Breaking Boundaries

BE YOU, BE FREE

Empower!

VOL. 1 NOV 2019

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NOVEMBER 2019

LOOK

From accounting student to fashion designer It’s not your body anyway!

Chilling with Macc Rosay

8 12 14

LIFE

Meeting Michelle Obama took an unexpected turn 18 Overcoming the stigma of Vitiligo 24 Spar Proteas star making big strides on the 26 Netball court

THOUGHTS

Social gaming causes FOMO The dark side of facetune Gender politics on canvas Lets talk about Gender-based Violence

28 30 32 34

VIBES

Boldly creating her lane Campus foodies

38 42

8

I’M CHANGING THE STREETS. EVERYTIME I GO TO FASHION EVENTS, I GET APPROACHED BY FASHION GURUS...

BE YOU AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO EMBRACE EVERYTHING THAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT ...

38

YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, THERE WILL BE DAYS WHEN YOU DON’T LIKE YOURSELF, AND THA’TS OKAY...

Editors’s Note

THE TEAM

he year 2019 is a special one. We celebrate our long toil as we furthered our studies with an honors qualification in journalism. On the other hand, It’s been a difficult year for South Africa, and we are deeply saddened by the loss of lives to Gender-based violence, afrophobic attacks and all the atrocities that continue to drive our society into dismay. We condemn such! As leaders of tomorrow, we take a stand in fighting against these plagues. As honours students at the University of Johannesburg, we were tasked produce a magazine for our course work. It was not an easy task. What we take from this is the experience and mental agility to persevere in any challenging endeavour. In essence, we broke the boundary in our own respect. We had to make sacrifices, some were detrimental to our own peace of mind. We had to find advertisers and a means of funding to get everything up and running. It had to be done.

This magazine goes beyond the confines of just being a school project.

It holds a special place and we proudly present to you our first issue of the Breaking BOUNDARIES magazine. The strikethrough on our title, as you might have noticed, symbolises the cancellation of obstacles and exceeding boundaries in whatever respect. A symbol of defying the odds and reaching new heights never before imagined by the African youth.

We acknowledge the young people pushing boundaries and kicking down doors of patriarchy, stereotypes, financial hardships, pangs of mental health, stigma and life pressures. In this special issue, we spotlight stories of young people taking massive strides in their own capacity and realising their potential. With this magazine, we hope to encourage young people to have a positive mindset and to go out into the world with confidence. Who knew that one of our own would reach heights of sharing a round table discussion with Michelle Obama? Ever wondered how it feels to be a college drop out and make something out of nothing?

What does overcoming the stigma of a skin condition actually mean? We explore these and other stories in this issue and we invite you to share this special moment with us. Ohh and one the last hint, feel inspired as you page through! We hope you enjoy.

KUPAKWASHE KAMBASHA

From your editors, Kupakwashe Kambasha & Katleho Selwadi.

Editor-in-Chief

KATLEHO SELWADI Assistant Editor

NAOMI BANGO

Advertising Manager

VUYOKAZI MDLUNGU Sales

NTOZANELE LIBIMBI Art Director

MICHAIAH JUGGOO Layout and Design

GABY NDONGO Chief Copy Editor

TEBOGO KGANAKGA Sub-Copy Editor

CONTRIBUTORS & WRITERS TEBOGO MOTSWANA THANDO MPEMBE TEBOHO FUMBEZA AMBER RICHARDSON LWANDO MQOKWENI

BOUNDARIES SOCIAL MEDIA: @MAGBOUNDARIES EMAIL: BOUNDARIESMAG@GMAIL.COM CONTACT: +27 60 739 5099 Published November 2019. Cover photo provided by Amonge Sinxoto. Cover Design by Jordan Hance & Kupakwashe Kambasha. All photos licenced under

14

MY STRENTH HAS ALWAYS COME FROM MY MOM AND HOW SHE TAUGHT ME TO DEAL WITH NEGATIVITY, SHE ALWAYS FINDS A WAY TO MAKE HER FLAWS COOL...

subscription from vendors and text attributed with appropriate credits.

LOOK

Image by Thomas Mongezi

8\BOUNDARIES\NOV19

FROM ACCOUNTING STUDENT TO FASHION DESIGNER

BY NTOZANELE LIBIMBI A pink two-piece with a brinjal in the center, a white Mpura bag, red kicks and blonde hair is the look fashion creator Thomas Mongezi Stuurman gave Boundaries magazine for his interview. It all happened in the beautiful blue skied Braamfontein with the sounds of constructions underway. The location and the weather epitomised the bright and colorful look of this designer.

Fashion or Accounting?

Thomas Mongezi, a former accounting student, has always had a knack for fashion; a passion his father instilled from a young age.

“My father used to dress me in suits when I was in grade 7; I hated the look at that time and a year later I realized, I looked good and wanted to dress

I SUPPORT LOCAL BRANDS, BUT WE NEED TO BE DIFFERENT...

more.”

He rocked the kilt years later, a bold move that captured the eye of SA stylist Felipe Mazibuko.

Thomas who is no stranger to taking bold moves deregistered from university and pursued a career in fashion. ”I quit school and not because my marks were bad but I would always pay attention to what other people wore and I got tired of people asking me where I buy my clothes,” he said as he looked at his designer bag. The name Mpura is taken from IsiZulu language and it means graduation gown, He got the name from people who used to ask him why he always wore clothes that looked like graduation gowns.

Drowning in Depression His journey has not always been fruitful; he has been rejected, broke and depressed. In 2016 he created a denim two-piece and two designers stole his idea and passed it on as theirs, him seeing that two piece trend broke him and contributed to his depression. “ I remember there was a time where I worked hard and I put in the sweat only to be told that my work was not good enough, they wouldn’t showcase it, I became depressed because people weren’t loving my work, I wasn’t showcasing I just felt like quitting. But at the end of the day, it made me stronger and better,” he explains.

S.A Needs Me! "I'm changing the streets. Every time I go to fashion events, I get approached by fashion gurus, so if I can get fashion gurus to come to me and praise my work, that on its own proves that I’m not the only one who sees that I belong here.”

The smile in his face when he describes his brand reflects Mongezi’s passion for the brand.

His mentor advised him to love and wear it. The self-taught designer is engrossed in the process and he is not rushing to have his work exhibited in SA Fashion Week. Mongezi sees it walking down the ramp as inevitable. His distinct fashion style is accompanied by vogue inspired images: “Whenever we have a photo shoot, I look for a vogue element in my pictures.”

NOV19/BOUNDARIES/

9

EXCLUSIVE

Be Original!

With clear awareness of his brand, his critical outlook on the fashion industry in SA is insightful.

Considering the growing number of designers, he sees originality as what the industry needs. “I support local brands, but we need to be different because there was a time when you could identify a kid from Braam with Vans on their feet and a fanny pack and most of them would claim to be designers, but their styles never stood out.“ The use of print just has to come to an end; there are only two designers who create masterpieces using prints, being Laduma and Chu, King of the print.“Lastly, designing a garment has to have a story so people who just design without having a story are a weak link to the industry and that should change."

Mongezi intends to start a project where he exposes kids in high school to the art of photography and fashion as he feels kids have

His two pieces can be worn in any season. He is currently working on a collaboration with Aluta Sunglasses, Mongezi Stuurman with no relation to SA’s biggest creative Trevor Stuurman, is definitely doing the most.

As we part ways, we both walk into the elevator

dreams and that they need to be exposed to a

at South Point we building in Braam. A girl walks

new environment that enables them to be

in the elevator fascinated by the two-piece. She

creative.

decides that she wants one and take Mongeiz’s number.

10\BOUNDARIES\NOV19

Image by Thomas Mongezi

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IT’S NOT YOUR BODY ANYWAY!

by Lwando Mnqokweni

Recently, the rise of social media has fuelled the fire of body shaming to exponential levels.

Not only does it lead people to have low self-esteem, but social media and anonymity together create a dangerous mixture of online harassment.

Body shaming stems from the fact that weight has always been looked at as more of a negative thing than just a natural thing.

Women seem to suffer more than men

Women seem to suffer more than men

because there’s this popular notion in society that women should adhere to a strict standard of beauty. The idea of this is constantly portrayed through magazine adverts and fat burning products. This ideal woman is skinny and has almost no body fat, she is an illusion of what the society wants to see in every woman. She is utopian and impossible.A few days ago, a picture of a chubby girl was trending on Twitter. The girl was wearing a skimpy brown leather skirt with knee-length boots and a beige crop top. The caption of the picture simply read: “You’re not too fat for what you want to wear.”

This was an innocent post, from a Twitter user who felt sexy in her favourite outfit.

However, one comment sparked a conversation. A user had left a comment on the picture that saying that the girl’s visible stomach flesh was a “gross muffin top.” is just one example of how people, especially on social media, feel entitled to belittle others. The idea that chubby or plus sized women should wear certain clothes that suit their bodies is not only ridiculous, but is also unfair.Average sized or skinny people wear oversized clothes as well but instead of being shamed, they are praised as being “fashionable.”

12\BOUNDARIES\NOV19

The poor girl will now have to think twice about wearing anything she desires due to the fact that her stomach was branded as “gross”. Everyone is allowed to wear whatever they desire to wear because at the end of the day we all want to feel attractive and beautiful without being judged because of our bodies or any other aspects that are deemed “undesirable” by the society.

Another user who had commented on the post before it was deleted had posed a question to the body shamers asking “why do you care about what she is wearing, it’s not your body anyway”.

This question is very important to anyone who obsesses or feels the need to lambaste other people because of their body weight. If only we could shift such the effort of body shaming other people and transfer it to doing more positive things we could prosper as a nation.

No one has the right to tell people what they can and can’t wear. We are all entitled to make autonomous decisions we deem suitable for our desires.These decisions could consist of wearing panty shorts on a size 52 body and still go out in public because we feel like it. Body shaming will only stop when we tackle it structurally. It's not just about individual behavioral change, but large-scale, cultural and social institutional

We need a new normal about our cultural beauty ideals

change.We need a new 'normal' about our cultural beauty ideals. Just as important, we need to work toward equality in all forms where bodies, particularly women's bodies, are not objects of control and where people feel safe to express their gender and sexual identities.

Image by Anastasia. Shutterstock

NOV19/BOUNDARIES/

13

PAGE 7

YOUTH MAGAZINE

Image by Kamogelo Machaba

Chilling with Macc Rosay BY. TEBOGO MOTSWANA

She walked into the room and immediately brightened the whole house. It wasn't because of the bright colour of her blonde hair and yellow dress, it was the smile on her face.

WHO IS MACC ROSAY?

Effects and Make-up

Kamogelo Machaba is a 21 year old, Youtuber,

Macc Rosay started with beauty make-up after

Musician, and make-up artist from Polokwane.

attending her matric dance and seeing how

At the age of 3 Macc Rosay was already

make-up had transformed her

memorising songs and singing pretty well. So

face. “I remember at that time I had really bad

she has always known that she wanted to be in

acne but after the make-up artist was done I

the entertainment industry. It wasn’t something she thought of at a certain point in her life. “I’ve always been an artist, over the years I have tapped into all my talents to

couldn’t even see a spot."

It took her a long time to learn how to do makeup. She would sit for at least two hours in the mirror trying to perfect each look.

develop them by exposing myself to other crafts,” she said with a subtle smile on her face.

"Don’t depend on people, don’t rely on people, do you" 14\BOUNDARIES\NOV19

MUSICIAN, MAKE-UP ARTIST & YOUTUBER

Before that, she played around with the little make-up that she had at that point and her online supporters really loved what she was doing. “I did a lot of research on effects make-up then, bought all the necessary products and I took it seriously.

She wanted a way to stand out.

Effects makeup was the perfect way abahcaM olegomaK yb egamI

for her to do just that, “I started posting my work on my social media pages and people would be disgusted and that was the whole point - I was doing something and doing it well."

Rosay is currently venturing into illusion make-up. She pulled out her phone in excitement to show me her work and it was disgustingly beautiful.

On Life Macc Rosay says that she created this name for herself using her name to describe herself

Online Bullying

to people, not who or how her parents saw her

One thing about being a very active social media

when she was born. After completing high

user means that a person is prone to dealing with

school she was very conflicted on what she

negative comments online. Macc Rosay learnt

wanted to study. “I wanted to study something

how to deal with trolling for other things apart

in the Arts, but the elders disagreed”. Her

from her albinism, “My strength has always come

elders wanted her to study something that

from my mom and how she taught me to deal

would sustain her and they did not believe that

with negativity, she always finds a way to make

Art could do so as career.

her flaws cool.” She takes a deep breath as she

Youtube

speaks of how as a kid other kids wouldn't want

One of the most exciting projects Rosay has

to play with her because the color of her skin

gotten into in the past year is creating a

was different. "I’ve never allowed my albinism to

Youtube channel. She started a YouTube

define who I am as a person and I had to grow a

channel in June 2018 where she uploads videos

thick skin growing up because not everyone

of herself doing makeup, challenges with her

understands that.”

friends and family, as well as lifestyle vlogs, “I

The last beauty product

do everything by myself and I use my cellphone

“One skin product I absolutely cannot live

for all the steps. I shoot the videos with my

without is the African Extract Face 3 in 1, it

phone, edit them with a software I downloaded

makes my skin look and feel amazing," she says.

on my phone and upload them as well, on my phone.”

NOV19/BOUNDARIES/

15

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LIFE

Image by Amonge Sinxoto

18\BOUNDARIES\NOV19

MEETING MICHELLE OBAMA TOOK AN UNEXPECTED TWIST "She just wanted to have a conversation with us, young girls… There is something that some people weren't seeing there, and it was the value in us!”

BY KUPAKWASHE KAMBASHA I PHOTOGRAPHS SUPPLIED BY AMONGE SINXOTO

At only 15 years old, Amonge Sinxoto co-founded a non-profit organisation for social impact with her then 21-year-old cousin Zingisa Socikwa - to change how being black was perceived among the youth.

I had the privilege of meeting this precocious young lady and we sat in the Wits Art Museum café.

IT’S THE CONFIDENCE TO KNOW THAT WHAT I’M BRINGING IS IMPORTANT...

“We wanted to have a platform where all these things - our identity and blackness can be discussed,” she begins.

The idea Blackboard Africa sprung from her high schooling days. “The private schools were cool in

This sparked what is now a youth led non-profit

terms of teaching me what I needed to do. But I

organisation called Blackboard Africa. “Start

think there was a major problem in that, okay

with what you have, we had Instagram and we

we’re getting accepted in these schools finally but

used it to reach out,” she says in such a candid

there is a denial of blackness and African-ess, like

way. “We had no money or any resources,” she

everything that makes our identity,”

admits. "People started sitting up-straight when

says this St Stithians and Kingsmead College

we started and asked, wait how old are you

alumni student.

again?” Amonge expresses.

Coming from a black Xhosa background, she

"It’s the confidence to know that what I’m

admits how some of these high school

bringing is important. Just being bold and say,

experiences fuelled her defiance.

this is what I’m gonna’ do. It’s really something

“So, we come in here (her former high school) and

that I had to learn and initially being introverted

they’re like no no no… you don’t talk your language

these things weren’t part of my personality,” says

here, you can’t wear your hair like that. It was

Amonge on harnessing the boldness to kick-start

problematic for me and my peers and we were

her path. “It’s insecurity and getting past all that.

like that’s just unacceptable!” she says.

I realized that the people who usually make it the furthest in society are able to get past that stuff.

If not, pretend like they have,” she adds. On the other hand, harsh realities and lessons were learnt during this process. “A lot of people whom I would have thought to be there for me started filtering away and my circle kind of’ just shrunk.

After a while you realise how important it is to have the right people around you,” she says.

NOV19/BOUNDARIES/

19

DID YOU KNOW Blackboard Africa is a platform for African Youth to formulate and express their own ideas on shaping the community positively. This non-profit organisation hosts workshops with young people with an aim to stimulate their inner voices in celebrating and reshaping perspectives on black identity and inspiring leadership within the communities they live.

Image by Amonge Sinxoto

Grappling with harsh realities of social life,

“Michelle Obama just wanted to have a

she acknowledges that having a strong

conversation with us, young girls . I was like

support from her parents, Zingisa (her cousin)

'Oookay Michelle'!” she expresses in

a n d s o m e c l o s e f ri e n d s r e a l l y k e p t h e r g o i n g .

overwhelming amasement.

All the same, she managed to propel herself

“There is something that some people

further earning remarkable accolades to her

weren't seeing there, and it was the value in

name.One of the top highlights from these

us!”

shining moments is when she got an

Meeting Michelle Obama forms part of the

opportunity to meet the former first lady of

many privileges which opened doors for her

the United States, Michelle Obama in Boston

through Blackboard Africa.

in 2018.

“I think it just opened up a lot of things.

“It was amazing! One thing that was really

Some of the opportunities I've had to travel

profound was that she didn't want it to be like

overseas to conferences and stuff, I had to

a n i n t e r v i e w , ” s h e s a y s . “ So , t h e r e w a s l i k e a

apply for them, but I needed to have

group of us and obviously meeting Michelle

Blackboard,” she says.

Obama, I had to charge my phone making

“So, it’s been a huge propellant for me, also

sure I was ready for the pics and videos. But

for the organisation on its own and having

the organisers were like none of that is

learnt so much from Blackboard, I think it’s

allowed! No phones, no notebooks on the

been really cool for me personally,” she

table, nothing!” she expressed her

adds.

devastation.

20\BOUNDARIES\NOV19

BE YOU AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO EMBRACE THE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU DIFFERENT...

From the inception of Blackboard Africa in 2016 at 15 years of age, Amonge is now 18.

During these 3 years, she’s had the opportunity of attending a Global First Ladies Alliance conference, speaking at Howard University in a ‘Contemporary Africa’ lecture (2017), having a TEDx talk.

Speaking on the talk she admits, “it was scary. I had spoken to a larger crowd before but seeing the camera was the scary part. Having to know that everything is being captured and aired to the world to see.” The talk is titled 'From social Media to Social Impact'. It seemed an introspection and testimonial to some extent, on her journey with Blackboard Africa.

Reflecting on all that has happened she says, “I’m just 18, so I still wanna be a kid.

You know just, do kid stuff,” she’s very candid in her response. She’s a first-year at the University of Witwatersrand pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences, majoring in politics and international relations. As young adulthood beckons, “I think at University now it’s very hectic. Like there's so much you need to do, and I guess you’ll just have to plan and figure out as you go,” she says.

“Be you and don’t be afraid to embrace the things that make you different. Trying to a s s i m i l a te i s n o t g o i n g t o g e t y o u a n y w h e r e in life, you're the only one who oversees your own life. So, the sooner you learn that the better off you'll be.”

Image by Amonge Sinxoto

NOV19/BOUNDARIES/

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OVERCOMING THE STIGMA OF VITILIGO

BY MICHAIAH JUGGOO

PHOTOGRAPHS BY TYMEKA NAICKER

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l i k e a U V l i g h t t h i n g , t h a t m a c h i n e t h at y o u

cheeks as well as her chest and shoulders. With

stand in that tries to restore your pigment and

her pretty smile and spotted skin, Tymeka looks

stuff like that. I went for that treatment from the

a bit like an artwork; her tones contrast in

time I was in grade 5,” she says. She also took to

beautiful ways. However, not everyone thinks

wearing makeup, “I think from the time I was in

so.

grade 10, I started wearing any makeup that I could and then the first two years out of school,

Tymeka started seeing signs of her vitiligo at

I wore makeup like everyday to campus.”

the tender age of eight, “My reaction was pretty bad at first, because it wasn’t such

But why the need to cover up? Tymeka explains,

a c o m m o n t h i n g b a c k t h e n . A n d b e i ng d i f f e r e n t

“I got bullied a lot because of it. I’ve probably

wasn’t great either,” Tymeka recalls, “But my

heard every name you could possibly think of,”

parents had a bigger reaction to it ‘cause my

she says, “Socially, I didn’t have lots of friends

mother thought that it would, you know, cause

‘coz a lot of other kids were kinda grossed out

further problems, especially skin cancer.”

about it or they thought they were gonna catch it.”

24\BOUNDARIES\NOV19

The main thing is to not be ashamed of who you are, that’s what I’ve learnt. And being different is cool nowadays...

Tymeka, in her third year at Varsity College studying towards becoming a teacher, speaks about her children in class, “In the last few years, I’ve gotten a lot less questions from children. Two years ago when I started teaching, I’d always get questions every day from some other kid about my skin.

But Tymeka found ways to cope, “I think I dealt with it okay, I mean, I probably have a lot of other issues that I don’t know are related,” she chuckles, “I just learnt to separate myself from it, learn who the friends were who would actually like me from a very

And nowadays it’s not as much. I think I get one kid in like a few months who asks me a b o u t i t . A n d t h e y ’ v e a ls o c h a n g e d f r o m , ” here she pauses, trying to find the right words, “A sense of fear about it to a sense of curiosity, which I think is good.”

young age."

She admits that it was hard accepting her condition, “I started accepting my vitiligo about just over a year ago, like just over a year and two months ago almost,” she explains, “I just got really tired of wearing makeup all the time and stuff like that and I figured I couldn’t keep it up for my whole life ‘cause I’m very lazy, so to do that much

“The main thing is to not be ashamed of who you are, that’s what I’ve learnt. And being different is cool nowadays,” she says.

Tymeka concludes by giving us a glance into her future; “In the future I see myself still teaching. I probably will only retire when I’m f i ft y b u t I a l s o s e e m y s e l f h a v i n g l o t s o f p e t s .

Probably like four cats,” she jokes.

makeup is too much,” she chuckles, “Yeah, so basically my laziness triggered it, forced myself to accept it."

H er c h o i c e t o n o t c o v e r i t u p h a s n ’ t b e e n t h e easiest, “Some people still react really badly. I still get a lot of stares everywhere I go. I don’t think there’s a single room besides my family that I walk into and people don’t stare,” she says.

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25

Spar Proteas star making big strides on the Netball

BY TEBOGO KGANAKGA court N o t s o l o n g a g o , s h e h a d t h o u g h t s h e wa s n o t wo r t h y o f t h e S p a r P r o t e a s j e r s e y . T h a t wa s a t the backdrop of a heavy defeat against New Zealand in just her second appearance for the senior team in Auckland, New Zealand. But the superstar has not looked back ever since.

K h a n y i s a Ch a wa n e h a s j u s t p l a y e d h e r f i r s t Wo r l d Cu p t o u r n a me n t a n d i t s e e ms s h e i s n ' t s t o p p i n g .

T h e L i mp o p o b o r n s t a r wa s p a r t o f t h e f l a mb o y a n t S o u t h A f r i c a n N e t b a l l t e a m t h a t c o mp e t e d a t t h e 2 0 1 9 Wo r l d Cu p i n L i v e r p o o l earlier this year.

It really meant a lot to me, such blessing to be part of such an experience it was out of this world having to compete against the best in one of the biggest stages in netball...

S h e wa s a n i n t e g r a l f i g u r e f o r t h e t e a m t h a t s a w t h e l a d i e s r e a c h t h e s e mi - f i n a l s o f t h e t o u r n a me n t a f t e r a b r a v e s h o wi n g i n a c i t y r a t h e r s y n o n y mo u s wi t h f o o t b a l l . S h e s e e ms t o s t i l l h a v e a l l t h e g r e a t mo me n t in h e r i mme d i a t e me mo r y i n t h e d e t a i l s s h e g i v e s a b o u t t h e experience. “ I t r e a l l y me a n t a l o t t o me , s u c h b l e s s i n g t o b e p a r t o f s u c h a n e x p e r i e n c e i t wa s o u t o f t h i s wo r l d h a v i n g t o c o mp e t e a g a i n s t t h e b e s t i n o n e of the biggest stages in netball,” She says.

N o w, t h e s t a r p l a y e r i s h e a d e d t o t h e U K wh e r e s h e wi l l b e t r a d i n g f o r T e a m B a t h a h e a d o f t h e 2020 Vitality Super League.

Image by University of FreeState

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Image by University of FreeState

“I Played Wilderklawer tournament as part Kacey, affectionately known by her friends and teammates,was always destined for greater heights in Netball. By the time she was in grade 9, she had already become an important figure for her high school team; Ben Vorster Hoerskool in atropical town of Tzaneen, Limpopo. A showing that earned her a place in the u/14 Limpopo provincial squad.In a modest tone, the player shied away from making it all about h er s e l f a n d s u b s e q u e n t l y c r e d i t e d h e r school coach for making her fall in love with thesport. “My coach was Charmaine Beedtge, she was really passionate about the game, really made me fall in love with it,”she said humbly.

By the time she was in grade 12, Kacey was already donning the captaincy armband and selected for the Proteas under 17 and under 18 teams; which she had described as a defining moment for her young career.

Little did she know the best was yet to come.

Her big break in netball came when she was playing at a provincial tournament where her performance caught the eye of University of the Free State coach, Burta De Cock.

of the team and that’s when the Kovsie coach discovered me and said she wanted to make me a star andshe wanted m e t o b e p a r t o f h e r u n iv e r s i t y t e a m a n d she would make me a national player and since then that has been the goal.”

Just last year, the centre was named the Varsity Netball Player of the Tournament after the Kovsie team was crowned the competition’s champions on home soil against UP-TUKS. She described this feat as “sensational” and “highest moment” along with being named centrecourt Player of the t o u r n a m e n t o f e v e r y c o m p e t i t i on s h e h a s played in 2018, including the National Premier League.

However, it has not always been a great journey, the 23-year-old, Bachelor of Science has had to make sacrifices, sometimes those that costly, “It’s not easy, there’s sacrifices made and that sometimes is costly, but you need to find balance and buy in equal effort. Also, the university have been supportive in this j o u r n e y , ” S h e s a y s . T h e v e rs a t i l e p l a y e r ’ s name was engraved in this year’s Varsity Netball competition ball after being named the Best Player of the Competition Last Year.

NOV19/BOUNDARIES/

27

Social gaming causes FOMO

By : Teboho Fumbeza

Social network gaming is a platform that has grown the gaming industry to new heights, but the mental effect of playing games online is causing depression, addiction and social withdrawal

Social media applications such as Facebook and Twitter have fast absorbed into Generation Z, making it easy to communicate with friends and family globally, through text messages. Social media users want instant gratification and want games to be a part of their social media experience.

Although this is commercially viable for the gaming

DID YOU KNOW “Facebook launched its Instant Games feature, an HTML5 cross-platform gaming experience, that allows people to play a host of games without installing new applications. While many may not realize it this is the future of gaming." - John Stevens, founder & CEO of Hosting Facts

industry, studies have proven that playing games online could cause gamers to be anti-social, less likely to communicate with people outside their virtual reality and can cause pressure on gamers to compete for leaderboard positions.

Fear of missing out (FOMO) is a common phenomenon on social media where users do not want to miss out on viral trends and are willing

Social networks also incorporate gaming as a

to do anything to be part of the trend so that

pastime to lure more users to spend more screen

they don’t feel left out. They do this by

time on apps while gaming groups earn more

forwarding the hashtag, or doing a picture

advertising revenue. According to Medium, as of

challenge or actually purchasing products that

2018 gaming is a $135 billion industry, with Asia

are trending and so forth. In terms of gaming,

taking most of the earnings as they have the most

u s e r s t h e n h a v e t o k e e p p l a y i n g t h e g a me i n

gamers.

order to top the leaderboard scores.

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CURRENT STATE OF GAMING AND SOCIAL

G A M I N G E F F E C T S , F O M O A N D M E N T AL H E A L T H

MEDIA Gaming has merged with social media

There are games suited for every personality,

applications, with various social network sites

gender and age group. The average gamer is

having their own gaming domains

approximately 31-years-old. Studies have found

that players

can access online while browsing their timeline

that more women play games on average than

or in the crunch of responding to their text

men. Games can either be played in multiplayer

messages. Games that are available on

online groups, individually or by location, for

Facebook include: Farmville, Texas Hold em'

example Pokémon Go.

Poker, Candy Crush Saga, 8 Ball Pool and many

Games have different effects, some of which

more.

T h e s e g a m es c a n b e p l a y e d b y i n d i v i d u a l

can either be positive or negative, for example

players or they can join other players online,

l e a r n i n g s o m e th i n g d i f f i c u l t , i m p r o v i n g c o g n i t i v e

comparing their game scores in online

skills, or developing new games. Some of the

leaderboards.

negatives include cheating, addiction and long

Currently, the strategy of gaming is to expand

screen-time hours, health effects as a result of

the network of users from applications that

addiction.

people can download on their mobile phones

I was addicted to online games, used to play 4-

and use offline but also increasing gamer

5 hours on average in my 20s but now since I

benefits if they login onto their game’s online

work I have cut down to 2 hours and I don’t play

platform. Gaming domains offer bigger reward

regularly,” said Bhautik Patel a social media

systems for users playing online with other users.

gamer.

Some of these rewards include more game

G a m i n g a d d i c t i o n a n d F O M O is a l s o r e a l i n a

points, jewels, unlocking levels and popular game

sense that gamers feel a consistent need to stay

characters.

online playing the game to get ahead, “We want

There is also an increase in browser based

to constantly be the best, when you haven’t

multiplayer games which are called i.o games.

played in a while you feel left out because your

Tom’s guide - an entertainment blog - defines i.o

opponent might be leveling up as there are

games as “Tiny browser-based mini-games that

missions, goals and rewards in each game,”

nevertheless bring an intense, multiplayer rush,

Ndlovu said.

p o p u l a r i z e d b y T w i t c h s t r e a m e r s , ” wr o t e J o h n

However gaming is not all that bad. It can give

Corpuz.

gamers motivation and happiness through

Some of the more popular i.o games are Agar.io

winnings. It can also push them to be more

(which is an eat or be eaten game of cellular

social in developing a bond with other gamers

survival taking inspiration from microbes on top

online and they can share their successes and

of the agar medium of a petri dish) which has

tips with others on social media platforms such

been featured in an episode of House of cards.

as Facebook and Twitter.

Others are Slither.io (which is inspired by the Nokia snake game) and Warbot.io among others which is a 3D graphics game.

HEALTH ISSUES

Painful joints as a result of bending down on your PC Eyesight issues Dehydration Lack of appetite Lack of exercise.

NOV19/BOUNDARIES/

29

The dark side of Facetune

By Amber Richardson

Pictures by Pexel stock images and Canva stock images

Flawless skin, huge eyes, full lips and tiny waists are the things Social media dreams are made of. But how realistic are the images we see online? Gen Z have become notorious for editing their pictures and we want to know why.

SINGING A NEW TUNE

SELFIESTEEM

Have you ever been scrolling through social media

She’s also addicted to taking selfies and says

a n d s e e n a fr i e n d f r o m h i g h s c h o o l w h o l o o k s l i k e

that she takes at least ten a day. “It’s not

they’ve lost a lot of weight? But when you meet up

something I really think about anymore, it’s

with them, they look just like you remembered?

second nature. I do it when I’m in my car, at

Hmm, must have been a good angle. What about

work, in bathrooms, pretty much everywhere,”

someone you see regularly, who looks much better

sh e s a y s . B u t A s h l e i g h i s n o t a l o n e i n t h i s . 2 2 -

in their Insta pics? Well, they must just be

year-old barman Peter Smith confesses that he

photogenic, right? Wrong.

too can’t go a day without taking a selfie…or

In the past the media has been blamed for

ten.

creating and promoting unrealistic body images by

Mark D. Griffiths a psychologist and writer for

p h o t o s h o p p i n g im a g e s o f c e l e b r i t i e s . I n f a c t ,

Psychology Today says, “From a psychological

celebs like Lady Gaga, Keira Knightley and

perspective, the taking of selfies is a self-

Zendaya have called magazines out for retouching

oriented action which allows users to establish

their photographs. But with the rise of social

their individuality and self-importance and is

media and the fact that photo-editing apps have

a l s o a s s o c i a t e d w i t h p e r s o n a l it y t r a i t s s u c h a s

become readily available to the public, it’s social

narcissism.”

media users who are editing themselves.

Griffiths believes that selfie-addiction is not a

“I couldn’t imagine posting an unedited photo of

trivial problem, as many would assume and can

myself,” says Ashleigh Bell, a 22-year-old art

have some serious effects on self-esteem and

s t ud e n t , “ I j u s t d o n ’ t t h i n k a n y o n e w o u l d l i k e i t .

productivity levels.

Including me.”

Ashleigh is a self-confessed Facetune addict and admits that all of her Instagram photos are edited.

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Psychologists have found a link between social media use and mental health problems. The term snapchat dysmorphia was coined by Plastic Surgeon and founder of Esho Clinics and the reality show, Body Fixers Star. It describes the phenomenon where people want to look like

#INSTAGOALS

edited images of themselves.

Gone are the days when people would bring an

The issue of editing pictures online also has a

image of a celebrity or model to plastic surgeons,

cyclical effect because when people see

i n s t e a d t h ey ’ r e b r i n g i n g e n h a n c e d p h o t o g r a p h s o f

images of ordinary people; friends, family, co-

themselves and asking for flawless skin, larger

workers, who look flawless it can lead them to

eyes and fuller lips. These requests are often

think that here’s something wrong with the way

unrealistic, because enlarging eyes for example is

they look and in turn make them edit their own

impossible to do with plastic surgery.

photographs.

Ashleigh is only 22 and has already had lip fillers which cost her about R 4000 and she would like to get more in the near future.

However, that’s not the only thing on her list of

Faking selfies is a self oriented action which allows users to establish themselves...

surgeries, she also wants nose fillers, Botox and bum implants. She says that she wants to look like the way she does on social media. “It sucks when people tell me that I look different in real life, the images are me and I know I can look like them.”

FILTER IT OUT While some could never imagine going to these lengths, very few people will post something

THE F-WORD Facetune is a popular photo-editing app that is used by people all over the world. The app can be bought for R 59.99 on the Apple Store is and used on iPhones and iPads. Even if you don’t have an iPhone, accessing photo editing software is just a click away and there are loads of other popular options like Lightroom, Picmonkey and Visco. These Apps can make w a i s t s l o o k s m a l l e r , s k i n l o o k s m o o t he r , t e e t h look whiter and pretty much anything else you could ever hope to change. Although, these Apps may appear harmless their overuse can have serious consequences.

Ashleigh won’t post an image without editing it first and says that if someone else posts an unedited picture of her it can tip her over the edge. “Seeing myself online not edited can really upset me. I remember once my friend

without a filter. Nowadays phone cameras have filters, social media of course has filters and there are an endless of number of apps that c a n j u s t a b o u t m a k e y ou i n t o a n y t h i n g , f r o m a n old person to a dog.

The point is, it would be harder to take a picture without a filter than with one. Plus, many people take comfort in the fact that the sepia tones make them look tanner, or lo-fi makes their skin look a little more glowy than normal. It’s become normal and even accepted to edit photographs to some degree, but it’s creating a generation of people who aren’t s a t i sf i e d w i t h t h e w a y t h e y l o o k a n d m o r e importantly are obsessed by their own physical appearance. So, when you scroll through your social media remember that the images you see aren’t real and maybe, just maybe next time you post a selfie with the #nofilter actually don’t filter it.

p o s t e d t h i s p ic t u r e o f t h e t w o o f u s , i t w a s a f u l l body image and I freaked out. I had to text her to take it down, now all of my friends know not to do that.”

However, even though the picture was gone it didn’t stop Ashleigh from obsessing over it. “It honestly sent me into a downward spiral, I was like is that how I really look? I felt so terrible about myself."

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31

Gender politics on canvas L

By Kupakwashe Kambasha

ife as we know it, often presents us with positive and negative experiences that ultimately shape who we become. Genderbased violence (GBV) is a scourge that is destroying lives and an atrocity that some experience at a young age. The unfortunate results of a broken society are tormenting resulting in some adults eventually live with trauma. We sat down with Blessed Nyakazire, an artist and witness to GBV now portrays gender politics through his art.

“I was rasied by my grandparents in a household where I saw my grandmother being subjected to GBV. I was young and helpless at that age and every time I see or hear anything that is nostalgic to those past events, I cannot help but do something about it,” says Blessed. These issues of GBV have influenced the core ideology the artist.

“I’m inspired by real life events, coming from a background were toxic masculinity exists, and it’s a thing we grew up with. Reallife events that happen every other day in my presence I can now reflect and see the negative charge it has, on women, children and homes,” he says.

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Images by Blessed Nyakazire

For Blessed, the artistic spark emanated from mere child’s play. “I remember making clay sculptures at a tender age.”

Peculiar paintings of body figures are a common feature in his art works. “I work more with portraits and body figures. I’m just fascinated with the emotions I express with my portraits and the expressionism from my body figures,” he says.

Blessing believes using charcoal, coffee and acrylic paint contributes to the gender politics represented by his art. “I believe that coffee is for everyone but when it is stored in the kitchen it comes back to me in a metaphoric sense of it belonging in a place where women are expected to play their roles,” explains Blessing.

“I’ve been in Johannesburg for about 6 years now and I’ve realized that there is a lot of gender politics happening and that opens my mind to new ideas. I’d say I’m an active citizen, who enjoys taking part in huge conversations of Gender Politics (Women Empowerment).”

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33

Column

Let’s Talk About Gender-based Violence

By Gaby Ndongo

A

ccording to the the United Nation’s Secretary-General António Guterres, “Sexual violence against women and girls is rooted in centuries of male domination. Let us not forget that the gender inequalities that fuel rape culture are essentially a question of power imbalances.”

The impunity is worsened by stigma, misconceptions, underreporting and poor enforcement of the laws. All these aspects form part of the society that the perpetrators of gender-based abuse exist and affects them one way or another.

So, when you hear phrases like “men are trash”, there is no need to get angry if you are a man. You should rather re-trace the steps you have made or seen others around you make in relation to how women are treated. A good starting place is to pay attention to the “many ways in which the scourge manifests itself in physical, sexual and psychological forms”, advises the United Nations (UN).

Another base to touch on is culture: an embodiment of traditions. One of my colleagues said, “I wonder how many of our mothers were raped but never considered it as rape because they had to satisfy their husbands.”

This is an element common to the patriarchal slant to life in which women are chattels of and only for the wellbeing of men, relegating their own welfare.

This is an element common to the patriarchal slant to life in which women are chattels of and only for the wellbeing of men, relegating their own welfare.

A number of people have grown to appreciate such a manner of life. For instance, a bride’s price, in all if not most of African cultures, was a token of exchange. The groom’s family had to make such a payment not merely as a sign of appreciation but to acknowledge that a source of work will be taken away from the household. This is why man opted to marry not one but multiple wives – just like having several cows is better than one.

34\BOUNDARIES\NOV19

Women were thought of as personal properties and means of labour. Yet, we still uphold such a practice.

In short, “it’s a mistake to revere the past,” says Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. Moreover, there needs to be a practical mind shift by men. A paradigm change that understands the value of women not as chattels but as human beings.

With this in mind, you become aware of the right for every person, including women, to exercise agency in deciding what happens (and does not) to their bodies.

“Violence against women and girls is among the most widespread, and devastating human rights violations in the world,” according to the UN.

A THIRD OF ALL WOMEN AND GIRLS EXPERIENCE PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THEIR LIFETIME

It adds, “a third of all women and girls experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, half of women killed worldwide were killed by their partners or family, and violence perpetrated against women is as common a cause of death and incapacity for those of reproductive age, as cancer, and a greater cause of ill health than road accidents and malaria combined.”

The pages of 2019 are splattered with the blood from atrocities inflicted upon women. We remember all the victims of such abuses with a heavy heart and despair of what our society has to offer. The pangs from the loss of Uyinene Mrwetyana, Karabo Mokoena and Precious Ramabulana, among many, will not disappear on the face of our community.

Image by Gaby Ndongo

NOV19/BOUNDARIES/

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Image by Gaby Ndongo

We live in a country where a woman is killed every 4 hours, 114 females are raped and 3 children murdered, everyday. No, I am not proud to be a citizen of the Republic of Sexual Abuse.

Renounce your citizenship at TheRepublicOfSexualAbuse.co.za and commit to #GetOurCountryBack. @RepublicOfSexualAbuse

@WelcometoRSA

@ Republic Of Sexual Abuse

/

powa.co.za

/

PEOPLE OPPOSING WOMEN ABUSE

VIBES

JARRYD KLEINHANS Photography

BOLDLY CREATING HER LANE Talent, beauty and style are important in the entertainment industry and Carissa Cupido (26), 2018 YFM presenter, embodies all of them. We met at The Antisocial Social Club, one of Melville’s coolest spots where Instagram aesthetics come to life.

THEMBELA NGAYI

BY NAOMI BANGO

Photography

GROWING UP IN CAPE TOWN Apart from her inviting smile, Carissa’s hair is the

In a quest to change her life, Carissa started

first thing you’ll notice. I found her already drinking

exercising in her teenage years. With her

coffee ahead of our meeting on a Saturday

confidence growing, the aspiring radio

afternoon. If that doesn’t symbolise self- discipline, I

presenter was ready to pursue her dreams. She

don’t know what does. The same “cool” Cape Town

fell in love with radio, the idea to express

possesses is the same cool Carissa brings. But that

oneself whilst exercising one’s love for people

was not always the case growing up. The ever-

was an exciting place for Carissa. She got her

smiling 26-year-old, had a hard time finding her

first job at Good Hope FM, a Cape Town-

place as a child.

based 24-hour radio station. With a magnified

“Growing up coloured with an English accent was

love for radio she knew she had to go in pursuit

hard, more so because I cannot speak Afrikaans.”

of her dreams in a bigger space. “I had

Carissa was bullied for her weight and accent

decided as a young adult that I would always

growing up. Having gone to a predominantly white

go for things I feared the most. Those kept me

school as a child, it impacted on her accent. “I was

excited and working harder for myself and my

very chubby, so they always had a spot to pick and

dreams.”

ridicule, this is when my social anxiety began.” She

COMING TO THE CITY OF GOLD

remembers her childhood years, “Growing up mixed,

In 2016, carrying fear and optimism, she packed

though I consider myself black made it easy to relate

for Johannesburg and left the only home she

to the different races but I was still trying to find my

had ever known for a home she had intended

place especially with my English accent in a coloured

to build. Up went the excitement and hope,

community. But honestly, wanting to belong was

down went the opportunities in Johannesburg.

always a common thread in my life.”

NOV19/BOUNDARIES/

39

“I wish I could say I carried my optimism throughout the first week, or at least a month from my arrival but the truth is, five days after arriving in Johannesburg the optimism was gone. The industry, as we have

THE JOURNEY TO SELF-LOVE

come to observe is very hard to break into, more

From external to internal communities, external

especially for new creatives. My efforts to

relationships were forming but there was still a

get into radio had very slow results. What I had

shortage in the love that was internal- self-love.

thought would take a few months took a year to

“By the time I completed my time at YFM, I had

reveal itself to me.”

gained back the weight I had lost. This heightened

Whilst the radio side of things did not show any green

my mental condition, the threat of falling back into

light, television offered itself as a platform. “I entered

self-harm diet habits crawled in,” she said. “I fell

TLC’s Next great presenter to challenge myself. I was

into depression. Good thing mental health is a

scared, but again, I was doing everything that

topic now because before, it was harder dealing

induced fear in me. To my surprise and the universe’s

with it because not too many people were vocal

timing, I won the competition!” The star that is

about their experiences. It took me a while to get

Carissa Cupido was born.

myself up, but I finally took ownership of myself.

I was going to embrace my body as it was and create my own lane in the industry. And now I am living that truth,” she explained.

IT WASN’T EASY, I HAD BEEN REJECTED SO MANY TIMES...

Anyone who knows Carissa now, knows her unwavering confidence and her undeniable style and energy. “I don’t want to compromise myself; I have hair I’m not willing to straighten and hips I’m not willing to remove, I love myself just as I am,” she says with a laugh. Hair plays a big part on one’s identity. The likes of Chimamanda Ngozi have made hair central topics in the black community and culture.

“I used to hate my hair, I look back now and realise how affected I was by European standards of

In 2018, after an endless perseverance of showing up at radio stations and attempting to present her talent, an opportunity at YFM availed itselfopportunity meeting preparation.

“It wasn’t easy, I had been rejected so many times and honestly, I was regretting leaving my secured job at Good Hope FM. Little did I know the universe had a plan for me.”

"Being in a space like YFM, a place where I could express myself was a thrill. Having over 700 000 listeners gave me a community and my identity was beginning to take form," she added. After a fruitful year as a presenter, Carissa’s time was complete at YFM and her new journey awaited her.

40\BOUNDARIES\NOV19

beauty. Today, my hair is my pride,” she says whilst Solange’s Don’t touch my hair coincidentally played in the background.

“You have to understand, there will be days when you don’t like yourself, and that’s okay - I experience that too! That is the range of human experience, you just have to tilt the lens and focus on the good,” she responded when I asked about dealing with self-scrutiny.

NOW THAT I TRUST MY MY IDEAS, I WANT TO TAKE THEM AROUND THE COUNTRY SO THAT I CREATE MY OWN SPACE IN THE INDUSTRY...

TURNING SCARS INTO STARS “I’m now in a space of ownership, I want to create content and something that reflects me. Because until this point, I waited for handouts, for something to fall on my lap. All that has changed now,” she said. Carissa currently has a YouTube channel titled under her name that covers topics on hair, feminism, fashion and beauty - Carissa style. Platforms such as YouTube allow people to write their own stories and create the spaces they want for themselves - miss Cupido is making great use of that.

“Working on my own gives me time to grow and experience moments of self-knowledge and acceptance. You have to be in a comfortable space with yourself in order to trust your own ideas and creativity,” she explains. Carissa is also currently producing a visual podcast and a roadshow. “Now that I trust my ideas, I want to take them around the country so that I create my own space in the industry.”

When it comes to the exponential progression of technology, you are either extremely behind or moving along with it - they are either making money off you or you are making money out of them. Carissa is the latter, constantly advancing her skills and improving her craft. As she continues boldly creating her lane, the way forward is up and away!

THEMBELA NGAYI Photography NOV19/BOUNDARIES/

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Image from Canva

CAMPUS FOODIES

By Kupakwashe Kambasha For all the campus foodies, it's always a cool thing to hang out with your friends and grab a bite. Forget about all the academic stress and indulge your cravings at this amazing food spot.

Hailing themselves for their ribs and chicken, Pino's at UJ APK campus is just the place to hang out for a delightful bite. Situated at the heart of the student center, chilling at this spot grants access to the coolest outside set up, spacious enough to host the whole squad.

Their menu is something to look at and offers a wide range of meals which cater for the carnivorous at heart, flexiterian and even the vegetarians. Its the ideal menu for that quick light meal, be it breakfast or lunch and you get to choose from ribs, chicken wings to steaks.

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To top it off, a wide range of beverages await your indulgence. Thinking of a sugar rush? then you should try their gourmet shakes. It's all that's sweet, so fancy yourself with a Ferrero rocher shake topped off with some some plush whipped cream.

Restaurant co-owner, Liz Desousa is master craftier to all your baked goods. She is all about doing it by herself, with muffins, brownies and other pastry delights coming fresh from the her oven.

OTHER CAMPUS FOOD SPOTS TO EXPLORE! Mama mias APK Student centre This joint is popularly known for the pizza. also serving salads and a wide a range of food options that accommodate for everyone.

Kota Joe APK student centre

The best place to grab yourself a delightful cone or cup of ice cream.

Smoothie Mamas

''BLEND IN THE HEALTH'' HAVING AN EVENT? LET SMOOTHIE MAMAS COME THROUGH AND SERVE THE CROWD.

100% plant based goodness.

CALL; S'NE 062 803 7529 EMAIL; SMOOTHIEMAMASZA@GMAIL.COM

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