17 January 2015 Issue 1 Year 77

Basic budget recipes

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Side-stepping first year spread

Festival survival guide

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Perdeby Tuks se amptelike studentekoerant / Official Tuks student newspaper / Kuranta ya baithuti ya semmušo ya Tuks

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17January2015

First-year edition

Campus at night. Photo: Hendro van der Merwe

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Perdeby

CEditorial Try hard. Carpe diem.

www.perdeby.co.za perdeby@up.ac.za m.perdeby.co.za @perdebynews @PerdebySport @PerdebyE Tel: (012) 420 6600

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 Features name

news@perdeby.co.za @Mike_Bongani features@perdeby.co.za @name

Entertainment Elmarie Kruger Sport Simphiwe Nhlabathi

entertainment@perdeby.co.za @elmariekr

Web Marko Svicevic

sport@perdeby.co.za @SimphiweNhlabZA webeditor@perdeby.co.za @MarkoSvicevic1

Copy Herman Hoogenboezem

First year is simultaneously the most scary and exciting thing possible. I remember being unable to sleep the night before my family drove me up to Pretoria. For me varsity was the opportunity to get away from the small town I

From the Editor actively hated. Other than that, it was terrifying.

Having been in hostel in high school, I knew I’d be able to look after myself but everything still seemed so different. I had no idea if studying music was the best decision for me, I didn’t know a single person in the residence I was moving into and being small, I looked about five years younger than the average first-year.

I vaguely remember the rest of the year in terms of residence events, the difference in size between my music history class (seven people) and my sociology class (300 people), and “biltong breakfast” Fridays which seemed only logical after a Thursday night social.

Despite all the fun, there is one regret I have about my first year – I didn’t take all the opportunities offered to me. I let opportunities to get involved in my residence, department, faculty or a society, sport or student structure pass me by and with that, numerous experiences and friends. The now perceptibly empty year culminated in acceptable grades, one close friend (who dropped out after first semester) and a rather embarrassing role in a Serrie band.

This led me to be super frustrated and quite lonely, so much so that I strongly considered transferring. Fortunately, I realised it probably wasn’t my location but my attitude that was limiting me.

Second-year came and I threw myself into

every situation possible – some things I had done before and others I had only ever dreamed of attempting. I became a member of every residence committee and activity possible, joined Perdeby as an Entertainment journalist, picked up dancing again and ran for HK. My friendship circles expanded by miles and I achieved so much more than I ever could have foreseen. My life has been crazy for the past two years but I would never have had it any other way, as in the craziness was this extreme love for and excitement about everything I was doing.

I start my honours this year and my varsity experience so far has been the best thing ever. I would encourage you all to push the boundaries of what you think you are capable of. Start something new, join a group that lets you explore your passion but most importantly, never be afraid of trying something just because you’ve never done it before. You may have the undiscovered potential to be our future SRC president, the next UP Tuks-1 netball captain or you could even have your face here one day.

You’re about to start the best years of your life. Don’t let it pass you by and enjoy every moment.

Michal

copy@perdeby.co.za @hermaninoff

Layout Nikita Mokgware

layout@perdeby.co.za @nikineo

Visuals Hendro van der Merwe Multimedia Keegan Schmidt

17 January 2015

So much to do, so little time

visuals@perdeby.co.za @hendrovdm webeditor@perdeby.co.za @GraylyJoker0

Teams Layout Ashleigh Batchelor Craig Horrmann Jacob Swati Kriszti Bottyan Lusanda Futshane Nikita Mokgware Stacey Cabeleira Copy Christelle van Schalkwyk Emma Paulet Happy Mahlangu Jaco Stroebel Jessica Nogieć Rorisang Moloi Shannon Nauschutz Tshegofatso Ndabane Tshepho Mamashela Online Jarred van der Westhuizen Joane Olivier Lauren Neuhoff Mothusi Masibi Mpho Maphanga Richan Schwellnus Thabang Letageng

Advertising Sales Tel: 012 420 6600 Cell: 083 318 9738 carel.willemse@up.ac.za

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.

Student media and student publications in particular form the life blood of journalism in South African. Most of the student newspapers around the country have been around since before democracy existed in the country and

even before South Africa became a republic.

This specific newspaper has been around for 77 years. This obviously means that Perdeby has seen a very wide spectrum of the development of this country and provided students with a platform to discuss an array of subjects, some more controversial than others.

It does however remain our responsibility to bring you the truth, an unbiased and balanced account of what is happening on your campus.

But we need your help. You are our eyes and ears on campus, so send in your news tips, letters or comments and if you would like to be part of this vibrant team, keep an eye out for the application form at the end of February.

I can guarantee you as our reader that during 2015 (a vast news year) you will read stories in this newspaper that will make you laugh, make you think, inform you and even make you uncomfortable. In the end what we would like to achieve is to initiate discourse among the student community about things that matter and directly affect you. Should you come across anything that you feel is in the public interest of your fellow students, let us know at perdeby@up.ac.za During the next couple of years you will fall in love and get your heart broken, make mistakes and learn from them, operate on caffeine and plan your social calendar around semester tests and exams. At the end of it all you will be ready to enter the real world, the

Michal-Maré Linden Editor 20 years’ experience in helping students to improve their academic performance

ACADEMIC COACHING  Study for tests and exams according to YOUR brain's unique learning preference, and get better results  Plan and write a good assignment  Prepare and deliver a great presentation  Overcome your fear of difficult subjects  Be confident and motivated in your studies Workshops for individuals and groups Dr Lizelle van der Walt E-mail: lizelle@choosehope.co.za Website: www.choosehope.co.za Cell: 083 457 7074

Message from the Editor-in-Chief one you were warned about by your parents, the world where you can only survive if you have an education. What they do not tell you is that the real knowledge isn’t just acquired in the lecture halls of UP. It is in your everyday dealings with the people at UP. My advice is to get involved, be it Perdeby, TuksFM, Rag or Stuku, societies, student politics or day houses.

If you aren’t involved you will never really experience student life.

Even though the three to five years you spend at university will be the best of your life, it is important to remember that South Africa is in dire need of responsible leadership.

The Department of Student Affairs (DSA) has been hard at work this last year structuring a leadership curriculum which aims to develop leadership skills among students. The aim of this program is to deliver a well-rounded graduate with leadership qualities. Should you become involved in one of the activities I mentioned above, you will be fortunate enough to take part in the leadership development of DSA. You are a select minority of the country`s population who is afforded a tertiary education.

Use this opportunity to become the leaders of tomorrow, the leaders that this country is so desperately in need of.

Carel Willemse Editor-in-Chief 1. Do learn the etiquette for ordering an item at Fego. Don’t slump into mediocrity – this is varsity and it determines your future more than high school.

2. The Union Buildings at night. Pick up a pizza from Bravos or ice-cream from Royal Danish on the way there and watch the city from the gardens.

3. I’m going to have to go with four years of bias and say RAMfest. Rock, wellington boots and spending the weekend in your car’s back seat is a recipe for the most memorable (and uncomfortable) weekend in history.

4. You’ve spent 20 minutes in a queue at Xerox, waiting to print your assignment.

5. There’s this really beautiful patch of grass behind the Natural Sciences and Agriculture building, adjacent to the Lier and Masker theatre.

6. A trustworthy friend. Whether they’re taking notes for you in class you’re missing or sorting you out after a night out, you know you’ll have their back and they’ll have yours

CEditorial

17 January 2015

Know your 2015 Perdeby editorial

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The questions

We asked our section editors some questions about being a student at Tuks.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Leanne Cumming Features editor

Marko Svicevic Web editor

Keegan Schmidt Multimedia editor

1. Go to Orientation. You may be thinking “I’ve already had a campus tour” but the faster you learn your way around campus, the more at ease you will feel.

Orientation is also a great way to meet new people and make great friends.Don’t ask seniors for directions. They will point you in the wrong direction.

2. The Look Out in the Klapperkop Reserve by Johann Rissik. You will witness breath taking views of the Jacaranda City in spring and spectacular sunsets and city lights at dusk.

3. Spring Day. Held in the beginning of September, there is great music and the university literally gives you a day off to party. It couldn’t get better than that.

4. Until you have skipped a lecture to have a drink at Oom Gert’s or to chill on the grass with friends.

5. The Botanical Gardens. Not only is it beautiful but it’s a great place to clear your head and get away from the busy varsity crowds. I’m not telling you where it is, go find it.

6. An outfit for every season. In Pretoria you may experience Antarctica and the Namib Desert in one day.

1. Do read Perdeby and do get involved in student life.

Join a student body, whether it’s the Wine Tasting Society, Tuks FM or even Perdeby, being part of a student organisation really enhances your experience of varsity life. Don’t ask seniors for directions and don’t skip too many classes, it will only end up hurting you in the end.

2. Aandklas, obviously. It’s where memories are made, friendships are formed and livers are destroyed.

3. Oppikoppi, Ramfest, Rag, Spring Day, Park Acoustics ... am I forgetting something?

Go to all of them!

4. You’ve tripped on the sidewalk, stairs or even just a flat surface. It’s going to happen sooner than you think and don’t try and act cool when it does: no one looks cool tripping.

5. The original Mapungubwe golden rhino housed in the Old Arts Building. Also, Sci-enza, it’s a student’s getaway.

6. A phone charger, an endless supply of caffeine and a few good friends. A map of the university is also highly advisable.

that you can’t do both.

4. Until you’ve gotten drunk on campus in the middle of the afternoon. Don’t judge me, I’ll see you at OG’s in second semester.

5. If you’re feeling up for a trek to the engineering building, you’ll be well rewarded with some of the best muffins on campus.

6. A large coffee mug.

Elmarie Kruger Entertainment editor

Herman Hoogenboezem Head Copy editor

Nikita Mokgware Layout editor

1. Do try the subs at Varsity Bakery. They’re both cheap and delicious. Don’t have too many of them. First-year spread is not a myth.

2. Bravo Pizzeria. Their relaxed interior and majestic Italian Stallion pizza are essential to your very existence.

3. As Entertainment editor, I’m obliged to tell you to go to Oppikoppi. Once you’ve been there, you’ll realize that Oppi is real life and everything in-between is just fantasy.

4. You’ve injured your foot on campus because of the

A do and a don’t for first-years Where to go in Hatfield An event you have to go to You aren’t a Tuks student until...

Campus’s best kept secret Something every first year needs

1. Do keep up with campus events and news so that you don’t have to worry about missing out. Don’t go out the night before an exam.

Trust me, it never ends well.

2. Definitely Aandklas, no question. Where else can you find the Perdeby staff after a hard day’s work?

Plus watching everyone start head banging to Tenacious D for the glory of metal is a sight to behold.

3. Every year someone mentions Oppikoppi, and with good reason. But personally I’d rather rock the NAG LAN at rAge, not

loose bricks hidden everywhere.

5. Does anyone actually use those demarcated jogging paths on campus?

6. An endless supply of socks, plastic bags and stationary. You’ll thank me later.

1. Do talk to strangers.

Varsity friends are friends for life. Don’t walk slowly in large groups. This attracts the anger of seniors who have more problems than you do.

2. Bravo Pizzeria. Their hot sauce is addictive and will complete you.

3. Oppikoppi. Go, be dirty, party your face off, and buy me a drink when you see me.

4. Have I mentioned Oppikoppi? Also, find a reason to pull an all-nighter on campus. Not the most pleasant of tasks, but campus is a very strange place late at night.

5. The South campus cafeteria sells some of the best jaffles you will ever taste.

6. A budget. Seriously guys, plan your spending lest you end up with too much month left at the end of your money.

turnstile.

5. You’ll find out soon enough, young grasshoppers.

6. Every first year needs a friend in res for some of that kloostersaal food, yum yum.

Michael Bongani Reinders News editor

Hendro van der Merwe Visuals editor

Simphiwe Nhlabathi Sport editor

1. Do go out with your friends. Don’t neglect your studies (otherwise you won’t be able to go out with your friends).

2. Go to Aroma and have their Nutella ice cream. Your life will never be the same.

3. Oppikoppi. It is crazy and filled with fun: an amazing adventure. Every student has to experience it.

4. You pitch up to class straight from Square in the clothes you wore out.

5. The botanical gardens on campus.

6. Caffeine.

1. Do be part of a social community, explore campus, eat frozen yogurt at Campus Kiosk.

Don’t stare into campus pigeons eyes, make the self-employed “car guards” angry, or drink yourself into a police cell.

2. Eat at Bravo Pizzeria and have a dance on Aandklas’s tables.

3. Gigs at Arcade Empire, Ramfest and Oppikoppi.

4. You aren’t a Tuks student until you’ve eaten chips at Oom Gert’s.

5. The haunted HSB is the best kept secret.

6. A sense of humour.

1. Do abuse the Tuks WiFi. Don’t cry that Square is closing, there are other places to chill.

2. Varsity Bakery is a mustvisit! It’s opposite the boy’s residences and it’s priced so reasonably for amazing food. Also, +27 Café. It’s a beautiful café situated at the corner of South and Jan Shoba. It serves fresh food and the best milkshakes and it’s got WiFi! 3. The lunchtime concerts at the Musion are definitely worthy of anyone’s time.

Go there for great fun and entertainment excellence.

4. Until you get stuck in a

1. A big do: remember where you come from. It’s going to be the only thing keeping you grounded. Don’t lose yourself in the process of finding yourself. Let him who have ears hear.

2. Weekend market in the plaza. Great cheap things that you will like.

3. Lentedag. It was one of the most memorable days so far in my life.

4. You have failed a module.

5. The botanical gardens.

Thank me when you find them.

6. A good mate. When times are tough, friends are few.

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News

17 January 2015

Campus safety tips for students MZWANDILE SIKHUNI As a new student at the university you may be worried about safety and security in and around campus areas. Unfortunately, crime does occur but don’t be scared. Perdeby has done an investigation to help prevent you from becoming a victim of crime.

Tuks has joined hands with the Brooklyn Police and the Hatfield City Improvement District (CID) in an effort to fight crime and plans have been put in place to ensure students and staff enjoy maximum safety.

Tuks has implemented a green route system whereby campus security escorts staff and students to and from their residences or cars from 18:00-06:00. The table below provides information regarding this service.

Hatfield Campus

In front of the ABSA ATM next to Merensky Library.

Medical Campus

In front of the HW Snyman building.

Groenkloof Campus

Between the Administration building and the Auditorium.

Kalafong Campus

In front of the Klinikala building.

Onderstepoort and the Mamelodi Campuses

Contact the 24-hour Operational Management Centre at 012 420 2310 / 2760 to arrange for a UP Security Services escort.

Hatfield CID chief operating officer Danie Basson has stressed that muggings are more frequent than burglaries. He has identified Prospect, Grosvenor and Harold street as high risk areas. Such crimes are usually random but generally occur in the evening and early morning hours. The Hatfield CID has also deployed security personnel (dressed in black and white with reflective bibs) to areas outside of the UP perimeter, which is helpful since campus security has limited jurisdiction off campus.

Making use of the CID offices after being mugged helps to catch the criminals since there is security on every corner in Hatfield.

Burglaries, however, are usually related to negligence and both campus security and the CID cannot assist as the commune or apartment premises are usually private property. Students are advised to keep valuable belongings far from windows and to lock their windows when leaving their rooms.

Awareness campaigns are held by campus security to alert students of precautionary measures to be taken. While one may expect occasional muggings, there are also other forms of conning students such as “false prophets” who use religion as a tool and claim to pray for you. Once the student is convinced they will then advise him/her to go and buy holy water and leave their belongings with them. The victim will only realise upon their return that these were criminals who have taken their belongings such as laptops, tablets and cell phones. Students are advised to keep an eye out for these schemes.

The university also has a 24-hour crisis service which students can contact for support if they have been victims of crime. They offer a variety of services, such as trauma counselling, and can also be contacted with regards to the green route service.

The service has a toll-free number: 0800 006 428. Students are advised to make use of this line and to keep the number at hand as the safety of students is a priority for the university.

One hindering factor in the fight against crime, as stressed by all the parties involved, is that students usually do not report the crime and those that do drop the charges if their belongings have been recovered. This means criminals wind up back on the streets instead of being dealt with.

Follow these tips to ensure your safety both on and around campus. ● Mark bags and books clearly. ● Never leave your valuables unattended, even in campus buildings. ● Lock your vehicle doors and keep the windows closed. Do not leave valuable items in your vehicle. ● Be alert when using an ATM. Don’t reveal your pin number. ● Lock your doors at all times and don’t make duplicate keys. ● Close the windows when you’re not in your room. ● Use the green route system between 18:00 and 06:00 on weekdays.

Contact the control room if you need a guard from your residence to the campus. ● If approached by someone with a knife, gun, bat or anything that can harm you, give them what is demanded. Approach one of the CID security personnel or the nearest police station to report the crime. ● When you go out clubbing, stay and leave in groups. Do not accept drinks from strangers or leave your drink unattended. ● Report any and all crime to the Brooklyn Police or the Hatfield CID.

Get to know your Student Representative Council

The 2015 Student Representative Council. Photo: Hendro van der Merwe

Student Representative Council

2015 Student Representative Council

Name and surname Name, surname and portfolio Mosibudi Rassie Rasethaba (President) Luvuyo Menziwa (Deputy President) Mosibudi Rassie Rasethaba (President) Adrian Eckard (Secretary) Luvuyo Menziwa (Deputy President) Liezl Aylward (Deputy Secretary ) Adrian Eckard (Secretary) Marna De Jager (Treasurer) Liezl Aylward (Deputy Secretary) Gerhardus (Study Finance) Marna DePretorius Jager (Treasurer) Reitumetse Students GerhardusRatlhogo Pretorius(Day (Study Finance)&External Campus Affairs) Jhua-Nine Wyrley-Birch (Transformation & Student Success) Reitumetse Ratlhogo (Day Students &External Campus Affairs) Jhua-Nine Wyrley-Birch (Transformation & Student Success) Sibahle Sgwane (Facilities, Safety & Security) Sibahle Sgwane (Facilities, Safety & Security) Tumelo Duke Rasebopye (Marketing, Media & Communication) Tumelo Kruger Duke Rasebopye Michelle (Societies)(Marketing, Media & Communication) Michelle Kruger (Societies) Henrico Barnard (Post-Graduate & International Relations) Henrico Barnard (Post-Graduate & International Relations) Jarik Jansen (Residence 1) Jarik Jansen (Residence 1) Clarindi Greeff Clarindi Greeff(Residence (Residence2) 2) Karabo Sekhukhuni Karabo Sekhukhuni(Academics (Academics1) 1) David DavidSawyerr Sawyerr(Academics (Academics2) 2) Nasmirha DilshadBhamjee Bhamjee(Sport (Sport)) Nasmirha Dilshad Thandeka Mogoerane (Stuku) Thandeka Mogoerane (Stuku) Arthur Ndabambi Ndabambi (RAG) Arthur (RAG) MAKHOSAZANA NDLOVU The Tuks Student Representative Council (SRC) serves as the link between the students and the university management. It works toward ensuring that student rights are not infringed upon. The SRC acts as the student voice and addresses various student issues such as financial exclusion, academic exclusion and transformation.

Tumelo “Duke” Rasebopye, who is responsible for the marketing, media and communications portfolio, says, “The 2015 SRC seeks to take note of the general issues that the students of the University of Pretoria are themselves challenged by. In doing this, our aim is to identify and isolate key areas that have a significant impact on matters of student success and ensure that we prioritise these issues by channelling as many

Email m.rasethaba@gmail.com u13326181@tuks.co.za adrianeckard78@gmail.com liezl.aylward@gmail.com marnadejager@gmail.com u13006020@tuks.co.za ratlhogo.r@live.com u13248724@tuks.co.za sbacks@ymail.com rasebopye@gmail.com michellek.777@hotmail.com henrico7@alive.co.za jarikj@yahoo.com clarindigreeff@gmail.com karaboks@gmail.com david.sawyerr@tuks.co.za u10262688@tuks.co.za thandekam3@gmail.com arthurndabambi@gmail.com

resources as we possibly can to alleviate these burdens from students.” Rasebopye further said that, “With the challenges anticipated in 2015, the SRC seeks to commit itself in aiding students in realising their full academic potential.”

The SRC offices are situated in the Roosemaryn Building where all students are welcome to seek assistance.

Members of the SRC are elected by the students every year through a democratic voting process conducted by the Independent Elections Committee (IEC). There are 19 portfolios in the SRC. The portfolios in the SRC include: President This portfolio ensures that all the SRC members fulfil and adhere to their duties. The SRC president is also responsible for making sure that student concerns reach university management.

Deputy president The deputy president of the SRC ensures cooperation within the executive committee. The deputy president also ensures that the policies adopted promote an environment that improves students’ lives.

Secretary The secretary of the SRC is responsible for making sure that there is effective communication between SRC members. The secretary also ensures that each and every SRC portfolio has all the resources required to produce effective results and further ensures the smooth running of all activities.

Deputy secretary The SRC deputy secretary assists with administration within the SRC and works closely with the president, deputy president and the secretary in ensuring that the SRC goals are met. The deputy secretary also takes down the minutes of meetings and is responsible for making sure that the minutes are reported to the public.

Treasurer The treasurer oversees the general finances within the SRC and is responsible for financial planning as well as financial reporting. The treasurer also oversees fundraising.

Facilities safety and security This portfolio is responsible for promoting student safety and works closely with campus security. This portfolio also addresses students’ concerns regarding transportation issues to and from campus.

Marketing, media and communications This portfolio is responsible for the SRC uniforms, SRC website maintenance and the promotion of SRC activities and events.

This portfolio is for the SRC brand and image.

Postgraduate and international students This two-part portfolio deals with issues relating to postgraduate and international students. It is responsible for ensuring the successful registration of international students. It also assists international students with medical aid applications and other challenges that may prevent them from becoming UP students.

This portfolio also assists postgraduate students in applying for research funds and other issues that apply specifically to them.

Day students and external campus affairs This portfolio is responsible for addressing the concerns of students that are on external campuses such as Mamelodi, Prinshof and Groenkloof campus. It also ensures that there are projects and events which include day students and make them feel part of student life.

Societies This portfolio is responsible for ensuring that all the societies on campus are registered. This portfolio attends to the needs of the societies and ensures that registered societies receive funding and the resources they may require.

Transformation and student success This portfolio is responsible for the needs of disabled students and students that stay in private accommodation. It is also responsible for transformation issues such as promotion of languages.

Study finance This portfolio is responsible for assisting students with financial challenges. It is the link between the university finance department and the students. It is responsible for ensuring that the SRC study aid fund caters for the students’ needs.

17 January 2015

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News

17 January 2015

Student Support Services at Tuks KEEGAN FRANCES AND GABRIELLA FERREIRA Adjusting to university life at first-year level is often a daunting challenge, especially with assignments that need to be completed and semester tests that need to be studied for each week (not to mention the non-academic stresses involved when adjusting to university life as a first-year student). Luckily, Tuks has many organisations on campus to help students cope with the stress of university life.

One of the first issues you may have to deal with as a new student at Tuks is finding out exactly where everything is.

Campus is a very big place with many buildings that all seem to look the same at first glance. Even if you have a map showing you exactly where to go, it won’t necessarily help you if you don’t know where you should go. Thus, in order to make the transition just a little bit easier, Perdeby has compiled a guide to some of the important buildings on campus and some of the services they offer.

available for consultation about issues concerning disability and accessibility. The unit is in the middle of Main campus right next to the Kiosk in the Old Chemistry building in room 1-4. The unit can be contacted on 012 420 2064. Students can also send an email to the unit at: du@up.ac.za. For more information see their website at www.du.up.ac.za.

in the centre of Hatfield campus and is often used by various groups such as businesses, political parties and societies to promote products or ideas. It is very common to see large groups surrounding the area. The Student Centre is also inhabited by various stores where you can purchase stationary, textbooks, food or even book flights.

Merensky library. Photo: Hendro van der Merwe

Merensky Library It is very important to have fun while attending university, but at the same time you should never forget the reason for being here, which is obviously to study. The Merensky library is the biggest library at Tuks and is situated next to the Humanities building.

Depending on your degree and which campus you are situated on, most of the resources required for completing assignments, tests and exams should be available here.

If you need a place to study that is on campus, there are study stations available for use at any time in the library. There are also discussion rooms which need to be booked in advance to work on group assignments and a Xerox room where photocopies of reserved books may be made.

Student Health Services. Photo: Hendro van der Merwe

Student Health Services (SHS) The SHS was started by doctors in 1974 under the DSA and was under the control of the Department of Family Medicine. In 1976 the organisation was allowed to function independently and was integrated with the Student Service bureau. Currently the services offered by SHS include the provision of primary healthcare, health education and promotion, the screening for and monitoring of chronic conditions, and HIV/ AIDS counselling and testing (VCT). There is also a reproduction clinic which specialises in family planning and women’s health, as well as a doctor’s clinic. It is important to note that confidentiality is maintained should students want to utilise these services. The SHS’ base of operations is located on Main campus in the SHS Building on Roper Street opposite the Roosmaryn building. Student Health Services can be contacted on 012 420 2500. In case of an emergency they can be contacted on 012 420 2310.

Client Service Centre. Photo: Hendro van der Merwe

Client Services Centre (CSC) The CSC building is probably the easiest building to find as it is located directly in front of the main entrance of the Hatfield (Main) campus. If you have any questions or problems related to residence enquiries, applications to study, payments, student accounts, financial aid, access cards, parking, available student jobs, course consultation or any other general enquiries it would be best to visit the CSC building. If you are not on campus or in Pretoria you can still get in contact with client services by calling 012 420 4111.

Student Support. Photo: Hendro van der Merwe

Student Support Division The Student Support Division is a part of the DSA. This division deals with student counselling and offers services such as psychometric testing, career planning, education about study methods, stress handling, personal empowerment, the cultivation of life skills, trauma counselling and developing relationship skills. All of these services are free of charge for all registered students of Tuks and confidentiality is guaranteed. Students who need trauma counselling after hours can call the toll-free 24-hour crisis line on 0800 006 428. The division is located on Main campus in the Student Center building across from Pie City, which is in the Piazza area. Their office hours are from 07:30 to 16:00. During office hours the division can be contacted on 012 420 2333. Outside of office hours the division can be contacted on 012 420 2310/2760. Alternatively, an email can be sent to the division at: ethel.motlhamme@up.ac.za.

Student Disability Unit. Photo: Hendro van der Merwe

Student Disability Unit The Student Disability Unit is a part of the Department of Student Affairs (DSA) and was founded in 2003 following the students expressing a need for such a centre to the university management in 2002.

The services offered by the unit include computer labs with assistive software installed to predominantly assist visually impaired students. Other services include arrangements for extra time on tests and exams for all students who present a medical report of proof of disability, and testing venues for examination purposes, primarily for students who need the aid of scribes. The unit will also scan reading material and convert it into accessible electronic formats which will be saved to one of the “talking” computers in the disability unit. This is to aid visually impaired students with the studying of their course material.

The unit employs full-time disability officers who are

Student Centre. Photo: Hendro van der Merwe

Student Centre There is always something going on at university, and it is almost always at the Student Centre. The Student Centre is situated

Centre for the Study of Aids. Photo: Brendan Fraser

Centre for the Study of Aids (CSA): The centre was founded in 1999 by Mary Crew. It is the only organisation that operates independantly on the university grounds. The CSA’s mission statement is to provide services for students and information about HIV and AIDS. In 2015 this mission statement will change to also focus on sexual health and wellbeing, which includes giving advice on how to deal with unwanted pregnancies. Services offered by the CSA include a voluntary nine week entry level internship program. Upon completion of this internship students will be able to volunteer in one of the centre’s two programmes: a community outreach programme and an education and awareness programme that is aimed at creating awareness about HIV and AIDS. Other programmes which students can volunteer in are: expression (the writing team for the centre), HIV counselling (which includes being in charge of the HIV testing offered by the CSA on campus) or becoming members of the CSA’s trainers programme.

The centre is located on Main campus above Oom Gert’s on the second floor of the Huis en Hart building. Students can contact the centre on 012 420 4391, or alternatively on 012 420 5876.

The centre can be emailed at: csa@up.ac.za. There is also a website that can be viewed at www.csa.za.org.

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Political organisations and their aims for 2015 JODY DAVISON Before joining a political party or voting in the annual student parliament election, all students should know the core beliefs and aims of the political party they’re voting for. Perdeby has compiled an outline of the prominent political parties and organizations at Tuks.

AfriForum Youth AfriForum is a political organisation founded on Christian principles. AfriForum is against quota systems based on race or gender and any interference in education. The organisation promotes mother tongue education and aims to protect student traditions. Weirner Beineke, the deputy chairperson, identified Tuks’ biggest issue as: “UP management’s total disregard for students’ opinions and the constant attack on healthy student traditions”. Beineke told Perdeby that AfriForum would use their stand on the SRC to “protect student traditions and, if necessary, privatise events like the planned Pot en Pons in February and the annual Lentedag”.

African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) The ANCYL believes in non-racism, nonsexism and democracy. The party fights for free and quality education. The South African Students Congress (Sasco), the Congress of South African Students (Cosas) and the Youth Communist League of South Africa (YCLSA) are political structures associated with the ANCYL. Chairperson Milisa Mbete recognised “funding, accommodation, registration and

Illustration: Jaco Stroebel

academic exclusions” as UP’s problems for 2015. The party’s concern is the National Student Financal Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding and they address this issue through the Right to Learn Campaign, which is designed to assist students with financial difficulties. Mbete told Perdeby that the ANCYL’s aim for 2015 is to “ensure that the ANCYL uses every avenue to fight for the rights of students on campus”.

South African Students Congress (Sasco) Sasco is a political organisation concerned with African and working class leadership, democracy, non-racism and non-sexism.

Rendani Maphalapathwa, secretary of the organisation, identified UP’s problems as being food and book prices, limitations of political organisations, racial tensions, financial exclusion, residence placements and NSFAS. In

2014 they implemented the NSFAS scanning document campaign to help students upload documents for NSFAS 2015 applications.

Overall, Sasco’s aim for 2015 is to build a vibrant organisation that embraces all cultures and unites students.

Democratic Alliance Student Organisation (Daso) Daso is a political party that stands for student rights. The party is committed to equal opportunities for all. Adrian Eckard, the party’s secretary, recognised UP’s setbacks for 2015 as financial exclusion and the university’s refusal to endorse bus systems. Eckard told Perdeby that Daso would address these issues through their involvement in the SRC. The idea is to approach management so that they can listen to student frustrations and proposals so that the same problems will not continue.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) The EFF Tuks branch was launched in March 2014. The party’s core belief is equality with regard to education, race and gender. Jaco Oelofse, secretary of Tuks EFF, identified institutionalised racism and sexism, the financial exclusion of working class students and the continued corporatisation of public education as Tuks’ problems for 2015. The EFF plans to address the issue of race through a joint campaign with the Anti-Racism Forum to educate people on racism. Oelofse told Perdeby that the EFF would also continue their campaign against the AfriForum majority in the SRC.

Welcome message from Professor Cheryl de la Rey

Vice-Chancellor and Principal be life-changing as the holistic educational experience provided by UP will provide a strong foundation for a successful future career.

At UP we are serious about academic excellence and we set high standards. We are equally serious about our commitment to educating responsible, well-rounded citizens and leaders who are expected to make a positive contribution to our changing society.

In addition to a wide range of academic courses, UP offers numerous opportunities to participate in community service, sport, arts and cultural activities.

A

t the beginning of the 2015 academic year, it is my pleasure to extend a very warm welcome to the University of Pretoria (UP) to all our new students.

Your decision to enrol at one of South Africa’s leading universities will prove to

As a Tukkie, you are now part of a diverse, dynamic academic community. The UP community includes students from all over South Africa – all languages, ethnicities, religions – we are proud to count among our midst a growing number of international students, representing 113 different countries. As a student in our diverse environment you have a unique opportunity to meet new people, learn from others,

make new friends and form a network of support that could last a lifetime. As a community we subscribe to a common set of values such as respect, fairness, truth and integrity. No form of discrimination, harassment or violence of any kind will be tolerated. We strive to create an enabling environment in which each student is valued and may develop to their full potential.

High quality infrastructure, academic support systems such as tutorial and mentoring programmes, as well as a range of student services are available, in addition to the formal curriculum, to help you achieve success in your studies and a sense of wellbeing.

I encourage you to use your time at UP wisely, and you will have created a strong foundation for your future success, wherever life’s pathways may lead.

Professor Cheryl de la Rey Vice-Chancellor and Principal

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Living at Tuks: know your residences BUSISIWE BEJE Being a res student enables you to engage in the fun-filled activities that form a huge part of Tuks culture.

There are twenty-two residences for full time students.

Residence students can participate in activities on behalf of their res.

Ladies residences: Inca First years: Bugsters Mascot: Ladybug named Libby Colour: Blue and white Lilium First years: Geitjies Mascot: A gecko named Apetielie Colour: Turquoise Zinnia First years: Pixies Mascot: A fairy called Tinkerbell Colour: Orange Curlitzia First year: Kloekies Mascot: A chicken named Gullas Colour: Gold Asterhof First year: Sterretjies Mascot: A giraffe named Giraster Colour: Blue Erika First years: Jarre Mascot: A unicorn Colour: Purple Jasmyn First year: Slurpies Mascot: An elephant named Nymsaj Colour: Red Katjiepiering First year: Skerwe Mascot: A cat named Ogies Colour: Maroon Klaradyn First year: Welpies Mascot: Two lions called Cleo and Patra Colour: Yellow Madelief First year: Knolle Mascot: A cat named Charisma Colour: Green

Magrietjie First year: Spikkels Mascot: Maergietjie Colour: Pink Nerina First year: Spriete Mascot: Nika Colour: Blue

Men residences Kiaat First years: Cubs Mascot: A tiger named Oats Colour: Black and yellow Olympus First year: Kuikens Mascot: A falcon named Mercury Colour: Maroon Boekenhout First year: Ysters Mascot: An Eiffel tower Colour: Navy blue Kollege First year: Vremies Mascot: Sarge Bourke Colour: Black and white Maroela First year: Jarre Mascot: A maroela fruit named Marools Colour: Orange and black Mopanie First year: Peppies Mascot: A worm named El Torro Colour: Light blue Olienthout First year: Houte Mascot: A rhino named Rodney Colour: Grey, black, white and red Taaibos First year: Brakke Mascot: A dog named Oupa Rokkit Colour: Red Sonop First year: Ienk Mascot: Garibaldi Colour: Navy blue Mixed first year residences: Tuks Naledi First year: Speckles

Serrie Finalists Sonop (Top) and Curlitzia (Bottom) perform for the masses. Photo:: Kirsty Mackay

Mascot: Speckie Colour: Beige Day houses: Vividus Men First Year: Navy blue, white and black.

Mascot: Don’t have a mascot because they can’t put all their values into one thing.

Colour: Nergies Vividus Ladies First Year: Nita’s Mascot: A phoenix called Lady Aspiros Colour: Light blue, black, white and silver Luminous First Year: Lightweights Mascot: Griffin Colour: Red, black and gold

Staying at a private accommodation does not necessarily shut you out from partaking in these activities but it merely means that you have to be part of a certain day house to have the opportunity to engage in them. Vividus Men, Vividus Ladies and Luminous are all great options. Day houses are a superb way to meet other students and will ensure that you get to experience socials and events. The traditional activities that residences engage in are: Ienkmelodienk An event hosted in Welcoming week in which first-years compete against one another by singing and dancing. Each performance runs in accordance to a theme chosen by the residence.

Reach Out and Give (RAG) RAG is about the less fortunate and raising funds for charity.

In the beginning of the year each ladies residences is paired up with a mens residence to build a float. These floats are paraded for the public and later dismantled to form part of the residence’s individual charity initiatives.

Serenade This is an acapella singing competition between the residences.

Only 20 people are chosen to represent their residence in serenade. The performance revolves around a theme choesn by the vocal group.

Serrie This performance includes singing and dancing according to a theme chosen by the residence. There are two nights of prelims, one for the ladies and the other for the men, during which residences rotate from venue to venue in order to be judged.

Finalists are then chosen to perform at the finals.

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Banners

Toga day/ Rofti

Joolpak

Clockwise from top left: Old Kollege building; Kollege’s arch and centenary exective committee; Kollege’s Roman bath, better known as the Orgbad; Sarge Rofti; residents on Toga Day; residents in their joolpakke; the centenary banners; Kollege do not do anything for anyone other than themselves, including Serrie, which are notorious for their wit and unorthodox nature.

Kollege celebrates their centenary DYLAN FLOWERDAY Brief history of Kollege Kollege is the oldest residence at Tuks and they are celebrating their centenary this year.

The first building where Kollege students resided was in “Ou Kollege”, which can be seen next to the Aula grass. Kollege got its name from being referred to as “the hostel at the College”.

Kollege moved to its current location on the LC de Villiers campus in 1960. In 1982 it officially became a Republic due to outsiders wanting to “reject [the] unique culture of Kollegetehuis”, says 2015 state president Greg Lavagna.

Kollege has contributed to several elements of Tuks culture, including the university anthem, the university’s coat of arms, the Tuks rugby jersey, the term ienk (Inwondende Eerste-jaar Nie Kollegeman), the university mascot Oom Gert, the creation of Rag and serrie, and even Perdeby.

Kollege and female residences Kollege has also contributed mascots to many of the ladies’ residences. Asterhof obtained Giraster, their giraffe mascot, after Kollege students used a statue of a giraffe to poke Jasmyn 50 year feesjaar Jasmyn is a female residence on the Hatfield campus. It was established in 1965 by “Die Fant”, which was the first ladies’ residence at Tuks. Jasmyn’s mascot is an elephant named Nymsaj. All the ladies in the residence are called Jasters. They take great pride in their “Red Monday”, where all the ladies wear their residence colours of red and navy. They have a formal and informal meeting once a semester where they name the “Boks” (the boy who did something silly involving a Jaster), “Knol” (the Jaster who did something silly), “Trouman” (the boy who did something sweet for a Jaster) and “Jaster” (the Jaster that did something that made the whole house proud of her) of the quarter.

inside their windows to scare and annoy the ladies. Klaradyn obtained their first two lions after Kollege “aquired” them and gave them to the ladies in 1969, after which Kollege gave them a lion every feesjaar. In that same year Erika was presented with their mascot of a unicorn by Kollege students when they kidnapped the primaria, which the Erika ladies were not too pleased with. Madelief’s mascot, which is based on the cartoon character Garfield, is named Charisma and has been set on fire by Kollege twice.

Oom Gert Oom Gert was known as Oom Paul until 1932 and was stolen by Kollege and Sonop students. During his stay at UP he suffered several abductions, a fractured skull, and an amputation of the arm. Because of the raids becoming increasingly violent, the committee of 1945 decided the victor of Rag would have the rights to Oom Gert, which resulted in Sonop keeping him. Kollege and Sonop have now resurrected the tradition where Sonop encircle Oom Gert and Kollege surrounds them. Sonop then sings their house song and Kollege sings the Gheibalt, a traditional song of theirs. Thereafter the president of Kollege presents a letter addressed to Oom Gert’s

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mother.

Stories of Kollege The Toga Day tradition started as a protest against one of the rules instituted by the university where everyone had to wear suits. In response, Kollege students took some of their own bed sheets and made togas out of them.

Now every year on that day Kollege students and oumanne wear their togas and sing the house song on the Aula grass in front of Ou Kollege where they used to fly the residence flag.

Kollege has always been seen as a mischievous residence. During a rugby game on Loftus Versveld, two Kollege students lubricated a pig named Oscar and let him loose on the field. The students were later expelled from the university after the story exploded in the media. Another pig-related story is of the time when discussions of closing the beer gardens (now clubhouses) were underway and Kollege students took the resident pig, Spiesang, along to the meeting. They then pulled on his tail, which resulted in so much noise that the meeting had to be concluded.

The centenary year Everything Kollege does is done for the Republic first. This can be seen by how they

100 year residences Wilgenhof is a residence at the University of Stellenbosch which was established in 1903.

It obtained its name from the many willow trees on the property. In 2003 more than a thousand people attended its celebrations.

The oldest men’s residence in the country is the College House residence of the University of Cape Town (UCT), formerly the South African College, which was established in 1887.

approach their Serrie performances, where they have come last in the past two years but have done so in such a way as to never be forgotten. Kollege joolpakke are black and white. According to them, this is because the university started using Kollege’s original colours of blue, red and gold stripes. In typical fashion, Kollege did not want to use the same colours as the university and instead decided to go with no colour at all, black and white.

They are painted by the residents in their second year to show their unique personalities and to unite the students by doing something distinctly Kollege. These joolpakke are not replaced, instead being worn each and every year. Lavagna says, “We all want them to be linked by something Kollege but in the same [way] we don’t want to make clones.”

Kollege is looking on to their hundredth year with the same principle of always having the ability to change as the rules change. Due to the significance of the Aula grass, Kollege is planning to have their feesdinee there.

They also have events involving the oumanne planned (such as a golf day) and the feesjaar logo, banners and t-shirts have been designed.

Feesjaar duties have been included in two EC’s duties instead of the usual one.

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Student participation: how to get involved CRAIG HORMANN AND MAGGIE ROODT University can be daunting and it functions at a completely different pace compared to when you were in school, so you’ll find yourself faced with many new things. If not, maybe you should consider getting involved in something.

You cannot study all the time: there is this thing called burning out. There are many opportunities to get involved as a Tuks student, and this could help you to balance work and play. Tuks has a wide range of things to keep you from staring at the wall of your room after you have been cramming for a test. There are five main service providers available to students at Tuks.

Student Culture, otherwise known as Stuku, is the heart of cultural activities at Tuks. Stuku is a service provider that promotes and appreciates the diversity at Tuks. They facilitate various activities where students can showcase their unique talents and express themselves culturally through events such as Tuks Has Got Talent, Tuks Dance-Off, Tuks Idols, and debates that are held throughout the year. According to Thandeka Mogoerane, the 2015 Stuku SRC representative, “Stuku is a very fun platform that gives a holistic experience of university life.

We at Stuku are highly committed in giving this experience to all students.” It is mainly residence students that take part in the major events of Stuku, but all students are welcome to join a day house to be able to express their creative side and to learn more about other cultures through this platform.

TuksSport is the sport department of Tuks. Students who study sport participate in their available programmes but they are also open to volunteers. TuksSport is located on the Sport campus on South Street. Their facilities include indoor sport halls, heated swimming pools, five cricket ovals, six rugby fields, a golf driving range and short course, seven squash courts, two climbing walls and even an archery range. There are also clubs you can join such as waterpolo, lifesaving, judo, gymnastics and fencing. A comprehensive list of the available clubs is available on the Tuks website.

With an average of 50 000 listeners, Tuks FM is your new best friend. They cater to many different and alternative tastes with a great variety of shows, such as the Dark Side for lovers of heavy music, Alt La Femme for all things girl-related, and The Man Cave for the guys out there. Tuks FM has also been the winner of the MTN Radio Awards best campus station of the year award for three consecutive years. The students that work at Tuks FM do

Image: Johann van Tonder

so on a voluntary basis and they receive about 600 applications annually. As a Tuks student, you can also apply to become part of the Tuks FM team. Prominent figures that have their roots at Tuks FM include Gareth Cliff, Rob Forbes and Grant Nash.

Another service provider available to you is Perdeby, the official student newspaper of Tuks. Perdeby is the biggest student newspaper in South Africa and is also the only student newspaper that distributes on a weekly basis. Perdeby publishes 10 000 copies every week and has a readership of 30 000 students. There are approximately 95 Tuks students who work at Perdeby on a voluntary basis and applications for new staff open twice a year.

TuksRag (short for Reach out and Give) is a non-profit platform where students can give back and empower less fortunate communities. The main events of TuksRag include the Rag procession in the beginning of the year and various community engagement opportunities throughout the year.

TuksRag has undergone a massive change to align themselves with the university’s 2025 plan, yet there are more than enough opportunities for you to get involved in community projects.

Last but not least are the societies of Tuks. From the winetime people who enjoy a good merlot and the people doing

yoga on the Aula grass in the early morning to the people who sit in a circle in hippy clothes singing calmly as they play their mini piano-organs, societies are a great way to relieve stress and grow friendships that will last longer than your degree programme. With 140 different societies registered at Tuks, you can take your pick. “I think societies are an important part of student culture especially for those students who don’t belong to a residence,” says Matshepo Tladi, the societies SRC member for 2014, who added, “It gives [the students] the opportunity to meet new people and develop themselves in other ways besides just the academics.”

Tladi stated that she thinks it is important as a student, whether first-year or not, to be involved in something other than academics, simply because that is an opportunity for you to develop yourself and to teach yourself some of life’s greatest lessons. The working world is very real and it needs people who are not just book smart but who are able to work with other people and apply other skills to problems which perhaps can’t be learnt in a lecture hall.

Go out and join a society, show your artistic side, help the less fortunate, and, above all, balance your studies. After all, diversity is the spice of life.

10 untold Tuks secrets: your master key to Main campus JARED DE CANHA A student’s first year is overwhelming enough as it is, and thus having an understanding of how to navigate campus can make all the difference when it comes to surviving your first year of studies.

Main campus at Tuks has a number of hidden gems which will brighten up the first year experience.

The best sandwich on campus As far as sandwiches go, perhaps the best sandwiches on campus can be found at the kiosk on the ground floor of the Law building.

They are freshly prepared on a daily basis, affordable and an absolute treat after a long day of lectures.

The best way to keep in the loop If you suffer from FOMO, then it is imperative that you keep your eyes fixed on the design wall situated near the Chancellor’s building for any major events scheduled on the 2015 social calendar. This wall is updated on a regular basis by people on campus who inform students of upcoming events by painting adverts onto the wall.

Anyone is welcome to paint on this wall.

The best hangout spots on campus Main campus is similar to Game of Thrones because most students recognise the existence of an upper and lower kingdom. In the upper part of campus, which is dominated by law, business and humanities students, there is no better place to hangout than Oom Gert’s. This hangout spot is renowned for its hospitality, food and carefree atmosphere and is definitely worth visiting if you find yourself nearby. In the lower part of campus, aspiring architects, scientists and engineers rule the roost and flock to Tribeca to hangout. Tribeca is known for its pizza, coffee and view of lower campus and is worth making the trip for.

The best bathrooms on campus Being on-the-go all day leaves very little time for going to the bathroom, let alone taking time out to find one. This is why it is important to keep bathrooms in mind that are central to where you have classes during the day. If you find yourself on the upper end of campus, aim for the bathrooms opposite the law auditorium in the law building. If you are in the middle of campus, the bathrooms on the outside of Kloostersaal opposite the chapel are your best bet.

The lower end of campus has bathrooms underneath the engineering building which are also convenient. While there are countless other options across campus, the above-mentioned bathrooms are the easiest to locate and very spacious.

The best way to exhibit varsity pride Varsity pride usually comes into full display during the Varsity Cup and this is something you can look forward to. Dressing the part is very important to some students, and this is why visiting the

Photo: Charlotte Bastiaanse

Wannabee stores located underneath the engineering building on lower campus and next to Oom Gert’s on upper campus are vital.

Red Varsity Cup shirts can also be purchased at the beginning of the year and litter campus on the Monday of a Tuks game.

The best place to meet people The grass patches outside the Humanities building act as the equivalent to the beach in Cape Town and they are the best places to meet new people. You can sit down in between your classes and familiarise yourself with your fellow students.

The best place to hide out When you reach your socialising limit and need a place to prepare for a test, there is no better place than the 24-hour section of the Merensky library. This section of the library has been designed to facilitate the peculiar hours of students and is the ideal place to finish work without the distractions of roommates, friends and parties. This area can be found by turning left once entering the library.

The most affordable meals Some of the most affordable meals on campus can be found in the Piazza where a number of specials and combos ensure that your rand is stretched successfully. Alternatively, a stop at Kung Fu Kitchen just outside campus, which is a rite of passage for any Tuks student, guarantees a delicious and generously portioned meal which will definitely be good value for money.

The trick to transport Trying to find parking on Main campus is almost as difficult as trying to find an available seat during the first week of classes. This is why utilising the Park and Ride system, situated on the LC de

Villiers Sport campus, is advisable for any students who travel to varsity by car. Once you have parked your car, a bus departs every 15 minutes between the Sport campus and the Centenary building situated on Main campus. This service is free of charge and is available to students on weekdays from 7:00 until 17:00. The only requirement to use the system is a valid student card.

The strongest Wi-Fi signal on campus Wi-Fi technology has become an integral part of our social as well as academic lives and thus it is important to keep in mind where these hotspot zones are on campus. The strongest signal on campus can be found inside the Client Services Centre (CSC) situated at the base of the Humanities building. However, if exhibiting antisocial behaviour in front of the university’s administrative department is not your scene, there are other zones which are ready to connect you. If you are fortunate enough to spend time in the engineering, music or law buildings, take advantage of the strong Wi-Fi signals which span across the length and breadth of these faculties. Another swift spot to connect to is situated inside the food court at the Piazza. However, the best kept secret with regards to Wi-Fi is hidden in the “dungeon” floor of the Humanities building. Previously, venturing into the underground world of the Humanities building to attend a class was a risky business for socialites because of the lack of reception.

Thankfully, after the renovation of the dreaded ground floor took place and a resilient Wi-Fi router was installed, the trip has become much more convenient.

Hopefully these campus secrets will play a role in your adaptation to varsity life.

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17 January 2014

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The problem with drinking and driving is the mourning after CINDY FRIEDMAN She positively glistens under your tender caress and responds sensitively to your every touch.

She never judges you, she tolerates your taste in music, she’s exhilarating and provides a welcome escape. At about 1 200kgs she is slightly overweight but, nevertheless, she is your pride and joy and beautiful in your eyes.

The perfect mistress whose arms sadly become the final resting place for many. Your car. Friend or foe?

It’s time to dispel the myth that teenagers entering varsity are invincible, immortal and bullet-proof. Goodyear SA’s group brand manager Lize Hayward says that cautionary driving and obedience of the rules of the road are traits sorely lacking in the on-road mindset of South Africa’s young drivers. A Goodyear survey showed that many young drivers admitted to speeding and intentionally disobeying traffic signals and signs. 42% said they didn’t bother to use indicators and took corners too fast, 83% said they sped up at orange traffic lights and 24% admitted to jumping red lights.

According to Drive Alive’s circular regarding crashes involving alcohol, speeding and carrying of passengers, young adults are about 20 times more likely to be involved in accidents due to these factors than middle aged adults.

It says that teens lack mature judgement, are easily distracted, impulsive and have a low rate of seatbelt usage.

Simulation driving company SimDrive insists that there is a serious need to change the way novice drivers are educated and trained as one can’t just change the mindset of an entire generation overnight. Not only are lives at stake, but the South African Insurance Association says we have a situation in this country where only 65% of the 10 million motorists on the road are insured. In other words, two out of three cars involved in a

Illustration: Brandon Dlamini

collision will not be insured. Road accidents cost the South African economy as much as R300 billion per year. The cost of vehicle insurance for people under 25 is considerably higher, resulting in the need for insurance companies like Hollard Insurance to package specific plans for under 25s as they are such a high risk group. Young male drivers are considered the highest risk.

The death rate of young South African drivers is at least five times higher than that of older people. This is a tough dose of reality to face, especially since many young people dream of being able to drive as well as drink legally.

When those car keys are handed over and the bags are packed for that alluring independence

which comes with being away from home, the sense of freedom can be quite intoxicating but the loss of a friend due to drunk driving is a memory nobody needs or wants.

The legal alcohol limit when driving is 0.05g per 100ml of blood and trials on students show that both male and female students exceeded this limit after two beers, with factors such as food, medication and the water content in your organs determining your alcohol uptake.

There are a number of plans that can be made to ensure no one drives while drunk. Take turns among friends to be the designated driver. Set up a buddy system and look out for each other.

If nobody wants to be considered a party pooper and be the designated driver, there are

other options available to you. These options include downloading the Uber app on your smartphone. The Uber service is a wonderful alternative to the traditional taxi option. The app allows you to book a cab and track where it is until it gets to you. The beauty of it is that when you open the app your credit card details are entered so no cash needs to change hands. From a safety point of view, drivers are thoroughly screened and constantly monitored.

There are also other take-me-home services such as Smart Guyz (0861 SMART/0861 762 786) and Road Trip (087 943 8671) that will get both you and your own car home, should this be necessary. If you are fortunate enough to be a Discovery member you can get as much as 25% off the standard fee of all three services.

Other good options are Cabs For Women, who employ female drivers only (0861 777 778), and Buddy’s Designated Drivers (0861 283 397). The cost of using these services will far outweigh the cost of the loss of a vehicle or worse, a life.

Use seatbelts, as they reduce the chances of death or serious injury by up to 75% according to the Automobile Association of SA and a Bridgestone backed Committee for Active Road Safety (CARS). Frightening statistics show that only 64% of drivers buckle up. Remember that speed limits are applied for a reason. Even impaired drivers can avoid serious injury at lower speeds as proven in France after speed limits were rigorously enforced. For added peace of mind, consider becoming an AA member (081 000 234) because from as little as R41.50 a month there are benefits ranging from roadside assistance to towing and locksmith services.

It’s time to start contributing towards positive statistics. Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.

Be a confident driver but not an arrogant driver.

Enjoy your newfound freedom but don’t abuse it. Make good memories. Party hard. Study even harder. Be kind to yourself and buckle up.

Spot the differences between a class and a lecture hall

Photo: Brendan Fraser

NAISARGI PATEL The transition from a school environment to university is certainly challenging. It can be difficult adjusting to a new study environment and getting to know the different kinds of people that you will meet. Whether it is academics or the social environment, it is important to have an informed and advantageous transition.

Class sizes at university are significantly bigger when compared to high school. Due to the large number of students there is a decrease in the level of individual attention per student.

Carisha Moorcroft, a second-year accounting sciences student says that lecture halls were about 75% full in her course in 2014 when compared to her first year of study in 2013.

“There weren’t enough seats for everyone, especially in economics. It does affect the learning experience because when [lecture halls] are too full, you can’t see over people or listen properly. You also can’t see the presentation because you have to sit far away,” says Moorcroft.

UP has a “100% for 50%” campaign. This campaign aims to promote that a lecturer and a student are each 100% responsible for their 50% share in the student-lecturer relationship.

In order to assist students with their individual queries, lecturers have scheduled consultation times every week during which students can consult with them about their questions on a one-onone basis.

A meeting outside normal consulting hours can also be arranged with a lecturer to discuss any problems relating to the study material. First-year biological and agricultural sciences student Robert Price says, “Lecturers are often quite helpful. I have contacted lecturers over email and they have answered.” Price recommends

“

that, in his experience, students should consult with their lecturers as they “see the dedication in students and they often give tips”.

A student-centred teaching approach is mostly taken in lectures. Students are expected to prepare for each lecture in advance. The goal is to make sure that students have a basic knowledge of the topic being taught before the lecture commences in order to derive maximum benefit from the actual lecture.

In order to enforce preparation, many modules have online multiple choice quizzes which test basic knowledge and count towards the final mark at the end of the year.

These tests are usually per topic or chapter which have to be completed before the lecture

There weren’t enough seats for everyone, especially in economics

”

on that learning area. Short and random class tests can also be taken before the beginning of a lecture to test whether students have prepared for the class.

Each lecturer has their own approach when it comes to presenting a lecture. Many use Powerpoint presentations and some use videos.

According to Moorcroft, “Most of the lecturers give you an overall picture and you have to go into detail by yourself. They try to be interactive by asking questions.” Going into detail on your own would entail a lot of self-study.

Tuks has a large number of international students, which increases the chance of meeting people of many cultures and from various backgrounds. Price says, “I have met one person in my class [who is] from America. It is interesting talking to her about varsity culture that is different. People at Tuks are a lot more open. She saw that as a big difference.” Price believes that it is easier to meet new people at university than at school as your interests and goals are often similar to the people in your course and many people in the same courses are like-minded.

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> Features

17 January 2015

Photo: Brendan Fraser

Budgeting: your new best friend TIJANA SAKOTA First-year students consider many aspects of their new lives when entering into the independence of starting at varsity.

What subject modules should they choose? How does their timetable work? How do they even find their classes? It is a time when self-reliance and instinct kick in. Whether they are prepared or not, university life does not wait. Students do, however, possess the power to take the reins of a student budget.

Financial writer James David Weinroth, in an article published on GetRichSlowly.org, discusses steps to plan and incorporate the perfect budget into a time-consuming and demanding lifestyle, such as that of a student. Weinroth swears by his “Four rules of budgeting”. Firstly, he suggests that budgeting is only a target. Spending will not be exact in the beginning stages of a budget. You must learn to achieve a perfect balance of money by trying to reach this target. Tumi Msiza, a second-year financial science student, says that “[he finds] it hard to stay within a budget...every student will know [a monthly allowance is] not enough.” Thus, Msiza encourages students to find a job, a potential contributor to combating the

initial budgeting battle.

Weinroth’s second rule discusses how decreasing major expenses, such as choosing affordable accommodation, allows more room for entertainment and “breathing-space” in a budget. He goes further to say that you should “make plans based on real life, not how [you] wish life would be.” This entails the realistic circumstances of student spending, such as weekly coffee dates and lunches with friends. If money is spent this way on a regular basis, it must be included in a budget, explains Weinroth. Lastly, Weinroth encourages students to maintain a simple budget. By keeping it simple, it is easy to track spending that works the same way as the spender.

Financial lecturer Elize Kirsten advises that there are many elements involved in a budget. Among these are determining your exact income, including savings into your budget, determining your expenses and dividing them into wants and needs and then ensuring that all expenses are covered by the income. Kirsten goes on to add that “When one of the elements change, go back to your budget and rework [it].”

The “Balanced Money Formula” set out by Elizabeth Warren and Amelia Warren Tyagi in the book All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan details how to divide expenses

in a budget, which is particularly significant in establishing a student budget. Expenses are divided into three categories: needs, savings, and wants. Needs consist of accommodation, health care, transportation, basic groceries and clothing.

Savings involve emergency savings and debt repayment. Wants include all the extras: television, cell phones, vacations and clothing beyond the basics.

The “Balanced Money Formula” divides 50% of an amount to be spent on needs, at least 20% on savings and the remainder of roughly 30% on wants. These are targets to aim for in order to feel comfortable spending within a budget and to ultimately reach financial balance.

Danielle Kruger, a first-year BA student, says that she prioritises university travel expenses, such as Gautrain fares and petrol. This form of transportation is considered an essential part of the need section of student budgets for those travelling to Pretoria from far.

By dividing expenses when establishing a budget, a student will begin to feel more independent, responsible and encouraged to apply their money where it matters. “[A budget] teaches [a student] discipline and frugality,” so be economical when spending on everyday needs, encourages Msiza.

Expectation vs. Reality: the real university experience

Image: Brandon Dlamini

KOJO ESSAH AND ELMARIE KRUGER University is said to be the best time of our lives. At least, that’s what we’ve been led to believe by music, television shows and movies. They tell us that varsity is a non-stop, party-filled, alcohol-induced thrill ride that lasts as long as our degree’s duration. The sad news however, is that this is not the big picture of university. Sure, a social life is a very important component of the university experience, but at the end of the day we’re all here to earn a degree. In truth, your university life is made up of a few elements: studying, socialising, sleep and for some, sport.

The catch is that you can only choose two of these to focus on.

Perdeby has dispelled some media myths about university life so that you don’t have to.The American Pie film series follows a group of friends as they navigate their way through teenage life, eventually ending up at university. American Pie Presents: Beta House follows Erik Stifler, a first-year at college who gets initiated into a fraternity house that is all about partying. This movie fails to acknowledge the most important part of university: attending lectures. It shows the viewer that you do not need to

attend your classes to get your degree, but this is not the case at university. At Tuks for instance, you may need to attend 80% of your lectures or you will not obtain exam entrance. Unless you’re friends with someone who attends class religiously and likes you enough to share their notes with you, your future will be as dull as the members of Geek House, the film’s antagonists.

Blue Mountain State is a television show that follows Alex Moran, a university student and second team quarter-back for their football team. The show illustrates his university career from his first-year as he encounters new people, trains with the football team and most importantly, parties with his frat mates.

The program paints drinking, sex, drug abuse and football as the most important aspects of university. All the sports players have their homework done by the school’s nerds. This eliminates the need for the so-called “jocks” to attend classes. University would be an amazing time if all we had to do to be guaranteed a degree was to join a sports team. Alas, this is only a fallacy, as sports players have a difficult time balancing their education with their sporting engagements. It is also a well-known fact that guzzling gallons of beer each night won’t do much for your sporting – or

academic – career. The second last thing on a hungover student’s mind is team sports. The last thing is attending a 07:30 lecture.

Asher Roth’s song, “I love college” talks about university as nothing but a location to have sex, party, get black-out drunk, and then do it all over again. If you try this process however, you are guaranteed to fail. This song also fails to acknowledge the educational side of university, regarding it as unimportant.

Education’s importance aside, the party lifestyle is sure to have you flat-out broke in no time. Nobody wants to phone their parents three weeks after leaving for university, only to have to explain to them that you gave all your money to a certain Mr Jack Daniels.

These are but a few examples of media perpetrators that seek to steer you away from getting the most out of university. Yes, going out and socialising is a great way to destress and keep yourself sane, but more important than that is to attend your lectures, do all your assignments and excel academically if you wish to obtain your degree. Unless of course you plan on becoming a professional student, in that case, party away. There’s always next year.

> Features

17 January 2015

13

Basic budget recipes for students SAVVA POUROULLIS So you’ve moved into your brand new flat or residence and hastily waved your family goodbye. You’re making small talk, finding out about mutual friends and rating the talent on display as it walks past your window.

Suddenly, an onset of hunger stops you in your tracks. You’re starving and your mom isn’t here to cook you a meal. You look to your new friends for help but they shrug back at you and everyone resorts to prying open tuna cans and heating up instant noodles. On that first night away from home you think to yourself, “This isn’t so bad. I could keep this up.” It is and you won’t.

Days later, after finishing the last pack of biltong your parents left with you and staring in

horror at the bill from your first takeaway meal, you sneak a glance at that strange contraption in the corner of the apartment. Circular, dull-grey plates of unknown function glare menacingly at you. An array of complex dials and buttons are laid out on the counter over a hot-box built into the wall. Isn’t that where cooked food comes from?

Leave your hunger and wariness at the door, young student, for these devices are not beyond your mastery nor are they beyond your budget.

There are so many cheap and easy ways to make a meal worthy of that place you call home that it’s really a crime not to learn a few of them. These are four easy recipes which are doable with basic kitchen equipment and require almost no expertise in the dark art of cooking.

Chicken roast, R40-45 per serving This meal is incredibly simple but yields amazing results. The final product looks like it took a great deal more work than it actually did, making it perfect for impressing your date or your envious, starving friends.

Ingredients 2-3 pieces chicken 1 potato 1 onion Spice, sauce or marinade of your choice Equipment Baking tray Oven Oven-roasting packet Sharp knife or scissors Oven mitten or cloth Instructions Remember to preheat the oven at about 180ºC for 10 minutes.

Cut your potato into four wedges and your onion into two halves.

Add the chicken into the packet, followed by the potatoes and onions.

Add your sauce/herbs/spice of choice.

Massage the contents of the packet to ensure the sauce is distributed evenly.

Tie the opening of the packet closed.

Put the packet on its side on the baking tray.

Ensure that the packet is low and won’t touch the element of the oven (the red glowing thing).

Poke or cut at least three slices or holes on the top of the packet, too high for liquid to seep through.

Place in the oven for 35-40 minutes. Make sure the oven temperature isn’t too high. Some packets tend to melt at temperatures over 200ºC and you don’t want plastic stains on your baking tray.

Adjust your sauce content and quantity next time until you achieve culinary perfection. If your roast is too watery for your liking, add a pinch of thickener to the packet with your sauce next time, but make sure it doesn’t all land on a piece of chicken or you’ll dry it out and leave the rest the way it was.

Photo: Kirsty Mackay

Spaghetti Bolognaise, R25-30 per serving One of the classics, this is something you should know how to cook regardless of your current diet status. It tastes great even if significant mistakes are made while cooking it, covers most of the important food groups and can be expanded with little effort to become a group serving.

Ingredients 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil 1 tablespoon of salt 100g of mince meat A handful of spaghetti (as much as you want, really) 1/2 a can of chopped tomatoes 1/2 an onion (or a whole onion) Tomato sauce Spice/herb of your choice (try mixed herbs or a little origanum) Equipment Stove Small pot Small saucepan Instructions Chop that onion. Shed manly tears.

Half-fill the pot with water, add a pinch of salt

and the oil and boil it.

Once boiling, add your spaghetti, bring the temperature down a bit and stir it occasionally. It should be ready in 11 to 14 minutes.

While boiling the water, put a little oil in the pan and leave it over a medium heat on the other plate. Add your mince immediately and break it up into bits.

As the mince starts browning, add the chopped tomatoes. Mix regularly. This is especially important if you have a cheap pan or a stove with uneven heating.

Keep mixing the mince for a while and add the chopped onion when the spaghetti is halffinished cooking.

When the spaghetti is finished cooking, drain the water and drop a serving onto your plate.

Make sure your mince is browned and add the tomato sauce. Now mix. Throw in some hot sauce if you’re into that, and if you want to thicken your mince or drain unwanted fluid, add some flour or Smash).

The mince can come off as soon as the spaghetti is ready on a plate.

Stir fry which can be turned into veggie spring rolls, by Savannah Plaskitt This stir fry/spring roll combo is a quaint dish which will wow your friends and make all veggie lovers worship the ground upon which you stand. This is a delicious vegetarian meal with an Asian edge.

Ingredients 1/6 cabbage 2 carrots 2 bell peppers 3-4 mushrooms 1/2 cup of broccoli Noodles (as many as you want) Sugar snap peas (as many as you want) 1 roll of phyllo pastry/spring roll wrap Soy sauce Equipment Big pan or wok Chopping board Sharp knife Wooden spoon or spatula Stove Instructions Finely slice all of your ingredients.

Heat the oil in a wok or large pan, with

enough oil to thinly coat the bottom of the pan/ wok.

If your noodles are ready-made, add them into the oil immediately, otherwise boil them for 3-4 minutes and then fry them for two minutes.

Add the vegetables to the wok with two tablespoons of soy sauce and continuously mix them for 2-3 minutes For the spring rolls: Allow the stir-fry to cool.

Cut the phyllo pastry into 15cm squares.

Spoon the stir-fry along one edge of the phyllo pastry, leaving an inch gap between the stir-fry and the edge.

Wet your finger and use it to wet the separated inch of pastry, then fold this tab over the stir-fry.

Wet the sides and fold them over the stir-fry as well.

Roll the rest of the pastry over the stir-fry.

Deep fry the spring rolls in oil until they are golden-brown and crispy.

This can be enjoyed with soy sauce or sweetchilli sauce.

Beer bread, by Nico Niehaus Everybody loves beer bread. Enough said.

Make this for your friends on a braai day and enjoy the popularity that follows.

Ingredients 500g self-rising flour 1 tin of sweet corn 1 pinch of salt Equipment Oven Bowl Muffin tray Toothpick

Instructions Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Mix all of the ingredients in the bowl and distribute them into the muffin tray.

Put the muffin tray in the oven for 45 minutes, or until you poke one of the muffins and no dough sticks to the toothpick.

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17 January 2015

Entertainment

Bucket list: festivals not to miss this year MICHAL-MARÉ LINDEN One of the cool things about university is having a huge class, which in turn means that no one really notices when you’re not there. This is ideal when you’re planning to go away for the weekend, especially for a festival. Some festivals ought to never be missed. Here are the festivals close to Pretoria that you should be seen at this year and every year onwards.

RAMfest RAMfest is ideal for any rock lover. The lineup consists of local bands and heavyweight international acts in rock genres ranging from commercial to post-hardcore and heavy metal.

Last year was the first three-day festival in the muddy fields of Bronkhorstspruit. Expect men in kilts, punks with purple mohawks and a necessity for Wellingtons.

Aardklop Set in Potchefstroom, drama and performance is the order of each day. Although the majority of the productions are presented in Afrikaans, the festival atmosphere and camping with friends is still a great experience and will prove to be an intriguing cultural education. Perfect for those studying the arts, festival-goers can expect productions of varying themes and production values.

Grietfest Annually, electro fans flock to the centre of Johannesburg for

a festival of growing notoriety. Top local DJs and international acts ensure that the surroundings constantly reverberate with bass beats for the whole Saturday.

Oppikoppi Probably the most well-known South African music festival, Oppikoppi attracts thousands of fans every year to camp in the dust and revel in the sweet sounds of local and international bands. The lineup is always eclectic and the festival-goers odd, relaxed and ready to party. This year is their 21st birthday, which seems a valid reason for the biggest party yet. rAge Nerds, gamers, cosplayers and gadget enthusiasts congregate each year to see the latest in technology, experience the latest games and participate in South Africa’s biggest LAN. A weekend event that encourages the inhabitation of the indoors is perfect for everyone ranging from infrequent The Sims players to hardcore gamers.

Hello Ambassador Technically not a festival but rather a creative conference, Hello Ambassador deserves a mention on this list. The conference attracts a multitude of creative individuals and professionals.

The weekend consists of a number of presentations by people in various creative fields that cover a wide range of topics.

There is also a design showcase and an after-party that offers an excellent lineup.

Jack Parow performing at Oppikoppi 2013. Photo: Hendro van der Merwe

Perdeby’s declassified festival survival guide ELMARIE KRUGER

An Oppikoppi festival-goer. Photo: Hendro van der Merwe

Tents, good food and great live music are just some of the things that epitomise a typical South African music festival. However, a blissful, music-filled getaway can quickly be transformed into a muddy, dusty, rainy or humid nightmare if you don’t arrive prepared. As luck would have it, Perdeby is a festival veteran and has assembled the ultimate guide to aid festival virgins in their ascent into the wondrous world of music events.

Firstly, it is incredibly important to keep in mind what time of year your festival of choice takes place. You don’t want to arrive with nothing but sundresses and flip-flops to a festival that occurs in winter. Oppikoppi generally takes place in August, meaning that this notoriously dusty festival also comes with wind, scorching hot days and freezing nights. If you don’t have a particularly warm sleeping bag, then an extra blanket or an oversized jersey might come in handy when you find yourself shivering in your tent at 04:00 (assuming that you aren’t still partying at the Red Bull stage, of course). An October festival like Rocking the Daisies, which takes place in the Western Cape, might not be as icy cold as Oppikoppi during the evenings, but a hoodie will always come in handy and closed shoes aren’t a bad idea either.

If you’re heading to a festival like RAMfest, gumboots are a necessity. You don’t want to be up to your waist in mud when you could be fending off the grime with a relatively cheap pair of imitation Wellingtons.

Hydration is vital. Take along a decent water bottle and as much water as you can, because once the sun decides to beat its almighty rays down on you, it will most likely also bless you

with a colossal thirst. Don’t try to quench this divine thirst with nothing but alcohol, though, as sunstroke and dehydration are nobody’s friends.

Speaking of the sun, dabbing some sunscreen on your face and shoulders is never a bad idea, because nobody wants a wifebeater tan. A pair of sunglasses might be handy too, but leave your expensive Ray-Bans at home since they might get lost or damaged. A pair of street vendor specials should serve you well, at least for the weekend.

Place your tent wisely. It might seem like a good idea to set up your campsite close to the footpath so that you don’t travel to Narnia and back trying to find it when you drunkenly stumble out of the concert area early in the morning. However, it will seem less so after the first person identifies your tent as the nearest and most convenient chunder spot. You also don’t want to wake up next to a random, hung-over stranger who mistook your tent for theirs the previous night, so setting up camp slightly away from the road is usually your best bet.

A first aid kit, wet-wipes, toilet paper, hand sanitiser and a willingness to relieve yourself in the bushes are a must for any weekend-long music festival. To avoid long queues for showers, slightly nauseating portable toilets, or walking to the bathrooms by yourself late at night, you need to be willing to really “rough it” unless you have an infinite amount of patience and an otherworldly tolerance for cold showers.

The most important survival tip for any festival, though, is to simply enjoy it. After you’ve been cramped in an overloaded car for a few hours, you deserve to unwind and have the time of your life at your festival of choice with some first-rate music to accompany your adventure.

Alternative places to party LIZL LOMBAARD In October 2014 Perdeby reported on the closing of Hatfield Square, the undisputed pinnacle of student social life at Tuks.

Ask any Tuks senior or alumni what the number one party place for students was and they will undoubtedly answer “Square”.

News of Hatfield Square closing didn’t sit too well with most students and its closing even led to many calling it the end of an era.

New first-year students at Tuks need not despair, however, as there are other party places in Pretoria that have been popular with students for quite some time, and Perdeby has put them together in a handy guide. Some are not even a stone's throw away from the original Square, while others are just a very short drive away. Remember though, if you are driving to and from your party destination, please do so responsibly.

Oom Gert se Plek This eatery, commonly known as Oom Gert's, is situated on campus itself. It is a great place to have a quick beer after class or even between classes. It is only open during the week and it stays open till relatively late on most nights.

Aandklas After Oom Gert’s closes in the evening, you can take the party to Aandklas. It is situated right next to the Square on the corner of Hilda and Prospect Street. Known as an alternative bar, it has always been a favourite among students from all walks of life.

Aandklas is famous for its great music, happy hour specials and Wednesday quiz nights. It is also the favourite hangout of the cool kids at Perdeby.

Springbok bar

If you find that Aandklas is not your thing, you can always head across the road to Springboks. They always have great food specials, quiz nights, pool tables, frequent karaoke nights and angry couples that have very public arguments.

Café Livingstone Situated on Burnett Street close to Hatfield Square on the eastern side of Jan Shoba Street is Café Livingstone, better known as Livingstones. It’s a pub and grill with a relaxed atmosphere, large deck and great food and drink specials.

Eastwoods Eastwoods is a bar and restaurant that is a favourite among students and young professionals. It is situated on Eastwood Street, north of Park Street and close to Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

Trademarx Another restaurant and bar in the vicinity is Trademarx. You can find it right next to Loftus Versfeld on the corner of Lynnwood Road and Kirkness Street. Trademarx is made up of two levels with two bars and overlooks the B and C fields of Loftus.

Capital Craft Beer Academy If you are into craft beer or up for a new experience, then Capital Craft is the place to be. It offers a wide range of beers from different international and South African craft breweries. Capital Craft is located next to the Brooklyn Theatre on Thomas Edison Street.

Arcade Empire Arcade Empire is a live music venue and hosts regular live gigs throughout the week and on weekends. You are sure to have a great night when you visit them next to the Grove Mall on Lynnwood Road. Their entrance is on The Highway Street and they frequently host top-class local bands.

Illustration: Johann van Tonder

Ty's If you are looking for a nightclub that draws a student crowd, then Ty's in Menlyn is your go-to venue. With live DJ's that play a range of music genres and student specials, you are bound to dance the night away. You can find them in the Menlyn Piazza opposite Menlyn Park Shopping Centre on the corner of Lois Drive and Glen Manor Street.

Tiger Tiger Another popular night club among students is Tiger Tiger. You can find them on January Masilela Drive in Garsfontein. Be warned that they have a dress code. You can't rock the student slacks here, so rather opt for a classier look.

17 January 2015

Entertainment

15

A crash course in pop culture ELMARIE KRUGER Moving from the safe, comfortable world of high school to the big bad world of university is a trial for any student. One of the many challenges that you’ll face in your first month or two at university is making small talk with complete strangers. Unless you’re a charismatic wunderkind, your store of conversation topics might run dry shortly after you’ve asked someone what they’re studying and where they’re from. Luckily, Perdeby has compiled a pop culture crash course so you’ll have ample popular movies, music and books to talk about in case you find yourself in just such a situation.

The Beatles What better topic to converse on than one of the most influential bands in musical history?

While the sound of the Beatles may not be for everyone, it is impossible to deny that they were pioneers in the music industry. A wave of Beatlemania swept the world in the 60s and marked a new era of music altogether. Some of the group’s most notable albums were The White Album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Abbey Road, which is most famous for its album cover featuring the band crossing Abbey Road itself. This album cover has been copied and parodied so many times that the Abbey Road pedestrian crossing has been declared one of Britain’s Listed Buildings for its “cultural and historical importance”.

Star Wars The Star Wars franchise is definitely not reserved for nerds and space cadets anymore.

Darth Vader has become one of the world’s most famous villains and he has been immortalised in street art, on t-shirts and even in Lego form. Even if you’ve never seen a Star Wars film, you’re almost certain to have crossed

paths with phrases such as “may the Force be with you” and “Luke, I am your father.” The Star Wars series has branched out into books, including a book by Ian Doescher entitled William Shakespeare's Star Wars, in which the script from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope was converted into Shakespearean english. An animated series called Star Wars: The Clone Wars was broadcast from 2008 to 2014 and 4 May is considered unofficial Star Wars day.

The Great Gatsby Many people encounter this acclaimed novel as a prescribed work in matric, and (if you haven’t already) you’ll very likely be attending at least one Gatsby-themed party during your time at university. Over the years, The Great Gatsby has become synonymous with the roaring 20s, and it evokes images of feathered headbands, beaded dresses and extravagant parties. Over the years the novel has been adapted into a ballet, several computer games and an opera.

Numerous film versions have also been released, the most notable being Jack Clayton’s 1974 version starring Robert Redford and Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 version starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Mean Girls This slightly dark comedy took the world by storm in 2004 and has been one of the most quoted films among young people ever since.

Mean Girls has inspired many a meme, as well as a Nintendo game. Screenplay writer Tina Fey confirmed in 2013 that a stage musical of the film will be released. If terms such as “fetch” and “you go Glen Coco” are foreign to you, perhaps it’s time to clear up your schedule and watch this satirical masterpiece.

Beware though, as watching this film may leave you feeling personally victimised by Regina George.

Illustration: Monrique Hennig

Nirvana This American grunge trio was fronted by one of music’s most influential figures: the late Kurt Cobain. Bassist Krist Novoselic played in several bands after Cobain’s death, while drummer Dave Grohl went on to found the popular alternative rock band Foo Fighters.

After the runaway success of their single “Smells like teen spirit”, Nirvana unwittingly

aided the commercialisation of alternative rock in the 90s. Nirvana’s smiley face logo can still be seen on clothing and accessories today, although the band’s brand has become less about their music and more about fashion.

Regardless, Nirvana spoke to a generation of lost youths and nearly 21 years after Cobain’s death their influence is still as widespread as ever.

Photos: Charlotte Bastiaanse

Side-orders, sirloins and secrets: Pretoria’s best dining spots MICHAL-MARÉ LINDEN Pretoria is home to a number of well-kept eatery secrets. From late night pit-stops to the more sophisticated venues that are perfect for dates, there’s something for every occasion and need.

Perdeby has compiled a guide for you so that you can benefit from them now rather than spending the year clueless and hungry.

Bravo Pizzeria, 12 South Street, Hatfield Homemade pizza baked in a wood-fired oven is even better when it’s affordable. A common hangout for students, the beat-up couches and tables constructed from drink crates create a homey atmosphere. Special menu item: Italian Stallion pizza. +27 Café, c/o South and Jan Shoba Street, Hatfield If the data struggle is draining your funds, you’ve met your restaurant match. Tucked into the courtyard of a small building on a busy main street, you can forget that you’re even in the city at all. Home to an R18 breakfast, unlimited free Wi-Fi and some unique meals, +27 Café

combines the love of food with design. +27 Café also hosts events such as Jazz evenings every Friday night. Special menu item: Nutella milkshake.

Aroma Gourmet Coffee Roastery, Lynnwood Road, Hillcrest The most noticeable part of Aroma is the giant roaster that extends towards the ceiling. The scent of the beans roasting permeates the café on any ordinary day. Their coffee beans come in a variety of roasts and from many places of origin. In addition to great coffee, Aroma has a waffle lounge that also serves decadent gelato and milkshakes. Special menu item: Pino Penguino (Nutella flavoured) gelato.

Vetkoek Maleis, c/o Jan Shoba and Burnett Street, Hatfield Basically a small window next to a petrol station, foolish is the person who doubts Vetkoek Maleis’ ability to produce an excellent, traditional vetkoek. Nothing beats sitting on the curb while filling your stomach with meat and oily carbohydrates to ensure you end a night out perfectly. Special menu item: Mince vetkoek – the original and best.

Lollipop Roadhouse, 1340 Stanza Bopape Street, Colbyn A typical old-school roadhouse, this is for those who can’t be bothered with the stop-start of a drive-through as the waiters come serve the food straight to your car. Lollipop Roadhouse’s menu is extensive with typical Americanstyle diner food, including giant burgers and milkshakes. Opening early and closing late, the takeaway joint is perfect for times when the munchies strike or a hangover needs to be cured. Special menu item: Chicken schwarma.

BICCCS, 103 Club Avenue, Waterkloof Bread, ice-cream, cake, croissants, coffee and sandwiches was far easier to condense into the acronym that became the name of the restaurant.

Complete with a Vespa, BICCCS is an Italianinspired bakery and coffee bar where patrons can expect a relaxed atmosphere and several cyclists stopping for a coffee break. Special menu item: Italian mortadella, provolone and pickled melanzane panini.

Lucky Rodrigo, 330 The Hillside Street, Pretoria Styled after the gastro pubs of England,

Lucky Rodrigo, more affectionately known as Lucky’s, is the hipster hangout of Pretoria. A wide variety of craft beer and a 01:00 closing time ensures that finding a table is a challenge.

Special menu item: Any of their craft beers.

Vintage Coffee, 69 Freight Road, Centurion If community and coffee are loves of yours, you’ll be happy to know that Vintage Coffee caters specifically for you. A non-profit organisation, Vintage Coffee donates their monthly profit to a reputable organisation in the city. So while your caffeine fix makes you feel good, you also do something good for others at the same time: a double serving of happiness.

Special menu item: Vanilla Hibiscus iced tea.

Royal Danish, 198 Bernard Street, Pretoria Chilli chocolate, apple pie, cherry brandy, coconut, fig jam, lavender infusion and peanut butter are all flavours you can expect to encounter at Royal Danish. This homemade icecream is made on site along with several other baked goods. The parlour itself is scattered with tall tables and chairs that give it a nostalgic feeling. Special menu item: Royal Copenhagen flavoured ice-cream.

Entertainment

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17 January 2015

Bookworm bliss: quiet spots on campus THOMAS MARAIS What do you do when you want to be alone? When you don’t want anyone by your side? Campus may at times seem oppressively overcrowded, especially for bookworms. It can be difficult to find spots where you don’t have the constant white noise of people complaining about lecturers, worrying about marks or gossiping at the top of their voices. But, as ever, Perdeby is here to help you out.

The music library seems like an obvious choice, but very few people know of its existence. It is a well-known fact that silence in a library is a sacred state that cannot be broken. In the Merensky library, you can book discussion rooms that are impressively soundproofed but, even in the more public areas, the library is quiet enough for reading. However, if you dislike

crowds it might not be the place for you. Even at its quietest it can be pretty packed.

The Administration building is the distinctively ship-shaped building with a wonderful patch of grass outside, ample shade and is very far from the hustle and bustle of the main lecture halls. This makes it wonderful in summer, although Pretoria’s chilly weather might creep up on you during winter. Another downside is the proximity to two major roads, meaning constant noise from passing cars will unfortunately be your companion.

Empty lecture halls can do remarkably well for a quick retreat into solitude as the halls are, by design, sheltered from outside interference. The rooms in the Theology building deserve a special mention as they are somewhat rarely used, wellmaintained and have reasonably comfortable benches. They also have some bonuses in the climate control department, as they have large windows and the building is in a prime position to avoid most of the summer heat while still providing warmth in winter.

Mamelodi Campus is incredibly remote and can be reached by catching one of the buses that leave from outside the Thuto building at 07:00 every morning. Be prepared to settle in for the long haul, though, as the Mamelodi bus service only takes students back at around 16:00. The campus is ideal for anyone who wants alone time as it provides luscious grass, ample shade and a cafeteria on campus that sells refreshments and meals, provided you have loaded money onto your student card. It also sports a rarely used library and the majority of its lecture halls are unused for most of the day. There are also well equipped computer labs if you want to browse the internet. Alternatively, the campus also provides free Wi-Fi. If all you want is a day off to get away from the noise of Main campus and catch up on your reading, Mamelodi campus is the ideal place to go.

From top: Music grass, Administration building and the music library.

Photos: Hendro van der Merwe

Save this date: Signature res events SHAUN SPROULE Residences play an important role in student life, whether you are in a residence or not. UP’s residences host many events throughout the year, all of which you should attend if you want to get the most out of your student years. Here are some residence calendar highlights.

Rhino week is a rhino poaching awareness week hosted by Olienhout. The week includes everything from talks to parties and it is known for being the only time that you can get your hands on Olienhout’s famous stywehoring shot.

The Taaibos July is a festive occasion which imitates the Durban July. Attendees dress up, enjoy a drink or two and watch the Brakke race their “horses” around a track.

Republic Day, hosted by the two Republics, Olienhout and Kollege, is a pre-Spring Day event. The event strives to get students excited for Spring Day and to promote residence pride in Olienhout and Kollege. Kollege is also known for their End of the World party that will hopefully make a comeback in the future Oesdag is Mopanie’s main event of the year and marks the harvest of their signature mielie patch. The day is filled with entertainment, music, good food and even a beauty pageant.

Jag-en-visvang Dag (hunting and fishing day) is a day filled with trademark South African fun. Maroela does an excellent job of bringing out the true South African in all of us. The Maroela men do their residence proud by doing their best hunter imitations. Another signature Maroela event to take note of is their annual Boksaand (boxing night).

Probably one of the best ways to spend Spring Day is at the unofficial Lentedag event, of which Sonop is a partner. It is definitely one of the more notable Spring Day events and provides students with a fun-filled way to spend their day off.

Curlizia and Olympus’s Around the World party sees UP’s two medical residences bringing cultures from around the world to the res party scene, with live DJs and a vibrant atmosphere.

Image provided

Clubhouse traditions at men’s residences BYRON MCLEOD Tuks has many honoured and valued traditions, many of which were started by the residences that belong to the university itself. Tuks houses some of the oldest and most respected residences in South Africa, one of which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Amongst those traditions, the clubhouses in men’s residences have started some of their own interesting and amusing traditions that allow members of the residence, as well as outsiders who pass through their clubhouse, to enjoy themselves more thoroughly.

Olienhout’s clubhouse, called Rodney’s, is named after their rhino mascot. This clubhouse has a tradition where the Houte gather in a circle after every social to sing their own rendition of the Irish national anthem, creating an atmosphere of brotherhood and finishing the night off on a high note.

Taaibos’s clubhouse, The Dog Box, has its own tradition. If someone rings the bell at their bar they close the gate. Whoever rang the bell must then buy a drink or a shot for everyone that finds themselves on the bar’s side of the gate.

Mopanie’s clubhouse, known as Die Bloubloed Klubhuis (the blue-blood clubhouse), celebrates people’s birthdays in an interesting way. If it is a member of the residence’s birthday

they can undertake what is called the Golden Mile. This involves funnelling a metre long pipe with a valve at the bottom filled with spirits and beer.

The Republic of Kollegetehuis is the oldest residence at Tuks. The name of Kollege’s clubhouse, The G6, was proposed by 2005 state president, Etienne van der Westhuizen. The name was proposed to show unity within the residence by incorporating both English and Afrikaans, as a G6 is also a type of cannon. Within the clubhouse there are two bells. The bell on the right is known as the president’s bell. If rung by the president, he is allowed any drink he asks for from the bar. If the bell on the left is rung, every person at the bar at the time is given either a shot or a drink paid for by the person that rung the bell.

Men’s clubhouses hold many valuable traditions and, with these traditions, those who enter the walls of clubhouses are always guaranteed a different and entertaining experience.

These traditions help to promote a sense of camaraderie and allow every person to enjoy themselves within the clubhouse.

If you find yourself in a residence clubhouse, don’t be afraid to embrace the liveliness around you. You never know, you might end up with a free drink or two.

17 January 2015

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Entertainment

Sincerity, service and the Red Frogs KYLE OBERHOLZER If you were one of the many juvenile delinquents that migrated to a matric vac hotspot last December, you will probably have at least one hazy recollection of a person in a black and red t-shirt who handed you frog-shaped sweets, a warm pancake and a bottle of water. Of course now that you’ve finished school, learnt to take responsibility for your actions and are enrolled at university, it’s unlikely that you’ll need the services of such a kind stranger again, right?

The motley collection of Red Frogs volunteers have at times been mistaken for social workers, advocates of religion, weird hippies and even drug dealers. They are actually part of a much larger international organisation also called the Red Frogs, and are referred to by those who know them simply as “The Frogs”.

As their numbers grow and their trademark frog-shaped sweets become a recognisable symbol on the UP campus, people are beginning to ask who “The Frogs” really are.

The Red Frogs’ humble beginnings date back to 1997 when youth pastor Andy Gourley attended the Australian equivalent of our matric vacation known as “Schoolies”. Despite the juvenile name that brings to mind images of milkshake dinner dates, “Schoolies” is not a far cry from our own matric vac and it was here that Gourley identified a need in the youth community.

Twelve years later, in 2009, Red Frogs South Africa officially provided support in Ballito for matric vac, and they can now be found at music events, festivals, residence gatherings and many other places that are commonly associated with alcohol-induced debauchery. At this point you might be wondering why anyone would want to volunteer to cook pancakes for drunk people when they don’t get paid a cent. The answer lies in their vision: “To empower young people to make positive life choices and become a voice of change within their culture.” Nowhere is this vision

Image: za.redfrogs.com

more convincingly conveyed than from the mouth of a person who is humbly serving you when no one else would.

So what do they want from you? The pancakes are free, the sweets are always handed over with a candid smile and, despite the organisation being founded by a pastor, no religious ideals will be forced on you as you proceed to drink their water. All the Red Frogs want is an opportunity to get to know you. The sincerity of their attempt at relationships is a refreshing change from our self-centred, individualised culture. The next time you stumble (literally or figuratively) into a Frog, why not ask their name? They will more than likely oblige. Besides, they probably have a pocketful of those sweets.

Photo: Hendro van der Merwe

The alcohol-free guide to Pretoria TIAAN VAN DER WESTHUIZEN One of the most tempting challenges faced by students is the constant pressure to socialise in an environment where alcohol is available in abundance, but this should not always be the case. Students who want to socialise in an alcohol-free environment are not always aware of the alternative options available to them. Pretoria is a culturally rich city and provides ample opportunities for students to enjoy themselves in a slightly more sober fashion.

Harry’s Pancakes is located on Pretorius Street opposite the American embassy and is known locally for its extensive menu.

Choosing the ingredients you want to put in your pancake is fun and

there are no questions asked when you choose to be a little creative with your order.

The Pretoria Zoo is the biggest in South Africa and has an impressive showcase of animals in a simulated natural environment. At the entrance of the zoo there are golf carts that you can rent to manoeuvre around the zoo like a maniac while enjoying the sights and sounds of “the wild”.

The zoo has recently improved on their security and having a good time is almost assured.

When the summer sun makes life uncomfortable it’s always a good idea to go somewhere cooler. The Grove mall has recently installed an ice skating rink and there is no better substitute for good clean fun than flailing about on the ice rink on a warm day.

Duncan Yard is located on Duncan Street and provides students with a miniature city, almost like the Italian town you could never afford to visit. A rustic feeling and an amazing atmosphere really come together to give you the illusion of foreign shores.

Nkwe Park is a picnic and caravan resort equipped with everything from a waterfall to rolling, green, grassy hills that make it an amazing place to blow off some steam, as all students should. Packing a traditional picnic basket and relaxing on the grass at Nkwe Park will make for a perfect day out, either with a big group of friends or for a romantic escape.

Illustration: Monrique Hennig

The beginner’s guide to blogging LISA KAHIMBAARA Social media has become an everyday part of modern life.

Many young adults spend countless hours a week on the internet interacting with people from all over the world. What has resulted from this modern medium of communication is a boom in the number of blogs that have emerged. Blogs are dedicated to everything from personal reflections to fashion and music.

Successful, business savvy bloggers have often capitalised on their various levels of popularity. Many people have made careers out of blogging (think Perez Hilton in the US).

Businesses often sponsor successful blogs with prizes to offer their readers, which in turn garners even more popularity for these blogs. Your university years are the perfect time to make an impact in a sector that only has room to grow. Here are some useful tips for starting a blog.

Hosting: You will have to do research on the type of site you want your blog to be hosted on, such as WordPress or Blogspot.

Depending on how seriously you wish to take your blog, there are domains you can register for monthly or annual subscription fees which often offer better quality websites.

Focus: Readers prefer to frequent websites that specialise in a specific subject rather than those that touch on a variety of subjects. This does not mean you should limit your posts to a certain topic, but sticking to a theme will earn you a reputation as being a credible source for all things relating to that topic.

Frequency: It doesn’t matter how well-researched and written your posts are, if the public doesn’t know about your blog your website will not get any traffic. As your blog grows, continue to interact with your readers. This will ensure a loyal fan base.

Your presence should be felt on a number of platforms, which means your blog should have Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. The more the public can see you the more likely it is that they will remember you and frequent your blog. The more people frequent your blog, the more diligent you will have to become with your posts. Viewers will lose interest if you only post new content once a month.

Photography: The internet is visual in nature. Your blog needs to lend itself to visuals that are pleasing to the eye. Many blogs include photo galleries on Facebook of popular events where people can tag themselves in pictures. Everyone likes a good photo of themselves, so be the blog to offer this to readers.

Effort: The success of your blog is entirely up to you. Be interested and stay updated about events and news pertaining to your blog’s focus. If your blog focuses on music, you should try doing interviews with local talent. The worst thing they can do is say no.

Hopefully these tips will help you find your passion for blogging, but don’t forget to manage your studies as well.

Te Huur Villieria, 1 Slk tuin woonstel ideaal vir student, tuin met braai area, motorafdak, R3000 W&L ingesluit Kontak Hermann 0825611299

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17 January 2015

Pssst... experiences every Tuks first-year should have MICHAL-MARÉ LINDEN The top ten is your weekly advice column. Study it and apply it because it is completely trustworthy and will ensure you are the coolest kid on campus. To start the year off, here are ten things that you absolutely have to do while you are a student at Tuks.

1

Steal a jottir – Madelief’s jottirs (the white polystyrene hats they wear) are their pride and joy. However, you will obtain even more pride and joy by successfully stealing one of these hats. Be warned, this can end in a vast amount of pain or an early return to your hometown. If you’re caught, Perdeby didn’t suggest this.

2

Attend a lunch-hour concert – Each Thursday around lunchtime, various musos perform for the less cultured beings of Tuks. These concerts are free and the generally beautiful, especially if the Camerata are showcasing their new repetoire.

Everybody loves a bit of gossip but no one more than Pssst....A new year and new first years promises plenty of scandal for Pssst... and you to enjoy.

Olienhout seems to have embraced the tradition (or should we say value?) of remodelling their first years into looking like hobos. A neat Olienhout guy has become rarer than the rhinos they so love. Pssst... would like to suggest that they redirect their Rag project towards acquiring shoes for themselves.

Klaradyn has becme Kollege and Zinnia’s Rag project this year. It sucks not to have partners but if you actually participated you might find it to be quite fun.

After an uncharacteristically acceptable year Katjiepiering will be looking to prove that they’re not a one-trick pony.

On the topic of Ponies, Pssst... has noticed that Erika still doesn’t have a name for their first years. Pssst... thinks they’re not even trying. Maybe this lack of motivation is why they haven’t won res of the year in recent living memory.

Also stuck in a silver medal slump is Boekenhout. Pssst... thinks that if the Ysters spent less time perfecting their combovers they might actually win ienk.

Over-achieving Curlitzia is hoping to teach Taaibos how to win something this year. Pssst... is doubtful. Don’t worry, Curlitzia, Pssst... hears Taaibos is quite in touch with their emotional side and will be quite willing to comfort you.

Magrietjie and Mopanie are set to Rag together. Pity Mags seems to be spending more time in the Maroela clubhouse

Perdeby web poll

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Take a plunge in the bokdammetjie - The pond outside the Old Arts building has become progressively less green and more chlorinated with each year. This can only indicate that it’s intended to be swum in. Just check twice for the security guards on golf carts before jumping in.

4

Attend someone else’s lecture - Why not try out Plant Psychology 110 or an Ancient Cultures lecture. Tag along with a friend or stalk a random. Either way, the classes are generally big enough to go unnoticed. Unless they’re writing a class test in that period.

Did you take a gap year?

■ Yes ■ No ■ Only one? I took several

Vote online at www.perdeby.co.za

5

Watch Serrie prelims - Amateur dancing and off-key singing might not sound like fun but the atmosphere, crowd’s comments and the shirtless men make for quite an experience.

6

Be roped into a pyrimad scheme - Nothing says financial success as being co-erced by a new friend into a “exciting business deal that can see you earning up to R10 000 a month”. Whether it’s under the guise of health food or energy drinks, joining a pyrimad scheme means you lose all your savings but gain the life lesson of never being so easily fooled again.

since the Inca girls don’t want to sokkie with them. Pssst... feels Maroela should think themselves fortunate. A Groenkloof Rag partner isn’t promising anyway.

Pssst... is wondering what Nerina are going to do now that DropZone is closed. It’s a bit more of a drive to get to the stripper poles at Flamingo’s. Pssst... suggests carpooling with Jasmyn. You ladies can keep it classy together.

At least Nerina and Jasmyn actually go out, unlike Asterhof. Pssst... would like to remind the Sterretjies that you actually have to talk to men to become a ‘trou vrou’.

Pssst... would like to make a comment about Madelief but Pssst... hasn’t seen them since 2012.

TuksVillage are also no where on the map but that may just be because they’re not a real res. But Pssst... won’t say too much incase Pssst... gets another angry letter.

From anger to love, Pssst... hears Lillium is quite keen on Olympus all of a sudden. Olympus should be glad the Geitjies live so far away, Pssst... hears Lillium can get quite stalkerish.

Sonop is one of the oldest residences at Tuks. However, they’re not quite one hundred years yet. Maybe next time, Sonop.

Pssst... would like to congratulate Kollege on their 100 year drinking problem. It appears bad habits stick to them like velcro. On that note, Pssst... would like to know if you’ve managed to shake Katjiepiering off yet?

Sudoku

7

Bunk a class - Spend your time exploring campus instead.

The Zoology building has an elephant skeleton, South campus isn’t a myth and the SciEnza has a super cool mirror maze.

8

Physically alter yourself - Dye your hair pink, get several facial piercings or wear odd clothing. They won’t accept in the workplace so you best do it now. This does not mean embracing first-year spread.

9

Attend a music festival - Nothing beats a weekend away with friends, forgetting about your assignments and listening to good live music. Whether you’re caked in mud or dust, you’ll be garuanteed memories for life.

10

Join Perdeby - We have cool socials, occasionally get free stuff and are just generally awesome.

www.perdeby.co.za

17 January 2015

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Sport

17 January 2015

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Use it or lose it: sidestepping the first-year syndrome LEANNE CUMMING The phenomenon that is referred to as firstyear spread, sometimes known as first-year syndrome, refers to the fact that first-year students are particularly susceptible to weight gain. After leaving home students start putting on the kilos due to tight budgets, stress, or excessive eating and drinking. Students may also be packing on the kilos because they are missing breakfast, indulging in previously forbidden foods or they are just too busy to cook a healthy meal and grab take-aways instead. However, like the saying goes, “use it or lose it”. If you do not exercise regularly you will fall most likely fall prey to first-year syndrome.

There are many ways to keep healthy and fit while studying. The first option is joining a gym. There are gyms like the Tuks Student Gym (TSG), Virgin Active and the High Performance Centre that are within walking distance of campus. At Virgin Active students can get a gym contract for R395 per month, or if you are a Discovery Health member, for R197 per month. TSG, found on the Groenkloef and Sport campus, allows students to get a contract from January to December for R1400, or a 30 day contract for R180 per month.

The second option for those students who prefer the outdoors is to simply take a jog or walk around the block. Students can run or walk on the marked trails around the Hatfield campus. There are three trails, each marked by a different animal footprint. The red trail marked by an antelope footprint is a 3.85km track but can be reduced to a 3.8km track if you follow the alternative route marked by the blue lion footprint. The yellow trail marked by a steenbok footprint is 2.1km, but those who feel that the track is not long enough can also follow the blue lion footprints, extending the trail to 2.3km. These trails allow students

Photo: Hendro van der Merwe

to enjoy the design of buildings on campus, like the Centenary building, the Plant Science building and the Chapel on the Old Monastery grounds. Students who use the trails will also pass through the botanical gardens, tree-lined avenues and see the sculptures that are placed around campus. By using these trails you will be able to get to know your way around campus while exercising, and you can start the trail at any point on the route.

The third option is to join any of the sporting codes that TuksSports offers. These include hockey, netball, cycling, dancing, cricket,

Illustration: Simon-Kai Garvie

Find your way through the LC de Villiers campus SIMPHIWE NHLABATHI AND MICHAL-MARÉ LINDEN By now you have probably heard a lot about Sport campus. LC de Villiers need no longer be a myth.

Reaching the campus is easy. There is a bus that travels every 15 minutes from outside the Centenary building and drops students just beyond the gate of LC de Villiers. From the drop off point you can make your way to the Rag farm, the Tuks Student Gym (TSG) or lecture halls, which are both in the Rembrandt Hall, or to the

sports fields.

All the Varsity Cup games are played at LC de Villiers so make your way there to show your support. You can also watch and support the residences, day houses and societies that compete in the TuksRes sport leagues. If supporting others isn’t as appealing as getting involved, join the TSG or make use of the facilities to train for various sporting codes.

Most of the facilities are open to Tuks students including squash courts, tennis courts, a swimming pool, cricket and soccer fields, and even a climbing wall.

rowing, swimming, athletics, gymnastics, rugby and judo, to name a few. Not only will this option be a great way to stay in shape but it will also allow you to meet new people outside of your normal study group.

You may be thinking that it is a counterintuitive to spend your spare time or energy after a busy day filled with lectures on exercise.

However, exercising releases endorphins, also known as “happy hormones”, which give the perfect pick-me-up after a long, stressful day.

According to Health Discovery, exercising is important because it helps prevent and reduce

health risks such as heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer. Exercise can also help you feel more relaxed by burning off negative energy, improving your posture and, most importantly, helping you to stay healthy.

The benefits from excercising regularly are not only short term. According to Health Discovery, “Once you begin to exercise regularly, you will discover many more reasons why exercise is so important to improving the quality of your life. Exercise reduces stress, lifts moods, and helps you sleep better. It can keep you looking and feeling younger throughout your entire life.”

Students around campus were asked why they went to gym or enjoyed exercising.

Jason Jardine, a third-year BCom Business Management student, said, “The reason I gym is because I want to be healthy and fit so I can live a nice long clean life, as well as to improve my image.” Sarah Hulett a second-year architecture student, said, “I like running on the road or trails because it puts a drag in the air and it is a better experience.” Andrew Plint, a third-year sports science student, said that he is required to go to the gym as part of his course. “I enjoy going to gym most of the time, just some of our programmes don’t require such physical movements, so that isn’t fun,” says Plint. Craig Jackson, a third-year BA student, said, “I enjoy gym to stay fit, but sometimes I am lazy and struggle to fit it into my day because I work in the afternoons. I guess it comes down to time management but when I do go I feel good about myself”.

While first-year may offer its own stress due to new surroundings, living away from home, getting used to the work load, making new friends and feeling at ease, don’t let the first-year spread be another one of your stresses.

Exercise as often as you can and eat properly, but dont forget to indulge in those yummy treats once in a while.

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17 January 2015

Past and potential future Springboks from Tuks THORISO PHASHA The Tuks rugby club has become a great breeding ground for producing many professional South African rugby players. The Tuks rugby club is the largest in South Africa boasting as many 55 teams. Being in existence for over a century, a total of 87 Springboks have emerged from TuksRugby, four of them Springbok captains.

Rugby World Cup winners Victor Matfield, Fourie du Preez and Wynand Olivier are a few rugby players who come from Tuks. This reputation of producing star rugby players has seen many young aspiring rugby players attracted to Tuks.

The LC de Villiers sports grounds serve as the home base for these young athletes. It has state-of-the-art training facilities and a large capacity stadium for the youngsters to display their talent. The pedigree and professionalism of TuksRugby is exceptional and this is evident from the appointment of former Griquas head coach Pote Human. Human took over the coaching reigns of UP Tuks-1 in 2013 and is one of many professional coaches employed to hone the rugby talent at Tuks.

The Tuks rugby club has very strong ties with the Blue Bulls Tuks Rugby Academy and they have worked closely over the years to

Fourie du Preez. Image: sarugbymag.com

Victor Matfield. Image: rugby15.co.za

Handre Pollard. Image: rugby365.com

produce great rugby players. The academy plays a pivotal role in propelling Tuks rugby players into the professional world of rugby. This has seen a strong influx of Tuks players making the quick ascension to international rugby in recent years. Such players include the likes of Springbok centre Jan Serfontein, Arno Botha and Marcel Van de Merwe. The most prominent name in Springbok rugby at the moment is that of 20-year-old fly-half sensation Handré

Pollard, who is also a product of TuksRugby.

These players have all been capped by the Boks within about a year of each other.

There are a lot of potential Springboks currently playing for Tuks and it is inevitable that another Tuks player will burst onto the international scene soon enough. A player that quickly comes to mind when speaking of Springbok potentials is UP Tuks-1 fullback Warrick Gelant. The 19-year old is a star in

the making and he proved this with a strong performance at the 2014 u/20 Rugby World Cup. The Kriel brothers, Daniel and Jesse, are both products of TuksRugby and they are worth keeping an eye on in the future. The pair also participated in the u/20 World Cup and they are both contracted to the Blue Bulls Rugby Union. A Super Rugby breakthrough for these youngsters may culminate in a Springbok debut in the not too distant future.

Smiles and splits: TuksCheerleading a growing sport LAUREN NEUHOFF

The TuksCheerleading team. Image provided.

Cheerleading is a thriving sport, even though it has only recently been declared an official sport at Tuks. Along with the University of Johannesburg, Stellenbosch University and North-West University, the popularity for cheerleading is spreading across the country.

The TuksCheerleading squad currently has a total of 18 members, 15 female and 3 male and is made up of a variation of dancers, acrobats and gymnasts, all of whom add to the uniqueness of the team.

The squad cheers at every big home game that takes place at Tuks, including netball, rugby and football matches. Cheering takes place pre-game and mid-game. There is also the possibility of additional duties if the events coordinator has arranged with the squad beforehand.

Cheering has a marked impact on the atmosphere of a match. “The squad is there is boost team morale of the audience and helps create an enthusiastic vibe for the team

playing,” says TuksCheerleading captain Matt van Zyl. The squad practises twice a week and they run through a routine of exercises that include flexibility and strength training. Van Zyl wants his team to focus mainly on understanding their routine and the physical demands of cheerleading. “A lot of different aspects need to be considered when practising. The routine includes [the] base throwing a lady into the air high enough for her to be able to do a backflip in the air, which of course needs to be practised until [it is] flawless.” Van Zyl continued, saying, “Our strongest point would have to be all the different types of experience accumulated in the squad and [trying] to incorporate each squad member’s talent, whereas our weakest point would have to be how new we are, so we [are] still trying to find our feet.”

The team is managed and organised on a day to day basis by Van Zyl, who works closely with the TuksSports event coordinator, Mmane Boikanyo.

17 January 2015

Sport

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Sport at Tuks: the choice is yours

Photo: Staff Photographer

DANIËL BASSON Whether you were the star fly-half for your high school rugby team or the kid on the bleachers slowly roasting away in the summer sun, Tuks is bound to have a recreational activity that will pique your interest.

Sport is a great way of meeting new people and making friends. It is also the best method to prevent you falling victim to the infamous “first-year spread”. Do not fall into the trap of assuming that the only sports that Tuks offers are the conventional rugby, cricket, netball and hockey. During your time as a student you can partake in over 30 different types of sporting

Photo: Charlotte Bastiaanse

activities like fencing, judo and volleyball.

Perdeby has done some research to show you what TuksSport has to offer.

Are you weary of a contact sport? Join the club. The only problem is deciding what club you should join. The chess team won’t mind having an extra person to practise against and giving your brain a workout might give you that edge as soon as the first semester tests roll in.

Perhaps you enjoy swimming but you definitely aren’t the next Chad le Clos? The lifesaving club offers a combination of first aid, obstacles and swimming that adds up to a great all round workout. Exploratio is another option. Many enjoy a weekend outdoors to partake in hiking,

rock-climbing and going on adventures.

If you reckon you have great hand-eye coordination, consider taking up badminton or squash. Badminton is the fastest racquet sport in the world and squash has been called the healthiest sport to partake in. Archery is also a viable option for the marksmen out there. TuksSport even caters for dancers with five dancing styles presented by TuksDance.

Students can pursue their performing arts dreams or hone their skills on the dance floor.

If you are keen on getting physical, don’t be afraid. Students will have a hard time choosing between karate, judo, aikido, taekwondo and wrestling. If you can swim, run and cycle, why

not combine these skills and try your hand at a triathlon? Even if you can only swim, waterpolo is great form of fun and exercise. On the topic of exercise, bodybuilding is one of the fastest growing sports worldwide. Gym rats don’t need to lose their gains as they can flex their muscles both mentally and physically at UP. If none of this is appealing, or taking up a sport sounds daunting but exercise is important to you, be sure to get a membership at the student gym.

Sport at varsity level is not reserved for the incredibly talented. Sport is for every student at Tuks. After all you are here to learn, so why not learn how to play a sport too?

Residence sport: team, family and Tuks underwater hockey: a breathtaking student sport choice fun

MARKO SVICEVIC AND LAUREN NEUHOFF Tuks is well known for its wide range of diverse sports. One of these is underwater hockey, also known as Octopush. At first glance you might think this unique sport is just an adaptation of hockey for water, however it is actually a combination of several features and adaptions of the sport.

Unlike field hockey, the game consists of ten players per side: six players in the water and four substitutes. The game is played using fins, diving masks, snorkels, swimming caps, silicone gloves and miniature hockey-like sticks. Instead of a regular sized ball, a heavy puck is used which sinks to the pool floor and moves at a surprisingly high speed.

The rules are similar to that of field hockey but with fewer limitations. No goalkeeper is needed in this sport and all of the other positions are relative to the puck and not the playing area.

TuksUnderwater Hockey offers a variety of opportunities for students to excel in this sport.

The club takes part in many tournaments across the country, making it highly competitive.

World Championships are held every two years in different countries, with the next one taking place in Spain this year. Octopush is considered to be a major sport globally, especially in countries like New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Tylon Pake, a former student at Tuks and a current Tuks underwater hockey player, says, “The world is afraid of South Africa because the sport is not as big in South Africa [as it is internationally] and we still compete and win medals at every tournament.” Pake says that even though the South African field hockey community is quite big, underwater hockey in South Africa is still growing.

The club’s season is all-year round and the main focus is placed on hand-eye coordination, agility and teamwork. The game requires players to posess a keen observation of their surroundings. Those who enjoy field hockey and swimming will most certainly enjoy trying out this breathtaking sport.

Photo: Reinhard Nel

Photo: Hendro van der Merwe

TAY LETHULOE

to sports.

This is also a great opportunity to get to know the other university campuses as some football games are played at the Groenkloof campus and students get to make use of the LC de Villiers sports facilities, where many of the games are played.

Residence sport also serves as an opportunity for many to harness their skills and maintain their fitness during the academic year as after residence sports, many compete on a national and even international level. It also serves as an opportunity for newcomers to perform well and possibly make it into a prospective Tuks team.

Many Tuks players across all sports fields had their first opportunities with residence teams.

Tshepo Mokoena, who is currently the football captain of Kollege, said, “It’s a brilliant way to [find] what sport you want to play. For me, it has shown me that I want to play football at a professional level. It also helps as a stress reliever and as something that helps me relax after having to cram for tests, as a law student.

I actually would like to encourage as many first years as possible to try out for a team. It’s great fun and excellent exercise.”

Residence sport has seen substantial growth over the years. Simply put, team members must belong to a university residence, day house, a society on campus or a faculty house. These teams compete against one another in house leagues across many different sporting codes.

The sporting codes include football, netball, hockey, rugby and various other sports which many students have yet to explore.

The Student Sports Committee (SSC) ensures that the overall coordination and management of the matches. This allows students to enjoy recreational activities and the competition has grown fiercely, with a few rivalries developing amongst teams competing to be campus league winners. Other sports include the likes of badminton, chess and tennis, where students are allowed to participate in games to improve their skills.

TuksRes sports also hosts recreational tournaments, such as Ienk athletics, mixed Valentine’s Day tournaments and tournaments such as the first-year 7-a-side tournament, which is targeted at attracting first-year students

Sport

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Varsity Netball competition but with the 2015 season fast approaching, many are expecting the trophy to be brought back to Pretoria.

Football The first edition of the Varsity Football competition was held in 2013. AmaTuks competed and won 4-1 against NMMU Madibaz in the final. The 2014 season saw AmaTuks retain the title after beating UJ 1-0 in the final. The 2015 season also promises to be an exciting one for TuksFootball as they are represented in both the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and in the Varsity Football tournaments.

After winning the competition for two years in a row, AmaTuks will be hoping to clench the title again.

Rugby After winning the Varsity Cup in 2012 and 2013 many expected UP-Tuks 1 to do the Varsity Cup rugby treble by winning it for a third year in a row. This was not to be as they failed to reach the Varsity Cup semi-finals. The 2014 edition of the competition consisted of eight teams: UP Tuks, Maties, UCT Ikey Tigers, NWU Pukke, UJ, NMMU Madibaz, UFS Shimlas and Wits. The competition is intense and has seen great names come from it. Some have gone to represent the country at Springbok level. 2015 will be no different as many new youngsters will be uncovered and will be gunning for the coveted title of Varsity Cup champions.

Athletics

Held at the Tuks athletics stadium, UP-Tuks came out as the overall winner in the 2014 Varsity Athletics programme. UP-Tuks finished all seven meetings. The women’s team took home four of the five track titles on offer. The men’s track events proved to be a bit more of a challenge for UP-Tuks, with UFS-Kovsies taking two of the titles on offer away from Tuks.

UP-Tuks had wins in the 200m, 110m hurdles and 4x100m relay. This was Tuks’ second Varsity Athletics title as they won in 2013 as well. Many of the athletes also represented the country in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Many are hoping that Tuks athletes will be in top shape to win the competition for a third year running in 2015.

2014: A great year for TuksSport For many, going to TuksSport games is considered a big part of the Tuks student life.

For this reason, Perdeby is giving first-years a review of 2014 and a preview of what to expect in 2015.

Netball The UP-Tuks 1 ladies had a stellar season after winning all their games but stumbled at the final hurdle. Kovsies are the only team to have beaten UP-Tuks in 2014’s Varsity Netball competition, even though the Pretoria side beat the Bloemfontein girls in the opening round of the competition. Much is expected of the Pretoria ladies as they have yet to win the

Breaking new ground for Exploration

The Exploration team on the LC de Villers Sport campus Image: up.ac.za

LAUREN NEUHOFF 2014 has been a great year for all sporting communities at Tuks. Along with the success of more regular sporting codes, Exploratio has begun a new era with the new Exploratio Committee members and the newly appointed chairperson Murray von Maltitz.

Exploratio is a social club at Tuks where people who enjoy the outdoors are accommodated with rock climbing, hiking and adventure racing. The members of the club form a team of adventurous people who do not shy away from adventure or a challenge.

The club competes in the University Sports

South Africa (USSA) competitions along with many other more informal events. Exploratio came third in the last USSA championship.

However, due to the nature of these activities being individual, Exploratio also assists members in getting involved in all the various events.

Exploratio hosts an annual Beginners’ Weekend camp during the month of September where new members are introduced to climbing and bouldering. Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that is performed without the use of ropes or harnesses but is done on short routes usually not higher than 3 metres. The members have the opportunity to get to know one another

better, along the other Exploratio members.

They also receive the benefit of being able to improve on their bouldering skills and exchange techniques.

The club also takes part in the Boven Mountain Festival, which is a fairly large climbing event held at the mecca of South African climbing, Waterval Boven.

There are various methods of training that Exploratio takes part in. The best known method is jspending time outside and practising. As an alternative to that there are indoor climbing gyms available. More advanced methods of training for the club are campus and finger board training.

Campus training is essentially doing pull ups

that focus on increasing tendon strength as well as upper body strength. The training regimes are beginning to include cardio-activities, such as running and intensive stretching. This is due to the rigors and hardships that climbing places on the body. Core-strength is also vital, if not the most important aspect of climbing training.

Exploratio is an open club, meaning even non-students can join the club. The club also accommodates beginners and takes the time to teach eager people how to climb.

Exploratio seeks people who like a challenge, want to conquer their fear of heights and have no limits on life. The club believes that “action conquers fear, inaction feeds fear.”

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