Perdeby Official independent student newspaper of the University of Pretoria 19 February 2018
80
year 80 issue 3
Zuma’s resignation: How did we get here? Pg. 3
The dangers of eating disorders Pg. 7
Fresh Prince of Maftown: Benny Cray Pg. 8 Illustration: Rhodeen Davies
429 l ectu res 23 text books 18 al l -n i ghters 9 n ew fr i en ds 36 unique experiences 2 cau s es 10 0 1 fres h i deas
1 place to safely come home to 1 place with everything you need 1 place to realise possibilities
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2
Editorial | 19 February 2018
News, news, news
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Editorial
ast week was an interesting one. So much happened in our country, and even over our borders. Some good, others horrendous, and also some things that are a bit more complicated than that. Probably the biggest thing to come out of last week is a new president. I don’t think many people were expecting Zuma’s Valentine’s day announcement. I went to bed early that night and woke up to the news about Zuma, but sadly also the news about the Florida school shooting, and about the sad death of Morgan Tsvangirai, but with some mixed feelings about his hero status. In any case, we can only look with hope to the future after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address. I sort of hope that there aren’t more of these big surprises, but I work at a newspaper, and at newspapers, no news is never good news. Speaking of news, you are how we generate news weekly. All our stories are just reports of events that happen to and about our readers. Contact us and get your voice heard. I would also like to thank you, the readers, for your response to our content. I get so many poetry submissions every week that I could probably fill an entire page in every edition. However, I showed Claudine, our entertainment editor, and we think we can make a plan to create a greater platform for these, so watch this space. We’ve also received some letters in response to last week’s editorial. The letters space in the paper is the perfect place to open and join discussions about current and important issues, or just publicly say hi (please don’t all send me hello messages, we have very limited print space). We always aim to represent the students on UP’s various campuses, and we take our independence and quality very seriously. Don’t hesitate to write me an email, respond to an article, or open a discussion about something you might think is important. Go wild Shaun Sproule
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Letters Dear Editor,
Dear Editor,
I
n your editorial on page 2 of issue 80/2 you had asked for comments – here comes mine. 1918/1919, when many student-soldiers in Germany returned home from the gruesome battle fields of World War 1, many of them found themselves in situations and conditions at least as harsh as the situation of the homeless student which you had described in your editorial. Upon their own initiative, German students then founded the “Studentenwerk” (literally: “Student-Work”) with the aim of providing help to impoverished students who had been badly hit by the events of World War 1. The Studentenwerk then began to organise food and shelter for those students. As the years went by, the Studentenwerk became a nationwide para-statal organisation in Germany under Public Law, present and active in all German university-towns and university-cities. So it is still the case, until today. In Germany it is thus the para-statal Studentenwerk - NOT the individual universities - who owns the Residence Houses and Eating Places for registered students. This national para-statal Studentenwerk solution has a number of advantages: + Universities do not need to divide any resources (personnel and money) into the management of the Residence Houses, and can focus their energy on their core business which is Education and Research (not “catering”), + The management of the Residence Houses is professionally carried out by the Studentenwerk staff, with very clearly defined rules and regulations about who is eligible for a bedroom (and under what conditions) in a Residence House owned by the Studentenwerk. + Preferential treatment for bedroom allocation is given to those students who are objectively needy (financially poor) and who come from far away without having parents in the same city in which the university is located. When I was a student in Germany many years ago, I have experienced all sorts of student-accomodation, both private accommodation and also accommodation in a Studentenwerkowned Residence House. Based on my own experience in those days, I would like to recommend to South Africa to “copy” this German model as far as possible. However, in such a model the German Studentenwerk management must take great care to prevent the Residence Houses from becoming notorious “poverty houses” in which the poor only interact with other poor among each other some “healthy social mixture” ought to be kept up in every Residence House. – Stefan Gruner
W
hat a good read. I love to hear about people who experience life deeply and who are able to have conversations about the hardships of life, even when they are in a privileged (relative of course) position. I was in Zinnia residence for 4 years. What an experience. I am, like you said, not the same person then to who I am now, because of my residence experience. In res I learned about other cultures and how compassion [can] bridge any gap. In res I learned how to give my pocket money to a girl every month for a year. In res I learned that life is all about balance: breaking your heart over all the hardships as well as finding joy and adventure. Everybody’s journey is different; some will tell the story of how they grew in res to add more value. Others will tell the story of never quitting even when nothing seems to work out for them. I want to keep my reply short. There are moments in life where we struggle to understand how can some people fight for something as trivial as res traditions, when others don’t even have a roof over their heads. And I have come to the conclusion that there were you are, you should make a difference. – Heili Nel
Poetry corner Leave me unwashed - Tadiwanashe S. Mupfunya Why don’t we drink our coffee black? Dark chocolate is too strong! Our skin looks like a mud puddle, A dirty dirty pond of dung. So, many feel contaminated, And they set themselves on fire For the world to envy the flame. They drown in a tub of bleach, Spend thousands and thousands, Trying to abolish this germ. Covering it up, watering it down Staying indoors, swimming in woes, Shaking it off, But not to the African drum. As every brown sistah turns into a yellow star My voluptuous lips still utter the plea: Please leave me unwashed.
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Editorial Editor-in-chief Carel Willemse Editor Shaun Sproule News Ditebogo Tshaka Features Sam Mukwamu Entertainment Claudine Noppe Sport Ntombi Mkandhla
Last week, the word from the editor titled ‘Res. But what about those left behind?’ spoke about the beneficial experience of res, but raised the issue of students who are left without a place to stay during their studies.
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19 February 2018 | News
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Zuma’s resignation: How did we get here?
Screengrab from former president Jacob Zuma’s resignation speech. Image: SABC YouTube page
Lorinda Marrian
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n the late hours of 14 February, Jacob Zuma resigned as the president of South Africa after the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved to recall Zuma if he failed to resign by Wednesday night. To many, this does not come as a surprise, as Zuma’s full term in office became further questioned with the election of the new ANC leadership at the party’s elective conference in December 2017. Talks among the NEC about Zuma’s future had already started in January, however, it was only in the last few weeks that decisions in the party started to become clearer, seen with the postponement of the State of the Nation Address after pressure to remove Zuma mounted. Since the end of January, the NEC was involved with Zuma in a contentious discussion about Zuma’s exit. However, the tension started to really build over the last two weeks. During an ANC meeting at Luthuli House on 5 February, violent clashes erupted outside between pro-and anti-Zuma protesters. However, discussions between the NEC and the deputy president and president of the ANC, Cyril Ramaphosa and Zuma, continued. The next day, according to News24, Speaker of Parliament Baleke Mbete postponed the State of the Nation Address “in the interest of the country” as position pressure mounted. On 9 February, Ramaphosa called for South Africans to be patient and acknowledged that he and Zuma had been in discussions about matters relating to the president of the country while he and the rest of the ANC top six pulled out of public events to deal with “pressing matters”. On 12 February, a joint conference between opposition parties renewed calls for a motion of no confidence, the dissolution of parliament and for national elections to be held early. The Daily Maverick reported that after a nine hour meeting of the ANC, Ramaphosa and ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule conveyed to Zuma that he had until Wednesday 14 February to tender his resignation. On 13 February, the NEC officially announced that they had asked Zuma to resign. They also released a statement detailing their efforts to shorten Zuma’s proposal to resign in three to six months. However, Zuma refused. On 14 February after a meeting of chief whips, the ANC
parliamentary caucus announced that they would agree to pass a motion of no confidence in the president. The vote of no confidence would have been tabled by the EFF and would have taken place on Thursday 15 February during the day. The motion of no confidence would have been Zuma’s 10th motion of noconfidence. However, at the same time, Zuma spoke to SABC News and said that he had initially agreed to resign but that he wanted to smooth over the transition between him and Ramaphosa, and therefore wanted to stay on as president until after June. However, the ANC’s top six officials rejected his proposal. During this interview Zuma also argued that he did not understand why he was being forced to resign at that moment as no-one could explain to him what he did wrong. Speaking about the recall Zuma said, “I think we’ve been plunged into a crisis that my comrades will come to regret.” Nonetheless, Zuma resigned just under two hours before the NEC’s deadline. Zuma started off his speech by paying his respects to the ANC as the party that got him to be president and as the liberation party of South Africa. However, he also expressed his regret that party politics is often placed above Constitutional law in the country, saying that “the Constitutional line between Party and State is often forgotten.” He further went on to add that he was saying this not because he was above reproach nor that he was “the epitome of perfection” in undertaking his political responsibilities. Speaking further on the role of the Constitution he said that government should avail themselves to the Constitution even if it means they lose their post-political benefits and that no leader should seek an easy way out because they “could not face life at the end of their terms without the perks that come with political office”. He further added the he feared “no motion of no confidence or impeachment” as they are the lawful mechanisms that the country can use to recall presidents. This led many political analysts to speculate that Zuma was going to face the vote of no confidence the next day. However, he soon after said that he will resign as the President with immediate effect, even though he disagreed with the decision of the ANC leadership, as he has always been a “disciplined member of the ANC”. The reaction to Zuma’s resignation was generally met with positivity around the country. The Democratic Alliance (DA) rejoiced at the news and DA leader Mmusi Maimane said in a statement late Wednesday that Zuma did “untold harm to our country” and that Zuma will now face the many criminal charges still awaiting him in court. Julius Malema, party leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the day after Zuma’s resignation, said that they welcomed and claimed responsibility for the former president’s resignation. He further went on to say that Zuma’s “legacy of corruption” is now in the “dustbin of history”. The EFF however called for the dissolution of Parliament and fresh elections as the EFF had no faith in the ANC. Abroad, investor confidence rose with the rand rising as high as R11.66 to the dollar after the resignation, the strongest the rand has been since 2015. Ramaphosa immediately become acting president after Zuma’s resignation, according to section 90 of the Constitution that says that when there is a vacancy in the office of the president, the first person in line would be the deputy president. Ramaphosa was then sworn in after a vote by the National Assembly on 15 February. Ramaphosa’s first big public event was leading the State of the Nation which took place on 16 February at 7 p.m.
Law House Launch Book Drive
Photo: Michael Ridge
Refilwe Mofokeng and Mbali Mkhithi
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aw House has organised a book drive to assists students who are unable to afford textbooks. The committee has been collecting books from students and lecturers since the end of the 2017 exam season. According to the Law House Executive Committee member, Andrea Weidemah, a box was left at the Law Library for students to donate the textbooks they no longer use, including textbooks from previous editions that are still relevant in the curriculum. The Law House have made a R15 000 pledge to buy books from Bookmark and the rest of the books will be donated by students and by the Deputy Dean of the Faculty Law, Prof. Anton Kok. The books will be available in the Merensky II Library. Textbooks that are used in the current syllabus can be accessed from the reserved section and those of older editions will be in the open section. The committee decided to place the books in the Merensky Library instead of the Law Library because of Merensky’s longer trading hours, the availability of a 24 hours study centre and because Merensky II opens on Sundays, and for longer hours during the exam season. According to Law House chairperson, Romario Roman, “Law House has also been [in] constant negotiation for the extension of the Law Library operating hours, however, there was no staff available to work these hours therefore we have decided to give extra resources to the Merensky Library…” Students from all years of study are encouraged to support the initiative by donating textbooks that they are currently not using to the Law library where they will be taken to the Merensky II Library as soon as their target is met. Law House aims to ensure sustainability. The Law House Secretary, Rorisang Moloi, said, “We are hoping to start a legacy for all Law House EC’s to continue.” “As chairperson the idea of having a book drive has been expressed by Law House in many previous terms, however the idea did not materialise because of logistical reason[s]. Therefore this launch of the book drive is a major accomplishment for Law House,” said Roman. The book drive will run throughout the year.
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4
News | 19 February 2018
Brooklyn SAPS concerned over street robberies in Hatfield Henri Uys
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n a media statement, the South African Police Service (SAPS)’s Brooklyn branch expressed concerns over the high number of street robberies that were recently reported in Hatfield. According to the Crime Stats website, 163 cases of common robbery and 347 cases of robbery with aggravating circumstances were reported in 2017 in the Brooklyn precinct. Hatfield forms part of the Brooklyn precinct. The media statement read, “Street robberies remain opportunistic crimes that can only be reduced through a combined effort of the community and the SAPS. Every person, no matter where s/he is, must be aware of crime risks and should assume responsibility for their own safety and the security of their belongings by taking simple, common sense precautions.”
Illustration: Rhodeen Davies
The statement explained that although women are advised from a young age not to walk about alone, especially at night, men often have a false sense of security and feel less vulnerable than women out on the streets. “Men must know that they can also fall victim to crimes such as street robberies,” it said. On 7 February, three street robberies were reported in Hatfield. At 06:00, a 21-yearold man was robbed of his textbooks and laptop while walking on the corners of Park and Grosvenor Streets. At 16:00, a 21-yearold woman was robbed of her cell phone while walking on the corners of Roper and Lynnwood Streets. The last incident occurred at 19:00 when an 18-year-old man was robbed of his laptop and cell phone after two men approached him at the corners of Burnett Street and University Road.
SAPS has released the following safety tips for both male and female pedestrians:
Infographic: Shaun Sproule
There is safety in numbers. Pedestrians are advised not to walk at night, but when going out, walk in groups.
When walking, stick to busy and well-lit areas. Do not make use of shortcuts and avoid deserted areas and parks, especially at night.
Avoid using headphones or earphones when walking. Listening to music while walking can distract you from your surroundings and make you seem less alert to potential thieves.
Be cautious of strangers approaching you to ask for directions, a lighter, the time etc.
Keep all of your valuables (such as cash, phones, jewellery etc.) concealed until you reach your destination.
When making a phone call in a public space, try and make the call as short as possible. It is best to wait until you reach your destination before making a call.
Do not text and walk. This will distract you from your surroundings.
Limit the amount of alcohol you consume before walking. Alcohol impairs judgement and will make you an easier target for potential thieves.
If you feel that you are being followed or harassed, go to the nearest populated area and ask for help.
When walking on pavements, walk in the direction of oncoming traffic. Some thieves operate from vehicles by stopping next to the victim, robbing them and then fleeing. Walking while facing oncoming traffic will allow you to see any potential suspect vehicles approaching.
Students are reminded of UP’s Green Route Project. This project helps students to travel safely between destinations in and around campus. Security officials accompany students on foot to and from residences, vehicles or other nearby locations. The service runs between 18:00 and 06:00 daily. On the Hatfield campus, security officials accompany students from the Absa ATM next to the Merensky 2 Library. The Brooklyn SAPS encourages anyone with information (relating to crime) to report it anonymously on 08600 10111. An SMS can also be sent to 32211. The Brooklyn SAPS can be reached on the following 24-number: 012 366 1735/6. Students can also make use of UP’s 24-hour Crisis Service: 0800 00 64 28
Image: Michael Ridge
The Disability Movement wins big
Illustration: Rhodeen Davies
UP and language month
Mbali Mkhithi
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ebruary is language month. On 1 February, the Pan South African Language Board in partnership with Exclusive Books, announced that all the Exclusive Books branches will now carry a range of children and young adults’ books in all official languages. Sign language is one of South Africa’s official languages, largely used to communicate with persons suffering from hearing disabilities. However, UP currently does not have an interpreter in staff to assist Capital D deaf students. Therefore, such persons are not accommodated for and lack the necessary facilities to be assisted. The Disability Unit Head of Department and manager, Ms Maria Ramaahlo said, “There are informal attempts to have South African sign language included on campus, but it would greatly assist [us] if we were to have a South African sign language interpreter in staff. If perhaps the Humanities Department, with how they offer other languages would include South African sign language which is the first language of all capital D deaf for that particular group of people. More can be done, there are informal attempts but I think if we can formalise them, we can allow for an inclusion for a group of people that are largely marginalised from other persons with disabilities.”
Language plays a crucial role in both social and academic communication. After the 2016 movement where students called for Afrikaans to be removed as a University language of instruction, a new language policy has since been drawn and set to be put in place in 2019. The North Gauteng High Court agreed with UP that they can change the language policy to remove Afrikaans as a medium of instruction after it was challenged by Afriforum. The UP spokesperson Rikus Delport explained that, “From 1 January 2019 English will be the language of teaching and learning for all first-year programmes at the University of Pretoria. The only exception is where students are studying other languages and in programmes with profession-specific language outcomes, subject to approval by Senate. English will also be the language of official communication and administration on all campuses and in residences. Where requested and feasible, administrative services may be provided in other South African languages.” This means that students who registered before the commencement of this new policy in 2019, will still be academically addressed in Afrikaans for those programmes that were offered in Afrikaans when they initially enrolled. Other universities, like the University of Free State, have also gone through such changes in 2016.
Koketso Ngwnya
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n the first week of February Student Leadership Awards were hosted in Johannesburg in honour of student leaders and movements who contribute to the interests of students across universities. During the award ceremony the Disability Awareness Movement (DAM) walked away with a few awards for its persistence in creating awareness for students living with different types of disabilities. These awards were also dedicated to the Movement’s passion in advocating for the rights and interests of such students. According to an article on the conversation, it has been over a decade since the government “signed and ratified” the Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities. However, most South African universities are presently faced with the challenge of ensuring the inclusivity of students living with disabilities in university teaching, learning and participation in various activities. Lehlogonolo Senong of the Disability Awareness Movement told Wits News, “Most students are afraid to come forth (to Disability Units in universities) to talk about their struggles”. Statistics published in StatsSA show that of the 2.9 million disabled persons in South Africa, 1% are students. That brings the number of students living with disabilities to over 28 700 in 2017. The rapid increase of this figure calls for economic, legislative and
social intervention from various Disability Units and Programmes. Part of the reason for the existence of Disability Units in universities is to ensure that students living with disabilities do not face challenges of exclusion and neglect in institutions of higher learning. UP Head of Disability Unit Maria Ramaahlo said,“For us [the UP Disability Unit] awareness starts before you [the student with a disability] go to university. What we do [to raise awareness] is through a career expo for students with disabilities, we present at this expo where students with disabilities are brought in from Gauteng, a few from North West and Limpopo”. This expo involves presenting to Grade 9-12 learners living with disabilities a variety of information which ranges from application processes, study programs, NSFAS, residences and campus facilities.” “Once students with disabilities get to university, we give them an expanded orientation, they go through a general orientation and then they also come to us for a disability-specific orientation,” Ramaahlo added. The 2018 objective for DAM is fashioned towards shedding light on the nature of disabilities that students live with, both visible and invisible. The movement also aims to continue advocating for the rights of such students both in universities and in areas of employment.
19 February 2018 | News
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Image: Michael Ridge
Back to School Student Drive Masesi Tsotetsi
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enlyn Park Shopping Centre together with UP, ran a Back to School Student Drive. TuksFM also participated in this drive to create awareness. On 7 February, TuksFM broadcasters Quintus Potgieter and Brendon Sabau from The Driveway, along with The Quintessential show broadcasted live in the mall’s Aviary Square. With the show running from 15:00 to 18:00, topics regarding textbook prices, improvised student meals (for example noodles and baked beans) and other student expenses (such as accommodation, transport, food, clothing and books) were discussed. The Back to School Student Drive ran from 18 January to 11 February. Donations of clothing, stationery, non-perishable foods and toiletries were accepted. Menlyn’s General Manager, Olive Ndebele, later joined the show to discuss the initiative. The drive aims to give back to the community
of Pretoria and erase the stereotype of university students “having everything”. It also aims to ensure that students have a better experience at university than what some parents can provide. One of the main concerns regarding students is study materials. Textbooks are a great expense and students often resort to copying books, which is ultimately illegal as it interferes with copyright laws. As this is a crucial requirement for university, students are encouraged to donate or sell their textbooks as they progress to higher years of study. The Menlyn team wants to ensure that the youth is considered and taken care of, as they are the future of the country. With the refurbishments of the shopping centre, students are greatly catered to as awareness is raised throughout the shopping centre. Ndebele said “it’s not just a shopping centre, it’s a lifestyle”. The Back to School Student Drive was officially launched in 2018, but will continue to grow and take place in years to come.
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Features | 19 February 2018
The dangers of eating disorders
Image: Rhodeen Davies
Katherine Atkinson
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ating disorder awareness week will take place from 26 February to 4 March 2018. February is therefore dedicated to creating awareness of and breaking the stigmas which surround eating disorders. The National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) say that eating disorders are “serious mental illnesses” and are not simply “diets that have gone ‘too far’.” Hanlé Kirkcaldy, a clinical psychologist at Student Support and Counselling at the University of Pretoria, says that, academically speaking, “an eating disorder is when an individual displays a persistent disturbance of eating or eating related behaviour”. This includes Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating and Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS). Kirkcaldy says that eating disorders are not only about “eating and dieting” and can more accurately be thought of as “a way for someone to [express] unhappiness about themselves and who they are”. This unhappiness then reflects through “the way the person manages food and eating.” Students “have presented with both Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa at Student Counselling,” says Kirkcaldy. While Bulimia Nervosa is characterised by “repeated episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours”
such as vomiting or taking laxatives, Anorexia Nervosa is characterised by extreme food restriction, fear of gaining weight and a disturbed body image says NEDC. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of all eating disorders due to its “very damaging health effects such as brain damage, multi-organ failure, bone loss, heart difficulties, and infertility” says Eating Disorder Hope. A senior student at the University of Pretoria, who preferred to remain anonymous, has admitted to struggling with anorexia “on and off” for “about 16 years” and believes that eating disorders are less about the physical side effects and more about “the mental battle”. It is said that eating disorders are about “trying to find control in chaos and trying to find comfort when you feel like everything is falling apart”. Despite the student’s lengthy battle with the illness, they say that it has “only been in the past 18 months that people have become aware of [their anorexia].” The student admits that it took a long time to find treatment “because [they] didn’t look sick and [they] didn’t present with the typical symptoms.” They state that eating disorders are “very easy to hide” because “sick doesn’t have a look”. It was only in August last year, when the student’s anorexia started to majorly impact their academics that “it ever came to light”. This is because the student was
issued an ultimatum to either gain weight or be hospitalised, which would interrupt their studies and could risk losing funding. The student reinforces that eating disorders are “definitely a mental illness” and that you “may not be clinically underweight” but you may still not have “a healthy relationship with food”. Kirkcaldy notes that depression “often appears together with an eating disorder.” This was true of the student’s experience with anorexia. The student says it is “difficult to tell which came first” because anorexia perpetuates depression. They state that “you restrict your body so much that you don’t actually have any energy left to feel anything”. The student says the illness causes “complete anhedonia” and it feels like “the joy is sucked out of your life”. Kirkcaldy says that eating disorders “typically develop during adolescence and young adulthood” which is a “student demographic”. She claims that students are “not more at risk [of developing eating disorders] because they are students,” rather, “they are just in a sensitive phase of life.” The senior student, however, notes the stressors of student life to be a large contributor toward their eating disorder. For them, these stressors included “being away from home,” being in residence where “[their] whole routine [was] different” and being faced with “fierce competition”. The student says that their Bachelor of Sciences degree was “intensely high pressure” and their busy schedule made it easy to skip meals. Although stressful student life contributed toward the student’s eating disorder, Kirkcaldy states that the “contributors are multi-factorial”. She says that “uncertainty during times of transformation can trigger an eating disorder as a way of trying to regain some form of independence and focus.” Other contributors noted by Kirkcaldy include social isolation, trauma, childhood influences and our society. Kirkcaldy says that our society “bombards us with images where a certain body shape and look is welcomed, condoned and depicted as the norm”. She adds that “the prevalence of unhealthy dieting, problematic eating habits and concerns about the [unattainable] perfect appearance are certainly very high in the student population.” Internet sites such as MyProAna, ‘pro ana’ meaning pro-anorexic, “promote anorexia as a lifestyle” and show “resistance to recovery,” says the senior student. These sites use hashtags such as #thinspiration and #bonespo, as well as quotes and blogs, which promote weight loss and an emaciated appearance. The senior
student believes that although sites like this will not necessarily trigger an eating disorder, they may still “plant the seed”, “make you feel the need to compete” and “make you feel like a failure if you start recovering”. Besides their prevalence in our society, eating disorders are highly stigmatised. Although eating disorders can affect anyone regardless of gender, class, age and culture; there is a misperception that anorexia is only “a middleto-high class, white woman’s disease,” says the senior student. The harsh stigma against mental illness may also cause some to believe that if you have an eating disorder you are “unstable,” “unreliable” and “a risk,” says the student. The student believes that this stigma may cause people to not seek help or treatment. In addition to the stigmas, treatment and the recovery process can be very testing emotionally, mentally, and physically. The senior student says that the most difficult thing about recovery is learning that they are “not able to control life, that weight and shape matter less than the presence you bring into a room” and “that actually no-one cares what’s on your plate” because “it’s what you project”. They say that “to take a step into recovery” they need to rewrite their identity and leave this part of them behind which is “quite frightening”. The student says that their anxiety is elevated at the moment because their “body suddenly has fuel” and “emotions are intense” especially because they have gone from “not feeling anything to now feeling everything”. Despite the recovery being incredibly gruelling, the student says they have learned that “you don’t need to kill yourself in order to be recognised” because “there’s enough of you left without the eating disorder to be able to belong”. Kirkcaldy advises anyone with an eating disorder to “seek help from an informed psychologist or ask your GP for a referral to a psychologist” as eating disorders can be “enduring and debilitating”. The student, who personally went to the Student Support and Counselling centre at UP, said that the centre has “been amazing and so supportive” as it enabled them to find “someone to click with and someone to work with”. This gave the student the “space to just say what was on [their] mind.” If you are battling with an eating disorder, the student says, “try find at least one person” who you “don’t mind taking constructive criticism from” to “walk this journey with [you].” The student ends by saying that you must learn “to be patient with yourself, because it’s going to be tough and you’re going to have to learn to be kind to yourself.”
we want to look at is, are they actually hearing well, do [they] ask to have the television louder than really is necessary. In adults, it is usually the significant other who picks up that they have hearing loss. They usually have problems in a restaurant environment or coffee shop where there is a lot of background noise and suddenly it becomes very difficult for them to communicate effectively. Often times, people start extracting themselves from social environments because it just takes so much energy to be able to communicate in those settings. The advice is that if there is any concern you should find out what your hearing status is because knowledge is power. If you know then you can actually do something about it. What are the goals in connection with World Hearing Day? It's to increase awareness around hearing loss so that people actually go to the trouble to find out what their hearing status is. [It] is referred to as an 'invisible epidemic' because people don't see it. It is an epidemic because it is so extremely common. Globally, WHO estimates indicate that one in seven [people] have some degree of hearing loss. Can you tell us more about the HearZA application? We developed this app at UP, it took us 3 years to do the research, we published it and then we launched it on World Hearing Day in 2016 as South Africa's national hearing test. It's a free app that you can download on Android or iOS
[and] you get three free hearing test credits. Every year we give you a new test credit so that you can monitor it and track it over time. The most important thing for us here is that we want people to know what their hearing status is so that they can do something about it. If your hearing is fine the app allows you to track it over time and build a personal profile. A year from now you will get an in-app notification that says you should retest your hearing. If the app tells you that you have a hearing problem it encourages you to connect to your closest audiologist. We've partnered with the two national associations for audiologists in South Africa, so their members are listed in the app. So, based on your location, you can be directly referred to the nearest hearing health-care providers. The 2018 theme is “Hear the future”, what goals does this theme carry? The idea with “Hear the future” (which is a WHO campaign) is to think about both the cost that hearing loss has for governments' economies if we don't intervene now, and for individuals. The longer you wait to actually try out some kind of intervention, the more difficult it becomes. It's about thinking about the future and thinking about the fact that hearing loss is actually increasing globally due to our aging world population. At the moment, there are about 1.3 billion people that have hearing loss. But, in five or ten years from now that figure will be even higher. The earlier you know, the earlier you can get help, and the better your outcomes will be.
Hearing loss: the invisible epidemic Gemma Gatticchi
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Image: Anotidashe Mukombachoto
erdeby sat down with hearX group co-founder, Professor De Wet Swanepoel from UP in conjunction with World Hearing Day, which will take place on 3 March. According to the South African Journal of Communication Disorders (SAJCD), the need for urgent action to prevent ear and hearing problems is a priority, especially because in many cases permanent hearing loss is preventable. Can you elaborate on some of the major hearing problems faced by South Africans? There're obviously children who often have hearing loss which is quite common in youngsters entering the schooling system, and hearing is the gateway to learning. If you can't hear well at school then you are not going to be able to learn well. Childhood hearing loss is an important contributor. Some of it is permanent, in other words, there is damage to the hearing organ. Some of it may not be permanent, it may be an infection they might have, like middle ear infection for example. Then we have adult hearing loss. The most important causes of adult hearing loss are aging and noise exposure. The problem with most hearing losses is once you lose it you can't get it back. What are some of the indicators of hearing loss to look out for? In children, parents should be on the lookout for kids who are not responding well to sound or who are struggling in school. The first thing
19 February 2018 | Features
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Controversy around Inxeba
Inxeba controversy splits population Lorinda Marrian and Una Mudimeli
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he nationwide release of Inxeba (The Wound) was met with mixed responses in parts of the country for its portrayal of Xhosa rituals and culture earlier this month. The movie follows the story of a closeted homosexual couple during the Xhosa initiation of ulwaluko which sees the sacred transition of boys into manhood. Upon its release, various complaints and threats have been launched against its cast members and local protests from the Xhosa community in the Eastern Cape have caused certain cinemas to stop screening the film. The complaints centre around what many say is an incorrect portrayal of the initiation ceremony which should only be known to those that have taken part in it.
Some of the biggest critics of the film are the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) and several other cultural organisations that regard the movie as a misrepresentation of what happens during the initiation practice. Contralesa Gauteng Chairperson, Prince Manene Tabane, in an interview with the Mail and Guardian, went on to say that the movie “ridicules our cultural practice” and that what is being shown in the movie is not a portrayal of what happens “in the mountain”. He further goes on to say that it is “disgusting and disrespectful to our cultural practices”. On the other hand, Inxeba producer Elias Ribeiro speaking about the protests in an interview with the African News Agency said that the queer audience were being prevented from watching the movie by a “small group of
men who feel their masculinity has been threatened by a fictional story”. In the entertainment industry, several public figures such as Loyiso Bala initially showed disdain for the movie because it commercially exploits a sacred part of Xhosa culture. However, he has since called for a “debate of inclusive cultural respect and tolerance". In response to the complaints about the movie’s portrayal of what should be a secret part of Xhosa culture, Inxeba co-writer Malusi Bengu said that the movie is not about the secrecy of Xhosa initiation and that Nelson Mandela already wrote more about the ceremony in his book A Long Walk to Freedom. He further said that the secrecy of the ceremony has previously been exposed by journalists who have reported on the deaths that occur during the practice.
The recent backlash and threats towards the cast and crew have caused many of them to seek a safe space outside of the spotlight. The producers have since laid complaints with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and the Commission for Gender Equality in response to the violent threats against the movie and the cast members. Director John Trengove said in a statement that although the movie is not for everyone, there are many young South Africans, especially in the black queer community, who have the right to watch and engage with the film because it reflects something of their own experience. In support of the producers, The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) has condemned the violent threats surrounding the film. NFVF CEO Zama Mkosi, has said that the disruption of the screening of the movie is against the spirit of the South African Constitution. On 14 February the Film and Publication Board (FPB) announced via Twitter that their Appeal Tribunal had overturned the film’s classification rating from 16 LS to X18, with “classifiable elements of Sex, Language, Violence and Prejudice.” Films with this rating cannot be shown in cinemas; however, speaking to Channel24 the FPB’s Manala Botolo said, “Inxeba has not been pulled from cinemas yet. Action will only be taken when the Appeal Tribunal gives its reasoning behind the change.” Regardless of the current controversy, the movie has received positive responses from people on various social media platforms for its portrayal of a LGBTIAQ+ relationship in a traditional context. The movie has also received high praise from critics and has since received eight South African Film and Television Awards (Safta) nominations and has won 19 international awards and was shortlisted for this year’s Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
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Entertainment | 19 February 2018
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Inxeba (The Wound) John Trengove Carina Kloppers
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fter John Trengove’s Inxeba (The Wound) had its world premiere at the Sundance Festival on 22 January 2017. The film picked up a multitude of awards and even created some Oscar buzz. With its nationwide release a year later, the same film’s controversial subject matter caused local outrage that sent the cast and crew into hiding. Some cinemas in the Eastern Cape had to cancel screenings of Inxeba (The Wound) due to the protests, but the film’s producers lodged an official complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) because of this. Perdeby decided to take a look at the story behind the story. The film follows Xolani (Nakhane Toure), a lonely factory worker, as he undertakes his annual trip to the rural Eastern Cape to serve as one of the caregivers in the Xhosa initiation process, ukwaluka. Xolani is assigned a defiant initiate, Kwanda (Niza Jay Ncoyini), who is unimpressed with the traditions forced upon him and is labelled by an elder as “too soft”. Tensions reach their peak after Kwanda accidently discovers that Xolani has a secret love affair with another caregiver Vija (Bongile Mantsai). To make matters even more complicated, Vija has a wife and children back home. At the film’s core exists the isolation and otherness experienced by LGBTIAQ+ people. The issues of masculinity,
Image: IOL.co.za
sexuality and community are universally relevant, regardless of their cultural context. Inxeba (The Wound) offers a dark and stirring coming-of-age narrative that carries the same poignancy as Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight (2016). Inxeba (The Wound) is not an easy film to watch. Some scenes can be unsettling for sensitive viewers and the subject matter is definitely not easy to digest. This harshness is especially amplified by the film’s lack of comic relief. The film is raw and real and probably very necessary as it creates a dialogue about the effect of rigid tradition amidst an evolving society. This film is definitely a good watch for those with the appetite for something more challenging. However, it is important to note that the film never aims to critique tradition. No, Inxeba (The Wound) rather offers an unflinching look at these traditional notions of masculinity and allows the audience to form their own opinions about the problems depicted.
In the spotlight: SA fashion industry
Carina Kloppers
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ver the last two decades South Africa has been performing exceptionally well in the international fashion scene. Many young designers have illuminated the market with their fusion of African aesthetics with a contemporary flare as they offer buyers a refreshing take on both casual wear and couture. So far, 2018 has definitely not disappointed with singer and television presenter Nandi Madida’s effortless break into the fashion industry. On 10 February local celebrity Madida debuted her fashion label, Colour, at New York Fashion Week. Madida collaborated with designers Philani Lindokuhle, Kentse Masilo and Josh Patron for her Autumn/Winter 2018 collection which is set to launch worldwide on 20 March 2018. Models of every shape and size graced the runway, as Madida wants Colour to represent all women. Furthermore, the brand is also aimed at displaying the power, intelligence and beauty found in African women. So, on Saturday the runway was set ablaze with a fiery celebration of femininity as the models were transformed into warrior queens. Models donned bright wigs, traditional Zulu accessories and bold make-up along with a stunning assortment of gowns, jumpsuits and tailored suits. Although red with a touch of gold was the colour of choice for the collection, the evening wear introduced a subtler selection of crisp whites and muted blacks with bright beadwork on the necklines. The show was widely received with a standing ovation when Madida and Patron took to the runway. Another prominent figure in the international fashion scene is of course the reigning Miss Universe, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters. Since her crowning, in that utterly gorgeous Anel Botha creation back in November 2017, she has been showing off her signature smile at major global events while rubbing elbows with the fashion elite. Earlier this year she brought the crown home to attend The Sun Met in a gown by Illustration: Sally Hartzenberg
Gert-Johan Coetzee. She also attended the Golden Globes as the guest of Margaret Gardiner, the first Miss Universe to be crowned from South Africa in 1978, who is now a fashion editor for GoldenGlobes.com. Most recently she also represented South Africa at New York Fashion Week as she walked the runway for Sherri Hill. There are many other designers worth mentioning but Perdeby has managed to single out the bright flames. There is Jacques LaGrange’s couture designs that were showcased at 2017’s New York Fashion week. The award-winning David Thale is now a household name in South Africa, since he was the first African designer to showcase at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York in 2012. Since then he has shown at a further five seasons in New York. Another force to be reckoned with is Thula Sindi. He launched his self-named brand in 2005 and has since shown at fashion weeks around the world, including Paris, Rome, Hong Kong, Washington and New York. Sindi was 2012’s South African Fashion Designer of the Year. Celeste Arendse launched her Cape Town-based label Selfi in 2009. The label is inspired by architecture and natural patterns, and is sold today at various stores both locally and internationally. Lastly, Kgotso Letwaba and Mieke Vermeulen are Pretoria-based fashion designers to take note of. They will further establish their brand at future Design Indabas and South Africa Fashion Weeks. But most importantly, they will for sure keep the torch of the South African fashion industry proudly lit.
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19 February 2018 | Entertainment
Image: Ricardo Teixeira
Meet your writers: Achmat Dangor Ricardo Teixeira
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enowned South African author and award-winning poet Achmat Dangor visited the University of Pretoria on 15 February to discuss his latest novel Dikeledi. It is the eleventh book from the author, and shares many themes with his most notable novel, Bitter Fruit. According to the author, the novel “tells the story of a number of young people fighting oppression, told through the minds of three women”, members of a wide-spread family during 1970s to the present; with the female characters referred to as “Dikeledi”. The characters referred to as Dikeledi tell of their experiences either through their own youth, or of their children, as seen with one of the characters, Julia. The novel’s fixation on the youth comes at a time when the youth of South Africa are calling for change, in our education system and in our government. The author himself said, “The youth on this continent can be a recipe for renaissance, or disaster.” When asked about the inspiration for this novel, Mr Dangor told us of an experience he had as a young child, witnessing the forced removal of his neighbours under the apartheid housing laws. His neighbour’s daughter, whose name was Dikeledi, yelled at the policemen in anger, vowing to hurt them one day. The rest of the novel is mostly fiction, but broadly based upon Mr. Dangor’s history, growing up in a mixed family. The author stated he had no difficulty writing about the cultural difference between he and his characters, but he did struggle with the gender difference between he and his female characters.
Image Provided
Fresh Prince of Maftown: Benny Cray Dinah Ramonyai
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enny Cray is a song writer, ghost writer, a producer and overall a music philosopher. I don’t just write and perform music, music for me is a spirit”, Benny Cray talks about how his music is his way of touching people. Hours before he drops his new single “High” at Hatfield Chisanyama on Friday 9 February, Perdeby met up with Benny Cray the self-proclaimed Fresh Prince of Maftown for the lowdown on him, his music and his future plans. Perdeby went into details about his hit tracks, how Motswako shaped him and how Pretoria continues to shape him and his music. When asked where the name Fresh Prince of Maftown comes from, Cray explains that “Maftown has a philosophy… Maftown is like an arts academy, everybody wants to be an artist, [they] want to be on tv […]” After working with some of the Mafikeng kings like HHP who mentor artists and now recently having performed on the same stage with another one of Mafikeng’s giants, Cassper Nyovest, this past December, and also making an appearance on SABC 3’s show Fanatics Benny considers himself one of the many upcoming Mafikeng princes.
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While his previous tracks “Black Coffee” and “City” bring chilled vibes that are not conventional to the hip hop genre, Benny’s chilled hip hop style strays from the normal hard rap and punchlines in hip hop. This diversion from the norm is influenced by his moving from Mafikeng to Pretoria. “When I came to Pretoria that’s when I saw music on another level and I was like ‘woah’ Ok, I’m in the city […] I can’t be selfish and just rap in Tswana, the City sound is actually the urban sound because I’m here, I’m moving with the times.” When asked if he will ever serve us the usually expected Hip hop Benny said “Nah I don’t think I’ll ever go there,” he continues to explain “I feel like rapping is the starter pack of Hip hop, the grade one and you cannot say you’re an artist and then say you only rap, and I’m an artist.” These are the type of vibes that one should be expecting from the newly dropped single “High” that will soon be up on Waptrendz. Cray played Perdeby the exclusive track and it embodies exactly what he has described his music to be, urban. The young artist is dropping an EP Change on 16 February that will be available on Waptrendz. You can find more of Benny Cray’s music on Waptrendz.co.za, and very soon on Slikour on life.
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19 February 2018 | Sport
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How foods affect fitness Caitlyn Walsh
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Image: Prince Jiane
Inside TuksFencing with the Prague champion, Janali van den Berg Ashley Magwindiri
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encing allows you to develop flexibility and balance. It is also a mental sport that requires attention to speed and timing. Recently, a UP dentistry student won a fencing tournament in Prague. Perdeby had the pleasure of talking to Janali van den Berg about her fencing experience. What initially drew you to Fencing? I first started with Modern Pentathlon, but it is a very time consuming sport thus I chose to further specialize in fencing. What is the secret behind balancing your studies and TuksFencing? I would say time management and planning are the keys to success. If you want to achieve your goal, you have to prioritize and really concentrate on what you are doing. Fencing can be learnt in a short time, however it takes a lifetime to master. Can you say you are still learning, or you have mastered it? I would say I am definitely still learning. Each fencer has his or
her own style and I learn something new with every bout I fence. It is a sport that still stimulates your brain until old age, for example, Hungarian epee fencer Géza Imre won a Silver medal in the 2016 Olympics at the age of 41 years old. What did it feel like to win the Prague Fencing Tournament? Coming from South Africa where fencing is not as well progressed as in Europe, I did not focus on winning. I was quite taken by surprise when I realized during the last match that I had won the tournament. What is your state of mind, when you are competing? Because fencing is more of a mind game, I focus on being very calm when I fence. I usually listen to music before a competition and run up a flight of stairs to clear my mind after each bout. What did it take to get where you are now? It took hard work and dedication fencing requires fitness, skill and experience. Lots of hours must be spent on the piste in order to get that experience and strength. On days I don’t fence, I exercise and run around the track. In grade 12 my father and I trained early mornings in our garage, just to get in extra time and then also again trained in the evenings.
ifferent foods can have a serious impact on your fitness and the well-being of your body. The body needs certain nutrients to increase fitness levels and to meet specific needs that your body requires in a physical workout. The muscles that you use in an exercise routine need nutrients that you supply through your diet, therefore one should avoid unhealthy foods and stick to wholesome nutrient filled meals. According to the Fitness Genie, “proteins, vitamins, minerals, water, the lipids in fat and certain carbohydrates should be ingested daily”. Athletes that train hard each day should ingest more servings of carbohydrates with every meal. This is because carbohydrates are necessary to provide energy that the body needs during exercise workouts. Fitness Genie says, “healthy fats should also be ingested as they support the metabolism of the body and they help the body to absorb certain nutrients”. The website adds that the best place to source the lipids in fat would be through nuts, seeds and oils such as olive oil. Protein plays a key role in the building of muscles and should therefore be checked and eaten according to what activities you take part in daily as excess protein will be stored as fat Vitamins and minerals play a significant role too as they aid in your body’s muscle contraction and the production of energy. “If you do not consume enough of the correct vitamins and minerals there is a possibility that you will not be able to exercise in the way that you want to, Fitness Genie warns. It is especially imperative that you drink a lot of water especially when working out as you should always stay hydrated. When exercising, the body loses fluids through sweating and your body needs to stay hydrated as it keeps your heart rate steady and controls body temperature. “The timing of meals is also important when considering fitness,” Fitness Genie adds. Large meals should not be eaten less than three or four hours before a workout however it is acceptable and healthier to eat smaller snacks prior to exercise or during. Eating too much before an exercise routine could negatively impact the workout. Carbohydrates and protein foods can be eaten after workout sessions to aid in the repairing of muscles. Nutritional supplements can also be taken when it is not easy to maintain a healthy diet. Supplements such omega three fish oil tablets, multivitamins and fatty acid supplements can be taken to ensure that your body is receiving satisfactory nutrition to boost fitness levels.
A representative of Flinders University in Adelaide Australia will be visiting Pretoria on Wednesday, 28 February 2018 to discuss study options with interested students. The one-on-one sessions will take place between 13:00 – 17:00 at the Conference Centre (Floor 1) of the City Lodge Hotel, Lynnwood Bridge, Pretoria.
Image: Michael Ridge
Blue Bulls TuksRugby Academy 101 Caitlyn Walsh
Please contact the accredited agent: Rutega Education Services at 082 887 0306 or info@rutegaeducation.com for further information. The Times Higher Education 150 Under 50 year old university rankings celebrates young universities that have made a great impact on the global stage in years rather than centuries and showcases the future rising university stars. Flinders University in Adelaide Australia is proud to be ranked in the top 50 universities under 50 years old worldwide. “This global recognition reinforces our standing as a world top 2 per cent university that is making a difference to the communities we serve and the world around us”, Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling says.
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stablished to aid passionate rugby players, the Blue Bulls Tuks Rugby Academy promotes making a career out of rugby for those who love the sport. Perdeby interviewed Wynand Moolman, manager of the academy, to find out what the rugby academy can offer players. What is the Blue Bulls TuksRugby Academy and why was it established? The Blue Bulls TuksRugby Academy was established to use rugby to attract passionate rugby players to the University of Pretoria and the Blue Bulls Rugby Union. It was also established to develop and broaden the talented pool of players for the Blue Bulls Rugby Union and [UP] in a well-structured rugby program. The academy creates an environment where rugby can be used to teach [...] good habits on and off the rugby field. The academy may also use rugby to install morals and values in players. Why do you think the academy is beneficial to those who are wanting to play rugby
professionally? A lot of players are not certain what to do after school and then decide to do a gap year. Some players are late developers and will then develop in a professional rugby structure with regards to the Blue Bulls Tuks Rugby Structure. What do the different programmes and courses entail? The first courses are the certified courses which offer a World Rugby level one coaching course, World Rugby level one refereeing, World Rugby level one strength and conditioning, BokSmart and SA First Aid level one training as well. The next courses are the theoretical courses. These include event planning, conditioning, technical analysis, the team manager, selection policy, financial management and sport’s agency management. The last course is the advanced rugby coaching course which involves the role of the coach, team social responsibilities, warm-up and physiological principles, game related communication skills and individual rugby skills. This course also includes handling, running, kicking and positional rugby skills.
Sport Perdeby
TuksArchery Hosts Double 720 and North Gauteng Provincial Championships
Ntokozo Zondo
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uksArchery recently held the club’s first tournament of the year. On 10 February, the club hosted the Double 720 qualifiers to determine who would be eligible to compete at a provincial level. On 11 February, 70 archers competed to make the Northern Gauteng provincial team to qualify before Nationals by playing a range of 70m and 50m with a recurve or compound bow. Both events were needed for shooters to get their colours as four averages are needed to achieve colours. This is followed by having four provincial averages to make nationals and four national averages to compete on an international level representing South
Africa. Registration to compete for both days was open to 2018 registered South African National Archery Association (SANAA) members and visitors or non-SANAA members. SANAA is the national governing body for archery. Trevor Pitout set a new record for the SANAA recurve limited, winning a gold medal. Hendre Verhoef broke two new records for the compound u/10 Boys winning a gold medal. The club is located at the TuksArchery Range (which is on the Hillcrest Campus (Sports campus) opposite the Football club and adjacent to the RAG Farm). The club currently has 120 members, 80 percent of which are from the University of Pretoria and the rest are international players and others are
Image: Sally Hartzenberg
employed and affiliated with other clubs. Shaun Anderson, TuksArchery Chairperson, also competed in the championships. It was his first tournament back at the range since his injury last October which left him paralyzed from the waist down. When asked about the future of the club Anderson said, “I’m looking forward to the development of the rehabilitation centre for archery which
is currently in final negotiations”. He also added that the centre will be instrumental in “[assisting] athletes who have been in accidents or who are disabled to get physiotherapy, counselling and exposure to archery”. Anderson expressed his excitement at the “influx” of new members, beginners and pros alike. Regarding TuksArchery’s goals for the rest of the year, Anderson added that the club is currently working with UP on developing restrooms on the club premises which will be easily accessible to disabled members. “We are also working on paving the range and our outreach programmes,” Anderson said. On 17 February, the club hosted their first outreach programme of the year at Marks Park. Gauteng Sports was also in attendance at the outreach programme. “The aim of the programme is to expose children from various backgrounds to the sport to create diversity [...] and offer them development and equipment training,” Anderson said. The club is currently training for the upcoming nationals which will be held in the last week of April.
Five minutes with TuksSquash ambassador Nothando Ntimane Ntokozo Zondo
N
othando Ntimane, a second year BIS Information Science student sat down with Perdeby to discuss her passion for squash and her role as a club ambassador. You started playing squash seven years ago, what is your earliest memory of the sport? I remember a six-year-old me running around the court pretending the racket was a guitar. What makes squash the sports you’ve chosen to play for almost a decade? I love the fast pace and high intensity, and it’s also a very stimulating sport. Your sister also plays squash. Do you think we will ever see the Ntimane sisters on a squash doubles team? My sister and I are quite competitive so she uses me as her benchmark. So far she’s done amazing at surpassing it [sic]. I definitely think our competitiveness would make us a
killer doubles team. What does being the TuksSquash Ambassador entail? It’s about representing TuksSport and using the platform to promote “The stripe generation” and my sporting code squash. As well as making the sport more accessible. What has been most rewarding about this role so far? The most rewarding thing about this position is that I can give back to the sport I love. What words of wisdom would you give your eight-year-old self? Get rid of all your inhibitions, you’ll progress faster. As a person of colour, why do you think the sport is predominantly made up of white players and what do you think would increase diversity in the sport? Squash is one of the many sports that haven’t been given enough exposure, since it was formerly played by the more privileged. As a result, it seems inaccessible. I think we
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should introduce it to more schools, and have kids be exposed to the sport early on. This will make the idea of the sport less foreign. Who are your sport icons and why do they inspire you? I don’t have specific sport icons, but I’m always inspired when seeing any woman being empowered by the sport they love. What has been your greatest achievement in your career so far and why? Making the SA School’s touring team was a highlight for me. I can clearly remember how hard I worked to achieve that goal. Who or what do you attribute your success with squash to? An extremely supportive family and a great passion for the sport. What are tournaments are you currently training for? The Jarvis Kaplan Cup and USSA. Which sporting event are you most looking forward to in the upcoming year? USSA, I’m excited to see how the TuksS-
quash team will do since we are all training hard towards the tournament. Do you feel pressured to perform better and push yourself harder than your teammates since you’re on a sports bursary? No, I push myself harder daily because of the love of the sport. It makes it easier for me to do my best. If you weren’t playing squash would you be an athlete in another field and if so, which field would that be? If I wasn’t playing squash I’d probably be a cross-country athlete. What advice would you give to young squash players trying to make a name for themselves? Push yourself out your comfort zone, your hard work will pay off. What is the greatest advice a coach has given you and why has it stuck with you? Conquer your body as well as your mind. Your limits are usually not where you think they are.
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