14 September 2020 Issue 12 Year 82

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PDBY

14 September 2020

Year 82 | Issue 12

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UP Whale institute calls for conservation of marine life

Image: Leah Rees

Women in science symposium

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PDBY Music roundup

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Athleteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s run for Autism awareness

2 | From the Editor

14 September 2020

We need to speak about GBV some more

don’t usually speak about issues not related to an edition, but this week I want to continue the discussion about gender based violence (or GBV) and the atrociously high numbers of rape in South Africa. Why is this not at the centre of our discussions? Women and children are being brutally raped and murdered daily, and aside from several days of protests this time last year, not much is done to make this stop. Sexual assault, violence and rape continue to go unreported and predators are allowed to continue hurting people, with only the occasional news report making the rounds. Every single case of sexual assault or rape should be headline news, because these crimes are some of the most heinous acts of brutality humans can commit. Yet it is normalised by the lack of reporting on it in the news, and by the goingstrong system of rape culture, difficulty reporting incidents, and victim blaming that flourishes in our society. Perhaps if every case was headlines news, we would begin to recognise how rampant GBV is in

our country. The rape of and violence against women and children is not a rare or isolated incident. It has become ingrained in our way of living to accept this brutality, and move on, because it seems like too much to face – or, I suppose to some people, not important enough to face. But we should face it, and confront the reality of being a woman in South Africa. I recently spoke to a family member about the fear involved in living as a woman, and he was genuinely shocked. He had no idea that as a woman I am always afraid of men, and always aware of their physical strength and ability to easily over power me. His shock echoes many men’s sentiments, and this is due in part to the lack of open communication about violence against women. Do men realise that we are afraid at almost all times? We are acutely aware of being alone with men, of the danger of walking anywhere alone, of our inability to speak up to a man when alone out of fear of retaliation, of our constant awareness of our safety. I know this sounds like sweeping statements, and I know that not every man will react violently or be violent. But the fear is largely because we cannot tell

which man will be this way. So, of course, we are afraid of all men, and it sucks. I don’t want to live in fear, but the rapist isn’t a scary man in the dark or a stranger in an alley, the rapist is anyone. I get frustrated trying to write about this, because where am I going with it? I suppose I just want people to be open to understanding, and to want to change the fear so many women live with. I want people to feel comfotable reporting incidents, and know that they will be heard. I don’t know how this is done. But I think it starts with being open, and speaking about our experiences. The more people who can find the courage to speak up, the more we all realise this is a problem that needs addressing. And hopefully, we can begin to challenge rape culture, ‘boys will be boys’ mentality, the patriarchy, and gender based violence. This is my hope, which I hope the vast majority of people share. If you have something you would like to say about this, write a letter to the editor and send it to me at editor@pdby. co.za. In more specific news regarding this edition, SRC elections are opening in October – read about it on page 3. While campus seems far away and student politics may be the least of your concern, it is important to vote for your representatives. The SRC is our main representative body and it is our responsibility as students to elect candidates that will serve the student body as we need them to. Ask questions, read campaign documents and election ballots, and ensure you know who will be representing you for the next year. We each have a voice, and the platforms to share that voice. Share your opinions, your experiences and your thoughts and have them published in the next edition of PDBY. You can read our letter policy below.

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News | 3

14 September 2020

n 8 September, Switzerland’s Federal Supreme Court dismissed two-time Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya’s appeal. The dismissal upheld a ruling that was announced last year by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), that came into effect from 8 May 2019, stipulating that it was mandatory for all athletes with a difference in sex development (DSD) to undertake the necessary procedures to maintain a testosterone level below 5nmol/L continuously for the entirety of their athletic career in order to be allowed to compete in international athletic events. In response to the decision made by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, the University of Pretoria’s Centre for Human Rights has formulated a statement that unpacks the legal nuances between the erred judgements of the aforementioned judiciaries. The statement articulates that the regulations that were conceived inexplicably give the impression that they were set out to target Semenya, due to their specificity. The regulations apply to a small bracket of athletes who participate in the 400m, 400m hurdles, 800m, 1500m and mile events, and fall into the category of ’46, XY DSD’ (a form of sex development in which an individual has one X and one Y chromosome in each cell, but has external female genitalia). The high degree of specificity that the regulations exhibit coincide not only with Caster Semenya’s status, but are inclusive of other renowned athletes such as Burundi’s Francine Niyonsaba, and Kenya’s Margaret Wambui, who were both the silver and bronze medallists at the 2016 Rio Olympics respectively. As the reigning Olympic Champion in the 800m event, the statement gives the impression that she was targeted. Furthermore, UP’s Centre for Human Rights notes that the Supreme Court exhibited bias in amplifying fair play as the integral part of the reason for the decision, discounting other core principles such Semenya’s right to human dignity, stating that “ while the necessary drug-related

lowering of the testosterone level represented a considerable interference with physical integrity, this was necessary and did not infringe on Caster’s right to human dignity. The statement articulates a series of legal options available to Semenya to challenge the decision made by the CAS. One of these options reside in the form of taking the said case to the European Court of Human Rights, which is governed by the European Convention that underscores the protection of one’s “freedom from non-discrimination and the right to privacy”. This motivates a likelihood that the European Court can undertake a strong position against gender stereotyping. In spite of the likelihood, the European Court can choose to invoke a

principle known as “margin of appreciation” which will give it power to defer back to the original judgments formulated by the national institutions such as the Swiss Supreme Court, and substantiates this through the notion that there is no “European consensus on the substantive issue under consideration”. The Centre also articulates a Quasi-judicial (when a non-judicial body interprets the law) option, citing that attempts can be made “[…]to secure a finding by a United Nations (UN) human rights treaty body in respect of an individual communication, making the case that Switzerland has violated the relevant UN human rights treaty”. However, the statement notes limitations in this

Enterprises UP on the 4IR: “Learn, unlearn and relearn”

Image: enterprises.up.ac.za

Manelisi Magoro

he Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has sparked questions regarding how one can adapt and thrive with its transition. With all the technological change that the world is

undergoing, we need technical, data, and human literacies. This means that one must be prepared to be a lifelong learner. Lifelong learning includes the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn. These processes can be achieved through neuroscience, with

route as well, that include but are not limited to, the lengthy and non-binding nature of the process. The South African government has the option of taking the issue to the UN Human Rights Council, calling on Resolution 40/5 titled “Elimination of discrimination against women and girls in Sport”, that was adopted in March 2019 which states to “ensure that sporting associations and bodies implement policies and practices in accordance with international human rights norms and standards, and refrain from developing and enforcing policies and practices that force, coerce or otherwise pressure women and girl athletes into undergoing unnecessary, humiliating and harmful medical procedures in order to participate in women’s events in competitive sports”. Despite the potential for success and failure in pursing the aforementioned legal options, as of date, Semenya will not be allowed to compete in the Tokyo 2021 Olympics to defend her 800m title, unless she adheres to the stipulated drug treatments. UP’s Centre for Human Rights notes through its statement that “neither the CAS nor the Swiss Supreme Court has made out justification for subjecting hyper-androgenic female athletes to unwanted and non-consensual hormonal treatment”, asserting that “the infringement on their right to human right to dignity, bodily autonomy and physical integrity is not necessitated by the argument for competitiveness”. In Image: Provided a statement issued by Semenya’s legal team, Dorothee Schramm, the lawyer responsible for leading Semenya’s appeal, asserted that “this decision is a call to action – as a society, we cannot allow a sports federation to override the most fundamental of human rights”. World Athletics has welcomed the decision, mentioning in a statement that, “throughout this long battle, World Athletics has always maintained that its regulations are lawful and legitimate, and that they represent fair, necessary and proportionate means of ensuring the rights of all female athletes to participate on fair and equal terms. It has rejected the suggestion that they infringe any athlete’s human rights, including the right to dignity and the right to bodily integrity.”

Enterprises UP offering skills and services in this department. Enterprises UP is a leading research and training provider that is backed by a solutionsdriven approach and experts from the University of Pretoria. They ensure continuous engagement in knowledge transfer in an ever-changing world by always shifting knowledge to insight. Enterprises UP offers training solutions such as short courses and programmes that were developed with future work in mind. They also offer research services which provide business-to-business solutions from project conceptualisation to delivery and capacity building, using scientific evidence as the basis. The independent opinions and insight brought forth by their industry experts leads to the generation of new knowledge that assists organisations to better prepare for their anticipated future. Enterprises UP has access to a comprehensive knowledge base and can design bespoke solutions to fit the objectives of an organisation gearing up for the 4IR. They have over 700 courses and programmes scheduled throughout the year at short intervals. Courses are available online, on virtual sessions and can be conducted through smaller face-toface sessions, which are presented as in-house training within the company’s premises.

Kayla Thomas

he 2020 election period for the SRC will be announced on 21 September, and is expected to run on an e-voting system from 26 to 28 October. The Department of Student Affairs has confirmed that the elections will be fully online to ensure as many students as possible are able to participate. The DSA says that they will “make sure that all students are able to participate in the elections, and that the process does not exclude any student who qualifies to participate”. Various online platforms will be used for the support of virtual candidacy and virtual campaigning, including ClickUP, and “all students and candidates will be supported to ensure access to participate in the whole process leading to e-voting”. Dr Matete Madiba, Director of Student Affairs, says the online elections are happening “after a long period of planning, to make sure that we deal with the challenges COVID-19 has placed on all of us”. Students are encouraged to monitor announcements as they will be updated on all relevant steps regarding the 2020 elections.

Financial aid for UP students Kendall Behr

niversity of Pretoria students are invited to register on the official database to be considered for financial aid in the form of a bursary, discount, or other funding. As it has been a challenging year, the database allows the university to allocate funds, when available, to students who need it. Funds allocated can be used for historical debt, to fund the full cost of attendance, to top-up bursaries, or it can be a fixed amount that is allocated. Registering on the database does not guarantee that you will be assisted financially, however, students are still encouraged to apply. The lockdown has placed an added financial burden on many students and families, and the university recognises that students have not had access to the libraries, labs, and contact classes that students should have had. There is no closing date for the bursary, however, the sooner the applications are received, the sooner possible funding can be considered. Registering involves going to the financial aid web page (https:// www.up.ac.za/article/2894107/ financial-aid) and clicking on the apply button. This takes you to a PDF document that walks you through the steps of how to use the student portal to apply.

Illustrations: Giovanna Janos

Susanna Anbu

Illustration: Giovanna Janos

UP Centre for Human Rights SRC elections weighs in on court decision announced against Caster Semenya

4 | News

14 September 2020

UP Whale Institute researcher organises open statement against marine life extinction Susanna Anbu

n 3 September, a statement of concern regarding the critical status of marine life forms was published on the University of Pretoria’s Mammal Research Institute (MRI) Whale Unit website. The statement was coordinated by Dr Els Vermeulen, Research Manager at the MRI Whale Unit, in conjunction with Dr Mark Simmonds, a research fellow at the University of Bristol. The statement underpinned the dire status of the cetacean populations, such as dolphins, whales, and porpoise marine forms, citing the high risk of extinction exacerbated by global inaction. The open statement calls on countries with cetacean species in their coastal waters to prioritise conservation and precautionary action against these species through the implementation of advanced monitoring technologies. Furthermore, all nations are called to channel funding and support to strengthen international bodies concerned with the conservation of cetacean populations. Dr Vermeulen expressed that the need for the statement arose during the recent meeting of the International Whaling Commission, where it was said that the scientific sphere holds a responsibility to bring the dire conservation status of cetaceans to the forefront of government attention. Dr Vermeulen mentions that “too little is done too late, and by publishing [their]

science [they] do not ensure the right people understand the right message, hence the idea to put together the statement, which is gaining support as [they] speak”. As of date of publication of this article, 300 professionals have signed the statement. Dr Vermeulen says that the intention of the statement is to garner the attention of government officials and larger NGOs towards the status of marine mammal species. “It is hoped that this document can serve for many more years to come, mainly to lobby with government officials to take action both nationally in their own countries as in international bodies such as the International whaling Commission, CITES, etc”. The statement compiles a comprehensive list of critically endangered cetacean species, citing that of the 90 living species of cetaceans, 13 species are ‘critically endangered’ or ‘dangered’, seven species have a ‘vulnerable’ status, seven are ‘near threatened’, while 24 species are classified as ‘data deficient’ as per the

International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) listing. The statement warns that the late recognition of these data deficient species coincides with the current status of that cetacean species. There are mentions of three instances in the statement where “enough was known about the situation of the species concerned for these dramatic declines to have been avoided, but that the political will to take action has been lacking”. The North Atlantic Whale, whose critical population range resides near the coast of wealthy countries served as an example of inaction. The vaquita porpoise species is currently a critically endangered species with a mere ten individuals present globally, while the Chinese river dolphin attained a ‘possibly extinct’ status by the IUCN. Dr Vermeulen says that the Indian Ocean humpback dolphin and the Bryde’s whale are the most endangered coastal marine mammal species with their population decline aggravated by overfishing, and chemical and acoustic pollution. Dr Vermeulen ascertains that “with Whale Unit, [she is] coordinating the South African SouSA consortium (Sousa for Sousa plumbea = Indian Ocean humpback dolphin) which aims to bring together all national researchers to improve our understanding on the population declines of this species, and further lobby with government to take action to reduce human caused mortality (lift shark nets, regulate octopus and rock lobster fisheries etc.)”. Dr Vermeulen cites that in South Africa, Southern right whales have shown increased incidences of calving failure and a decreased prevalence along South African shores that is attributed to the decreased food availability in the feeding grounds in the Southern Ocean, resulting in a decreased body condition and therefore a reduced ability to reproduce and complete migration. Dr Vermeulen currently coordinates the SouSA Consortium that aims to culminate all national researchers affiliated with Indian Ocean humpback dolphin, and occupies a leading role in the Indian Ocean humpback dolphin Task Teak of the International Whaling Commission, that is responsible for formulating conservation efforts. Furthermore, Dr Vermeulen co-leads the southern right whale research team of the

Southern Ocean Research Partnership. She is currently setting up the global Southern right whale consortium which looks to bring together all international specialists on the species, to coordinate research and conservation efforts. Dr Vermeulen asserts that “[…] the collaboration among researchers is the key in saving species who do not know national borders, […] such international collaborations are critical to save species from extinction”. Currently, the MRI Whale Unit at UP undertakes research related to the conservation of cetaceans. A global research initiative involving Southern Right Whales is co-led by the MRI Whale Unit and the Southern Ocean Research Partnership. The project aims to enhance the understanding behind calving failure in the southern right whales globally, which can then be used to make inferences on conservation strategies pertaining to the South African population of southern right whales. The MRI Whale Unit is set to conduct their annual aerial survey of southern right whales from 28 September to mid-October. The 41st aerial survey, serves as one of the longest running datasets of any mammal species worldwide. Dr Vermeulen ascertains that data generated on the population distribution of coastal baleen whale species in South Africa allowed the Whale Unit to engage in lobbying with the government regarding ship strikes and entanglements. Dr Vermeulen cites that there is a huge shortage of funding and bursaries channelled in the direction of cetacean related research that prevents potential conservation efforts. The statement warns that “the lack of concrete action to address threats adversely affecting cetaceans in our increasingly busy, polluted, over-exploited and human-dominated seas and major river systems, means that many populations, one after another, will likely be declared extinct within our lifetimes[…] Whales, dolphins and porpoises are seen and enjoyed all over the world, and are valued as sentient, intelligent, social and inspiring species; we should not deny future generations the opportunity to experience them.” The statement hopes to channel adverse pressures in the direction of governing bodies in order to formulate urgent measures. By establishing the pattern of global inaction that has accumulated over the years, scientists across the globe hope the statement will serve as a historic gesture in the direction of cetacean conservation efforts. Image: Provided

Know something, say something Tips can be sent to news@pdby.co.za or to @PDBYMedia on Instagram

14 September 2020 Why did Cry@UP decide to start with the sessions?

For most of the time we have been on Instagram, we have been doing whatever we could to add to the conversation surrounding mental health. We had been thinking about doing these weekly sessions for a while, but we had put it off because none of us were experts in this field. We have had a few firsthand encounters with some of the subject matter, but we do not have all the answers, and it took much to realise that we don’t need to rely on our own experiences to promote these conversations. To that point, nobody truly needed to either. We just needed to create the space for these conversations and that on its own is more than enough.

How did the students take to the sudden change in the tone of content?

The reaction has been very encouraging. We have not actually received messages from people who were annoyed with the change in content. At the end of the day, we really are a meme page, so we try to limit these discussions to a 24-hour window per week so that there is not a drastic shift from our regular content. But it was phenomenal seeing how positive the reaction towards the shift was.

Why mental health in particular?

Well, there isn’t much of a spotlight being shone on mental health as it is. We’ve spoken to and heard from many of our fellow students who have told me that in their cultures, whether indigenous African cultures or even Afrikaans culture, speaking about mental health is not necessarily encouraged, and in the larger scheme of things, ignored. As students, there is the towering expectation for us to produce stellar academic results, but our personhood isn’t taken to mind, and that translates to the hesitation at having these discussions. It’s how we’ve been raised, but that doesn’t mean it should be how we live our lives. Adding to this conversation is a big step, and hopefully, by the time we graduate, the conversations around this will be of a different kind.

What topics have you covered so far?

So far, we have covered topics like depression, anxiety, OCD, ADHD, General Anxiety Disorder, as well as panic attacks and suicide. We have also collaborated with the University’s Psychology society, the Psyche Society (@psychesociety.up), with the conversation revolving around eating disorders.

News | 5

Memes, Merensky jokes, and now, mental health Tshepang Moji

ith lockdown headed into its sixth month, many of us have been missing campus. From the Aula lawn, sharing memories of our truly beloved and dearly missed Oom Gert’s, to the freebies at the piazza and the below zero temperatures of the Thuto and Centenary lecture halls. There is a piece of campus we all miss, and this has been well documented by endless memes shared on Instagram. One of the university’s meme pages, @cry_at_up, is one of students’ firm favourites for, as seen in the account’s 100 000 followers on their Instagram platform. However, more recently the account has taken a bit of a more serious approach. In their Instagram stories, Cry At UP started online discussions that are centred around mental health, a topic that despite many years of not getting the attention it deserves, is starting to have a light shone on it. Mental illness is a very sensitive topic, one that should be treated with the most care. The numbers behind this are frightening, with suicide being the second- highest cause of death amongst people aged 15-29, with the WHO stating that every 40 seconds, a person takes their own life. With the government-imposed lockdown, it is also very important that, while we make our physical well- being a priority, sanitising, wearing a mask and keeping a safe distance from one another, our mental health should not be neglected - which is exactly what drove the Cry at UP team to begin these sessions, to “add to the conversations around mental health and to put the spotlight on these issues, especially amongst students”. The lockdown has had an adverse impact on the mental health of many South Africans. This sentiment is echoed by Lerato Mahwai, a research associate at the Auwal SocioEconomic Research Institute, who asserted that mental health did not receive the priority and the attention it required when South Africa went into lockdown. Issues like Gender-Based Violence, an already prominent issue in South Africa, saw a surge under the lockdown, with anxiety and

depression shooting up. Sadly, suicide rates, especially amongst young women, increased during the lockdown. For the Cry at UP team, this struggle also carried a personal element, and one of the members of the team shared their mental health story with PDBY. “When the page started gaining traction last year, I went through a rough time personally. I struggled with depressions and uncontrollable, recurring panic attacks, and if it were not for the assistance of the Student Counselling Unit on campus and a fantastic support system in my friends and family, I probably wouldn’t be here today. I started opening up to the people around me and it was mindblowing how many other students were going through the same struggles. We all sat in the same lecture hall and yet, nobody said a word out of fear of being looked at differently because of this. Many students felt this way. However, speaking up about my struggles with mental health put me in the in the driver’s seat. I wanted the same for the those around me as well. As it is, students are already under a lot of pressure, so the pressure to have everything figured out should not be one of them.” With all this considered, Cry at UP’s move to make the greater student community more aware of mental health issues did not go unnoticed, with students actively participating in the online discussions started by the Instagram account. “So far the reaction has been hugely encouraging”, said the team, an indication of the positive reaction from the students regarding this initiative. PDBY caught up with the team behind Cry at UP to talk more about their efforts to shine a light on mental health. Mental health remains a very large struggle within society, especially within the student community. With the world having commemorated World Suicide Prevention Day on the 10 September, many more initiatives are being run to create awareness and shine the light on mental health. So the next time you ‘hit the Gram’, be sure to check out and participate in these Cry At UP discussions to be a part of the movement changing the conversation around mental health.

What has the feedback from students been like as a result of this new feature?

Our followers have been hugely instrumental to adding real value to the discussions. It would be nowhere near as insightful as it has been without their collective experiences and we are immensely grateful for that. We have received tons of messages from students who have found these talks helpful, not just personally, but in relationships they have with friends and family. Many have also messaged us. They have been really welcoming with the discussions, and very enthusiastic about it, contributing as much and as best as they can. They have truly been the cornerstone of the entire initiative, and we have no doubt that their participation will do a lot of good.

What does the future look like for these discussions?

We are looking to keep these talks going for as long as we possibly can and for as long as the students find it helpful. Once we have covered as many general topics as we can think of, we will look towards the other aspects of mental health that perhaps get overlooked. Ideally, we are looking to continue adding to these conversations right up until we leave UP.

How do you plan on managing to balance between the usual memes and the more serious discussions going forward? Looking ahead, we will definitely be remaining faithful to being a source of entertainment and university culture. Being a university student is rough and laughing through the pain is perhaps the most [UP] thing to do, but ultimately, we are lucky to be here. Any amount of good that we can do in that short space of time is more than enough for us. Life is already serious enough as is, but if we can occasionally encourage discussion in these spaces, we know we are doing something right.

Tell us more about the levels of student participation and involvement in these sessions.

The students have been absolutely amazing. The real value of these segments is what comes after we open the floor to our followers. By doing so, we give them the chance to share their experiences and offer advice to others who may be going through the same thing. Every week, we are inundated with the best responses, and we are beyond grateful for all of their support and contributions to these discussions.

Illustration: Giovanna Janos

Contact the University of Pretoria’s Student Counselling Unit at studentcounselling@up.ac.za. Alternatively, drop them a line on (012) 420-2333. Services are free to all registered students of the university.

6 | Features

14 September 2020

UP’s Women in Science Symposium

Image: Cletus Mulaudi

Feliciana Nezingu

n 19 August, the University of Pretoria hosted its second annual Women in Science Symposium. The event, which was hosted virtually under the theme “#EachforEqual – An Equal World is an Enabled World”, aimed to discuss how society can close the gender gap in areas such as education and health, and create a gender-equal world. The main question in the conversation centred on how to challenge stereotypes and biases against women in order to create a gender-equal world. It was also a celebration of women’s achievements, especially in the field of science. Gender equality is one of the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by 2030. Goal five, which is gender equality, aims to end all forms of discrimination against women, to ensure equal opportunities for leadership by women, and to eliminate all forms of violence against women. A gender disparity prevails in science and research, as women are still underrepresented globally. A 2019 report from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics confirms that women account for a minority of the world’s researchers in science, with an average of only 31.8% of employees in research and development in Africa being women. According to the UNESCO Science Report, women constitute 53% of the world’s bachelor’s and master’s graduates and 43% of PhDs,

but account for only 28% of researchers. In the opening of the event, the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Professor Vasu Reddy, stated that there have been many gains in women’s equality but there is still much improvement needed to increase access to opportunities for women. Gender inequality still exists in many areas of our community and that the COVID-19 pandemic, a global threat to economic growth and public health, has forced governments and society to prioritise efforts towards containing the virus and managing its outcomes. Noting that addressing gender inequality has taken a back seat, he underscored the importance of remaining focused on addressing gender inequality. Prof. Reddy added that the goal of the symposium was to turn the conversations around gender injustice into real and meaningful action. Another keynote speaker, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UP, Professor Tawana Kupe, set the tone for the conversation, by highlighting that women have a critical role to play in Africa’s development. He underscored the need to ensure that striving for gender equality should be a continuous effort carried by all individuals. “Equality is not a woman’s issue. It is society’s issue. Women’s rights are human rights.” In addition, he explained that collective action and shared responsibility are key for driving a gender-equal world. In pushing for collective action, it is important to remain true to the concept of collective individualism. This

Sustainability@UP Marren McKay

ver the years, the University of Pretoria has worked towards creating sustainable and eco-friendly areas across all campuses. Their projects have won many awards, including three double gold awards from the South African Landscapers Institute (SALI). These were awarded for the Hillcrest campus’s Hartbeestspruit and Strubenkop projects for environmental rehabilitation and restoration, and another award for the Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria. UP has also received the President’s Special Award from the Institute of Landscape Architecture South Africa (ILASA) for its mining industry study centre. Jason Sampson, the Curator of the Manie van der Schijff Botanical Garden, a division of the Plant and Soil Sciences Department at UP, spoke to PDBY about some of the sustainability initiatives that UP has adopted. UP has one of the biggest xeriscapes in South Africa, and Sampson defines xeriscaping as landscapes of indigenous, waterminimal plants that can survive only with what natural climate provides. Examples of plants in UP’s xeriscape include aloes that are nectar feeding, bird feeding, bee-friendly, and very low maintenance. Sampson describes that, prior to the inclusion of xeriscaping at the prow of the Administration Building, the area used to be a rose garden – which reflected outdated, westernised ideas of gardening, and included water-heavy, non-sustainable gardening. Sampson reflects that the move to xeriscaping “matched UP’s change overall”. Benefits of xeriscaping include no need for fertilising, reducing pesticide use, and helping local wildlife – even in urban Pretoria, as Sampson comments that it is an “ecological resource for urban wildlife”. Aloes, specifically, also perform the same ecological functions in a garden as other species would in the wild, such as feeding sunbirds and insects. However, most noticeably, the collection of species and hybrids collectively have a flowering season that stretches from March to November in the Southern Hemisphere, allowing for nine months

of “multi-coloured display”, therefore creating a vibrant display of eco-friendly plants. The blooming aloes can be seen on all campuses, and re-blooming cultivars are planted around the Administration Building. UP’s Sports Campus also holds the single biggest concentration of different cultivars and species, with the Sunbird Lane being at its best between June and July. Besides xeriscaping, UP has numerous sustainability initiatives as part of its ten-year plan in creating sustainable and ecofriendly campuses. The ponds one would have seen at the Mining Engineering Study centre function as rainwater harvesting tanks. The tanks collect rainwater and are topped up with borehole water during dry periods with an automatic controller that irrigates the entire landscaped area and surroundings. Therefore, the botanical garden is almost entirely irrigated by rainwater during the summer months. Water saving techniques can also be seen in the proposal for the Aula grass, that will have a water collection tank built under it, and when watered, the remainder of the water that irrigates through the grass will be stored back into the tank. Other water harvesting projects at UP include the attenuation pond at the Future Africa Campus, and the Engineering 4 water-harvesting dam. This means that UP functions almost exclusively on rainwater and “recycled” water, with the only potted water being in toilets and that used for drinking. UP’s recycling initiatives are also an important step in their ten-year plan. The leaves and lawn clippings get recycled and composted to add to the gardens – thus reducing the plastic needed

according to him, means that it is also essential to be aware that individual behaviours, conversations, thoughts and actions can have an impact on larger society. Prof. Kupe also stated that achieving gender equality and ensuring more women representation in sciences, technology and innovation is not possible without addressing toxic institutional cultures and replacing them with nurturing and enabling environments that foster diversity. These efforts should be a continuous effort that is embedded in all policies at all levels. The guest speaker for the symposium was Professor Thuli Madonsela, renowned advocate and Law professor, who is an activist for social justice and served as the Public Protector for South Africa between 2009 and 2016. Professor Madonsela explained that equality is about giving equal consideration to every person. Recalling a statement of a former judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, Justice Edwin Cameron, she stated that the past has not left us, and it will not leave us alone until we confront it. There were laws in the past that gave privileges to some and prevented others from accessing equal opportunities. Today, many of those laws are abolished, but the consequent attitudes and systematic structures still exist and mould today’s society. She also focused on the need for social justice across issues such as poverty and race, as well as the relevant role that women play in the social justice system. “We are all products of patriarchal and sexist systems so the best way to challenge this is to examine our thought processes and conscious biases”, she said. She also encouraged everyone to ask themselves how objective they are and whether their status in the current hierarchical society influences how they think. Prof. Madonsela also shared her ideas for tackling the social injustice that can be seen in South Africa today. She encouraged ecosystems of thinking, as in a collective mentality of thinking, which recognises that uplifting one part of society will also uplift all of society. This includes teaching that improving the lives of women will not only benefit women, but will also benefit men. Prof. Madonsela also highlighted that those in positions of privilege, such as herself, need to recognise it and use it to help others. It is important to leverage privilege and use the space you have to open more spaces for other women in the fight for social justice. Another important tool highlighted by the advocate, which can be used to help achieve social justice for women, is technology. Creating and using apps to protect women’s security and using drone technology to track women in trouble are some of the examples in which South Africa can use technology to help. She stated that women need to challenge inequality by striving for excellence, even under their restrictive circumstances, adding that “the best antidote to bigotry is excellence”. Summarising her points, Prof. Madonsela explained that, in order to play a meaningful role in the social justice system, women should lead in a manner that is “ethical, purposedriven, impact-conscious and committed to serving all of humanity with no one left behind”.

Photo: Jason Sampson

to bag and send to a landfill. A further step is taken with the recycling bins that are situated around campus, most noticeably in the student centre. Sampson comments that these recycling bins have the most impact in the student centre. However, he adds that “the success of these bins depend entirely on students”, and that consideration is needed for the initiative to work. Sampson ascertains that, with all initiatives, it is vital that students work together with the university to create sustainable campuses. It is also important to remember that simple measures like conserving water when on campus can make a big impact. The xeriscapes at the Administration Building, that can be seen from the roadside, serve as a colourful reminder to students and the public alike of UP’s ever-advancing progress in becoming eco-friendly.

14 September 2020

Features | 7

To return or not to return? Maryke Steynvaart

s South Africa moves into level two of the lockdown, the question on everybody’s mind is whether students should return to campus and residences or not. The shift to level two lockdown has resulted in several restrictions being lifted, and economic activity has mostly returned to normal. However, COVID-19 still remains a prevalent and serious threat for all South Africans and students alike. Recently, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, announced that an additional 33% of students and staff will be allowed to return to university campuses. This means that the total percentage of students and staff being allowed to return is 66%. Rikus Delport, UP’s Director of Institutional Advancement, explains that “while the increase in numbers is welcomed, the regulations which prohibit the gathering of more than 50 people unfortunately mean that we remain unable to resume contact classes, so we will therefore continue with online classes for the second semester”. Professor Brendan Girdler-Brown, an epidemiologist from UP, is of the opinion that UP’s decision is “a pragmatic approach that is to be applauded”. Prof. Girdler-Brown explains that the epidemiological principles are simple: “wash hands, limit public interaction to the essential and unavoidable, [and] wear masks. Avoid all gatherings of people and keep your distance. Do these things while waiting for a safe, effective, and available vaccine.” Hence, from an epidemiological perspective, returning to contact classes increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Even though many students will not be returning to campus this year, certain students will be allowed to return. Delport explains that students who require laboratory access and additional facilities will be invited to return by their respective faculties. Students who experience persistent difficulties with

internet connectivity and access to internetenabled devices will also be allowed to return. In addition, students whose home environments are not conducive to studying, and post-graduate students in their final year of study will also be prioritised. Since the move to level two of the lockdown, several students have already returned to residences. Delport relays that UP considers the safety of students and staff a top priority, and UP has implemented several protocols to ensure the health and well-being of students and staff. These safety measures include, but are not limited to, wearing compulsory face masks, maintaining social distancing, and regularly sanitising surfaces and hands. Delport relays that “students and staff are also required to complete a daily selfhealth assessment using the Higher Health Self-Assessment Tool, and screening is done at the entrances of the different campuses”. Delport further states that additional safety measures are being taken in residences and “[UP] is closely monitoring the situation and will take the necessary steps against anyone who does not adhere to the measures and protocols”. In addition, there are no shared rooms or visitors allowed, and there is strict access control. Residences control students’ movements, and each student is screened and must wear a mask upon entry. Students are required to clean and sanitise their rooms, bathrooms and kitchens after use, as well. Dining hall schedules have been revised and screens have been placed in IT labs to ensure social distancing measures are met. UP’s full Coronavirus policy and protocols can be accessed on the UP website via this link: https://www.up.ac.za/coronavirus-updates/ article/2902480/returning-to-campus In a non-representative PDBY survey of students regarding the return to campus, 77.5% of the 298 respondents indicated that they preferred to continue with online classes. In the survey, 86.5% of the participants rated their experience of online learning at three and above, with a median rating of four. In

Image: Cletus Mulaudi

addition, 83% of 298 respondents indicated that their marks have improved since the start of online classes. When students were asked to rate how much they wanted to return to campus, 61.4% of 183 respondents gave a rating of between one or two, which indicates a very low desire to return to campus. Students voiced various reasons for their reluctance to return to campus. The most prevalent reason was the risk of contracting COVID-19 and several students reported that they had compromised immune systems themselves, or high-risk family members. In addition, many students indicated that online learning saves time in the form of travelling to and from campus. Certain students also reported that it is financially beneficial for them since they do not have to pay for food, travel costs or rent. Yet about 20.8% of the participants rated a four or five on the question of returning to campus, which suggests a high desire to return to campus. The most popular reason for students wanting to return to campus was to socialise with friends and fellow students. The second most popular reason for returning to campus, students reported, is for contact classes and learning, because of practical modules and technical difficulties such as internet access and load shedding. Jeana Kent, a third year BA student, explains that, “I am torn between the two sides of this debate. On one hand, I would love to see my friends again and the jacaranda-filled campus one last time (...) and on the other hand, I don’t want to get

sick and possibly bring COVID home to my senior family members on weekends. I prefer the flexibility of online learning but miss the university vibe and the people in my class.” Out of 298 respondents, 30.2% of students indicated that they have returned to their residence or private accommodation. Certain students have lived at home from the start, but an increasing number of students indicated that, due to the financial implications of COVID-19, they were forced to cancel their lease or residence placement. Hence, if contact classes were to be resumed, they would have to look for new accommodation, which might not a possible for everyone. From the small fraction of respondents who have returned to their residence or private accommodation, about 9.3% of students admitted that they have frequented social events, bars, restaurants or house parties. Several students reported their fear that some fellow students might not respect the regulations, restrictions and protocols. Monique Muller, a second year BSc Human Physiology, Genetics and Psychology student, explains that, “just because we are in level two does not mean that COVID-19 has disappeared. It is still out there and it only takes one person to infect hundreds, especially in a university environment. Not everyone is always going to adhere to the social distancing rules all the time, and thus makes it more of a risk to go to campus.” If a student or staff member exhibits any symptoms of COVID-19 they should report it immediately, and if the individual tests positive, they are required to isolate themselves appropriately.

PDBWhy: What I miss most about campus Carli Botha

he University of Pretoria’s campuses are loved by students for many different reasons. As a result of the lockdown, students could no longer enjoy everything the campuses have to offer. PDBY asked students what they miss most about campus during lockdown, how they are recreating their favourite campus activities at home, and what they will do once they get back to campus.

Sean Rice 4th year BEng Industrial Engineering “What I miss most about campus is being able to get out and being able to be around […] my friends. Since we have to work strictly from home now, I have invested in upgrading my desk [set-up] in terms of my laptop, Wi-Fi and general accessories. I [also] started a new relationship during this time which allowed for a lot of time-consuming activities getting to know this wonderful person. The first thing I’ll do after going back to campus is start to count how much longer I have until I can leave.”

Nomfundo Silangwe 3rd year LLB “I miss the Jacaranda trees […] It seems so silly, but when you really are drowning in the middle of the semester, having those Jacaranda trees around […] made me believe in myself a little bit more when it came to conquering the semester. I miss the food. The Cafe Vida red velvet muffin used to make me so happy every time I bought one. […] Lockdown came as I was exploring the campus so that’s another thing I miss[…] I miss the events that were hosted on campus – [the events were] always informative and they were a great way to network. I’m back home for the lockdown and I haven’t lived at home for this long since matric in 2015 so I’ve been taking some time to explore my environment[…] I bake. […] On a more serious note - I follow a very strict timetable. It helps me stay in “school mode”. […] First thing I will do, or at least one of the first things I’ll do, is sit at the Piazza. I never did enough of that. I was always on the go and didn’t slow down and being under lockdown with online learning also not being kind, I’ve also learned that I need to be kind to myself first. […] Another thing I’ll do, is see all my friends. I miss their faces and their energy.”

TJ Hill 3rd year BCom Accounting “I miss having to take an extra jacket to campus so that I can survive the colder-thanmy-lecturer’s-heart Centenary aircon, only to skip my next class because I need to defrost by having a drink at Pure with my friends. At home I put my fan on unnecessarily and pretend like I’m in Centenary when watching my lecture videos. Thereafter I make myself a nice cup of tea and look at memes on Instagram and pretend like I’m trying to avoid eye contact with my lecturer who isn’t there. The first thing I will do when I am back on campus is update all my apps on the Tuks/Eduroam Wi-Fi and have a drink at Pure with friends.” Kate-lynn Morgan 3rd year BA Psychology “I guess the things I miss most about campus are the things I’ve taken for granted, even the things that have annoyed me. I miss rushing to campus and almost getting run over by an impatient taxi driver, I miss the warm “good

morning” hugs from friends, the rushed and often frustrating walk behind strolling pedestrians as you rush off to your next class, even the [refrigerator-like] lecture hall, Thuto 1-2, and even the awkward walk you make when you realise you’re in the wrong lecture hall. I miss the smell and noise of Coffee Buzz, the Chelsea buns and doughnuts from the Piazza and the promotional events at Student Centre, that often caused us to be late for a lecture. During lockdown I have baked every form of banana bread under the sun and purchased every type of home cappuccino and I continue to bake at least twice a week, because I truly miss the baked goods on campus. I’ve helped with babysitting just for some social interaction outside of my household and now, with restrictions easing, I can visit friends and family more often and reminisce about the times when the outside was still the outside. First thing I would have to do when I return to campus is call up all my friends and set an entire day aside to chill in Coffee Buzz or even on the Aula grass with overpriced coffee and treats and have an intensive, but also much needed, [catch-up] session and then make plans to go day drinking.” Images: Provided

8 | Entertainment

The entertainment Spoegwolf industry is returning Wind Kendra Connock

Image: needpix.com

Emily Harrison

arlier this year, PDBY reported on the huge losses that the entertainment industry was making during the lockdown. It was reported that the industry would lose about 3 billion rand in the duration of lockdown, and 10 000 jobs were at risk. Now, under level two lockdown, the industry is slowly starting to open up again. When President Ramaphosa announced that South Africa would move to a lower lockdown level, another set of restrictions were lifted. Restaurants can now sell alcohol and host live performances as long as the amount of people is restricted to 50, and all patrons are wearing masks and adhering to social distancing measures. The lower alert level means that cinemas, theatres, and casinos can function as well. Now that restaurants and entertainment venues can sell alcohol and host live gigs, the likelihood of them filling the 50 people quota is much higher, which will lead to the slow recovery of losses experienced during lockdown. Local bars in Pretoria are adapting to the new normal by ensuring proper sanitation and social distancing protocols. Local bar and hangout, Aandklas, has reintroduced their in-person quiz nights as well as their legendary open mic night - and has also recently hosted Pretoria based band, Zebra, for an acoustic performance. The lockdown has also caused countless concerts and festivals to be cancelled. Level two lockdown allows concerts and entertainment venues to open again too. With concerts now allowed (with 50-person limits), we are likely to see more concerts and gigs over the next couple of months. A recent set of viral photos of the ‘world’s first socially-distanced concert’, in Newcastle, England, gave the world a glimpse of what concerts could look like in our future. The outdoor concert, hosted by musician, Sam

Fender, had individual pod-like podiums that allowed groups of up to five people to be social distanced from other concert goers. The podiums had railings on three of the four sides to block off the individual groups and there were about 500 of these podiums. This strange new way of watching your favourite musician may be the future of concerts in South Africa for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis. Germany also recently held an experimental pop-up concert with volunteers to study how COVID-19 would spread in that kind of environment and how to potentially prevent it. The experiment tested various safety protocols and seating arrangements, according to NPR and will help the concert industry figure out how to move forward. Level two lockdown also allows for the reopening of cinemas. Ster Kinekor recently announced that they would be opening up certain cinemas across the country with new safety protocols. The cinema chain had been closed for a total of five months. The Ster Kinekor website states that “no transactions will take place in cinema”, meaning that both tickets and snacks must be ordered online beforehand. Other measures include sanitiser when entering the cinema, scanning yourself in, temperature screenings, and open seats between moviegoers. Nu Metro also decided to open up some cinemas from Friday, 28 August. The chain will follow similar protocols to Ster Kinekor, but will initially only be open on weekends and public holidays. The slow reopening of the industry points to the gradual recovery of the losses experienced during the stricter levels of lockdown. This positive news for the industry will no-doubt be a relief for many who rely on it for their livelihood. It will also be interesting for patrons to see how the industry adapts to new regulations, especially the concert and live show sector.

ive months in a nationwide lockdown have proven particularly beneficial to Stellenbosch-based band, Spoegwolf, who, on 1 September, released their second album of the year. Wind is a combination of all of the best aspects of these Afrikaans alternative rockers: incredible instrumentals, carefully crafted lyrics, and a sound which is so uniquely Spoegwolf. Wind is familiar enough. Any listener will be able to identify the artists from this new offering; but it is also distinct, unpredictable, and a clear demonstration of just how talented these musicians are. On each album there is something new - a progression as the artists explore new sounds and rhythms. The punk-rock sounding intro of “Londen (Volkleur)” is just one example of how the band keeps fans on their toes, never knowing what to expect from their diverse repertoire of skills. The band experiments with harmonies and choral vocals on songs like “Heen en Weer” and “Stem in die Wind”; with the latter featuring a powerful interlude with building drums and a combination of voices. The choral elements of the album culminate in “Slot van die Paarl”, Spoegwolf’s interpretation of a traditional church hymn. Amongst these new features are familiar aspects which keeps fans coming back for more. Danie du Toit’s characteristic vocals and eloquent lyrics; his brother Moskou du Toit’s drumming form the rhythmic backbone of each of the songs; Albert van der Merwe on the bass guitar carrying the melody and tempo; and Chris von Wielligh’s powerful

guitar and intricate piano playing - these are the sounds of Spoegwolf. Lead singer Danie du Toit demonstrates his range on the album with a number of songs featuring falsetto singing, particularly evident on the gentle and melodic “Gly”. Wind features more acoustic guitar than the band’s February release, “See”. The band’s unique sound is complimented by a jazzy and soulful saxophone, played by Hiram Koopman who lends his skills to the band and injects a sense of South African liveliness into everything he plays. Scattered amongst the songs are snippets of conversations between the band members, making fans feel as though they are in the room with the bandmates as the album is recorded. This album feels more intimate than those that came before it, and songs like “Stroomop” and “Simonstad” envelope listeners with a comfortable quietness. There is an interesting sort of dichotomy in Wind - one of hope and heaviness. Swart Vere offers the lyrics “as mense soos monsters mekaar aanval” and Stem in die Wind admits “ek dink ek was te bang om gelukkig te wees”. Still, there are gentle elements of hope in lyrics like “elke keer as ek will opgee, sing jy uit die swart” on Uitsoek. The album ultimately comes full circle; weaving seamlessly back into the opening instrumental, as only the best of concept albums do. This makes it easy to listen to the entire album on repeat.

M-Net’s Inconceivable O Kendra Connock

ver the past two years, South African entertainment giant, M-Net, has upped its game in producing local dramas using local actors, and screenwriters from within our borders. 2019’s Trackers gained critical acclaim in South Africa and was subsequently aired internationally. Equally popular was the 2020 drama series, Still Breathing, which centred on a group of friends reunited in the face of a tragedy. On 3 September, the newest addition to M-Net’s line-up of proudly South African productions aired its first episode. Inconceivable is produced by the awardwinning Rous House Productions, a trio comprised of two brothers and their friend. The focus of the show is a group of four women who have been friends since their days at UCT. Having lived through their high-energy days at university, the four women are now in their mid-thirties and all of them are dealing with the realities of marriage, parenthood, and everything else in between. The drama is led by a duo of best friends. Marieke Meyer, played by veteran South

African actress, and Anel Alexander, who is a gynaecologist and a mother of two – her greatest struggle being to find the balance between the two roles she plays. Carine Rous plays fiery and particular lawyer, Rachel Bishop, who is expecting her first child. These two are the centre of a larger network of friends who feel like family, played by familiar faces from elsewhere in the South African entertainment scene. This rag-tag group of friends are made up of adults at varying stages

in their journey of parenthood; the parents of two, the soon-to-be parents, the still-tryingto-be parents, and the couple with one person who doesn’t want children. These aspects

14 September 2020

Image: spoegwolf.com

are only complicated by marital insecurities, potential infidelity, and secrets that threaten the happiness and security of all those involved. As far as first episodes go, Inconceivable kicks off with a bang. From only 40 minutes, viewers know the characters and their struggles, but there is enough mystery in their circumstances to keep people coming back, as the storyline is gripping and intriguing. The next 12 episodes are sure to be an interesting and emotional watch. Image: m-net.dtsv.com

14 September 2020

Entertainment | 9

PDBY Featured Artist: Samsays P

DBY caught up with Pretoria-based musician Samsays. Samuel Mahlangu, known on stage as Samsays, is a website developer, a loving dad, and a singer-songwriter. He describes himself as a thoughtful, systematic, and empathetic guy with a great love for society, music, and nature. Sam studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Pretoria for three years, to the point of academic exclusion. Sam stated that this experience invited him to confront his inner truth about what he genuinely wanted to create with his life. After months of painful introspection and endless discussions with his parents, Sam realised how participating in the Tuks Res Serenade competitions brought indescribable joy to his heart. So, he got back into writing music and trusted that everything would fall into place, and now here he is. How did you get into music? I’ve been playing music since I was seven years old — I basically couldn’t outgrow the recorder. I then moved over to playing the keyboard and learnt to write raps as well. In the same year, I performed my first vocal solo in my school’s choir. After some years, I started learning acoustic guitar, djembe, and songwriting. So, to answer this question more directly, I’ve always been in music — there were just periods in my life when I got out of it.

You are currently working on an EP; can you tell us a bit about it? I’ve finally selected the six sets of lyrics that will form part of this defining project. It represents me having found my voice after three years of doing a little bit of everything: from covering legends like Elvis Presley in Heart42 […] to performing explosive afrotribal rock music in Soundwarmer. The EP is titled Fruitful and I will share with listeners my experiences of getting in touch with my intelligence, learning my own meaning of honesty and seeking counsel from the inner child. At the moment, I’m finalising how the music should come together

and saving up some money for recording and publishing. You’re going to love this project if you like yourself a little reggae with a tinge of alternative rock packed with some thought-provoking messaging. I’m looking forward to working with different instrumentalists, as I intend to bring in flavours from jazz and classical players too.

music as a valid profession.

can get involved.

What has one of your all-time favourite gigs been? My greatest memory of stage time has to be Platteland Battle of the Bands semi-finals with Soundwarmer. The amount of energy everyone had was overwhelmingly fantastic.

What are you currently jamming to? Mike Love’s 2014 album - Jah Will Never Leave I Alone, and Nahko Bear’s On the Verge album.

Who do you draw inspiration from? I draw most of my inspiration from Serj Tankian, the lead vocalist in System of a Down, Cambatta and Mike Love. Their lyrical content is very well matched by their musicality, it’s amazing.

Could you tell us a bit more about your other hobby, freerunning? As an expressive and very passionate person, I feel that freerunning gives me a platform to release a fiery kind of energy which stems from my kinaesthetic intelligence. My appreciation for adrenalin in adventure and my obsession with martial arts drew me to this beautiful movement discipline. By definition, freerunning is the process of telling a story with your body using the surroundings and

You are multi-instrumental, but do you have a first love when it comes to instruments? I perceive music instruments as magical beings in possession of great musical knowledge to be shared with anyone who is willing to listen. I bet my recorder would probably roll its hypothetical eyes at my response to this one, but I’ve really grown to love djembe over the years. It has managed to get me into states of mind I would be unable to explain clearly enough with words. Do you have any comments on the South African music scene? I think that the amount of undiscovered talent is astounding and that as time goes on, more and more talent-grooming organisations will be in place to create a more positive awareness of

Where can we check you out? IG: @samsays_music FB:@samsaysmusic YT:Sam Says

adapting any form of physical movement to a unique situation, just like most kids would. After six years of training under Munkie Freerun and Sabotage Elite, I now offer informal coaching sessions and strongly hope that more people in South Africa

Pick n Pay Clothing to launch young designers’ collection

Vasalya Moodley

alling on all young South African fashion designers – Pick n Pay Clothing’s mentorship project is here to showcase your talent. In conjunction with Atelier Gavin Rajah, the Futurewear Project was founded as a springboard for rising designers to release their clothing lines. Pick n Pay Clothing has previously sold limited collections from young local designers in collaboration with Rajah and it was met with a good response from customers. The Futurewear Project was created to “support more local talent – and local suppliers who produce the garments – while also providing [their] customers with access to designer clothing that is affordable for all”, explained Pick n Pay Clothing general manager, Hazel Pillay. The aim of this mentorship project is to hone the skills of the chosen designers, as creatives and entrepreneurs. The designers are mentored by local fashion icon Gavin Rajah. Rajah is a creative director, businessman, philanthropist, and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Through the Futurewear Project, he strives to “foster collaborations that promote the SA industry”. The fashion industry and economy are ever-

changing. Rajah expresses that in this flexible market, the Futurewear Project intends to supply the demand of new-age designers to keep up with the changes. Not only will the mentorship refine the creativity of the chosen designers, but it will also equip them with practical business skills. The wholesome training of the Futurewear Project marrying creativity and commercial sensibility seeks to prepare the designers for the industry. The mentees’ respective clothing lines will then be launched at selected Pick n Pay Clothing stores. The first designer line to be showcased is the Julia x Pick n Pay Clothing collection, from up-and-coming swimwear and apparel designer, Julia

Buchanan. Buchanan’s landscape-inspired line was successful, nearly selling out in less than a month of its release. More collaborations are on the way, the next being that of Katekani Moreku. Colourful hats and prints made from upcycling textiles are the signature

Photo: Madhuri Rambaran

Photo: Provided

Dani van der Horst

of Moreku’s clothing. It appears that the Futurewear Project pursues two things: to support local designers and suppliers, as well as making designer clothing accessible to consumers. The mentorship helps local designers get their businesses off the ground and entrenches valuable entrepreneurial skills to maintain their brand in a changing economy. Pick n Pay Clothing and Gavin Rajah intend to make sure that South African talent does not go unnoticed. The collections can be found in selected Pick n Pay Clothing stores and online. So, if you would like to partake, the link www.capetownresort. co.za/futurewear/ contains all the information you need about the mentorship and how to apply.

10 | Entertainment

14 September 2020

PDBY Music Roundup Daluvuyo Nkumbulo Mapuzi

BLACK MOTION FEATURING MSAKI Marry Me (Dance) Breaking into the scene in the mid-2010s, the Pretorian duo is known for their atmospheric instrumentals with hearty drums and percussions. Their latest chart entry sticks to the tried and tested formula; vibrant and distinctly African beats. Msaki delivers gentle but prominent vocals on the song, complementing the aesthetic and tempo.

ELANDRE Dag & Nag (Afrikaans) The Eastern Cape-born artist, whose full name is Elandré Schwartz, released the new single Dag & Nag on his 25th birthday - preceding a pending 2021 album release that he mentioned in an interview on OFM’s TJR podcast. In the interview, he also discussed the diversity in his music, his musical inspirations - noting Bruce Springsteen as a heavy influence - as well as his inclination to collaborations. He noted that in his new song he wanted to share his experiences and prosperity over his relatively short but impactful career. He is armed with great musical talent and a positive attitude which paints a promising future for the Select Music signee.

GERHARD STEYN Groter As Goliat (Afrikaans) Gerhardus Pieter Steyn is a tenured South African singer, songwriter, and guitarist with over two decades in the industry under his belt, making his musical debut in the year 2000. With his expansive discography, boasting 11 albums in the span of 12 years, he adds a fresh single to kick off the spring season with a bang, securing a spot in the iTunes Top 100 South Africa.

MISS PRU FEATURING PA FAKALOICE, BLAQ DIAMOND, MALOME VECTOR & MANNY YACK uHulumeni (Hip Hop/Rap) The ever-prolific collaborator, Miss Pru, closes off the month with a track that feels much shorter than its six-minute runtime. PA FAKALOICE, Blaq Diamond, Malome Vector and Manny Yack all bring unique style and flows in addition to Miss Pru’s patented combination of sleepy background melodies and hard-hitting drums, keeping the song interesting for its entire duration.

Dani van der Horst

outh Africa’s move to level two of lockdown has seen the city of Pretoria slowly start to bustle again. PDBY will be sharing some fun activities that you can do around Pretoria, while still maintaining a safe distance and exercising the necessary precautionary measures. So, grab your masks and head back out into the city. If you are tired of being trapped inside and need some fresh air, a hike may be a good option. Pretoria is home to an abundance of nature reserves, most of which offer hiking trails. The difficulty levels vary, so it is best to check the route before heading out. Here are a few options that are less than 20 minutes from Hatfield to get you started:

NASTY C Zulu Man With Some Power (Hip Hop/Rap) After the album announcement in 2019 and the several delays that followed, the selfproclaimed “coolest kid in Africa” has finally released his third studio album Zulu Man With Some Power. The 20-track album is his second big project for the year, following the Zulu mixtape with DJ Whoo Kid that was released in June. It features T.I., Ari Lennox, Tellaman, Rowlene, Lil Gotit, and Lil Keed. The last two artists appear on “Bookoo Bucks”, an early fan favourite on the album.

NOMCEBO ZIKODE FEATURING MASTER KG Xola Moya Wam’ (House) The hitmaking duo, consisting of Nomcebo Zikode and Master KG, took the country and world by storm with their single “Jerusalema”. They are back with another successful track titled “Xola Moya Wam’”, which is currently fourth on South African iTunes at the time of publishing. The breakout hit is the title song of a nine-track album by Nomcebo Zikode, which has been well received by her supporters since its release.

Take a hike

Groenkloof Nature Reserve

Wolwespruit MBT Park

Location: Christina De Wit Ave, Road, Pretoria, 0027 Entry Fee: R45 Hours: 07:00 – 17:00 The nature reserve offers three trail options, all of which are rated easy. The White trail is 3.7 km; the Red trail is 5 km; and the Yellow trail is 10.5 km.

Location: 501 Jochemus St, Erasmuskloof, Pretoria, 0048. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 05:30 – 17:30 Tuesday: 05:30 – 21:00 Saturday & Sunday: 06:00 – 18:00 Entry Fee: R30 Wolwespruit MTB Park is also home to three running trails: The Running Wolf trail, an easy 5 km; the Mountain trail, an intermediate 6.5 km trail; and the Running Mountain Wolf trail, an intermediate 10 km trail.

Faerie Glen Nature Reserve

Location: January Masilela Dr, Faerie Glen, Pretoria, 0040. Entry Fee: R16 Hours: 06:00 – 18:00 The nature reserve has three trail options: the Hadeda trail, which is an easy 2.3 km walk; the slightly more challenging 3.2 km Acacia trail; and most challenging, the Kiepersol trail which is 4.2 km.

TRY @Home

Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve

Photo: Cassandra Eardley

Location: Helios St, Moreleta Park, Pretoria, 0044 Entry Fee: Free (but there is a box for donations). Hours: 06:00 – 18:00 The Moreleta Kloof Nature Reserve offers three trail options: The Rademeyer hiking trail, which is wheelchair friendly and is 1.5 km long; the Duiker hiking trail, which is an intermediate 2.89 km trail; and the Suikerbos hiking trail which is an intermediate to difficult 3.32 km trail.

14 September 2020

Entertainment | 11

Passion painted in The Color Blew Aaron Cloete

he Color Blew is an alternative rock band, founded in 2014 by Liaan Horton, Marius “George” Cronje, and Armando “Stix” Santos, joined in 2015 by guitarist Timothy James. The band prides themselves on their passion and insight, and PDBY got in touch with several of the bandmates recently to discuss their music and their current rise in popularity. The band members of The Color Blew all originally came from separate bands and when asked why they work so well together, bassist, Marius Cronje, said he believed that “it is due to the relationship we have built over the years. A relationship of honesty, which in itself, aligns with the music we make. We’re brothers.” The passion that they hold for their music is the most important thing for them and they work it into their songwriting process. Liaan Horton, frontman of the group, pointed out that “the only rule we have when writing music together now is that we must all feel the music. That’s it. That is our formula. We have roots in certain genres, but we won’t let our creative visions be tied to them. Life is too short.” The band epitomises the conception of alternative rock. By refusing to be tied down to a specific genre, this comes rather easy to them as they each cultivate a wide range of influences from Metallica, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Radiohead, Deftones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, amoungst others. Cronje said that “as time goes by, I draw influence from every type of music I get to listen to”. Drummer, Armando Santos, adds that “like learning, influence is a continued, constant and never-ending process [of] appreciating and noticing new […] emerging talent with their own influenced style”. The band’s most recent album, Light Switch, is available on streaming services and one can hear their single “Dance Dance

Image: Cletus Mulaudi

Dance” on most non-classical radio stations. All of their music is characterised by their signature passion and depth. Horton had this to say about these releases: “I have been blown away by so much love shown to us after the release of this album, it’s really humbling having listeners buy into your musical ‘moments’ and making it their own. Both our singles to date, “African Sky and Dance Dance Dance”, have had some pretty serious depth to it if you listen beyond the surface. I am proud of that; they both tell stories and reflect certain narratives in our society and music scene. They both captured

moments in time and that is all you can hope for in a good song.” The band all seem to agree that these songs marked a natural progression of their work and Cronje admitted that they “don’t plan what music [they] are going to make. It just happens”. Recently the band held a streaming concert that is now available on YouTube, and told PDBY how they experienced this new paradigm of music. Horton said “I won’t lie, it does not replace the live experience and it shouldn’t,” but he admitted that streaming would have its place in the music industry for many years to come, both in terms of sharing

their art with their fanbase and in terms of reaching new listeners. Cronje was positive about the event, calling it a fun experience and he gave a nod to the studio team that helped the event take place, saying that the “team at Ware Jakob Studios were exceptional”. The band plans on staying true to their principles going forward, never releasing any music that they don’t feel makes the grade. They want to push their creative agenda and move ever “onwards and upwards”. All in all, they are just going to continue doing what they love. Their passion, depth, and insight definitely make The Color Blew one to watch.

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Contact: Carel Willemse carel.willemse@up.ac.za

Sport Bestmed-Athlete’s 239km run for Autism y r o t c i V n awareness w o d k c

Illustration: Cassandra Eardley

...when I tick off all the boxes I need to, then anything is possible...

o L t s o ne’s P

Simbi

Pride Mathebula and Kalen Kroese

O Image: tokyo2020.org

Mpho Ramagona

fter winning the 100m Athletics Gauteng North Championships in 9.91 seconds (in a heat) back in March, the fastest time recorded by an African athlete on African soil, Akani Simbine was forced to sit out for more than five months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Simbine remains victorious as he once again claimed victory, recording 10.19 seconds in the 100m on 3 September in Marseille, France. In the first heat, Akani clocked in first at 10.31 seconds despite battling headwinds of 3.6 m/s, the highest recorded on that day providing more of a challenge for the athletes. He then went on to finish the final in 10.19 seconds, two hundredths of a second before Arthur-Gue Cisse of the Ivory Coast (10.21 seconds) and Mickael Rodgers (10.27 seconds). “My aim is to be faster and better and more clinical in my racing. I can only focus on controlling the controllable. That is giving 100% during training and racing. The aim is to be the best I can when I race. When I can tick off all the boxes I need to, then anything is possible”, Simbine said in an interview with TuksSport - managing to claim victory after

only about three months of practice despite the ten weeks of lockdown. Simbine’s coach, Werner Prinsloo, had said in an interview that twelve weeks was not enough for Akani to be top fit after the lockdown (just a week after they went back to train), which is why it is not a surprise that Simbine did not beat his record from March. Simbine stated that Prinsloo “is a perfectionist and someone that is very analytical. He is a great thinker who is forever on a quest to find ways to how I can gain that extra hundredth of a second.” Prinsloo did not make any predictions before the race, instead stating that, “when Akani races the focus is never to run a specific time. The aim is instead for Akani to execute what we have practised to perfection. If he does so, there is always a real chance of it being a fast time.” Simbine was scheduled to compete four times this year, and with one race down, he only has to race three more times on 8 September in Italy (36 Palio Citta della Quercia meeting), 15 September in Switzerland (Gala dei Castelli meeting), and 17 September at the Rome Diamond League meeting. He might race more in the future, although Prinsloo already indicated that it is not likely as times are very uncertain right now.

TuksNetball reaching for higher goals

Chrizaan Pretorius

s many sports experienced negative residues from COVID-19, TuksNetball used this time to reach for higher goals. PDBY spoke to Jenny van Dyk, the first team’s head coach. Van Dyk told PDBY that the lockdown taught the netball players, who are used to a team sport, to endure individual responsibility. Although no permission has been granted for activities to resume yet, there is still hope for the Telkom Netball League in October and the team will play either as the Gauteng Jaguars or Gauteng Fireballs. After all, this year has been extremely challenging as a whole, and van Dyk states that it was never their goal to keep everything together, but rather on how quickly they could bounce back if they did hit a roadblock in their motivation. Van Dyk, who usually only coaches the first team, had the chance to coach the whole club and kick off their new online netball programme. The online program has always been a dream of the club and the lockdown provided an excellent opportunity. The programme focuses on not only the big components, but also on marginal aspects that are still of great importance, such as balance and peripheral vision. It is structured on a four-week basis,

with every second month having one week off and every month containing a half load week. On the whole, anyone in the country can join for a monthly fee, offering a solution to the off seasons for times when static training usually raises concerns for netball teams. Van Dyk, assisted by Charne Britz, a Sport Scientist, and Sonne Mokken, the Tuks Netball Assistant coach and Junior Programme coach, contributed funding to TuksNetball’s high performance program. In either case the program assists in all the physical skills that netball teaches you, including the high intensity actions and ball skills. Apart from that it teaches players mental toughness and how to have constant resilience under pressure. Van Dyk added that if it was not for the players’ enjoyment of the sport and expectancy of what to come, no player would keep out this long without being on the court. Van Dyk also added that if she could take one life lesson from netball it would be that “you rise by lifting others”. Netball is a team sport and without the individual and the team effort, no one will succeed. Tuks Netball, in essence, did not stand still in lockdown, but made great success in exceeding the boundaries of their own local courts. If you are interested in joining the program you can contact tuksnetballonline@gmail. com and join at a reduced monthly fee of R100 from September.

n Friday, 21 August at 09:00, the Bestmed-athlete, Niel Thiart, commenced his mission to run until Sunday, 23 August 09:00. Thiart managed to run nonstop for two days around the Tuks Athletics track. The Bestmed-athlete ran a total of 239km in 48 hours to raise awareness for autism and raise funds for the Els for Autism Foundation. During the 48 hours, he slept just under 90 minutes. On Saturday, after running approximately 150 km, his left foot was so badly swollen that he needed treatment before continuing - and decided to try running without shoes. The heat of the day and the cold chill at night could not hinder the aims of Thiart as his friends kept him company along the Tuks Athletics track throughout his 48 hour run. Since Thiart is an ultra distance runner who runs for charity, this is not the first, or last, run of this kind of distance. He is already contemplating a run from Pretoria to Durban or from Pretoria to Cape Town. He is even considering another run on the Tuks Athletics track again for 48 hours. Thiart said that he is, “prepared to do anything if it means I can create awareness for autism, but my run was more than that. All of us have particular talents, I believe it is essential to use one’s skills for the betterment of society. I can only hope that my efforts have inspired a few people.” Thiart continues to say that he last ran on the track when he was 16 years old, which was 33 years ago for him. He finds track running more challenging than road running because when you are on the road, downhills allow for you to get a small breather in, while on the track, your muscles need to work hard consistently. Thiart was joined by the well-known sports psychologist, Dr Henning Gericke, who was instrumental in helping the Springboks win the World Cup in 2007. Gericke also took some time off to run with Thiart and he admitted afterwards that he was inspired by the Bestmed-athlete’s courage and determination.The Deputy Director of TuksSport, Lydia Monyepao, praised Bestmed for its efforts to create awareness for autism and said that “running 48 hours nonstop is an achievement which many do not realise”. Monyepao continues, “from the TuksSports perspective, it has been an honour to support Niel Thiart in his quest. During the past 48 hours, he proved what guts and determination are about.” Thiart continues to be courageous and does not plan to slow down. The following Monday, he returned to his day job in Menlyn as a car salesman.

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