were given the right to participate in the trial and give their personal views provided the rights of the accused were protected to receive a fair trial.”

Professor Lovell Fernandez, UWC director of the LLM programme on Transnational Criminal Justice and Crime Prevention, lauded Blattmann for having successfully fought on behalf of the poor for many years.“He enabled the poor to have access law and brought about important changes in criminal law.” Battmann has also facilitated rural mobile clinics for the poor in conflict ridden countries.

The Future of Populations: Plentiful people on our planet UWC's Statistics and Population Studies Department and Faculty of Natural Science, together with the French National Institute Demographic Studies (INED) and the French Alliance in Cape Town, hosted “The Future of Populations”, a public conference on population issues, from 26 to 29 November 2012.

In addition to local experts in demographics and population concerns, four researchers from the famous National Institute of Demographic Studies in Paris, France, gave presentations at the conference on essential population problems: William Molmy, the Director of the International Affairs Department; Senior Researcher Giles Pison; France Mesle, a researcher who specialises in global mortality; and Jacques Valin who is one of the world’s leading demographers and, according to international surveys of demographers, the best-known living French demographer.

Day one conference speaker Gilles Pison from France’s famous INED.

The conference falls under the framework of the France-South Africa Seasons 2012 & 2013, a multifaceted bilateral collaboration between France and South Africa intended to improve mutual understanding by emphasising modernity and shared values that the two countries share. The French Season in South Africa runs until November this year, while the South African Season will run in France from May to December 2013.

Zimbabweans upbeat about draft Constitution The new Zimbabwean draft Constitution has the largest and broadest Bill of Rights in all of Africa, according to Douglas Mwonzora of the Morgan Tsvangirai-led Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T). He was speaking at a public meeting between his party and the Welshman Ncube-led faction of the MDC (MDC-W) held at the District Six Museum in Cape Town on Wednesday 7 November.

Zimbabweans and interest groups listen while the Zimbabwean Dialogues proceed at the District Six Museum.

Facilitated by the UWC's Centre for Humanities Research (CHR), The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition and the Solidarity Peace Trust, and chaired by the director of the Human Rights Institute of South Africa, Corlett Letlojane, the meeting aimed to inform people on events in Zimbabwe and mobilise solidarity. Both MDC factions spoke positively of the new draft constitution.

“This new document will guarantee us a parliamentary democracy where people will vote for their own parliamentarians. This draft reflects the views and consensus among Zimbabweans,” said Professor Qhubani Moyo of MDC-W. “There’s a need for this process to end with the people. It is they that must have the final say, and not MDC or ZANU-PF.” Douglas Mwonzora of MDC-T said, “We want to reduce the levels of State-sponsored violence on the people of Zimbabwe, and we also want to address the economic issues.” He added: “The reason we all participate in this process is because we all love Zimbabwe.”

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UWC is the hub of a National Nanoscience Postgraduate Teaching Platform to offer an MSc Degree in Nanoscience, in partnership with the University of the Free State, University of Johannesburg and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

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ACCESS Workshop: Why it's good to live on Planet Earth What makes Earth such a great place for life – at least as we know it? And how can we ensure that this great planet stays habitable?

Those were the questions posed when the Applied Centre for Climate & Earth Systems Science (ACCESS) ran its twelfth ACCESS Habitable Planet Workshop (HPW) at UWC from 4 to 13 December 2012.

Fifty 3rd and 4th year students from all over South Africa (and also a few from Botswana and Namibia), speaking 8 different languages and studying everything from Agriculture to Genetics to Physiology and Sociology, flocked to Cape Town for HPW12. The Planeteers, as they are known, attended lectures from former Habitable Planet Workshop alumni. Leading researchers in relevant fields also discussed new and exciting work on a range of topics, focusing on the evolution of Earth's glorious diversity of flora and fauna, and the conditions required to maintain these favourable environments.

The host for the HPW at UWC, Prof Lorna Holtman, Director of the Division for Postgraduate Studies at UWC and also President of the Commission for Biology Education, welcomed the Planeteers to the course, outlined what they had in store, and expressed the hope that they would make the most of the learning opportunity afforded them.“You come from different universities; you come from different backgrounds; you have different ideas,” she said. “So take advantage of the networking opportunity, and enjoy your stay.”

To kick things off, ACCESS workshop coordinator Dr Carl Palmer gave a short presentation on the history of life on Earth, discussed what makes Earth habitable, and pointed out how an evolutionary view of history can be inspiring. “All your ancestors were attractive enough or cunning enough to survive and find love,” he said. “So at no point in the chain of your lineage was anyone the ugliest or unluckiest person, or ape-person, or small mammal, or fish, or single-celled organism.”

ACCESS consultant Dr Carl Palmer warms up the crowd for some planet-saving Earth Science fun.

Sharing and caring: students get to know each other at HPW12.

Prof Lorna Holtman, Director of the Divsion for Postgraduate Studies, welcomes students to HPW12.

Learners use innovative means – and robots – to help the elderly The Science Learning Centre for Africa at the University of the Western Cape (SLCAUWC) co-hosted one of the biggest science and technology competitions in the world on Saturday 10 November 2012 – the Western Province First Lego League (FLL) Robotics.

FLL Robotics introduces younger students to real-world science and engineering challenges, providing them with problems to investigate and affording them the opportunity to design, build and program robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS technology.

This year’s challenge was senior solutions – learners had to identify a problem that impacted on the elderly in their communities and find innovative solutions to the problem. They also had to build LEGO robots that could navigate simulated versions of the challenges senior citizens face in daily life.

This year's Western Province FLL Robotics competition saw 32teams competing for the big prize of R40 000. SLCA-UWC funded seven of the thirty two teams – SLCA Phakama from Phakama Secondary School in Phillipi; SLCA Zisukhanyo A and B from Zisukhanyo Secondary in Samora Marcel; SLCA Lentegeur from Mitchells Plain; SLCA Cyber and SLCA UWC, both from Gordon High in Somerset West; and Summy Robo Appies, also from Somerset West.

Three of the teams funded by SLCA-UWC received accolades for excellence: SLCA Phakama received the Innovative Research Award; UWC-SLCA Lentegeur received the Research Quality Award; and Summy Robo Appies received the Robot Programming Award, as well as the overall main prize.

SLCA-Sumy Robot Appies team operating their robot at the FLL Robotics challenge.

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UWC is a research-rich environment, with 50% of the academic staff holding doctorates and 20% of all 19 000 students at UWC registered as postgraduates.

Uwc Takes Pride In ...

Offering a Holistic Student Experience

Our Teaching & Learning Focus

Our Relevant Research & Innovation

Producing & Attracting Excellent Talent

Sustaining Financial Stability

Growing Our Profile Internally & Externally

Sense-making Through Leadership Development

Convocation Honours Club 99 members The UWC Convocation honoured the executive members of Club 99 for their contribution to the University’s fundraising efforts on Wednesday 7 November 2012.

Club 99 was formed in UWC hostel Room 99, the room of Reggie Bergstedt. Other hostel mates such as Jan Persens, Edmund Zingu, Neil Jacobs and Willie Rencs regularly came over to enjoy coffee and late night chats. Today Jacobs is the president of Club 99, and one of the few remaining active members from the original club. “As students in 1967 we got our inspiration from listening to Martin Luther King’s ‘I have a dream’ speech, and would meet every night to talk about issues,” said Jacobs.

Even as students the Club 99 pioneers were all about giving back. Today members of Club 99 are in the fortunate position of being able to support those in need on a much larger scale. On the evening they were being honoured for their donations, they donated R30 000 to the University.

Convocation president Brian Williams, club 99 president, Neil Jacobs and Keith Gottschalk, vicepresident of the convocation

Convocation president Brian Williams praised Club 99 for being role models in the community and playing an important role in the university’s history.“Today we can speak with pride about UWC because of our achievements – and that is possible because of the sacrifices you made,” said Williams.

Club 99 secretary Berenice Williams thanked the convocation for honouring the club.

“It felt good knowing we have done something constructive in ploughing back into the university where we’ve been privileged to obtain our education,” said Williams.

Members of Club 99 who were honoured for their work by UWC's Convocation.

To join the UWC Alumni Association, contact the Alumni Relations office at 021 9592627 or via email at alumni@uwc.ac.za, or visit the UWC Alumni website at www.uwc.ac.za/alumni.

International Mens Day lecture: The responsibilities of fatherhood

Men’s involvement in children’s upbringing should not end with a monthly payment, according to Dr Nicolette Roman of UWC's Social Work department. She was speaking at a public lecture held in celebration of International Men’s Day (IMD) on 19 November 2012.

Inaugurated in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago, International Men’s Day is celebrated annually on 19 November in over sixty countries. The IMD theme for this year was “Health: Helping Men and Boys Live Longer, Happier and Healthier Lives.” Approximately 100 men and women attended the lecture to discuss ways in which men could play a more ‘emotional’ role in rearing children.

Dr Nicky Roman of UWC speaks during the Fatherhood Lecture on International Men's Day at UWC.

Dr Roman explained that men are often excluded in some areas of life – such as when women are taken for pre-maternal and post-maternal procedures. “Men are asked to remain outside when these procedures take place. Men should be involved so that they can build an emotional bond with the child like the mother does.”

Wessel Van Den Berg of Sonke Gender Justice addressed the issue of absent fathers, saying this should not mean the absence of other caring male members of the family in the child’s development and growth. “How do we bring the men of the extended family back into the caring business?” he asked.

The audience engaged with the speakers during the Fatherhood Lecture held to celebrate International Men's Day at UWC.

Andre Lewaks of the Department of Social Development said the emotional component of a child’s development requires a father’s presence. He added that there should be more programmes aimed at preparing fathers for parenting, to complement existing programmes for mothers. “The needs of fathers must not be generalised.”

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Since its construction in 1983, UWC Stadium has hosted national and international sporting events and gatherings, including everything from SA National Chess Championships to Banyana Banyana football matches.

Cape Town Golf Day (with a little rugby thrown in) UWC held a successful 36th Cape Town Golf Day at the King David Golf Course in Montana on Tuesday 13 November 2012, with 144 golfers participating in the event. Eugene Hartney and Johan Pietersen emerged as the big winners of the day.

Speaking at the Golf Day celebration that evening, UWC rugby director Peter De Villiers honoured the event's special guests, Irvin October and Godfrey Thorne, former UWC rugby players who contributed greatly to the university’s early rugby development. “These were people who played for passion. The youth must look at what they have achieved through hard work,” said De Villiers.

For 35 years, the UWC Golf Day has served as a vehicle for building strong relationships and creating an environment for networking between UWC’s alumni, friends and corporate partners. “It is wonderful that people are prepared to contribute to UWC becoming one of the top universities in Africa,” said Fred Robertson, Chairperson of the UWC Board of Trustees. “With your help, we can maintain that position.”

UWC would like to extend a special word of thanks to their Platinum Sponsor, Old Mutual Corporate, as well as to Gold Sponsor ABSA Capital, and all other sponsors who generously contributed to prizes, and the 36 teams who participated and ensured the success of the day.

UWC Rugby Director Peter De Villiers at the post Golf Day celebrations.

UWC volleyballers show their class The University of the Western Cape (UWC) Beach Volleyball team returned triumphant from the inaugural Varsity Sports tournament held in Plettenberg Bay (22 -24 November) and Margate (29 November – 1 December).

The team, consisting of first year BA Students Bejancke Della and Prudence Layters and travelling reserve - and BA Social Science Honors student - Kudzai Chireka, proved that they were a cut above the rest with a resounding 38-22 victory over UJ to claim the Varsity Sports Beach Volleyball title in Margate.

UWC's volleyball dream team: Bejancke Della, Prudence Layters and Kudzai Chireka.

The dynamic duo of Bejancke and Prudence cemented their dominance with their convincing performance in the final. UJ fought hard to stay in touch and trailed 17-9 at half-time, but the pressure from UWC was too much for them and they had to settle for second place.

UWC edge Ikeys in Sevens Plate thriller

UWC claimed the Varsity Sports Sevens Plate with a nail-biting 19-17 win over Cape rivals UCT in Margate.

The Ikeys took control early on when captain Mark Winter made a telling break up the right touchline, finding good support from Storm Winter, who slid over for the first try. UWC responded with a well-placed tactical kick, putting them deep inside opposition territory. The ball was worked out to Donovan Williams who forced his way over for the try, squaring things at 7-7.

UCT sent the ball wide to Olwethu Hans, who dived over in the left corner for a try, giving his team a 12-7 advantage at the half-time break.

Tough play from UWC helped us claim the Varsity Sports Sevens Plate.

But UWC came out hard in the second half. Frederick Muller burst through to score, and his conversion put UWC 14-12 ahead with just three minutes left. Another try from Enrico Cloete seemed to have things wrapped up from UWC, but the Ikeys managed to get over for a try which would have levelled the scores in dramatic fashion...had the easy kick gone over.

All told, both teams scored three tries in an entertaining affair, but that final missed conversion from UCT in extra time meant that UWC were the ones lifting the silverware.

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Our many Continuing Education Projects have been structured within the Framework of Research-Based Intervention.

Uwc Takes Pride In ...

Offering a Holistic Student Experience

Our Teaching & Learning Focus

Our Relevant Research & Innovation

Producing & Attracting Excellent Talent

Sustaining Financial Stability

Growing Our Profile Internally & Externally

Sense-making Through Leadership Development

Freeing our hearts for a freer society

Speaking at the Freedom of the Slaves Day celebrations held at UWC on Saturday 1 December, Oscar-winning actor - and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for Peace - Forest Whitaker explored how the internal bondage of slavery that still exists in those who were affected by it must be fought if freedom is to have any significance.

“We need to push out slavery that occupies the mind; slavery that stops us from believing we are worth something,” said Whitaker.“I look at children who think they cannot achieve. I was one of those kids. I am a slave descendant but that would never stop me from succeeding in life.”

Having been involved, as ambassador for peace, with Cape Town communities like Khayelitsha, Hangberg, Crossroads and Kensington, Whitaker said he appreciated the unity he saw among people in these areas.“Without unity we will fall. Seeing people working together in these communities has given me hope. We must hope to see change. Hope gives you energy to see the possibilities.”

UWC’s Chairperson of Council and Convocation president, Brian Williams, added that we need to believe in freedom and free our hearts so that we can create new and peaceful communities. “It is important to remember our history, but we should not be trapped in and by it. With peace in our hearts, there will be peace in our homes and in our communities,” Williams said.

UN Goodwill Ambassador for Peace Forest Whitaker delivers the Freedom of the Slaves Lecture at UWC.

Chancellor Makgoba donates to Centre for Performing Arts

The Centre for Performing Arts (CPA) will continue to produce many quality musicians, nurture talent and create artistic opportunities – especially after the generous R15 000 donation by UWC's Chancellor, The Most Reverend Dr Thabo Makgoba, on 12 December 2012.

“I was greatly moved by the magnificent performance at the Rector's Concert,” said the Chancellor, who had attended the Rector’s Carols by Candlelight Concert in November.

“Rector Brian O'Connell informed me that the Centre needs an air-conditioning system – and through the Archbishop Development Fund, we were able to make this donation possible.” The money will also contribute to bursaries for CPA students, and may find other uses at the Centre as well.

Pictured from the left: Henriette Weber, Director for the Performing Arts; The Most Reverend Dr. Thabo Cecil Makgoba; and Pro-Vice Chancellor Patricia Lawrence.

Pro-Vice Chancellor Particia Lawrence accepted the cheque on behalf of the University, along with CPA Director Henriette Weber. The Pro-Vice Chancellor pointed to the important role music plays in our lives, encouraging UWC's musicians to be among the best. “UWC has the potential,” she said, “and I believe we will be the best.”

Director Weber said the CPA was thankful for the donation, which would make a big difference to the Centre. She also outlined a few of the interesting activities planned for next year, and ended by promising to keep producing many more talented musicians and conductors that can contribute positively to their communities.

UWC MEDIA OFFICE Do you have any important UWC stories to share? Do you know of an event on campus that you'd like to see featured? Have you heard of UWC alumni who've done amazing things, which you think the world should know about? Or maybe you have a few suggestions, comments or questions about something in this newsletter?

Whatever the case may be, the UWC Media Office would really like to hear from you. Just email us on ia@uwc.ac.za , call us on 021 959 3637, or drop by our offices.

CONTRIBUTORS Matthews Mfubu Nicolette Dirk Notukela Mzilikazi Yolanda Makosi Nicklaus Kruger Luthando Tyhalibongo