Contact the Alumni Relations Office: Tel: +27 21 959 2143 | Fax: 021 959 9791 Email: alumni@uwc.ac.za | www.uwc.ac.za/alumni http://twitter.com/UWConline | http://www.facebook.com/uwcalumni
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Alumnus Alf Fleur from Worcester couldn’t describe the mood at the ′80s Alumni Reunion weekend more aptly when he said, “the reconnection was amazing, the (Friday) evening was like a fairytale, the brunch nostalgic and the dancing a great pleasure at its best.” “The church service was inspirational and the march to the gate a pilgrimage. All of a sudden nobody wanted the weekend to end...what a privilege to have been part of the ′80s Alumni Reunion! Thank you to the team who organised this.” The three-day alumni event was a resounding success, bringing together old friends for a weekend of nostalgia, discussion, fun and philanthropy. The Gerwel family chose the event to donate one million Rand to the University’s Jakes Gerwel Education and Development Fund. The developmental theme echoed throughout the weekend, particularly at the spirited remembrance march to the old entrance of the University as the ′80s Reunion drew to
a close on Sunday. The march recalled the struggle years when student activists often marched to the gate chanting “hek toe” to protest against human rights injustices that were taking place in South Africa at the time. They were often met with tear gas, assault and arrested by the police. But this time the marchers, led by 93-year-old Prof Richard van der Ross, the first black UWC Rector, retiring Rector and ViceChancellor, Prof Brian O’Connell, and incoming Rector and ViceChancellor, Prof Tyrone Pretorius, exchanged flowers with a group of police at an emotional occasion of commemoration and reflection. This time alumni sang struggle songs and chanted ‘hek toe’ to draw attention to corruption, crime, poverty, inequality and universal access to education. To huge applause from the marchers, Prof Van der Ross reprised the words he used fifty years before at a mass meeting in the Great Hall after a march, when he said: “The University of the Western Cape has found its soul.” Addressing Prof Pretorius, he said, “You will continue the great work that we started”. Prof Pretorius responded that he was deeply humbled by Dr Van der Ross’s words. “I think Jakes Gerwel CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
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Reflections on excellence Alumnus Nomboniso Gasa, a researcher, political analyst and writer on gender, customary law, politics and cultural issues, was one of the panellists at the Saturday Brunch Conversations event. Her input on the broader meaning of academic excellence provided much food for thought among the gathered alumni. Opining that academic excellence should be located within the broader context of society, Gasa said: “Excellence demands freedom, choice and creation of an enabling environment so that people can in fact strive to be their best, creative, imaginative and brilliant…Otherwise, a university can easily be disengaged from society. Many people think if you have that cum laude degree, that you’ve arrived...We must probe the very meaning of ‘excellence’ and ‘merit’. Without this, our approach to knowledge production is disconnected from society and ourselves.” “In the Eighties, many students came to UWC after being rejected at some other tertiary institution. My journey to UWC was different. I was accepted at another university, which many considered among the top
in the country. I was excited. On arriving I was lost and miserable. The spatial design, its architecture and physicality was alienating and intimidating. I threw caution in the wind and went in search of the ‘Bush University’. On arrival, there was a mass meeting...Release Nelson Mandela graffiti all over the walls...Free Cecyl Esau stickers...This graffiti did not feel as if it defaced the walls of this university. It enhanced them.” “The rhythm of toyi-toying students and the freedom songs made me realise immediately, this was where I wanted to be. I felt at home. UWC resonated with my spirit. I knew that if I studied in a place like this, I would find solid grounding and anchor and perhaps I could even contribute to society.” She said that the University had overcome key obstacles and has achieved a level of excellence that has “been very important in laying the foundation for the future for UWC. The role of a university is to reconstruct, to understand and lead as a process. That, for me, is a critical step in building academic excellence.”
‘80s Alumni Reunion 2014
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Welcome to this special edition of Three-Sixt-e in honour of UWC’s ′80s alumni. In this issue we celebrate this stalwart generation of alumni for their contribution in leading the University of the Western Cape to democracy. The ′80s was the turning point in the fight against the apartheid regime. It was a period of unrelenting political struggle with students and the youth confronting the apartheid government head-on. The struggle inhabited the daily lives of the young men and women at UWC in the 1980s – whether activists, supporters or simply affected by the political turmoil on and off campus. In October 2014, the ′80s alumni returned to their alma mater for a ‘mass gathering’ of a special kind. The ′80s Alumni Reunion weekend saw old friends catching up, reminiscing about campus life, the political ‘action’, the sporting heroes and campus characters, and old loves both lost and nurtured over time.
Nomboniso Gasa was one of the panellists at the Saturday Brunch Conversations event.
and Richard van der Ross gave UWC its soul. Brian O’Connell gave UWC its identity. The big task for me is to find out what my contribution to UWC will be. Obviously I depend on my ′80s alumni, those I shared the benches and the trenches with. I depend on them to help realise my contribution to UWC.”
Editorial
The Sunday activities included a plaque unveiling ceremony to honour the role UWC alumni played in the struggle. Attendees observed a moment of silence in remembrance of the ′80s alumni who had passed on and all those who died in detention or as a result of apartheid police brutality.
The event was not only a resounding success, but many alumni, both nationally and internationally, were inspired to plough back, by donating to the institution or participating in the establishment of new alumni chapters. In this issue of Three-Sixte we have tried to go beyond merely reporting the events of the weekend. Our focus has rather been to give these alumni an opportunity to be heard, to reflect on their legacy and consider how they relate to their alma mater and the present generation of students. We hope that having reconnected, they will find many reasons to return to campus. Happy reading! Patricia Lawrence Pro Vice-Chancellor Department for Institutional Advancement
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ICE T VO N E D STU
Jubilant Student Voice members after receiving the Weekly Mail Best South African Student Newspaper Award.
Student paper kept fires burning Freedom of expression was among the burning demands of students in the 1980s, and UWC had a thriving student-run newspaper as a vehicle for it in that decade. The Student Voice was funded by the Students’ Representative Council and started as an A4 publication until it became a tabloid in 1990. The idea was always to write about the broader issues of the student community. It tackled a wide range of issues, from matters such as the location of the best second-hand bookstores, the coolest nightclub and the cheapest food, to more serious issues like student fees and women’s safety on campus. UWC’s successes, whether academic, on the sports fields or cultural, were also celebrated in the paper. “But we also covered the surrounding communities and national events, ran debates, and provocative articles to stimulate debate, such as Gloria Steinem’s ‘If man could menstruate’, which of course sparked some energetic conversations,” explains William Gumede, an Associate Professor of
Apartheid was our common enemy. We were covering the boycotts and the detention of our student leaders. Public & Development Management at Wits University, who was the editor of the publication. “Apartheid was our common enemy. We were covering the boycotts, the detention of our student leaders...some of us were financially excluded for non-payment, lack of funds,” recalls Julian Jacobs, who was part of the team which started the paper. “Those were days when we called for press freedom, Marxism was the fashion and protest action was our inspiration.” Jacobs, now the director of Communication & Stakeholder Relations at the Human Sciences Research Council, worked with fellow students Gumede, Chris Mathlako, Badian Maasdorp, Helga Jansen, Carol Moses, Laurie Watson, Manny Rooms, Johan Vollenhoven, Sandy Dyers, Renee
Lewis, Sango Velleman, Mohammed Latiff, Renee Jacobs, the late Patrick van Sleight, Ruwaydah Lillah, Mercedes Sayagues, Karima Effendi, and Advocate Munzhedzi Frederick “Zorro” Ramovha, a poet, among others. The publication’s editorial team came from different academic disciplines on campus but none of them had any journalism or photographic background. Yet the paper was voted the South African Best Student Newspaper in 1991/1992 and in 1992/1993. “No mean feat, as we still in the late 1980s did copy and paste with stencils,” Jacobs commented. Members of the Student Voice went on to start other student organisations on campus and have since led successful careers in their respective fields. The paper had its challenges, Gumede recalls: “We fell out with the SRC and had a protracted fight over editorial independence in which they evicted us from the premises and cut off our funding. That fight over editorial independence led to a march against the Student Voice by the SRC – and a bonfire of newspapers burned by disgruntled individuals as well as a meeting organised by the SRC to denounce us. For a few months we had ‘fighting’ between us and the SRC through posters.” PAGE THREE
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80s HE ’ T N EI ANC M O R
UDF unites! Although much of the 1980s was beset with political unrest at UWC, activists also needed the relief of normal pursuits, so romance often flourished among them. Professor Graeme Bloch recalls his first encounter with Cheryl Carolus. “It was after my banning order was lifted, in the Great Hall, when I first saw a woman in a long trench coat with wild hair. She was leading masses in song. But she couldn’t sing! She later became my wife,” recalls Bloch, a visiting adjunct professor at Wits University.
The two could not have had more different backgrounds – he, the white, Jewish son of a plastic surgeon while Carolus is from a tightly knit, working-class, coloured family. The two could not have had more different backgrounds – he, the white, Jewish son of a plastic surgeon while Carolus is PAGE FOUR
Graeme Bloch and Cheryl Carolus are among the prominent couples who met on campus in the ‘80s.
from a tightly knit, working-class, coloured family. Her mother was a nursing assistant and father a printer’s assistant. Carolus, who holds a BA (Law) and BEd from UWC, was not the first in her family to be affected by apartheid’s prohibition of mixed ‘race’ relationships – her paternal grandfather, an African herbalist, could not marry her grandmother, a coloured woman, because of the Mixed Marriages Act. Because of the restrictions, Bloch and Carolus’s relationship was formed under difficult conditions and frequently tested by circumstances. Bloch says: “I thought when I saw her that she was feisty and a leader. We are both intellectuals who believe in understanding the context. She was very brave and we went into hiding together. It took a long time for love to develop though we were poster kids for ‘UDF unites, apartheid divides’.” The United Democratic Front (UDF) was formed soon after they met and life got very hectic. “I was mostly in hiding, though coming to campus regularly to lecture, and we both had the same repression profile and no kids. She also always cheered me up as she was very optimistic in the worst moments,” said Bloch, who was teaching history, economics and English.
Many private hotels or lodges were shut to us as we were a ‘mixed’ couple.
The couple found courtship difficult under the conditions of repression. There were no cellphones so we would arrange to meet in advance, including late night political meetings. We had good holidays or had drinks on the beach. Many private hotels or lodges were shut to us as we were a ‘mixed’ couple. The great thing too was spending time at SANParks where people were more interested in the environment than racial division.” Carolus became UDF’s communications secretary and the couple moved in together in Rondebosch East. “The weirdest thing was white neighbours and their traumas.” They tied the knot in 1990, “and we are still happily married though we fight like hell sometimes,” Bloch jokes. Carolus adds: “Graeme and I can spend quality time together. We can lie in bed on Sunday morning and read the papers. We go for long walks or go to a jazz club.”
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The girl next door When she moved with her parents and siblings from Windhoek, Namibia to Postmasburg in the Northern Cape, 1980s alumnus, Natalie Smith, didn’t know she would be moving in next to her future husband. At the time, she was seven and Vernon eleven years old. Natalie recalls: “Since then already Vernon’s father planted the seed with his repeated requests to me as I was growing up of becoming his daughter-inlaw. I’d naively answer ‘yes’ every time he asked me that question.” She remembers when it was time for Vernon to start studying at UWC after matric. “I was fourteen at the time and I remember his mom baking and the general celebration of the neighbours in the street whenever Vernon would come home for the holidays. We’d even cry together when he had to leave again.”
UWC alumni couple Natalie and Vernon Smith.
“The law degree took seven years to complete back then, so he was entering his fifth year by the time I started studying education at UWC the following year. I would get lost often and he would pick me up at the ladies’ hostel and escort me to my first class, but later I started realising that there was a campus full of boys to choose from.”
I would see Vernon with his new girlfriends, while I was dating other boys. We ended up avoiding one another for three years. “I would see Vernon with his new girlfriends, while I was dating other boys. We ended up avoiding one another for three
years. We even took a different route on the long train ride home.” After his studies Vernon started his practice as a criminal law advocate, but their paths literally crossed again on an open field in their town during her holiday break. “We had a long heart-to-heart and decided to forget our differences and be friends again. But we became the strangest of friends – the type that would still be holding hands,” she laughs. A year later they got married. “We had that romantic notion that even if we stay in a shanty, at least we will be together.” Natalie taught in Ritchie, a small town south of Kimberley, for ten years before accepting a job as an editor at the provincial office of the Department of Education in Kimberley. These days she deals with applications from learners with special needs at mainstream schools, seeking special assistance while writing their exams. She enjoys this and sees it as an opportunity to live out what UWC taught her – to serve your community in a practical way and lead from where you are.
“We had a long heartto-heart and decided to forget our differences and be friends again.” A year later they got married. “We had that romantic notion that even if we stay in a shanty, at least we will be together.” After some years in private practice, Vernon became a regional magistrate in Kimberley, where he presided over several high profile cases. The couple have two sons, Sean (20), who is studying law at the University of the Free State, and Dane (18), who will study Chemical Engineering at UCT this year. Their daughter, Skylar, is five years old. PAGE FIVE
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The social gathering was just the first phase, allowing people an opportunity to get to know one another. “The social gathering was just the first phase, allowing people an opportunity to get to know one another. There are many challenges ahead of us, particularly in relation to UWC alumni’s role and responsibility towards our communities. Part of my role is to ensure that people realise the huge task that we have ahead of us in building our institution,” she said.
There was great interest in the social event and some ex-Bushies attending travelled five hours to get to our event.
“There was great interest in the social event and some ex-Bushies attending travelled five hours to get to our event. Most people who attended were from other universities and tertiary institutions in South Africa. However, as fellow South Africans, I do see a role for such people to play in support of the activities planned by our intended chapter. We now have to put the structure in place to get the work started.”
NI LUM A L NA ATIO N R INTE
UK chapter on the way Alumna, Vicky Maile, who managed to attend the spirited ′80s Alumni Reunion, is the driving force behind efforts to get the United Kingdom UWC alumni chapter off the ground. She has been working as a social worker and practice manager in the UK for the past 12 years. Vicky acquired wide experience in community development while working mainly in rural areas, including Herbertsdale, Grabouw, Barrydale, Kimberley, Kgalagadi and, briefly, on the West Coast. Before PAGE SIX
leaving for the UK in 2002, she worked for the Independent Development Trust as a project implementation manager. Vicky obtained her Diploma in Social Work from UWC in 1989 and obtained a master’s degree in housing development and management from UCT and a certificate in methods and techniques of planning and development from the German Centre for International Studies, both in 2000. Vicky has already organised the first social get-together for UWC alumni in the UK. Another event is planned for early 2015.
UWC is a more progressive university and I would like the UK chapter to reflect that in the programmes and topics it presents. “There are some elements local to England that I would like to incorporate to strengthen the UWC chapter. UWC is a more progressive university and I would like the UK chapter to reflect that in the programmes and topics it presents. I’m quite keen to share some of my ideas with the alumni organising committee at UWC at our next meeting,” Maile said.
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Udubs in UAE
New Washington alumni chapter
After just two meetings in September, with no formal chapter structure yet, the UWC alumni group in the United Arab Emirates surprised everyone when it donated R10 000 to the Jakes Gerwel Development Bursary Fund at the UWC ′80s Alumni Reunion. Francis Fourie, who graduated from UWC in 1990 with a B.Bibl.Ed degree, explained that the donation was raised when twelve alumni and their families celebrated South African Braai Day on Yas Beach, Abu Dhabi, in late September. This followed a meeting earlier in September to discuss the formation of a chapter in the UAE. “It was a sight to see and hear. Everyone felt they were reconnecting to long-lost family members. Stories from campus days spontaneously took place with laughter and some tears were also shed,” she said. After Fourie explained that the purpose of the gathering was to establish a UWC alumni chapter in the UAE, the alumni were enthusiastic about the idea and a steering committee was formed, with Fourie and alumna Leonie Begbie-Cloete nominated as the interim co-chairs. After hearing that the Fouries (husband Danville is also an alumnus) would be attending the ′80s Reunion, it was suggested that the ‘chapter’ make a cash contribution to the bursary fund. “Everyone was in favour of the suggestion, and AED 1 600 (about R5 000) was raised on the spot,” explained Francis. “Freddie Cloete, a businessman and also a UWC graduate, matched the amount.” Fourie is urging UWC graduates who work and live in the Middle East, especially in the UAE, to join the chapter. Alumni can contact her via email (francis.fourie@nyu.edu) or through WhatsApp (+971567800640). The UAE Chapter already has a Facebook page. UWC alumni working and living in the United Arab Emirates are establishing an alumni chapter.
Gayle Martin is a UWC alumna based in Washington who is keen to start a UWC alumni chapter there.
Proud 1980s graduate, Dr Gayle Martin, is a senior health economist with the World Bank and excited about starting a UWC alumni chapter in Washington DC, where she resides. Alumni who were at the men’s hostel in the 1980s would probably remember her as the daughter of Ma and Pa Martin who headed the men’s hostels at the time. Martin, who obtained her Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree at UWC in 1989 and a PhD in Health Economics from Harvard in 2003, says the idea of a Washington chapter is still in its formative stage. “There [aren’t many] UWC alumni in the greater Washington area and I predict that the DC chapter will probably remain small, while a planned alumni chapter in New York would most probably be the larger one,” she said. “That said, there are many UWC alumni passing through Washington en route to New York or other parts of the US and it would make a lot of sense to have an alumni chapter. Washington is an important global policy hub and we could host guest speakers of international standing at alumni events and engage with other alumni from local universities. Globally we can leverage so much in UWC’s favour.” “We could host guests or have a guest speaker at an alumni event and engage with other alumni from local universities and all over the world as well as learn from the experiences of the UWC alumni chapters elsewhere in the world.” She is keen to share ideas sourced from her interactions with the Harvard Alumni Association. Martin, who attended the ′80s Alumni Reunion in October, says UWC has shaped both her political and social views and taught her the value of education. She says the words of Edith Vries strongly resonated with her and motivated her to start a DC chapter: “It would be arrogant to refuse.” Another quote from the floor at the Saturday Brunch Conversation event that she lives by is, “You can do well and you can do good.” PAGE SEVEN
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Alumni must revive their passion to advance society Leading the brunch conversation on leadership in the ′80s, former Students Representative Council (SRC) president Leslie Maasdorp noted that, unlike in his era when leaders were grounded, leadership today has to a certain extent lost touch with the communities.
Leadership has changed so much over the last thirty years. There is a degree to which leaders now are elevated way above the constituencies and the people they serve. “Leadership has changed so much over the last thirty years. There is a degree to which leaders now are elevated way above the constituencies and the people they serve.” Maasdorp, the chief executive officer of Advtech, a private education group, called on fellow alumni to reflect and ask what they could learn from the example of former UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, the late Professor Jakes Gerwel, an exemplary leader of that generation who was one of the most humble and uncelebrated leaders of his time. Maasdorp, who spent most his time as SRC president in 1986 behind bars, recalled how the 1980s student activists were blessed to have selfless leaders of the calibre of Cheryl Carolus, Trevor Manuel and the late Dullar Omar, “and we were inspired by those who had gone before us”. He believes his generation left “an incredible footprint” for South Africa as they played a critical role in advancing society towards the democratic era of the 1990s. “But I think we have not quite transformed that into a legacy,” he said. “We can only move to transform that footprint PAGE EIGHT
s E ’80 H T N IP I RSH E D LEA into legacy if we respond with the same sense of solidarity, with the sense of purpose, to deal with challenges that face our country [now].” “This generation today occupies leadership positions throughout society but the glue is missing. I want to put out a challenge to you that the glue and the electricity and the energy and the sense of solidarity that bound us together in the ′80s somehow have depleted over time. Why has that happened? What was it that was magical in the 1980s that infused the sense of belief and conviction that we could overthrow the system? If we believed it then why don’t we believe it now?”
What was it that was magical in the 1980s that infused the sense of belief and conviction that we could overthrow the system? If we believed it then why don’t we believe it now?
Maasdorp challenged alumni to lead the way in using technology to innovate and advance society and to recreate that passion to do something that would “be more everlasting for our children, our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren”. Maasdorp cited the education system as a case in point in which alumni could respond collectively to deal with the “very deep structural crisis of education today”. Reminding the audience that their generation was the first to “embrace the modern world of computers”, Maasdorp challenged alumni to lead the way in using technology to innovate and advance society and to recreate that passion [of the 1980s] to do something that would “be more everlasting for our children, our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren”.
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Women’s rights are everybody’s rights During the 1980s there was a strong feeling among some students and academics that the issues relating to gender oppression and women’s rights were often obscured in the broader fight against apartheid.
It was thanks to their perseverance, and the progressive women and men they inspired, that progressive gender rights structures and campaigns were born at UWC. Many rejected the attitude of some male activists that these issues should wait until freedom in the broadest sense was won. UWC was fortunate in this era to benefit from the fierce commitment and deep intellectual ability of activists like Jean Benjamin, Rhoda Kadalie, Zenariah
Barends, Zelda Holtzman, Daphne Williams, Lynette Maart, Febe Potgieter and Cheryl Carolus, to name just a few. It was thanks to their perseverance, and the progressive women and men they inspired, that progressive gender rights structures and campaigns were born at UWC. UWC’s Women’s Commission, the Women’s Studies initiatives, and a number of anti-sexual harassment and anti-sexual violence campaigns started on UWC’s campus were beacons of hope to gender activists at other campuses where the politics of race and class tended to dominate. By the 1990s, with the broad political struggle on the cusp of political democracy, activists at UWC were striving to entrench the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) staff and students, as well as raising awareness of the rights and needs of differently-abled students and staff. These efforts were given a permanent institutional form with the establishment
of the Gender Equity Unit in 1993 and the adoption of progressive gender policies by UWC’s Council. The well respected Gender Equity Unit has since made a major contribution to gender relations on campus, protecting the rights of women workers, as well as helping to develop UWC’s progressive positions and reputation with regard to the protection of gender rights. The struggle for gender rights, like the broader struggle for human rights and freedom, is far from over in South Africa and Africa. UWC can be proud of its historical and current contribution in the gender rights arena, and even more proud that UWC is today a safe and welcoming space for differently gendered people and women.
UWC can be proud of its historical and current contribution in the gender rights arena.
UWC alumna, Cheryl Carolus, speaking at the “Year of Women of the ANC” conference held at Wits University on 9 August 1985. Picture credit: Gille de Vlieg.
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Some matters still arising We are a new normal. We are part of the middle class. We are privileged, we have power and influence. The question is: how do we use this space which democracy has given us within a context where we still struggle with inequalities?
took us under their wing and taught us the principles of national democratic revolution, who taught us what capitalism was about, and taught us strange concepts like bourgeoisie, which I pronounced ‘borgee-wa-zee’.” Marks, once a United Democratic Front organiser in the northern suburbs, said humility, discipline, integrity, patriotism and loyalty were some of the qualities she learnt from UWC “that I still carry with me in life as a diplomat. We were taught that you had to be disciplined, to be a moral example, and to be sober – as Cecyl Esau said, ‘a sober struggle for a sober revolution’.” Commenting on the current situation, Marks said: “We are a new normal. We are part of the middle class. We are privileged, we have power and influence. The question is: how do we use this space which democracy has given us within a context where we still struggle with inequalities?”
Y ARIT D I L SO
ES NITI U M M G CO N I G A - ENG
There was a simple but profound belief among UWC students in the 1980s that they were first members of the community before they were students, according to South African ambassador to Thailand, Ruby Marks. “So we had a responsibility to make sure that we organise within our communities,” she said, leading the brunch conversation on ‘Solidarity and Engaging with Communities’. “We had to make sure that we honour the sacrifices and the contributions of our parents who were exploited workers and living in very difficult conditions. So we went out into communities like Bellville South, Valhalla Park, Elsies River, Gugulethu and Bonteheuwel to organise communities.” PAGE TEN
Ruby Marks was among the popular student and community organisers during her time as a UWC student.
Such activism took its toll on students’ academic work. “For us the issue of attending class was listed under the agenda item called ‘matters arising’,” she quipped to huge applause from the audience. “And so there is no surprise that it took me nine years to complete a four-year degree.” There were valuable lessons, though, for the former student organiser, gender activist, trade unionist and community activist. “What I gained in the process is extraordinary. It taught me my organising skills. I can walk into any space and if you can give me a small opportunity, a small gap, I can expand it to things that you cannot imagine. That activism is still part of me.” Marks said she was grateful they had people like Cecyl Esau and others, “who
“In a de-racialised capitalist system, how do we ensure that class difference does not become the new enemy that separates us from our working class roots, and indeed from the working class? Yes we have made progress since 1994, but clearly a broader social compact of government, of citizens and of us as alumni are needed. How do we move from that which is needed to the whole connections to communities?”
There is a danger that we have to guard against, from our comfortable places that we occupy today, that the nostalgia of the ‘80s can easily be reduced to just writing a cheque. We need to do more than that.
“There is a danger that we have to guard against, from our comfortable places that we occupy today, that the nostalgia of the ′80s can easily be reduced to just writing a cheque. We need to do more than that.”
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Boesak – iconic leader of the ‘80s apartheid was a heresy and challenging Christians to oppose it on moral grounds. In 1983, Boesak became one of the patrons of the newly formed United Democratic Front (UDF), that, in the absence of the banned liberation movements, quickly became the leading anti-apartheid organisation in the country and the dominant ideological force among the student community at UWC. Boesak, along with other UWCassociated leaders (Dullah Omar, Cheryl Carolus, Trevor Manuel), became the face of the UDF in the Western Cape. Reflecting on UWC’s identity during the 1980s and its relevance today, Boesak said recently: “It was a place of new understanding and resistance. It was quite a unique moment in the history of the country captured in one place – at UWC. It was unique that the students could do what they did despite the unforgiving demands of the struggle. If in those days they could have that understanding, how much more now must the youth follow the examples from the 1980s? It was an extraordinary generation, but that was because South Africa is an extraordinary country,” he said.
RE ATU E F IAL SPEC
Alumnus Rev Dr Llewellyn McMaster (left) and Lynn Hendricks (right) of the Alumni Relations Office present Rev Dr Allan Boesak (centre) with his official UWC alumnus T-shirt.
‘Boesak! Boesak! Boesak!’ Many 1980s alumni remember chanting that name as its owner triumphally entered a packed community hall or meeting on campus. Blessed with captivating oratorical gifts honed at the pulpit, Rev Dr Allan Aubrey Boesak was instrumental in persuading many conservative ‘coloured’ students to embrace the UDF’s brand of nonracialism and to oppose apartheid. Born in Kakamas, Northern Cape in 1946, he was one of eight children. He was raised in Somerset West after his father, a schoolteacher, died. At fourteen, he became a sexton in the local Nederduitse Gereformeerde Sendingkerk (Dutch Reformed Mission Church). After graduating from Bellville Theological Seminary in 1967, he worked as a pastor in Paarl. Boesak was ordained at age 22. From 1970 to 1976, he studied at the Theological University at Kampen
in the Netherlands, gaining a PhD in theology in 1976. On his return to South Africa in 1976, Boesak began preaching liberation theology as student chaplain at UWC, Peninsula Technical College and Bellville Teacher Training College, and later at the DRMC congregation in Bellville South. Alumnus, Llewellyn MacMaster, was a theology student at the time and remembers Boesak’s huge role. “We had him as a student chaplain and when he preached almost every Sunday evening, it became a regular campus event. You wanted to be in chapel on a Sunday evening. So theologically and spiritually, it became an important element in student protests, in student solidarity, for forming students’ thought and reflection on these things.”
Boesak believes that those students had a clear consciousness of the role they were playing: “They had that abiding consciousness and felt a necessity for change. They fully realised that they had a personal role to fulfil.” “There was a belief that the change shouldn’t just affect this institution (UWC), but this institution should translate that movement towards change into the wider revolution of the country.”
‘80s alumnus Rev Dr Llewellyn McMaster and Rev Dr Allan Boesak chat about the upcoming ‘80s Alumni Reunion in September 2014.
Boesak’s standing was enhanced by his election as president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) in 1982 and he began preaching that PAGE ELEVEN
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Friday Welcome Friday, 3 October, was kick-off day for the ′80s Alumni Reunion at the University of the Western Cape. There was much excitement as former students from all over the country and abroad gathered to be part of the three-day festivities. After a welcoming cocktail many alumni went on a campus tour to see the latest campus developments. Some, like Myrna Kirk from Gauteng, noted the contrast between their fondly remembered hostels and the barbed wire and controlled access at the new student residences, while others were impressed with the modern look and comfortable facilities. At the Rector’s Gala Dinner that evening, the excited chatter was almost deafening. The Delft Big Band created smooth jazz sounds and a highlight was a big surprise donation of R1 million by the Jakes Gerwel family to the University. Messages from international alumni
and recordings of their respective ′80s Reunion celebratory parties were shared on overhead screens. The programme included a speech by the presenting sponsor, alumnus Roland Greaver, CEO of Kagiso Asset Management. He likened UWC’s 1980s alumni to a “teaspoon of platinum that is extracted from rock the size of a rail carriage” and urged alumni to rebuild and enhance their connection to UWC. After the Rector’s keynote address, alumnus Meko Magida thanked Prof Brian O’Connell for his contribution and dedication to the University as well as his family for supporting his role at the University. Before the guests got down to partying to the sounds of DJ Oscar Levendal, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, Patricia Lawrence, spoke about the need for alumni to materially support efforts to uphold the UWC legacy.
Alumnus Roland Greaver presented a gift to Prof Brian O’ Connell on behalf of alumni at the Friday evening Rector’s Gala Dinner.
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R INNE D A GAL
The Delft Big Band provided smooth jazz sounds to an appreciative crowd.
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Saturday Conversations with Alumni Saturday’s festivities kicked off with stimulating discussions at the Brunch Conversations with Alumni event. The programme was opened by MC, Africa Melane, followed by a welcoming address by Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Department for Institutional Advancement, Patricia Lawrence. Prof Edith Vries, who was a lecturer in the 1980s and now serves as Director-General in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, acted as moderator and discussions were led by panellists Leslie Maasdorp, Nombonisa Gasa and Ambassador Ruby Marks.
Researcher and analyst Nomboniso Gasa spoke on ‘Academic Excellence and Freedom’.
Prof Edith Vries served as moderator of the Saturday Brunch Conversations.
Panellist, Leslie Maasdorp, who was SRC president in 1986, and until recently served as southern Africa president for Bank of America Merrill Lynch, led the conversation on ‘Leadership in the ′80s’. Alumna Nomboniso Gasa, a senior research associate for the Centre for Law and Society at UCT, discussed ‘Academic Excellence and Freedom’ and Ruby Marks, currently serving as
South Africa’s ambassador to Thailand, led the conversation on ‘Solidarity and Engaging with Communities’. Among the audience was none other than former struggle activist and alumnus Cecyl Esau who felt that the most succinct statement came from Ruby, who reminded alumni that the struggle against “inequalities” continues.
After the morning of stimulating discussion, the Saturday programme took on a more leisurely family-oriented tone with a potjiekos competition, karaoke and jumping castles for the children. Alumni dusted off their dancing shoes that evening for the ′80s jol, with alumni partying till the early hours of Sunday morning and reminiscing about the old days. Panellist, Leslie Maasdorp, was SRC president in 1986.
Ambassador Ruby Marks led the conversation on ‘Solidarity and Engaging with Communities’.
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ITH RFA E T IN
Interfaith service with Alumni
ICE SERV
On Sunday morning, the focus shifted to a time for reflection and commemoration with an interfaith service and wreath-laying ceremony in remembrance of those who had passed on. At the interfaith service in the main hall, before introducing the new rector, Prof Tyrone Pretorius, Rector and ViceChancellor, Prof Brian ‘O Connell, said that it was an emotional and nostalgic moment for him as it would be the last time he would address the 1980s alumni in his current capacity.
Prof Brian ‘O Connell, said that it was an emotional and nostalgic moment for him as it would be the last time he would address the 1980s alumni in his current capacity. An emotional moment for alumni occurred when Prof Dicky van der Ross was ushered into the hall.
1980s alumnus, Rev Dr Llewellyn McMaster, led proceedings while opening prayers were performed by Prof Farid Esack and Prof Nico Koopman. The Saint’s Messengers, a popular and fondly remembered ′80s student gospel group, sang Thula Mama with alumni in the congregation joining in. The Bible reading by Pastor Philip October was followed by a performance by the UWC ResLife Choir.
The Saint’s Messengers, a popular ‘80s campus-based gospel group, were well received.
Rev Dr Llewellyn MacMaster led the event.
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The Bible reading was conducted by Pastor Philip October.
Former Rector Prof Dicky van der Ross was ushered into the hall in full academic attire, amid much flashing of cellphones, cameras and iPads. Leaving the hall to join the procession to the old entrance (“Hek Toe” march), alumni started singing struggle songs, reliving for a moment the militant days of the ′80s. The procession concluded with homilies by Prof Farid Esack and Rev Dr Llewellyn McMaster. At the wreath-laying ceremony thereafter, themed Remember When and Remember Them, a moment of silence was observed and plaques were unveiled by Professors Brian O’ Connell and Tyrone Pretorius. The ceremony concluded with the singing of struggle anthem Hamba Kahle uMkhonto and a farewell lunch in the marquee.
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OIR s CH 0 8 ‘ UWC
The Saint’s Messengers Choir spread gospel in the ‘80s.
A message in their music When the Saint’s Messengers Choir took to the stage at the Sunday interfaith service at the ′80s Reunion, it reminded many alumni about the role played by religious organisations in the fight against apartheid.
“A song like Thula Mama, Thula (don’t cry mother) was popular during the ′80s because it was a song that reflected the pain experienced in many communities during the apartheid era,” explained Christopher Banda, the lead singer.
Established at the hostel in 1980, the choir served as a “constructive recreation” to balance student life and as a vehicle to spread the Christian gospel. But its music was also a commentary on the vicious oppressive system of the time.
communities. Over the years, the choir travelled and performed extensively around the country, to the home towns of the members (including Montagu and Caledon), as well as the Eastern Cape, Central Karoo, Namaqualand and Namibia.
According to Banda, the choir was started by seven students with a passion for gospel music and singing – himself, Archie Lewis, Denzil Oliphant, Deon Lewis, Gerhard van Wyk, Norman Booysen and Mark Denston – none of whom had any formal musical training. They performed regularly at church services in the chapel of the erstwhile Faculty of Theology and also in Bellville and other surrounding
The choir also produced five CDs but these are not commercially available (although they can be purchased directly from the choir). “Our singing is an expression of our gratitude for what God meant to us in our personal lives over the years...[the CDs are] a means just to help us to sustain choir operations,” says Banda, who added that they were working on hosting a show on campus to raise funds towards student bursaries. PAGE FIFTEEN
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ION IBIT H X E ’ TOE ‘HEK
Professors Harold Herman (left) and Cudore Snell attended the ‘Hek Toe’ photographic exhibition.
1980s remembered ‘Hek Toe!’ was the recurring refrain throughout the weekend-long UWC ′80s Reunion event in October, harking back to the time when student activists chanted the term to rally comrades to assemble at the main gate where they would confront the waiting police. On the first day of the reunion, hundreds of the 1980s generation engaged with the ‘Hek Toe!’ photographic exhibition in the foyer at the entrance of the Main Hall. Presented by the Alumni Relations Office, the exhibition showcased life on campus during those turbulent years, using many photographs from the personal
collections of alumni and former members of the UWC Photographic Society. Excited alumni pored over the grainy images of student sporting and cultural life, identifying old faces and features of the campus. A sombre element in the exhibition was a whiteboard on which alumni noted the names of colleagues who had passed away. The speed at which the list grew marked the passage of time and sparked much reflection. A special feature of the exhibition was a series of photographs showing legendary Rector and Vice-Chancellor, the late Professor Jakes Gerwel, leading a march
UWC academics led several protest marches in full regalia in the 1980s. (Independent News Media Group)
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Prof van der Ross tries to reason with a police officer on campus. (Independent News Media Group)
to the gate in full ceremonial academic dress along with academic staff and students, and Professor Richard van der Ross attempting to negotiate with the police. These iconic moments were reenacted in the march to the gate by alumni on the last day of the reunion. UWC anti-apartheid demonstration 1988/1989. (©Eric Miller)
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KLET O O B ’ TOE ‘HEK
UWC Chancellor Archbishop Desmond Tutu. (Benny Gool)
exhibition, alumni recount the impact of politics and campus conditions on their studies and youthful interests, and the high price some willingly paid in pursuit of liberation.
Africa’s first liberated spaces, famously dubbed by Gerwel as the ‘intellectual home of the left’ in 1987.
The booklet also briefly discusses the contrasting leadership styles and contributions of the two rectors of the time, Prof ‘Dicky’ van der Ross and Prof Jakes Gerwel, who oversaw UWC’s transformation from bush college to one of South
The struggles for women’s rights and the singular contributions of leaders such as Rhoda Kadalie and Jean Benjamin are fittingly acknowledged, and, lest the impression be created that politics consumed campus life, a chapter discusses student social life, organisations and the diverse cultural activities on campus.
Below left: Prof Jakes Gerwel. (Benny Gool) Below right: Prof van der Ross. (Independent News Media Group) Bottom: from left to right, Frank van der Horst, Lionel Louw, Allan Boesak, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jakes Gerwel and Mary Burton at a ‘Defend Democracy’ campaign. (Benny Gool)
Below left: Rhoda Kadalie Below right: Jean Benjamin Bottom left: Kasie Olifant reading his poetry. Bottom right: A cultural event in the Main Hall in 1986.
Alumni Booklet Complementing the exhibition, each alumnus received a copy of a booklet entitled Hek Toe! UWC in the 1980s. Dedicated to the alumni of the 1980s, the booklet was researched and written by UWC 1980s alumnus and struggle veteran Nazeem Lowe. The booklet recalls how UWC students confronted the might of the apartheid regime in the 1980s amid the unrelenting wider political struggle that proved to be the turning point in the fight against apartheid. Echoing the images in the PAGE SEVENTEEN
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ENT V E I MN ALU
Many old friends reunited at the reunion.
80s alumni ladies show that they’re proudly Udubs.
‘80s Alumni Reunion 2014 Alumni enjoyed catching up with old friends and classmates at the ′80s Alumni Reunion.
Returning alumni take a tour around campus.
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More than four hundred graduates attended the ‘80s Alumni Reunion in October 2014.
The South African Police Service stopped by to pay homage to fallen ‘80s alumni at the Hek Toe march, which was led by Major-General Veary, also an ‘80s alumnus.
(From left), Ambassador Ruby Marks, UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor Professor Tyrone Pretorius, former Rector and Vice-Chancellor Professor Dicky van der Ross, and Pro Vice-Chancellor Patricia Lawrence lead the Hek Toe march.
‘80s alumni were treated to a welcome gala dinner on the first evening of the reunion weekend.
‘80s alumni at wreath-laying ceremony.
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Sport in the struggle Sport was alive, healthy and highly competitive at UWC in the 1980s. In fact, the University produced an astonishing number of athletes and administrators who went on to represent the institution, the province and the national teams of their respective federations. Gary Boshoff is a good example. His brilliant performances on the field saw him selected to the South African Rugby Union team for six years and he earned just under 100 caps for Tygerberg RFU. He studied at UWC from 1981 to 1985 and returned for his MA in Development Studies in 1988. Now Executive Manager: Community Services in the Drakenstein Municipality in Paarl, Boshoff remembers that sport was an important, deeply politicised part of social and cultural life at the University, especially among hostel students. UWC was aligned with the South African Council of Sport (SACOS), an umbrella national body which opposed apartheid sport structures.
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“We were told that every time you put on your rugby jersey for UWC, every time you ran onto the field, you were making a statement. You were doing it in protest against the apartheid system because you didn’t participate in apartheid sport but you were participating in a sport system that was trying to prove exactly the opposite of what apartheid was standing for – that is, non-racialism.” New students were bombarded with information about the unequal system of apartheid and the resistance movements, he recalls. “After three weeks of initiation you became instantly educated on the political challenges the country was facing and sport served as a conduit for many of us to learn about politics.”
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Rugby and netball were the most popular sports, followed by other codes such as cricket and swimming. Boshoff remembers intense and exciting rivalry at sport activities, from the inter-hostel week at the beginning of the year to competing against the neighbouring black institutions such as Bellville College of Education and Peninsula Technikon, and traveling with the Tygerberg team to different parts of the country. Boshoff was also a talented cricketer, but came from a family with a strong rugby culture, with three of his brothers playing PAGE TWENTY
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representative rugby in both the SARU and SARF federations at the time. He became what he termed a “reluctant achiever”. “I diligently trained four to eight times a week (club & provincial), envying my friends who went to movies and parties on Friday nights while I had to go to bed early as I had a rugby game the next day.” Sport in the 1980s at UWC took a big knock in 1985 when the campus was invaded by the security police. General academic and sporting activities were disrupted for a full six months as a result. “It was a traumatic year for rugby and for sport in general. The rugby club (with Boshoff as captain) continued to play in the Tygerberg League with a skeleton group of committed players but was unfortunately relegated out of the top league for the next season.”
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Today it is pleasing for Boshoff and other UWC rugby stalwarts to see the number of black players representing South Africa on the world stage (Springboks and Proteas). “The battle was forged during those times of struggle when we laid the ground rules on how sport should transform in future,” he said, adding that while many black sportspersons were tempted to play for the establishment (apartheid) sport federations, UWC sportsmen and women stood firm and were at the forefront of the establishment of a truly nonracial sport system for South Africa. Boshoff applauded the reunion as important and meaningful not only because alumni were able to see so many fellow students, sportsmen and leaders from that era, but also because they were reminded of the values and principles that forged the UWC of today. “To see the Reverend Llewellyn McMaster on stage in the Main Hall, took me back to the eighties when Llewellyn led us as the president of the Students’ Representative Council. An extraordinary era in the history of the People’s University indeed.”
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1. Henry Abrahams (coach), with the 1982 UWC rugby team. 2. A member of the hockey team. 3. Members of the UWC netball team. 4. Boxing tournament in the Great Hall. 5. Ettienne Boonzaaier and Moses Baartman. 6. A women’s rugby match at a hostel sports event in 1986. 7. UWC’s cricket team that won the SATISA tournament. 8. Members of the UWC men’s rugby team. 9. The UWC hiking club on a beach hike in 1985.
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Fun and games They came from far and wide to reconnect and have the mother of all parties. And of the talent to do exactly that, there certainly was no shortage. The Potjiekos Competition was just one of several activities the alumni indulged in, reliving all the fun they had as students at the University of the Western Cape. Eventually the winners of the Potjiekos Competition were Karen Sass, Sandra Daniels and Zelda Marcus for their delicious mutton and vegetable potjie.
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There was also more than enough opportunity to show one another a thing or two on the dance floor as well as a chance for alumni to prove that their karaoke skills should not be underestimated.
1. The dance floor was never empty as alumni put it to full use, dancing the night away until the early hours of Sunday morning. 2. (From left) Alumni Julian Rossouw, Trevor Elie and Theo Burgers were more than pleased to reconnect after so many years. 3. Every sibling of the Maasdorp family is a UWC alumnus. Leslie Maasdorp (far right) was a political detainee in the eighties and also a panelist at the ‘80s Alumni Saturday Conversations. From left to right are his brothers Badian and Romeo and sister Mirinthia and his mom, Kristina, who was honoured as a special guest at the Saturday Conversations. Next to her is Patricia Lawrence, Pro Vice-Chancellor of UWC. 4. These men wore their alumni T-shirts with great pride as they tackled the challenge to create that perfect potjiekos. 5. These three lovely ladies (from left) Verna Stuurman, an unidentified alumna (centre), and Maxi Links enjoyed the Saturday festivities together. 6. These two little ones enjoyed some card games, while the adults attended the screening of the rugby match.
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Children and grandchildren could enjoy the jumping castles. 8. The sweet taste of success for Patricia Lawrence, Pro Vice-Chancellor, and Samantha Castle of the Alumni Relations Office at UWC. Not only was the ‘80s Alumni Reunion a resounding success, but part of the Saturday evening’s rewards were the opportunity to taste an array of potjiekos flavours. 9. The Saturday evening ‘80s jol had alumni up and dancing to the tune of the Rockets. 10. The grass was particularly popular among the ladies to rest their weary feet after a full day of fun in the sun. 11. The proud winners of the potjiekos competition were (from left) Karen Sass, Sandra Daniels and Zelda Marcus. Their delicious mutton and vegetable potjie ensured their victory. 12. At the Gala Dinner held on the first night of the Reunion, guests were entertained by a live band.
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Bush Café As a student at UWC, Zenariah Barends supported workers’ strikes, community protests, women’s rights campaigns and student issues in the Eighties. At the Rector’s Gala Dinner, she read her poem, Bush Café, which sparked a round of spontaneous singing of freedom songs.
Bush Café The old café Was the fulcrum Coming together In those heady days Sharing bunny chows and crispy, golden samoosas Do you remember? 1980 Sitting on that patch of grass, or under the lonely tree Sharing chunky bread and curried beans, licking sticky fingers, while imagining freedom’s kiss “Kijk in de Pot” Has anything ever tasted sweeter? Where were you? Outside or inside the café, Staring down an opponent Over a banging game of klawerjas A game I never learnt to play We circled each other, none of us in class Our destiny lay elsewhere I climbed onto a rickety table In the middle of the café “My country tis of thy people you’re dying…” * For the briefest of moments the cards were quiet
“Zimbabwe is free” Inspired, we danced with abandonment No longer asking the question “Who are you to think that you can change the world?” We knew, with youthful certainty that we would The students would be represented At Bush and everywhere Freedom, once so elusive, beckoned And while we celebrated With the mountain in view, Crystal exploded in Hanover Park The shards splintered and spread, 81 is a number we shall never forget In the bush café in Bellville We gathered, minds engaged in fierce debate The heavy mantle of elders thrust upon us The grass had roots, We were both water, fluid And sponge, sucking it all in Like raindrops we dispersed To nurture the roots Of the growing tree of freedom Do you remember? Fast forward 1985, “Hek toe, Hek toe”
“Amajoni, Amajoni” Bullets of rubber falling, teargas and tubs of Vaseline As we ran to hide, escaping the heavy boots behind us And in the midst of the cataclysmic storm A brief interlude, a concert in the Great Hall Music still the limitless healer 3000 found their way, through burning tyres on Modderdam Road “You fill my life with love and joy” ** Outside campus and the Samaj Centre, busses left for Cradock To bid an unbearable farewell to the four A banned flag unfurled Bright under the pale winter sun, “We shall not let you down comrades We are getting closer” State of emergency November, no pen to paper Repeat A small price to pay for freedom We were there Even though we came from everywhere Do you remember? I remember…
* from the song of the same name by Buffy Sainte-Marie, 1966
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** from ‘Here’s to love’, song by Sadao Watanabe and Roberta Flack
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Comments and responses
Zenariah Barends
Irene de Beer
Keith Majoos
A huge thank you to Samantha and the team for pulling off an amazing reunion – the impact will go beyond this weekend I am sure. Reclaiming our history form the margins is so important and in writing my poem, I was very aware of this. Telling our own stories, even more so.
I need to take this opportunity to thank the UWC Alumni team for the most memorable reunion ever. This event gave loaded meaning to the word ‘reunion’. We were treated like celebrities. I could only attend the Friday function but it still made me walk around with my head in the clouds for days on end.
Lynn, Llewellyn, Leolyn, Samantha, die komitee en almal wat by die naweek betrokke was: eerstens baie dankie vir die naweek wat julle vir ons ‘jonger’ alumni gereël het.
You can feel very proud of the excellent manner in which you organised the ′80s reunion weekend. You have made sure through your efforts that the place of this generation in the history of our country is affirmed and never forgotten.
Roslynne Le Roux Scharnick We should thank you guys, Samantha, because without you it would not have been possible. I have been humbled and in awe of your magnificent planning and effort. I truly felt like royalty because no expense was spared to treat us. The weekend has been one of euphoria, wonder, nostalgia and much more. It has exceeded my wildest expectations.
Glynis Pieterse Thank you Samantha. As I said in a post...a Hollywood scriptwriter could not have set such a magnificent scene.
Everything was perfect – fit for the kings and queens that we still believe we were for the weekend. What enjoyably surprised me was the tea/coffee served...at the gala event. I then realised ‘this is business’. I love my tea. You understood we were older and love tea more. You really thought of everything. The snacks and food served – world class quality – remember, I could only recall platvleis from the hostels when thinking of UWC. Thanks most of all for the opportunity that you afforded us to see faces from the past. How all of us changed (expanded sideways and some growing through their hair)! When you are connected to UWC in some way or other, you tend to compare with ‘the others’. I’ve attended alumni functions at another institution but this one het die koek gevat – I will tell them yours qualifies as ‘best practice’.
Ruby Marks
Joe Samuels Congratulations on a job excellently done.
Samantha, you were absolutely phenomenal...you’ve already built your own legacy, and I know now that our alumni are in very competent hands! I will toyi-toyi for you anytime.
Die reëlings was goed, die ontvangs was goed, die deelname was goed en die afskeid was hartroerend en baie emosioneel. Dis hoe ek gevoel het wat hier ver sit; wat van almal wat persoonlik daar was – ʼn belewenis! Dit was ʼn onvergeetlike naweek van versoening en hoop.
Makwena Modimola The event exceeded all my expectations; it was sad that all good things have to come to an end. Well done to the team. The ′90s alumni have a huge challenge ahead of them to beat this one.
Natty Vick Samantha, Lynn en die hele span, die wie voor en agter die skerms geswoeg en gesweet het om hierdie wonderlike geleentheid vir ons moontlik te maak. As daar enige hiccups was, was nie een van ons daarvan bewus nie. You are smooth operators. Julle opofferinge het nie ongesiens verby gegaan nie. You clearly pulled out all the stops and everything was planned and executed to perfection. Duisend male dankie vir die afgelope naweek.
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Louis Scheepers
Nathan Rhode
Thank you very much to the team in the Alumni Office for the wonderful job you did in planning and delivering a most wonderful reunion for the '80s Bushies. I think it is fair to say that all of us were blown away by the well put together programme and the quality of entertainment and food that we were served. Our Bush Blankies was a special touch and will always remind us of this special weekend and the special decade that the 1980s was for UWC.
Samantha, thanks for making me feel welcome at the University. This really affirmed me as a human being. You and your team, the Urban Soul Team, provided the outcomes which we are gushing about and no doubt there were challenges but your professional temperament caused you and your teams to take it in stride – bravo. I have one request, whenever I am in the Cape I would like to visit the Old Gate for some reflection and possibly to lay a flower or three just for old time’s sake.
I trust that the ′80s Alumni Reunion will reconnect all of us with our alma mater and that the alumni of the 1980s will lead the way by leading from where we are. Hek Toe!
Antoinette Williams My gratitude to you and your committee, Samantha, is overwhelming. You’ve made this weekend not only memorable, but also meaningful. I came away from this experience richer in treasured moments, emotional highs and sad lows (remembering those who were part of, but no longer here, living amongst us). I treasure ALL of these moments because I know I was part of something again, I belonged again. So, my thanks for making it happen, for the success it was, and blessings we received because if it. Well done! ALL OF THE CREW 2! They did an excellent and enthusiastic job. You’ve given us more than what we expected the event to be.
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Llewellyn MacMaster What a joy, privilege and honour to have been part of this project. All the people in the Alumni and Advancement offices have been phenomenal. The members of the Committee came on board and each brought with them a wealth of experience and expertise. I mentioned some time ago that this was no Mickey Mouse event, and I am sure that each and everyone who attended will agree. Once the planning and organising gained momentum, there was just no stopping the ′80s Reunion tsunami!! Nou kan die Vader my ma vat! I was part of a heavenly experience here on earth! Everyone was just themselves - no pretence, no disguise (except for the natural ones!). Seeing so many people at Sunday’s service was ʼn riem onder die hart. Salute, almal!
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Note of Thanks On behalf of the Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape, the Department for Institutional Advancement, the Alumni Relations Office and the Communications and Media Relations Office, we would like to thank all who contributed to and supported the ′80s Alumni Reunion which we hosted in early October. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to assist us in making the event a resounding success. To the newspapers, radio stations and websites that published and broadcasted stories about the reunion, your sterling work has not gone unnoticed. We have received a lot of positive feedback from alumni and friends of the University because of your kind assistance. Thank you Fred Robertson from Commsure Financial Solutions, Roland Greaver from Kagiso Asset Management, Johan Rossouw from Vunani Limited, Melvin Watkins from New Generation Group and Greg Davids from Urban Soul Group. Also, thank you to Gerard Joubert from PPS, Savarion Arends from Old Mutual Group, Lynn du Toit and Eltie Links from Juta, Three Ships Whiskey (Distell) and Heart 104.9FM’s Clarence Ford and Gary Petersen. More sponsors to thank are Raghma Jappie of the Campus Lifestyle Store, Charlene Engels from KWV and Meko Magida from Golden Arrow. Thanks to the committee members for their sterling work: Llewellyn MacMaster, Trunette Josephs, Louis Scheepers, Mike Benjamin, Regina Isaacs, Roland Greaver,
Melvin Watkins, Joe Samuels, Meko Magida, Leolyn Jackson, Samantha Castle and Patricia Lawrence. All those alumni who donated photographs and footage, as well as Benny Gool, Rashied Lombard, Eric Miller, Johann Maarman, Craig Matthews, Jimmy Matthews, Zubeida Vallie, Gille de Vlieg, Hoeda Salaam, Die Burger, Independent Newspapers – a huge thank you to you. To the Brunch Conversations panellists Leslie Maasdorp, Nomboniso Gasa, Ruby Marks, and the moderator, Edith Vries. Zenariah Barends – for her poem at the Gala Dinner. Thanks to the master of ceremonies, Africa Melane, and members of the police, Brigadier Novella Potelwa, General Jeremy Veary and Willem Basson. Thank you to all the video and media ambassadors who availed their time for interviews: Cheryl Carolus, Allan Boesak, Lynnette Maart, Meko Magida, Llewellyn MacMaster, Michael Benjamin, Julian Smith, Regina Isaacs and Shirley Zinn. Thanks to our media ambassadors Romeo Maasdorp, Graeme Bloch, Llewellyn MacMaster, Roland Greaver and Rev Courtney Sampson. Thank you to the Johannesburg, Dubai and Port Elizabeth groups for leading the way. Thanks to former Rector Prof Dicky van der Ross, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Brian O’ Connell for his leadership during the planning of the event, and to the new Rector, Prof Tyrone Pretorius.
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Our sponsors
Kagiso Asset Management is a specialist investment management firm based in Cape Town. Founded in 2001, we manage funds across the risk spectrum for sophisticated institutional and private investors. At Kagiso Asset Management, we aim to consistently deliver superior investment performance. We think deeply and independently – constantly pursuing excellence for our clients. Our ability to add value to clients stems from: • our diverse team of experienced investment professionals; • a disciplined investment process based on our valuation-oriented, contrarian philosophy; • our company culture, which encourages and enables clear, differentiated thinking; and • applying our skill to portfolios that are not constrained by size.
Juta and Company (Pty) Ltd is the oldest publishing house in South Africa and remains true to its founder’s intent to service education and legal information requirements. For more than 160 years Juta and Company has been associated with quality law, education and academic publishing in southern Africa. Drawing on our heritage of authority and excellence, Juta has remained relevant by embracing technological innovation and diversifying beyond publishing to offer e-learning and technology-driven information solutions. Our portfolio of technology solutions, encompassing access and hosted services, applications services and mobility services, enable our clients to integrate their assets for effective decision-making that drives competitive advantage.
Urban Soul Group is a level 1 BBBEE award-winning business. It is the creative mindset of a group of individuals who utilise creative expression and cutting edge business strategies to articulate the ideas and needs of our clients in the public and private sectors. Our rationale is grounded in the understanding that traditional communication alone is no longer adequate in communicating pertinent issues in the fast evolving 21st century socio-political climate of southern Africa. Designed to provide turnkey communications and multimedia solutions, the Urban Soul team have worked together since 1999 and understand the importance of developing messages that have consistency, continuity and are relevant to both the time and trends of its target audience. For more information about Urban Soul Group: http://www.urbansoul.co.za.
Old Mutual Group is the largest and most trusted financial services provider in southern Africa. Our prominent position in the industry is reflected in our strong operating performance across all our businesses, our good balance sheet position, strong financial flexibility with demonstrated access to international capital markets and diversity of business. Our partnership with Nedbank and Mutual & Federal (M&F) – two sister subsidiary companies under the Old Mutual group banner in South Africa – enables us to offer a variety of financial products and services. These span investment, life assurance, asset management, banking, healthcare and general insurance. Our client base comprises of individuals, businesses, corporates and institutions. Old Mutual South Africa (OMSA) is a significant participant in the South African economy. Our product and service solutions take into account what our clients need and deliver this through our collective skills, years of experience and our value-driven people.
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New Generation Management Consulting (Pty) Ltd (NewGen) is a leading South African management consulting and technology services group that is committed to helping our clients align their organisations for maximum performance. Working in concert, our consulting, technology services and resourcing practices align people, processes and technology in delivering business transformation solutions across specialised industry sectors.
Vunani Securities (Pty) Ltd is a registered stockbroker member of the JSE and offers research as well as equities and derivatives trading to its clients. The company boasts a number of research analysts offering company analysis and research on listed stocks as well as on general economic and market trends. Vunani offers a full-service stockbroking service to both institutional and retail clients by trading in equities, bonds and money market instruments.
The Professional Provident Society (PPS) is an exclusive organisation of graduate professionals, which provides exceptional insurance benefits and a range of financial services to its members from graduation to retirement. With over 290 000 members, PPS is the largest multidisciplinary group of graduate professionals in the world and the only mutual company in South Africa. Through the unique business model of “ownership”, members with qualifying PPS products exclusively share in the profits through the unique PPS ProfitShare Account. With more than 73 years’ experience, PPS is recognised as a company of value, repute and integrity.
THREE-SIXT-E | ALUMNI E-NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 11/DECEMBER 2014
KWV Wines was established by a collaboration of growers in 1918 dubbed the Proud Pioneers, who aimed to improve the South African wine industry standards. KWV today has over 100 luxury products exported worldwide. The Paarl estate, one of the largest cellar complexes in the world, features the famed Cathedral Cellar. KWV is revered internationally as a producer of premium wine and brandy products. The KWV Wine Emporium claimed over 300 awards from 2012 to 2013. KWV was classified as a World-Class Distillery at the World Spirits Awards 2014 for their amazing award-winning brandies
Heart 104.9FM is one of the Western Cape’s top commercial radio stations. Heart 104.9FM is a thought leader, trusted member of the community, and allround entertainer in touch with the values Capetonians hold close to their hearts. Tune in and join Cape Town’s Beat.
UWC Campus Lifestyle Store is the official branded store of the University of the Western Cape, which is owned and operated by Dressco Corp. We opened our first concept store at UWC in 2007 and will be launching our second store in January 2015 – Campus Lifestyle Sport. We house a range of merchandise lines which includes corporate and promotional wear, sport and leisure wear, gifts for special occasions as well as give-aways for conferences and seminars. In 2013 we launched our first Alumni Range within our store, which is also sold via our online site www.campuslifestyle.co.za. Like all good teams, we mix youth with experience, expertise with fresh thinking. Become Proudly UWC – visit us in the Arts Building or Student Centre or contact us at 021 9599341/2.
Commsure Financial Solutions is an insurance brokerage and personal financial advisory services company that you can trust. We are a level 1 BBBEE company that has been delivering excellent service to our clients since 1990. We offer insurance solutions for Motor & Household, Commercial, Corporate as well as Life Cover. We also offer advice on Pension, Retirement and Medical Aid solutions for you, your family and your business. To speak to one of our consultants, please call us at 021 6850070.
We would like to thank all who contributed to and supported the ‘80s Alumni Reunion.
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THREE-SIXT-E | ALUMNI E-NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 11/DECEMBER 2014
‘Hek Toe’ Photo Exhibition
The Regional Commissioner for Correctional Services, Delekile Klaas.
Peter Neethling from Bellville graduated in ‘86 and Rozelle Smith in ‘89. She travelled from Mossel Bay to be part of the festivities.
Advocate Taswell Papier at the Wall of Remembrance.
Many visitors to the exhibition took advantage of technology to instantly upload images to social media.
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THREE-SIXT-E | ALUMNI E-NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 11/DECEMBER 2014
1980s staff Professors Stanley Ridge and Brian O’Connell take their own trip down memory lane.
(From left) Melvin Watkins, Roland Greaver and Professor Brian O’Connell in close conversation.
The Wall of Remembrance was positioned in the middle of the photographic panels. More than one attendee was startled into sombre reflection when coming upon the names of classmates and comrades who had passed away.
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THREE-SIXT-E | ALUMNI E-NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 11/DECEMBER 2014
In the news
Comaro Chronicle, 17 September 2014, p.2
Cape Argus (AM Edition), Opinion, 17 September 2014, p.15
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Paarl Post, 11 September 2014, p.5
THREE-SIXT-E | ALUMNI E-NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 11/DECEMBER 2014
Cape Times (Second Edition), 15 September 2014, p.9
Cape Argus (AM Edition), Opinion, 30 September 2014, p.15
Saturday Weekend Argus, 13 September 2014, p.10
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THREE-SIXT-E | ALUMNI E-NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 11/DECEMBER 2014
Back then…
One of the many protest marches on campus during the 1980s. Picture credit: Die Burger and Johann Maarman.
Alumna Cheryl Carolus speaking at the “Year of women of ANC” conference held at Wits University on 9 August 1985. Picture credit: Gille de Vlieg.
Ian Landsberg, a member of the 1980s photographic society.
Basil Coetzee performing at UWC circa 1987. Picture credit: Rashid Lombard.
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Hostel farewell party 1986 – Marlene Adams with her then boyfriend who is now her husband of 24 years.
UDF launch in the Rocklands community centre, Mitchell’s Plain. Picture credit: Rashid Lombard.
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In the ladies’ hostel – Desiree Bailey, Melinda Brinkhuis, and Lawrence Brinkhuis Enid.
The late ‘70s and early ‘80s was still the time of sporting an afro hairstyle as can be seen on Ronald Bantom! Picture credit: Ronald Bantom.
UWC Men’s Rugby team, 1980.
Kensington activist and SRC president Jonathan de Vries, an ‘80s alumni, addresses a Grassroots AGM. Picture credit: Ground up.
“The overwhelming influence the Bush had on my life .... my son’s name is Leolyn.” Picture credit: Neil Alexander.
UWC Women’s Rugby team, 1980.
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THREE-SIXT-E | ALUMNI E-NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 11/DECEMBER 2014
Philanthropy inspirited
The daughter of the late Professor Jakes Gerwel, Jessie Burgess (second from left), donated one million Rand to the Jakes Gerwel Development Bursary Fund on behalf of the Gerwel family.
The family of the late Rector and ViceChancellor, Professor Jakes Gerwel, chose the Rector’s Gala Dinner on the first day of the '80s Reunion to present a R1 million cheque to the University. The sizeable donation to the Jakes Gerwel Development Bursary Fund was presented by Gerwel’s daughter, Jessie Burgess, to retiring Rector and ViceChancellor, Prof Brian O’Connell, his successor Prof Tyrone Pretorius, Patricia Lawrence, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, as well as Fred Robertson, chairman of the UWC Foundation. It followed a donation of R10 000 by Francis Fourie on behalf of alumni based in the United Arab Emirates, which was also presented at the event. Handing over the cheque, Ms Burgess said: “On behalf of the Gerwel family, we are honoured, we are blessed and humbled to be able to make this contribution, and know that my dad’s legacy, his vision, his commitment will be carried forward from here onwards.”
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“I worked closely with Jakes Gerwel and we had a long discussion about people giving back,” continued Robertson. “And I said people don’t put money into their will for the University of the Western Cape. Nobody has, not an ex-student, no alumni has done that and we know that. Some alumni have funded bursaries but have not done that in their will. And we’ve got to introduce that culture.” Robertson called the audience not to be overwhelmed by the R1 million amount. “If you can afford R50 your contribution is going to be most welcomed and as important as this R1 million. R50, R100 or R1 000, any number you can afford, please contribute to the University of the Western Cape.” In her brief speech, Francis Fourie told the gathering: “On behalf of the UWC alumni who are based in Dubai and the rest of the United Arab Emirates, we
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An ecstatic Robertson exclaimed: “I think you will realise now that the Gerwel family lead from the front and they lead from where they are.”
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want to present a monetary gift towards the Jakes Gerwel Development Bursary Fund, which we raised at our braai. Someone once said ‘thoughts without boundaries yield great harvest’. We hope this humble gesture will encourage other UWC chapters to do the same.”
Join the UWC Alumni Association! Get your free UWC Alumni T-shirt and much more for only R170 per annum (or R70 for the first two years after graduation)! To join, download and complete the Alumni Membership form at www.uwc.ac.za/alumni Contact us at email: alumni@uwc.ac.za or tel: 021 959 2143 if you have any questions.
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