PDBY
1 August 2022
Year 84 | Issue 6
yourcampusnews.
He did what?:
First-year allegedly spends semester pretending to be a Jurisprudence 110 lecturer
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Banathi Nkehli n June, the department of jurisprudence sent out an email to first-year students titled “JUR110 S1 2022: Serious Matter”. In this email, the department detailed the strange story of another student who “[pretended] to be a professor with the Faculty of Law at UP and [held] lectures and [prepared] lecture notes for JUR110 students”. With the assistance of the first-year class representative of JUR110, Lucca Rautenbach, PDBY explored this peculiar set of facts.
The “Prof” The alleged student is first-year student Moses Modisane, known as “Prof” by his “students”. His CV is rather impressive. According to Modisane’s LinkedIn, he was a delegate with the South AfricaSweden University Forum. In addition, he was a managing director of a company known only as “3rd Realm”. Furthermore, he is the founder and executive chairman of the Tsholetsang Foundation. Among all these accomplishments and accolades, his job titles include: corporate social responsibility manager, assistant manager, executive assistant, and manager. Notably, none of these titles and accolades mention “law professor”. Modisane’s formal education is a checkered record. According to his LinkedIn, he has never completed a degree at any of the three institutions he attended. While enrolled at Unisa and Wits, he pursued a teaching degree, which he never completed. He is currently enrolled at UP, doing his first year in law. From the above it is apparent that Modisane was neither qualified nor competent to teach jurisprudence (legal philosophy) in any capacity. The lectures Modisane ran his operation on a WhatsApp group called “LLB Campus Study Group”, where he would inform his class of first years of the particulars of each “lecture” session. The sessions would be held either virtually on Zoom, or as a contact class in a Thuto lecture hall. However, access to the group and his “class material” was not available to all students who took JUR110 that semester. Access to the group was by invitation only. According to Rautenbach,
“to join the group, students had to provide their Facebook, a picture of themselves, and where they reside”. Furthermore, any disclosure of the group’s existence would be met with a sanction. The sanction was stated as one of the rules in the group’s description, which he regularly reminded students to refer to. One exchange in the group reads, “Dear ***** It has come to my attention you have disclosed the particulars of the next session on a public platform […] I refer you to the group’s description, particularly rule 8.” In light of the group being accessed by invitation only, it is rather peculiar that the students in the group were mostly women. In order to gain access to future class session, students were apparantly required to message Modisane privately, as he would explain on the group: “If you will be attending, you are requested to text prof personally and make the necessary arrangements […]”. The nature of his correspondence with the students is an enigmatic blend of professional/ academic and inappropriate. Modisane’s engagement with his students mimicked that of a real professor, as he would begin announcements with “greetings students,” or end his correspondence with “Regards, FLY@UP.” In one announcement, he even expressed his dissatisfaction with low class attendance, saying, “it is bizarre as I have received 30 inbox messages where people wanted to attend the Saturday session where I offered the lecture. I cannot fathom whether people lack the motivation to attend […]”. Modisane even made lecture slides for his “lectures”, however, they featured the watermark for the Faculty of Humanities as opposed to the Faculty of Law, which he allegedly belonged to. Modisane’s exchanges with students over WhatsApp enter the realm of inappropriate in private messages such as the following: “3 things. We need to talk. If you want a study partner, I’m here. I want us to vibe.” Furthermore, some students were only taught by Modisane and caught his lecture sessions if they remunerated him. The nature of the remuneration is unclear from the evidence tendered to PDBY, but certain inferences can be made from a text sent on the group, which reads: “Truth be told, I am and have been available only to those who delivered the drink mentioned at the end of the first quarter (exception has been made at some points)”. His reasoning for this remuneration is best explained by Modisane in a WhatsApp message when he says, “Good people, we
EFFSC collapses Student Forum P3
Photo: Jaime Lamb
cannot continue giving ourselves to people that are unappreciative in all material aspects”. In response to this, Modisane said to PDBY that there was never a prescribed drink but that he noted that drinks “would be very much appreciated”. No exact date concerning the founding of the group and the start of the lectures can be determined from the evidence tendered to PDBY. However, from the evidence, it is clear that the “lectures” went on unnoticed by the Faculty of Law for as long as April right through to the end of the semester in June, when the department sent out the correspondence to the first-year students. When approached for comment, Modisane said “Nothing happened. We just had a study group […]. I and my fellow law students […] am tired of things being blown out of proportion”, “no one can dare come forward and claim that I said I am a staff member of UP. […] I have never said such a thing. […] Prof was a WhatsApp username […] and has nothing to do with misrepresentations or anything of the sort”. He maintains that despite the format and the particulars of these “lectures” that “the study group sessions were not lectures or classes” and that “the terms classes and lectures are exaggerated”. The Faculty When PDBY approached the Faculty of Law on this matter, the head of the department of Jurisprudence, Dr Joel Modiri, stated: “This matter was entirely handled by the Dean’s Office. Suffice it to say that the alleged conduct of this student was quite strange and disturbing. What is also of concern in this matter is the need for students to also be vigilant and sensible and to rely on the formal structures and personnel in the module (class reps, tutors, lecturers) if they have any challenges with the administration or content in any module.” PDBY then approached Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law Prof. Charles Maimela, who
Pregnancy choices: Explore your options P6
echoed the sentiments of Dr Modiri and explained: “The matter is currently with Legal Services for investigation. I do not think at this stage it will be wise to engage on this matter due to the investigation that is ongoing”. When speaking to Rautenbach on how the students were not able to tell that this person was not, in fact, a lecturer, she explained: “The first-years have no prior experience of how the campus and university operate. The student exerted power and control. Alongside calling himself “Prof” and using large lecture venues, this tricked the students.” As for his intentions, Rautenbach was unsure but speculated the following: “though I’m sure the study sessions assisted some students, there are definitely signs that point to the entire scheme being for monetary gain, as some students were tutored privately. It is also probable that due to the alleged harassment, the point was to target vulnerable female students”. Conclusion The peculiar case of “Prof” raises some concern over the vulnerable status of first-years and those who prey on them. What is more concerning is that these individuals who prey on naiveté also occupy the same space as them on campus. One can only speculate on how many students were swindled, or how many were harassed by this student. Students should always approach matters similar to the above with the greatest circumspection and caution, and get the opinion of another more experienced student where they may be suspicious of certain behaviour.
Access Modisane’s full responses here by scanning the QR code
10 novels to complete your feminist library P7
2 | From the Editor
Back to campus jitters
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fter years, our mass return to campus is finally here. Skipping class online was not the same and I’m excited to be able to nap away on the Aula.
However, returning to campus also brings up a lot of questions from our editorial. It’s still not safe to walk home after semester tests, or anywhere for that matter. What about students who cannot afford accomodation this semester? How are we going to adjust when the jump from online to in-person classes, tests and exams felt like it happened over night? How are we supposed to afford food, textbooks, transport costs, etc. in this climate? We want to hear from the student body what concerns you have over our return to campus, or what you’re excited about. Share your thoughts by sending a letter to the editor at editor@pdby. co.za or let us know on Instagram at pdbymedia. Speaking of concerns over the return to campus, my editorial is short this edition, because two weeks ago I received this letter ->. Although the overturning of Roe v Wade does not directly affect us, it still has an impact on our lives and highlights how one ruling has and can threaten the rights of so many people. It also brings up a lot of emotions (anger, disappointment, sadness) and so I think a lot of us can resonate with this writer, and have found ourselves following their thought pattern over the last few weeks. I encourage students to react and share their opinion on this letter. Although, discussions surrounding rape culture, racism, and other issues occur in and by societies, such as SpeakOut, they need a larger platform at UP especially now that we are back on campus and in Hatfield. Until next time - Leah Rees
Letter to the editor: Rode v. Wade turnover discussion Trigger Warning: R*pe; S*xual Harassment; Homophobia; Transphobia; GBV To whom it may concern I am writing this letter to the editor of PDBY, as I believe a media-based outlet for student concerns is one way to bring light to important matters. I intend to discuss how the Rode v. Wade turnover is a humanitarian concern that must be highlighted. This is not supposed to be angry, but if it comes across as that, I believe there is validity in that. Often, when it comes to political discussions, many people are told to “keep their opinions out of it” and “remain objective”. I believe that this is not an issue one can remain objective on, as it directly impacts those with child-bearing abilities. This is not a situation in which the moral standings of people are being discussed. It is not about whether or not people are pro-life or pro-choice. It is about the fundamental human right of those to have a say regarding their own bodies. The United States of America is not our country, but their beliefs and issues bombard South Africans though outlets such as social media, and spark discussions throughout this country. South Africa is a country with one of the most progressive constitutions in the world yet is also the rape capital of the world and is the country ‘battling’ a Gender Based Violence epidemic. Until this is no longer a reality, these discussions should be the forefront of institutional focuses. Contrary to popular belief, the Rode v. Wade turnover is not a “war on women”, but a war on those whose right to control their own bodies is being questioned. There is no place for homophobia or transphobia within this discussion. This is a war on those who cannot afford to have children. Those whose mental health does not allow them to raise a child. Those who were too afraid to say no. Those who are coerced, manipulated. Those who cannot speak out about their traumas without the backlash of “they asked for it” or “why did they not say no?” or “did you see what they were wearing?”. Those whose lives are at stake should they fall pregnant. Those whose bodily autonomy has absolutely nothing to do with anyone but
themselves. Religion and legislation have absolutely no place within bodily autonomy. If you believe that your opinion is more important than an individual’s right to make decisions regarding their OWN bodies, you have an unchecked superiority complex. You are not a hero for “protecting unborn babies”, because if you were, you’d be a lot more focused on advocating for sex education, contraception, discussions surrounding rape culture, and violence. If this issue was truly about “saving lives”, there would be a lot more outrage regarding rape culture in UP and around Pretoria in general. I am aware that UP has, to some extent, discussed this issue, but to another extent, need to broadcast this issue. I, a student of UP, do not overtly hear discussions surrounding rape culture at UP. This is a reproductive health issue. Sexual harassment is rarely a strange man in an alley and is usually committed by those who the victim knows. There is no outrage on UP’s behalf, even though it is their students being harmed. There is no sense of urgency, there is no anger. It is all entirely diplomatic, and diplomacy is not a clear opposition to harm, sexual, or otherwise. The legislative turnover in America yet again highlights the shortcomings of protecting South Africans from sexual harm.
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Anonymous * The opinions expressed within this piece are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of PDBY Media.
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This is an issue that impacts all of humanity and with UP being an institution of young adults, a lot more should be discussed regarding this specific incident and all incidents surrounding it. When this issue dies down, and when the discussions surrounding this issue slow, please maintain the discussions surrounding it. Make it so that people are so inherently tired of it, action follows. Please just ensure that we consistently hold UP accountable for our safety.
PDBYMedia, formerly Perdeby, is the official independent student newspaper of the University of Pretoria. We are committed to providing fresh and entertaining news content for UP students, by UP students, about UP issues.
Editor-in-chief Carel Willemse Editor Leah Rees Digital Manager Leah Rees News Amukelani Makamu Deputy News Mothusi Mokalane Features Kirsten Minnaar Entertainment Ashleigh Pascoe
PDBY Media
What is UP doing to actively counter these issues? What information is being released regarding the safety of UP students, so that we know the reality of the environment we are supposed to learn within? How do we hold UP accountable, so that it can be a safe haven and a place of equality, a place where people do not have to fear for their everyday safety?
yourcampusnews.
PDBY
1 August 2022
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1 August 2022
News | 3
EFFSC action collapses Student Forum
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Banathi Nkehli n 27 July, the SRC together with the Constitutional Tribunal held its quarterly student forum as mandated by the Constitution for Student Governance (CSG) at 17:30 in the Thuto 1-1 lecture hall on UP’s Hatfield campus. However, the proceedings were disrupted by the Economic Freedom Fighter Student Command (EFFSC) through a series of acts including disorderly conduct, repetitive points of order, and intimidation. As a consequence of the disruptive activities of the EFFSC, the student forum could not continue and thus collapsed. Why does Student Forum matter? Section 43 of the CSG mandates that a quarterly student forum must be held and requires leaders from various student bodies to attend the student forum where matters concerning student life and activities are addressed. In other words, the student forum acts as an accountability mechanism that ensures students and the SRC have a platform to engage with one another on matters concerning students. Due to this constitutional duty, the executive leadership of various student organisations, ranging from residences and day houses to faculty houses and an amalgamation of other societies, attended the student forum. However, their constitutional mandate was not the sole reason for their attendance, as EBIT Faculty House executive committee member Varnu
Govender would explain: “I am here to hold the SRC accountable concerning the registration fee increase that occurred without their consultation. I am behind mass mobilisation and protest action, but where is the SRC on this matter?” In addition, Chairperson of Vividus Day House Cherene Short’s attendance to the forum wasdue to curiousity, as she stated, “I am here to find out what’s going on and see how the SRC operates.” On a more poignant basis House Ukuthula’s Darryl Phillips explained, “We are here to support the residences ex officio, since student leadership is so politicised. We want to make sure that there’s a friendly face in the crowd.” Furthermore, Phillips raised the important issue of transgender accessibility and representation within the university and residences as a point of contention they would have wished to address. Notwithstanding what would later ensue, the EFFSC stated in an Instagram post, dated 25 July, that its mandate at student forum was to “hold the SRC accountable on 2023 fees increase enabled by the SRC, [as well as matters of] academic exclusions, residence placement, scrapping on residence levy, funding for international students, and several other related issues”. Thus, this student forum mattered for the simple reason that important issues directly affecting the student body of UP were slated to be discussed. The disruptions Despite, student forum existing in a dual capacity as a consultative and accountability mechanism, it can be viewed as a quasi-
parliamentary body, with the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Tribunal vaguely mirroring the role of the Speaker of the House. Proceedings were supposed to begin with the quarterly reports from members of the SRC in accordance with section 43(2) of the CSG, when members of the EFFSC disrupted the order of proceedings by abusing rule 11 of the rules for student forum. This rule allows for members in attendance to raise a point of order on a rule within the rules for student forum. The initial point of order raised by the EFFSC was on the constitutionality of the forum’s composition, seeing as members of the Department of Student Affairs (DSA), i.e. university staff, were in attendance. According to the EFFSC, this was in violation of the CSG because the event is a “student” forum. In response to this point of order, the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Tribunal explained that the forum was a public forum and nothing within the CSG or rules for the student forum barred members of the public from attending. Nonetheless, the members of the EFFSC continued to hammer on this point, eventually causing the members of the DSA in attendance to exit the venue. However, things would go beyond the point of no return when matters concerning access to the venue were raised. Access to the venue In order to access the venue, students and members of the university in attendance were required to scan their student cards at a security checkpoint outside the venue. Compared to
previous student forums held this year, this is rather new phenomenon. On the reasoning behind this measure, the chief justice only stated, “In [a written response] I will be able to elucidate more fully on this matter […] everything occurs within rules and standards for uniformity, and we also look at foreseeability”. However, despite this measure members of the EFFSC forced their way into the venue, chanting and singing without scanning their student cards, which raises questions as to whether the members present were in fact UP. In spite of this, members in attendance from the EFFSC and SASCO raised the scanning of student cards as a matter of concern in a series of points of order. They upheld that the act of scanning student cards infringed on a students’ ability to access the forum. Following this line of questioning and deliberation between the chief justice and members of the SRC, the chief justice announced that security would enter the venue and scan the student cards of all members present. This set in motion a series of disruptions, particularly from the EFFSC, that eventually led to the collapse of the student forum. The chief justice was not willing to comment further on this matter and asserted that her response would come in due time after consideration of the events as they had unfolded that evening. This is a developing story.
Opinion Piece:
“I am not your friend!”: EFFSC intimidates journalists at Student Forum Banathi Nkehli
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n 27 July, PDBY attended the quarterly student forum held by UP’s SRC, together with the Constitutional Tribunal. In PDBY’s attempts to cover this event on camera, the newspaper’s multimedia team and journalists on-site were intimidated by the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC) and forced to cease any and all filming of the event. Members of the EFFSC also belittled and intimidated the PDBY news team. The objections The PDBY multimedia team had set up its film equipment with the sole purpose of filming the events of the student forum. However, members of the EFFSC approached PDBY’s multimedia editor Masehle Mailula, voicing their objections with filming the student forum with regard to the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI). They stated that their consent to be filmed was not obtained, and thus PDBY had to cease any and all video coverage of the event. However, it is unclear on which provision within the POPI Act the EFFSC was relying to make their claims. Furthermore, it is unlikely that video coverage of members in attendance to a public forum, such as student forum, would constitute “personal information” as contemplated in section 1 of the POPI Act. Nevertheless, section 7 of the POPI Act clearly excludes the processing of private information solely for the purposes of journalistic purposes from the application of the act. In addition, the CSG mandates the SRC to invite the PDBY editor to all student forum meetings, and section 16 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa protects the freedom of the press and other media. In other words, nothing, legislative or otherwise, prohibited PDBY from filming and covering the student forum.
Failed mediation In an attempt to mediate with the EFFSC by explaining the grounds on which PDBY was permitted to cover the event, Nkehli approached the EFFSC member at the center of these objections, Thabiso Mosomakeng. After greetings and a brief exchange, Mosomakeng proceeded to jeer at Nkehli and refered to him as a “small boy”, exclaiming: “Am I your friend?” Following this exchange, Makamu approached Nkehli, explaining the matter further, where she was met with boos and insults to the tune of “mama shut up, keep quiet!” The main instigating forces were Jozias Mahube-Reinecke, Sthembiso Nkosi, Thabiso Mosomakeng and Khumo Mpela. In their attempt to ensure that camera crews had ceased all filming, they commandeered the equipment to check if they were still filming.
I’M GLAD WE STARTED THIS FIRE, IT’S DOING A GREAT JOB AT KEEPING US WARM.
FORGET ABOUT THE WARMTH, THIS LIGHT IS REALLY POPPIN’ OFF, CATCHING MY BEST ANGLES.
HEHE! MAKING PEOPLE THINK WE CARE ABOUT THEIR PROBLEMS IS A REALLY GOOD FUEL FOR THIS FIRE! I HAD A GREAT TIME INTIMIDATING JOURNALISTS TOO!!!!!!!
The decision to cease filming Following the failed mediation, after deliberation with the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Tribunal and Department of Student Affairs officials, the PDBY team elected to cease filming for the safety of the crew and to allow for the forum to proceed. Final thoughts: Are these our leaders? One can only wonder what exactly the intentions of the EFFSC were at the student forum. Be it to address the fact that it was a “student” forum, and then to object against student verification to enter the venue; or to inform their constituents that they will raise matters that directly affect them at the forum, then proceed to collapse the forum without addressing the promised matters. What is the value of disruption without a purpose? What does it mean to intervene for students? This reading is not only limited to the EFFSC, as DASO UP’s silence or SASCO’s contribution to the chaos should also be scrutinized under the aforementioned questions. The UP student body should ask themselves: are these our leaders? * The opinions expressed within this piece are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of PDBY Media.
Illustration: Banathi Nkehli
CamScanner
1 August 2022
4 | News
UP receives R12 million at giving event Mothusi Mokalane and Londiwe Mnguni
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Photos: Cletus Mulaudi
Dr Madiba went on to indicate that following the Institutional Culture Survey, students indicated that they do not feel well represented by the SRC, therefore it is important for students to participate in the upcoming elections so that they elect the right leaders. “It is your opportunity to participate and to make sure you get the right leaders into these positions. it is definitely not about the blazer
but about making sure that your interests at the council are represented” said Dr Madiba. Over the next few weeks, UP will be experiencing an election period, until the actual election which is scheduled for 5 until 7 September. “All the process will be running on a hybrid manner leading up to that date, and for the three days we are going to have e-voting. There are workshops planned to make sure we prepare
UP Legacies:
you as candidates” explained Dr Madiba. The SRC President, Thuto Mashil,e and the rest of the council also were present at the event and were called on to come and encourage students to take part in the elections. Overall the event was, in the words of thirdyear Social Work student, Kedibone Sithole, very overwhelming but incredibly fun at the same time.
Alumni establishes an IT company to teach programming
Mothusi Mokalane
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aziCode is an online coding tutoring company founded by University of Pretoria alumni Ngoni Mujuru, together with Thato Tshukudu and Tshegofatso Isaac. With their collective skills in software development, social media management, and tutoring students, their aim is to introduce programming to children from the ages of 9 to 16, by providing them with educational computer science courses that will enable them to be competitive in the twenty-first century. They recently conducted their first project at Boitumelong Secondary School and have exciting projects planned for the near future. With the Fourth Industrial Revolution upon us, EaziCode seeks to provide children with the tools to better their understanding of the digital space. EaziCode was established after the founders recognised a gap in the current primary and secondary education curriculum. EaziCode stated, “We were able to identify in our research that most local curriculums for primary and secondary education in South Africa do not have programming as a taught fundamental skill.”, They further explained, “within an increasingly digital world, EaziCode enables us to bridge this gap and enable students to learn programming and build creative products at a much younger age”. The main areas of focus of EaziCode tutors are practical application, fun, relatability, and simplification. The mentioned areas are what drive the group and individual sessions. “We believe
that coding needs to be practically applied in coding tutorials and tests, so that a student can gain significant value out of it. It needs to have an element of fun to counter the complexities and frustrations of coding. It needs to be taught and explained using examples that are relevant to the student. Lastly, we focus a lot on making sure that it is easily understood,” stated EaziCode. EaziCode asserted the value of the tutoring lessons for learners’ development, saying: “Our
students are able to gain confidence on tackling much more complex topics within computer science alone once they finish our intermediate courses.” They aim to guide students up the hill of first understanding the fundamental principles of coding and computer science, and then to inspire enough discipline in them to continue their journey of learning and expanding their technical skills. Every project faces challenges, and for EaziCode it is the lack of consistency from learners. “We have
Image: provided
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EaziCode seeks to provide children with the tools to better their understanding of the digital space.
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n 25 July, UP officially reopened its doors for full-time contact classes for the second semester, and hosted its very first Giving Day Campaign. The purpose of the campaign was to create philanthropic awareness and raise funds for the various initiatives in the university. These include UP Residences, the museum, student support, the Onderstepoort Veterinary Hospital, and facultyspecific projects. The eventful day started at 12:00 with entertainment from jugglers, loud music, free nail and hair services from the well-known Legends Barber salon, as well as campus tours being offered to students by the STARS mentorship program. The queues for these freebies were exceedingly long, as expected. Speeches by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Tawana Kupe, director of student affairs, Dr Matete Madiba, and the current SRC emphasized the importance of student participation and donations to the UP Giving initiative. Prof. Kupe commented on the event by stating that the Giving Day event was established “first [as a way] to celebrate the [arrival] of students on campus, and second to celebrate the giving campaign where we wanted to raise x million dollars and increase the number of people who give to the university”. So far, the Giving Campaign has raised R12,434,851, and has 334 donors. Another highlight of the event was the official announcement of the upcoming 2023 SRC elections dates. The announcement was made by Dr Madiba who urged students’ participation in the elections - “I want to beg you on my knees to make sure that you participate, and there are at least two ways in which you can participate, one by being a candidate, running for the SRC elections and becoming a member of the council, or you can participate by voting”.
identified that students tend to lack consistency in working and developing their coding skills outside of the weekly sessions. But it must be noted that the majority of the students who fall under this bracket are typically new to coding and usually do not know how to go about upskilling themselves independent of our tutors,” claimed the company. The EaziCode tutors want their students to possess the ability to code without any assistance, commenting: “This is important to us because in the industry we work in, one can be expected to learn a programming language or framework within a short period of time with no guidance. So it is ideal that our learners learn to be autonomous in their learning and expansion of their technical skills.” EaziCode currently has a rotation of around 20+ students per month across their current courses. Their services are not free, as they have paid courses that can be browsed on their website. However, they have free orientation classes for each paid course so that a potential paying learner is able to experience their tutoring services before committing to the course. EaziCode is hoping to explore a partnership with the University of Pretoria in the near future. Their vision as a company is to make programming a common skill for young students. EaziCode noted, “just like we value our children learning maths and geography at a young age, we envision programming being a skill that will also be just as valued”.
1 August 2022
News | 5
What is the Fate of NSFAS N+ Students? Mothusi Mokalane
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t the beginning of every academic year, students, especially those from low-income and working-class homes, are faced with funding issues. The year of 2022 was not without its share of these crises. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has an N+ rule that refers to the minimum number of years allowed per student to complete their studies; once a student exceeds the stipulated number of years without completing their course, they are cut off from funding. A lot of students are affected by this rule each academic year, and it leaves them with no funding for their studies. With the second semester starting, and the University of Pretoria calling for the return of students from all programs to campus for full-time, contact classes, these students without funding find themselves stranded.
In conversation with the SRC, PDBY was able to establish the following: Does the SRC have a plan to assist NSFAS N+ Students with accommodation for 2nd semester? The SRC is currently looking into the matter – we have raised this as an issue in February with the university, anticipating the implications of NSFAS not funding affected students. We are also looking into increasing the capacity of TuksRes, by revisiting the single occupancy
rule; however, this is an ongoing engagement. Is the SRC engaging with the university to assist these students? As mentioned, we had met in February with the university Management to raise this matter. When we had successfully advocated for all students to be able to register with less than R10 000 debt, by removing the registration fee, the SRC had anticipated that students who are not funded by NSFAS due to the N+ rule may face difficulties. The university stated that they will be looking to access the university’s UNIPTA Fund. We intend on following up on this matter. Furthermore, we have engaged with NSFAS, where it was clarified that any student, even if the student is outside N+1, with less than 60 credits is able to appeal by submitting a Letter of Propensity. We have also raised the matter to NSFAS’ attention, stating the harmful effects of introducing the N+1 rule. We have also met with NSFAS to work on fast-tracking appeals, so that students are aware of their NSFAS status. Finally, the President and Secretary have raised this matter in the South African Union of Students, where the NEC could then work on the matter. Seeing that most students’ appeals were unsuccessful, will the SRC be advocating for re-appeals? The SRC had initially engaged with NSFAS to ensure Appeals are done timeously. We are looking into alternative possibilities. However, the appeals procedure is a national process, defined by NSFAS’ own policy and guidelines. Are students who are applying for the UP loan and bursary getting positive outcomes? Some students are getting positive outcomes. However, many students are not receiving these outcomes. UP Financial Aid effectively works in a manner where it receives donations from external donors and allocates
“Our stance is clear!”
SRC rejects 2023 registration fee increase Banathi Nkehli
make this decision without consulting the Council or the Senate.” So what does the fee increase mean to students? The reality is that it will impact students negatively, as Lalla explained, “we are well n 25 June, the UP SRC released a statement rejecting the aware of the fact that this will adversely affect students […] The university’s proposed increase in the registration fee for the post-pandemic economic status of South African families is worse 2023 academic year. The university management has stated than before the pandemic. It is unjustified to put economic pressure its intentions to increase student registration fees for undergraduate on families when we know that they are in a worse position than they studies by 50%, and for post-graduate studies by 33%. Per the SRC were prior to the pandemic.” In support of this position, Pepler added, statement, the rationale behind the increase is predicated on the lack of “The fee increase means that we face greater risk of facing debt with a registration fee increase since 2016. The SRC contends that there was the university […] you will have more families struggling to put their a “lack of consultation with students and student leaders who would families through tertiary education.” have raised it as a matter of concern before the decision was taken”. Given the precarious situation students are now in, what can be In light of this, PDBY approached the president of the SRC, Thuto done about the fee increase? Pepler offered three solutions: “We can Mashila, the secretary general of the SRC, Tarik Lalla, and DASO UP lower the rate of the increase as a solution, or make the fee remain EC member Kyle Pepler to gather their thoughts on the matter. the same as it is […] Another solution may be to increase the discount Consequently, there is much controversy over how the university when paying the full fees before the set date. DASO will be running came to the amount that fees would increase with. Pepler speculated, a petition and we encourage all students and parents to sign this “The university increased the registration fees, aligning it to the rate petition which will be taken up to the UP council.” The latter solution of inflation after the Fees Must Fall campaign had initially succeeded presents a few logistical problems, as students would still have to pay in freezing the fee from 2016 to 2022.” However, Lalla offered a the registration fee, and only wealthy families would benefit from this perspective from the administration’s position as he explained, “We increased discount. Mashila offered a solution from her position in the weren’t informed of the decision to increase fees; [the most] we were SRC: “we intend to have a meeting with management and renegotiate told is that the other research intensive universities make similar the decision. We maintain our stance; we don’t want an decisions in the same manner […] We maintain the view increase!” Mashila continued, “UP students cannot that there was no official consultation process [with afford a registration fee increase of 50%; at the the 2022 SRC]. We were told by the outgoing This will adversely affect beginning of semester 2 we will engage with 2021 SRC that the university had notified management.”. Lalla added, “engagement them of the fee increase, and they stressed students … The postis our first priority. We will ensure our that this notification was in no way a pandemic economic students are represented adequately, as our consultation, and was delivered as if it students are the biggest stakeholders, and were an information session. Thus, we status of South African it’s only fair that their voices be heard […] are unaware of what exact factors led to families is worse than If not, then there are other ways to engage”. making this decision”. As harrowing as this all may be, it leaves In light of the above, this raises a very before the pandemic one to ponder as to whether the university important question on the nature of consultation has students’ best interests in mind, as it claims. between university management, the SRC and On this, Lalla had the following to say: “if we view the UP students. Pepler believed that there must have been Senate, Council, and everyone within these bodies, we cannot view a procedural error, as “a fee increase could not have been approved them in the same lens. There are definitely people in these bodies without a Council meeting taking place. This means that the university who view the increase as unfair […] There may be people who have consults with the student representatives in the university’s council, a genuine concern for students. However, once we see the outcome of [meaning] that according to what the SRC has said, the university has our discussion with management we will be in a better position to see not followed protocol”. where the university is coming from, and if we get what we want, then However, the more accurate answer to this question comes down maybe the university does care.” to the fact that the nature of a decision dictates how students will However, students should not despair at the potential of this feature in that decision. As Mashila explained, “it depends on the harrowing reality, and the leaders offer their perspectives. Lalla offered decision being taken […] There are various statutory bodies within the his view, saying, “We are adamant that we will get what we want.We university. You have: the Senate, Council and the Institutional Forum. haven’t walked away from that goal.” Mashila added, “As the SRC, That’s where the decisions are made, and within these bodies there we are there to fight this. However, students must realise that they also are varying levels of student representation alongside UP staff and need to stand up for themselves, as it is unrealistic to place the fate of lecturers and the executive”. an outcome that affects thousands of students on thirty-odd individuals This is confirmed in the Statute of the University of Pretoria. For […] More than anything, for this situation, should the outcome not be example, section 14(9) of the statute, as well as sections 15(f), 17(3) what we want, we want students to participate.” and section 25(b)(i) all include some kind of student representation Fees Must Fall started under similar circumstances. A huge part within the decision-making bodies throughout the University of of the success of the movement came from the collective action that Pretoria. So the statute recognises student voices in the Senate and students took against the matters that affected all of them. As a result, Council. However, when it comes to the Executive and the decisions those students made history, and they sparked the student activism of that are taken by the Executive, student voices are absent. This the 21st century. Who knows what the outcome of this fee increase may particular decision is one that did not necessarily have to pass the yield in a post-covid South Africa? Perhaps SRC President Mashila Senate and Council to be made, as it was an Executive decision. puts it best when she says, “As long as you feel this is unfair for you, Mashila confirmed this: “This particular decision did not have to go come”. through the Council or the Senate. The Executive of the University can
O
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Image: Masehle Mailula
the funds to students. Hence, even if a student is yet to receive feedback, we recommend they follow up with the Financial Aid Office, and still encourage students to continue to apply. Is the SRC in talks with TuksRes or private student accommodations about housing students who do not have funding? We have reached out to the mentioned accommodations – this is an ongoing process. Are there other alternative funding initiatives that the SRC is putting in place to help the students? The SRC is focussing on fundraising initiatives in the second semester and will release further communication in due course.
SRC election workshop Mothusi Mokalane and Amukelani Makamu
A
fter the director of the Department of Student Affairs (DSA), Dr Matete Madiba, announced the dates of the SRC 2023 elections on 25 July, the DSA held an SRC elections workshop. The purpose of the workshop was to provide necessary information to prospective candidates. Dr Madiba gave a brief overview of the DSA’s role in the election process, which is to facilitate this process. She stated, “The Department of Student Affairs is not only responsible for the elections of the SRC but also of other key committees such as RAG, STUKU, Student Culture, Student Wellness and ManDown.” She also mentioned that among UP’s 124 societies and 29 residence houses, the SRC is the highest form of student governance. Additionally, Dr Madiba stated that although candidates are allowed to state their party or societal affiliation, UP is one of the few South African universities with candidates running for council independently. According to Dr Madiba, the process of elections and running for office can take a toll on students’ mental health. Therefore, she advised candidates to utilise the university’s counselling unit and mentioned that the current SRC members had been provided with the contact details of the HOD of the student counselling unit. Dr Madiba assured the candidates that the DSA would support them during the process of the elections. “We want to support you and serve you”, she asserted. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) provided essential information and insights on key electoral processes and activities. The IEC announced that the voting will take place electronically. According to them, this form of voting has proven to be “highly efficient, accurate, fast, and reliable”. On the day of elections, students will receive voting login details on their UP Tuks Gmail account, after which they can proceed to the IEC portal to cast their vote. The 2023 SRC elections will be administered in terms of the Constitution of Student Governance (CSG), which can be found on the DSA and SRC websites as well as under the SRC ClickUP module. The nomination for candidates opened on 25 July and close on 5 August, and the IEC indicated that all nominations should be made on the SRC ClickUP module. The publication of the final elections candidate list is scheduled for 12 August. The CSG stated that no campaigning may take place before the official opening of campaigns, also scheduled for 12 August. Former SRC President David Kabwa provided prospective candidates with key strategies on how to navigate the ins and outs of planning and implementing a successful campaign. One important campaign strategy involves what Kabwa has dubbed the “politics of aesthetics”: personal aspects that promote you as a candidate. According to Kabwa, a candidate’s appeal gives them an added advantage on the campaign. Another fundamental strategy that Kabwa discussed was the “initiative-based campaign”: a kind of “campaigning before the campaign”, where a candidate chooses a cause to focus on during their election campaign. Furthermore, Kabwa cautioned candidates to carefully identify their objectives and define their message. According to him, “your manifesto should be so simple that it can be defined by a hashtag”. For more information, candidates can contact the IEC and SCU via the following means: IEC Mobile: 071 200 2381 IEC Email: electionssrc@gmail.com SCU Mobile: 0800 747 747 SCU Email: studentcounselling@up.ac.za
1 August 2022
6 | Features
Exploring your options
W Lauren Harries
ith Roe v Wade being overturned in the United States of America (USA) many people have found themselves heartbroken and concerned about what options they will now have once they find out they are pregnant. Although far removed from the USA, pregnancy and the options available to persons who find themselves in this situation is a universal issue and one that affects students. PDBY turned to Student Health Services to take students through the options available to UP students that find themselves pregnant. When you have reason to believe that you are pregnant, Student Health Services will conduct a pregnancy test to confirm whether you are pregnant or not. Once the student is confirmed to be pregnant, they will be advised as to what their options are. There are three main options available to students, all of which will be presented by the Sister dealing with them at the Student Health Services. These options include terminating the pregnancy by having an abortion, keeping the pregnancy, or keeping the pregnancy and putting the baby up for adoption. The Sister will provide guidance as to what each of these options involve, including what kind of tests and procedures may be conducted at a government clinic or private healthcare facility, before referring the student. It is then the responsibility of the student to make the choice that is best suited to them. Student Health Services will
then refer the student according to this decision. When being referred, there are many options available which are generally determined by whether the student has medical aid or not. Where the student does not have medical aid, they will be referred to the local government clinic that will then conduct the necessary procedures surrounding the student’s choice. At the clinic or private healthcare facility, there will be midwives that will guide the student through the necessary tests and procedures done for a pregnant woman. If you intend to give the baby up for adoption, this must be stipulated to the midwife so that the necessary guidance can be given and the necessary paperwork completed. It is important to note that services provided by the government clinic are free. In addition to this, UP also has a Memorandum of Understanding with an NGO, Crossroads. Crossroads can be found in the Roosmaryn building opposite the Student Health Services Clinic on Hatfield campus. Once referred by a Sister, Crossroads plays an important role in giving the student support and counselling by taking them through their options in more detail than what will be done at the clinic. Finally, it must be noted that if you intend to terminate the pregnancy through an abortion you must be less than 12 weeks pregnant. The number of weeks is calculated according to the size of the foetus when a scan is conducted, either at the government clinic or private healthcare facility. The number of weeks since the end of your last period is also a factor that must be considered in pregnancy termination. Student Health Services also noted that they provide several different types of contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. This includes a hormonal contraceptive that can be injected, an oral contraceptive such as the pill, condoms and a long-acting form of birth control that is inserted into your arm and lasts up to 3 years. In addition to this, IUD’s will also soon be available at the Student Health Services Clinic. As a UP student, you can rely on Student Health Services to provide support, guidance, and certain medical help when you find yourself pregnant. It is important to note that you are not alone and that help is easily accessible.
For more information on this topic visit the Student Health Services Clinic on campus or contact them through info.shs@up.ac.za or 012 420 2500. Illustration: Sanele Zulu
Opinion Piece:
Freaky Friday? Thabang Moloi
P
ride Month in June has become a phenomenon adopted by many across the world, with corporations and organisations alike celebrating by exhibiting the Pride flag, amping up queer festivities, and raising awareness on the plight of queer folk. The main aim and purpose of Pride Month is to raise awareness of and to celebrate the existence of queer bodies, and is a commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall Uprisings where LQBTQIA+ individuals in New York faced-off with police for six straight days. In South Africa, Pride is celebrated in October, since the first Pride parade in Africa was held in South Africa on 13 October 1990. However, South Africa is also one of the countries that has adopted celebrating Pride in June, with Hatfield being no exception. The Freaky Friday event hosted by Studios@Burnett on 21 May sought to celebrate and raise awareness on queerness (based on the 10-page brief, which implored attendees to challenge themselves and heteronormativity at large). However, the name of the event itself implies that being queer - and, by extent, the celebration of queerness - is “freaky”. In this way, the Studios@Burnett residence misrepresented the queer community at large. There is more to being queer than just cross-dressing or being in drag. An event like this reduces the queer experience to a gimmick, thereby denying people their existence and identity. It was not centred around vocalising queer issues. Rather than showing allyship and support for the queer community, it gave cis-heterosexual
people the chance to ridicule queer people. From their invitation, they seem to have been aware of the implications of having people cross-dress by saying, “when you put on a dress, be ready to also challenge yourself in your life, especially with the realities that communities diverge from heteronormativity”. However, in organising and carrying out the event, what did they do to ensure that? Especially since queer people are in need of proper and correct representation, as not all representation is good representation. In this instance, what is freaky about being queer? One might be asking oneself about the whereabouts of UP’s student body and society for queer people, Tuks UP&OUT, during International Pride Month. They mentioned on their Instagram page that since June is Youth Month in South Africa, they celebrate Pride in October because that is when Pride Month is for South Africans. However, this does not absolve them from the responsibility of using their voice and influence to speak up against offensive events like the one that took place at Studios@Burnett. Where were they when it mattered the most to queer bodies to advocate for them in this gross misrepresentation? It should be noted that being queer is more than just cross-dressing and the stereotypical notions (perpetuated by heteronormativity) of presenting a certain way in order for one’s queer identity to be accepted and embraced wholly. * The opinions expressed within this piece are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of PDBY Media.
Students are calling: We are tired of feeling burnt out
Lauren Harries
A
Image: Khumbulani Chaima
t the end of the first semester, many UP students seemed to be feeling burnt out and exhausted. With a shift in teaching methods and the pressure of a return to campus for assessments, PDBY decided to find out how many students attributed this feeling of burnout to this shift. In addition to this, other grievances students had with regard to the shift in teaching methods were also taken note of. Most UP faculties made a shift in teaching methods at the beginning of the second quarter with many students not taking to this change with great enthusiasm. This was mostly due to the limited time that the university allowed for students living outside of Pretoria to find accommodation. In addition to this, UP also introduced a hybrid form of teaching for many degrees. This involved some lectures, tutorials and practicals being conducted online and others on campus. In the polls conducted, 168 students of the 285 that participated (59%) have spent the last semester engaging with this new hybrid method with only 12% of students attending university completely on campus and the remainder online. In addition to the change in teaching methods, students also had to deal with a change in testing methods. After spending most of the pandemic and the first quarter of 2022 with online testing, many students were forced into exams and semester tests on campus without the skip of a beat. This is evidenced by half of the students that participated in the poll having to write tests and exams on campus and an additional 26% having to use a hybrid method of taking assessments both online and in person. Moving on to the burnout aspect, of the 270 students who participated in the section of the poll, 86% of students felt burnt out at the end of the first semester. Of the students that experienced a change in teaching and testing methods, 78,5% of them attributed the feeling of burnout to these changes. This clearly shows the contribution of such a rapid shift of teaching and testing methods to the students’ overall feeling of well-being. In addition to the general feeling of burnout, 32% of the students that participated in the polls felt that the lecturers were not accommodating at all with regard to this shift and 45% felt that lecturers were somewhat accommodating. Some students attributed this to the general lack of regard for students’ well-being, which was as students expressed that they feel unheard when expressing to lecturers that they are struggling. A change in teaching and assessment methods has also resulted in many students lacking the flexibility to work and partake in hobbies while attending university. In addition to this, many students expressed frustration regarding the increase in workload, feeling overwhelmed by the number of weekly assessments and lecturers’ inability to stick to timeslots causing the students to feel overworked. Specific mention was made of the assessment timetable of final-year law students. Ultimately, these polls appeared to show that a proportion of UP students have found this shift in teaching and assessment methods challenging and exhausting. Students have felt unheard and overworked this first semester and seemed to largely lack the accommodation they expected when transitioning back to a pre-pandemic style of university learning. With a large proportion of undergraduate students having never experienced this style of university, it is no wonder that the shift has had such a detrimental effect on the general well-being of students. UP students are calling, and they feel burnt out and alone.
1 August 2022
Entertainment | 7
PDBY Featured artist: Megan Theunissen
N
icholas Joubert, a young South African singer, climbed into the top 5 chart on Five FM with his single “Someone New” in 2021. PDBY interviewed Joubert following the recent release of his hip single called “Hollywood Hills”. How and when did you know that you wanted to pursue music? I wanted to pursue music professionally when I was about 11 or 12 years old. I got my inspiration from Disney Channel, funny enough. So, then I was starting to get involved with music; started pursuing it, started taking-up vocal lessons, you know more professionally and then it just went from there. Then I think the seed of the dream was planted. Are there any artists and performers whom you take inspiration from when it comes to producing your own unique style of music? My music interests are very wide in variety. Sometimes I would listen to a track and think it’s very cool and that I want to use those elements. However, music inspiration for me comes from Harvy, a UK based artist who is also very much into commercial pop, including Shawn Mendes and Taylor Swift. I think those are the top three artists that I gravitate to a lot when writing my music. My producer is someone who wrote for Jessy J in America, so when I was looking for a producer and saw his credentials, I knew that I had found someone who would understand the direction that I wanted to take with my music. You are currently doing your honours in business communication; do you sometimes find it hard to manage your time between being a performer and a student? It does have its challenges, especially when it comes to research modules which can be very time intensive. I mean if you really have the perseverance, the dedication, you will prioritise to make it work as much as you can. I also have a great team that I work with, so whatever I cannot handle I delegate to the team. They help me help the, I am just writing and producing but not necessarily releasing everything. At the moment I am not actively performing, because honours is… just a little bit tricky. But anything worth having in life is difficult, put in the hard work and the effort and you will get there. What are your top 3 tips for those who are studying and pursuing music at the same time? Put in the time, with your studies and your music. Like just my vocal training per day takes about two to three hours, and that is like an everyday commitment that I made for my music. It is the same with your studies, if you do not put in the effort, you are not going to get the marks. Second tip; time management and preparation for the unexpected. When an unexpected opportunity presents itself you either decline the opportunity or you take it on and reshuffle your schedule around that given opportunity. Third tip; don’t take yourself too seriously, the goal is to have fun and enjoy yourself. For music and for studies, if you are not enjoying it, then why are you doing it? You can strangle the life out of what you
Here’s the Thing by Haji Mohamed Dawjee Ashleigh Pascoe
H
ere’s the Thing is Haji’s second work, which was released in May, and follows the successful Sorry, Not Sorry: Experiences of a Brown Woman in a White South Africa. There is no better way to describe this book other than in the words of Haji’s wife. She describes this work as an accumulation of Haji’s “unapologetic opinions, and the independence of mind that sets her
love to do if you take it too seriously. Remember, you can be serious and still have fun at the same time. Your latest song, “Hollywood Hills”, has such a resounding feelgood-techno-tune, can you take credit for the sound effects or do you have a team behind each song? The producer and I would collaborate very well. He really is amazing at what he does, he is someone who wrote for Jessy J in America, so when I was looking for a producer and saw his credentials, I knew that I had found someone who would understand the direction that I wanted to take with my music. We have two songs that are in the production-pipeline, and this alone shows that I really enjoy working with him. What is the process between coming-up with a song in your head or on paper to having it ready for streaming? I take a bit longer, but generally the artist would produce new releases within three months. It is actually very interesting how the songs, “Someone New” and “Hollywood Hills” changed throughout the recording and editing process, the songs are completely different from what they were at the start. It’s a lot like building a house, you add, take away and modify until you are satisfied with the product. What is your ‘game-plan’ for your music career? Are there any specific steps that you are taking to get your music out there? Right now I am just building a fan-base, they are the ones that support, listen and share my music. I just like engaging with the audience, having special events that are especially for the fans. I am also very focused on marketing; you know, promoting my music internationally. It really is all about marketing. I am looking for longevity, like Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga, they are a bit out there, a bit unconventional. So, I opted for earrings, which are very unconventional for an Afrikaans guy in Pretoria. My mom however wanted me to get a tattoo, but for my dad the earrings are already a bit of an eyebrow raiser, plus I can always take out the earrings, a tattoo is a bit of a bigger commitment. My family always says that they expect the unexpected from me. Tuks FM provides such a unique platform not only for global artists but especially for young, South African artists, has your music been broadcasted on Tuks Fm yet? Yes, they really support me a lot. We get this type of report from Radio Monitor, and I have really been blessed with Tuks FM pushing me, they also had Image: spotify.com an interview with me last year when “Someone New” came out. I just love Tuks Fm and all of the effort they put into songs that they try to promote, like on their Twitter and Instagram. Are you currently working on anything that you would like our readers to know about? I am working on … something, it has a lot of Machine Gun Kelly vibes, so you can expect a lot of electric guitars and stuff. I am not sure what the product will be, however, I can almost guarantee it will be something exciting.
apart from so many of her peers”. This book is an enticing read due to the fact that it is not one continuous piece, but is rather split into separate essays - whose focus is not often found in South African media. Haji tackles important political issues, acknowledges her privilege, which allows her piece to offer some insight into what it takes to be a writer of colour. However, she does not simply just write about pieces that she is socially and politically expected to write. So by writing this book, she subverts many expectations of authors in our day and age, and this book should be read multiple times over. *This book was sent to PDBY by Pan Macmillan South Africa.
Photo: Ashleigh Pascoe
Editor’s picks
1:12
3:48
“Couch potato” - Shortstraw “Worlds Collided” - Jacob Scruton & Ryan Murgatroyd “Scared to Love” - Carla Franco “When you’re ready” - Carla Franco “Good Morning, Sunshine” - Shortstraw “It’s All Good” - Jeremy Loops “Amagents”- Samthing Soweto “Skinny Blues” - Jeremy Loops “Car Guard Tan” - Desmond and the Tutus “Teenagers” - Desmond and the Tutus “Careless People” - Senna Marie “Fence Sitter” - Senna Marie
Your feminist library Rebecca van Besouw
W
omen’s Month is here and due to current events, it is more important than ever to acknowledge the contributions of feminist writers to the literary world. Including local and international authors, classics and modern publications, fiction and nonfiction – here are ten essential feminist texts.
1. A Room of One’s Own - Virginia Woolf Virginia Woolf’s extended essay is a foundational text of feminist thought. It was first published almost 100 years ago, but it remains relevant for its exploration of the necessity of female independence for creative expression. 2. The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood The Handmaid’s Tale is a modern classic that is just as relevant today as it was on its publication date in 1985. Set in a dystopian America, in which women are valued only for their capacity to breed, the novel echoes disturbing realities of the 21st century with eerie prescience. 3. A Question of Power - Bessie Head This powerful novel addresses mental illness and isolation from the viewpoint of Elizabeth, a mixed race South African woman, who moves to Botswana during the apartheid era. Based in part on Bessie Head’s life, it provides an important perspective from an author who deserves wider contemporary recognition. 4. Americanah - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Known for both her novels and non-fiction, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is one of Nigeria’s leading feminist writers. Americanah follows Ifemelu, a young Nigerian woman, who travels to the United States for university and explores ideas of gender, race, identity, and love. 5. Miss Behave - Malebo Sephodi Miss Behave draws its title from the much-quoted feminist slogan: “well-behaved women seldom make history”. This autobiographical account of Malebo Sephodi’s life as a black South African woman provides both a refreshing viewpoint of a woman who dares to ‘misbehave’, and a pointed commentary on patriarchal culture in South Africa. 6. Nervous Conditions - Tsitsi Dangarembga Nervous Conditions is notable as the first internationally published novel written by a black Zimbabwean woman. The novel follows teenager Tambu and it details her efforts to navigate the stifling gender roles that she is expected to inhabit while still striving to receive a good education. 7. Bad Feminist - Roxane Gay Roxane Gay is a prominent writer and academic whose collection of essays discusses all the ways she feels like a ‘bad feminist’. In a style both honest and funny, this book delves into pop culture and everyday life to investigate what it means to be a feminist in the modern world. 8. Love in Colour: Mythical Tales From Around the World, Retold Bolu Babalola Bolu Babulola’s collection of short stories reimagines various fables from around the world, with a focus on African mythologies. Including romantic retellings of myths from Ghana, Lesotho, and Egypt, to name a few, this book celebrates a woman’s love as her strength. 9. Parable of the Sower - Octavia E. Butler Octavia E. Butler is an iconic voice in science fiction, with many of her novels dealing with feminist and Afrofuturist themes. In Parable of the Sower, society in the near future has crumbled, and the protagonist, Lauren, must secure a future for a small group of survivors. 10. The Priory of the Orange Tree - Samantha Shannon For those who enjoy sinking into a good fantasy novel, The Priory of the Orange Tree features matriarchal societies, queer romance, and dragons, both friend and foe. This sweeping novel is a stand-out example of an imaginative feminist fantasy for a new era.
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