IMBEWU Gender Equity Unit Newsletter
Issue 3 | June 2012
Loud Enough: The Voice of the Week
Editorial
The opening of the UWC’s week commemorating International Day Against Homopho-
At the Gender Equity unit, a popular saying goes, "If we push from the margins, the center will explode." This may be one of the reasons why the majority of our society is so frightened by minorities. The "little" people who fight for their rightful place in society are seen as threatening to the existence to those who are accustomed to the status quo.
bia and Transphobia (IDAHO) at the Main Hall on the 14th May by the LoudEnuf team had, not only an LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex) flag raising, but also spectators raising their eyebrows. It was a memorable event; despite deciding where the stage would be placed at the last minute, to struggling with raising the flag. Mary Hames, Director of the Gender Equity Unit (GEU), opened proceedings by giving the crowd a bit of history about the origins of this day. She explained of some serious cases of where men and women were actually assaulted because of their sexuality which led to the formation of LoudEnuf. She also called on students to become involved in the awareness week. She said that “[t]his is not just about you, but it’s Reneé Titus (LoudEnuf PL) Mary Hames (Director of GEU)
also about those around you too, it could be your friend, your mother or even a fellow student.”
The event was not only about speeches, but there was also some entertainment involved, with GEU volunteers performing poetry and song items. When all the speeches were done and people were thanked it was time to do what we all had came for, and that was raising the South African LGBTI flag. Everyone cheered as the flag was being raised to kick off a memorable week. When asked how he felt about the event, a member of the crowd said that as this was his first time attending an event of this kind, “[i]t has taught me that I don’t need to feel oppressed because of my sexuality; I need to accept it and so do others. I could see that the people were accepting of the message.” (Continued on page 2)
This could also be the reason for the diminishing numbers in volunteers after the initial surge after student orientation. The excitement of being a part of a movement usually wears off when people realise that activism is a battle; but one that must be fought. After a successful January which we thisinissue signed up many volunteers, the numbers are bound to deOpen Source Revolution P.1 crease once the hype dies down. However, for those who IT Management Tips P.2 stay, the fight is usually slow as the wheels of change turn at Non-Profit Solutions P.3 their own pace. We aim to move those wheels as fast as Trends & New Software P.4 they will allow. Our aim at Imbewu is to keep growing and, most importantly, keep pushing at the periphery. An important question is why are there so few minorities speaking up for their rights? Students can blame the powers that be for not doing enough. Granted, management could always do more, however, when this argument is passed back to the students, we should ask ourselves if we are making enough noise for issues to be changed. This is the goal of Imbewu. The notion of a “safe space” is extended to this publication which is a medium for raising awareness, as well as expression for students on the matter of social injustice. After a successful re-launch in 2011, we shall run with what we have learned and hope to keep improving. With an extra four pages and a blog for a wider audience that will allow for creative pieces to be displayed and shared, Imbewu aims to plant a seed of consciousness in all those who read it. We have been growing from strength to strength and have hosted a number of events, including the most recent International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). In this issue, we introduce our programmes and also the events that have taken place thus far. Happy reading!
Jerome Cornelius Editor
In this issue: “International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia Awareness Week” by Chuma Mbanyane and Albertina Sibanda “Humanity through film” by Chanell Oliphant “Reclamation: Right or Privilege” by Tamlyn Roode “AWULETH’ I-PEN YAM: Literature as a form of spotlighting social issues ” by Nwabisa Mbana
IDAHO: Spirituality and Sexuality
IDAHO: Transgender? Transphobia?
(From page 1) The second day of the IDAHO events, hosted by
Adam or Eve, pink or blue, she or he… our rigid society is a
LoudEnuf, was a provocative one. The theme for the day was
place of boundaries where one’s identity is dictated based
“Being Created in the Image of God” with special guests from an
merely on their genitalia. An individual can either be a man or a
LGBTI faith-based organization, Inclusive and Affirming Ministries
woman and certainly not both. But what is the place of those
(IAM). A short film was played which told of many individuals who
individuals who feel that they are Adam in Eve or Eve in Adam?
came out and revealed their sexuality. The film included Archbish-
That is, what is the place of transgendered people in society;
op Desmond Tutu who said he “hope[s] we will be more welcom-
particularly the UWC society?
ing of them [Homosexuals]. They should be seen as full members of the body of Christ.” This message was what many had agreed
LoudEnuf, with Whitney Booysen from Gender DynamiX, hosted an eye-opening session during the third day of the IDAHO
upon.
Awareness Week. The focus was on the challenges faced by the Michelle Boonzaaier and Ingrid Schoonraad from IAM shared the
LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Intersex)
work they do in churches to help with the inclusivity of all people,
community. It was interesting hearing about transgenderism
including gays and lesbians. When asked what the Bible really says
and transphobia from a transgendered individual and to hear
about homosexuality, the representatives from IAM mentioned
the voices of strong individuals who have managed to find their
that the Bible can be read in different contexts. What about the
identity in a society that seems determined to classify them as
unconditional love that Pastors preach, what happens when your
something they are not. It gave all who were present an oppor-
son or daughter comes out of the closet? Will it still be uncondi-
tunity to take a walk in the shoes of transgender individuals
tional love knowing that they have “gone against” the church?
and to come to terms with the harsh reality of hate speech and
This was another question asked by one of the students who went
other violent actions characteristic of transphobia.
through the exact same thing. The ‘Y’ shape on our South African flag represents the converHave South Africans really accepted Homosexuals? Have the black
gence of diverse elements within South African society, and
communities realized that homosexuality is not only a Western
expresses our wish as a people to take the road in unity. Yet
thing? Are there attempts to rewrite the Bible so that it could be
one cannot help but wonder if this is unity; the pink or blue,
inclusive to everyone? These were the questions students had for
male or female- tick appropriate kind of identity imposed on
IAM representatives. With the hate crimes that are being reported
the LGBTI society. I will leave you with a question, if this is uni-
one could say that they have not accepted homosexuals and that
ty, are we not forging the way of yet another apartheid, where
black communities still deny that homosexuals are part of an Afri-
minorities
are
trampled
on
and
dehumanized?
can culture too. The speakers concluded by adding that the way forward was to re-imagine, re-contextualise and re-interpret the
By Albertina Sibanda
Bible, instead of rewriting it again. By Chuma Mbanyane
IDAHO: Is UWC doing enough for LGBTI? A debate chaired by Glenton Matthyse, coordinator of Gayla-UWC, took place at the Coline Williams residence to pose and seek answers to the question: Is UWC doing enough for the LGBTI? The panel consisted of Mary Hames of the Gender Equity Unit, Melanie-Ann Cook of the UWC HIV/AIDS Programme, Clint Prins and Liane Reyners of Campus Protection Services, Gender and Security Officers of the Student Representative Council and Central House Committee, and not forgetting the students who came to have their voices and opinions heard. The students voiced their concerns about the availability of safe spaces for not only the LGBTI community but the entire student populace. We also sought to understand how cases of violence which usually affect women and homosexuals are dealt with by the CPS. CPS’ Clint Prins assured students that his programme will do everything in its power to promote and maintain safe spaces for all students. The programme manager of the HIV/AIDS Programme, which offers counseling and testing services to staff and students, said that the programme is not centred on heterosexual couples alone. She encouraged the LGBTI community to come in their numbers for counseling and testing as they do not discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation. Ms. Cook also encouraged us to voice our opinions and fears in order to help them create an even better service to the entire UWC community. (Continue on page 3)
Louder and Prouder Our vision for 2012 is to be louder and prouder about our LGBTIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, intersex, asexual) community on and off campus. We plan to have events around International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, celebrating gay, lesbian and transgender rights. Events for the year include fundraisers; team building but most importantly we will be hosting a Mini (or regional)Lekgotla, the first for the Western Cape. The main Lekgotla is a gathering of all LGBTIA student societies around South Africa. During this gathering there are workshops on hate crimes, transgender issues, and safety on campus, safe sex and safe zones. Lekgotla happens once a year and representatives from each student organization attends. UWC will be the first host to the other societies in the region. The first event we attended was Cape Town Pride in which we had over 50 LoudEnuf members who participated. We also had our first fundraiser in the first week of May. This was followed by workshops with the Inclusive and Affirming Ministries on the 5th and 12th of May. Then we had our awareness week between the 14th and 17th of May, celebrating International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).
IDAHO: Debate (From page 2) Doubt was still expressed about the place of transgender people in the UWC community especially with regards to spaces labeled for male or female use, such as toilets. It would be a step towards recognition to have loos for transgender people. Angelo Fortuin, also from the GEU, argued that the university was in fact giving students, the LGBTI community included, the platform to express themselves, we the students tend to be too passive. In order for the strides taken by the University to be visible, we as the student body have to meet them half way and help them help us. The raising of the South African LGBTI Pride flag, in itself a sign of the efforts that the University is putting in. Let us reach out and take their hand and build a better future for the LGBTI community. By Albertina Sibanda
IDAHO: Flag Lowered as Spirits remain High It is this day, that we celebrated as the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), to honour the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex individuals all over the worldthe day we look back to see how far we have come. It is with pride that students from all walks of life joined in the march around campus bearing placards which communicated the need for the elimination of hate and violence against the LGBTI community, the need for tolerance and the need to be accepted as we are. The programme leader of LoudEnuf, Reneé Titus led us into a moment of silence to reflect on the lives of the many members of the LGBTI community we have lost through acts of violence perpetuated by homophobic individuals. Poetry, song and words of encouragement (particularly Glenton Matthyse’s statement expressing gay pride!) were ‘loud enough’ and reached the ears of students, some of whom participated in our quest to find a place in the UWC as LGBTI people.
GEU Volunteers at Cape Town Pride 2012
By Albertina Sibanda
IDAHO: Commemoration and Celebration Last year we hosted awareness weeks on campus and held a symposium where the topics surrounded Violence Against Women: Post-apartheid Conversations. We have also successfully hosted workshops that focused on LGBTIA issues such as homophobia and safety on campus, with external stakeholders such as The Inner Circle, Gender Dynamix, Out in Africa and The Triangle Project. This year we have the opportunity of having three programme leaders (PL’s). Reneé Titus who was PL last year, will accompany Bianca van Rooi as co-PL. Puisano Ndaba, shadow PL, will take over as PL in 2013. This will allow us to raise the expectations which we have set out for ourselves and make this year bigger and better for all. By Reneé Titus— LoudEnuf PL
The final day of the IDAHO commemorations ended with an evening highlighting the LGBTI community. Chris Hani residence was the venue for this event on the 17th of May, which hosted song and poetry items by students and activists. A moment of silence was observed for Jill Henderson, an activist from Triangle Project, a close partner of LoudEnuf and the GEU. Imbali, a new band consisting of members who are also volunteers at the GEU, had their very first performance to a welcoming audience. Saint Dude, a drag king performer, was one of the stand out performers who had males, females and others moving to his rap. Latheem Nair, a member of Islamic LGBTI organisation, The Inner Circle, stepped away somewhat from activism work to perform three of his original songs about his own experiences, including one about his own take on transgenderism. UWC students, past and current, also got a chance to perform their own poetry pieces, including Hedwig Pienaar, Roché Kester and Ashraf Booley. At the end of the evening, a moment was taken to remember why we were there as we had a chance to light a candle in support of this day. By Jerome Cornelius
Humanity through Film The month of March saw the Gender Equity Unit’s Food Programme present a Human Rights Film Festival. This festival was in collaboration with the HIV/AIDS Programme and newly formed RezLife. Running from the 27th to 29th of March, the film festival consisted of screenings during lunch-times and the evenings . These took place in the B-Block, as well as at various residences on campus in the evenings. According to their tag line, one of the main reasons for the festival is to ‘Alleviate Hunger and Promote Education’. The latter of promoting education seemed to have ran true to many who came to view the films, including myself, as I was lucky enough to attend most of the screenings during the day and evening. Preparation for the festival took its form in attaining the films for viewing. These were courtesy of the Encounters Film Festival, Openly Positive and Steps. For some of the films, the directors were present. One of these was Karin Slater (pictured left), the director of An Intersection- a film about an HIV-positive couple wanting to have a baby. Focusing on the couple and their road towards parenthood, the viewers were afforded a glimpse into breaking down the stereotypes of ‘an African male’ and about people living with HIV. Similarly the director Derrick Fine of the film Whisper Not was present at the screening of his film. It was told in the same vein as An Intersection which was also a story of encouragement, of living with HIV and not whispering about it.
Karen Slater (Director of An Intersection)
Throughout the screening of the documentary one could feel the audience members being taken away by the film. Similarly, during the screening of the other films and documentaries the audience members were riveted by the stories unfolding. This was evident in the questions and comments they would pose to the directors and facilitators after the screening. For those who felt the public forum too intimidating, ballot papers were provided to write commentary. The audience raised some thought provoking points and
Melani-Ann Cook with HIV/AIDS Programme Peer Educators
commended the organisers for providing this platform. One member said that it was “[i]nspiring and eye-opening, rarely spoken about positive learned a lot change more of those things should be shown broke down stereotypes eye opener’ these were some of the themes that kept cropping up”
Megan Vearey (Food Programme PL)
By Chanell Oliphant
The life of a mentor...
The HumaNature connection
With the team building and the camp behind us, the mentors
The aim of the Gender Equity Unit’s HumaNature programme is
(student volunteers) are ready to make a difference in the live
to raise awareness regarding persons with disabilities and provide
of the mentees (school learners). The team building created a
necessary education around disability for students. Using as many
peaceful atmosphere under mentors and this
innovative tools and ideas in order to provide in-
will help with success in the programme.
formation and connect students. The year got off
The camp was an opportunity for mentors and mentees to get to know each other
to an interesting start, with many new volunteers, with potential for great fresh ideas.
better. This was our first big event for the
On the 22nd of March, the Gender Equity Unit’s
year. As we encourage ties between pro-
student volunteers and staff participated in a very
grammes, we held the camp at the Hotten-
exciting workshop presented by Cape Town Socie-
tots Holland Nature Reserve, which is also
ty for the Blind, called the iCore Team-Building
where the HumaNature programme had
Event. We entered the premises not knowing
their first accessible hiking trail assessment.
what to expect and the next moment we were in
On the 19th and 20th of March we were privileged to have participated in training on Child Safety and Child Abuse over two days from ChildSafe and a Children’s Rights Activist. As we are aligned with the Children’s Act, we are grateful for the assistance of the facilitators and their help with our training, to ensure that we continue to comply with the act.
the dark, literally. Blindfolds were not necessary as we were led into a pitch black room, only using our senses and trust of our peers to navigate and finally set down at the table for breakfast. Not only did we eat and converse in the dark but we were also served by blind and visually impaired waitrons. The experience for most of us was frightening. We were also led through the organization and shown how blind and visually impaired persons are perfectly capable of being able to work, eliminating the stereotype that blind persons cannot function as people with sight do in a working environment. In September of 2011, the Gender Equity Unit hosted DeafSA (Deaf Federation South Africa) for a presentation during National
Mentors on day two of training The mentors will continue to work in teams, according to their subjects and will be paired with suitable mentees. We will also have a progress report for the mentees, in order to make sure we are doing what is expected of us. It will also help us to see where to improve. We will have sports and games during the year to ensure everyone enjoys the programme and feels comfortable. Everyone will have the opportunity, time and space to express themselves.
Deaf Awareness Month. Through building upon a great relationship, strides are being made toward introducing an empowering tool to raise awareness, by hosting SASL (South African Sign Language) classes. These will be facilitated by DeafSA’s Provincial Director and UWC graduate, Mr. Jabaar Mohammed. In this way, we aim to raise awareness as well as empower student volunteers through education. In the past we have assessed the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve’s Palmiet trail. This event was successful and has been improved for persons with disabilities. In the second semester of
For these new plans for the year we need great ideas and en-
2012 we will return to this trail, that will be the setting for a day
thusiasm to get things moving. I am glad to say that, so far the
hike. This trail is an instrumental part of HumaNature’s awareness
mentors are bringing more to the programme than is expected
raising. The hike will involve education regarding the accessible
and this shows their spirit and dedication to the mentees. This
trail and also maintenance of the trail.
will all contribute to making the programme a success. By John-Dean Tshenkeng— GEU Mentoring Programme PL
We look forward to the opportunities and challenges ahead and hope to contribute to a disability-friendly campus environment.
International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia Awareness Week
Nur Felix, social justice activist, performing songs of hope and freedom
Candle lighting in commemoration of the significant day, and week
Catherine Pretorius (Performer) and Bianca van Rooi (LoudEnuf PL)
RochĂŠ Kester, Ashraf Booley and Jolyn Phillips (Performers)
Liberty Banks (Gayla-UWC) and Whitney Booysen (Gender Dynamix)
IDAHO Exhibition in the Library Atrium
Leroy Seppie (GEU Volunteer)
Dr. Yvette Abrahams with the late Jill Henderson who was commemorated at the IDAHO
Student Orientation
All set up for the Part-Time orientation
Addressing first year students in the Main Hall
GEU Mentoring Programme Camp
John-Dean (PL) and Leanni Snyers (Mentor)
Reclamation: A Right or Privilege? For many years women have been oppressed, degraded, beaten and stripped of their dignity. In order to survive the darkness that consumes their daily lives, women have used their strongest weapon that is: courage to stand up for themselves, a voice to be heard and strong will to change their circumstances. In a striking performance by an all black female cast, “Reclaiming The P… Word” has captured the common battles black women fight against a patriarchal world and mostly within themselves. On the 19th of April this multi-faceted production started with the audience being granted the opportunity to “look at themselves” in a mirror. That was done as each woman was given the mirror before the show commenced, and told to open their legs and to appreciate the
Whilst reading this article three women
beauty of their own bodies. Produced by Mary Hames and directed by Tapiwa Mazvimavi and
were raped and
Ntombi Wonci, this show has been performed for six successful consecutive years adding a
abused.
new perspective to an ever growing awareness of a woman’s self-worth.
The pieces performed illustrated the will of women to reclaim their identity and self-worth by taking pleasure in and having pride in their bodies. It also highlighted the importance of a woman embracing her body along with its natural changes instead of despising who she is and hanging her head in shame because of a man or those who have caused her to believe she is less than what she is truly worth. The performance elaborated on the manner in which the ‘P… word’ is misunderstood, overused and undefined. More importantly it showed how a woman should restore the character of the ‘P… word’ by loving her “shy part” and by cutting the defamatory chord attached to the word and standing up to give it her own true meaning. This is a show not to be missed and for all to see, it’s graphic and emotionally depicted scenes will have you sitting at the edge of your seat wanting more. By Tamlyn Roode
A Home Away “Home can also be dysfunctional…” “Home is believing…” “…it is physically and mentally comforting…” “Home is what you feel” For those who have not watched the flagship Edu-Drama from the GEU, Reclaiming The P… Word, students were treated to something new. Khululekani Emakhaya, the GEU production about female students writing their own stories about their homes, had their first performance for 2012, on campus on the 15th of May. Each performer got the chance to write and perform their own story from their point of view. After rave reviews at Grahamstown in 2011, the cast returned to home turf to show UWC their hard work. Pieces included, among others, stories about the language barrier; how HIV/Aids tore a home apart; how hair is used to make one feel different and the death of a sibling and how each experience affected the performer. The audience got a chance to ask the cast questions regarding the process of putting up this production. Ideas of home were discussed and challenged as Thulisa Dunga said that the intention is for “you [the audience] to take what you want from each piece.” As the personal is political, Tapiwa Mazvimavi summed it up by stating that “owning politics is the first step to getting the story”, proving that women can indeed take control of their own stories. By Jerome Cornelius
Reclaiming Body — Reclaiming Self GEU introduces a new production to the 2012 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown entitled: Reclaiming Body — Reclaiming Self The play deals with multiple struggles that young Black women are facing in the post-1994 South Africa. They speak out against stereotypes, conservative society, religion and oppressive body politics. They question the contradictions in the so-called land of freedom(s). Performance dates: 2nd July at 11:30 and 4th July at 15:30 at the 1820 Settlers’ Monument
Allow me, in my convoluted digressive way, to Re-claim the P… Word …or as I would like to call it now, “Re-claiming consciousness.” I remember watching “Reclaiming The P… Word” for the first time in 2011. The bravado with which the ladies took to stage telling stories of women’s bodies, our bodies; my body spurred me on to be part of the Edu-Drama. It wasn’t until this year 2012 at orientation when we had to sign up for volunteer programmes that the remembrance of the performance I had seen came back. However, unlike the vigour with which the performance had captured me to be part of this program; 2012 came to replace that drive with self-doubt, until a conversation with a good friend of mine reminded me indirectly of the thoughts that went through my mind during the previous year’s production. It was made clear to us at the start that the process of the production was more important, or had more significance, than the performance itself. From day one of rehearsals until the day of the production, consciousness was being opened, Edu-Drama was taking place; emphasis on both “edu” and “drama.” Each rehearsal would leave me reflecting on my life, my history, my past, on society as a whole, my relationships, my family and the lot. I remember the day we received the script, all of us were excited, paging through it. The words; “which one are you gonna do?!” ran abuzz from all our lips. “I want you guys to take this home read it, and reflect upon it” “….which one speaks to you?...come back Monday and tell the story to us” said Tapiwa Mazvimavi, as we looked at the scripts. I went home, read each and every piece and cried as I read these incredible stories of hurt and abuse. I saw hope as re-proclamation took place through the progression of the stories. Even writing about it now still brings forth emotions of pain mixed with hope. Even though I could identify with the stories at one level, a part of me had to be reflective upon the fact that this is not my story I had written and am now telling. This is someone else’s story. Someone else’s pain. The tears that I am shedding are not the tears she shed whilst writing the story and living it. To reflect upon what one of the previous year’s cast members stated: “You have to be aware of your position before you can empathise.” Something had me in an ambivalent position, although I was like ‘Hell YEAH!’ I want to do that piece, another piece was calling me; ‘Legends of the Poes’, especially the section about Krotoa. One could say these are the silences, the legends of silences that are whispered about swept under the carpet not to be remembered by the present and future generation. Evident in the fact that not a lot of people knew who Krotoa was, I myself I do not know all there is to know about her. Yet, the silence of her and Sarah Baartman is reflected upon the present day statistics that we mostly only read about black women in newspapers, or that we do not even read about. Sharing this piece with Cynthia had me thinking to myself: ‘who was Krotoa, what happened to her?’ At times I got angry as I did the piece; “What happened to her?!” and yet her story did not form part of the history I was taught and yet her story does not form part of the story that is told when I take my tour to Robben Island? And then the evening of the production took place as we all shared lipsticks. “I have a whole array of makeup, help yourself” said Tapiwa, pointing to the table laden with blush, powders and tubes of lipsticks as we all gathered around it. And then we went behind the curtains and the crowd entered. Reflecting back upon the whole process building up towards the performance, it was a very emotional period for me. Reflective are the words that ran out of my mouth when we would do check outs, because that is what this process was for me in a rather convoluted, digressive way. I reflected and can not wait for more! By Chanell Oliphant
AWULETH’ I-PEN YAM The end of Apartheid thrust upon South Africans an infant nation with endless possibilities, a transformed identity and an opportunity to wipe the bloody slate clean. The country was faced with matters it had never truly confronted before: HIV/AIDS, poverty, homosexuality, crime and the conundrum of living in a country which inhabits all these issues. This inspired citizens to tell new stories, and bring these issues to light, literature being one of the many platforms to do so. In a country where the majority of the population had been marginalized, South Africa boasts a diverse literary voice. Our very own campus is endowed with three prominent authors, dissimilar in background, but share a commonality of using literature as a channel to present social issues. Professor Antjie Krog, an Afrikaans speaking former reporter (most notably for the TRC), writes on the challenges of post-apartheid South Africa and has received various accolades, including a Hiroshima Foundation for Peace and Culture for her influence in promoting peace through art. Sindiwe Magona is a Xhosa-speaking, former domestic worker and internationally acclaimed recipient of various awards for her poetry, books and short stories, which highlight issues of women, poverty and social prejudice. Meg Vandermerwe, a Jewish South African writer debuted her anthology, This Place I Call Home, which features a variety of social realities of living in modern South Africa. The anthology, This Is My Land, features the work of Jolyn Phillips, Roché Kester and Ashraf Booley, who have been volunteers at the Gender Equity Unit. These extraordinary writers symbolize the unique and diverse voices of South African literature. This is affirmed by Creative Writing lecturer Professor Antjie Krog as she states, “I think South African literature is for the first time multi-voiced. Many stories from all around the country are emerging. The tones are different and unique, the spaces it talks about are previously not known, and the style of writing is changing completely.” Despite its progress in variation and content, the social relevance of art, in particular literature as a form of expression in South Africa has come into question. Prof. Krog believes that art should not have a social responsibility. “The moment you burden art with a job to do, art suffocates and basically fails to do anything. The impetus of the piece of art has to be the imagination, not social responsibility.” However, she is adamant that art is relevant. “What does art do? It changes you. If you engage with art you are not the same person who finishes the book as the one who started reading. There will always be people who hunger for this, who are not satisfied with the quick shallow gratification that hallmarks so much of today's life. Poetry has taught me how to live, how to love, how to look at the world, how to smell the air, hear the sky, see the invisible”. In the modern world of the internet, television, cellphones and videogames, literature has taken a firm back seat. The industry has never been so dynamic, yet it is still over-shadowed. “[South African] texts are not properly analyzed or even reviewed, that is the major problem”, says Prof. Krog. “No big newspaper has a book page anymore. Where is the book program on television? Everybody is writing, but nobody is reading.“
Magona and Vandermerwe at the Franschhoek Literary Festival 2012, with Dean of Arts, Duncan Brown
By Nwabisa Mbana
A Talk with a Tri-nority Zandile* is a 20 year old student. She is a student at UWC. She is female, albino and bisexual. She is also tuna obsessed and able-bodied. I chose to have this conversation after hearing her refer to herself as the ultimate minority. What struck me most was that she does not define herself according to these labels. In fact, all she sees when she looks in the mirror is not a label, but “someone who needs to get their teeth cleaned!” Zandile does not see herself as special. “I don’t see myself as disabled” she said in response to the question on how she feels about this particular label. The poor eyesight associated with albinism does not interfere with her daily life. We spoke about her life and those on the periphery on the whole. “I’m not really that introspective. So I never really thought about it until now” she says. Bisexuality and albinism are a part of her life, but they seem to feature more importantly to others who try to define her. People are, unsurprisingly, not informed enough, in her experience. In terms of her involvement with other Black people, she says that “we don’t know enough about [each other] and especially other African countries.” The fact that people still think that she chooses her bisexuality still leaves her dumbfounded. Zandile’s experience with other races have been interesting. “Coloureds give it the worst” she says. At spaces such as taxi ranks, she gets judgmental stares from these people who do not even pretend to hide their prejudices. Black people prove to be more superstitious. She has received comments ranging from being “a pretty one [for an albino]” and getting marriage proposals because they believe that her “condition” would bring good luck and wealth. People never stop being mean, but she got stronger. If anything, this is the message that should be taken from Zandile’s story. People might not change, but we can handle it better as time goes by. If Zandile had her way, the world would run according to her motto: “Do whatever you want, just don’t hurt anyone, including yourself.” *not her real name By Jerome Cornelius
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LoudEnuf Established in 2006
Gender Equity Unit
Engaging on issues such as gender, gender identity, sexuality and sexual orientation. Challenging prejudice and appreciating sexual diversity.
University of the Western Cape Bellville, 7535 (021) 959 2812 ph (021) 959 1314 fax gender@uwc.ac.za
GEU Food Programme Established in 2007 The primary objective is to alleviate the problem of hunger faced by UWC students and to promote education.
HumaNature Established in 2007 Raising awareness and providing education on disability, using tools such as accessible trail assessments.
GEU Mentoring Programme Established in 2009 Committed student volunteers mentoring school learners, via community-based organizations from surrounding areas. Providing friendship, guidance, support and becoming role models.
www.uwc.ac..za