Grietfest 2015: the aftermath
pg.
Steenkamp saves our “survivors”
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Perdeby
Tuks se amptelike studentekoerant / Official Tuks student newspaper / Kuranta ya baithuti ya semmušo ya Tuks
07September2015
year77issue16
SRC preliminary election results challenged JODY DAVISON, CAREL WILLEMSE AND MICHAEL BONGANI REINDERS On Thursday 3 September, members of Sasco, EFFSC-UP and Afriforum marched on Hatfield campus protesting against the preliminary SRC election results. This followed the peaceful elections that took place on 1 September on all UP campuses. A joint statement released by the three political societies stated that they reject the SRC election results and that the elections were “anything but free and fair”. They argue that key procedures were not properly followed, referring to a couple of specific issues. The key concerns relate to ballot boxes that arrived at the Department of Student Affairs (DSA) unsealed and unguarded and discrepancies between the voter rolls and the amount of votes cast. Chief electoral officer and deputy director of Student Affairs Dr Willem Jorrisen explains that from the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) side, the election was above board and that all measures were taken to ensure a fair election. Spokesperson for the IEC Kate Bapela said on Thursday that, “The allegations were investigated and the outcome is that the claims are unfounded”. Sasco members occupied the DSA offices in the Roosmaryn building since the release of the preliminary results, demanding a re-election. Both Sasco and Afriforum threatened
The protest on campus on Thursday. Photo: Michael Bongani Reinders
to launch court applications concerning the issue. In addition to the protests, a petition for a reelection has begun to circulate. The Student Governance Constitution (SCG) provides for a 24-hour period where objections can be raised following the release of preliminary results. The deadline for submissions on election disputes closed at 11:30 on Thursday morning and all complaints have been handed over to the Independent Monitoring Body (IMB) for investigation. Submissions were made by Sasco, Afriforum and EFFSC-UP. Dr Jorissen stated that the preliminary results of the elections stand until the IMB has concluded its investigation into alleged
irregularities. The IMB will sit again on Monday 7 September. The joint statement issued by the political societies questions the credibility and independence of the election bodies as the IEC is chaired by Dr Jorissen, while the IMB is chaired by Prof Anton Kok, the deputy dean of the Law faculty. They also question independent auditors KPMG, who have offices in the BCom faculty building, stating that, “Any auditing done by them is subject to influence by the university in trying to defend its image.” Naledi Chirwa, EFFSC-UP’s legal and transformation officer, explained that EFFSC-UP “have come in solidarity with Afriforum, independent candidates and Sasco to show dissatisfaction with the
results, and therefore rejecting them as students of the University of Pretoria”. Chirwa feels that “there is only one solution, and that is re-election”. Chirwa did not want to say what EFFSC-UP would do if the university does not respond, but did say that “the university must know that it is re-election or nothing”. Thabo Shingange, Sasco’s secretary, said in a statement posted on Facebook that, “The IEC cannot account for its actions and as such, Sasco demands a re-election.” Mine Vorster, Daso’s chairperson, responded to the allegations saying, “Daso Tuks believes that the IEC is an independent organisation, and because they are independent they will not compromise themselves for a certain political agenda. If the IEC
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and KPMG (who audited the results) found that it was indeed a free and fair election, then Daso sees the election as valid.” Daso candidates took four seats on the SRC, with Kwena Moloto preliminarily announced as president. Prof. Cheryl de la Rey, vicechancellor and principal of the university, explained that, “Before declaring an election free and fair, the [IMB] must attend to all complaints and objections. This part of the process is currently underway. The IMB has already met twice this week to consider complaints. Currently, they are considering complaints received from [Afriforum], [EFFSC-UP] and Sasco. In investigating the complaints, the IMB is dependent on the facts as provided by complainants, the IEC, and IMB members’ own observations during the elections.” On 4 September the IMB sent a list of questions for clarification to the IEC, to allow the IMB to fully understand the context surrounding each complaint. After receiving the IEC’s response to these questions, the IMB will meet again to consider each complaint, make a finding on each complaint, and then make its decision known on whether the elections were free and fair. Prof. de la Rey concluded that, “Until all investigations have been concluded, no final declaration on the election or its results can be made. The matter will, however, be dealt with expeditiously.”
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Perdeby
Editorial | 7 September 2015
Spring has sprung
www.perdeby.co.za perdeby@up.ac.za m.perdeby.co.za @perdebynews @PerdebySport @PerdebyE Tel: (012) 420 6600
Spring is a welcome change for me. I’m not a huge fan of the cold, so being able to wear slops and lose the jersey is fantastic and the longer days create such an exciting atmosphere for me. Unfortunately, the warm days came to abrupt halt on Friday with the rain and low temperatures again. Hey, change is everywhere. There’s a clichéd saying that a change is as good as a holiday. I hope that is true. Second semester slump has hit the Perdeby office and the general student body too. I get the sense that everyone needs a holiday, so if the only holiday on offer is change, and spring brings change, I’ll take it! Spring is not the only change happening on campus. This week Afriforum, the EFF and Sasco linked hands to protest the recent SRC elections. This is something I never expected, but it made me feel quite hopeful that people can put aside their differences for a common goal. Change has also taken place at Perdeby, with our new editorial announced last Friday. This is very exciting as it means new directions
Editorial Editor-in-chief Carel Willemse
carel.willemse@up.ac.za @Ed_in_Chief
Editor Michal-Maré Linden
perdeby@up.ac.za @MicsLinden
News Michael Bongani Reinders
news@perdeby.co.za @Mike_Bongani
Features Leanne Cumming
features@perdeby.co.za @CummingsGoing
Entertainment Elmarie Kruger
entertainment@perdeby.co.za @elmariekr
Lunch James Viljoen
From the Editor
lunch@perdeby.co.za @JamoSandwhich
Web Marko Svicevic
webeditor@perdeby.co.za @MarkoSvicevic1
Copy Herman Hoogenboezem
copy@perdeby.co.za @hermaninoff
Layout Nikita Mokgware
layout@perdeby.co.za @nikineo
Visuals Hendro van der Merwe Multimedia Keegan Schmidt
visuals@perdeby.co.za @hendrovdm webeditor@perdeby.co.za @GraylyJoker0
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Copyright Perdeby is printed by Paarlmedia. All rights reserved. Contributions are welcome. All due care will be taken with materials submitted, but Perdeby and printers cannot be held responsible for loss or damage. The editor reserves the right to edit, amend or alter in any way deemed necessary. Perdeby cannot be responsible for unsolicited material. The opinions expressed in Perdeby are not necessarily those of the editors and printers of Perdeby.
and ideas for the publication. This is echoed across our student structures and residences, with new HKs and ECs being announced, too. The US has also apparently changed their views on what a legitimate presidential candidate looks like. Kanye for president? It should be interesting, at least. Unfortunately, there is a lack of change in our Entertainment editor’s wallet. She says you can make of that what you will. Change is often scary, but it can often be positive. There was a quote that was written on my primary school math teacher’s wall: it’s not your aptitude but your attitude that determines your altitude. It’s been on my mind a lot this week. As I face change in many areas, it’s my ability to be positive about it that will determine what will come of it. I hope you find some rest in the change. Happy spring! Michal
Perdeby
‘s spring
Things to have in your protest kit MICHAL LINDEN AND HERMAN HOOGENBOEZEM In the spirit of the recent political activism on campus, Perdeby has compiled a list of musthaves for the budding activist among you.
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A good set of friends. One person shouting and marching does not a protest make.
Your “styliest” dance moves. Just because you’re trying to overthrow the oppressive regime, doesn’t mean you want to miss the opportunity to be scouted by SA’s Got Talent.
Sunblock. You can’t be an effective counterrevolutionary if you look like you’ve just been to the beach for the first time.
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Umbrella. For when it literally rains on your parade.
Energy bars. It takes a lot of energy to bring about real change, so make sure to consume enough calories.
Angry posters. Preferably with atrocious spelling.
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Good walking shoes. Why protest in one place when you can carve a swathe of liberation across campus?
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A megaphone. Because your views are the most correct and deserve to be heard in neighbouring provinces.
Someone else’s political manifesto. You’re there to be heard, not to write.
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Lyric sheets. Because nothing is as good at keeping up marching morale as a good sing-along.
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7 September 2015 | News
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EFFSC-UP suspension suspended MARKO SVICEVIC
On Friday 28 August, Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC) UP were handed a letter from the SRC notifying them that their political party had been temporarily suspended as a society at UP. The letter came after the third quarterly Student Forum in which the EFFSC-UP was accused of intimidating and assaulting members of Afriforum and Perdeby. According to Michelle Krüger, SRC portfolio member for societies, the SRC took a collective decision in suspending the EFFSC-UP because they had breached the Constitution for Student Governance (CSG). Krüger explained that this was not the first time EFFSC-UP had breached the CSG, citing previous disruptions of the Student Forum by EFFSC-UP. “Interrupting the Student Forum is just one example [of breaching the CSG] and prohibiting the SRC from executing their duties… is a direct breach of the CSG”, said Krüger. Krüger added that “there has been unrest and uproar as the EFFSC-UP assaulted a Perdeby journalist prior to the Student Forum, where they once again wreaked havoc against a journalist and an Afriforum member.” Krüger concluded by saying that “we [the SRC] cannot accept this kind of behaviour as students don’t feel safe in such an environment”. The suspension of the EFFSC-UP was, however, lifted following a
EFF, DSA and SRC meeting. Image: Twitter
meeting between the DSA, SRC and EFFSC-UP. Amogelang Kgaladi, EFFSC-UP secretary, confirmed to Perdeby that the suspension had been lifted. In the meeting, Dr Matete Madiba, director of Student Affairs, and Dr Willem Jorissen, deputydirector of Student Affairs, said that they do not recognise the suspension and that the decision had not gone through them. Kgaladi explained that on Friday 28 August, the EFFSC-UP was notified by the SRC of their suspension and that the EFFSC-UP had to vacate and hand in their office keys to the DSA by 12:00 on Monday 31 August. The EFFSC-UP was given 14 days to appeal the suspension. According to Kgaladi, an agreement was concluded
EFF vacating their offices. Image: Twitter
in which the suspension would be withdrawn and an apology would be given to the EFFSC-UP. Kgaladi added, however, that toward the end of the meeting SRC president Mosibudi “Rassie” Rasethaba informed the EFFSC-UP that the SRC would not be withdrawing the suspension, nor would they be issuing an apology. A meeting scheduled on Monday 31 August between the SRC and EFFSC-UP was cancelled, and the EFFSC-UP then sent representatives to the Constitutional Tribunal and to Dr Madiba. Kgaladi further stressed that although the EFFSC-UP did not appreciate the suspension, they did comply with it so as not to further complicate the situation. “I wish
to reiterate that, as the EFFSCUP, we will always ensure that we uphold the rules of the institution, as also displayed in our compliance with a suspension we did not deem legitimate,” said Kgaladi. Kgaladi also questioned why steps had been taken against the EFFSC-UP for disruptions during the Student Forum, but not against ABASA, who he explained were also involved in the disruptions. Kgaladi added that the EFFSC-UP viewed the suspension as unfair because “you can never suspend an organisation which is representing the voice of students based solely on allegations ... in which no thorough investigation was conducted.” On Monday 31 August the EFFSC-UP had vacated their
offices, but subsequently returned that afternoon. Rasethaba also confirmed that the suspension had been lifted for the moment, but added that the SRC still stands by its initial decision. Dr Jorissen confirmed that after a meeting with Prof. Themba Mosia, vice-principal of Student Affairs and Residence Affairs, that EFFSC-UP’s suspension had been deferred. In a memorandum to the EFFSC-UP dated 31 August, it was stated that in light of the SRC elections, that the suspension of the EFFSC-UP had been deferred until an “objective investigation is concluded”. Prof. Mosia was unavailable for comment at the time of going to print.
SRC preliminary results MICHAEL BONGANI REINDERS On 1 September the University of Pretoria held elections for the new SRC. The preliminary results were released on 2 September and are as follows (Note that these results are not final and are yet to be confirmed by the IMB):
President: Kwena Lukas Moloto
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News | 7 September 2015
Law House hosts disability seminar
Image provided.
LETHABO MALEPA On 3 September the 2015/2016 Law House executive committee hosted a disabilities seminar. The seminar, which took place one day prior to Law House’s “Suit Up” themed Casual Day, was aimed at raising awareness about people with disabilities. The event was opened by Thulile Khumalo, the outreach executive for Law House, who informed people about Law House, explained the purpose of the seminar and encouraged students to buy stickers for Casual Day. After the introduction, Thabang Manamela, a first-year BA Law student with a visual disability, was given the opportunity to speak. Manamela spoke about the positive
impact that the money which is raised by Casual Day has on people with disabilities. He spoke of how the money not only helps disabled students attending university, but also disabled students “who do not have the option to go to university”. He emphasised how the money that is raised by Casual Day is used to help disabled people who do not attend university to “maintain their livelihood”, by pointing out how the money is used to buy wheelchairs, equipment for disabled people, and also to ensure that caregivers are available to care for the disabled. Manamela also spoke about the difficulties that he has faced as a disabled student at university. He pointed out that obtaining study material can be difficult and spoke
about the challenges he has faced since changing from a specialised school with less than ten students in a class to an institution with more than 200 students in a class. “[University] has never really been the [easiest], but it will probably be the most pleasant memory I will ever have in my life,” said Manamela. Manamela’s inspirational speech was followed by an unplanned performance by two male members from the audience and Law House executive member Kamogelo Sono. The unplanned performance was as a result of the musical group Patson and the Booty Crushers’ inability to perform due to the absence of the group’s lead singer. Songs that were performed by the ad-hoc band were Marvin’s Room by Drake, which was “dedicated to all the guys stuck in the friendzone”, Sam Smith’s Stay with me, and Four Five Seconds by Rihanna. This impromptu performance was followed by Manamela’s performance of Feeling Good by Gilbert Price. According to Law House deputy chairperson Phenyo Letlape, the event was successful despite a low turnout. Letlape also spoke about the “unscripted” and “crazy” performance. Letlape added that “having a formal event where people are serious about [things] is not going to help with catering to the wellbeing of people. We all need to laugh and smile at some point … it was different.”
International students’ financial woes take a major turn SHAMMAH BOTERERE
South Africa, and particularly UP, attracts a large number of international students due to the relatively affordable tuition fees. However, this may be affected given the change to the payment structure which is set to be implemented by the university in 2016. The changes will affect both the tuition fees and registration fee for international students. Currently, international students from South African Development Community (SADC) countries pay the same registration and tuition
fees as local students. Students from other countries pay twice the amount of tuition fees that South African students pay. All registered students at UP, including international students, have up until the month of July to settle their accounts for both tuition and accommodation fees. From 2016 international students will be required to pay a new initial registration fee (which will form part of the total tuition fees due before registration) and to pay 80% of their full student account (including university accommodation) by 30 April, and the remainder by 31 July. Included in the changes is the
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registration fee which is paid before one can register for the academic year. In 2015, all UP students paid R5 000 for registration, while in 2016, international students will have to fork out R20 000 if they are from SADC countries, R40 000 if they are from non-SADC countries and doing coursework studies, while those doing research-orientated master’s or doctoral studies will pay R20 000. Asylum seekers, diplomats, refugees and permanent residents will all pay a registration fee of R20 000. Non-SADC students who are holders of either a study visa or a visitor’s visa are, in addition, expected to pay double the tuition fee, and all international students who are holders of a study visa or a visitor visa will also have to pay an annual fee of R3 000 toward an international levy. Furthermore, an international student needs to have valid medical aid cover for the prospective full calendar year in order to study in South Africa. This can cost over R4 000 per year, dependent on the medical aid. Naftal Ndangi Akweenda, a second-year BCom Law student from Namibia, said, “I think it’s ridiculous that the registration fees are increasing by more than double for international students. Most of our parents have more than one child. How can they afford to pay the registration fee, international levy and medical aid, as well as 80% of the fees by April and still be able to afford to pay for our accommodation and food, while also not neglecting their own basic needs and in some cases that of the extended family?”
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National Arbour Day celebrated at Mamelodi campus BUSISIWE BEJE The first week of September is national Arbor Week, and to celebrate it this year, 21 trees were planted on the Mamelodi campus on 3 September. The theme of the event was 21 years of democracy. “The trees were sponsored by Wildlands, which is a company that propagates their trees,” said Courtney Gehle, the incoming chairperson of The Greenline, which is the campus environmental society for 2016. The event was attended by members of the SRC and was a success. Preliminary SRC president Kwena Moloto, preliminary SRC member for facilities, safety and security Brian Nkala, and current SRC member for societies Michelle Krüger were some of the attendees who lent a helping hand to plant the trees. Gehle mentioned that “Greenline has set the goal to plant 1000 trees in 2016 and these trees will be planted
across all campuses, except Hatfield campus, during the course of next year. The reason we won’t be planting on Hatfield is that there is no space left to plant anymore trees,” said Gehle. Krüger explained, “Going green is a complex process that needs to be taken one step at [a] time while replacing current methods and products with green ones.” Krüger added that, “Courtney, Jasmine and the team at The Greenline Society are following the right steps in order for UP to become a green campus. They have been working hard this year with their projects, ensuring that it’s effective and sustainable over the long run.” Krüger concluded by saying, “The Greenline is a new society who will make big things happen at the University of Pretoria, with the help of the SRC who fully support them and the facilities department at the university.”
MAKHOSAZANA NDLOVU
Humanities day at UP
House Humanities hosted the humanities day event on the 3 September 2015. This was a third annual event dedicated to showcase the faculty’s research, which involved research presentations of both postgraduate students and staff different clusters in the faculty MAKHOSAZANA NDLOVU members of the faculty. This event also presented an opportunity to announce were announced. Each was given theHouse lecturer of the year in thethe humanities faculty. The humanities day event ten minutes to make presentations Humanities hosted was divided into sessions, 8:30 and endedtopics at 18:00. It began their various of research. Humanities Daythree event on 3 it began aton with the postgraduate conference ended at 13:40. The event Miranda Maree, the Faculty of September 2015. This was the at 8:30 which then proceeded to thededicated second session where the lecturer of thecoordinator, year in the Humanities project third annual event faculty, Professorthe Amanda Du Preez from said, the Department of Visual “The significance [ofArts, to showcasing faculty’s was announced and also given an opportunity to do a presentation. In the last Humanities Day] is to reward research, which involved research session of the event, thepostgraduate four researchers ofpeople the year for from their different research, clusters because presentations of both instudents the faculty, each given ten minutes make UP Beat thetoresearchers of thepresentations year get a andwhere staff members. The onevent their also various topics an of research. Miranda Maree,incentive the faculty humanities financial onoftheir research presented opportunity Project coordinator said, “The significance [of humanities day] is to award account, so it is acknowledgement to announce the lecturer of the year people their research because the researchers the work year get of theirofhard butaitfinancial is also in thefor Humanities faculty. incentive on their research account so it is acknowledgement, acknowledgement of their hard in total, of thework The Humanities Day was divided but it isthree alsosessions. acknowledgement, the faculty andwork the work weindo and the we do the into It began at in total, offaculty in8:30 the faculty. It isatalso an opportunity where the faculty cananbeopportunity together and faculty. It is also and ended 18:00. The network”. Humanities day continued on 4 [for] September 2015[to where the faculty the faculty network first session was a postgraduate collaborated theended visualatarts department in their exhibition to showcase all together]”. conference with which 13:40. theThe facets of then the faculty, in terms and the research outputs.on Humanities Day continued event proceeded to theof the creative 4 September, where the faculty second session where the lecturer collaborated with the visual arts of the year in the faculty, Prof. department in their exhibition Amanda du Preez, was announced to showcase all the facets of the and also given an opportunity to do faculty in terms of the creative and a presentation. the research outputs. In the last session, the four researchers of the year from
7 September 2015 | News
Exciting election events at UP
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Top, from left (Tuesday): Voting on Hatfield campus; voting on Prinshof campus. Middle, from left (Thursday): Political societies in a meeting with the DSA; political societies protesting in the Piazza. Bottom, from left (Friday): DSA staff addressing students outside Roosmaryn; Sasco, EFF and Afriforum protesting on campus. Photos: Shen Scott and Carel Willemse
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Features | 7 September 2015
Steenkamp saves our “survivors”
TIJANA SAKOTA
Saving the Survivors is a project through which rhinos, targeted for horn poaching and other traumatic experiences, are cared for and rehabilitated. Established in 2012, the project is spearheaded by two of UP’s own: Dr Johan Marais and Dr Gerhard Steenkamp of the Faculty of Veterinary Science on the Onderstepoort campus. The doctors treat wounded rhinos in their hospital or in the rhino’s original habitat. These habitats are in areas such as Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and the Northern Cape. In an exclusive interview with Perdeby, Dr Steenkamp describes his passion for his practice and further expresses his views about the growing epidemic that is rhino poaching. Dr Steenkamp is a qualified veterinarian from Onderstepoort. After studying veterinary dentistry at the European School for Advanced Veterinary Studies, Dr Steenkamp joined the veterinary faculty at UP, as stated on the project’s website. Through treating and consulting cases from the Johannesburg Animal Eye Hospital and the Cape Animal Medical Centre, Dr Steenkamp’s practice has since reached neighbouring countries such as Namibia and Zimbabwe. Dr Steenkamp is well known in South Africa and has participated in over 30 international conferences and contributed greatly through academic publications. When describing what motivated him to establish the project, Dr Steenkamp explains, “I was driving in my car one morning and heard of yet another rhino calf that died while vets were caring for it. Something in me just said [Onderstepoort campus needs] to support the vets in the field as we are all in this together.” He goes further in stating how he approached Dr Marais, who holds an interest in elephants and elephant surgery. Dr Steenkamp suggested that Dr Marais consider working on rhinos as a PhD topic. “We desperately [needed] answers,” Dr Steenkamp states. It did not take a lot to convince Dr Marais. The severity of rhino poaching is evident in South Africa. Dr Steenkamp discusses how a recent publication states that rhino poaching is “the worst [environmental] disaster” to plague South Africa. “Students reading this edition of Perdeby may not be able to show their [children] a living rhino in the wild one day,” says Dr Steenkamp. Ike and iThemba are two recent survivors within the Pilansberg and KwaZulu Natal regions,
Illustration: Jackie Zhang
respectively. Dr Steenkamp explains how he and his colleagues are contacted by the local veterinarian, who is usually the first on the scene. “These men and women deserve all the applause we can give them,” he says. Dr Steenkamp goes on to say that dealing with a traumatised animal
the shield detaches from her face. Dr Steenkamp explains how he and his colleagues never considered that they would be confronted with this type of wound. “We are learning fast,” he says. In Hope’s case, the poachers removed all of the bone which supports the horns. Thus, there is no bone which the veterinarians are able to secure the shield onto. Dr Steenkamp gives credit to the many veterinarians and companies that have assisted in the manufacturing the “ideal shield for Hope”. Once Hope has healed, her private owner will decide where she will go. After treatment, if survivors are placed with other horned animals – like another survivor, Thandi – the reserves rely on anti-poaching units for the protection of these animals. After rehabilitation, rhinos are timid and difficult to approach. They try to run and hide in dense bush for protection, as described by Dr Steenkamp. “[Thandi] would stick to [the] dense Eastern Cape [surroundings] and only after a week [did she] come out into the open,” he says. As their wounds heal, the rhinos progressively start to relax. UP’s Faculty of Veterinary Science is closely linked with the project. The project “cannot exist without the backing of UP”, says Dr Steenkamp. Both Dr Steenkamp and Dr Marais are senior lecturers within the Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies. Their involvement and work with rhinos is over and above their normal duties. The department attempts to research better ways to treat targeted rhinos. Dr Mike Kok of the Department of Production
“Students reading this edition of Perdeby may not be able to show their [children] a living rhino in the wild one day,.” of this kind is not something for the “faint hearted”. During rehabilitative surgery, Dr Steenkamp describes how the brutality of such trauma “just simply gets to you, sooner or later”. The survivors are treated and subsequently fitted with a protective shield which is placed over their wound. “Wound healing in a moist but not wet environment is ideal,” says Dr Steenkamp. He explains how the shield allows the veterinarians to apply dressing products to the wound. This assists with “granulation tissue formation” and, ultimately, healing. However, Hope, the four-yearold white rhino that underwent the fourth procedure by Dr Steenkamp and his colleagues, is not adapting to the shield as the veterinarians would like her to. She survived one of the most brutal poaching attacks within the Eastern Cape this year. “She rubs her head on boma poles due to the itchiness of the healing wound,” Dr Steenkamp says. The force Hope applies to the shield is too great and
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Contact colleen@babymiracles.co.za or on 083 380 2354 to find out more.
www.babymiracles.co.za
Animal Studies at Onderstepoort is a wildlife veterinarian who conducted some of the first work on dehorning rhinos in Zimbabwe in the 1980s. He too conducts this work in South Africa. Information from the National Wildlife Crime Reaction Unit is presented by Dr Steenkamp. This information indicates how organised crime regarding rhino horn conduits begins with individual poachers and then moves to local, national, and international couriers, buyers and exporters. The international consumer is placed at the top of the hierarchical conduit structure. “There seems to be no clear policy on what is going to happen [to combat rhino poaching],” states Dr Steenkamp. He describes how only national couriers, buyers and exporters have been convicted for their actions in illegally trading in rhino horn. “We need to address the consumers of rhino horn and get them to stop using these products,” argues Dr Steenkamp. He also argues that there is a need to increase the value of life of rhinos rather than the value of rhino horns. Dr Steenkamp does not believe that there is a single way to prevent rhino poaching. He discusses how anti-poaching units have helped tremendously, as well as dehorning methods used in Zimbabwe and soon to be used in Namibia. However, for dehorning to be effective, whole areas would need to undergo the dehorning process. Dr Steenkamp tells how he is about to undertake a pilot study to determine if “complete surgical dehorning” is feasible. Dr Steenkamp says that every
person is responsible for combating and preventing rhino poaching. Although the majority of the public is not qualified in this area, Dr Steenkamp believes that communication within society’s networks regarding raising awareness of the plight of the rhino is “a very good starting point”. He also says that refraining from involving oneself in “illegal wildlife activities” is a “no-brainer”, but that it still needs to be said. “Do not buy animals or animal products which have not been obtained legitimately,” urges Dr Steenkamp. Saving the Survivors aims to “save as many rhinos as possible”, Dr Steenkamp says. He believes that by saving targeted rhinos that have lost their horns through poaching, an insurance policy of hornless animals may be created, with the aim of restocking games reserves in the future. Students of the Onderstepoort campus organise fundraisers for work that needs to be done for these animals. “All the work that we as Saving the Survivors do is done with public funds donated to us,” Dr Steenkamp says. He discusses how the project is receiving sufficient funds to treat the rhinos for the moment. Donations toward the project may be made by visiting SavingTheSurvivors.co.za. One can also contact the project and follow its developments via their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. “Losing one more rhino is one too many ... we are all in this together,” says Dr Steenkamp.
Perdeby www.perdeby.com | @perdebynews
7 September 2015 | Features
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The history behind UP Spring Day HUVASAN REDDY The annual UP Spring Day is an event that has been hosted for over 80 years. Spring Day was originally associated with laying the foundation stone of the Old Arts building and was celebrated with a church service. In 1932, Spring Day became known as Commemoration Day as it commemorated the date on which UP became an exclusively Afrikaans institution. “Tukkies oorskou sy eerste honderd jaar” (Tuks reflects on its first hundred years), a book published in 2008 to commemorate the centenary celebrations of UP and written by Prof. Flip van der Watt, details the early Spring Day traditions at UP. According to the text, in earlier years the Spring Day celebration included not only members of the university but also members of the public. The first Spring Day programme, published in 1923, included a college ball, a play and a church service. According to Dr Ria van der Merwe, an archivist at UP, Spring Day in the 1930s and ‘40s was focused on Afrikaner traditions. However, in the 1950s and ‘60s the emphasis shifted. Dr van der Merwe explained that
religious ceremonies were held in front of the Old Arts building, with a prominent speaker being invited to address the students. In the late ‘70s, Spring Day celebrations at UP began to decline, with students shifting the celebration to Bronkhorstspruit Dam and the focus on liquor beginning to increase. The Spring Day celebrations at Bronkhorstspruit Dam quickly came to a halt as the university distanced itself from the unofficial festivities and the mixing of students with the general public. In recent years, Spring Day at UP has been on the receiving end of criticism from students and lecturers alike. Last year the official UP Spring Day celebrations, held at the Rag Farm, were incorporated with the SRC inauguration ceremony. The turnout was poor, with most students choosing instead to attend the unofficial Lentedag (Spring Day) party at the Pretoria National Botanical Gardens. Dr van der Merwe criticised the increased focus on liquor during Spring Day, saying that there is not enough emphasis on things like building spirit at UP. Sharee Comley, a BCom Accounting honours student, disagrees, saying, “I do not agree, because then thats saying that
Photo: Shen Scott
any event with alcohol is not celebrating the “actual event” and is [only] to drink. Alcohol is part of South Africa’s culture, in a way, and just because we are students and there is going to be alcohol, does not mean we are not going to enjoy and appreciate the occasion. Being outside with your mates, having a beer and listening to
some awesome music is exactly what I think of when I think of spring”. This year the official Spring Day is to be held on 23 September, with a holiday the following day and no lectures the day after. Despite no official party being planned, students will at least be guaranteed a relaxing long weekend.
“Ghosting”: a new form of spring cleaning
Illustration: Caleb Linden
JARED DE CANHA Spring is a time for fresh beginnings and new life. Many of us forget that spring is also a time for cleaning out. For some, a spring cleaning could mean a vigorous dusting and the packing away of winter necessities such as blankets and heaters, while for others it is a time to end relationships that we do not want to bring with us into the new season. “Ghosting” is a relationshipending technique which has become an increasingly popular trend in recent years. This spring cleaning relationship technique, which has been dubbed “the ultimate silent treatment” by the New York Times and the “slow fade” by the Huffington Post, involves one party in a relationship unilaterally ending the relationship by simply disappearing and cutting off all contact with their former partner. This includes ignoring
attempts by the former partner to reach out after the ghost does not give an explanation as to why they have disappeared. Ghosting gained popularity after many celebrities made use of the technique to ditch their famous counterparts, including the likes of Jake Gyllenhaal, who pulled the rip-cord on Taylor Swift, as well as Russell Brand and Katy Perry, Leonardo DiCaprio and Blake Lively, and our own home-grown star, Charlize Theron, who successfully executed the technique on Sean Penn. While we should leave the gossiping to Pssst…, rumour has it that Katie Holmes could be the queen of ghosting after she reportedly secured a whole new life, including a new apartment, cellphone and legal team, without the knowledge of her now ex-husband Tom Cruise. This begs the question: are we mere mortals safe from this technique
being executed on us? According to a poll conducted by YouGov. co.uk and the Huffington Post in October 2014 which surveyed 1000 American adults, just over 10% of them admitted to ghosting someone in order to end a relationship. The respondents, aged between 18 and 29, were also found to be the most likely to experience ghosting. In another survey which was more informal, Elle magazine conducted a poll in July 2014 and reported that almost 17% of men and 24% of women who were interviewed had ghosted someone at some point in their lives. It was also recorded that about 26% of the women and 13% of the men interviewed had been victims to the ghosting technique. The signs of ghosting can either be very subtle or extremely explicit. The more subtle ghosting gestures include your partner answering elaborate messages with short one word
answers or even letters, claiming to forget to answer your messages of concern, cutting dates short, never messaging you first, and having an arsenal of thought-out excuses on hand. The more explicit signs of ghosting include being blocked from their social media accounts, flatly ignoring your partner, and changing the locks. It has been debated that the increase in the numbers of ghosting casualties may correlate with the increased use of technology and dating apps such as Tinder and JSwipe. This has been argued in an article by the New York Times titled “Exes explain ghosting, the ultimate silent treatment”. The article aimed to empower ghosts based on the notion that there is always someone new around the corner due to the disposability of people on these sites. The Huffington Post’s 2014 article titled “Ghosting: the 21st century dating problem
which everyone talks about, but no one knows how to deal with” also shed some light about the role of technology and the correlated increase in ghosting. According to psychotherapist Rachel Sussman, technology has played a role in increasing the cases of ghosting, because before these apps existed, dates were often set up by mutual friends. This meant that if things did not go well on these arranged dates, honesty was required with your date in order to avoid awkward situations with those friends who had played matchmaker. Sussman thus believes that now that people have no mutual friends with the people they date, “it is easier to bail without warning when you are not that into it,” says Sussman. Sussman also commented that a ghost that has already disappeared is best left buried. This is because people who disappear without a trace are “probably afraid of confrontation, are insecure and have a lot of trouble articulating their feelings”. Victims of ghosting will argue that this practice is not only cowardly, but also selfish because it denies the victim any form of closure and causes the victim to attribute blame inward because they often question their own behaviour as the reason for the ending of the relationship. This method was also confirmed as the least ideal method to end a relationship in the above mentioned YouGov and Huffington Post poll, where 87% of the 1000 people interviewed agreed that an impersonal and distant breakup was not appropriate. Ghosts, on the other hand, may argue that this technique avoids the heated confrontations that are often waiting at the end of a relationship and can offer a clean break to people in a toxic relationship. Going dark and breaking off all communication at the end of a relationship seems to be the new power move, and while some of us may fall victim to the actions of a ghost, it is important to remember in retrospect that we may be dodging a haunting relationship down the line.
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Entertainment | 7 September 2015
Photos: Stefan Stander
Grietfest 2015: the aftermath
CALEB LINDEN
On 29 August Johannesburg welcomed festivalgoers back for the annual Grietfest, one of South Africa’s finest alternative electronic dance music (EDM) festivals. Hosted within the isolated spaces of Jo’burg’s container yards, the festival provides a welcome platform not only for larger international artists, but also for local up-and-coming artists to share their work with their rapidly growing audience. The event showcased over 50 artists across three stages. The Olmeca Main Stage, the Science Frikshun Stage and the Red Bull Studio Live Stage each hosted consecutive performances in one to two hour slots. A bar could be found next to every stage, each
offering a different selection of drinks. The performances began at midday and continued until midnight. As the day progressed, the crowd began to grow, the lights became brighter and the visuals more enchanting. By sunset the atmosphere was perfect for a night of heavy dancing. Guests could easily enjoy themselves at any stage, but few artists throughout the day managed to bring everyone to one stage with their performance. Bruce Loco and Trancemicsoul of Red Bull Studios set the tone for the deep house lovers early in the day, while electronic rap duo P.H.Fat delivered the expected bodybouncing, head-banging set that fans have come to appreciate from the energetic act. What followed was a series of drum and bass sets delivered by local artist Niskerone, Shogun Audio record
label owner Friction (UK) and Menticide. All those not entranced by the drum and bass could be found enjoying lighter electro sets by the likes of Aucan from Italy, who are currently working on an album set to be released this year. The night came to an end and all those still in a party mood headed on to AND nightclub in Newtown for the afterparty. Free entrance was given to all those with a Grietfest ticket, and the club only closed its doors at 04:00 the next morning. Grietfest managed to go a step further this year, partnering with both Uber and Hotbox Express to offer guests safe transport to and from the venues. Buses ran from Pretoria, departing at 12:00 and leaving the event again at 00:00. On the whole, the event went off without a glitch, solidifying itself as a must for all EDM fans.
Nirvana: the unreleased tracks
Image: ConsequenceOfSound.net
ELMARIE KRUGER Nirvana fans were surprised and mystified by the surreptitious release of a number of previously unheard Nirvana tracks in August. Many of these include demo, acoustic, or stripped down versions of famous Nirvana songs like “Pennyroyal tea”, “Come as you are” and “Tourette’s”, as well as an instrumental version of “Heart-shaped box”. However, many of these songs were not
included on any existing Nirvana albums, EPs or compilation discs. The track “Do re mi” seems lighter and happier than one would expect from a Nirvana song, yet it has the same sarcastic undertone that permeated their seminal album, Nevermind. It was recorded on a boom box in the home of one of the band members and originally appeared on the 2004 special edition album With the Lights Out.
The demo track “E coli” is an interesting piece of music in which not a single lyric is sung. As a result, the track is nearly nine minutes of pure, disturbing distortion. The repetitive, hypnotic guitar melody and disconcerting screams are sure to unsettle listeners in true Nirvana fashion. “Big cheese” is a track that was recorded during the band’s early days in 1988, and was an indication of the grunge-fuelled sound they would adopt on Bleach, their debut album. It also leans heavily on Cobain’s signature screechy, haunting, sometimes-almost-cantankerous vocals. An acoustic version of “Verse chorus verse”, a track that has achieved cult status among die-hard Nirvana fans, was also leaked. It calls on the irony and depressed atmosphere the band’s lyrics were so famous for in the ‘90s, while the melody and title clearly mock the way in which songs had become a formula to be followed, turning the music industry into generic song-farms. The track was recorded live, with Cobain singing a scratch vocal (vocal tracks that are recorded without the intention of being used in the final song). An actual vocal track for the song was never formally recorded. By far the most interesting of the unreleased tracks is an untitled, clearly improvised track which was included in the end credits of the recent Kurt Cobain documentary, Montage of Heck. There have been various debates among fans as to what this track might be called. Many fans suggest that it might be a very early demo of the band’s hit “Lithium”, while Brett Morgen, director of Montage of Heck, calls it the “Cry baby Jenkins riff”. Cobain himself said sarcastically on the track, “Jerry Garcia [guitarist of The Grateful Dead] would really like this. I’m going to send him a tape. I’ll just have to sprinkle it with patchouli or something.” While the majority of these unreleased tracks are available on the “RareNirvana” YouTube channel, several have been removed for alleged copyright infringement. The source of these leaked tracks remains unknown, but their influence on the grunge music community is tangible
7 September 2015 | Entertainment
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Image: NewsDay.com
Burning Bridges Bon Jovi
Image: TheGrindRadio.co.za
The Grind Radio takes the airwaves by storm WILLIAM ALDRIDGE
KYLE OBERHOLZER After a 32 year partnership with record label Mercury, Bon Jovi has severed their contractual ties with the label in true rock-star fashion: by releasing their latest album, Burning Bridges. The group clearly have no reservations about the bitterness of the separation, as the lyrics to the title track read, “After 30 years of loyalty, they let you dig the grave.” Burning Bridges is Bon Jovi’s 13th studio album, the first of which was released by Mercury in the 1980s, and they have made an estimated $80 million from certified album sales during that time. The latest album, however, is considered by many to be a filler album released simply as a contractual obligation to Mercury, and Jon Bon Jovi has confirmed that an all-new album will be released as early as May 2016 under a new label. In addition to contractual complications, Burning Bridges is also the first album recorded without guitarist Richie Sambora, who left the band in 2013. None of this seems to matter when listening to the album. The Bon Jovi of the present sounds exactly like the Bon Jovi of the past. Burning Bridges follows in the footsteps of all its predecessors. It comprises of the huge stage-filling choruses and sweeping guitar riffs that one has come to expect from these rock legends. Upbeat anthems such as “We don’t run” and “Life is beautiful” are predictably complimented by soul-searching ballads like “Fingerprints” and “Blind love”. Jon Bon Jovi’s characteristic vocals are, unsurprisingly, the defining feature of the album and the band serves simply to deliver these vocals with the same sound that made them famous all those years ago. Some may consider this a testament to the band’s consistency, while others might write them off as being unable to change with the times. Whatever the public’s opinion may be, this album stands as yet another monument to Bon Jovi’s undying hard rock sound. While Bon Jovi might not necessarily need new listeners, this album is unlikely to win them any as their sound seems to have stagnated. However, their track record in the music business is extensive and shows no signs of letting up just because of a few minor complications with band members and record labels.
Calendar 14-18 September: Tuks Up & Out Pride Week 26-27 September: Deep in the Woods – Huddle Park 2 October: Green Campus Tours – Hatfield Campus 4 October: Vodacom in the City – Emmarentia Dam 9-11 October: rAge Expo – Ticketpro Dome
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The Grind Radio is an online radio station broadcasting from Arcade Empire. Shows are broadcast Mondays to Fridays between 08:00 and 21:00. Perdeby spoke to Brandon Landman, a DJ at the station. For those who haven’t heard about The Grind Radio, what is the station all about? The Grind Radio is an online platform for passionate people to showcase new music, as well as interview and promote local bands from our home base, Arcade Empire. The station recently relocated from Aandklas to Arcade Empire. What was the motivation for this decision? It’s much like starting a family. When you first start a family you only need a small space, but [after] expanding, a bigger place is needed. With every family, you will always remember your first home, and thus we will always remember Aandklas. The launch party for the move was massively successful. Can we expect more of the same collaborative events? Yes, that night was [great]. Moving to Arcade Empire has given us some great opportunities and has helped us extend our desire to do bigger and better events.
How focused is The Grind Radio on local music? What is the station doing that other radio stations aren’t? The Grind Radio strives to make local bands easily accessible and better known. We do so by constantly interviewing established and up-and-coming local bands while keeping up to date with new releases. We make an effort to play most of our local submissions. Since you are an internet-based station, do you feel that DJs have more freedom to engage with listeners about almost anything? Being an internet-based station allows our passion for music to overflow, be that opinions on new releases or commercial music. We have the privilege of calling a spade a f*****g shovel. Grind Radio DJs all have diverse personalities and we are allowed to express ourselves freely. This is what freedom of musical speech, without being a complete bigot, feels like. Are there any plans to move from the internet to an FM frequency? We are still debating the move to FM. Currently we have fewer restrictions with internet radio. Our freedom of speech allows us to reach further than local radio stations. However, we will closely monitor Icasa’s decision on online broadcasting and take it from there.
“Happiness is having your own library card” ELMARIE KRUGER On Friday 4 September Prof. Molly Brown, head of UP’s English department, presented a talk in the Merensky Library titled “My life with books”, in which she spoke about her journey with different types of literature. The event was held to mark National Book Week, which is celebrated annually in September. Prof. Brown began the talk by speaking about her pre-school years and the books that were read to her as a young child. She cites all of the books mentioned in her talk as having a profound influence on her life. “The power of books to inhabit one is, I think, generally recognised,” she said. She supported this statement on the books that influenced her childhood by quoting novelist Elizabeth Bowen, who said that “the child lives in the book, but just as much, the book lives in the child.” Prof. Brown mentioned books such as P.L. Travers’ Mary Poppins, E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web, C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Enid Blyton’s Famous Five series as works that shaped her in her formative years. She describes her reading journey in her school years as one in which she sought out characters she could relate to, or “literary worlds which shadowed aspects of [her] life”, which included Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables and
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. However, Prof. Brown also said, “Together with my search for worlds that reflected mine, I [searched] for worlds that were, in some ways, quite overtly alien.” She elaborated on this statement by speaking about the influence that fantasy and science fiction novels had on her. In this discussion she mentioned books such as Ursula K. le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness and A Wizard of Earthsea, and J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings series. Prof. Brown then shifted the discussion to books she had read during her time at university. During this stage of her life, she noted that some of the joys of reading about fairy tales with happy endings were “pulled out from under [her]”. To further describe this, she paraphrased Joseph Conrad’s words in Heart of Darkness: “‘The horror, the horror’ – not at the dark places of the earth, but at the dark places of the human soul.” She went on to say that this may be why it is sometimes difficult for students to adapt from their own selective reading to prescribed reading, which often deals with heavier subject matter. To conclude her talk, Prof. Brown urged attendees to encourage children to read in the spirit of National Book Week, in order to help them explore different worlds and shape themselves in the process.
To have your event listed on our event calendar send the date, event name and venue to entertainment@perdeby.co.za or tweet us (@PerdebyE). UP societies are welcome to send their events too.
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Fun and Games | 7 September 2015
Pssst...
Sudoku
There has been so much happening on campus this past week that Pssst… has honestly been struggling to keep up. Too bad that the residences had almost nothing to do with all the exciting campus activity. Then again, what’s new? The most exciting thing that happened last week were Mopanie and Boekenhout’s respective res rugby league wins. And by exciting, Pssst… means that nobody cares. Zoep Week will be starting soon, and Pssst… wonders what the new year will bring for the reses, as there will be some interesting Rag partnerships in 2016. Pssst… wonders how Tuks Naledi and Curlitzia will handle the MamelodiPrinshof logistics in order to make their Rag
partnership work. Pssst… isn’t sure that Sonop will be as willing to help Curlitzia with their float predicaments as they were to help Nerina. Speaking of Nerina, perhaps now Kollege will finally be happy with their new Rag partners. Kollege can’t deny that, despite a few exceptions (Katjiepiering and Jasmyn), Kollege definitely has a thing for Nerina. Pssst… thinks that Boekenhout can’t be too happy about ragging with a Groenkloof res. However, Pssst… also thinks that Boekenhout needs to get over themselves, since Zinnia were at least able to have an entertaining Serrie this year, unlike the Ysters. Pssst… would like to send its condolences in advance to Rag partners Luminous and Asterhof, and Madelief and Kiaat for their Rag
loss. Pssst… has a few Rag theme suggestions for next year as well. Sonop and Vividus Ladies, have you considered making your theme Barbie and Ken? Pssst… thinks that Erika and Vividus Men can just recycle the Sonop-Erika Rag float from last year, since both these reses think they’re too good to do much work. Pssst… wonders how the KatjiepieringOlympus Rag pairing will work. It probably won’t. Pssst… also finds the Jasmyn-Mopanie pairing very interesting. Perhaps this means that in 2016 Jasmyn might actually win something for once. Just not through their own efforts. Pssst… knows that Maroela loves digging into Mopanie’s leftovers, but being assigned
their 2015 Rag partners is just ridiculous. At least this means that Magrietjie has a proper Rag partner for once. Speaking of proper Rag partners, Pssst… hears that Inca will be ragging by themselves. Adding to their recent string of bad luck, Pssst… hears that Olienhout will be partnering up with Klaradyn next year. Sorry, Houte. Then again, Pssst… feels way more sorry for Taaibos, who have Lilium as their Rag partners. Not even the Brakke deserve such a tragic partnership. Summer is definitely on the way, meaning that the days are getting much hotter. Luckily Pssst… will be back next week to provide lots of shade. In the meantime, send your res gossip to pssst@perdeby.co.za.
7 September 2015 | Sport
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Photo: Kay O’Brien
Women’s rugby on the rise at UP? THORISO PHASHA Rugby has maintained a strong tradition in the South African community and has been lauded as a great nation building entity. The sport has gradually progressed from a white dominated sport to what may now be percieved as a nonexclusive, multiracial sporting code enjoyed by many. Tuks has a small niche of budding female rugby players who are breaking down
stereotypical perceptions of the outlook on rugby. Generally considered a masculine sport, rugby has crept its way into the hearts of this group of passionate young ladies. The UP ladies hosted three other developmental clubs on Saturday 29 August at Loftus Versfeld in a series of friendly matches. UP-Tuks opened their account with a 42-0 whitewash over Soshanguve. Mamelodi were soon also added to the casualty list with a 35-0
drubbing. Tuks then recorded their largest victory of the day when they brushed aside Blue Diamonds with a 45-5 victory. The flurry of wins ensures that UP remains unbeaten this season in all of their matches. The great performances by UP-Tuks has also drawn attention from national selectors, with Sumari Brand and Libbie Janse van Rensburg being selected to the women’s Springbok Sevens squad. This will serve as a great platform for
the ladies to gain international exposure, with sevens rugby now being incorporated as an Olympic sport. Perdeby took some time to learn more about women’s rugby at UP and spoke to the coach of the UP-Tuks sevens rugby team, Riaan van der Merwe. Van der Merwe explained that his vision for women’s rugby is “to produce quality players, [because] if they’re quality competitive players then they can compete internationally and on national level for the Springboks”. “The biggest challenge is finance. To recruit quality players you must be able to [offer] them bursaries at an institution like the university. Sadly, there [are] no bursaries for women and 160 for men. Apart from that, everything for the men is provided. They get housing, food [and] a fitness-bar after practice, which we don’t have access to,” said Van der Merwe. Financial constraints are not the only hindrances faced by the team as it is difficult to assemble a proper squad, according to UP women’s rugby captain Scherron Long: “I think, unfortunately, we don’t really get much exposure. I think people don’t really know that it’s out there, and then the people that do know about it are scared to play it.” Long comes from a touch rugby background at school level. She opted to engage in the full contact version after being inspired by a friend who also played sevens. Long encourages any potential female rugby players who are interested in playing, saying, “Life’s short, you only live once, so from my side, just try it, and if you don’t like it, then at least you can say that you tried it.” UP-Tuks will play against four other university sides in a sevens tournament at the University of Johannesburg on 5 and 12 September.
Tuks Gaming enter second leg of OUL League DANIËL BASSON From 4 September, Tuks Gaming will run the next leg of their Orena University League (OUL). The league aims to develop the winning players by exposing them to international leagues. Perdeby spoke to Morné Snyman, chairperson of Tuks Gaming and co-founder of the OUL, and Maryke Kennard, vicechairperson of Tuks Gaming, co-founder of OUL and chairperson of Tuks MindSport Club, about the league. You and your partners teamed up with Orena earlier this year to form the Orena University League (OUL). How has the response been? Morné: Since we started Tuks Gaming last year, and [with] Maryke being very influential in the League of Legends community due to being in various professional clans and playing competitive League of Legends at DGC at rAge a few times, the response to the league was very positive and supportive from both Tuks and the SA League of Legends community. We had 12 teams compete (1 withdrew halfway) from Stellenbosch, UCT, CTU, UP, Rhodes, and Midrand Graduate Institute. When we were expanding the league to other communities, though, we got quite a bit of resistance from communities questioning the need for the platform (not many of them were students though) and there was some toxicity, but in general the students in the communities have loved the idea and have started the process of forming teams. What benefits has this league had for Tuks Gaming? Maryke: It put us on the map for future Riot tournaments, including the European University league which we might end up joining, bringing more challenges/opportunities to our current players. Morné: It has really put us on the map overseas and locally. Tuks has become known in the university gaming circles abroad as tough competitors. We now have close ties to similar societies abroad, such as the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge’s Gaming Societies, and we started having eSports
weekends annually with them and a couple of other societies in Europe where our Tuks teams face their best teams in titles such as Hearthstone, Dota 2, Starcraft 2 and League of Legends. Both these universities compete in NUEL (National University eSports League) in the UK and the competition is fierce, which gives our teams really competitive matches. The league has also provided a platform for many students to form teams, and we’ve seen these teams evolve into them playing together during their free time and becoming friends, which is quite awesome. Riot Games supports your league, which means that a lot of the focus is placed on League of Legends, but with interest rising in Dota 2 and Hearthstone, how is this going to change the dynamic of your league? Morné: It’s going to change how we run everything and our structures that we use. The games differ quite substantially and we’ve had to adapt new rules and structures for the various titles in order to allow for the expansion. We’ve also had to enter into discussions with three of our European partner leagues abroad in order to agree to a common ruleset that can be used so that our international matches are possible without any problems. Three of the European leagues have also agreed to take up Hearthstone in their legs starting in the next couple of weeks. What has it been like playing against gaming teams abroad? Maryke: Teams abroad for League of Legends have a huge advantage: ping. They have lower ping times than us since we do not have our own servers, but we do look forward to facing them in South Korea at the International eSports Federation (IeSF) world championships if our first team qualifies. Morné: The Tuks|JuanShot team also competes as the first team for Tuks MindSport Club, which sees them competing in the upcoming National Trials for the South African team going to the IeSF International Championship. Francois Mouton will be going to the trials to compete for the Hearthstone spot on the SA Team. How does South Africa compare to these international teams?
Morné: In League of Legends, the winners Tuks|JuanShot were very close to the skill level shown in the leagues abroad, even with the 120 ping difference. The SA teams have had to adapt their play styles to accommodate the 180 ping that they get. The international teams normally also follow different strategies and metas than what we see with the South African university teams. We just had Francois “Fafa” Mouton on Sunday compete against some of University of Oxford’s best Hearthstone players (Legend rank) in exhibition matches to advertise the league, and saw him win the set of 5 games 3-2, and it was quite close. These players will be competing for the NUEL title in this leg and was a good indication that the skill level of SA players in Hearthstone Illustration: Jackie Zhang is not so far behind the international university scene. and Tuks having quite a number of competitive At least with Hearthstone, ping doesn’t matter gamers that also compete in DGL, our prospects as much so it’s easier for the players to play are quite good for the upcoming leg of OUL and internationally against other universities. if they win the international matches. Tuks|JuanShot won the last leg of the OUL, What are your hopes and goals for the which will see them compete against multiple expansion of the league? European Universities. What opportunities Maryke: To get some talent developing, bringing await the winners of this semester’s universities together, and getting this big enough competition? to start a Varsity Cup type competition for online Maryke: We are organising some RP prizes games. again and [are] getting some good gear for the Morné: To get development going in the SA winning teams. We want to show the world that eSports scene and to get more students exposed our university has the talent to compete in the to international competitive gaming. We’re also EU league. hoping to see more gaming societies forming What are Tuks’ prospects in these upcoming at universities across the country and these gaming meets? societies becoming gaming communities, such Morné: As we have quite a big community of as Tuks Gaming where teams become friends gamers at Tuks (estimated at a minimum of 500) and where you can meet like-minded people.
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The road to Rio
What will it take to get SA’s champs to the 2016 Olympics? CARLI-ANN FURNO In light of the recent performances at the Beijing World Championships, South African athletes have successfully established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Olympic Games in Rio next year. The initial qualification times to compete in this event have been released, with all South African track athletes able to achieve the times. The times are subject to change at the discretion of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), and the final team will only be confirmed in July 2016. It is safe to say, however, that our athletes are well on their way on “the road to Rio”. This was highlighted by the performances of Wayde van Niekerk, who crossed the finish line to achieve a gold medal with a 400 m world list time, and Anaso Jobodwana, who achieved a silver medal with a new 200 m South African record. Four hundred meter hurdle athlete Wenda Nel secured a spot in the final, while LJ van Zyl managed to reach the semi-finals. South Africa’s top 100 m athletes, Akani Simbine and Henricho Bruintjies, were also able to reach the semifinals in their individual events. The concept of the “road to Rio” has been a popular phrase now that the World Championships are done. Perdeby sought the expertise of Hennie Kriel, athletic consultant and current coach of Henricho Bruintjies, to gain an understanding of what the year ahead entails. Kriel suggested that the ultimate plan is to maintain and improve the physical form that the athletes had in Beijing, saying, “It is one thing to qualify for the Olympics, but it is another thing to go to Rio and perform with the hope of securing a final or even a podium position.” He explained that the typical athlete will come back
from a World Championship event and take a few weeks off to mentally and physically recharge before beginning a carefully constructed training schedule. The realistic expectation of success in the Olympics will differ for the individual athlete. Kriel highlighted South African sprinters specifically, who may find competing against the likes of Usain Bolt or Justin Gatlin to be daunting. He feels, however, that this should not influence the confidence of the athletes, saying that, “The goal should not be to merely qualify for an event like the Olympics, but to have the mindset of going there to perform in a way that will challenge their competitors. Just look at Wayde van Niekerk. Only four years ago he was just another South African athlete, and now he is the best in the world. This should be a huge motivation for other athletes.” South Africa has left the world with great expectations after the Beijing World Championships and is currently one of three countries, along with the USA and Jamaica, to hold sprinting records with sub-10 (100 m), sub-20 (200 m) and sub-44 (400 m) second times. Kriel is excited about this, saying, “My dream is to see South Africa challenge the sprinting nations of the world, we have no excuse and cannot stand back. We will reach this dream with integrity, as we focus on producing the best results that we can.”
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Protea netball stars: returned and ready to represent TAY LETHULOE UP-Tuks netball players Lenize Potgieter and Izette Lubbe have recently come back from representing South Africa at the 2015 Netball World Cup in Australia. They will now be turning their attention to the Varsity Netball campaign which begins on 6 September. Perdeby caught up with these Protea stars. You recently came back from the Netball World Cup in Australia. How did you find the experience? Lenize: It was an amazing experience for me. I am honoured to have played for the Proteas and so privileged to play against big teams such as New Zealand, England and Australia. I learned so much throughout the whole World Cup from Norma [Plummer] and Nicole [Cusack], and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to have been coached by them. Izette: The Netball World Cup was an incredible experience. Its [what] every little netballer dreams about, and it came true! Wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Did you get up to anything exciting during the time off? Lenize: My excitement was going for chai lattes and peanut butter lattes just down the stairs with my roommates Izette and Rochelle. We had one proper day off, going on a ferry, experiencing
Sydney Harbour, seeing the Opera House and walking down the streets of Manly, then just getting back to put up our feet and rest our bodies. Izette: In Sydney the team took the ferry on our day off. Some of us actually took the wheel for a few minutes and got to take some awesome selfies with the Opera House and spend some time at the well-known Manly beach. Coming back from the Netball World Cup, what expertise do you think you will be able to offer the team this year? Lenize: Nicole has taught me a lot of new movements in the circle and [has helped] me with my timing, so I think to know when to fetch the ball and when to stay in the circle will be helpful. Norma also told me [every] game that I shouldn’t overthink my shots - I should just turn and take it. Self-belief is key. Izette: As a team and individually we learned a lot from our coach, Norma Plummer. All we can do is try and implement everything she taught us [and] share a few secrets with our teammates to become the best players we can be, and ultimately a better team. You now have to turn you attention to the Varsity Netball tournament. How is the training going? Lenize: My training is going well. Our coach is in Durban now coaching the Gauteng North
team, so we are just busy with speed and agility sessions, fitness and gym sessions. What do you hope to achieve in this year’s Varsity Netball? Lenize: I’m really hoping to play in the finals this year. After missing it last year, I realised I don’t want to sit in the crowd and watch. I want to be on the court, playing the game and obviously winning the gold medal. Izette: As a team and individually we learned a lot from our coach Norma Plummer. All we can do is try and implement everything she taught us [and] share a few secrets with our teammates to become the best players we can be and ultimately a better team! Do you also think you are ready to go up against national teammates you played with at the World Cup? Lenize: Yes, I think I’m ready for them. It will
always be a challenge for me to go up against the best in our country,but hopefully I also give them a challenge [laughs]. Izette: Only a few players that participated in the Netball World Cup will be playing in the Varsity Cup, but [it] will definitely be interesting to see how we use what we learned against each other. [I’m] looking forward to that challenge. You have competed in Varsity Netball before. What do you enjoy about the tournament? Lenize: I enjoy the atmosphere that any Varsity sport gives off. There’s just something about it. The music, the crowd, and definitely playing with my teammates again. Izette: Varsity Netball is definitely my favourite tournament of the year. The vibe is just amazing, and travelling the country every weekend with your friends and staying in a different hotel each time is definitely a bonus.
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