Varsity Times - July Edition 2017 by inl35

YOUR TRUSTED TRUTH SOURCE

July 2017

ISSUE 2

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” — Nelson Mandela

Just Get Started Meet the Damelin SRC President Researchers: The Heroes of the Revolution

• • •

04 06 08

On The Cover - Behind the Legacy Join the Moot Court Competition Mind Your Money

• • •

10-11 06 14

July 2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Y our Trusted Truth Source

be somebody ... Stand out from the crowd

PERSONALISED LEARNING

GLOBALLY RELEVANT DEGREES

CAREER-READY GRADUATES

Apply now to start an undergraduate degree.

Monash South Africa has an array of degrees to choose from. We also offer a foundation programme as a pathway into our degrees.

#besomebody, choose Monash South Africa now! Visit www.msa.ac.za for more information.

THE WORLD CLASS

Look for us on these social media platforms

EXPERIENCE

INTERNATIONALITY

EMPLOYABILITY

Monash South Africa Limited incorporated in Australia External Profit Company is registered as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act of 1997. Registration number: 2000/HE10/002

July 2017 – Y our Trusted Truth Source

The Next Edition — 25 August 2017

Editor’s note Miriro Matema

@miriromatema

t (just about) the same moment that our second issue, gets to you, we are launching a complete digital version for university students across the country. Going forward, every story, every photograph, every advertisement—all available (for R5) via your phone, your tablet, your desktop, or any other device. Whichever device you have while you’re cracking the whip on those studies, the Varsity Times will be there with you!

Yet all the planning and execution of this issue got me thinking about the past. How far South Africa has come and the fact that we live in a time in which the past has never been more present. When I first started exploring what we could do with this issue, I used a phrase—Legacy—and what better name for our July issue could be the epitome of legacy than the former president, Nelson Mandela. Throughout this issue, you’ll see our little homage to his life. As one of the great moral and political leaders of our time, Mandela was an international hero whose lifelong dedication to the fight against racial oppression in South Africa won him the Nobel Peace Prize and the presidency. Take a break and see if you know all about him in the quiz inside! Enjoy! Miriro. P.S. I’d love to hear from you, so send me an email about what’s happening on your campus! The best ones will be shared in our next issue!

s we move into Women’s Month 2017, the Varsity Times will celebrate South African women in Education, Civil Society, Entrepreneurship, Government and Private Sector. Women leaders are acknowledged for their resonance-building leadership styles, adaptive communication skills and qualities of cooperation, mentoring and collaboration - traits that are becoming increasingly important to leadership in contemporary organisations. Gender based stereotypes influenced by the cultural value dimensions of society are seen as the major barriers to women’s advancement. Despite enabling legislation in South Africa, statistics reflect the dwindling of opportunities as women reach the upper echelons of management. Career primary motivated women reported structural barriers in organisations including networking, glass ceilings and glass cliffs. The Varsity Times wants to move the conversation away from discussing the problem, by focusing on presenting solutions. We want to explore roadmaps to businesses that are better balanced; arguments that help companies and managers understand and benefit from shifting global gender balances. Under the theme, Women in Leadership: breaking the glass ceilings and glass cliffs the The Varsity Times will dedicate its August edition to commemorate Women’s Month, which will uplift the national discourse and trace progress regarding gender parity.

It will ensure a high impact, frequency and reach coverage of all aspects of this important matter.

Powerful topics to be discussed include:

• Exploring opportunities for women to discuss and overcome personal or professional obstacles, build heightened self-awareness as they move through their career. • Increasing retention of talented women and understanding insights to enhance greater progression of women to senior management levels, which leads to more productive and profitable outcomes • How women across different industries have approached and overcome female leadership challenges. • A personal and organisational action plan - a strategic and tactical blueprint for creating a high performance organisations in the immediate future. The Varsity Times would like to invite Academia, Corporates, SETA’S, Civil Society and Government to put forward and celebrate the women in the organisation to be profiled, interviewed and celebrated for their contribution to the respective organization or institution.

From the Varsity Times – Happy Women’s Month Publisher – Mikhail Oliphant Mikhail.oliphant@intshamedia.com Find us on Twitter: @Vtimessa Facebook: @Vtimessa Website:www.vtimessa.co.za

A world of opportunities Discover a world of opportunities at the University of the Free State. We are here to serve you to become the leader, the critical thinker, the rain maker – the best you! Give your dreams wings and apply now and get it all at Kovsies. Remember you don’t pay an application fee.

T: 051 401 3000 | E: ufsmarketing@ufs.ac.za | www.ufs.ac.za

Inspiring excellence. Transforming lives.

WHY Kovsies? - We recognize and offer you the best academic training in your field - We encourage the development of leadership skills that will differentiate you from the rest of society - We take pride in providing you with skills and knowledge to enable you to work anywhere in the world - We provide you the best technology and networks to connect you with knowledge - We celebrate an openness for new ideas, debate and critical thinking - We value and live a culture of respect and kindness - We work hard to have you to enjoy a balanced student life - But most of all – WE VALUE YOU AND YOUR FUTURE!

July 2017 – Y our Trusted Truth Source

Youth Optimism dashed by political, economic uncertainty: GIBS Youth Survey

ust five years ago the annual Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Youth Survey highlighted a society that was upbeat about the future and their career prospects. Back then 74% of learners felt SA was a good place to have a successful career. In 2017, just 53% of respondents said they planned to build a future in the country. The about turn is a consequence of political infighting, ratings downgrades, the recent news that South Africa has slipped into recession and an unemployment rate of 27.7%. At the present moment, South Africans under the age of 25 who account for 51.5% of the population are hardest hit by unemployment. The survey, conducted annually as part of the GIBS CareerExpo, polls 2500 Grade 11 and Grade 12 learners on a variety of subjects, from politics, race, career opportunities, the history of the country and the quality of the education system. While the racial demographics of the respondents broadly matched those of the country as a whole, the survey comprised 68% female respondents. While the class of 2012 largely believed that South Africa would be a better place to work when they entered the job market in 2016 and 80% looked forward to a great life in the country, the learners of 2017 felt less prepared and certainly less confident. Only 56% felt that the quality of their school education was adequately preparing them for either the world of work or for tertiary studies. A more positive 64% had faith in the country’s tertiary education system to set them up for the future. Encouragingly 64% of respondents believed they were able to influence the future of the country, a statistic which highlights the youth’s strong desire to make a difference. However, unlike

Anxiety and excitement, are but some of the mixed reactions that youth (as seen at the GIBS career expo) have with regards to their future. Photos: Supplied & Tobias Ginsberg—Volume Photography 2015 when a whopping 75% of respondents felt that political engagement could be an effective tool to bring about change, only 53% of 2017 learners held this view. Whether or not this indicates disillusionment with the current state of politics in the country is a topic worth exploring further, but it certainly was not the case that the class of 2017 was politically unaware. In fact, 61% felt that “everyone should pay attention to South Africa politics” and 60% said they were engaging in discussions on political issues with peers or family members (up from 38% in 2015). In fact, 60% of respondents said they discussed politics at least twice a week and 46% claimed to access political information more than three times per week. While South Africa’s youth appear to be politically aware, the same cannot be said of their grasp of the past. While 70% of respondents agreed that democracy had a positive effect on their lives, their knowledge of the road taken

to get to this point in South Africa’s history was littered with holes. Most (70%) of students did not know that Thabo Mbeki, not Jacob Zuma, was not a prisoner on Robben Island and 67% thought the Constitution was adopted in 1994, not 1996. That said, 57% of respondents did feel that South Africa’s current reality was directly linked to the past and 61% said history was an important subject in the school curriculum. Commenting on the results, Abdullah Verachia, GIBS’s Executive Director for the Centre for Leadership and Dialogue (CL&D), emphasised the importance of engaging with the youth about the history of the country, the role of nation building, and what this might mean for their futures. “These are the future leaders of our country,” he said. “It is up to us all to share our lessons and learnings, to take time to listen and engage. Our youth is a barometer of sentiment in South Africa. Listening to them can

only strengthen the pipeline of future talent and ensure a robust future for our country.” The GIBS CareerExpo is a GIBS CL&D initiative, which is run in conjunction with telecommunications firm MTN. It targets high-achieving learners from non-fee paying, inner city and township schools to former model C and private schools around Gauteng.

Just get started…

familiar story I often hear from young people in Africa is about how there aren’t enough opportunities—not enough jobs, not enough capital to start a business, not enough scholarships, etc. I completely empathize with these millions of youth, who—despite having skills, passion and energy—just can’t seem to get a job or their business off the ground. And the situation is only going to get worse: by 2035, Africa will have the largest workforce in the world—bigger than China’s or India’s. By that time, over 1 billion people on the continent will need jobs! Add to that the fact that as artificial intelligence and automation become more widespread, more and more jobs will be done by computers and machines—which means even fewer jobs will be available for our burgeoning youth population. So what can we do about this? One thing I know from my experience as an entrepreneur is that African youth have to be proactive: Existing companies will never be able to create the jobs we need. Our cash-strapped governments will not be able to provide all grants we need for startups. If you are young and looking for an opportunity today, I say this—you have to take matters into your own hands. And It doesn’t matter how great an idea you have, if you never act on it, it won’t matter. You just have to start. I want to share with you a story of a young lady who is a shining example of what I am talking about: Belinda Munemo was one of the students in our first class at the African Leadership Academy 10 years ago. When she first came to us from Zimbabwe, she dreamt of being a doctor. But after being exposed to the culture of entrepreneurship at ALA, she discovered that her true calling was to be an entrepreneur. She recalled the thrill of some of her prior experiences—at age 15, she had started selling fruits and vegetables. And at 16, she opened a DVD rental store. At ALA (where 100% of students have to go through a program on entrepreneurship and have to start something), she started a hair salon on campus called Pretty Peacocks (which still exists to this day!) After she left ALA, Belinda knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur and ultimately discovered that her passion was to transform the education

system in her country. So, she took it upon herself to start a school, in her early twenties. Bear in mind, she didn’t have much money or even land to construct the school—in fact, she started the school with only $700 and 5 students in her mother’s living room! Fast forward to today. Belinda’s school, Reekworth Junior School, is thriving. She now has 4 campuses with 350 students strong—from a starting point of only $700. She just recently welcomed the first class to Reekworth High School. Belinda’s schools are no ordinary schools either. They teach students how to be creative thinkers and problem solvers—many things she learned at ALA. Her students are exposed to multiple languages, technology, and cultures and thought to think differently. And she has done all this in less than 5 years—remarkable! Belinda’s story resonated with me because just like her, I first got exposed to entrepreneurship at an early age. At 16, I began selling second-hand shoes in my high school, and started organizing concerts and selling tickets. When I was 18, my mother opened a small school in a remote town of Botswana called Selebi Phikwe, with 5 children in a small space rented from the local church. The school was started with zero capital. That’s right—zero capital (we used the fees that the 5 parents paid us to pay the 1 teacher we had, to buy supplies, and to pay rent). That school today is one of the top performing schools in Botswana and has over 300 students as well. The experience I got from working on small entrepreneurial ventures all those years ago is what gave me the confidence to launch African Leadership Academy when I was 25 (which has so far educated 1000 young leaders for Africa) and to launch Global Leadership Adventures (which has so far taken 15,000 young people to programs in 30 sites around the world). Those two then gave me the confidence and experience to launch African Leadership University, whose goal is to produce 3 million leaders for the continent over the next 50 years. Here are 2 key lessons you can learn from Belinda’s story: 1. Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. If no one is offering you a job, create your own job and create jobs for others in your generation. Belinda did not wait for someone else to start a

Top: A class at Reekworth Junior School. Left: Belinda Munemo. Right: Graduation at Reekworth Junior School Photos: Supplied & Lee Shonz school and hire her so she could pursue her passion for education. She just went ahead and did it herself. 2. There are no excuses for not getting started on bringing your vision to life. Just work on your idea even when you don’t have money, a space to work, when people tell you you’re too young—as long as you have the passion, you’ll figure out the rest later. Belinda started with almost no money and 5 students. Start small, build from there, and you’ll be amazed at how far you can go. Many of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs also started young and with nothing more than dreams (which are free!). Mark Zuckerberg started Facebook in his dorm room when he was 18. Richard Branson started selling magazines when he was 16. The founders of Google were 21. Steve Jobs was 21 when he started Apple. In 1970, at the age of 15, Bill Gates and his pal, Paul Allen developed “Traf-o-Data,” a computer program that monitored traffic patterns in Seattle,

and netted $20,000 for their efforts. That experience gave them the confidence to start Microsoft later when Bill was just 20. I’ve been to Silicon Valley and I can tell you that there is nothing special about the water they drink or the air that they breathe. If so many young people there can start companies that change the world and create millions of jobs—all just from dreams and with often little capital— then so can youth in Africa. In fact, we have no other choice. We don’t have much time. 2035 will be here before we know it. We just have to get started. Harnessing the power of youth—who have unlimited capacity to dream—is one of the greatest opportunities of our lifetime! What idea have you always had that you will bring to life TODAY? What can you do to encourage a young person with an idea to get started? Fred Swaniker – Co-Founder of African Leadership University

July 2017 – Y our Trusted Truth Source

Interview

Denise Zikalala - Damelin SRC President

ince becoming the SRC president it’s allowed me to build a good rapport with management/staff. My role is to be chief executive representation of the SRC, to represent the SRC in dealings with management or the students and last but not least, is to bring any relevant matters to the attention of the SRC. Becoming SRC President has taught me patience, tolerance, responsibility, leadership and more sensitivity towards people’s problems. With the 2017 SRC members, the student body now has an SRC that is fully functional and they can rely on. What we have done this year is to try balancing the academic stresses by increasing the amount of social activities on campus. Our main goals as the SRC are not just on a social level but also an academic level, to make sure that when the students go into the ‘real world’, they are well adjusted and are able to cope with the worlds stresses. And we want to create better communication between the students and management. To achieve these goals we are currently working on the sport and recreation , having more events on campus and academically there is feedback from management regarding issues that are of concern.

The SRC is very active with student support. What we’ve been up to this year is trying to liven up the campus and student life by getting students together through picnics, pool tournaments, Fifa tournaments, cake Wednesday’s, organizing jackets and ‘’GIRL TALK MONDAY’S (for the awareness of women and child abuse, etc). Our student engagement and representation has grown a lot compared to the previous years because the SRC’s weren’t functional before and the students didn’t want to participate in anything. Now that it’s fully functional and more active and engaged, we get a lot of feedback and suggestions from the students. So we are representing more students and there is more active representation. Student experiences have become more positive but there are some challenges. Some of the challenges are the lack of sport venues but management is aware and looking into ways to actually assist, and one of the biggest is especially with the Nated programs where students are not getting their timetables and statement of results in time. So looking ahead, students can look forward to more community engagements, more fun events and strutting their stuff with their new Damelin Jackets.

Changing Faces

What is racism really? W

hat is its impact on the diversity and rainbow of South Africa? Fewer African students are coming to South Africa due to xenophobia fears and long visa delays. Why should this matter? Well it could be affect the future rating of universities. Professor Maxi Schoeman from the University of Pretoria says “We’re very, very concerned about the drop in international students this year in enrollment, and by international students, we mean largely students from the rest of the continent.” She said the university’s research showed it was due to two things, fear of xenophobia and delays in getting a permit. “On the one hand, it’s the obvious xenophobia. Parents are scared to send their children here.” “The other thing is what many people interpret as a far more subtle form of xenophobia, and that is the very, very difficult procedure for students in getting their student visas. Students have battles with this,” she said. Schoeman said afterwards students sometimes waited for longer than a year for a visa after gaining acceptance into a university, which made it hard for them to plan ahead. This year alone, more than 100 students were still waiting for permits, she said. Although this could be due to simple incompetence at embassies, it was being perceived as a deliberate way of trying to keep foreigners out. What are your thoughts on the number of foreign students at your university? Send our editor a note and share your thoughts!

Have Your Say

ndergraduate and master’s degree law students from all universities in the world are invited to argue a hypothetical human rights case before a panel of top international lawyers. The 9th Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition will be held at Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland from 18 to 21 July 2017. With 37 universities representing, 6 of which are from Africa, this competition has been deemed ‘The Olympic Games of human rights’. The Competition is presented by the Centre for Human Rights, based at the University of Pretoria, with the support of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, in collaboration with the Regional Office for Southern Africa of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (ROSA). The Competition is open to both undergraduate and master’s degree law students. A team of two students from each university – preferably one woman and one man – is invited to participate. In the preliminary rounds the students submit heads of argument for a hypothetical case, which are assessed by a panel of experts. The best 5 teams from each UN region are then invited to participate in the pre-final and final rounds of

Above: Provincial Moot Court Competition Contestant. Below: ICC Judge Geoffrey Henderson with the winning team from Leiden University. Photos: Mariki Uitenweerde-EYEscape & ICC-CPI

the Competition in Geneva. Here, teams have to argue the two sides of the hypothetical case, the Applicant and the Respondent, before a ‘bench’ of human rights experts. The two best teams proceed to the final round, which is presided over by judges from international courts and tribunals. The Competition will be held in English. The 2017 Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition will include a one-day event, designed to expose students

to the work of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as the Human Rights Council. This will involve personal interaction with senior staff members of both institutions who are involved key activities and processes. This practical exercise promises to be an eye –opening and personally enriching series of encounters which will add value to what many World Moot participants have already described as the highlight of their university studies

July 2017 – Y our Trusted Truth Source

Interview

A candid Q+A with the SRC chairperson of the North West University. VT: Tell us about your role within the SRC PM: As SRC Chairperson I have three roles on a day to day basis: • I have to lead SRC meetings, and tend to internal complaints and crises that present themselves without warning. • I represent the students of the NWU at Campus and Institutional level at a wide array of NWU meetings. • I liaise with the outside world on behalf of the SRC.

In life I have found that those who speak emotionally about the problem, and those who actually do something about the problem are frequently not the same people. —Paul Maritz

VT: How has your life changed since joining the SRC? And the lives of the general student body? PM: I have seen many things and done many things which I never would have done, had it not been for the SRC. I sit in meetings that make important decisions, I meet interesting people, and I have a voice which I must raise for those who have no voice. The general student body has transformed both in figure and in mentality since I joined the SRC – I would love to think we are, as a body, growing ever closer to each other. VT: What are your goals and how far along is the SRC to achieving it? PM: My main goal for my term which nearly ends was stability and physical measurable improvement of the lives of our students. Through various internal and external projects and robust discussions, I think we have had a year above expectation. VT: What have you been up to since the start of the year? PM: We are busy with more projects than I would be able to mention, but I should mention some newer projects: Through hard work done by the PRO and Deputy Chair of the SRC, we had a bus service specifically focused on previously disadvantaged students. Furthermore, as the NWU is aligning, fifteen student leaders - five from each of our campuses, came together and negotiated and drafted a new constitution for the NWU SRC. VT: Has the student engagement and representation grown? What are the highlights of students you represent? PM: Engagement and representation are difficult to measure, but since 2015 our voting percentages have more than doubled, and our approval rate is, at least informally, at an all-time high.

Photo: Courtesy of NWU SRC

VT: Tell us about the student experience? Challenges and opportunities? PM: A new generation of students is coming up in South Africa. We have found that projects and functions which were traditionally popular do not necessarily seem as inviting to the new generation of students, and therefore we have tweaked and adapted various projects to better fit the needs and wants of the 2017 student. This in itself poses both challenges and opportunities. VT: Looking ahead, what can fellow students expect from the team? [Community engagements? Fun events?] PM: Fun will come second, we will continue to work to enhance the student experience, and attempt to bridge the already shrinking gap between students from different backgrounds at the NWU.

Invitation

COMSA MEDIA DIALOGUE 2017

“The role of the media in conflict escalation” Keynote address: Ayanda Dlodlo (New Minister of Communications)

Space Race is Back On

hana has made its mark in the league of innovators world over by launching its first satellite into space. The satellite was sent into orbit from the International Space Centre after two years of hard work and a $50,000 investment into the project. GhanaSat1 was developed by students at All Nations University in Kaforidua with support from the Kyutech Institute of Technology in Japan. The satellite program was not only technically challenging to pull off but was a societal minefield. The country has a poverty headcount ratio of 24.2% and questions were therefore raised about the government’s priorities when it embarked on a space program which sparked enthusiasm for satellite building Meanwhile, a group of researchers is proposing a 20-year continent-wide push to strengthen teaching, research and innovation in the field of planetary and space sciences in Africa, where research in the field remains scattered and underfunded. The Africa Initiative for Planetary and Space Sciences (Africa PSS Initiative), has already been endorsed by a number of scientists and institutions, as well as national and international organisations located in Africa and worldwide. The new initiative foresees coordinated actions with international partners aimed at training MSc and PhD students, as well as the development of locally-based scientific facilities, and the progressive integration of the fascinating discoveries about the solar system into university curricula.

Date: 04 August 2017 Time: 08:30-15:00 Venue: Kgorong Function Hall, UNISA Muckleneuk Campus RSVP: comsa@unisa.ac.za This year’s media dialogue is themed: “The role of the media in conflict escalation”, this theme was inspired by the role media plays in conflict management and conflict transformation in our society. When focusing on the latest trending news which has caused the country to engage in relevant matters, the popularity of social media has prompted individuals to articulate their opinion, get their voices heard, and draw public attention to issues that need to be addressed. This event will tackle topics such as peace journalism, social media and media transparency in political matters. LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE, RSVP NOW!

Comsa Unisa

@comsaunisa

July 2017 – Y our Trusted Truth Source

Researchers are the real heroes of the revolution

he advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution is set to dramatically change how humans interact with new technologies, how we embrace innovation and convergence across the physical, biological and digital spheres, how we communicate and engage, and how we use technology to improve our collective futures. Research-intensive universities are at the heart of this new world order as they serve as innovative hubs that attract remarkable revolutionaries - talented academics, scientists, researchers and students – the real heroes working on the frontline to advance society. They are the problem-posers and problem-solvers, the critical thinkers, the experimenters, the enquirers who are not afraid to ask the difficult questions and to pursue the answers, however evasive they may seem. They are the champions who work across disciplines to produce new knowledge, to find new cures, to save lives, to effect social change and to make the world a better place for future generations. Take a university like Wits in Johannesburg, South Africa, home to world-class researchers in the palaeosciences, who are using ultramodern, high tech scanners to look through fossils inside rocks, in order to determine the origins of humankind, so that we can better understand who we are, because of who we were. Archaeologists are exploring African prehistory and Africa as the birthplace for the early development of modern human cognition. On the same campus are gathered some of the best physicists in the world, who have teams deployed at CERN - the European Organization for Nuclear Research, who are trying to find the fundamental structure of the Universe, using the world’s most complex scientific instruments. A walk across campus to the new Science Stadium brings you into contact with some smart students studying towards a degree in big data analytics, skills that are desperately required in South Africa and beyond, especially as we will soon start receiving a profusion of data from the

Square Kilometre Array and other related projects. The rise of big data and advances in information technology have serious implications for our ability to deliver sufficient bandwidth to meet the growing demand. Wits researchers have demonstrated a 100x increase in the amount of information that can be packed into light. A few steps further will take you to the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning laboratory where computer scientists are looking into reinforcement learning, both in terms of contributing the general development of the field as well as its applicability to game playing agents, musical improvisation and robotics, a field also explored in the engineering faculty just across the road. Mining engineers are exploring new, deep level mining methods and ways to make mining safer; biomedical engineers are developing sophisticated x-ray imaging systems, artificial organs and medical devices to help save people’s lives; whilst construction and environmental engineers are focusing on serving the basic needs of people through building new structures like roads, dams, airports and sewage systems, taking into consideration the latest developments in water and waste management, new transportation and communication systems and how people use these technologies. The Global Change Institute focuses on how humans can adapt to climate change, interact with ecosystems and build resilience. Researchers are also looking into the nexus of land use, food security, biodiversity, human health and nutrition as well as minimising the negative consequences of the extractive industries, and maximising the rehabilitation of postextractive landscapes and communities. At the centre of the campus lies the Faculty of Humanities, a cultural and intellectual hub, with an incredible public intellectual footprint, that helps us to better understand ourselves, especially in a changing world. Talented folk here explore everything from migration to ethics; cultural studies to society, work and development; the creative arts and cultural studies to demogra-

(L-R) Prof Lisa du Toit, Prof Yahya Choonara and Prof Viness Pillay from the Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit in the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Wits University. Photo: Mariki Uitenweerde—EYEscape phy and population studies. Back in Braam, the new Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct hosts some of the most high tech research laboratories in the world, but also sees programmers, designers, developers, entrepreneurs, creative artists and start-ups congregate to share a hub space where they brainstorm and work on creative projects that spurs innovation and new opportunities for young people. Crossing over to Parktown, researchers in the Faculty of Health Sciences are actively fighting against the burdens of HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB and their intersection with non-communicable diseases including cancer, obesity, hypertension, heart disease and related disorders, which

affect billions of lives across the globe. Some of the best “super-specialists” in the world are trained in these facilities, where clinicians also service the most people who are living with HIV/ AIDS and TB in the world. Our exceptional researchers create new knowledge, explain novel discoveries, impact on policy development, change the way we do business, promote human rights and social justice and help us to think critically to find alternative solutions to the pressing challenges of the future. More importantly, they study how these new technologies impact on society. They are the vanguards who deserve our appreciation and greatest support at all times. Researchers, we salute you!

Educor and its Brands Spread Mandela Day Cheer Ashmika Chottu and Nana Zuke

n celebration of Nelson Mandela Day on Tuesday 18 July, Educor Holdings dedicated its 67 minutes to the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation in KwaZuluNatal at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital. Founded by parents of children with cancer the Children’s Haematology Oncology Clinics provides support to parents of children with cancer. With a spirit of giving back, staff at Educor Holdings began preparation the night before, packing buckets of groceries and goodies to donate to the CHOC mothers and families in the community affected by children with cancer. It was a morning filled with a spirit of goodwill and camaraderie as staff boarded a bus at the Educor offices in Pinetown and set out to the CHOC Foundation in Cator Manor ready to touch people’s lives. Upon arrival, the Educor team got the humbling opportunity to go on a hospital tour, visit the children in their wards, and see the CHOC Lodge that is available for mothers and their children. The lodge provides free accommodation and meals to parents whose children have been diagnosed with cancer. It offers parents shelter so that they can be closer to their children while they receive treatment in the hospital until they are in remission and ready to be discharged. At the lodge while the mothers waited anxiously as the Educor team prepared to handout the hampers, they shared the journey of their children who are battling cancer. After giving each mum a hamper, staff went into the children’s the rooms to add cheer by decorating the walls with colourful and educational imagery to add a fun and exciting atmosphere for the children. The highlight of the day was when the Educor team, together with other corporates visiting the Foundation, joined hands with the mums in prayer. This was emotionally moving and the mums appreciated the spiritual upliftment.

The team were also introduced to all the staff members who are in charge of the daily functions of the Foundation. Regional Manager of CHOC KZN, Agie Govender said that CHOC and the families value the support of Educor has done. “Educor went beyond our expectation and for this we are truly grateful. We at CHOC do not receive funding from government and therefore rely heavily on donations from caring corporates such as Educor,” said Agie. Group Head of Communications for Educor, Jessie Naidoo said, “We were so humbled by the experience and grateful to CHOC for providing us with the opportunity to visit with the children and to talk to the mums. We want to extend our ongoing support to the Foundation, and encourage other organisations and individuals to do the same.” One of the mothers that had just arrived at the CHOC house, Nonhle, spoke to the team about her experience and thanked them for the support. “My two-year-old daughter was recently diagnosed with cancer and we were referred to the hospital for her to begin immediate treatment. This is still so new for us. I am still quite shaken about the discovery of my daughter’s diagnosis but I’m so grateful to CHOC and organisations that partner with them,” said Nonhle. Educor is the largest private education provider with over seven brands under its stable, including Damelin, ICESA, CityVarsity, Central Technical College, INTEC College, Damelin Correspondence and Lyceum. Each of these brands also commemorated Nelson Mandela month in their communities across the country. It was truly a heart-warming and humbling experience and Educor is proud to have made a difference across the country. For more information on Educor, visit www. educor.co.za or like our Facebook page, @EducorHoldingsPTY

Above: Educore CEO Charles Reeves and staff together with the buckets of groceries donated to CHOC. Below: Intec staff ready for action! Photos: Supplied

July 2017 – Y our Trusted Truth Source

Monash South Africa: Is experience enough to climb the corporate ladder?

urviving and growing in the corporate world is tough. With intimidating competition and an ever-evolving economy, it is important to relentlessly refresh and update your skills and knowledge to progress in your career.

But, can that be achieved through experience alone?

To answer this, it’s important to consider the tools required to excel as a business leader. Interestingly, many of the key strengths could be considered ‘soft skills.’ While every industry needs specialist skills, adaptability and communication skills really set business leaders apart. No matter what your profession is, it is important to comprehend and internalise the basics of what makes a business tick. This knowledge will guide you in making sound decisions, while communication skills will ensure that you have the power to motivate and direct your team. These skills can be honed both in the workplace and while studying. While many leadership qualities are learnt on the job, studying rapidly develops the depth and breadth of your knowledge. The reality is, while you may feel completely qualified to lead, you don’t know what you don’t know. A tertiary education exposes you to latest information and developments quickly and efficiently. While it may seem daunting to study and climb the corporate ladder at the same time, most of our students in this position actually do better than full time students. This is often because they are studying a subject they are truly passionate about and know how the course will set them apart in a competitive job market. While heading the MBA Programme at Monash South Africa (MSA), I have had confident feedback from students on the impact of the curriculum on their corporate careers. Our students particularly appreciate the finance, economics and our personal leadership module. They also enjoyed and relished MSA’s

unique unit on creativity and innovation, which creates a mindset that encourages these corporate learners to think differently about business complications and create solutions. In terms of global MBA programmes, South Africa remains at the top of its game as our content is continually reviewed and regulated. While there has been global debate on the relevance of the MBA, it remains a relevant and necessary qualification in the African and South African business context. Recent exploratory research by Dr Millard Arnold, the Executive Director of the South African Business School’s Association (SABSA) illustrates that Africa still has a shortage of MBA skills, making the degree highly relevant for our continent. An MBA is the perfect choice for mid or senior managers looking to grow their careers, as well as industry specialists such as doctors, lawyers or even veterinarians who would like knowledge on how to grow a practice. Although, an MBA is not the only option. You could also pursue a postgraduate diploma as a starting point. Depending on your industry, you could also weigh up the merits of attending a university of technology versus a traditional university. If your job requires practical skills, universities of technology offer excellent training in applied skills, while traditional university education focuses more on in-depth conceptual understanding. Both have their unique benefits. Ultimately, a tertiary education will always benefit your career and personal growth. While it may appear a daunting prospect, if you are passionate and driven, you will find the time and support to succeed. Monash South Africa offers selected law and business undergraduate degree classes on weekends; as well as a variety of postgraduate diplomas and our popular MBA and MIB degrees, providing valuable skills to directly benefit your career. Enjoy our convenient, flexible and affordable Saturday classes, the benefits of blended learning and personalised attention.

Corné Meintjes, Senior lecturer and Head of the MBA Programme at Monash South Africa. Photo: Supplied

27 AUGUST 2017 GREENPOINT CRICKET CLUB R50 ENTRY FEE ENQUIRIES: TOP EVENTS 021 511 7130 /info@topevents.co.za

July 2017 – Y our Trusted Truth Source

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela —

ou know his name, you recognize his face. His voice is undeniable… Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is a well educated man. He is a great believer in education and in life-long learning. It was at his first school that he was given the name Nelson. This formal schooling was not the only Mandela education though. As the son of a tribal councillor he learned the art of listening which helped in his role as a leader and peacemaker throughout his life. When Mandela’s father died when Nelson was 9, he was taken under the guardianship of the regent Jongintaba. In the usual Thembu custom school meant initiation at 16 and attendance at Clarkebury Boarding School. Instead of taking the usual three years to complete his Junior Certification Nelson completed it in 2 years. From there he went to the usual college for Thembu royalty – Healdtown in Fort Beaufort. At the Fort Hare University Nelson Mandela became involved in the Student Representative Council (SRC). Following a boycott, he was told to leave and that’s where his education took a change of direction.

Rather than follow through on his guardians wish for an arranged marriage the young Nelson took off to Johannesburg. He completed his Bachelor of Arts studies with the University of South Africa through correspondence. Mandela then went on to study law at the University of Witswatersrand. But his university life was interrupted by his involvement in the ANC. He and friend Oliver Tambo opened the first black legal practice in South Africa, giving affordable and often free advice to black people who could otherwise not afford it. Mandela continued his legal education while he was in prison too. When he was put into Robben Island prison Mandela often gave legal advice to both prisoners and prison staff. His love and belief in education was appreciated, and Robben Island became known as the ‘Nelson Mandela University’. It was a cruel and tough life in prison, but Mandela somehow managed to turn it into a place of learning. Mandela saw education as part of the key to winning the struggle against apartheid, while at the same time he had spoken out that education had nothing to do with a person being ‘able’ to vote or think.

“No country can really develop unless its citizens are educated.” — Nelson Mandela

7 Ways You Can Celebrate Mandela Day - Donate blood. - Donate stationery and books to under resourced schools - Spend quality time with children in an HIV/Aids programme. - Spend quality time with the elderly in a nursing home - Spend quality time in the paediatrics ward of a government hospital - Teach someone how to use a computer and the internet - Make a toiletry bag for patients at a nearby government hospital. Do you have more ideas? Send your ideas to our Editor or tweet us @VTimesSA

National Science Week

National Science Week 2017, which will be hosted by the Department of Science and Technology at the newly relaunched Nelson Mandela University, launches next week. The University, DST and its partners invite learners, teachers and members of the public to join the University in a line-up of activities in the lead up to the national launch on 5 August 2017. The theme for #NSW2017 is Advancing Science Tourism.

• Point of Human Origin exhibition – 29 July at Second Avenue Campus – 08:30 - 12:00 • Diversity and Inclusion in Sciences Symposium – 31 July at South Campus – 13:30 - 19:00 • Touring the Human Body Fun Run – 29 July at Missionvale Campus and surrounds – 8:00 • Virtual tour of CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research – 1 August streamed from South and Missionvale campuses – 13:00 - 15:00 • Public Lecture by Prof Lorien Pichegru on Advancing Marine Science Tourism – 1 August at South Campus Council Chambers – 13:00 - 14:00. • Public lecture by Prof Azwinndini Muronga on Touring the Universe – 4 August at Missionvale Campus – 14:00 - 15:00. For more activities, please visit www.science.mandela.ac.za.

July 2017 – Y our Trusted Truth Source

— Behind the Legacy “Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mine worker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.” — Nelson Mandela

Can you answer these five questions about Mandela’s life? Give it a shot and tweet us if you get them all correct! Best of luck! Quiz: Test Your Madiba Knowledge 1. What is the name of the prison Mandela was released form in 1990? 2. In January 1962, Mandela left South Africa for which African country? 3. In which year did he graduate with a law degree? 4. In 1962, what did he wear to court? 5. How many children did Mandela have?

True or False:

Under Nelson Mandela’s presidency 750,000 houses were constructed, 2 million people were connected to the electricity grid, and water access was extended to 3 million people. Nelson Mandela has a cameo in the 1992 movie “Malcolm X” as a teacher reciting one of the civil rights activist’s speeches. Beginning law studies at the University of Witwatersrand, Mandela was the only native African student. Nelson Mandela co-authored a book with Fidel Castro. In the 1950s, Nelson Mandela was a crusading attorney by day and an amateur boxer by night.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” — Nelson Mandela

Timeline: 1918: Born on the 18 July 1934: Undergoes initiation; enrols at Clarkebury Boarding Institute at Engcobo 1937: Enrols at Healdtown, the Wesleyan College at Fort Beaufort 1939: Enrols at the University of Fort Hare in Alice 1940: Is expelled from the University of Fort Hare 1942: Completes his BA through Unisa

hotos: Courtesy of the Nelson Madela Foundation “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others” — Nelson Mandela

1943: Enrols for an LLB at Wits University 1944: Co-founds the ANC Youth League 1948: Is elected National Secretary of the ANC Youth League 1951: Is elected President of the ANC Youth League 1952: Is Volunteer-in-Chief of the Defiance Campaign; is sentenced to nine months in prison suspended for two years with 19 others for their role in the campaign; is banned for the first time; is asked to leave Wits over unpaid debt; starts South Africa’s first black law firm, Mandela & Tambo 1956: Is arrested and charged with high treason with 155 others 1958: Marries Winnie Madikizela 1960: ANC and PAC are banned after the Sharpeville Massacre 1961: Is acquitted in Treason Trial; goes underground; calls on Verwoerd to set up talks on a non-racial future for South Africa; calls for a three-day strike in May over South Africa becoming a republic; is selected as Commander-in-Chief of Umkhonto weSizwe 1962: Secretly leaves the country for military training and

The journey continues

to get support for the armed struggle; arrested on 5 August; sentenced to five years in prison for leaving the country without a passport and encouraging the strike 1964: Sentenced with seven others to life imprisonment 1989: Graduates with an LLB from Unisa 1990: Released from Victor Verster Prison; leads ANC delegation in talks with the government 1993: Is jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with FW de Klerk for their efforts to end apartheid 1994: Votes in South Africa’s first democratic election; is inaugurated as President; his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, is published 1995: Starts the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and donates to it a third of his presidential salary 1999: Steps down after one term as president; starts the Nelson Mandela Foundation 2003: Starts the 46664 campaign to highlight HIV and AIDS; starts the Mandela Rhodes Foundation to build leadership in Africa 2004: Finally retires, saying, “Don’t call me, I’ll call you.” 2008: Says to the youth, “It’s in your hands to create a better world”, prompting the formation of Mandela Day 2009: Nelson Mandela International Day is proclaimed by the United Nations 2010: Publishes his book, Conversations with Myself 2011: Publishes his book, Nelson Mandela By Himself: The Authorised Book of Quotations 2013: Passes away peacefully at his home in Johannesburg aged 95

Nelson Mandela University extends a hearty word of gratitude to our valued staff, students, alumni and various stakeholders for making the launch of the new name a major success. You have lived out one of our institutional values – Ubuntu. Indeed, Nelson Mandela University is because you are.

July 2017 – Y our Trusted Truth Source

Alternative savings solutions

outh Africa continues to struggle with establishing a credible household savings rate. According to the South African Reserve Bank quarterly bulletin for the first quarter of 2017, On an annual basis, growth in household debt slowed from 4.6% in 2015 to 3.9% in 2016, and the ratio of household debt to disposable income edged lower from 76.9% to 74.4% over the same period. The saving rate of the household sector remained at 1.2% in both the third and fourth quarters of 2016. Household Saving Rate in South Africa increased to -0.30 percent in the first quarter of 2017 from -0.50 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016. Personal Savings in South Africa averaged 4.89 percent from 1960 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 23.80 percent in the second quarter of 1972 and a record low of -2.70 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013. Gerald Mwandiambira, The Acting CEO of The South African Savings institute says, “ We are slowly edging toward having a positive personal savings rate for the first time in many years. This coupled with reducing household debt is an indication that there may be light at the end of the personal savings tunnel.” Many South African consumers are starting to realise the importance of long term savings. Speaking at the Launch of The SASI July National Savings Month 2017, SASI Chairperson Prem Govender shared, “Most South Africans are struggling to save not only due to income challenges, but also the lack of willpower and commitment. This year we are suggesting ways to automate the savings process.” SASI Acting CEO Gerald Mwandiambira

says “In order to save, the primary requirement is an income. This year we are encouraging more employer encouragement to the savings process by assisting with automation but also by accepting that financially stable employees make productive employees.” Prem also added “The launch of SASI July National Savings month is, and remains the flagship campaign in the year’s calendar for us at SASI. Around this time each year we look at the statistics for both savings and debt. In the last 16 years we have seen a decline in our savings rate and we are starting to see a reduction in household debt. This improvement can be attributed to The National Credit Amendment Act 2016 which has imposed more stringent affordability requirements on borrowers as well as a Nation that has used up all available credit.” Absa partnered with the South African Savings Institute (SASI) to launch National Savings Month, joining anchor sponsor the IDC and other long term partners across the financial services industry. Sazini Mojapelo, Group Head of Citizenship at Barclays Africa says, “Our decision to partner with the South African Savings Institute echoes our commitment to Shared Growth through which we use our resources, the talents of our people and our expertise to make a positive difference in society. One of our commitments in this regard is Financial Inclusion, which includes financial literacy training, and looks to encourage South Africans to recognize the importance of saving and to save.” SASI is planning a number of initiatives during the Savings Month 2017 to instilling a culture of savings in all spheres of life. We believe the activities of the July; will be the continuity of the savings message across the

country. This also is aimed at providing the necessary information to assist consumers make informed decisions for their financial wellbeing. SASI presented 12 ways in which South Africans that have difficulty in saving, can save:

Alternative Savings Methods

Saving is not only dependent on income, it is largely dependent on willpower and discipline. These solutions allow savers to have willpower and discipline by passing it on to others. 1. Set a Target: The reason why many of us do not save is because we do not have set targets. It is important to set and write down important savings targets such as an Emergency Fund, Holiday Fund and other targeted savings. Do you know your targets? 2. Automated Savings: Debit orders to Savings Accounts allow automated saving. You can set up debit orders Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSA) , 32 Day Notice Accounts and Unit Trust Accounts. 3. Baby Gifts: You can seed a child’s future savings by requesting baby gifts of cash to deposit into TFSA or even taking out a Retirement Annuity (RA) for a baby 4. Children: Open TFSA Accounts for all your children to maximize the benefit they receive from these accounts. Set up Debit orders to contribute to these accounts as they grow up together with cash gifts they receive on birthdays etc. You can encourage grandparents and other family to also contribute regularly. 5. 13th Cheque: Ask your employer payroll to save for a 13th cheque paid to you in December by lowering your salary. This extra pay cheque will allow you to ride out the Festive Period and New Year expenses without major impact on your finances.

6. Pension Fund Contributions: When starting a new job, ask your employer to default to the highest allowable retirement fund contribution percentage of your income. You can also ask your employer to review your current contribution. Best of all, all retirement funding contributions are tax deductible annually up to R350 000. 7. Financial Wellness Days: Ask your employer to give mandatory time off to review your finances with a Financial Planner once a year. Regular meetings with a Certified Financial Planning Professional will help you remain in control of your finances. Employers can also consider adding professional Financial Planning as an Employee Benefit paid for by the employer. 8. Group Savings: Start of Join a Stokvel or Investment Club with family and friends. The group will encourage you and allow you to develop the discipline required to be a regular saver. 9. Domestic Help: Set up a Savings account or Retirement Annuity for your domestic helper. These important members of our families’ are often forgotten in future planning. 10. Retirement Fund Statement: By receiving your retirement fund statements monthly or quarterly, you can be encouraged to keep track of your savings to ensure that you have sufficient income when you retire 11. Financial Products and Insurance: Shop around and use a financial institution that Rewards consistent savers either through a high savings interest rate or cash back for no claims. 12. Savings Buddy: Allow your partner or friend to be a savings buddy whom you meet with regularly to discuss your savings journey. By holding each other accountable, you can help each other to grow wealth.

Empower yourselves now to avoid retirement cliff, Old Mutual urges South Africans

ith the South African economy in recession and households under increasing financial pressure, South Africans need to urgently review their financial situation and consider adjusting their lifestyles. This is according to Old Mutual Investment Group Strategist, Rian le Roux, who warns that the decline of South Africa’s already low savings rate holds dire consequences for the long term financial health of many South Africans. The harsh reality is that by spending more than they earn many households are not accumulating enough of a financial nest egg to finance future liabilities, such as their retirement. “Look out for the cliff,” he cautions. The cliff refers to the inevitable drop in income and living standards for most people at retirement. “How steep this cliff will be is entirely dependent on how well people have provided financially for this day,” he explains. Most people maintain living standards that are too high during the working years, causing a major cliff at retirement. “A less lavish lifestyle during your working years can mean much less of a cliff at retirement,” he says. “The weak economy, increases in personal taxes, and rising youth and elderly dependency ratios are making it even harder for households to save, let alone save more. And just as it is becoming more difficult to save, lower investment returns are making it imperative that people actually do just that: save much more,” explains Le Roux. “This developing financial landscape will place an even bigger financial squeeze and strain on households.” Longevity is another issue that is not

Old Mutual Research Manager Lynette Nicholson. Photo: Supplied adequately factored into many people’s personal financial planning. Healthier lifestyles and ongoing medical breakthroughs mean that people live longer, with many actually outliving their retirement funds and forced to become dependent on others. This concern is echoed by the results of

the 2017 Old Mutual Savings & Investment Monitor, released this month, which show that South African working metropolitan households still suffer from a lack of longterm retirement planning. An alarming 40% of respondents said they have no form of formal retirement savings at all, includ-

ing pension/provident funds or retirement annuities. “The harsh reality of this scenario is that if consumers think they are feeling the financial squeeze now, they are in for a major future shock unless they remedy the situation,” warns Lynette Nicholson, Research Manager at Old Mutual. Although the majority of South Africans surveyed continue to lack confidence in the economy (with only 34% feeling confident), the latest research shows that a third (33%) still believe that the government will take care of them – a statistic that has remained almost unchanged. A further 37% believe their children will look after them when they are old. This sentiment rises to 53% among lower income households (earning less than R6 000/ month), but a surprising 22% of those in upper income households (earning more than R40 000/month) share this belief. Research into the Sandwich Generation - those that are looking after their own financial needs as well as those of their ageing parents and their own children – shows that the incidence remains at 28% of the working metro population. “But there are signs that this phenomenon will grow,” says Nicholson, “especially as nearly half (49%) of 18 – 34 year-olds still live at home with their parents, which increased from last year’s 42%.” “We urge South Africans to empower themselves by reviewing their financial situation and adjusting their spending decisions accordingly. Adjusting your lifestyle now could prevent financial problems later in life,” she says. Nicholson adds that seeking advice from a registered financial planner is a sensible starting point. “They will help you to assess your current financial situation and plan appropriately for the future.”

July 2017 – Y our Trusted Truth Source

LB 114868L/2

YOU’LL BE SURPRISED HOW MANY WAYS TAX CAN WORK FOR YOU A revolutionary plan that gives you tax-free growth without any restrictions on accessing your investment with a current annual allowance of R33 000. It’s ﬂexible so you can choose how you want to invest – with lump sum payments or a minimum monthly investment of R350. And if you save between R30 000 and R33 000 at Old Mutual, you get up to half of your admin fees back depending on your underlying fund choice. Sign up for your Old Mutual Invest Tax Free Plan and get your friends and family to sign up and start saving too.

TODAY’S THE DAY. GET GREAT FINANCIAL ADVICE. Speak to an Old Mutual Financial Adviser or your broker, or call 0860 60 60 60 today.

www.oldmutual.co.za

Old Mutual is a licensed financial services provider.

July 2017 – Y our Trusted Truth Source

Student wins Global Business Plan Competition Monash South Africa Student and Employee Captivates Judges in Global Business Plan Competition with Plan to Engage Youth in the Democratic Process.

n inspirational young South African who has mentored numerous young leaders, has found herself on the podium winning a global award while competing against participants from 25 other countries. A team, led by Monash South Africa (MSA) employee and student Bronwyn Dugtig, has won $25,000 in funding and mentorship in the McGuire Business Plan Competition - Laureate International Universities’ signature entrepreneurship competition that identifies and supports innovative entrepreneurial ventures. The award is open to students across the global Laureate network, and attracted entries from over 34 tertiary institutions across the globe. Dugtig who is Head of Community Engagement at MSA, mentors approximately 50 students per annum, reaching approximately 500 students each year. Dugtig’s unique winning business idea, named My Voice, aims to give South African learners the skills required to engage, speak and lead within a democratic society. My Voice’s extensively researched curriculum focuses on human rights, democratic institutions and their functions, policy development, and voter rights and responsibilities. Its content is defined and guided by the South African Constitution. Dugtig says, “Globally, there is a trend towards people participating less in the democratic process. They become disillusioned when they don’t get the outcomes they want, but can’t make progress because they don’t know the channels to go through. We aim to teach people how to actively

Mind Your Money!

hether you’re in first year or final year, the temptation to spend is everywhere – not least at the local watering hole. Problem is, you’ll need cash left at the end of term if you’d want to join the varsity road trip. Here are five great money saving tips for old and new students alike. So before you hit the books, study up on these essential tips to get a handle on your finances and get the most out of your university experience, for the lowest cost possible.

1. Know Your Financial Aid Options Many students need some kind of financial aid to help pay for their education. The key is in making the most of the options available to you. In addition to university-specific scholarships, research whether you qualify for other funding thanks to hobbies you pursue, the major you’re going into, and organizations you and your parents belong to. There are scholarships and grants out there for more than you might realize, and the more you can avoid borrowing to fund your

participate in a democracy, taking collective charge of all our futures.” The win, while another feather in MSA’s cap, is testament to the strong outcome based education at MSA, President and Academic President of MSA, Prof Alwyn Louw stressed. “Our goal is to be aligned with the national agenda and nurture talent that can lead South Africa and other neighboring countries to new levels of growth. MSA has over the years produced nine Mandela Rhodes Scholars, while the Laureate Here for Good Award was won by another MSA student Lebo Sekhotla two years ago. The entire education journey at MSA is intended to be lifechanging, for our students and their families, employers and local communities.” Ten years since inception, the competition has grown in size and magnitude, attracting the highest number of entries this year. Laureate International Universities is the largest global network of degree-granting higher education institutions, with over a million students, as a result, more than 150 business plans were received from 34 network institutions. The business’ goals will be fast-tracked, thanks to winning the McGuire Business Plan Competition. Dugtig notes how this support will drive the success of her team’s fledgling business, “Winning the award has given us so much more confidence in our product and really legitimised our ideas. The entire pitch process is invaluable, as it allowed us to form a strong business plan

and re-calibrate our approach. Being supported by Monash South Africa and Laureate gives our team the credibility required as we share our concept with schools across the country.” The prize money and one year mentorship that is part of the prize presents opportunities that are not usually available to a start-up. For example, My Voice can build a professional brand and a world-class curriculum. As an apartisan organisation, My Voice will also need to conduct pilots in selected schools. My Voice will follow a hybrid model, offering its services to both underprivileged and wealthy schools. This decision follows the insight that South African learners of all backgrounds require a greater understanding of the importance and role of participating in a democratic society. Ultimately, the team aims to produce a blended curriculum of both online and in-person tuition that can be replicated and scaled. “The research phase yielded great response. Teachers identified a widespread need for critical thinking, while learners asked for leadership development and voter education. This presents a powerful opportunity for the team to gather data and study the political discourse taking place among the youth of South Africa. This will result in knowledge that all South Africans and policy makers will benefit from,” Dugtig added. “Through my work at Monash South Africa and my research for this business plan, I have come to the conclusion that young people are hungry

for change and engagement. Sometimes young people are not taken as seriously as they should be, but we need to help prepare them to engage in civil society and step up into the economy. Through finding their voices, young people can create a future they want to see.”

education, the better. If you do wind up having to borrow, moderation is key. Research your options, from government loans to state tuition assistance programs to private loans, and make sure you’re clear on the terms of payment so you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. Only borrow the bare-minimum that you need to cover your tuition and books. Don’t buy yourself a lavish lifestyle, bankrolled by loans. The full college experience doesn’t have to be a bank-breaker if you get creative.

expenses on plastic. Being able to “afford” an extra concert ticket or fancy dinner isn’t worth having to work extra hours to pay down sky-high interest rates later. You’re already probably going to emerge from school with some student loans to pay off — don’t saddle yourself with extra payments from credit cards. If you do think you might need to resort to holding a credit card balance, do your research. Credit card companies can hit students with super-high interest rates and other charges because they know they don’t have as many options as those with more established credit. Don’t simply sign up for the first offer that comes in the mail. Instead, look for something that offers lower interest rates.

must live the high life in order to enjoy their college experience. (On the contrary: Being broke is part of the college experience.) You can reward yourself for a long week of studying by having a game night with your friends, rather than lining up shots at the bar. If ever there was a time in your life when it’s okay to play the frugality card, it’s now. Your future self will thank you.

2. Budget, Budget, Budget

You wouldn’t manage a full class load (plus a part-time job, plus a social life) without some sort of calendar or agenda, would you? (Please say no!) The same goes for your finances: You need to have a plan in place to keep everything in order, or you’ll find yourself falling behind fast. You don’t have to track every dollar (who has time for that?), but have a basic idea the money that’s coming in and going out every month.

3. Steer Clear of Credit Cards

Whenever possible, try to avoid charging your

4. Learn to Love Frugality

Yep, you’re gonna be one of those people who look back fondly on their two minute noodle days and their campus apartment furnished with hand-me-downs. And you know why you’ll be looking back on them fondly? Because future you will be financially comfortable, since you made smart money decisions now. Don’t be one of those students who decide they

Intsha Media will be launching the National Financial Literacy Initiative during the month of September 2017. A series of seminars across the country will be hosted to assist in educating young entrepreneurs on how to manage their finances to ensure its sustainability. With thought leaders, motivators, investors and industry leaders sharing their knowledge and experience with the future business leaders of South Africa.

For further information visit: www.intshamedia.com Or contact Mikhail Oliphant: Mikhail.oliphant@intshamedia.com

About Monash South Africa

Monash South Africa (MSA) campus in Johannesburg is dedicated to support South Africa and the continent to meet its diverse economic and educational needs by producing graduates that are internationally recognised. Founded by Monash University, MSA became the first institution in Sub-Saharan Africa to join the Laureate International Universities network in 2013. To learn more, visit www.msa.ac.za

About Laureate International Universities

Laureate Education, Inc. is the largest global network of degree-granting higher education institutions, with more than one million students enrolled across more than 70 institutions in 25 countries at campuses and online. Laureate offers high-quality, career-oriented undergraduate, graduate and specialized degree programs in a wide range of academic disciplines including architecture, business, design, education, engineering, health sciences, medicine, law, and hospitality management. Laureate believes society is best served when its students, professors and employees use their collective skills and experiences to create positive and enduring change. This commitment is expressed through the company’s philosophy of being ‘Here for Good’ and is represented by its status as a certified B Corporation® and conversion in 2015 to a U.S. Public Benefit Corporation, a new class of corporation committed to creating a positive impact on society.

5. Play Up Your Student Discounts

You know what else you’ll never be able to enjoy as much at any other point in your life? Getting mad perks just for being a student. Students can reap all sorts of benefits with their campus ID, from discounts at local restaurants to a percentage off that new laptop you need to get for class. Before you make any major purchases, like a computer or an expensive set of paints for your art class, ask the retailer about student discounts. Being in varsity isn’t cheap, but if you make the right moves, you can keep these costs at a reasonable level. Enjoy the simple things in life, like spending time with your friends, and accept that you’re going to live like a pauper for a few years. But the eventual payoff will be worthwhile!

July 2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Y our Trusted Truth Source

Creating new leaders through cutting-edge thinking, design and innovation Time to raise the bar The Skills Development Summit 2017 will unveil a pragmatic vision of skills development, which integrates the need to develop skills, create jobs and grow the economy. This vision will be set within a framework of inclusivity and social transformation, and will be displayed against the backdrop of international competition, which represents the bar to which South Africans need to aspire to raise themselves. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a game-changing vision, and the Skills Development Summit will provide the workshop in which an exciting economic future will be forged for industries and the nation as a whole.

For more information contact: Rudi Balie 021 681 7000 | rudi.balie@capemedia.co.za www.skillssummit.co.za twitter.com/Skills_Summit facebook.com/SkillsSummit

CSIR Pretoria 31 August / 1 September 2017

YO U R T R U S T E D T R U T H S O U R C E For advertising queries: advertising@intshamedia.com For Subscriptions queries: vt.subscriptions@intshamedia.com Editorial queries: editor@intshamedia.com

July 2017 – Y our Trusted Truth Source

Can young leaders achieve decolonisation?

Crispin Hemson

hile debates over decolonisation seize the attention of young intellectuals, we need to examine more deeply the ways in which they take leadership on this issue. A key question concerns their capacity: do young leaders committed to this project have the ability to bring about change? Further, do their actions bring the right kind of change, or do they recreate features of colonial and apartheid society? Here I draw in part on the experience of a youth leadership programme at Durban University of Technology, led by the International Centre of Nonviolence in partnership with DUT staff and with ACCORD. We work with youthful enthusiasm and commitment, great resources to build on, and attempt to strengthen their capacity for ethical leadership. On the issue of capacity, social media have the potential to expand the reach and influence of young leaders in new ways. We saw this capacity in movements like the Arab Spring – young people connecting with each other immediately, enabling a single event to spark the co-ordinated response of thousands. The particular danger though is that such rapid mobilisation, such fluidity and responsiveness have a seductive lure that may distract from the slow, steady work of building capacity for change through organisation and achieving clarity across a large group of people. Part of this involves reading and the sustained development of theory to underpin your work. A chance encounter with a student leader was illuminating. At one point he said, “If you read Fanon and Biko…” I began discussing Biko with him, only to realise that he had no knowledge of how Biko used the term ‘Black’. He had read neither. On the issue of the consequences of leadership, the danger for young leaders is that they may reproduce in their ways of working the same patterns of elitism and exploitation that prevail in a highly unequal society. A simple example was that of a young woman on our programme who spoke of friends who, frustrated by the selfserving behaviour of some student leadership, successfully stood for election to the SRC. Very soon, she said, their own behaviour mirrored that of the leaders they replaced. I have spent some time listening to young men students speaking of the centrality of violence in their lives growing up. This violence is obviously linked to such colonial and apartheid patterns as labour migrancy and exploitation. Under the right conditions they speak freely and recognise how serious this violence

Above: A student challenges a speaker in an impassioned debate on decolonisation. Below: ’Our future will be good because the land issue will be resolved’ a group presents to the class. Photos: Supplied

has been. For them to take leadership though to end the violence more is needed than recognition. Confronting it means also speaking about it so that others understand; it means also that your leadership should not reflect any of the patterns of dominance and mistreatment that you were subject to. This requires men with the courage to break with the image of the aloof male leader, men who can be open to the experiences of women. If in fact you do read Fanon, you will notice how accurately he predicted how leaders would recreate the patterns of the past, seeking to portray themselves as liberators while taking on the same role as the colonial elite. Shedding the images and practices of leaders who served oppression and domination is not

a simple task. A recent visitor to our programme, Professor Joanne Ciulla, spoke on ethical leadership, which she summarised as: Doing the right thing Doing it the right way Doing it for the right reason The challenges facing young leaders now are the same as over the centuries. We require leadership to have both ethical commitment and ethical ways of working, combined with the capacity to bring change. If young leaders are serious about decolonisation there is both serious thinking and hard organisational work to be done.

to be in the top 52% of ranked institutions. Considering there are close to 26 000 universities globally, this positions the UP among the top 2% of universities in the world. To find out more, visit the Top Universities web page.

exchange of ideas and existing best practices in the fields of healthcare, cyberspace, AI, robotics, big data, finance, and design. Visit their website for more info on the event.

Crispin Hemson is Director of the International Centre of Nonviolence at Durban University of Technology.

Publisher: Mikhail Oliphant Editor: Miriro Matema Brand Agency: Studio Thinkers Distributors: On The Dot – Media Park 69 Kingsway Auckland Park 2006 011 713 9000 Distribution Partner: Mail&Guardian Printers: Paarl Coldset 83 Heidelburg Road City Deep Production Park 2001 Tel: 011 703 2600

News Bites Harvard’s Center for African Studies (CAS) recently launched its official Africa office on the continent. Located in Rosebank, Johannesburg, the centre aims to explore perspectives and experiences from across the continent, including fostering collaboration and lowering barriers to research for African and international scholars. The centre will prioritise student faculty exchange, public dialogue and engagement with community impact programmes. *** South Africa’s University of Pretoria improves its world ranking position UP

*** Singularity University (SU), a global community using exponential technologies to tackle the world’s greatest challenges, is hosting its first international summit on the African Continent. This event will present a display of advanced technologies, extensive debate, and collaborative discussions, offering an

**** Twenty of the world’s best men’s and women’s national hockey teams will grace the Wits Hockey Club for the Hockey World League. The games are being played at the Wits Hockey Turf at the university’s Education Campus in Parktown. If you were there, send us your pictures, only the best ones will be shared in our next issue!

July 2017 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Y our Trusted Truth Source

Sports

July 2017 — Your Trusted Truth Source

Where it all began for Thabo Mnyamane Bafana Bafana midfielder endorses Varsity Football.

arsity Football will kick off with a bang on 27 July when eight of South Africa’s universities are set to do battle for the coveted trophy. A few mouthwatering clashes will set the tone for the next 10 weeks of hotly contested inter-university soccer matches. Defending champions, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) host two-time champions University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks) while last year’s finalists, University of Johannesburg (UJ) will travel to Bloemfontein to face Central University of Technology (CUT). Thabo Mnyamane, who played for NorthWest University (NWU) in the 2013 Varsity Football tournament, became the first Varsity Football player to represent Bafana Bafana. The 24-yearold was spotted by PSL side Tuks FC during the inaugural Varsity Football season and subsequently signed with the Pretoria side. “It was during the Varsity Football season in 2013 that I played on tel-

evision for the first,” Mnyamane said. “Had it not been for the exposure that Varsity Football provided I would not have been scouted by any PSL team.” Mnyamane went onto sign with fellow Pretoria PSL side SuperSport United following a brilliant spell at Tuks FC. But it was during his tenure at Tuks FC that former Bafana Bafana coach, Shakes Mashaba, selected him. He scored on debut in 2015 against Swaziland, making him one of only three players to do so. “The platform that Varsity Football gave me changed my life and I would have never been where I am today had it not been for Varsity Sports. The amount of exposure that Varsity Sports offers the students is invaluable and creates a wellbalanced environment for student athletes.” The midfielder has been an instrumental player for SuperSport FC during their recent qualification for the Confederations Cup quarterfinal match against Zambia’s Zesco United, which will be played in September.

Thabo Mnyamane in his NWU colours before debuting for Bafana Bafana. Photo: Wessel Oosthuizen/ SASPA

Varsity Football defending champs do their bit for Madiba Former University of Free State and Varsity Netball player, Protea Karla Mostert in action during a Varsity Netball match. Photo: Catherine Kotze/SASPA

Varsity Netball star shining bright in Australia

roteas and Kovsies star netball player, Karla Mostert, has been named the MVP (Most Valuable Player) following her side’s victory over the Giants in the inaugural Super Netball grand final in Brisbane, Australia. Mostert joined the Sunshine Coast Lightning at the end of last season and has been a standout performer for the Austalian-based team. Coached by former Silver Ferns coach, Noeline Taurua, the Sunshine Coast Lightning side is bursting with international flavor, with Mostert being one of the ‘quiet achievers’. Taurua applauded the Kovsies player for her swift and elegant movement on the court, likening her moves to that of the national rugby team’s emblem, a springbok. “She’s always a Trojan, I always see in the fourth quarter she comes out to play and gets turnovers,” Taurua said after the match. “This week I said to her can she do it a wee bit earlier. She’s got very good movement, really light on her feet. Like a springbok.” Mostert won the Varsity Netball Player of the Tournament award for two consecutive years in 2014 & 2015 while in 2016 she was unable to compete due to the Varsity Sports rule stating that players need to be 25 or younger in order to participate. The East London-born player signed with the Australian franchise during the 2016 season. Mostert teamed up with British international star, Geva Mentor, and New Zealand international, Laura Langman, that saw the trio contain the Giants to claim a 65-48 win for the Queensland side.

Varsity Netball begins on 27 August 2017.

The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) football teams visited Leamogetswe Home of Hope on Thursday, 20 July, as part of their Nelson Mandela Day initiative. Zizipo Mbeki

his was not the teams’ first visit to the home, as they had visited last year. According to Bushy Moloi, the coach of the TUT men’s football team, the initiative was meant to encourage teams to give back to their communities. “As the team, we took it upon ourselves to respect the legacy that our former president left for us. We only spent the whole day there, and hopefully next time we could stay overnight to get a sense of what the children go through on a daily basis,” Moloi said. Moloi added that the day also served as a day for the teams to reflect on their own life experiences. “Some of the players come from similar backgrounds to the children at the home. It was an opportunity for the team to appreciate the opportunity that God has given them to display their talent through education and football. It was a reminder for them to look forward to the future. We are grateful to the university and surrounding communities for affording us

that opportunity,” he told Varsity Sports. In addition to donating non-perishable foods, in partnership with the Division of Student Affairs and Extracurricular Development (SAED) and other Divisions within TUT, the teams cleaned the home and cooked for the kids. Based in Atteridgeville, West of Pretoria, Leamogetswe is home to 105 orphaned children. “What was critical in the life of the late Nelson Mandela was service unto the people. We are happy that we brought our champions to be here, and contribute towards your future, as future leaders of South Africa. As TUT, we are a people’s university. As a result, it is of critical importance that we intervene in the lives of our people in our various communities,” said SAED Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Acting Senior DVC, Dr Ezekiel Moraka. Dr Moraka added, “We are here today to make a contribution to the future of these children, as they are society’s future leaders.” The University’s Department of Agriculture further planted vegetables in the home’s garden. The reigning Varsity Cup Champions are looking to defend their status during the upcoming season, with their first match which took place on July 27.

July 2017 – Y our Trusted Truth Source

Thursday nights just got #Iyachesa with Varsity Football 2017 Varsity Football moves to Thursday nights for the 2017 season.

arsity Football is celebrating five years in 2017, and is South Africa’s premier inter-varsity football competition. It is also a leading platform for football development at university level, and has grown to be one of the most supported football tournaments in the country. Once again, FNB, Samsung and Debonairs Pizza will sponsor the competition, making it all possible. In 2016, more than 100 000 fans flocked to their local university stadiums to support their teams from the eight universities. Even on the coldest nights, the atmosphere instadium was electric and warm, showcasing once again that sport has the ability to unite people. Iyachesa, which loosely translates to “it’s hot” in any Nguni language, will be the theme for 2017. Hot entertainment and onfield action – from crowd interaction and giveaways to the flair displayed on the football pitch. This year, Varsity Football moves from

Monday nights to Thursday nights. “Since our competition is an all-inclusive competition, we found that Thursday nights work better for the student athletes and supporters’ academic and social calendars, as well as our TV viewership,” said Varsity Football Manager, Xhanti-Lomzi Nesi. Varsity Football has also opened the doors for many young footballers, including Thabo Mnyamane, who now plays for SuperSport United and Bafana Bafana. Mnyamane began his football career representing the North-West University-Mafikeng team before being scooped up by AmaTuks. Last year the forward signed with Matsatsantsa. Other players who also started their careers on the university pitches include Jeremiah Nkwana, Thabo Ndlovu, Tiago da Serra, Claudio de Almeida, Lebogang Ngubeni, Mohau Khwinana, Tristyn Coetsee, Shane April, Neo Makua, Dumisani Msibi and Xola Mlambo. “I will be forever indebted to Varsity Football for creating the platform for me and many others,” Mnyamane said. “Not many competitions offer the kind of TV exposure Varsity Sports offers, and I believe that the exposure we received, gave me the stepping stone I needed to be where I am today.” The competition has become more than

Varsity Football captains at the 2017 Varsity Football launch with Varsity Football Manager, Xhanti-Lomzi Nesi, MC Robert Marawa, USSA SecretaryGeneral Mark Tommy and SAFA CEO, Dennis Mumble.. Photo: Dominic Barnardt just football – it is a competition where heroes are born, talent is highlighted and long-lasting friendships are built. Varsity Sports’ aim has always been to make South Africa a better country through sport. One of Varsity Sports’ priorities is promoting academics and studies. Which is why student athletes may only participate in Varsity Football if they have achieved a minimum of 60 credits in their previous year of studies. This is to ensure that while they may be planning for a career in football, they are also preparing for life after football. SAFA president, Danny Jordaan, recently unveiled Vision 2022, which aims to synchronise all men’s national teams, with the goal to have all SAFA national teams ranked

2017 VARSITY FOOTBALL FIXTURES: DATE

TIME

HOME TEAM

AWAY TEAM

VENUE

27-July