21 October 2019 Issue 11 Year 81

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PDBY

Year 81 | Issue 11

21 October 2019

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Pride Week at UP

Image: Cletus Mulaudi

P3

Graffiti wall painted for Pride Week

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The trials and tribulations of coming out

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A proud history

2 | Editorial

21 October 2019

Pride, Halloween and something about Jacarandas

PDBY Media Copy: Ropafadzo Chidemo CJ Barnard Marren McKay Talia Chetty Ume Dikio Takunda Marecha Layout: Kelly Anne Kong Kam Wa Kayla Lӧtter Mmasechaba Dube Duane Kitching Kara Olivier

C

ampus is purple, so you know we’re approaching the end of the semester. It’s scary and overwhelming and everyone seems to be one tiny inconvenience away from cracking and violently flipping their library cubicles in rejection of exams. But don’t worry, you have 16 pages ahead of you to take a study break, a breather, and do some recreational reading. (There’s a colouring piece too, so you really feel like you’re taking a break).

Last week was Pride Week on campus and half of this edition is pride themed - if you couldn’t already tell by the rainbows everywhere.

Pride is an important time about acceptance and love and a lot of the time we forget that this includes self acceptance and self love.

Most students battle with self acceptance and that’s a normal part of finding yourself and your place in the world. In my exceptionally vast university experience (a whole three years) one thing I’ve learnt above all is that education isn’t about the facts we learn or the books we read. Education is about knowledge as a way of life - and that includes knowledge about ourselves and others.

So taking some time to find yourself and your place in this scary world is okay, it’s part of your education.

And thankfully, for the most part we have this little bubble on campus which allows us to explore who we are and who we want to be.

So don’t worry if you feel that you don’t know you.

Don’t worry if you can’t come out yet or if you don’t even know if you have anything to come out about.

Scan the QR code to watch the latest episode of The Common Room with yoga instructor Chloé Marais!

Don’t worry if you question yourself everyday.

Give yourself the fullest opportunity while you’re at university, to discover who you are and start the journey to self acceptance and self love.

Now that my sappy monologue is over, you might have noticed that this edition is a little different to our usual style. It’s a flip, dual themed issue which means double the content and a versatile paper that you can read from either side first. The first half is Pride themed because we had to acknowledge the incredibly successful Pride Week that #Up&Out hosted on Hatfield Campus.

The other half of this edition, the back page flip, is Halloween themed. Spooky season is my favourite time of year - I love the fun of dressing up and the endless snacks that are inevitably around when it’s Halloween. Read about UP’s urban legends on page 13 - such as the infamous 5th floor of the Humanities Building - and let me know at editor@ pdby.co.za if you have any spooky campus stories.

Unfortunately this edition of PDBY is the last of 2019, but we will be back with our First Year’s Edition in the new year.

Until then, good luck with exams, enjoy the December break and PDBY will see you in the roaring 20s.

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News | 3

21 October 2019

“We are queer, we are here and we have no fear” Yolande Sithole and Susanna Anbu

T

A Mural of Remembrance Photos:

Francois De Bruyn and Susanna Anbu

T

he UP&Out society started its Pride Week line-up of events with the painting of a mural in memory of the lives lost in the fight for equality.

The unveiling of the wall painting was the first of many events for Pride Week 2019. Members of the UP&Out society mention that although we are in the 21st century, the LGBTQ+ community still faces discrimination.

The UP&Out society hopes that events like Pride Week will help UP students garner an awareness and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.

According to Ash Ludike, Secretary of the UP&Out Society, the painting is in remembrance of people who fought and died for the democratic freedoms most of us take for granted. Ludike was responsible for formulating the design of the mural, which included a large pink triangle with a rainbow walkway. The different colours

of the rainbow walkway symbolise lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) pride and LGBTQ+ social movements. The pink triangle had its origins in Nazi Germany where, historically, gay men were forced to wear an inverted pink Nazi triangle on their overalls to mark them for persecution and dehumanization. However, during Germany’s postwar era, the nation’s first gay rights organization, Homosexuality Aktion Westberlin (HAW), reclaimed the pink triangle and turned the inverted triangle right side up as an epitome of emancipation. The pink triangle has therefore become a continued reminder of a violent piece of LGBTQ+ history.

The mural draws inspiration from a monument unveiled during 1987 in Amsterdam that represents the historical fight for LGBTQ+ equality as well as solidarity. When one looks at the mural, Cara van Niekerk – Chairperson of UP&Out – hopes that viewers will remember the origins of pride as a tool for peaceful protest.

he Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual plus (LGBTQ+) community took part in a pride march on 17 October 2019. The march started at 14:00 from the Agricultural Sciences building to the Piazza on Hatfield campus. The march was aimed at raising awareness and spreading the LGBTQ+ pride. Members of the LGBTQ+ community marched around Hatfield campus chanting “we are queer, we are here and we have no fear!”.

Ryan Naamdhew, the transformation officer of the LGBTQ+ society on campus, is one of the people who organised the pride parade.

He defined pride as “accepting yourself and existing without shame outside the expectations of society”. He brought up the concern about how people who are not part of the LGBTQ+ community are not accepting but they pretend to be accepting out of fear and the judgements posed from people who not part of the LGTQIA+. For him, the march is a very important event organised by the society as it brings members of the LGBTQ+ community together and promotes a sense of awareness to the student consciousness.

One of the participants, Nokwanda Nkosi, mentioned that the march highlighted the daily challenges that members of the LGBTQ+ community go through, the fact that “straight people don’t have to march or come out of the closet like the members of the LGBTQ+ community” says a lot about the treatment and the challenges they face every single day. TV personality Mohali Moating also participated in the march. To Moating, it was about highlighting real sexuality issues, as there are still individuals who are struggling to “come out” because of fear of judgement from their families, peers and society. Moating emphasised the fact that members of the LGBTQ+ community have

no department in the government that solely represents them and have their best interest at heart. He referred specifically to the Department of Education and its curriculum where subjects like Life Orientation are aimed at teaching leaners about the dynamics of everyday life challenges but don’t educate learners about homosexual relationships and the LGBTQ+ community at large. He appealed to the LGBTQ+ community to come together to raise awareness.

Clara van Niekerk, the outgoing chairperson of the UP&OUT society, mentions that the executive committee pushed hard to market the event on all social media platforms in order to encourage a massive turnout for the march. The executive committee organised poster-painting sessions where members of the community were given the chance to leave their personal mark in the promotion campaign of the march to promote a sense of inclusivity.

Van Niekerk remarks that they chose the hottest day of the week to have their march, but mentions that it worked in their favour as the crowd carrying a multitude of colourful umbrellas mimicked the rainbow colours characteristic of pride. The march was closed off with a speech from the transformation officer from UP&OUT, Ryan Naamdhew.

Van Niekerk comments that UP&OUT is trying to address the culture of LGBTQ+ around UP rather than in it. According to van Niekerk, homophobia is not voiced on campus but rather in public spheres where there are often no repercussions, making members of the LGBTQ+ valuable outside the campus space. This leads the community to believe that “you can be queer at UP but not in front of UP”. The march around campus occurred across all faculties and was characterised by the chant “We are queer, we are here and we have no fear”. Van Niekerk assures members of the communities that they need not fear as there is a whole community who will back them up.

Photo: Mandisa Jolinyhati

Reflection Spectrum Moses Maile and Jade Dave-Midlane

F

rom 14 to 19 October the University of Pretoria celebrated pride week. The week saw the members of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies observing its significance, particularly celebrating sexuality and gender identity. Addressing the issues facing the LGBTQ+ community is at the core of pride week. During this time, many take the opportunity to publicly express their freedom to be who they are, their right to choose how they want to live and their freedom to love who they want to love, freely and without prejudice.

On 16 October, PDBY attended the Reflection Spectrum on the AULA Lawn. Reflection Spectrum is one of the events which is held during pride week. PDBY spoke to Ryan Naamdhew and Kevin Khosa, the organisers of the event and also transformational Officers of UP&Out, where they explained that the Reflection Spectrum was inspired by a trend on YouTube where people would pose though-provoking questions or

statements about a specific topic. The crowd is then split into who agrees and who disagrees and people on both sides are given the opportunity to discuss why they feel the way they do. Naamdhew says that this arrangement “Is, in a way, forcing people to engage with a topic instead of just having a usual support group where, usually, a topic is posed and you let people work up the courage to decide if they want to talk about it.

Here, we are engaging with the topics more thoroughly and more […] directly”. When asked about how they link the Reflection Spectrum with Pride Week, Naamdhew said that the event is pretty unique and important in the sense that there is a mixture of relaxed events and more ‘serious events’. This recent Reflection Spectrum, according to Naamdhew, was more relaxed and more of a space to ponder on thought-provoking questions.

According to Naamdhew, “The Reflection Spectrum lets a lot of people engage in a more relaxed way as opposed to a more formal, prim and proper event, as this is happening on the

Aula Lawn, a more relaxed environment. It is also an opportunity for people outside the society to attend the event and see what it’s like in the LGBTQ+ community”. When PDBY asked if the University of Pretoria is doing enough to educate students about the LGBTQ+ community and dealing with stereotypes and prejudices, Kevin Khosa stated that the University is trying but also suggests that “it is something under progress and it is not something that is fully done but they are doing something. For instance, they have allowed us, as the LGBTQ+ community, to have a society within their institution so that means something, but more can still be done to give more awareness and giving us that visibility, because at the moment we are in a safe space and we can be ourselves regardless of the challenges”, he said.

According to Naamdhew, students are complacent in the manner in which they deal with LGBTQ+ issues in the sense that they know they will be punished if they bring about any sort of harassment or discrimination. Therefore, it can seem like it is acceptance of the LGBTQ+ Community out of complacency and fear rather than accepting your fellow human being.

Naamdhew also said that the university should put more resources into educating people about

the society and to promote things like pride week.

According to Naamdhew, the university will benefit from the promoting of pride week.

One participant in the Reflection Spectrum said that “the university has become more tolerant, because people feel comfortable walking with their same sex partner in public within the university as opposed to the main stream community, and it has become easy for them to become themselves”. Another participant also mentioned that the society has also given them a platform to ask thought-provoking questions and to also continue to feel strongly about themselves.

Naamdhew concluded by saying that “the good turnout at the event has shown us that a lot of people are interested in knowing more about the community and that is the big thing about pride week. Not only is it for the LGBTQ+ community to express themselves and feel safe within the rest of the community, but it is to bring awareness to the community that we are here”. Naamdhew stated that their vision is to create a healthier community at the university where “we just accept that everyone is very much different and that we are just living our lives, and that me liking the same gender is not going to stop you from being who you are”, he said.

4 | Features

21 October 2019

THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF COMING OUT N

ational Coming Out Day was celebrated by the LGBTQ+ community on 11 October across the globe, yet many people have not yet reached a point in their lives where they feel comfortable and safe enough to come out.

The stress relating to coming out can have a negative impact on students, whether it be psychologically, socially or academically.

“Coming out is not a one-time thing”, Clara van Niekerk, chairperson of #UP&Out told PDBY, as more people need to be aware of the fact that it is “something you will have to learn to do for the rest of your life”.

Zama Mtshali, the incoming Transformation and Student Success SRC member said that the biggest problem with helping students who are struggling with their sexuality and coming out, is the fact that they are not easily identifiable, and are often too scared to come out or even reach out. This makes it even more difficult to ensure that these students get the support they need.

How this affects students Mtshali understands that students who are dealing with stress about coming out, can feel overwhelmed. “Sexuality can be a very big factor in why students are feeling depressed.”

Dr Linda Blokland, acting HOD of the Student Counselling unit, told PDBY that stress relating to coming out is a “fairly common issue amongst students”. When students come to university they face an immense spike in their workload and the stress of their sexuality, as well as the process of coming out, can take its toll. “It can cause a lot of anxiety; a lot of stress and it can also cause depression”, says Dr Blokland. She also added that the stress “does not just come with the ‘coming out’, the coming out is a punctuation [of] the problem.”

Interestingly, Pierre Brouard, deputy director of the Centre for Sexualities, AIDS and Gender (CSA&G) told PDBY that “coming out isn’t traumatic or difficult for everyone and some people cope well or more easily than others.” He continued to describe coming out as “a very personal journey.” In general, students handle stress differently, this also translates to the stress of coming out. According to Brouard, this type of stress can have a negative impact on a student’s mental health and academics.

“Depending on levels of inner turmoil or outer rejection (let’s say by family, friends or faith) a student in this situation could go into a depression, struggle to focus on studies, or act out in ways which affect their studies (such as drinking more, staying out late or lacking focus).” Lenka Malatji, one of the committee members of the ManDown project, provided insight into another subtopic of this discussion saying that “young men are afraid to come out due to toxic masculinity, because they won’t be regarded as ‘manly’.”

How can the university help?

Mtshali believes that facilities need to be more inclusive of students from the LGBTQ+ community. She mentioned that gender-neutral bathrooms would be a productive way to begin. “We need to create an environment that makes them feel more welcome and more accepted and that is where it all starts.” It is important to note that the university and the SRC, however intertwined they may be, are still two separate bodies. When asked about how the SRC can better represent the LGBTQ+

community in the future, Mtshali said that it would be a big step to dedicate a portfolio to a representative of the LGBTQ+ community.

“Very often these matters are handled by me, as transformation, but we are not so savvy or informed about these matters, because we are not LGBTQ+”.

the LGBTQ+ community and the society has grown tremendously through the years, with over 300 members in 2019. This is especially helpful to first years who are exposed to a completely new environment. Van Niekerk encouraged students to come to #UP&Out’s support group meetings. They also host many

The Student Counselling unit, consisting of 17 psychologists are actively trying to “break that stigma and break that barrier that everybody, and not just students, have about going for counselling”, Dr Blokland told PDBY. The CSA&G also offers counselling to students when necessary. Brouard continued by saying that the CSA&G

events during the year, with Pride week being the main event. ManDown is a special project from the Office of the Director under the Department of Student Affairs that aims to start the conversation about male mental health and sexuality. Malatji told PDBY that students are often “not aware that these services exist to help them, not to isolate

“

Photo: Darec Hall

When you become the image of your own imagination, it’s the most

“

Carli Botha

powerful thing you could ever do.

RuPaul would link these students with societies like #UP&Out and give them any other resources they might need. Brouard mentioned the student social justice project - Just Leaders.

Students who volunteer for this project are trained and after training “the volunteers are encouraged to take on advocacy and awareness work, including exploring ways to make UP more inclusive of those with marginalised identities, including LGBTQ+ people.” Brouard concluded by telling PDBY that the CSA&G, when necessary, “might do work with departments who grapple with students who are coming out.” #UP&Out can be perceived by some as a haven for many students who form part of

them”.

Mtshali believes that things are changing for the better on campus, even though it might take some time. He noted that, “there are not enough support systems in place currently, but the university has come a long way”.

How can the students help?

“Student engagement is where we start” said Mtshali when asked how she would use her year on the SRC to transform the university environment and the general attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community.

“If you only speak to someone once, it is not engaging”. When it comes to creating an environment at the university that is

inclusive to everyone Dr Blokland believes that “it can be quite subtle - becoming patronizing and being over-inclusive - as opposed to just accepting [students from the LGBTQ+ community] and including them as much as you would anyone else.” Inclusivity is a key aspect in making progress.

Brouard believes that everyone has a role to play. He “think[s] that rather than seeing LGBTQ+ students as a separate category of ‘otherness’, it’s useful to think about how we all have a contribution to make in bringing about a lecture/study environment which is friendly, respectful and inclusive, whether we are dealing with a fellow student who is lesbian, gay, trans, foreign, living with a disability or just ‘different’. He ended off by saying that “recognizing the privilege that comes from being heterosexual is useful; heterosexual people generally have advantages and social acceptance without having to work too hard for it”.

Students’ opinions At one of the support groups sessions that #UP&Out offers, the discussion was centered around the difficulties members of the LGBTQ+ community face in their daily lives. Matthew Stevens, a second year BSc Computer Science student, said that it is “very easy to feel antagonized in certain environments on campus”. Danielle Ross, a first year BMus Music student agreed with this statement, as she felt that the environment in her faculty was more welcoming to LGBTQ+ students. Ross also said that, for certain students, “university is an escape from the toxic times you can face at home”, which reiterates the importance of there being safe and inclusive spaces on UP campuses. Ryan Naamdhew, a second year BSc Environmental Science student, explained that some students do not want to talk about their sexuality as “it is a personal thing”. Chantelle Müller, a second year BSc Human Genetics student, spoke about how coming out can affect your relationship with family members – especially for students who come from conservative families.

Michaela Liesching, second year BSc Triple Major student, reinforced this idea as the question “are you sure you are not going to fall in love with a man one day?”, is one of the first things that comes to mind when she thinks about her coming out experiences.

Michaela equally believes that people’s mentality about being queer needs to change.

The process of coming out is a very personal journey that can be imbued with stress for some. It is important that both the university and students alike strive to ensure that there is a more supportive and accepting environment for their LGBTQ+ peers.

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Features and Entertainment | 5

21 October 2019

Are we truly as progressive as we appear on paper?

Tiang-Bahumi Kgothule

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outh Africans often take pride in having, one of the most liberal constitutions in the world, promising freedom and equality for all, regardless of race, gender, religion or sexuality. Whether or not this is a reality is a subjective topic of conversation and debate.

According to Graeme Reid - author of How to be a Real Gay: Gay Identities in Small-Town South Africa - in the last 42 years, at least 31 South African lesbians are known to have been murdered in homophobic attacks. Of these, only two cases were brought to court and only one person was convicted. Gay men also face violence and discrimination despite their constitutional rights enshrined on paper.

However, happening concurrently with those attacks, South Africa was transitioning from outlawing homosexuality on the grounds of what was called the ‘Immorality Act’ (essentially, a range of so-called sexual offenses, which interracial sexual relations also fell under) to drawing up a constitution that included sexual orientation as a specific point of protection. In fact, South Africa was one of the first countries in the world initiate this change.

After the constitution was ratified in 1996, there was a process of legal reform

to bring all these laws in place, and a series of legislative changes took place in order to achieve equality in terms of partnership benefits, human rights and eventually, marriage equality.

However, despite the legislative alterations and

What does PRIDE mean to you?

Feliciana Nezingu

T

he annual Pretoria Pride Parade was held on 5 October, at the Centurion Rugby Club”. This event provides an opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community to come together and celebrate their identities. Similarly, the Centre for Sexualities, AIDS and Gender (CSA&G) and UP&Out have also taken steps to showcase the gender and sexual identities of the LGBTQ+ community through UP Pride Week 2019, which start on 14 October. The Pride Week commenced with a vibrant wall painting and include events such as an information session on the LBGTQ+ culture in Pretoria and a Pride March.

PDBY asked some members of the queer community for their views on the importance and relevance of these events and initiatives that specifically commemorate the LGBTQ+ community at the University.

According to Johan Maritz, the senior manager of the CSA&G, although the South African Constitution protects LGBTQ+ rights, pride events are still relevant because not celebrating runs a risk of the LGBTQ+ community becoming complacent. He opined that, “pride marches are there to remind ourselves where we come from.” He also added that for people who are still dealing with their sexuality, it can be a difficult step to publicise and celebrate their sexualities, as they are making something private, a public reality. He then highlighted how people at the University have become more accepting and supportive of the LGBTQ+ community and their struggles. “More people are open and willing to join us on parades. There’s still lots of room for improvement but acceptance is becoming more visible and people are becoming more comfortable and living in their true identities”.

Maritz additionally explained that there has been a generational shift, as in the past people were very label-conscious and had to embody their identity but more young people now reject those labels.

Dr Christi Kruger, a researcher and programme manager at the CSA&G stated that, for organisers and participants of a minority group, it can often be difficult to know if LGBTQ+ events are publicised enough and if people are aware of pride events. The increase in pride events has also drawn some criticisms such as that the politicization and capitalisation of such events could possibly be seen to undermine the true purpose Pride initiatives. Both Maritz and Kruger believe that some Pride events are not about making a statement anymore and some have become classist or exclusivist as entrance fees and locations are not very accommodating of the diverse backgrounds that queer people come from.

For Kruger, pride at UP is important to her as she came from a conservative hometown where celebrating LGBTQ+ identities was controversial. The increasing tolerance and openness at UP is a stark contrast from the lack of support and acceptance she faced in her community at home. She also told PDBY that everyone needs to be reminded that, as we live our daily lives, we all have to acknowledge that the LGBTQ+ community does not live outside our community. “They are part of the main student body. Queer people are in our classes.

They are a part of our reality.”

Another member of the queer community and staunch supporter of LGBTQ+ pride, Transformation and Innovation Officer for the University of Pretoria Charter of the United Nations Association of South Africa (UNASA UP), Sheldon Reed, had some insights into the significance of Pride for the queer community.

a growing awareness of and tolerance for gay men and women in South Africa, there remains a persistent notion that homosexuality is “unAfrican” and “immoral”.

According to a social study conducted by the Pew Research Centre in 2012, a staggering 62% of South Africans regarded homosexuality as morally unacceptable. Evidently, these statistics of social opinion do not reconcile with the legal framework.

When posed with the question of whether or not our society has become more inclusive and aware of LGBTQ+ rights, students and lecturers alike from the university were sure in their answer of acceptance of gay and lesbian South Africans.

It was a different story, however, when asked whether or not they should be allowed to exercise

the same rights as themselves.

A UP student, who asked to remain anonymous, responded by saying that the “sole purpose of human beings is to reproduce, and same-sex relationships do not promote that”. Another student, who also wished to remain anonymous, expressed that homosexuality is not compatible with “‘African history’. It’s a western thing”.

These comments and viewpoints potentially capture misconceptions surrounding sexuality and the progress that is still needs to be made when it comes to fully embodying our constitution.

Moreover, Graeme Reid writes that, “the irony, of course, is that many of the laws, even those promoting homosexual inclusivity, are actually relics of British colonialism.There has been a large emergence of African same-sex practices, but this is purely because the laws afford the reassurance that their lives are protected”.

George Bailanis, a first-year Medicine student from UP who identifies as gay, was eager to add to the conversation. He said to PDBY that, “South Africa has really progressed in terms of accommodating members of the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, it has done so to become one of the most inclusive countries on the continent.”

When asked whether or not more individuals would “come out” if society was more tolerant and welcoming, he stated that it would potentially work the other way around – that society would become more tolerant and accepting if more people walked in their own truth and claimed their identities in the LGBTQ+ community.

On the topic of acceptance, tactless and controversial comments from public figures like Mmusi Maimane in 2015 and Jacob Zuma in 2006, perpetuate false narratives and normalise hate speech as these men have far reaching audiences. Much progress is yet to be made as in theory, the concept of inclusivity and nondiscrimination is intertwined into the foundation of our democracy. However, this is often not the case in the LGBTQ+ community.

Image: Cletus Mulaudi

As the Transformation and Innovation Officer, he is responsible for ensuring that UNASA UP promotes the equality and inclusivity of minority groups in the activities and events affiliated to the society.

He shared with PDBY his plans to connect with more people, outside of the Humanities faculty and start involving other campuses in Pride events to include more people. For Reed, such initiatives on campus allow the society to promote exposure and visibility, reaching out to people who might not have had the opportunity to explore themselves. He added that Pride Week is relevant on campus because, for some people, moving to the university might be the first time that they are exposed to more open spaces where they have more freedom to express themselves and to understand that there are others out there like them.

For students and university staff to support the LGBTQ+ community regardless of their gender or sexual orientation, Kruger encourages people to educate their families if they subscribe to certain stereotypes and prejudices. Maritz suggests that we should do away with terms like ‘tolerance’ as it still leaves room for judgement and instead embrace more favourable terms such as ‘acceptance’ which is more complete and accommodating towards the queer community. According to Reed, showing

Photo: Darec Hall

support by attending pride marches, erasing queer stereotypes and patiently allowing oneself to be exposed to the LGBTQ+ community is the way to make attainable progress. He added that UNASA would like to start involving other campuses besides the Hatfield Campus and reach out to people beyond the Humanities Faculty from where they get the most support.

Finally, Reed illuminated the fact that “the big part of pride is gathering to celebrate who we are, our love to share and the fact that we have come so far. It’s called Pride because we are proud of who we are. We don’t want to be ashamed”.

6 | Features and Entertainment

A proud history Queer rights activism between 1950s and early 1960s The history of South African activism for the queer community began as early as the mid1950s. According to a book by Edwin Cameron and Mark Gevisser called the Defiant Desire, at the time, homosexuals were viewed as either the ‘child-molester’ or the ‘drag queen’. Despite these two stereotypes, homosexual cultures still existed in the major cities of South Africa: Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. In Johannesburg, in the Joubert Park area was known at that time for its bars and its cheap accommodation and later became a common neighbourhood for young people to live in, including the queer community.

In Cape Town and Durban around the port-cities, gay men were more visible around the seafronts closest to the warships. In contrast, Gevisser explains that during the 1950s, lesbian women were always under pressure to remain secluded and meet in smaller public venues than gay men.

This was due to social traditions like marriage that were more limiting to women than men and the fact that men were more economically independent and wealthier than women.

The law reform movement of 1968 In 1968, there was a proposal of an antihomosexuality legislation, causing panic in homosexual communities in South Africa, especially among the female members of the queer community, who were previously ignored by the law and the media. It was at this time that the activist group for homosexuals was formed, known as ‘Law Reform’ that aimed to combat the proposed legislation before the Select Committee.

The group raised funds to retain a firm of attorneys to lead the case and by April 1968, the first gay public meeting ever held in South Africa took place at the Park Royal Hotel in Joubert Park. But by the following year, the movement had not been successful in reforming the law as only three amendments were presented. As stated in the book, Defiant Desire, the first amendment was that the ages for male homosexual acts were raised from 16 to 19. The second was to ban dildos. The third was the infamous ‘men at a party’ clause, which criminalized any “male person who commits with another male person at a party or any act which is calculated to stimulate sexual passion or to give sexual gratification”.

The problem with the amendments was that the state had imposed more repressive laws on the queer community rather than lessening the laws and could still raid any social gatherings, thus tightening its grip on the community. However, the book states that the queer community was still relieved and had a profound sense of victory. Soon after this, the organization had collapsed due to “lack of democratic process.”

The queer culture between 1970s- 1990s Gevisser writes about Pretoria in the 1970s as having a large gay, Afrikaans community which

transformed into a subculture, allowing for the development of the first exclusive gay venue, the Club Exquisite. It was during this time that some communities began to accept the queer community, due to the gay rights movement that took place in Europe and North America. Gevisser mentions that the only other attempt to restore the gay movement of 1968 happened in the early 1970s at the University of Natal in Durban but was dissolved soon afterward. In 1976 a gay man named Bobby Erasmus founded South Africa’s first gay organization since the Law Reforms days of 1968. GAIDE or Gay Aid Identification Development and Enrichment, collapsed 2 years later when Erasmus emigrated. This proved how dependent these organizations were on political leaders and strong influencers. In April 1982, GASA or Gay Association of South Africa was formed. Gevisser also states that “during its active years, GASA facilitated a groundswell of gay activity that focused the gay community and provided a basis for the more radical and politically explicit […] activism and was to follow it.” The group lasted for a few months but collapsed soon after. It was only in the 1990s, when GLOW (The Gay and Lesbian Organization of the Witwatersrand) was established, that the queer community finally found solid ground in South African society. Today, events such as pride week mark and symbolize the attempts made to make South Africa more accepting and proequality.

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sexual orientation or gender identity. The report also explains that people assume that all gender non-conforming people are either gay or lesbian and gender conforming people are “wrongly assumed to be heterosexual”. This could be a result of South Africa’s multiple languages or array of phrases that describe people who are gender non-conforming as stated in the report. A third interesting avenue that was studied in the report was the attitudes of people towards the queer community. Men aged 45-54 years as well as 16-19 were seen to be the most disapproving of gender non-conforming individuals. In contrast, people aged 20- 24 were reported to be the most tolerant from all three. Education and level of income are also likely indicators of the level of tolerance and attitudes. The report showed that people with an education up to tertiary level were more tolerant, with a minority being part of the “two thirds of people who have no schooling think sex between two men is wrong.” Still, more than half of all South Africans believe that gay people “should be allowed to be part of their culture and tradition” with only 0.1 percent of individuals disagreeing. In the 2012 survey, a question about ‘gay marriage’ received 13.5 percent of the population who approved of same-sex marriages.

Three years later, the number of supporters increased and the population of individuals who disagreed dropped from 48.5 percent to 23.4 percent.

The results show that there is a great shift in attitudes about sexual orientation and gender identity in South Africa in this post-apartheid era, Regardless more awareness and education is required.

Pride is ... where we can come together and celebrate the beauty of being queer and celebrate diverse identities and expressions of love.

Post-apartheid queer community According to the SASAS or South African Social Attitudes Survey - conducted

by The Other Foundation and Human Sciences Research Council in the years of 2012 and 2015 - “one in four people (27 percent) in South Africa reported having a friend or family member who is homosexual” and another 55 percent were willing to accept a family member who was part of the queer community. In post-apartheid, queer members have become outspoken particularly against discriminatory laws that violate the basic laws of equality. Interestingly, the “majority of South Africans think that all LGBTQ+ members have the same human rights and social acceptance”. However, according to the report, the levels of violence against members of the queer community persist and have increased. The study showed that despite the increase in violence against the queer community,“about 90 percent of all racial groups say that they have not physically hurt gender non-conforming women and violence against gender non-conforming men, although less common, is still widely prevalent.” The report also highlighted that there is also a wide misconception amongst some South Africans about gender identity and sexual orientation even amongst individuals who aren’t sure of their

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Mahmooda Milanzie and Emily Harrison

Pride in South Africa There have been Pride parades in South Africa since the first one took place in Johannesburg on 13 October 1990. This was also the first Pride to occur on the African continent. According to South African History Online the first Pride was organized by the organization GLOW, which was started by famous gay anti-apartheid activist Simon Nkoli in 1988, and this first “march was part of the broader struggle to decriminalize homosexuality in South African law and to end Apartheid”. Historically the Pride parades were used to protest the legal discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. After Apartheid, Pride was used to celebrate equality and LGBTQ+ identities. In more recent times some members have used the parade to protest modern LGBTQ+ hate crimes, such as corrective rape. There is some variety of Pride that takes place in every province annually, but the Johannesburg Pride is currently one of the largest pride events in Africa. This year the Johannesburg pride is celebrating ‘The Pride of Africa’. According to the Johannesburg Pride website they are debuting a new flag inspired

Centurion and Johannesburg Pride Parades Cassidy Bessa

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ride is an important event for many people - not just for those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. It is a chance to celebrate gay rights and the community in a way that uplifts everyone.

Take your friends and family out to enjoy a day that is full of fun and excitement. Join hundreds of people as they celebrate the culture and support the LGBTQ+ community.

Johannesburg and Pretoria have been key supporters in this cause through their festivities.

The Centurion Pride festival was celebrated on 6 October at the Centurion Rugby Club.

One of the biggest attractions of the festival is the fun of getting dressed up to celebrate.

This year, the theme of the event was Pride du Soleil - a mixture of a rainbow circus theme and The Greatest Showman. Everyone

got in the spirit and showed up in their most colourful circus-inspired outfits. The outfits got rave reviews from other attenders.

This was the sixth annual Pride festival in Centurion and included live performers and DJs, these included the popular local DJ, Pink Panther. Drag artists were also involved and made the event more inclusive and entertaining. There event also featured flea markets, food stalls, bars and relaxation areas.

Topless bartenders were also on show at the VIP area. The event also offered informative and educational talks on safe sex and as well as free HIV testing. As the main event drew to a close, attendees could head to an afterparty to continue the fun.

The Mr and Mrs Pretoria Gay Pride Pageant was held at the Rockwood Theatre on 2 September. The winners were Miss Gay Pride Pretoria Scarlett Rose and Mr Gay Pride Pretoria Conrad Jonus. An art

exhibition was on show from 27 September–7 October and showcased LGBTQ+ artists and included augmented reality technology within the exhibit. The Centurion Pride Parade has become one of the most popular Pride parades in the country. The Pride of Africa Lifestyle Conference was held on 12 October and included key discussions around sexuality, pride and gender identity. The Pride of Africa Awards happened on 19 October and celebrated those that have uplifted and added something to the community. They also celebrated how far the LGBTQ+ community has come, the strides they have made in society and how they have begun to change people’s minds.

The Johannesburg Pride Parade will be held on 26 October in Sandton. This will be the 30th Johannesburg Pride Parade.

This year, there will be an introduction to a lifestyle conference and a youth shelter, in

21 October 2019

by the 54 countries in Africa as well as a new statement that “there are no borders here- Pride is proudly African and authentically you”. If you are interested in attending the Johannesburg pride this year it is taking place on 26 October, departing from Sandton City at 14:00 going through the Sandton CBD. The event is free, although an RSVP to the Facebook event is necessary. For Pride celebrations a little closer to home UP has an annual Pride Week hosted by UP&Out and Just Leaders. Pride Week was hosted from 14 to 18 October this year.

Why pride is still important Pride week began as a protest to the discrimination LGBTQ+ people experienced It then progressed into a celebration of queer identities. These queer identities still exist and have been expanded on in recent years to include other sexualities. PDBY sat down with Professor Catherine Burns, an Associate Professor of History, who said “ we cannot forget the many aspects of our country’s history where we have […] people coming together against the status quo, […] we need to appreciate and celebrate these, hence the word ‘pride’ ”. As much as the world has progressed in recent years a safe space , the opportunity to celebrate identity is still important. In 2019 the LGBTQ+ community still struggles with daily discriminations and homophobic beliefs which makes the celebration as relevant as it ever was. According to Thiruna Naidoo from the Centre of Human Rights at UP “the average LGBTQ+ person has full rights in the eye of the law but that is not the case in their lived reality […] as many hate cases go unresolved with no perpetrators being identified or held accountable”. Additionally, there are countries where LGBTQ+ people still have no rights; queer identities are not celebrated.

During Pride people are encouraged to dress the way they want to and express their authentic selves. Jaco Bothma, a part-time lecturer at the department of Historical and Heritage Studies said, “pride week is important in an attempt to understand how issues of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community relates and intersects with other issues […] such as Gender Based Violence.” Pride celebrations make LGBTQ+ identities extremely visible, this is, according to Bothma, “especially potent in a world where many would prefer members of the LGBTQ+ community to be invisible and silent”. Pride is also seen by many as an important opportunity for allies of the LGBTQ+ community to show their support and solidarity. Naidoo also stated that “Pride is an important event for mobilizing the queer community both nationally and internationally. [It is] about creating a safe space where we can come together and celebrate the beauty of being queer and celebrate diverse identities and expressions of love.”

order to diversify the event. A new flag was created, that was inspired by the 54 African countries. The flag represents all Africans and should make you feel welcome and safe and seen, no matter what you identify as. The flag celebrates both the community and the individual. The Pride Parade on 26 October will be a march through the streets of Johannesburg to take a stand against homophobia. At this event, early bird attendees will be able to meet the Queen of the North. Yes, that is right, Brooke Lynn Hytes from RuPaul’s Drag Race - will be attending Johannesburg Pride this year. This will be the highlight of the parade for many people.

You can attend the after-party which will take place at the Babylon Bar in Johannesburg. It is highly anticipated and offers great potential to be the party of a lifetime.

Hopefully, those who missed the Centurion Pride event will be able to make the Johannesburg Pride event. If not, may this offer you some inspiration to attend the events next year and join in on the fun.

Entertainment | 7

21 October 2019

LGBTQ+ movies to watch this Pride season Images: Kendra Connock

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he world of show business is no stranger to bright colours and psychedelic patterns. The bright lights and hypnotic melodies of Hollywood have entranced audiences for decades, but what makes a movie truly meaningful is what lies behind the glitz and the glamour.

The people and stories at the heart of Hollywood are what keep viewers coming back to cinemas for new releases. The movies that stand out as particularly special to audiences are the ones to which they can relate - the ones representing their everyday life experiences. For a long time, being a member of the LGBTQ+ community meant that you were misunderstood, underrepresented, and oftentimes ignored by mainstream media. Although discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is far from extinct, we are privileged to live in a time that is slightly more accepting than it used to be.

Slowly but surely, the films and tv-series that we watch have become slightly more representative of the human diversity that exists on our planet. PDBY put togethersome picks of the best entertainment representations of the LGBTQ+ community.

At the 81st Academy Awards in 2009, the Best Picture Award went to a film titled Milk. The film is based on the true story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. Much of the movie is dedicated to the story of Harvey Milk and his supporters working against a bill that would prevent members of the LGBTQ+ community (as well as any known supporters) from working in public schools in California. In reality, Milk dedicated his time in office to advocating for the

rights of LGBTQ+ people by sponsoring bills that banned discrimination in public accommodation, housing, and employment on the basis of sexual orientation. Milk was assassinated during his short political career, but his legacy lives on in San Francisco and he is hailed as a martyr in the gay community. The Academy Award-winning film brought the story of Harvey Milk to life and resulted in him being posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

In the years since 2009, several other films with LGBTQ+ representation have been acknowledged and commended at the Academy Awards. In 2013, Jared Leto was honoured with the award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of an HIV-positive trans woman in the film Dallas Buyers Club; a movie that takes place during the 1980s HIV/AIDS crisis amongst the gay population of America.

The Imitation Game (2014) saw Benedict Cumberbatch portray Alan Turing, a mathematician and scientist who decrypted German intelligence messages for the British government during World War Two. Turing was one of approximately 49 000 men who were convicted of “gross indecency” between 1885 and 1967. While this supposed crime was punishable by jail time, Turing opted to undergo chemical castration so that he might continue his work on code breaking. The release of the film inspired a campaign that demanded pardons for victims of the anti-gay laws of the bygone era. In January 2017 the Policing and Crime Act (informally known as the Alan Turing law) was implemented to pardon men who were accused or convicted under historical legislation which criminalised homosexuality.

While this pardon does not undo the harm that was originally done to those 49 000 men, it does act as a promise that we in the modern age must never enact such cruel and

discriminatory laws again.

The Danish Girl (2015), is loosely based on the life of Danish artist Lili Elbe, who was one of the earliest known recipients of sex reassignment surgery. 2016 followed with the first LGBTQ+ film to win the Best Picture Award at the Oscars. Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight explores the development of an American boy through three stages of his life, all the while grappling with his sexuality and identity. Similarly, 2017’s Call Me by Your Name explores the experience of growing up and discovering one’s sexuality. Director of the film, Luca Guadagnino, explained Call Me by Your Name as an uplifting film which is about “being who you want to be and finding yourself in the gaze of others in his or her otherness”.

Most recently, entertainment has turned to the real-life stories of two gay icons from the 1980s. 2018 and 2019 saw on-screen representations of the colourful and flamboyant performers Freddie Mercury and Elton John respectively.

Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman focus mainly on the musical careers of Mercury and John but also touch on the personal struggles faced by the artists.

Television and movies are becoming reflective of different kinds of realities. Our TV screens are showing tales of increasing diversity. TV shows like Will and Grace, One Day at a Time and Queer Eye are broadening our horizons and working hard to include the LGBTQ+ community in our experiences of everyday life. While this is a feat worth celebrating, the entertainment industry still has a long way to go in terms of representation. Perhaps that is what makes these films so iconic, they represent the beginning of journey towards a more representative and inclusive industry.

Who is Brooke Lynn Hytes?

Dani van der Horst

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anadian drag queen, Brooke Lynn Hytes, will be attending the Johannesburg Pride Parade and Festival this year as a Grand Marshall. Hytes is a popular drag queen, best known for competing on the 11th season of American reality competition series, RuPaul’s Drag Race. The show follows RuPaul on her annual search for the next drag superstar.

Brooke Lynn Hytes is Brock Hayhoe’s drag persona. Hytes’ name is a play on “Brooklyn Heights” and was given to her by her

drag mother Farra N. Hyte. Farra drew the inspiration from Hytes’ real name (Brock), her surname and the fact that her drag daughters, including Hytes, are tall. Hytes is a professional ballet dancer and most of her drag performances centre around dance.

She even walked down RuPaul’s runway on pointe, which was an exceptionally unique occurrence. She was the first Canadian to participate in RuPaul’s Drag Race and was recently announced as a permanent judge on Canada’s Drag Race. Hytes dated Vanessa

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“Vanjie” Mateo, a fellow contestant, during the show’s run. This was another first for RuPaul’s Drag Race, as the show had never seen an on-screen romance before.

Hytes is more intimately connected to our country than one might suspect. Hytes moved to South Africa when she was 20 years old and danced for the Cape Town City Ballet. She later moved to New York and fulfilled her life-long dream of joining the all-male, drag ballet troupe, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo.

Hytes has won many prestigious beauty pageants, but one of the most prolific wins that she has to her name, is her 2014 Miss Continental title.

Although Brock Hayhoe thoroughly enjoys being Brooke Lynn Hytes, he identifies as gay and prefers the pronouns “he” and “him” to be used in his everyday life. It takes him approximately two hours to transform into Brooke Lynn Hytes. Hayhoe thoroughly enjoyed his life as a professional dancer but realised that he much preferred the drag aspect of performing. So, he abandoned his dancing career and took up drag, performing as Brooke Lynn Hytes for the first time under the guidance of Farra N. Hyte. Hytes’ first lip-sync performance was to Kelly Clarkson’s “Hear Me”.

Hytes has been performing ever since then and within six months of her first show, she was earning enough to become a full-time performer.

Hytes finished in 2nd place on Season 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race. While she may not have won the race, she did win the attention of many. She now boasts one million Instagram followers and doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

This queen is going places and is worth keeping an eye on, so be sure to catch her at the Johannesburg Pride Parade and Festival 2019.

8 | Sport

21 October 2019

New innovations in Cricket Kyri Elisseou

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he popularity of shorter formats of the game of cricket are yielding less and less time to alter the ball to achieve reverse swing or, frankly, any movement of the ball. The ten over game will soon be upon us. The slower deliveries will become more important to add variation and create uncertainty in the batsman’s mind and these variations will become more evident. Bouncers and shorter deliveries are more dangerous than ever to deliver.

Giving a skilled batsman any leeway to hit the ball over the boundary line is suicidal in the modern game. The following techniques will be seen more evidently to add to the arsenal of any fast bowler. They include the traditional slower ball variations, such as the “off-cutter”. It seems to be the first “pace-off the ball delivery” all seamers learn.

The ease of learning and perfecting this delivery can be very effective, as proven by the Netherlands at the 2011 cricket world cup. The “leg cutter”, which is more difficult to control, however, presents a very significant threat to being bowled around the legs or edging the ball to second slip.

Zaheer Khan’s knuckleball, like the knuckleball observed in baseball where the grip has the ring finger knuckle pressed against the ball, has a lower speed and an unpredictable ball flight. Additionally, in a world in which the conditions of a cricket pitch determine the success, there are two “dark arts” techniques that have always plagued club and school cricket alike.

Two new techniques that are not as well documented will add an edge to a well-developed repertoire of slower balls: The SLOB (slow obsolete delivery) or slower ball Yorker, which is a delivery which is widely used in English club cricket.

The difference between the SLOB and the traditional “slower ball Yorker” is the purposefulness of the delivery. The SLOB is delivered with only the two fingers gripping the seam and requires much less timing and control. The “arm” in swinger delivery is caused by the opposite of a round arm bowling action. Chris Morris had a large amount of success with this type of delivery as a variation and Jasprit Bumrah has frequently demolished middle stump, much in the style of Sohail Tanvir before him. Imran Khan, the great Pakistani fast bowler was a proponent of a faster ball. The addition would be an interesting way to unleash a surprise element.

Most spinners employ this tactic, however, it is rarely used by fast bowlers as it seems to be against intuition – how can a fast bowler, have a “faster delivery”?

In reality, delivering the ball at 140 km/h for 4 to 10 overs is very difficult. Many fast bowlers like Umesh Yadav and Wahab Riaz regularly deliver the ball at 147 km/h but cannot maintain the speed. Using this delivery more strategically would be potent and the easiest way to counter the issue of a lack of movement.

Tuks wins Varsity netball 2019 Boitumelo Makaepea

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n October 7, UP TUKS met Maties in the Varsity Netball finals at the Rembrandt hall where they beat them 48-43. UP TUKS showed thrilling dominance in the competition as they were the first team to go through the competition unbeaten. The stripe generation met UFS Kovsies in 2018 where they got beaten 63-59. This time UP TUKS came back with fire and style to claim the title.

UP TUKS forced a strong lead in the first quarter as it ended with 14 goals to 10. However, Maties came back with compassion in the second quarter to level the scores at 14 all. Just when things looked like UP TUKS was losing concentration, Maties took advantage and scored two goals to make it 14-16. Things took a different turn as the stripe generation came back with a strong lead of 22 goals to 17.

Things took a different turn again when Maties ended the second quarter with a lead of 24 goals to 23 goals. The game was very much intercepted and filled with failed attempts and mistakes resulting from the pressure to score from both sides and very tightened defending tactics. The third quarter saw both teams fighting hard to lead but it ended with UP

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TUKS taking the lead with 35 goals to 34 goals that resulted from Danielle van Zyl’s 2 double pointers.

The last quarter is known to be a train setter and a very crucial quarter for both teams and it indeed was. With emotions running high in the venue, it was a nail biting 15 minutes of the as Maties started off with a graced a lead of 38 goals to 35 goals and this was not good for the home side.

UP TUKS managed to get back into the game by leading with 43 goals 40 goals. Maties tried to come back into the game by scoring 3 goals but UP TUKS was already in the winning mode and things ended with the stripe generation claiming victory of stunning 48 goals to 43 goals from Maties. This was a very heated and definitely an intensified match as both teams showed excellent play. However, only one team could go home victorious. For the home side, this was an inspiring play as it was the captain-Tshina Mdau’s last match for TuksSport. She is doing her honours in B.com Agricultural Ecomics and started representing TuksSport from 2014. The night ended off with UP TUKS’ very own Lungile Mthembu being awarded the Wimpy Moment Maker with FNB player of the Match and MTN Pulse Interceptor of the Match going to both players from Maties.

Beer issues at the 2019 Rugby World Cup Mariesa Potgieter

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ith the 2019 Rugby World Cup well underway and the Springboks heading into the quarterfinals, South Africa is fully living the excitement of the rugby by watching it on big screens with friends and enjoying a refreshing beer. While the South African fans are content, problems might arise in Japan with regards to beer supplies.

The Rugby World Cup runs from September to November and more than 400 000 international fans are expected to come and support their teams. Organisers of the Rugby World Cup have raised the issue that beer might run out when supporters are craving more. The Rugby World Cup is the third-largest sporting event in the world, coming behind the Soccer World Cup and the Summer Olympic Games. However, researchers have revealed that rugby supporters drink six times more beer than the average soccer fan. Foreign rugby fans also drink more than the average Japanese rugby fan. During the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England, 1.9 million litres of beer were consumed.

A beer shortage could damage the reputation of the Japanese hospitality industry through negative media coverage and unhappy fans. This would not be the first time that a host nation would run out of beer and that is why the organisers are so concerned. In the 2003 World Cup in Australia, beer sold out during the Argentina against Ireland game. The same happened in 2007 in Marseilles, France.

Many bars ran out of beer when South Africa played against Fiji in the quarter-finals.

The official sponsor for beer at the 2019 Rugby World Cup is Heineken and they are stocking up their beer to ensure that will not be a thereof. However, other businesses in the area of the World Cup are not convinced that they need to stock extra beer and are keeping to their regular quantities.

They believe that fans might not know about these small businesses and they don’t expect any special demand of their beer.

Soon enough, it will be revealed whether the Japanese have stocked enough beer for the entire two months of the tournament. The Rugby World Cup is heading to the quarter-final stages, causing even more excitement for rugby fans and the potential for them wanting even more beer to celebrate the victories of their teams.

Illustration: Giovanna Janos

Sport| 9

21 October 2019

The Springboks Journey so far: From New Zealand to Canada

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he Springboks arrived earlier than any other team in Japan, ready to avenge their exit from the 2015 World Cup semi-finals.

The technical prowess of Rassie Erasmus combined with astute team selection and implementation of the rush defense has yielded successful results and a long-awaited win against the All Blacks. The rise of Cheslin Kolbe as a match-winner has been a revelation this world cup.

Kolbe, a lithe and small winger born in the Western Cape, stands 171 cm in an arena of giants. His attacking of the high ball was brilliant, beating much taller men like the 196 cm Sergio Parisse, against Italy.

The first game againstNew Zealand reiterated a common SA rugby fans’ headache: the “Garces” effect on South African scoreboards. The mistakes made affected many penalty opportunities that should have been blown. Rassie Erasmus even hinted at his frustration with a sarcastic comment about “fair” refereeing at the post match conference.

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Kyri Elisseou

Tactically, South Africa’s new rush defense will be a difficult tactic to handle in upcoming games. The English league was an early proponent of this defense and it made its way into Wales’s repertoire for the 2015 Rugby World cup. The latest use of it in super rugby has influenced Erasmus’ defence. The principal around it is simple, instead of screening the movement of the opposition, the opposition is hounded, which forces the ball inward.

Handrè Pollard’s questionable big match temperament, in terms of conversions, is something that needs to be addressed. Pollard is an astute runner and decision maker but when conversions need to be made, Pollard seems to not be able to mount pressure on the scoreboard when it most counts.

It is very important that South Africa has defeated the lower ranked teams in their past 3 games. South Africa failed to do so in the last world cup and the result against Japan in 2015 placed doubt into the psyche in the South African team. We just never seemed like we would fully recover from the shock loss and all in all, we did not.

The Springboks still have a lot to prove.

If Erasmus can develop a master plan to counter the All Blacks, we could claim the trophy.

TuksBasketball runner up at Varsity Basketball Scan the QR code to read the full online exclusive!

TuksJudo Open Ntokozo Zondo TuksJudo hosted a new event on 12 October at Rembrandt Hall, Hillcrest campus, which TuksJudo club members and members from clubs in surrounding areas competed in.

Judoka Unelle Snyman sat down with PDBY to discuss the purpose of the event, the difference in training approaches for international versus national, highlights of the season and upcoming events.

The event was conceived by the club and club management to create more competitions where TuksJudo is representing. Snyman says that “there are not many competitions representing as TuksJudo to perform as the club, increase more matt time for the club and increase bonding within club with athletes and teambuilding and great exposure for members”. The event also provided an opportunity for the collaboration of Judo clubs in South Africa.

The objectives for national and international competition are different, which requires a varied approach to preparing for these events.

Snyman describes national competition training as conditioning to perform in a competition mindset, “SA’s is more specific prep, national and club events are to manage weight as we compete in weight divisions

so that you condition yourself to drop your weight, warm up and mentally prepare”.

In contrast, international requires a bigger preparation phase. “Usually, we will train for a month. The type of gym (activities) differ from week to week and evening training in terms of technique will focus on specific things per session”.

When it came to pin-pointing a highlight for the 2019 season, Snyman recalls moments with significance stating, “No specific thing but more of the development of my style and relationships within the club with the other athletes through hardships and challenges where we have grown so close and learnt to rely on each other”. Snyman also mentioned the African championships in April where she won a Silver medal. Snyman further explains why this moment stood out. “It was a good competition to bring my head into the game. Not to expect to win gold, but a good competition to fight each fight as if it’s the last I ever will do”.

TuksJudo will have a few more fixtures before their season draws to a close. Their upcoming events are as follows: Abu Dhabi Grand slam: 24 to 27 October and the Perth Oceania open in November. They might also be going to the Senegal African Open in late November and to Osaka, Japan in December.

Mental health and Sport Mzwakhe Mpofu

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ecently, the University of Pretoria has paid particular attention to mental health and how it can impact student and employee performance and wellbeing. Because of this, UP has made sure that various departments of the institution try to emulate this idea, or some would saysa y “a movement”.

It is very important to also understand mental health within the context of sport.

Despite the fact that sport is physically draining and sometimes requires tremendous commitment, it has a very positive impact on individual and collective wellbeing. When one thinks of sport, many themes may pop up, for example, competition, resilience, failure, hard work and many more.

Basketball Results: Round 1: 55-56 Loss to VUT Round 2:76-69 win against Wits Round 3: 56-52 loss to UKZN Round 4:78-48 win against NWU-Vaal Round 4:73-68 win against UJ Round 6: 86-75 win against UWC Round 7:81-65 win against UCT Round 8: 64-57 loss in the final to UJ Illustration: Giovanna Janos

Sport teaches people resilience in the face of adversity by knowing how to handle failure and still striving to do your best. The lessons learned through sport can also apply to the everyday lives of students and the UP community at large in assessing how we deal with our challenges and failures. People learn to do this by working towards a certain goal, celebrating an achievement or striving to do more.

Furthermore, research conducted by Healthline proves that sportsports has mental health benefits that may include mood improvement, increased concentration and a boost of confidence, which are some of the crucial aspects in the fight against mental problems within the UP community.

10 | Fun and Games

21 October 2019

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i hi. It is Pssst… again. Lucky you. Firstly, Pssst… hopes that everyone has a festive rainbow week and embraces all colours. Pssst… is watching those of you who don’t. Speaking of colours, Pssst… would also like to say that although Pssst… enjoys the patriotism, dark green definitely isn’t everyone’s colour – just like logic isn’t everyone’s strength. Pssst… actually feels sorry for the silly souls that keep walking to SciEnza. Pssst… thinks you should know that they have opened Prospect again. Pssst… also finds it entertaining when people in elevators speak too loudly. Pssst… would like to take this opportunity to disagree with those two boys who think that women studying law are the second prettiest on campus. Pssst… thinks that sometimes you should keep your opinions to yourself.

Pssst… also thinks that you should keep your business to yourself. Pssst… would like to know if that lecturer, who walked 7 in on a threesome at a bathroom sink, is okay? Yes of course Pssst… knows. Pssst… also knows about the dodgy business happening in boys’ showers at res. Pssst… thinks there are better ways of de-stressing 4 during exams. Pssst… is not necessarily talking about drinking. Nonetheless,

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ACROSS 6 What common kitchen condiment wards off evil spirits?

7 What name are you not supposed to say three times?

11 Who resides in the sewers of Derry?

12 Who is the protagonist in Halloween?

13 Who you gonna call?

15 Who are the paranormal investigators in the Conjuring

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Pssst… would just like to remind those having one final jol/razzle/bender or whatever hideous word you use for it, not to go too far. You can’t FLY@UP if you are too drunk to see the finish line. Plus, you probably already can’t see the finish line because loadshedding has decided to pay another us yet another visit. Speaking of being in the dark, Pssst… might not be in contact for a while as exams mean Pssst… must actually do some work. Aww don’t be sad, Pssst… won’t miss you. Just like House Nala won’t miss Mopane. Anyways, Pssst… must go. Pssst… has eavesdropping to do, information to trade and gossip to spread. Pssst… says adieu. xx

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Comic: Giovanna Janos

Entertainment | 11

21 October 2019

The Addams Family then and now

Cassidy Bessa and Dani van der Horst

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he Addams Family (2019), directed by Conrad Vernon and Grey Tiernan, hit South African theatres on 11 October 2019. The computer-animated, 3D, comedyhorror is a family friendly Halloween film. It boasts a star-studded cast, including Snoop Dogg, Charlize Theron, Finn Wolfhard and Nick Kroll. The characters are based on the Charles Addams comics of the same name.

This is not the first time that the beloved characters have made it onto the screen. A liveaction, television series, The Addams Family, premiered on ABC in 1964. This inspired an unrelated animated series which premiered in 1973, as well as a 1977 film of the same title.

In the 1990s, the characters were revived once again and appeared in the feature films, The Addams Family (1991) and its sequel, Addams Family Values (1993). Both of these films received nominations for Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards and Hugo Awards. These adaptions are possibly the most well-known in today’s society. Subsequently there have been a few more adaptions, but the 2019 film is the first animated feature film in The Addams Family universe.

The Charles Addams’ comics began as 150 single panel cartoons which were published in The New Yorker in 1938. This

had a great influence on the public and a rise in goth subculture and fashion that was observed shortly after the cartoons were released. Originally, it was just Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsly, Uncle Fester, Grandmama, Lurch, Aristotle, Thing and cousin Itt. The television series, and then the film adaptions, introduced some more extended family members and established the complex Addams family tree that we know and love today. Charles Addams said of the cartoon, “Gomez and Pugsley are enthusiastic. Morticia is even in disposition, muted, witty sometimes deadly. Grandma Frump is foolishly good-natured. Wednesday is her mother’s daughter. A closely-knit family, the real head being Morticia – although each of the others is a definite character- except for Grandma, who is easily led. Many of the troubles have as a family are due to grandma’s fumbling, weak character.

The house is a wreck, of course, but this is a house-proud family just the same and every trap door is in good repair. Money is no problem”.

Charles Addams was originally inspired by Westfield, New Jersey’s, old houses and so in the cartoons, the family lives on Cemetery Bridge. This changed in the television show and then again in the 2019 film. In the 2019 film, they live in an abandoned asylum

Spooky themed episodes of your favourite shows

Kendra Connock

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DBY put together a list of Halloween themed episodes of popular shows to watch throughout the spooky season.

From comedy to fantasy, Halloween episodes are a fun addition to any binging session.

Every October, Halloween comes to the Ninety-Ninth Precinct in Brooklyn, New York City – setting for the infamous Brooklyn Nine-Nine. It brings along with it the infamous Halloween Heist, where members of the squad compete for the title of Best Human/Genius. The heists usually involve elaborate plans and schemes to win the competition, which results in hilarity for the audience.

For the braver spectator, try “Halloween” from the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

This spookier series offers a more mystical approach to Halloween. The characters’ costumes end up cursed and the group of friends end up spending Halloween-night as the characters that they have dressed up as - a soldier, a pirate, an 18th-century woman, and a ghost.

In “The One with the Halloween Party”, the FRIENDS gang gets together to celebrate. Phoebe has a particularly frightening Halloween experience as she runs into her twin sister (the two have been known not to get along). Rachel tries to win favour with the neighbourhood kids by

handing out candy (and ultimately money) when they come trick-or-treating. Ross attempts an intellectual pun for his costume and dresses as a combination of a satellite and a potato, dubbing himself “Spud-nik”.

“The Hauntening” in season six of Bob’s Burgers features the Belcher Family designing a Haunted House of their own in an attempt to scare the one member of their family that is not easily scared.

The episode “Epidemiology” from the TV-series Community is an ode to great Halloween tradition of zombie movies. An added bonus is the fact that the character Troy becomes the “first black man to make it to the end of a horror movie”. An even bigger bonus is that Troy is portrayed by Donald Glover.

That 70s Show has two great offerings in “Halloween” and “Too Old to Trick or Treat, Too Young to Die”.

If all else fails, turn to The Simpsons for the anthology of Halloween-themed episodes that exist in the so-called “Treehouse of Horror”, also known as The Simpsons Halloween Specials. The episodes occur outside of the usual timeline of the show and usually include the family in a horror, science fiction, or supernatural setting. The first episode of the “Treehouse of Horror” series aired in 1990.

Since then, there have been 28 other episodes added to the anthology.

TV-series with more than one season are great for a Halloween-themed marathon so grab your Halloween themed snacks and inappropriately cosy pyjamas for October and binge these spooky episodes of fan-favourite shows.

that has its own personality and continually yells at the family to get out until Morticia gives it its morning coffee.

The 2019 film follows the family’s journey from the very beginning, when Morticia and Gomez (voiced

by Charlize Theron and Oscar Isaac respectively) get married and are cast out of their previous home. This “kooky”, “spooky” family grows and settles into their asylum home as the film then skips thirteen years into the future. This is where the majority of the story takes place. The film focusses on the sweet interactions that the family has with one another and challenges the representation of monsters as scary beings. Themes of acceptance, staying true to oneself and not judging other people are carried throughout the plot of the film. The Addams family, while unconventional, deal with many familiar familial issues and prove that by standing together, anything can be overcome. The film stays true to its roots and the characters bring a sense of nostalgia to the screen that true Addams fans will love.

The film has been criticised for its lighter tone, in comparison to the darker and more macabre source material and the previous adaptions. The plot is slightly predictable, as the themes remain similar to those of the television show and film adaptions, but it is enjoyable to watch, nonetheless. Unlike the television show and the 1990s film adaptions, the 2019 adaption offers a lot more visual detail. The animation is creative, and the film comes alive in 3D and through the use of incredible visual effects. The film has been praised for the voice cast, the comedic aspect it brings, as well as the fantastic animation.

The film soundtrack offers an original by

Image: moviequotesandmore.com

Christina Aguilera titled “Haunted Heart” and also pays tribute to the iconic The Addams Family theme song in a remix titled “My Family” by Migos, Karol G, Snoop Dogg and Rock Mafia. The soundtrack is a bubbly, modern, hip-hop/pop experience and ties into the light-heartedness of the film as a whole.

The original comic has come a long way and the characters have slowly grown into more complex individuals. They are less subdued, and their personalities have become more outlandish. Despite the macabre details of their lives, the family has such a great dynamic that one cannot help but love the film.

This film can be enjoyed by die-hard Addams family fans, as well as anyone looking for a light-hearted Halloween film to watch during the spooky season. It is rated PG and is specifically aimed at a younger audience. However, this doesn’t detract from the overall appeal of the film and it is definitely worth a watch.

Soul-sucking snacks for Halloween Dracula’s Dentures Part 1: Chocolate Chip Cookies (Makes 20) You will need: 100g Butter (softened) 120g Castor sugar 1 large Egg 1/4tsp Vanilla extract 150g Plain flour 1/2tsp Baking powder 100g Dark chocolate chips

Part 2: Decoration

Icing: You will need: 125g Butter (room temperature) 250g Icing sugar 5ml Vanilla essence

Milk (as needed) A few drops of red food colouring Method: Method: Beat the butter in a large bowl with an Preheat your oven to 180°C and line a electric beater or wooden spoon. Add baking tray with baking paper. the icing sugar a little at a time and beat Cream the butter and castor sugar well. Add the vanilla and a few drops of together until pale and fluffy. red food colouring and thin the mixture Mix in the egg and vanilla extract. out with a little milk or water to achieve Add the flour and baking powder and a spreadable consistency. mix to combine. Lastly, mix in the chocolate chips.

“Teeth”: Wet your hands slightly and roll You will need: tablespoonfuls of dough into balls.

Mini marshmallows Arrange on the tray allowing room for Slivered almonds spreading. Flatten each ball slightly Method: with a fork that has been dipped in Spread a thin layer of red frosting onto flour. each cookie half.

Bake for 10 minutes. then rotate the Place mini marshmallows around the tray 180 degrees and bake for a further round edges of half of the halves. Place 4 minutes or until the cookies are the remaining halves on top, then stick golden at the edges. a slivered almond on each side to create Carefully transfer the cookies to a cooling rack. (They will be very soft but fangs. will harden on cooling.) Allow to cool before serving

Stephanie Cookson and Sue De Souza

21 October 2019

Harrowing history of Halloween

merged with American Indian traditions, becoming something unique all on its own.

Origins of Halloween Public events celebrating a good harvest were called ‘play parties’ (as stated by History.

Halloween is considered a famous com) where neighbours would gather round international holiday celebrated in various to tell stories of the dead, predict each other’s places including America and Europe. fortunes, dance and sing. Immigrants who In South Africa, while it may not be the arrived into America became the vector with typical trick-or-treating experience, it is which to spread Halloween across the nation, still an event that is enjoyed by many and keeping it alive to the day. provides students with one final celebration Jack-o’-lanterns, an iconic symbol of the before the upcoming exams, as the end of American Halloween, even has its roots in October is fast-approaches. Halloween, like Ireland from an Irish folktale about a man many holidays, is steeped in a rich history named Jack. The tale suggests that this man, with influences coming from many different dubbed ‘Stingy Jack’ was foolish enough to countries, cultures and belief systems. play tricks on the Devil himself. He would Throughout history it has been remoulded only free the demonic deity from the trap and is ever-changing in our society. he had set once the Devil promised not to Many people think of Halloween as an collect his soul once he died. When Jack American holiday where children dress up finally passed away God would not allow as ghouls and wander the neighbourhood him into heaven due to his earthly behaviour in search of candy. But often people and the Devil, angered by Jack’s the are unaware of the fact that treatment he received from Jack, Halloween did not originate and true to his word, refused with the line between to send him to Hell. He was in America at all. It was a Celtic festival called the dead and the living then forced to aimlessly Samhain. the earth with blurred, the dead could wander Originally, Samhain only a burning coal to roam the earth and the occurred on 1 light his way. According November and was to Irish legend, it is priests were given the simply a New Year’s said he placed the coal enhanced ability to more into a carved-out turnip, celebration marking the end of summer and accurately prophesize which became the very the beginning of another jack-o’-lantern. As the about the future. talefirst potentially fatal winter. spread from country to On this night, it was believed country, different cultures used that Samhain, the Lord of the Dead, different vegetables to house their would gather those who had passed away coals, such as beets and potatoes. It was during the previous year. With the line only when the tradition found its way to between the dead and the living blurred, the the United States that pumpkins were used, dead could roam the earth and the priests simply for the fact that they were bigger and were given the enhanced ability to more easier to carve. accurately prophesize about the future.

Eventually the holiday became more about Rituals also accompanied this event. community rather than religion, ghosts or Bonfires were meant to ward away evil witchcraft. The original spirit behind it began spirits, and people dressed up in animal to fade away and many of the horrifying hides to disguise themselves from the elements, commonly associated with its supernatural whilst they enjoyed feasts original purpose, were removed in favour made especially for the occasion and of harmless tricks, delicious food and less presented sacrifices to thank the Sun God frightening costumes. for another generous summer - according However, Halloween was still viewed as a to Hugh O’Donnell’s book, Treat or Trick? night of superstition. Spilling salt, stepping Halloween in a Globalising World. on cracks and walking under ladders were With Christianity spreading across considered especially bad on Halloween Europe, it is no surprise that Celtic nights where witches in the guise of cats were traditions were heavily influenced and assumed to be roaming around or perched on altered, Samhain was no exception. While broomsticks, followed closely by malevolent the day was still celebrated with costumes spirits, faery folk and goblins. of saints, angels and devils, the name of But not all of Halloween is necessarily celebration changed to All-hallows. This spooky. In some cases, it was even All-Hallows Eve, or All Saints Day as considered the perfect matchmaking medium it’s translated in Middle English, is what with many smaller rituals and traditions eventually became the Halloween we rumoured to predict the name or appearance know today. of a woman’s future husband, such as yarn When Halloween tricks and apple bobbing. came to America Other, older methods are mentioned in in the form Halloween, by Ralph Linton on the origins of colonial Halloween, include a woman eating a New mixture of sugar, nutmeg, hazelnuts and England, it walnuts before bed that night to dream about her future husband, throwing apple-peels over her shoulder so they would land in the shape of her future husband’s initials, and peering into a mirror with a single candle to illuminate the dark, and glancing over her shoulder with the hopes of catching a glimpse of his face.

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South Africa and Beyond

well as the familiar game of trying to grab apples from a bucket of water with only Halloween is often described as an one’s teeth, according to Intangible Cultural “American export”, meaning that as a Heritage, a Scotish website. holiday or tradition, it has been spread Some less familiar Halloween traditions all over the world, its American character include Germany’s knife-hiding. Stemming ever-present. Countries all over the world, from the belief that the departed souls like South Africa, may leave some parts out, of dead relatives might visit during like trick or treating, which might not be Halloween, in some regions of the country, the safest activity on the streets of Pretoria, hiding kitchen knives on Halloween is but maintain all the hallmarks of American a way to prevent any returning spirits Halloween: macabre, horror, and costume from being injured by the everyday knife parties themed around ghosts, spookiness, movements in homes. In Austria, leaving and even the occult. The extreme lengths bread and water outside overnight to to which Americans take Halloween is provide hospitality and provisions for any incomparable to any other country, with visiting spirits is common. The Czech seven in every ten Americans taking part in Republic’s tradition of placing one chair for celebrations, and billions of dollars being each deceased family member around the spent on costumes, decorations and parties fireplace is particularly eerie. every year (estimated at between $7 billion South Africa, like other countries, and $9 billion.) has borrowed many parts of American Professor Catherine Burns, an Associate Halloween, modifying it to suit not just the Professor from UP’s Sociology Department weather, but also safety hazards. Often cited with a PhD in History, said that some local is the inappropriateness of door-to-door celebrations of ‘All Hallows Eve’ were trick or treating in South Africa. That does celebrated among settlers in South Africa not stop South Africans from celebrating from Celtic regions, but that these were not though, with most drinking establishments commercial and were isolated to familial or planning annual spooky events and drinks rural traditions. Other than this, South Africa specials. Halloween events around the does not have a longstanding mainstream country commonly feature alcohol, dresstradition around Halloween that precedes up competitions and live music. Night the recent decades, the commercialised runs and zombie walks, some of which ‘American’ versions of the holiday have only are organised by Zombie Walk South just begun to rise locally.

Africa, have also been popular in the last Burns explained that the slow at first and few years, as well as screenings of horror then very sudden explosion in popularity movies. With summer well underway by the after the 1980s in mainstream, large time of Halloween weekend, popular drinks scale celebrations of the holiday began in and foods differ slightly from American Germany, Japan, and other countries all over traditions, with shooters, jelly shots, icethe world. These changes were the result lollies and punch being the most popular of the globalisation of American culture, spooky stomach liners for a South African largely due to Disney. After World War II, Halloween. the Hollywood filmmakers from Disney The history of Halloween illuminates adopted Halloween into their mythical and how this modernised celebration, that cultural tropes to use in cartoons. Many many South Africans partake in, originated 20th century Disney stories are based on from old traditions and peculiar roots. much older folktales and myths, such as Red Regardless of how long it has been around, Riding Hood, a European story from the 10th or how much hotter it is here than the century. places the holiday originates from, staying Countries all over the world have safe, dressing up in innovative found ways to ‘import’ and costumes, dancing the night reinvent Halloween in their and watching horrorSouth Africa, like away own ways. Mainly due to movies seems like a other countries, has pop-culture influences, much better way to have Australia also celebrates your spine shiver rather borrowed many parts the spooky season in the than exploring the of American Halloween, GradeCenter. transition from spring to summer, similar to South So, while some modifying it to suit not Africa. critics might be against just the weather, but Halloween in Australia any further American also safety hazards. doesn’t have any traditional influences, others may roots, and is criticized for view Halloween as an being an unwanted American opportunity to have a influence, but supporters maintain good time, and perhaps that embracing the spooky celebrations is even a way to forge the same as embracing St Patrick’s, and its South African popularity has been growing through both traditions for Australia and New Zealand. the future.

Canada’s first recorded Halloween activities were as early as 1911, brought with the Scottish immigrants in the late 1800s.

Trick-or-treating was the main feature of celebrations, but as recently as 2014, it had to be cancelled in one Northern Canadian town because of roaming polar bears.

Scottish traditions today include doorto-door visits from children who sing songs and ask for coins or money, as

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12 | Features and Entertainment

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Features| 13

21 October 2019

UP’s Urban Legends

rban legends or myths usually involve a mysterious story or rumour that is widely accepted as true but isn’t always based on fact.

Some well-known examples include the Tokoloshe, Slenderman and Bloody Mary. The University of Pretoria has many scary, fascinating and entertaining legends, from hauntings to Jacaranda fever, but many seem to have been forgotten by the majority of students.

One of the most well-known hauntings on Campus is the infamous fifth floor of the Humanities building and even though the beliefs students have about Jacarandas are not exactly a scary urban legend, many students have cherished their beliefs around them. The scarier and creepier legends had to be dug out of the hidden nooks, crannies and minds of UP students and staff.

Many, if not most of these myths cannot be proven factually and are based on rumours and stories that have been circulating the campus for years. UP Campus Tours shared some myths and legends they’ve heard of and learned about and that they do not share on normal campus tours.

The Star-crossed nun It is rumoured that a nun uses UP’s war tunnels to move around campus and frighten students.

According to Maxine Werth, an Honours student in Heritage and Cultural Studies, from Public Relations at UP Campus Tours, “the premise of the story goes that there was a nun and a monk back when we had a monastery and a nunnery and that is where the Image: Pxhere story of the forbidden love started.” The nunnery was allegedly at Nerina and the Monastery was stationed at the Chapel. Danolien van der Berg, an Honours student in Heritage and Cultural studies, from Human Relations at UP Campus Tours added that “The nun had a very tragic end to her life [...] she doesn’t haunt the campus, but she moves around on campus [...] there are war tunnels that are said to open on the grounds of Nerina, so it is said that she uses these war tunnels to move around on campus.” Nerina students reported having allegedly seen her around campus in the general area of Nerina and the Drama building.

Drama Department or not, her legend continues to live on through her work and influence.

The frightening fifth floor The story of the fifth floor in Humanities building is a classic myth on campus and there are many variations to an already vague story and has become mixed with other legends such as the Star-crossed nun and monk. There is no official story about what happened on the fifth floor that made it haunted. Van der berg tells us that “...the elevators used to open on the fifth floor, at first it was just black plastic covering everything, and you could kind of see behind the gate and first years would all freak out because they believe it is haunted [...] but it is just the archives [...]. That is what is on the fifth floor.” Yet students really believe it is haunted and Werth asks whether “... you have ever noticed that the elevator does, as it goes past the fifth floor, like a little shake and then there is a cool shiver that passes by you?” Van Der Berg responds by saying that “The myth has definitely had an effect on the fifth floor of the humanities and the reaction people have towards it”.

Secret rooms and hidden passageways There are bound to be hidden rooms and passageways on campus that have been used for less than savoury activities or remain completely mysterious. “Underneath the campus, they have a big collection of plants and dried out species, maybe some taxidermy animals […] it is just kind of scary to think there is a vault [...] Kind of like a grave for science artefacts,” Werth says. She also told PDBY that there is a “... trap-door or basement underneath Kya Rosa and people wonder what exactly happened under the trap door […] but we found bottles there [...] So you can only guess what was going on…” Kya Rosa is the first building the university was based in, Werth relays, “and was dismantled from Skinner street and moved here in 1985, complete with the exact same furnishings, because the university wanted to preserve it.” (21:00-21:20) Werth then revealed an entrance to a hidden passage in the Humanities building behind a closet door “... this really scares us […] but there is this creepy closet over here, and we do not know where it leads to […] but we swear that this cold air rises up from the fifth floor [...] It is creepy, cold and sometimes you hear moaning in there as well.” It is a bare concrete, dusty and dark passage that leads to an unknown point in the building.

Lost Lady of Drama The sightings of a female ghost near the Drama department might be that of another legendary figure, Anna NeethlingPohl, a South African actress, film producer and author, who died in 1992 at the age of 86 in Bloemfontein. She was an influential Drama lecturer at UP from the 1950s to the 1970s.

She did not die in Pretoria, but “... the drama kids will tell you that Anna Neethling-Pohl moves around the drama department,” relays van der Berg. Whether she haunts the

Legendary stories Some legends on campus aren’t necessarily scary and haunting some are about legendary stories involving what students did. One story is about the Fountain with the buck in front of the Old Arts Building which was altered to make the pool smaller in the aftermath of the behaviour of some of the students. Werth explains that “ around the 1980s, students decided that they were going to throw as much washing powder and bubble bath into the pool and make as much foam as possible.

It foamed up the entire place all the way up to the engineering building […] And then the Rector decided that such a big pool wasn’t necessary”.

Flower Power Lastly, the Jacaranda trees have a special place in the heart of UP students and there are various beliefs around them. The most prevalent belief is that if a Jacaranda flower falls on your head that means you will have good luck, and if a Jacaranda falls on your head after you wrote your test, you will pass.

Around the time of the 1960s to the 1980’s “...students loved sitting underneath the Jacaranda trees and sometimes they would shake it and get a Jacaranda flower to fall on their head…” Werth explains. The stories students have about Jacarandas have changed over many years but still remain a prominent superstition students have. In 1945, the 5 October edition of “Die Perdeby” reported that “Jacaranda fever afflicts Tukkies, student activities totally disrupted...” the documents from UP Archives further expresses that, “hundreds of students had been gravely afflicted and their condition was critical – confined to the chairs in front of their desks.” This piece describes how students would be busy studying for their exams when the Jacarandas bloom. Werth adds to that with a related myth which states that “... if the Jacaranda trees are blooming … and you have not started studying for exams you are going to fail”.

Urban myths and legends can be found throughout the world and they are sometimes frightening and unsettling but can also be light-hearted. Today, many students do not know about these Urban legends and myths that can be found on Campus but those that survived over the years in the minds of students are continually retold and moulded. It will be interesting to see what the Urban Legends at UP will look like in 50 years.

Some students and staff frequenting the campus today might be legends tomorrow.

Image:H.Railton

Image: OpenLibrary - Anna Neethling-Pohl

on the engineering side of campus are used for big machines and workshops […] but this is not confirmed and could be just another student myth […] but this only scratches the surface of the actual war tunnels that go underneath this campus and nobody has gone through them in years.”

Illustration: Giovanna Janos

U

Maryke Steynvaart

Century-old War Tunnels The war tunnels are claimed to be real by UP Campus Tours but the UP Archives have no documents to confirm their existence. One of these tunnels can supposedly be accessed around the area of the Chapel and allegedly opens up in Nerina, they were built as an emergency escape route during WW1. WW1 occurred from 1914 until 1918 which means that if the tunnels were built as an escape route during the war, they are now over a hundred years old. Werth thinks that they “...are kept secret because the university does not want students to go underneath.” Van der Berg and Werth go on to explain that “...the tunnels are now closed off under the campus […] some say that the engineering students get to go into one section of the tunnels […] apparently the war tunnels

14 | News

21 October 2019

Chasing Change with TEDxUP

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Susanna Anbu

he University of Pretoria’s annual TEDx talk was held on 13 September 2019. The theme for this year was Chasing Change and the phenomenal line up of speakers showcased varied interpretations of the theme. The event began by observing a moment of silence for victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV) attacks. In Vice principle of student affairs and residences, Professor M.T. Mosia’s opening remarks, he ascertained that “The University of Pretoria (UP) is a very progressive and vibrant space” that embraces change. He mentioned that TEDx is a stage to showcase students who are influencing people’s lives in a positive manner. He went on to remark about the prestige that the TEDx stage holds and how it provides students with an apt platform to share innovations.

The process of shortlisting the night’s speakers began with 100 candidates and through a two-part selection process, it was narrowed down to 6 speakers. The idea search part 1 began after the closing of applications on 18 June, where the speakers were shortlisted by the Executive committee. Then, the idea search part 2 was conducted by a team of independent judges. The judges included Susan Moloisane, a consultant from Oyona consulting, Bokang Kelepa, a speaking coach, and Tebogo Thothela, from the Gauteng Department of Health. These judges then decided on the 6 final speakers.

The first speaker of the event was Palesa Hlela, who is currently pursuing her honors degree in Sport and Recreation Management.

Her presentation was titled, Locker room: Conversations of the Quota. Hlela accuses South African society of hindering the peak performance of athletes by aiming the word “quota” at black athletes. She maintains that individual talent should supersede the color of one’s skin. Hlele further highlighted how many aspiring black athletes are made to believe that their predominant role is to fill the quota system. This, she argues, manifests itself into poor athletic performance and the worth of black athlete becomes reduced to a mere “quota player”. In her speech, Hlela alludes to national incidents like the notorious rugby match cake that that had the words “Quota Squad Vs. The All Blacks” on its surface in response to a crippling defeat. She questions how a team can succeed when there is no individual success.

Hlela ascertains that “the quota system is tired of being South African society’s scapegoat” and implores that these conversations should not be confined to the locker room.

Julanie Stapelberg, a former UP student who obtained her BSc in Genetics and Plant Sciences, as well her MSc in Plant Science Biotechnology, was the second speaker of the night. Stapelberg interweaved humor

into her scientific presentation on the use of biopolymers made from algae as an alternative to plastic. She tells the audience, “I’m not here to ask you to invest in a boat before Pretoria becomes a coastal city” as she argues how the need for alternatives to plastic is a current problem. Stapelberg equates the weight of plastic in global landfills to three times the weight of the South African population.

She believes that by turning to microalgal biopolymers, we can make a conscious effort to move towards a 0% carbon footprint.

Stapelberg claims that the $14 billion project is relevant to South Africans as it has the perfect climatic conditions for microalgal growth.

She argues that this shows that “We are not

Image provided.

limited by our status as a developing country” and urges aspiring scientists to chase the biopolymer way.

In order to improve the access to information in developing countries, Richard Hay, who is currently pursuing his Masters in Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Pretoria, spoke on how many farmers do not have access to scientifically-sound solutions. He believes that the use of phones and mobile networking can “revolutionize the interaction between economy and rural farming”. Hay’s project aims to use multiple device types to connect remotely over large geographic areas to a diverse audience. He believes that the reluctance of farmers to interact with social media is bypassed by informing them of the easy access to solutions that the platform can offer.

As per the changing internet dynamics of today’s world, Allan Asti’s idea of internet snacks piqued the audience’s curiosity. Citing a street art piece in Istanbul as his inspiration, Asti explained that he had a great urge to carry this experience from the streets of Istanbul, to

A sweet deed Marné Swanepoel

S

outh Africa’s National Cupcake Day 4 Kids with Cancer was on 28 September.

This was an opportunity to volunteer by distributing cupcakes at Menlyn Mall in exchange for donations for kids with cancer.

Cupcakes of Hope is a non-profit organisation and a Public Benefit Organisation which aims to raise funds and awareness for children fighting cancer and to educate the community. Cupcakes of Hope hosts several events throughout the year, their main event being National Cupcake Day 4 Kids.

PDBY spoke to “Cupcake Angel”, Anzelle Fourie from Pretoria East. Fourie has a passion to bake, to help children and to give back – that is why she organised two mall activations for Cupcakes of Hope this year. Fourie assembled hundreds of volunteers to give their time and

his home. He was able to do this by crafting magnetic cubes. Each face of the cube had a QR code meant to be scanned that would lead to articles and information that correlated with the mysterious statements etched on the surface of the cube. Asti invited audience members to take home a few samples. Some of the statements that were etched on the cube surfaces were “how trees secretly talk to each other”, “The biology of our best and worst selves” and “How Einstein’s brain was stolen”. These magnetic cubes equip the common man with the necessary tools to escape the bubble of biased algorithms that feed users with redundant information. Asti deems his innovation as “fortune cookies for

energy to assist in baking cupcakes, producing “toppers” and manning the stations on National Cupcake day. Because of their efforts, Cupcakes of Hope was able to raise funds for children suffering from cancer, who are in need of medical and financial assistance. This year’s National Cupcake day was a sight to behold with tables packed with an array of cupcakes of various flavours and colours - 8000 in total.

Cupcake Angels “bake a difference for children fighting cancer” and they do this through their love of baking. PDBY reached out to Fourie to talk to her about her journey of being a part of Cupcakes of Hope. Fourie first got involved in Cupcakes of Hope in 2012 after a friend introduced her to the Organisation. “I have kids of my own and just responded with my heart. I thought about how lucky I was and then I had my own scare with my daughter nearly passing away, and it shocked me. I began to relate to

web content”. Asti maintains that “the visual environment has great impact on our mental state” hence being visually stimulated means that ideas like the internet snack, aid us in making positive associations with information.

Mental health is a recurring problem that humanity faces. Kathleen Boshoff, a second year Medical Sciences student declares that mental disorders have the potential to make us question our very existence. Boshoff kick starts her presentation entitled, “The Effect of the Gut Microbiome on Mental Health”. Boshoff stresses the importance of the need to pursue promising lines of research in mental health disorders because contrary to popular belief, we cannot conclusively prove that mental illness arises from the brain. She mentions that only 3-5% of crimes are committed by mentally ill people and urges the need to vanquish the taboo that surrounds mental health in order to direct more research in that direction. Gut microbes have been found to interact with the human nervous system by producing neurotransmitters that boost good mental health. Furthermore, it was found that the same the charity even more as I thought about what it must be like to lose someone to this disease.

So, I thought if I can help make a difference in a child’s life, then it makes it all worthwhile,” she said.

Fourie began baking a difference in 2012 and then went on to coordinate a mall activation at Kolonnade Retail Park in 2013 and every following year until 2016. In 2017 she decided that she wanted to do more and doubled her efforts, she is now responsible for two mall activations each year on National Cupcake Day. One activation in Menlyn Park, where we joined her and her team of Cupcake Angels, and one in Woodlands Boulevard.

The sweetness doesn’t stop there, however.

Fourie also regularly visits hospitals and gives cupcakes to the children at Steve Biko academic hospital and Unitas hospital. Apart from being a full time Cupcake Angel, as well as all the work she does for Cupcakes of Hope, Fourie is also a full-time bookkeeper, a mother to two children and a part time baker. According to Fourie, “What really makes this charity so special is the interaction with the survivors and the special

type of microbes that exist in soil are unable to produce the same neurotransmitters, thereby unearthing a link between our gut microbes and low mental health. Individuals with mental disorders were found to have a lower gut microbial count than those who with positive mental health. Ironically, Boshoff mentions that “the weight of your gut micro biota equates to the weight of your brain”. Boshoff concludes by mentioning how further research into this new association between gut microbes and mental health will aid us in understanding “Why our very minds revolt against us”.

Ngwalemorwa Matsapola’s speech urged the need to conjure up a mental rebellion against conformations in our consciousness. In the rush of the industrialized world we live in, Matsapola argues that we have all conformed to a pattern of mediocrity in order to make us more relatable to society. Furthermore, Matsapola mentions that this pattern of mediocrity has made us form a “self-imposed system of checks and balances” that mold our falsified identities. Matsapola urged the audience to “stop being passengers of our own minds” and recognize our ignorance in conforming to a mediocre standard in order to fit in.

In light of a strong gender based violence (GBV) ambiance, Thato Tshukudu took to the stage with his presentation of a guide on How to raise the 21st century man. He observed the need to cultivate healthy child-raising practices in order to bypass toxic masculinity. He argues that by failing to do so, unhealthy practices of masculinity can “cascade down to future generations”.

The lineup of this year’s TEDx event reflected the multi-faceted nature of the society we live in. The diversity in speakers and content informed the audience of the varied innovations, ideas and realizations that tend to get lost in the hubbub of society. In line with the theme of chasing change, the speakers weaved profound ideas into the audience’s consciousness and as Prof Mosia predicted, “challenged the minds of the audience”.

The flawlessness of the event was accredited to the dynamic team who helped organize the event segments. Head organizer, Emmanuel Adu-Awuku, called his team up to the stage and thanked them individually for the hard work that was channeled into making it a success.

Members of the executive committee included, Malebo Nkois, Vice-chair, Nhlakanipho Brian Ngube, Secretary and head of communications, Nolwazi Sinethemba Radebe, transformation officer and Azhar Joosub, treasurer. A total of 13 subcommittee members and 11 volunteers share the credit for crafting this informative event. According to Nolwazi Radebe, the transformation officer, the theme set for next year is “Failing forward” but mentions that the subcommittee has leeway to change the theme if they wish to do so. feeling you get from helping someone else”.

Cupcakes of Hope continues to spread hope to the community whilst spreading icing on cupcakes. If you want to spread some cupcake love, you can, by visiting www.cupcakesofhope. org. There you can find the nearest participating mall and contact the mall co-ordinator to make your pledge of 24 or 48 cupcakes. Anyone can support the cause on the day by making a R10 donation in exchange for a delicious cupcake.

Photo: Marné Swanepoel

21 October 2019

News| 15

UP’s Prof. Roger Deane wins 2020 Breakthrough Prize for Fundamental Physics

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Tochukwu Eresia-Eke

Image: http://avntraining.hartrao.ac.za

f you’re one to keep up with the happenings of campus life and news then you’ve probably already heard of the young UP Professor of Physics, Roger Deane, who has been making waves in the world of astronomy. Prof. Deane first caught the public’s attention earlier this year when he was part of a team taht successfully completed the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) project - a project which took on the seemingly impossible task of using eight various telescopes in different geographical locations to mimic the power of a single telescope on Earth in order to image a black hole. This black hole did not emit any light and was thus inherently invisible. The

UP a top four university in South Africa Moses Maile

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he University of Pretoria has been ranked as one of the top universities in South Africa in terms of graduate employability, according to 2020 QS Graduate employability Survey, released on the 19th September 2019. The survey also revealed a significant improvement in UPs global ranking, which is now in the 251-300 band, compared to 301-500 in the previous period. The QS Graduate Employability Ranking compares the employability outcomes of higher education institutions across the world each year by assessing how reputed the institutions are among employers, their connection to companies and how attractive their recent graduates are to employers. 758 institutions were surveyed this year across the world, recording a 15% increase of participating institutions compared to last year.

The information was obtained from the responses of 45 000 employers and 40 800 degrees of over 29 000 high achievers and also considered the connections of 150 000 employers’ with graduates. The company also evaluated nearly 320 000 work placement partnerships for the 2020 edition of the survey. There were five categories used to rank the institutions, which are: employers’ reputation, alumni, outcome, party, employer-student connection and graduate-to-employer rate. Out of a score of 100, the University of Pretoria scored 62.3 out of 100 in the alumni category, which measures the impact of graduates from each institution.

According to the report “QS has surveyed alma maters from over 150 high-achievers lists, each measuring a desirable outcome in a particular walk of life. ”QS has analyzed more than 40 000 of the world’s most innovative, creative, wealthy, entrepreneurial, and/or philanthropic individuals to establish which universities are producing world-changing graduates.

Younger profiles and undergraduates degrees also had a higher weighting as opposed to post-graduate degrees. The early stage of higher education learning process leaves a deeper mark in terms of employability, according to QS.

University of Pretoria’s internal research, agreeing with QS’s study, found that 85% of students who completed their first-year undergraduate degree at UP in 2017 were employed either full-time or part-time within six months after graduation. The survey also showed that 97% of students work for an organization, while 3% are self-employed.

Interestingly, most graduates found that their degrees relevant to their jobs, which was supported by UP employer satisfaction survey, as well as employers’ expectations and perceptions of the workplace readiness and capabilities of UP graduates entering the labour market. QS Survey also showed that UP graduates were rated at 80% for their work readiness capabilities in the workplace.

Professor Tawana Kupe UP ViceChancellor and Principal said “with the country’s graduate youth unemployment rate being at just over 30%, it is important that universities prepare graduates adequately for the workplace. The country’s youth unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2019 set at 31%, which should be of concern to institutions of higher learning.” Due to this, UP offers free programs to prepare the unemployed youth for work, in which they learn additional skills to ready themselves.

The university also offers entrepreneurial courses during student’s studies so that they can become employers and job creators.

Prof. Kupe believed that the results of the QS Graduate Employability Survey show that UP is moving in the right direction.

Up also boasts impressive standings in other rankings, such as being ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide in fields of study, including Theology, Veterinary Science, and Law. The institution is among the top 1% in Agricultural Science, Clinical Medicine, Engineering, Environment/ Ecology, Immunology, Plant and Animal Science and Social Sciences. The University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) was ranked as the top South African and African business school byUK Financial Times Education, therefore showing that the QS survey is correct and a true reflection of the University of Pretoria’s prestige, as well as character in the global state of research.

team took on a daunting number of wearying tasks and procedures in their attempt to capture the shadowy silhouette of the Event Horizon by using the accretion disk, which are the jets of light around the black hole, all while facing wavering weather conditions and patterns. Prof. Deane and his team successfully completed the task, earning themselves the immeasurable achievement of providing the first-ever image of a black hole located in the centre of Messier 87, one of the largest galaxies in the universe.

This not only allowed for a closer look into this astronomical wonder but also proved Einstein’s 114-year old general theory of Relativity to be correct.

It’s due to this impressive achievement that Prof. Deane and the other members of the Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration were awarded the acclaimed 2020 Breakthrough Prize for Fundamental Physics, as this groundbreaking addition to the field of study

continues to not only attract the attention of the global community of astronomers but a wider community of Physics as a whole.

Each member of the team will receive an equal share of a $3 million prize, which will be collected by the team’s collaboration director at a ceremony on 3 November at the NASA Ames Research Center in California.

Prof Deane has not only helped open a new world of opportunity for discovery and exploration in the field of astronomy, but in doing so, has brought great pride and acclamation to the University of Pretoria as we celebrate him and his team in their achievements and their receival of the 2020 Breakthrough Prize.

Keeping eyes on the prize Francois de Bruyn

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s students, we all have our specific method of studying, some of us listen to recorded class notes, watch videos, buy and read notes or, as exam pressure mounts, resort to a healthy combination of “all of the above”.

One thing is certain: the more senses we incorporate in our studies, the better prepared we tend to be. During a recent monthly FLY@UP activation session, Specsavers Hatfield provided free eye screenings to students and referrals to their Hatfield practice for a full examination should the optometrists have identified the need. After the event, Hendri Buys, from Specsavers Hatfield, commented on the number of students; “who appeared to have less than 70% vision”. Furthermore, alarmingly, Hestie Muller, an optometrist from Specsavers Hillcrest, noted that many students “have never even had an eye exam before”. That is why the partnership between FLY@ UP and Specsavers has become pivotal in providing over 90 students with quality and affordable eyecare within the last two years.

FLY@UP pride themselves in fulfilling their mandate of addressing the students

as stakeholders on the journey to obtaining a degree. It is in this spirit that FLY@UP approached Specsavers Hatfield, who agreed to provide affordable access to eyewear as well to quality value-added services, which included insurance on polarised films that prevented eye fatigue due to screen glare.

Following suit this year, Specsavers Hillcrest opened a mobile clinic providing the same services on the Groenkloof and Onderstepoort campuses of the university.

The efforts of the partnership were evident, Hestie Muller explained that Specsavers Hatfield supplied 75 pairs of glasses for students in Hatfield. Hillcrest practice gave 13 pairs to Groenkloof and 15 to Onderstepoort campus students respectively. Due to this successful collaboration, many students were left better prepared to face the academic and social rigours of university life, with many students expressing their gratitude towards FLY@UP - who generously paid for all the pairs of glasses at the reduced rate given to them by Specsavers. Student feedback was positive with compliments of “I can now focus on my studies without worrying about painful eyes or blurry vision” and “getting glasses means being able to study more effectively”.

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