24 February 2020 Issue 3 Year 82

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PDBY

24 February 2020

Year 82 | Issue 3

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Dr Marko Svicevic: UP’s youngest LLD graduate Image: Mashudu Madzhiga and Kayla Thomas

P6

ManDown and its mission

P7

Joseph Shabalala: a music legend

P12

Varsity Cup: three wins for UP

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2 | From the Editor

24 February 2020

“Cam-bola” strikes again “Cam-bola”: the campus wide epidemic of flu after everyone descends onto campus. Caused by the grubby little first year infected fingers touching EVERYTHING. Also caused by miserably sick seniors spreading germs on every lecture hall surface and blowing their germ filled hubbly smoke around the student centre. (I just sneezed while writing this.)

I

hope you’re all back in the swing of the semester and well settled into the routine of tests and assignments.

With pleasantries out of the way, let’s talk. A lot happens around UP campuses, people hear things, people see things and people know things. PDBY serves as a voice for students and student concerns and we strive to find and report to you, the students, the truth, as unbiased and objective as possible. But we don’t claim to be the only students who know of newsworthy issues or events. If you know something that should be voiced to students or that affects students, speak up.

Don’t sweep important issues under the carpet, or keep quiet about something that students should be informed about. News tips can be sent to news@pdby.co.za or @PDBYMedia on Instagram, and we will look into it.

There has been a lot of drama surrounding COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. It did spread exceptionally quickly and with the death toll surpassing 2 200 as of 21 February, it does seem very scary and overwhelming. That being said, the National Department of Health has said

that up to 11 000 South Africans die every year from the flu. So while COVID-19 is highly infective and thousands of people have died, it is by no means severe enough to warrant global panic. I feel that the thing that makes the coronavirus scary is that COVID-19 is a novel strain that we do not know much about. But people also tend to forget to mention the 19 000+ cases (so far) of recoveries from the coronavirus.

So while caution is necessary and health systems worldwide should still ensure that they are sufficiently equipped to handle an epidemic, general panic and anti-Chinese sentiments have no place or purpose in our conversations and opinions. Do you feel that people are overreacting? Or are you worried that the world is not worried enough? Let me know your opinion at editor@pdby.co.za.

Speaking of diseases, the PDBY Editorial are all fighting off a persistent bug. The office is currently made up of a symphony of coughs, sniffs and general moans of mutual misery. We are all close and spend a lot of time together, but I am not particularly fond of sharing cold and flu germs so intimately with my team. I don’t

know if it’s the time of year, or something in the air but everyone seems sick with UP’s own “cam-bola” (or campus-ebola if you’re new to this) and it isn’t fun. I know sharing is caring for students, but this is excessive.

With breathing feeling like effort, and my brain barely functioning in its cottonball state, I’ll leave this here and retreat to a dark and secluded hole to wallow in my misery. Maybe Pssst… will share the space under the office floorboards.

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24 February 2020

News | 3

Dr Marko Svicevic: UP’s youngest LLD graduate

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Sam Mukwamu

t 25 years and 3 months, Dr Marko Svicevic has become the youngest LLD (Doctorate of Laws) recipient from the UP Faculty of Law. Dr Svicevic completed his LLB in 2017, and started his LLM research in 2018, which was subsequently upgraded to an LLD, and in November 2019 he submitted his thesis titled “United Nations Security Council authorisation of regional enforcement action: legal implications of Resolution 2337 (2-17) in The Gambia”. Dr Svicevic will graduate on 9 April 2020. PDBY caught up Dr Svicevic to discuss his journey to receiving his doctorate. We also spoke to the PDBY alumni about his future plans, his advice for junior students, and those that helped him on his way to this impressive accomplishment (he nearly forgot to thank his parents).

How did it feel when you finally got to the finish line and submitted your thesis?

It was a big relief when I eventually submitted. When I submitted I knew it wasn’t the end of the road for the LLD, because you have to wait for the reports of the examiners, and in my case I submitted in November last year, and their reports eventually came through January this year.

When I submitted it was a lot of relief, but there was also a lot of anticipation while I was waiting for the reports to come in.

What was your reaction when it was suggested to you that you should have your LLM fast-tracked to an LLD? That proposal came from my supervisor, and I was quite overwhelmed to think that the LLM study could be converted to a doctoral study, but I also foresaw that it was going to be a lot more work than I initially anticipated just to complete the LLM. But also with that said, it’s quite a process, so when my supervisor suggested the upgrade I had to prepare some reports on why it was feasible to convert it. Then what happens is you need someone external from UP to support the upgrade, that’s also

a process, so we waited quite a while for the external report to come through, and then of course, it needs to be approved within the faculty. So, it’s great news when you hear of the suggestion to upgrade, but then

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automatically you must understand that it takes time. It takes a lot of work, but I think the relief really came last year March when the upgrade was approved by the faculty itself.

You got your BA, you got your LLB. Why didn’t you stop there? What pushed you to go further to get your LLM and then your LLD? Was it always the plan to go to the LLD? I did the LLB anyway, because without it you can’t really practice, but I think from the LLB to studying for the LLM it had a lot to do with my final year LLB dissertation.

That’s when I first started exploring the topic on the use of force in international law. Once I had completed that dissertation I already had a good idea that I would like to pursue

A moment of silence for Gugulethu Nkosi Francois de Bruyn

U

P’s education faculty students faced a loss of one of their own after coming back from the December break.

Gugulethu Nkosi, a final year education student, passed away after suffering a fatal asthma attack at her family home in Secunda, Mpumalanga on the first Saturday of February 2020.

In a media statement, Jameo Calvert - the Media and Communications Officer of House Education on behalf of the Chairperson - said that they were saddened by the loss of this member of the UP-family. The Faculty House organised a memorial service in the Groenkloof Auditorium to commemorate her life.

Gugulethu Nkosi was striving to better herself with the goal of uplifting her family by attaining a thorough education and entering a profession that would give back to her community.

further studies in this, and that’s when I first really considered that I should perhaps take up an LLM in the faculty. Fortunately, I was referred to Professor Erica De Wet and her SARChi (South African Research Chair Initiative) project as a possibility to carry on those studies. Professor De Wet is really one of the experts on that topic, and I think I was fortunate enough to go ahead and do the LLM under her. When the suggestion came through to upgrade I thought “yes we can expand the study” and that was also great.

What made you decide on the topic of the use of force in international law?

I’ve always been fascinated with international law and how it regulates interactions between states and organisations, and I think what really fascinates me is how states resorts to military force in the international arena.

For a long time I knew that there are regulations, but I really wanted to go deeper into it.

I remember in my undergraduate studies, we would hear now and then of the UN charter, and then you would actually go and see what it says. It just fascinates me.

What has your journey been from a fresh-faced first year to your LLD? Has it been harder than expected?

When I first started at UP I didn’t think I’d be where I am. I don’t suppose you go into your first year already looking at your doctorate at the university. I think it’s good to have that vision, but you also need to be realistic and take things one day at a time.

I can’t really say I came into UP seeing myself graduate with a doctorate from the university. I don’t want to say it’s something that just happened, because it takes a lot of time and planning. It’s been quite an up and down journey, because I did the BA Law first, at some point I was very fascinated with criminology, because that’s what I majored in, and then I moved to the LLB. There have been a lot of challenges. Probably finances have been the biggest challenge. I’m very grateful that NSFAS funded the last year of my LLB, and the NRF, the National Research Foundation, actually funded the LLM, and doctoral study as well.

first one to achieve something like this. I am the youngest, but the faculty has quite a few people that have graduated quite young with a doctoral degree.

You’re now going to be at UJ to do your fellowship there. What are you hoping for the future of your career?

At the moment I’d just like to continue with the research I’m currently at. There were some plans to perhaps do a book at some stage, but I think that’s a year or two’s goal from now. The immediate goal is probably to pay back some loans.

Yeah, let’s go with that. The immediate goal is to pay back some loans and pay back NSFAS, and then after that hopefully continue the research and hopefully get some collaborations to engage with the research further.

From where you’re sitting now, what advice do you have for younger students who are currently studying their LLB or want to pursue a similar path that you took?

The advice I would give is just to work hard. Sitting where I’m sitting now, I think often the case is you may look at postgraduate degree as something that’s really impossible to achieve, despite the fact that we often hear of people achieving it. But I think its really doable, so the advice I would give is to carry on working hard and make use of the resources that you’ve got at the university. I’ve had the privilege of visiting quite a few other universities in South Africa, and I think UP is quite well placed to assist in many areas. There are many areas that more work is needed, but I would say work hard, put in the hours. It’s really a dayto day thing, you take each day as it comes.

Hard work and make use of the opportunities that you’re given.

Along your journey you’ve probably had a lot of help, because getting a degree isn’t a one person thing. Whether it’s family, faculty or friends, is there anyone in particular that you’d like to thank?

First and foremost I have to give thanks to my supervisor, Professor Erica De Wet. There are many parties involved in this success, and I think I’m just one of those parties. Another party I have to thank is the faculty for their ongoing support. The Oliver Tambo Law Library, that has always been ready to assist with the resources. Then of course, my parents and my family and friends for their support, and the NRF for their funding.

Being the youngest person to receive their LLD from the UP law faculty, is it something you’re particularly proud of or is it an added bonus?

I’d have to say it was an added bonus. I don’t think I went into it aiming for this, but I think it’s something that came out as a result of all the work that got put in. I don’t think that from day one I sat and told myself “You’re going to be the youngest graduate”, but it happened. It’s worth noting that the faculty has quite a history of achievements, and in recent years they’ve had quite a few young graduates at these ages. So, I’m by far not the

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4 | News

24 February 2020

Intervarsity news

Campus Trade: Helping students to get access to education

Feliciana Nezingu

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ampus Trade is a free online platform where students exchange study material and tools such as textbooks and calculators. The platform was established in 2018 and it helps students to save up to 65% on the cost of textbooks. PDBY interviewed Thabang Serumula, an Electronics Engineering student at the University of Pretoria and the brains behind the budding project.

When asked about what prompted him to start Campus Trade, Serumula described how his personal experience of struggling to buy costly books for his studies drove him to seek a solution. When he noticed that his fellow colleagues were facing the same challenge, he realised that not having access to affordable textbooks was a reality for many students at the university. As an engineering student, he found it difficult to attend classes or write open book tests without a textbook. “I really enjoy learning and reading books but it was very saddening when I came to university and realised how expensive textbooks are. I remember during my first year, I had to spend about R3500 for textbooks that I was going to use only for a single semester,” he explained.

“The price for textbooks can be really high and this adds to the exorbitant costs that are involved with tertiary education. And most students find it hard to cope,” he added.

As a solution-oriented individual, he

decided to simplify this process by establishing a platform to facilitate the exchange of books which eliminates the middleman and allows students to do so directly. “The idea Photo: Kayla Thomas focusing on his studies, both of which can be came about when I couldn’t afford quite demanding and time-consuming. One to buy new textbooks and I tried to sell some of the main challenges he faces is finding of my old books but did not succeed. I went to support for his project. He approached a few different book stores that accept second-hand departments and received positive feedback books but they did not take mine and I was but no commitments materialised beyond turned away. Then one day I realised that the discussions. university’s noticeboard was clustered with “I think it is difficult to get the university adverts from students trying to sell some of on board because it is not UP centred,” he their old books. I tried to do the same but it said. Campus Trade is an innovative platform did not work.” It took him three months in that bridges the gap between students and late 2018 to get the website fully operational educational resources. Thabang’s plans and he was curious to see how students would with Campus Trade do not just end with respond to the platform. According to him, the University of Pretoria. He has greater he was happy with the positive response from ambitions for the growth of the platform. students and the number of students using He aspires to expand his platform to more the website has grown steadily. Today the learning institutions in South Africa to make platform not only facilitates the exchange of education more accessible for students all books but also includes other study tools such over the country. He invites all those who as calculators and clickers. The website also have the same vision to join him and support allows students to embark on entrepreneurial his endeavour. “I truly believe that learning endeavours by allowing them to market is for everyone and that education is really their skills through services such as tutoring important for us to move forward as a country. and photography. One can even find or post By ensuring that textbooks remain affordable, advertisements for vacant accommodation. we are removing a barrier to progress and “Running Campus Trade has not been making it easier for students to move forward without its challenges” said Serumula He with their studies.” manages and maintains the website by You can visit Campus Trade on https:// himself. He explained that he has to find a campustrade.co.za/. balance between managing the project and

Changing lives through the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience T Yolanda Sithole

he Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience, commonly known as “AIME”, is a global movement that is geared towards transforming education for children who come from marginalised societies. The program was established in 2005

by Jack Manning-Bancroft and it has been working with children from Australia, USA and Africa. The program operates in African countries such as South Africa, Uganda, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, the latest addition to the programme.

Vhutali Nelwamondo is the AIME programme manager at the University of Pretoria, Nelwamondo left his master’s Degree in Zoology, specialising in Aquatic invasion, to volunteer at AIME. The decision to join was not difficult for him as he has always been passionate about helping other people and AIME presented a platform to do that. His background and life experiences motivated Image: Provided him to join AIME as he comes from Venda in Limpopo where there are not enough opportunities for young people. His passion encouraged him to join the AIME programme that was presented by the University of Pretoria in 2017.

The AIME programme recruit’s students at the University of Pretoria to be mentors.

The programme has a community outreach initiative where the mentors go to different schools in Mamelodi and participate in what is known as Tutor Squads. The Tutor Squads are aimed at helping learners in mathematics as it is a challenging subject for many learners, the focus is on ninth graders as this is the grade that career choices are made, the learners thus

require more guidance in helping them identify their strengths, weaknesses and interests.

In addition to the Tutor Squads, programme days are fun filled days hosted monthly where the learners come to the Hatfield or Groenkloof Campus. The idea behind this is to familiarise

learners with the university environment.

“If learners are exposed to the university environment they will wish and imagine that they are part of the university, and if they can imagine it, they can become it”. Therefore, the programme days are aimed at building the selfesteem of learners thorough games and giving learners a platform of showcasing their talent though dancing, singing and poetry. Another important activity that the learners engage in during programme days is a campus tour in which the learners are shown around the campus for them to be familiar with its environment.

The AIME programme plays an important role in the learners lives as it provides them with mentors to guide them through their academic journey and also providing them with opportunities as the main goal of the programme for the year 2020 is to make it possible for the learners to attend the UP graduation ceremonies, learners will attend a graduation ceremony that is in line with their career interest. This will make them realise that their dreams are valid, and they can achieve anything they want if they put their minds and effort into it.

University of Witwatersrand

V

ice-Chancellor and Principal of Wits, Professor Adam Habib, has resigned and will leave the institution at the end of the year. This will end his eighth year in the position. Habib will take up the role as Director of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London, in January 2021. In a statement released on 18 February he said that “[his] decision was not made slightly. [He] is a proud leader and champion of Wits University and South Africa, and will continue to fly these flags high.” Chairperson of Wits University’s Council, Isaac Shongwe, commented that Habib’s “fearless, forthright commentary and his general robustness has left our university, and South Africa, a richer intellectual space, for which we are grateful.”

University of Kwazulu Natal

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meritus Professor Erwin Brüning, a maths lecturer and German national, was physically assaulted by a student amid protests, over fees and historical debt, at UKZN’s Westville Campus. The incident took place on 19 February and was captured on two separate videos. The 77-year-old reportedly sustained minor injury to his hand after he tried to clear a path for his vehicle and began moving parts of a student made blockade. At first he was verbally assaulted and was then kicked from behind. As a result, a R10 000 reward has been offered to uncover the identity of the culprit. The reward was offered by UKZN’s alumnus Kiru Naidoo, who said that “to see a senior person bullied and beaten like that on the university premises is shocking”. Naidoo added that “it is unbelievable that there is such a deadly silence from the university”. Yesterday UKZN released a statement saying that they condemn the acts of violence, intimidation and destruction of property.

Tshwane University of Technology

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UT has denied rumours of racial conflict and struggles for power within its highest ranks. Sources suggest that the end of Vice-Chancellor Professor Laurens van Staden’s term will leave space for black leadership, fuelling alleged racial tension. TUT spokesperson Willa de Ruyter commented that “this speculation regarding racial tensions is false and without substance”.

University of Cape Town

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CT has implemented a new massive open online course (MOOC) to its existing short courses, to help students with disabilities and enable educators to provide specialised learning. Senior research officer and course conveyor for UCT’s Disability Studies programme, Dr Brian Watermeyer suggests that the MOOC provides a “first person” experience that accommodates lecturers and students alike.

Compiled by Kristin De Decker

24 February 2020

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6 | Features

24 February 2020

ManDown and its mission Stephanie Cookson

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he University of Pretoria has seen its share of student related activities centred on issues like rape culture and gender-based violence (GBV). These activities have ranged from marches to silent protests, and formal events over the years, as well as the creation of structures and programs like #SpeakOutUP or JustLeaders (facilitated by the Centre for Sexualities, AIDS and Gender). However, for the first time, a new edition to the university’s leadership community has risen to the task of tackling rape culture and toxic masculinity from the perspective of young men.

ManDown was inspired by “the need to address issues of men’s mental health, sexuality, rape culture and toxic masculinity from a male perspective,” explained Masilu Moshabela, one of the eight members of the general committee that run ManDown. As a project of the Department of Student Affairs, ManDown is facilitated by Phina Sokho from Student Health Services. The name is inspired by the phrase “man up,” which implies that men should ‘toughen up’ or do what is considered ‘manly’ when facing adversity.

When used as a response to striking examples like homosexuality or mental illness, the results can be particularly damaging. “ManDown challenges this phrase by telling the young men that you do not have to conform to society’s unfair expectations. You are free to be who you are,” says Lenka Malatji, another member of the general committee.

Malatji said that ManDown, launched in March 2019, seeks to incorporate “education around rape culture and toxic masculinity within student structures through a curriculum that will be shared among UP’s various student leadership structures”. In the long-term, however, Moshabela explained that ManDown hopes to “be part of a broader progressive and conscious student movement that seeks to address [these] challenges within the student community in all UP campuses”.

On 16 May 2019, ManDown hosted its inaugural event “MaleVictim MalePerpetrator.” The event focused on bringing UP students together to confront the issues of sexual

harassment and gender-based violence. While the response was productive, Moshabela explained that the audience included fewer men than women.

Events focusing on gender-based violence often bring women together in solidarity, “but [we] seldom hear about events that bring men

into the fold as stakeholders Image: Promise Zulu in dealing with the scourge of violence against women and our society at large,” says Malatji, adding that men most often being the perpetrators of rape or domestic violence “begs the question, what are we doing as men?”.

Part of the inspiration behind ManDown is to encourage the accountability of men regarding the perpetration of gender-based-violence and toxic masculinity. ManDown

therefore serves as a vehicle through which to confront those issues and “develop much more responsible men for society,” says Moshabela. ManDown also partnered with the organization Heartlines for a series of workshops held within university residences and student structures in 2019 that focused on male oriented values. Heartlines is dedicated to helping people live out positive values and realise the impact that things like male oriented values have on South African communities, families and the collective nation. ManDown will see more events planned in 2020 in partnership with Heartlines, while the rest of their events will be announced on social media accounts like Instagram (mandown_up) and Twitter (MandownUP).

The relationship between masculinity and violence has been thoroughly examined in fields such as sociology and cultural anthropology, and the South African organisation SaferSpaces explains that “it is important to gain a comprehensive understanding of the role that masculinity plays in creating violent societies,” because of what is called the ‘victim-overlap’. This refers to the fact that both perpetrators and victims of violence in South Africa are usually men. Domestic violence and sexual violence are some of the effects of negative expressions of masculinity. SaferSpaces explains that because many instances of gender-based-violence happen at the will of male perpetrators rather than female victims, the tendency to focus almost entirely on interventions involving women cannot be as effective as initiatives that involve men. “Focusing on interventions involving boys could significantly decrease many other forms of violence as well,” says the organization’s publication on toxic masculinities.

ManDown’s intentions to engage with other men on such issues is not just new in UP’s community, but also necessary.

“Men must be confronted and men themselves must confront each other about these issues,” says Moshabela.

“This basically is a space for men to be vulnerable and also confront these issues that have grappled our society,” he explained, adding that while people have different responses to the project, ultimately “no one can afford to remain oblivious to the crisis we find ourselves in”.

Professor Kupe’s state of the university address Maryke Steynvaart

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n Monday, 11 February 2020, Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe addressed the university in the annual and official academic opening and birthday celebration at UP. In his speech, he outlined his vision and mission for UP in the year and next decade to follow regarding academic performance, impactful research, solving student problems and UP’s continuous transformation. He also stressed the significance of UP’s 112th birthday and the reason everyone should be proud to be a part of this institution.

2020 is the start of the last 5-year cycle, which is a part of a 15year plan to take UP to the next level by 2025. It is a long-term plan aimed to firstly create a single unified vision, mission and values for the whole university which will be implemented by 2025. Kupe told PDBY that “[his] vision is for UP to be the leading African university globally connected, networked and engaged known for quality, excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, research and social engagement in ways that make a decisive difference for people’s lives.” The UP mission, as mentioned in Kupe’s speech, is “pursuing recognition and excellence in its core functions of research, teaching and learning, and integrating engagement with society and communities into these, the University of Pretoria will use quality, relevance, diversity and sustainability as its navigational markers.”

The following decade at UP will be dynamic as many changes will take place and the university will expand in various areas.

One way is through the establishment of many new institutes. The Future Africa Institute and Javett Art Centre have already opened their doors, but this year Innovation Africa and the Engineering 4.0 complex will be established as well.

The Engineering 4.0 complex “will be the seat of [UP’s] research into smart cities, smart transport and smart payment (…) the complex is built in partnership with SANDRA and CSIR and aims to provide solutions to the future of transport in what is called the fourth industrial revolution”. Kupe continued to speak about Innovation Africa “which is going to be an exciting transdisciplinary research hub which will help the future of food security in Africa through smart agriculture and bio-economy”.

Recently the University launched the ‘The UP Way’ campaign to encompass everything that the university stands for as an institution.

Kupe asks that “staff and students embrace The UP Way in a wonderful way,” and further states that “The UP Way is underpinned by excellence and a transcendent drive to make education a lifelong learning experience and a way of life for ourselves and our students”. He also affirmed that the “students are a product of The UP Way.” The UP Way is a certain lifestyle, way of thought, behaviour and attitude that is underpinned by UP’s values. Kupe stresses that students need to make changes, by for example, decreasing the use of plastics and argues that “conscious decisions like these, to do the right thing, and to think of the consequences and implications of what we do today and in the future, is in essence why it so important to make today matter.” He also told PDBY that this means “being positive, future looking, dedication to hard work, resilience, innovation and transformation and caring for others within UP and beyond UP.” In September 2019 Kupe introduced UP’s anti-discrimination policy geared towards creating inclusive spaces. Here The UP Way is also emphasised and Kupe stresses that “in no circumstance do we condone or encourage behaviour that is hateful or discriminatory on the basis of disability, race, nationality, culture, religion, gender or political affiliation. It is also clear that all forms of gender-based violence are unacceptable in our community”. He also suggests that everyone should “respect each other and learn from our unique individualities and rich diversity around us.”

The university works to achieve diversity, cultivate inclusive institutional cultures that assist in sustaining and developing quality, excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, research and social engagement. In addition, UP will launch a transformation office which ,according to Kupe, will “support, enable, oversee and assist all our transformation structures and

programmes across the university”. It is also important to understand that “all of us are responsible for transformation (…) and how we treat others and relate to others.” Kupe reiterated to PDBY that transformation is how UP can “make everyone feel they belong”.

UP has a long way to go before it can become one of the highest regarded universities in the world and Kupe says that there are certain factors limiting the university and that “we will address those indicators without compromising our responsibilities to our country, our continent and unique contributions to the world.”

Kupe also reminds that “there is some instability in this sector and some of our sister institutions have not necessarily had a smooth start to the academic year. These instabilities are caused by a wide range of issues that require sensitive and empathetic handling by various stakeholders”. He further stressed that UP aims to assist students with similar issues of “affordability, access, and student debt”, amongst others.

Over the past few years, many institutions who are over 112 years old have fractured under the pressures of the problems they face. It is therefore significant that UP “is moving [from] strength to strength as a provider of high quality transformative knowledge” and remains at the forefront of academic institutions. Finally, Kupe told PDBY that he encourages students to “grab all the opportunities available to you, be positive, work hard and play hard but responsibly, be kind, empathetic to others and work with others because as always we are #strongertogether”.

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

24 February 2020

PDBWhy: What it means to be South African Tiffany Smith

S

outh Africa is frequently seen as a mix of diversity, culture and controversy.

The news is often a negative reminder of high crime rates, the struggling economy and pervasive corruption. Some people find it increasingly challenging to be optimistic about the future of our country, yet there are still many who remain hopeful that South Africa will flourish and overcome its battles in time. PDBY asked students what it means to be a South African within today’s climate of infamous load shedding, State of the Nation Address (SONA) and with regard to the #ImStaying phenomenon.

?

Danielle du Toit, BA Psychology: I think the #ImStaying movement is fantastic because people are sharing and looking for reasons to stay and not looking for reasons to leave which is

awesome.

It depends [on] what you make of it. For some, it is a big challenge, with studying by candlelight, sitting in traffic on the way to school ,etc. but we are still clinging to the hope that it is going to be okay and things will change. There is loyalty despite the tough times ,which shows that no matter what goes wrong, there are people out there willing to try and make a change and not give up. Being a South African means being hopeful, loyal, strong, and faithful enough to believe in change. I think those who believe in change and #ImStaying are those who will try make a difference in whatever way they can.

Melissa Agrela, BA Psychology: I will not be staying in South Africa forever.

However, it is certainly a place like no other. You Humairaa Ismail, BCom Accounting have to take the bad with the Sciences: good. For example, I consider load shedding a Being a South African blessing in disguise because it gives us valuable is great all year round as family time. This place is like no other, the the warm temperature people are awesome and it just has an amazing conditions are always vibe. perfect for a dip in Nicholas Veale, BCom our beautiful beaches.

General: Christmas in South Africa I really like my country happens to be in summer so we get and I want to stay for the to experience the day in the warm sun with people, weather, [and] braais and beach visits. With global warming everything. It’s a cool being a major factor influencing our climate, we place and I’ve met amazing now have extremely cold winters and, if we’re people along the way. It is so lucky, we’re showered by frosty snow. Our culturally rich. Where else can you find 11 rotating seasonal climate can be experienced all official languages in one country? Of course in one day sometimes, starting off with lots of if you want to leave then that is your choice, sunshine, followed by a thunderstorm and gale but I think there are just so many amazing force winds, and back to sunshine. In general, opportunities here. It is such a special place of being a South African is great as we have many fond memories. Of course it’s not perfect beautiful weather almost all of the time. what with load shedding etc. but the impact the younger generation brings could easily lead to The views expressed by students in PDBWhy do issues being solved over time. There is simply not reflect the views or position of PDBY or its nowhere like South Africa staff members.

Illustration: Promise Zulu

TRY @UP Kendra Connock

T

he student life is a multi-faceted one. There will be parts of your university experience filled with books, loose pages of notes, and seemingly endless hours of highlighting.

Other parts will be characterised by loud music, energetic dancing, and laughs with your friends.

In-between the academics and your busy social calendar, you might find a couple hours of free time to dedicate to something other than your university experience.

Enter the University of Pretoria’s Student Societies. From day-houses, to faculty houses, Interest Groups, to Social Awareness Groups; UP has a vast variety of Student Societies to keep you engaged in university life and to help you make the most of your time at the university.

UP has four day-houses which offer non-

Features and Entertainment | 7

Joseph Shabalala: A music legend Dani van der Horst

J

oseph Shabalala, the founder of the awardwinning choral group, Ladysmith Black Mambazodied at age 78 on 11 February in Pretoria.

The news was confirmed by the group’s manager, Xolani Majozi.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo is an all-male Image: Cletus Mulaudi choral group, that follows the traditional Zulu isicathamiya style of singing. Shabalala was the leader and musical director of the group and played a key role in introducing Zulu music to the international community.

Paul Simon of folk-rock duo, Simon & Garfunkel, stated in an Instagram caption on his official account: “I admired him for his music and Godly spirit. People love Mambazo. I love Joseph.

We had a great time.” Simon worked closely with Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo on his 1986 solo album, Graceland. Joseph Shabalala is the ‘Joseph’ referred to in the opening line of “Under African Skies” from the Graceland album. The group collaborated with Simon on the tracks “Diamonds on the Souls of her Shoes” and “Homeless”. But this group is far more than just a feature. The group has been nominated for 17 Grammys and have won five. Their first win was for their album Shaka Zulu and the title “Best Traditional Folk Recording” in 1988. Simon helped produce the album and has been a major contributor to, and supporter of, their success.

According to an obituary that was published in The Guardian, Shabalala grew up on a farm near Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal. Shabalala was joined on the farm by his second cousin, Albert Mazibuko, who would later join him in Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Shabalala later moved to Durban where he worked in a factory and sang in the vocal groups, the Durban Choir, and the Highlanders. In 1959, he established the vocal group Ezimnyama, which would later be renamed Ladysmith Black Mambazo. The name was chosen by Shabalala and is deeply personal.

“Ladysmith” is a tribute to where he grew up,

Student Societies residence students the opportunity to take part in university traditions like InSync and RAG. They also participate in socials and sports games with other day-houses and university residences. If you’re a day student at the university and looking for a taste of the residence life, you should definitely consider joining a Day House!

Every faculty at the university is represented by a faculty house which will host a number of events throughout the year and offer academic support to its members. One can easily find information about faculty houses on the UP website. Faculty houses give members the opportunity to get involved in sporting events and cultural activities, as well as receive academic guidance from students within their own faculty.

Be sure to keep an eye on your faculty house’s announcements to stay tuned on the exciting opportunities they present all year round, including field trips, industry visits, and guest speakers aimed at personal and professional development.

Aside from the availability of day and faculty houses, UP has a host of options available to its students covering a variety of interest fields. There are a number of religious organizations on campus

where you can enjoy time with like-minded people who share the same beliefs as you do.

University is a great place to explore your individuality and start forming your own opinions and preferences. There are heaps of political organisations on campus which will give you the chance to explore the South African political scene and learn more about the people and parties to vote for. Getting involved in a political organisation on campus is a great introduction to the world of politics and a way to safely start exploring your own political beliefs before you enter the ‘real’ world of being a responsible citizen.

Academic societies exist for students to connect over their studies, whether they are studying the same degree or not. Specific societies exist for students of Geology, Quantity Surveying, and Veterinary Sciences. There are also less specific societies which cater to students of all degree programmes who are dedicated to academic excellence, societies like the Golden Key International Honours Society.

There are social societies which cater for those with an adventurous spirit and a need for physical activity. Pretoria’s excellent weather makes your

“Black” refers to the strongest animals on the farm, the black oxen, and finally, “Mambazo” is the Zulu word for “axe” which represents the group’s vocal strength.

Shabalala retired from singing with the group in 2014 but in 2019 he spoke to the Hampton Arts Commission before a concert. He stated that “Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a family” and throughout the years he has performed alongside his brothers, cousins, and even his sons.

He claimed that his four sons, who are currently members of the group, are the future and because of them “the vision and message will continue”.

“The dream I had over 45 years ago will continue well into the 21st century. Ladysmith Black Mambazo must continue as the message of Peace, Love and Harmony must never be silenced” said Shabalala Shabalala made a name for South African music during a dark time in the country’s history.

As Paul Simon states “Joseph Shabalala took Ladysmith Black Mambazo and brought their music all over the world. Imagine! What a great accomplishment for a boy from apartheid South Africa”. He refused to let anything stand in the way of his dream to bring the music of his people to the rest of the world.

President Cyril Ramaphosa offered his condolences to the musician’s family and quantified that: “The passing of Joseph Shabalala is a terribly sad moment for a nation and a world in whose ears the isicathamiya and mbube crafted

by Ladysmith Black Mambazo will ring for generations to come”.

Joseph Shabalala will forever be remembered as an iconic South African. May he rest in peace. university years perfect to try out hiking, rock climbing, or any of the other incredible sports offered at UP. From Martial Arts, to Gymnastics, Fencing, to Dancing; TuksSport offers an amazing variety of sports for you to get some exercise, meet some new friends, and maybe even represent your university in your sport of choice!

Arguably one of the best ways to spend your free time is to dedicate it to someone else. If you’re looking to get involved in community engagement or social activism, take a look through UP’s societies to find a cause that resonates with you. Societies like TULIP, Pledge a Pad, and Psyche are all dedicated to community engagement and giving back to those in our communities who are less fortunate.

Joining a community service-based organisation is a great way to meet people, gain some experience in volunteering, and ultimately, a really rewarding way to spend your free time.

Whether your preference is for a social club, a religious society, or a sports team; whether you’re looking for a way to give back, or help in achieving your academic aspirations; UP has a long list of societies of every description.

Research your options and consider attending society meetings in order to see what the society is like. Everyone is likely to find something that fits their needs in terms of a UP Student Society.

8 | Entertainment

24 February 2020

Bong Joon-ho’s historical Oscar run Emily Harrison

T

he name Bong Joon-ho would not have had much significance to the casual movie enthusiast however, because of Bong’s historic Oscar win at the 92nd Academy Awards his name will forever be recognised in the film industry.

If you were not one of the millions of people who tuned in to watch the Oscars on 9 February, Bong Joon-ho is a South Korean filmmaker who has been quietly creeping up on the academy with his genre-mixing filmography. His films include some English language films such as the critically acclaimed Snowpiercer (2013) that featured Hollywood heavyweights Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, and Octavia Spencer.

One might also recognize his work in the Netflix original film Okja (2017) which criticized the food industry by telling the story of a young girl (Ahn Seo-hyun) who raises a genetically modified super pig. He also gained a lot of critical acclaim and controversy in South Korea with his Korean films, Memories of Murder (2003), The Host (2006) and Mother (2009). But certainly, his most pivotal and critically acclaimed movie is Parasite (2019).

Parasite is a dark comedy that follows a poor South Korean family, the Kims as they slowly impose themselves on the lives of a rich family, the Parks. The Kims con their way into becoming servants in the Park household but things get complicated and their plan begins to unravel. The film features an amazing cast with Song Kang-ho (who you may recognize from Snowpiercer and The Interview), Sun-kyun Lee and Yeo-jeong Jo. Parasite started to garner attention at the Cannes Film Festival, where it premiered. The film won the coveted Palme d’Or (the highest prize at Cannes), a particularly impressive feat as it was the first film since 2013’s Blue is The

Warmest Colour to win the award through a unanimous vote. So, to say that Parasite came into awards season with a bang, is an understatement.

When Parasite was released in theatres, it became a record-breaking film for Bong Joon-ho as it was the first of his films to gross over $100 million worldwide and in the UK, it made £1.4 million in its opening weekend, a new record for a nonEnglish language film.

Not only did the film make an unprecedented amount for a non-English language film in the international market, but it was also extremely well received by critics. The film has 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, 96% on Metacritic and featured in the top ten of the year lists of 240 critics.

The critics praised the film for its in-depth look at social issues with many critics calling it a masterpiece or the film of the year. All of this hype lead to a much-anticipated Oscars night with fans and critics wondering what Parasite’s run at the awards show would look like.

The 92nd Academy Awards was swamped in controversy, from there being no female directors nominated for the Best Director category and an extreme lack of POC nominees to very famous faces being left out of the memorial-specifically Luke Perry and Cameron Boyce. When the nominees were announced on 13 January, the awards show looked like it would be its usual elitist self with mostly white males. However, Parasite surprised everyone by taking home the biggest awards of the night.

Parasite began by winning Best Original Screenplay which was written by Bong Joon-ho himself and Han Jin-won, where they were the first ever Asian nominees. The film then went on to win Best International Feature Film which was a new category introduced by The Academy this year, replacing the previous title of Best Foreign Language Feature, as the word ‘foreign’ has negative connotations to anyone outside of the

What is Sustainable Fashion?

Dani van der Horst

S

ustainable fashion is a movement that aims to establish an ethical and more ecologically friendly fashion industry.

According to United Nations Climate Change News, the fashion industry contributes to approximately 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This is due to long supply chains and energy extensive production processes.

Aside from contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, the fashion industry also contributes to about 20% of global wastewater. It takes approximately 20 000 litres of water to produce a single kilogram of cotton. This is equivalent to a single t-shirt and a pair of jeans. In recent years, the textile industry has also been identified as a major contributing factor to plastic entering oceans. The current dynamic of the fashion industry is largely driven by “fast-fashion”. The “fast-fashion” approach emphasises cheaper and faster production.

This often results in poor working conditions and poor pay for factory workers. The UN has declared the fashion industry “an environmental and social emergency”. It is crucial to establish more sustainable and ethical fashion options.

As a student, trying to become more sustainable is a very daunting task. However, becoming more sustainable might not be as challenging as you originally thought.

Dominique Marais is a fashion lecturer at

London International School of fashion (LISOF). She explains i that “living sustainably ud ula as a student (or for anyone) is M tus not something that comes naturally Cle : e ag to us. It’s not like school taught us how to Im reduce microplastics in our personal fashion flare or how to minimize our carbon footprint when purchasing clothes”. It is something that involves a large amount of self-educating and continuous active effort, but it is possible.

Oftentimes you will go through your closet and find items of clothing that you haven’t worn in over six months, it is important to get rid of these items. Marais suggests going through your closet at least once every six months, to ensure you are not hoarding unnecessary clothes that have little or no use to you. This may seem contradictory, as sustainability is about reducing waste. However, it is the first step towards a trendy and sustainable closet. When cleaning out your closet, do not simply throw your clothes away. You can thrift your good quality items for cash and donate the other items to charities.

According to Marais, the most important word when it comes to sustainability is “reduce”. In this case, it is important to reduce what you have but it is also important to “reduce your waste footprint”. Adding items of clothing to your closet that can be worn multiple ways, is a smart fashion choice as it reduces the number of similar items you may unnecessarily collect.

Try repurposing clothes that have been damaged or no longer fit you. Pinterest and YouTube are great platforms to find creative inspiration.

Marais suggests “clothes swapping” as another alternative to throwing clothes away. Exchange the clothes you no longer wear with friends for the clothes that they no longer wear. Purchasing

Image: Clet

West. This win already made Parasite’s, and Bong Joon-ho’s, Oscar run historical as it was the first film ever to win the award under this title.

Bong Joon-ho then won the Oscar for Best Director, in his acceptance speech Joon-ho seemed genuinely shocked and even stated he thought he was done for the night. During his speech he also took a moment to thank his fellow nominees stating that Martin Scorsese (nominated for The Irishman) is one of his biggest inspirations;but Parasite was not done yet and walked away with the biggest award of the night: Best Picture.

When Parasite won the Oscar for Best Picture, it became the first non-English language film ever to win the award. Not only is this win history in the making but it was also extremely well received by the best and brightest in Hollywood as everyone

in the Oscar’s crowd was cheering for the film and ensuring that the cast had enough time to say their acceptance speech. Bong Joon-ho’s incredible film not only made history but also paved the way for a more inclusive future.

Parasite has opened new doors for what the film world used to consider ‘foreign’. The whole concept of ‘foreignness’ is an outdated one, and although The Academy is making some progress with the Best International Feature Film category, we have to question why the separate category is even a thing. Film is meant to break rules and boundaries, it is meant to connect people in spite of different languages, just like Parasite does, so why are award shows so persistent in creating such a clear divide between English and nonEnglish language films?

Image: Cletus Mulaudi

clothing from thrift stores is another sustainable option. Thrifted clothes do not make use of any more energy extensive production methods. It also offers an opportunity to find unique items.

The Vintage Square Thrift Fair is a great place to start if you are new to thrifting. It takes place on the first Saturday of every month, at the Duncan Yard Centre on Prospect Street in Hatfield. There are also many thrift stores that make use of social media and other online spaces, as a platform to sell secondhand clothing.

It is quite challenging to shop sustainable brands but some of Marais’ favourites include Hannah Lavery, Nude Ritual and HempLove.

The best way to shop for new clothes sustainably, is to find local brands. This way, less carbon fuel is used to transport items. Marais’ favourite local brands include Loved by Elli (a local jewelry brand), Temple of Reason, ESJAY Sportswear, Earthbound Traveller’s Co. and VERSE. Remember that being more sustainable is a process and that it is okay to slip up on occasion. As Marais says “don’t beat yourself up!

Remember this is a process of trial and error. You are going to find yourself at some point buying something from Zara, and that’s okay. I would be lying if I haven’t purchased something from a fast fashion brand whilst attempting to be more sustainable. But when this happens, make sure you use that clothing item to its fullest”. Try to stick to local brands as much as possible, not only is this a more sustainable choice regarding carbon fuel, items are usually of a higher quality and last a lot longer. Plus, supporting local brands encourages our economy by creating more jobs for South Africans.

Slow fashion is about “establishing a consciousness towards the process before and after the production of a garment”. It encourages quality over quantity. This is done to motivate consumers to avoid unnecessarily updating their wardrobe due to poorly made garments. Marais suggests that “slow fashion also includes ethical fashion, meaning that brands do not exploit their workers and their product does not bring harm to the environment and animals pre and post production”. Research your favourite brands to see how transparent they are. “Ask yourself, how does this brand benefit the environment?

Also look into the working conditions of the factories producing the garments” says Marais.

Marais suggests following the hashtag #whomademyclothes to stay up to speed on where your clothes are coming from.

South African cruelty-free leather brand, Nick & Nichols, is a good example of a sustainable brand. Nick and Nicole Nyalungu began their journey in 2016, experimenting with rubber tire tubes as an alternative to leather. They create bags, pencil cases and even earrings out of these tubes and their product has been dubbed “vegan leather” because of its striking resemblance to actual leather. Nick states that “there are so many problems in the world that human beings have put there and we need to find ways to reduce the impact of them”.

By repurposing old tire tubes, Nick states that he feels as though they are helping stop those tubes from ending up in the ocean or a landfill. The rubber used in most tires contains chemicals and heavy metals. When left to break down in landfills or near bodies of water, these toxic elements leach into the environment and increase toxicity levels. By repurposing this rubber into something else that is useable, this process is avoided. Nick says that the journey towards sustainability is about having a desire to make change. Nicole says that everyone has the potential to be more sustainable. She says that there are so many ways to repurpose things, especially things that we do not want to end up in landfills. Nick & Nichols is based in Mbombela, Mpumalanga and is currently finishing up the process of becoming a solely online shop. You can follow them on Instagram, @nickandnichols or on Facebook, Nick & Nichol’s for more information and for updates on the new online shop. They will also be attending markets around the country, so keep an eye out for them.

Sustainable fashion is about making better choices as a whole. Choices that are better for the planet, more ethically grounded and promote a slower rate of consumerism. There is no perfect way to be sustainably fashionable. It is an ever-changing process and requires some effort on your part. If you start out slow and focus on shifting your mindset, sustainability is sure to form an integral part of your life.

Always try to make informed decisions when it comes to purchasing clothing, but don’t become disheartened if you slip up occasionally.

24 February 2020

Entertainment | 9

Beautiful Minds on the Big Screen

Kendra Connock

I

mages of mentally ill people in films often fall into the stereotypes of maniacal and hysterical people who cannot be controlled; thus, feeding into the stigmas which exist around serious mental illnesses. Time to Change, a mental illness advocacy group, undertook a survey of more than 2000 members of the public to assess their attitudes towards mental illness as a result of their media exposure. When asked what characteristics define film characters with mental illnesses, the top three answers were “violent” (39%); “weird” (35%), and “likely to kill violently” (30%).

Films often look to depictions of mental illness to engage audiences with a dramatic storyline of drama and conflict, resulting in false beliefs and stereotypes regarding the realities of living with a mental illness.

Mental illness and related issues have proven to create conflict of interest in films for decades and, in an attempt to entertain audiences, filmmakers often turn to inaccurate portrayals of mental illnesses. A Beautiful Mind (2001) and Shutter Island (2010) are both popular films which depict schizophrenic protagonists. Both films feature instances of violence inflicted on others, as well as self-inflicted violence which seems to communicate a message that people diagnosed with schizophrenia are more violent than those who are not. The stereotype perpetrated by films like these are completely inaccurate; in reality, schizophrenia usually does not lead to violence (in complete contradiction to what these films have suggested). Portrayals like these feed into the widely accepted stereotypes that mentally ill people are particularly volatile and violent but, in the US, only about 4% of violence can actually be traced to mental health problems. A professor at the University of North Carolina examined how mental illness is portrayed in visual media.

He found that characters with mental illnesses were ten times more likely to commit a violent crime than other characters, and ten to twenty times more likely to commit a violent crime than someone with a mental illness in real life.

Another common misconception about mental illness which is perpetuated by portrayals in

mainstream media is the belief that mental health disorders are all the same, and that they are all extreme. For the sake of entertainment, mental illness is depicted as an amalgamation of psychotic symptoms never really distinguishable as any particular mental illness. The majority of people who experience mental health issues do not experience the extreme symptoms depicted in films. Similarly, most films focus on severe cases of serious illnesses such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia but fail to pay attention to the most common mental health issues, experienced by many people in real life. In South Africa, the most common mental health issue which people suffer from is major depressive disorder.

Nonetheless when we turn on the TV, we don’t see people grappling with this reality, instead we see sensationalised depictions of mental illness; exploited in the name of entertainment.

Films like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest instil an image in our minds where mental health care facilities are haunted buildings where archaic and unethical treatments are used on patients who are trapped there. Studies showed negative attitudes toward mental illness, and the hospitalised treatment thereof, increased following the release of the 1975 Oscar-winning film. In fact, media portrayal of mental health treatment in itself proves to be problematic as it skews our perceptions of exactly how mental illnesses are effectively treated.

According to movies, mental illnesses are treated in dingy buildings with long, dark hallways and patients are treated with brutal electroconvulsive therapy, or other archaic forms of psychiatric treatment.

Often the patients in these fictional facilities Image: Cletus Mulaudi are trapped

and never really receive effective treatment or actually reach some semblance of healing. In reality, patients with severe mental illnesses may seek treatment in psychiatric facilities, but there are pharmaceutical and therapeutic treatment options available to people who seek healing for their mental ailments. Treatment for mental health issues can be effective, and it doesn’t have to be administered in a dungeon-like mental asylum, the likes of which we see in the movies. In reality there is always hope for healing and recovery.

Few individuals with serious mental illnesses feel comfortable disclosing their mental health status, as stigmas drive healthy discussion into the ground. With mass media actively contributing to the negative stereotypes which exist around mental illness, it doesn’t seem likely that this will change any time soon. The Screening Madness report identifies popular films as a “reservoir of prejudice, ignorance, and fear that perpetuates damaging stereotypes of people with mental health problems”.

Peter Byrne suggested in 2009 that “there are no mental health films, only mental illness ones”, but perhaps that is no longer true. The landscape of mental illness is slowly changing within the mainstream media, as characters with mental health issues are no longer only seen as the villains or the undesirables; but are now being portrayed as normal people living everyday lives. Charlie Covell, writer of the teen series The End of the F***ing World says “mental illness is such a huge part of the human condition. To not depict it onscreen would be to miss out on a massive subject, which affects people on a daily basis”. Good Will Hunting starring Matt Damon and the late Robin Williams puts the focus on psychotherapy as treatment for depression.

2012’s Silver Linings Playbook was

and said that this is why he built Aandklas. He expressed his desire to have someone playing Music on stage, even if just an acoustic solo act, every day.

To shorten a medium story, I proposed that we have an Open Mic Night. A (very) short while later, we had our first event.

The Aandklas Open Mic started on 17 May 2015, and I knew nothing about open mics, other than what I’ve seen in the movies. [It] took us a good 3 months to shape it into the format we are running today, and I must say, it works really well.

At that time, as far as my knowledge goes, there were no regular open mics in or around Pretoria, so we quite literally had to reinvent the wheel. I couldn’t go to another open mic to see how it was done.

Without Aandklas, Rudi, the musos and supporters who were there from the start, Pretoria would not have the rich diversity in open mics it has today, as a few other similar events spawned from the Aandklas nights. Currently I run another monthly open mic at Capital Craft Centurion.

But the coolest part is that some of the musos who were at my open mics, are running similar open mics at Hooters, Edge’s Corner and Tiger’s milk in Lynwood. It was my unspoken hope from the start that the little bit that I have done, could inspire others to do more.

Tell me about your best memories of “Open Mic Night”?

Obviously, discovering young talent, and seeing how they grow. The most amazing experience is to be part of a Musician’s journey, in whatever way you can. I have been honoured to see the likes of Lungelo Moyo, the boys from Zebra, Kenny Hughes and many, many more set foot on my stage, and make something of themselves Musically. To see the personal, not just Musical growth in individuals is a treat and I am privileged to be a part of it.

It goes so much further than just that. Open

mic has created a space for people like my righthand man, Obie Sicwebu (or as he is known at Aandklas, Obi-Wan Blacknobi), and guys like Jeandré Pistorius to find their passion for the industry, and live it.

I can keep you busy for days with epic moments - like songs that moved me and events that booked musos - but for me, the most amazing part of open mic is to be allowed to be a part of something bigger than myself, and take others along with me.

If a venue or organiser wants to start their own open mic; do you have any advice?

Yup. Most important, do it for the right reasons.

If you’re starting it to make a quick buck or with the primary purpose of increasing sales, you will fail - miserably. Logically, it should make business sense, but I can guarantee you that there are more profitable ideas than an open mic.

Your first and main reason for doing it should be the love of music, and the desire to invest in Musicians. This mindset will guide many of your decisions.

Then, also very important, this isn’t a solo show. Work together with venues, organisers, and like-minded individuals. For instance, it doesn’t make sense at this stage to have more than one open mic in Pretoria on the same night. Share the love and responsibility, work together, offer opportunities to artists. As an example, I am starting a monthly event with Klitsgras now that will offer young musos chosen from all the open mics in Pretoria a paying opportunity to play at this legendary venue, plus we are working on getting as much media there as possible, to give these guys proper exposure too! (Hint hint, hope PDBY will be there).

Why rock ‘n roll?

It’s real. It resonates with my soul. I see God in Music, the very nature and science of a string vibrating, made unique by the person playing it... it’s just something that can’t be replicated by

Christo “Baas” de Beer:

Dani van der Horst

O

n Sunday evenings, Aandklas exchanges its usual head-banging and table-dancing for moody guitar riffs and husky voices as Pretoria’s fresh talent takes to the stage. Open Mic Night has been a regular event at Aandklas for a few years now and has firmly established itself on Pretoria’s social calendar. Here, one can expect to meet eager musicians, cold beverages and great commentary. PDBY caught up with Christo de Beer, the driving force behind Aandklas’s Open Mic Night: Who or what exactly is Baas de Beer?

Baas de Beer is the public persona of Christo de Beer. If you see me on a stage, whether with a mic at a comedy night, a guitar at an open mic, a festival as MC or DJ... odds are you are looking at Baas. Christo, on the other hand, is a business owner who loves Music. A LOT. Years ago I figured out that I am really not good enough to cut it as a professional Musician, so I channelled my passion for the industry into something that will hopefully help build a greater, stronger live Music scene in SA or, at the very least, help someone discover the joy of Music. On the business side of things, my company is involved with a couple of the most awesome events, venues and businesses in and around Pretoria. From the likes of STRAB Fest, Park Acoustics and Capital Craft to Blue-Chip Flight School and many more, I am privileged to work in a world where boredom isn’t a factor.

Shameless plug: Check out www. activationmedia.co.za What exactly is Open Mic Night at Aandklas and how did it all start?

It all started with a Francois van Coke show.

He was playing one of his first acoustic shows at Aandklas, and Rudi (the owner of Aandklas) and I were standing there, having a drink and enjoying the Music, when he turned to me

a breakthrough for the film industry as it showed protagonists in the midst of the mess and the hard work of healing as well as the journey towards recovery. In 2019, a psychological thriller hit the big screens that made severe mental illness the topic on everyone’s lips. Joaquin Phoenix brought DC’s troubled villain Arthur Fleck new dimension as he threw his immense acting skills into portraying the Joker. The film focuses heavily on the Joker’s mental state, making it a topic impossible to avoid for anyone who watches the movie; but unfortunately, it plays into nearly every false stereotype audiences usually believe about people with mental illnesses. The Joker is maniacal, unpredictable, and prone to extreme violence. Where the movie goes wrong is in its typical Hollywood depiction of the “mad man” as opposed to the “completely normal person suffering from a mental illness”. Like many other films, Joker fell into the trap of sensationalism and opted for a hyperbolic portrayal of mental illness in the interest of producing good entertainment. To the film’s credit, it touches on the budget cuts for mental health facilities and social workers that US President Reagan instituted, and the serious and adverse effects it had on people in the United States who needed help.

On-screen portrayals are generally negative and have a cumulative effect on the public’s perception of people with mental illness. The likelihood of people with mental health issues disclosing their struggles and seeking the appropriate help is unlikely. There is a desperate need for the mental health sector and media industries to collaborate and counter the negative portrayal of mental illness.

Hollywood is fuelled by what consumers want, if a new culture of compassion and communication regarding mental health issues starts with the consumers; Hollywood is bound to follow. In his acceptance speech for the Oscar for Best Actor, Joaquin Phoenix quoted his late brother; the words written by the then-17-year-old River Phoenix should be a reminder to us all that change starts with us.

“Run to the rescue with love, and peace will follow…”

The man behind Open Mic Night at Aandklas. the best computers in the world. There’s just something magical about humans playing Music together that can never be programmed.

I appreciate good Music and can recognise the value in good songs regardless of the genre, but rock will always be where my heart lies. If you can listen to an epic guitar solo without feeling something, or be unmoved by the poetry that becomes lyrics, you probably need professional help. For me, my professional help is rock & roll.

Who are some of your favourite up and coming South African musicians?

I would be doing a disservice to many great upcoming guys to say this is my definitive list, so I will just tell you about a few.

Zebra, Soundwarmer, Kenny Hughes as mentioned above, bands like Poeselig, Treble Bypass, Zen Garden, amazing ladies who will go far - such as Nicola Mcleod, Shot at the Moon, Kaiti Faul... Ag no man! I can’t possibly list them all. Rather just come to an open mic and meet them or go to a gig where you don’t recognize any of the band names. Who knows, 30 years from now, when someone like Stanley June is a household name, you can say that you bought him a shot at an open mic one night, years ago, and your kids will be seriously impressed.

Describe Aandklas to someone who has never been there: For me, Aandklas has always been a homeaway-from-home. I would legit not have been who, or where I am, had it not been for that place and its people, so you might say that I am a bit biased when describing it. Aandklas is where Musical dreams are born, drunken memories are made and best friends are met. It’s honest, it’s real and if you look carefully, between the bottles, smoke, dark corners and cheap bars, you will see joy. You will also see some pretty epic bands, let’s not forget to mention that.

10 | Fun and Games

24 February 2020

Pssst...

PEOPLE THINK ERICA’S NEW LOGO IS SHAPED LIKE A DILDO. Phew. Pssst… has been holding that in all week. Sorry, let Pssst… try again. Hi hi. Pssst… here. Or is Pssst… actually here? Pssst… is not sure. Pssst… might have died cause Pssst…ate some “vegan” food at the lesser TriBeCa this week. So apparently cheese is cheese, milk doesn’t cause any harm and we can take advantage of university students through false advertising and indifference. NICE. (Keep your eyes out for an article about this).

Yes, Pssst… may be feeling slightly more vindictive than usual too because the lesser TriBeCa refused to let PDBY humans leave papers there for customers.

Pssst… doesn’t appreciate the attitude.

There is only space for one PRIMA DONNA on campus and that is Pssst….

Pssst… thinks you’ve made quite the mistake.

Speaking of mistakes and stupid moves, Pssst… wants to talk about Madelief’s orientation. They may have taken the picture off of Instagram but Pssst… has seen it. Pssst… really enjoyed laughing at you and has the picture saved under favourites (dances with pitchfork). But Pssst… doesn’t really blame you. How should you know pillow cases worn as hats look like a KKK cult ceremony? Pssst… maybe suggests a pillow fight instead next time? Well at least there will be a next time.

We have to win the Meme War against UJ!!! Imagine they make fun of us for not being able to spell. So If you do it again, Pssst… is telling David. Now Pssst’s stomach hurts from laughing so Pssst… must go. Pssst… has eavesdropping to do, information to trade and rumours to spread.

Pssst… says adieu. xx

Hehe, oh Mopane you knew I was coming to you next. First years are friends not food (Finding Nemo reference, they didn’t eat anyone). But seriously what did you do to get your initiation cancelled?

Pssst… is asking for a friend. That same friend also wants to know why TuksFM has such a strong emotional attachment to the letter A? It’s not a stationAry drive.

It’s a stationEry drive. E as in PEN. This has been too many years in a row now.

Please you are hurting Pssst… and you may even compromise UP.

Poetry Corner

It was the way you smiled, the way your eyes met mine, the way your touch calmed me and how you became home. Your constant in my chaos, the softness of your touch. The dedication, the promises, the sweet nothings that were whispered and truths spoken with shaking breaths. The nerves, butterflies, soundtracks to our emotions that set us alight and turned us to ash. The dance lessons, whispers in my ear, to feel you, the music and not the eyes of others.

The late-night conversations, good morning calls, midnight safety nets created by sleep filled limbs.

Hope

SUDOKU

The falling without caution, pulled down by the certainty of forever.

Your eyes following her around the room, body leaning towards her. Her hesitation, her withdrawal from a crowd pulled you to her, my fake happiness to be okay. My certainty that you wanted me - it was your history, habits that were showing. Convinced it was me, and not her.

Still convinced.

Ambigram Unscramble the following ambigrams to spell some of the 2020 Oscars’ biggest winners, losers and snubs 1. The first South Korean and foreign language film to win best film and best director.

1. SAAPRITE

2. This actress wore a black and gold gown embroidered with the names of female artists snubbed by the Academy.

2. LETNEI ATOPMRN

3. This actor stood up for artificially inseminated cows.

3. UOJQAIN EPHNOIX

4. In this black comedy film Taika Waititi plays Hitler, a little boy’s imaginary friend.

4. JJOO ARBIT

5. This rapper made a surprise performace on the night. The memes are superb.

5. NMEIEM

6. This actor’s speech reminded us that the movie Cats should never have been made.

6. EAJMS DOCRNE

7. This director asked for a drink in his acceptance speech.

7. GNOB OJN-OOH

8. This actor wore a 24-carat golden dress designed by Christian Siriano.

8. YILBL EORPTR

9. This singer sang a cover of the Beatles’ ‘Yesterday’.

9. ELIBLI LEHSII

Mickey Oddy

Cold tiled floors replaced the safety nets your exhausted limbs created, as those limbs replaced her cold tiled floors.

Crying, hurting and waiting for you to realize my pain, while you kissed away hers. Still convinced. Struggling to breathe from pain, while you struggle to breathe from pleasure. It was over when we set alight, we just burnt out and realized too late. Convinced you loved me, convinced you don’t. War between my heart and mind as I fight to find a reason to still hold on, but hope is the only reason, not reason enough.

There is no blame, none on her and none on you. All on me. My hope that I was wrong.

Poetry submitted by UP students to PDBY. You can submit your poetry to editor@pdby.co.za if you would like to be featured in the PDBY Poetry Corner.

Decode the message

Message:

24 February 2020

Sport | 11

TuksHurdling with Rikenette Steenkamp I’ve always had my mind on this record and it took me 7 years to achieve this. Secondly, I competed at the world championships in 2019 after returning from an injury. Making this comeback and going through to the semi-finals, I ended up placing sixteenth in the world, which is a personal achievement.

Caitlyn Walsh

P

DBY chatted to Rikenette Steenkamp (one of TuksSport’s successful hurdlers) on her recent travels to Glasgow, her achievements, and her aspirations.

What made you first become an athlete and what specifically made you choose hurdles?

What is the best piece of advice that you have received from someone for your specific skill?

When I was six years old, in primary school, I just loved sport, especially athletics. I wanted to run. Technically, I only started running hurdles in high school during grade 10. Even though I was a mediocre [athlete] from a young age, I started hurdles, and the first time I ran it, I realized it was what I wanted to do and that it made me stand out a bit.

I would say that what I’ve learnt through the years is that less is more. What I mean by that is that a quality hurdle session is better than quantity.

On the mental side, I’ve also learnt that sometimes we don’t see ourselves as achievers when

What is your biggest achievement and why do you consider it to be that?

I have to single out two races.

The first race was when I broke the national record in the 100m hurdle. It was a 21 year old record so it had been a while since it was broken.

@

Free

competing against foreigners but we are all equal and we need to step out and be bold.

What are you hoping to accomplish in the year 2020?

This year is a big year it is an Olympic year. Firstly it was a new experience for me to do indoor sports, so my first goal was to experience the indoor season. I am also looking forward to the South African season and Nationals. Lastly, I’d also like to qualify for the Olympic finals How was your recent experience in Glasgow? Did you learn anything valuable?

It was my first indoor race ever and I’ve never competed indoors so it was a bold decision. In the run-up to the event, I had a few hiccups. I only received my visa the morning I flew out so that was stressful.

Also, on my way there I picked up the flu which wasn’t great either. I would not say I was at my best but sometimes you have to go through stressful situations- so I learnt to cope. I kept focus and I did what I went there to do.

What would you suggest to others that do hurdle sprints or

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Photos: Reg Caldecott

are curious?

It is important to have a passion for what you do and enjoy it. Keep having fun, laugh at yourself. If you fall over a hurdle, understand that it happens. Do not be too serious. As an athlete, I was a late bloomer and I think that was the best thing for me. I only became serious when it was required.

I would also suggest remembering that you can not achieve anything by yourself, you need people as well. It is a team effort.

What is your record time? And do you feel you can still beat it?

In the 100m hurdles, my time is 12, 81[seconds] and yes I feel I can still beat it.

In the indoor 60m hurdles, my time is 8, 29 [seconds] and I feel I can beat it as well.

What is your aspiration in life in terms of being an athlete?

My aspiration is to become the best athlete that I possibly can, to reach my full potential, and to stay true to who I am. I’d like to be a role model for South African athletics and to give back where I can.

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Sport Three wins in a row for UP-Tuks

Boitumelo Makaepea

20-16. The second half was quite tough as both teams put pressure on each other. However, UP-Tuks managed to fight back and, in the end, walked away with a win of 40-23 to CUT.

T

he Stripe Generation has kept a record of being undefeated in this year’s Varsity Cup campaign so far. After securing their win against NWU in the first round of the Varsity Cup, UP-Tuks kept the momentum going as they beat CUT in the second round and UJ in the third round.

UP-Tuks vs UJ In the third round of the varsity cup on 17 February, UP-Tuks hosted UJ at the Tuks Stadium.

UJ dominated UP-Tuks from the onset, as their very own Shaun Williams scored the ‘point of origin’ try earning them 7 points. Twenty minutes into the game, UP-Tuks struggled to score points as UJ kept on breaking through their defence. In what seemed to be a tough battle for UP-Tuks, Theo Boshoff scored the first try of the game, awarding 7 points. As halftime came around, UJ led the UP-Tuks with 19-7. Coming back into the second half, it was hard for both sides to break through each other’s defence. The crowd’s presence was also felt as they kept the energy alive by cheering on their home side, UP-Tuks. UP-Tuks also received some strong words from the coach in the second half. As UP-Tuks continued to attack The Orange Army, their very own Hanru Sirgel dotted over the line, making the score 21-24 with UJ still in the lead. In the dying moments of the game, Lionel April scored a try that put the match to bed as UPTuks won with 26-24.

UP-Tuks vs NWU UP-Tuks had their first encounter with NWU at the Tuks Stadium on 3 March in a sold out crowd. Even though UP-Tuks were the first team to register points of the match, NWU came back into the game as captain Edmund Rheeder scored the first try in the game. In what seemed to be a tough match for the visiting side, NWU consistently kept their lead until Theo Boshoff, who was later awarded FNB Player that Rocks, scored the first try for UP-Tuks. Things went into halftime with NWU leading UP-Tuks by 26-22. In the second half encounter, Werner Fourie scored a seven point try that got UP-Tuks back in the lead with 31- 26. As both teams continued to pressure each other, in the end it was Boshoff who scored a penalty, post full-time whistle. The final score was 42-40 for UP-Tuks.

UP-Tuks vs CUT In the second round of the Varsity Cup, UP-Tuks clashed against CUT in Bloemfontein. When the whistle blew for halftime, CUT was in the lead with

Dangers of Sports Gambling

Photos: Reg Caldecott

Caitlyn Walsh

S

pot-fixing, in sport, is the act of deciding dishonestly and conducting illegal activity. This ultimately means cheating when gambling in any type of sport.

One of the biggest dangers in sports gambling is the possible incidents that may come with it, and the obsession that may lead to cheating. An example of this would be the incident that occurred last year towards the end of 2019. According to SuperSport, former Proteas cricketer ,Gulam Bodi, was found guilty of spot-fixing in the 2015 Ram Slam T20 tournament. He pleaded guilty to the corruption and was sentenced to five years in prison at the end of 2019. He was charged with eight counts of corruption for his illegal betting.

Not only is this a concern when considering sports gambling, but obsession and the ability to easily lose money becomes a worrying factor as well. Sundial confirmed that a shocking 71 billion rand was spent on gambling alone in the Super Bowl 51. Most of the time players [ gamblers] do not make this money back. According to Sundial, sports betting is just as addictive as normal gambling and chances of winning can often be lower. The money loss can cripple people, families, and businesses.

When considering normal betting, there are statistics that can help some to understand gambling. According to The Gambling Site, a person only has a 30% chance of walking out of a casino a winner.

The Gambling Site also confirmed that below 0,5% of people are professional gamblers and in the USA alone, around 20 million people have a gambling addiction. The statistics are said to be similar to sports gamblers.

Ultimately, sports gambling may not be worth the risk unless limits and boundaries are set in place. Winners know when to stop.

The Responsible Gambling Helpline is (+27 11 026 7323.)

Look out for the upcoming UP-Tuks match against the Shimlas at the Tuks Stadium on 24 February at 19:00.

Triathlons with Dylan Nortjé Caitlyn Walsh

P

DBY spoke to Dylan Nortjé, a successful Tuks-Triathlete,w about his upcoming goals, achievements, and the sport in general.

For those who don’t know, what does a triathlon entail, in detail?

So a triathlon is a multisport consisting of swimming, biking and running. The swimming section is normally done in either the sea, a dam or a harbour. Directly after, we jump [onto] our bikes and do what is called criterium, which are like short fast technical laps, usually through the streets of the city. Lastly, the run consists of laps similar to the biking laps.

How much do you train a week for your triathlons?

I train between 20 to 30 hours a week, depending on where we are in the season.

What is your biggest achievement in terms of competing?

I completed 2x U/23 South African Championships in 2017 and in 2019.

Photo: Provided

Who is your biggest role model and why?

Javier Gomez, an Olympic silver medallist, and a five-time world champion. He is the most genuine guy, super humble and not boastful about his success.

When is your next race set to begin and what would you like to achieve?

The next race is the SA Championships in Durban on 22 March. I would like an overall podium, and to win the u/23 championship for the last time.

What advice would you give to other triathletes?

I would say have patience, trust your coach, and listen to your body because more is not always better.

What made you begin triathlons in the first place?

I was doing all three of the sports individually at school, then I partook in a race in Cape Town and I haven’t stopped since then.

What is one thing you wish you had known when beginning this sport?

How much you need to pack onto your bike, and everything needed in terms of clothing.

What is your biggest goal in terms of this sport?

The Olympic Champions would be pretty cool to compete in!

After interviewing Nortjé, L, light was shed on how it is to be a triathloner in South Africa, and the promising future it holds.

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