Dr. Ian Erasmus
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Perdeby Tuks se amptelike studentekoerant/ Official Tuks student newspaper/ Kuranta ya baithuti ya semmuĹĄo ya Tuks
25July2011
Perdeby photographer attacked
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year73issue13
Rag R1.5 million in debt
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Ashtray Electric interview
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Perdeby 1939 - 2011
In Memorium
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Editorial
25 July ’11
I’ve been bumming around this old town too long From the Editor
www.perdeby.co.za perdeby@up.ac.za
I need, I think, a change of scenery. Maybe it’s just something that happens in the last semester before you (nally) graduate: boredom? Impatience? But I am getting increasingly restless here. I am Pretoria born and bred. I’m so Pretoria, in fact, that my educational trajectory moved me from the top of Roper Street in primary school, to the middle of Roper in high school, to the end of Roper, here to this ne institution, when it was time to come to university. And I love my city. Pretoria, and Tuks, have an atmosphere, an intangible sort of greatness that I nd hard to dene. I think it’s the people. Pretorians are good people, honest, plat op die aarde kind of people. Fun, crazy, friendly. Pretoria, in my falsely humble opinion, has the best kind of people. But there is something about Cape Town that beckons me. The editorial spent some time there at a student journalism conference over the holidays and man, oh man, do I fall in love with that city a little more every time I’m there. It might be the ocean, or the mountain, the bohemian charms of Long Street or the majesty of Chapman’s Peak, hell it’s all of that and more, but Cape Town has seduced me fully and I am hers. I’ve always thought that Pretoria is a fantastic place to be a student or to raise children, but for anything in between it falls a little short, and I am denitely not having children any time even resembling soon. It’s an interesting tension that has just started in my life: that between the desire to, and the sadness of, leaving a place you love. But I won’t have to deal with for a while, as an honours degree in English at Tuks is on the cards for next year. Anyway, we had a great time at the conference, learned a lot, and the experience will denitely produce tangible results in the paper (see if you can’t spot a few already). I am also happy to
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EDITORIAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Carel Willemse EDITOR: Beyers de Vos NEWS: Nina van Wyk news@perdeby.co.za FEATURES: Marie van Wyk features@perdeby.co.za RES UPDATE: Katlego Mkhwanazi resupdate@perdeby.co.za ENTERTAINMENT: Meagan Dill entertainment@perdeby.co.za SPORT: Charlotte Keuris sport@perdeby.co.za COPY: Hayley Tetley LAYOUT: Hickley Hamman VISUALS: Desré Barnard
TEAMS LAYOUT Camilla Coertse Celeste Theron Allan Le Roux JP Nathrass COPY Ruhan Robinson Caitlin Roberts Jaco Kotze Jenna-Lee Fortuin Mandisa Mbele Somarié Gravett Saneze Tshayana Nadine Wubbeling Yuan-Chih Yen Marissa Gravett
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COPYRIGHT
Perdeby is printed by Paarlmedia. All rights reserved. Contributions are welcome. All due care will be taken with materials submitted, but Perdeby and printers can not be held responsible for loss or damage. The editor reserves the right to edit, amend or alter material in any way deemed necessary. Perdeby can not be responsible for unsolicited material. The opinions expressed in Perdeby are not necessarily those of the editors and printers of Perdeby.
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Dear Tukkie It is a great pleasure to see you all back healthy and energetic. I hope and pray that Duncan Allen who also returned looking very healthy and disappeared after last Sunday night, is alive and safe where he is and that he is followed and surrounded by God’s angels all the way. Until we receive evidence to the contrary, let us never stop believing that he is alive and that he will soon be united with his family and us. Apart from this unnerving news, this semester began with two signicant events for us. The rst was the 93rd birthday of the former president of this country, Mr Nelson Mandela, popularly known by his clan name, Madiba. Although this university scheduled its own programme to commemorate this occasion on Saturday 23 July in Mamelodi, a student or two sang “happy birthday Madiba” at the Student Centre on 18 July. The programme planned for 23 July pursues the 67 minutes of an individual’s “good
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deed” which was declared by the United Nations in 2010 as an extension of Madiba’s spirit and legacy in the world. Many people have said that if the world could have such a spirit throughout the year, it would be a better place for everyone. In his little book, “Leading like Mandela”, Martin Nelungu shows us that this is possible. He provides ten ways of Madiba’s leadership style which we should also imitate. The other signicant event in the context of students was the announcement of the Student Parliament elections. An appeal was made to students to support the nominated candidates as much as they can on 13 September. Structures such as the Student Parliament and SRC serve as incubators for many more Mandela’s in this country. However, this can only benet our society if people join them as “servants of the people” as Madiba said of himself in 1990. There are very few leaders who are willing to serve the world rather than personal interests and a lot more who campaign for places in structures that
are meant to be vehicles of service delivery so as to be able to enjoy the “gravy train”. Of concern to us these days is that student leaders are not immune from this kind of behaviour. This can never contribute towards making a better world as envisaged by the leaders of Madiba’s ilk. Are the leaders who stand for election in various student structures willing to take up the challenge? Will those who are about to be elected to serve on the SRC display a leadership style that imitates the ten ways of Madiba’s leadership as identied by Nelungu? I hope that this will be so and that many students will come out to vote in September so as to assure them of their legitimacy and to demand that they be transparent and accountable. Best wishes Prof McGlory Speckman Dean of Students
report we drank the Cape Townians under the table and came away with certain knowledge that Perdeby can safely lay claim to the title of most accomplished student newspaper in the country (there’s my humility again). I would like to thank the ne folk at UCT for an informative, interesting conference and a great time. We’ll be back next year. Start buying the wine. Back in Pretoria, we decided to do an anniversary edition for our rst edition of the new semester, and dug around the university’s archives a little bit. What we found could ll many more pages than we’ve made available here, but that’s why it will become an annual edition, building up to our 75th birthday, which is almost upon us. So you’ll nd stories and visuals scattered through this edition drawing from past Perdeby articles, articles analysing the many changes the university has gone through, and visuals collages providing retrospectives of the long, chequered history of both Perdeby and UP. I would like to thank the staff at the archives for all their help in putting together this edition. Then we also have a very interesting article on the current state of Rag, a situation we will be watching with keen interest, as well as a couple of other great articles, including an interview with Ashtray Electric, for your reading pleasure. Finally, you will notice out mastheads are black this week, and that we have a memorial page in the memory of Cobus Coetzee on page 15. Cobus, one of our sport journalists, passed away over the holidays. Cobus lled the lives of the people around him with an irreplaceable joy and will be missed, always. Once again, our condolences to all who knew and loved him. Peace Beyers
Editorial
25 July ‘11
Student journalism:
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a view from the backyard
BEYERS DE VOS In a quality control survey Perdeby conducted at the end of the last semester, where we sampled about 1000 students, there was one response which continuously surprised me. To the question, “Do you think a student newspaper is an essential student service?” the overwhelming response was: yes, very. People on campus still think Perdeby is relevant and important. Cue the sigh of relief. Still, I sometimes suspect that people underestimate student journalism, or in fact, dismiss it as unessential, trivial: the young, inexperienced, annoying brother of “real” journalism who’s been left to play in the sandbox while the grown-ups work inside. Which is, frankly, an unfair and ill-conceived perception. It is true that student journalism doesn’t cover issues that have national consequences and that student journalists are not writing articles that deal with natural disasters or coups or wars. But just because the subjects covered by articles in campus newspapers are not on a national or international scale doesn’t mean that the articles student newspapers produce are not important too. These are the articles – the only ones, for that matter – that speak to the needs and the problems of students. Any newspaper’s content is dened by its audience, dened by its range. And who says that an article on homophobia on campuses or an article on the language policies of a university, or an intervarsity article, isn’t as good, as well researched or as diligently written as an article in a national newspaper? Just because the audience is smaller, just because the content is only relevant to specic people, doesn’t mean it’s not important, doesn’t give people licence to label it
unprofessional or inexpert. Just because student journalism isn’t big journalism, doesn’t mean it isn’t good journalism. Students need a voice too. Students have unique issues, unique problems, unique areas that are newsworthy and that is why student media is vitally important. It gives those areas the voice it deserves. As much as I would like to claim that Perdeby is my newspaper, it’s not. Perdeby is your newspaper. Student media, rst and foremost, needs to voice the concerns of the student body it serves – a role no one else fulls. The media is supposed to serve society by holding those in power to account, and that needs to be done on campuses as much as it does anywhere else. Of course, the case can also be made that student journalism is important because it is providing a platfrom for young journalists to hone their skills. Normally I wouldn’t focus too much on this argument, because what I want to emphasise is that student journalism isn’t journalism by students (and therefore amateur) it’s journalism for students (and therefore just as valuable as journalism for any other audience). But, in the current, somewhat hostile, climate journalism nds itself the argument does deserve some attention. Watching journalism over the past few years, especially since my time as an editor at Perdeby, has been a little like watching my house burn down from the relative safety of the backyard. Anyone who has been paying the slightest bit of attention will know that journalism, its skewed practices and policies, its perceived dependence on sensation and abandonment of quality, has dominated not only local, but international, conversation. Things like the Media Tribunal and Protection of Information
bills at home and the News of the World scandal in England are both steering a dialogue on the future of journalism. Audiences don’t trust their newspapers anymore, they bemoan the quality, they question their objectivity – and with good reason. In a recent post of the Mail and Guardian’s Thought Leader blog, titled “Polishing turds won’t save our papers”, Alex Mathews writes the following: “Across the spectrum, the desire to offer compelling, relevant content to readers seems to have evaporated … a championing of mediocrity is much to blame.” I agree. Fully. I have, over the last year or so, lost faith in South African newspapers I used to trust, in content I used to devour, in front pages I used to admire that have now lost all vestiges of credibility. Sufce it to say there is only one South African newspaper I still read. But I will say this (believe me or not) that a desire to offer compelling, relevant content is exactly what drives student journalism, not only on this campus but on the campuses of UCT and Stellenbosch and Rhodes. And not only that, but there are stories published in national newspapers that wouldn’t have made it past my desk, that wouldn’t have made it into this paper and there are practices initiated by international media that I do not tolerate in my newsroom. Student journalism, now more than ever, is important because it will forge the future of journalism at a time when journalism needs to search its soul and redene itself. And here’s the thing: all over the country, all over the world, without much reward, without much fanfare, without much support, because they love it, students at campus newspapers are quietly trying to change the game, and winning
Agree or disagree? Let us know what you think by sending your views to perdeby@up.ac.za
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News
25 July ‘11
The times they are a-changin’ The SRC through the decades NINA VAN WYK On March 17 1909, Dr Reinik, UP’s management representative at the time, called a general meeting for UP students (In that year there were only 66 students enrolled at UP). In that meeting, Dr Reinik stated that, “… the senate desired the students to elect a certain number of students to represent them and act as an intermediary body between the senate and the council.” It was decided that the council would consist of eight students – three women and ve men. The composition of thE council changed many times over the years as the university evolved. In 1930, rst year students were allowed to join the SRC for the rst time. They were given two seats, one to be lled by a male and one by a female. The rest of the SRC included three juniors (two males), seven seniors (four males), one student from Onderstepoort and two from Normaalkolle.
In 1942 the composition of the council changed. The rst years were removed from the SRC because the rest of the SRC said that they did not know enough about student life to make informed decisions. The emergence of the SRC as a political body began in the 1980s when politics became prominent on campus. Potential members of the SRC were allowed to include political afliations in their campaigns in 1990. Some students showed their political choice by inviting former president FW de Klerk to come and speak to the students. Many students were against the government at the time and protested his speech. The SDS (Studente vir a Demokratiese Samelewing) invited former president Nelson Mandela to speak to the students a year later. His speech was cut short by student protests. Politics on campus became more prominent as South Africa neared democracy and began having more of an inuence on student governance. Political afliations became so
extreme among SRC members that by the early 2000s it all but fell apart because of in-ghting and conicting political loyalties. In 2007 the SRC underwent yet another change, divorcing campus politics and the SRC. According to the UP management at the time, political afliations had no place within the SRC which was never meant to be a political structure. Since its inception in 1909 the council was meant to be way for students to communicate with the university’s management. In 2007 Mr Chilu Chani became chairperson of the SRC. Chani was the rst non-white person to be elected as chairperson in 97 years. The following year, Miss Yolande van der Westhuizen was elected as chairperson, she was only the third female to ll the position. In 2006 the SRC was reconstructed again. The council of the University of Pretoria approved a new constitution for student governance. The decision to do this was made after general consultations with students and other stakeholders about the revision of the
student governance system. The new system has been in operation since 2007. According to the council, the new constitution “offers a constituency-based student representation and the participation of leaders elected in their individual capacity based on their leadership capabilities and track record rather than the ideologies of an externally-funded party.” The aim of the system is to ensure proper representation of UP student interests and an agenda that addresses real student issues, while at the same time eliminating the inherent divisiveness of a party-driven system. In 2009 the new system experienced difculties relating to problems with the ballot papers in a limited number of constituencies. Complaints were also received regarding the conduct of candidates contesting the election. In 2010 the elections went more uently, but only time will tell whether or not the new system will continue to work.
Watch your language THEUNS VAN RHYN It is hard to think that some time ago Tuks was an Afrikaans only university. English students would have to go to Wits or further to complete their tertiary education. Even Perdeby used to be Afrikaans only, but there was a continuous awareness about the rising presence of English. In the 3 June Perdeby of 1955, a concerned reader writes to the editor about his fears that “sing-songs” were becoming more English. Perdeby would end up publishling a story titled “Afrikaans én Engels nou plesierig op tuks” 39 years later. It was a rich article about how, not only Tuks, but also other universities like RAU and the University of the Free State had reformed to accommodate English.
The then rector and vice chancellor, Professor Flip Smit, said in the article that it was because of his love for Afrikaans and his wish to let it live on that he did not want to be rigid about the Tuks’s language policy. However, when asked if he thought Tuks would become a bilingual university, he said that he foresaw that it would keep its “Afrikaans character”. In the same article, Professor Victor Webb, lecturer in language policy at Tuks, said that there is a problem if one talks about a “socalled Afrikaans character” of a university that can be changed by language policy because Afrikaans speakers are not a homogeneous group. Though Tuks has grown to accommodate a much more diverse studentship, there are still some issues surrounding home language education.
Today, the question of whether Afrikaans will survive at Tuks still remains one of the major contentions on campus. Charl Oberholzer, SRC Chairperson, says that Afrikaans at Tuks has been deteriorating for the past 15 years. “Of the 150 study choices there were, there are only about 14 left that you can study all the way through in Afrikaans. The modules available in Afrikaans decline every year and with that the number of Afrikaans students.” He says that lots of the students feel apathetic towards the situation, because they are told that English is an international language. “Research done by the UN clearly shows a correlation between a country’s economic strength and the fact that it has a strong presence of home language education. Concepts in subjects like Maths and Science are better understood in one’s home language and
ultimately make one more successful,” he adds. Oberholzer and the SRC met with the Minister of Education, Blade Nzimande, at the end of last year, where they suggested that the formula used to determine how much money each university gets should be adjusted so that those universities that have more languages should get more money to develop those languages. “The minister has formed a committee which is headed by Cyril Ramaphosa and they are looking at these possibilities. But it has taken far too long already,” said Oberholzer. One thing remains certian, the language issue will remain at the top of the agenda of the students, management and government, but for now a resolution that makes everyone happy is nowhere in sight.
NUMSA protesters attack Perdeby photographer DESRÉ BARNARD The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) staged protests in Chamdor, outside Krugersdorp, on 14 July. Perdeby photographer JP Nathrass, who was photographing the protest, was attacked by strikers. Nathrass arrived at 07:00 and found no police present. An unidentied protester confronted Nathrass, calling him a “bloody agent.” Nathrass decided to leave the area and return when the police had arrived. At approximately 11:00 Nathrass returned to nd a different group of protesters. “There were women and older men, where earlier it was just younger people,” Nathrass said. “I parked up the street and explained to a police ofcer that I am a student journalist and would like to photograph the strikes.” After requesting identication, the ofcer instructed Nathrass to speak to the leader of the group. “They said it was ne, but they didn’t want their faces in the photographs,” Nathrass said. “I went back to my car to fetch my camera and the younger people at the back of the protest began saying that I couldn’t take
pictures.” According to Nathrass, the group seemed agitated by his presence and a second unidentied protester said to him that they “don’t need [his] f****** pictures.” The man then attacked Nathrass. “He hit me with a knopkierie and I dropped my camera. As I was picking it up, he punched me,” Nathrass explained. The crowd pulled the man away and the police arrested him. The man was released when Nathrass said he did not want to press charges. Nathrass sustained minor injuries to his face. The Citizen reported that two people were injured when a supervisor at an engineering company in Krugersdorp allegedly shot at striking protesters. In addition, four protesters were injured when police red rubber bullets at the strikers. NUMSA embarked on mass action against engineering and steel rms in the beginning of July. The union was demanding a 13% wage increase. Strikers ended the two-week strike when they accepted the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of South Africa’s offer of a 10% wage increase. Photo: News24
News
25 July ‘11
Rag R1.5 million in debt BAREND TAUTE According to a recent audit carried out by PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers), Tuks Rag has been accumulating debt since 2008, the same year UP took control of Rag’s nances, to the tune of R1.5 million. However, this nding came as a surprise to Rag, who received outstanding nancial statements from the university’s nance department on 30 September 2010, which show that Rag had a prot of R225 453 in 2009 and a decit of only R3 811 in 2010. The discrepancy between these gures and the ndings of PwC is still being investigated. Any payment made by Rag that is over R20 000 has to be approved by the dean of students, Prof. McGlory Speckman, as well as the Department of Finance. In late 2010, for instance, UP allowed Tuks Rag to pay out R200 000 to charity organisations Karos and Kambroo. The registrar, Prof. N Grové, says that this was done “on the basis of prior commitments entered into by Rag.” Other reported instances that led to accumulation of Rag’s debt was a failure by donors to deliver on promised funds. The Gauteng Youth Commission promised to donate over R800 000 to Rag, but failed to do so. According to Lesego Moeketsi, Rag Chairperson for the 2010/2011 term, Rag, “[has] not received any audited nancial statements or any management accounts for a period of three years, despite numerous requests.” This was up until September 2010. Thus, since late 2010 Rag has continued their work without an accurate picture of their
nancial position or any idea that they were accumulating debt. Rag’s account at UP is currently frozen and budget cuts have been suggested for Rag in its next nancial year. According to Grové, “A turnaround strategy that addresses the various problems facing Tuks Rag, at a nancial as well as systemic level, is being developed. Some of the traditional Rag projects are becoming very expensive to stage and the income from these projects is not increasing concomitantly.” It remains unclear which projects Grové is referring to. The intitial move by the university to take control of Rag’s nances was labelled “unlawful” by the Rag committee at the time. UP, however, turned to CLS Consulting Services to determine whether any laws were contravened. After investigation, CLS concluded that it was not unlawful for UP to incorporate Tuks Rag’s nances into their own. Rag requested legal advice from Advocate MC Maritz. According to Maritz, “It is clear that UP was not in law to take control of consultant’s (Tuks Rag) nancial management”. Maritz adds, “The failure to prepare nancial statements and to submit the required nancial report constitutes a further contravention.” The former acting dean of students Dr M Madiba however ensures students that “Rag will continue next year.” The current Rag committe could not be reached for comment and did not respond to questions from Perdeby about how, and if, anything about Rag and its management will change to their nancial situation around.
SRC election date announced The 2011 SRC elections were announced on Monday 18 July. It will take place on 13 September. According to SRC member Duncan Platt, the general feeling from the current SRC is that the elections are taking place too quickly. “The candidate nomination period is taking
place too soon. Most students and societies are scurrying to get their things in order for this semester and nd their feet, let alone nd suitable candidates. Some members feel that an extension on the nomination date would be appreciated,” Platt said.
SELF MEDICATION It’s so easy to self medicate these days. Walk into any supermarket chain or discount pharmacy and you have easy access to a myriad of “cures” for a wide variety of ailments. But before you reach for the nearest pain killer for those menstrual pains together with a one day u cure , have you considered that the possible interactions between drugs no matter how trivial seeming could lead to serious consequences and even death. A lot of u medications have pain killers in them which if taken with another could cause or worsen problems with stomach ulcers, cause severe drowsiness, inuence the effectiveness of your oral contraceptive and if taken with alcohol could lead to serious physical and mental impairment. With the rising costs of medical treatment, doctor visits and medical aid costs it makes sense to want to self-medicate however you have considered the effect on other medication you may be using, other medical conditions or other possible treatments …..The best would be advice would be ASK YOUR PHARMACIST. Our pharmacist will get clarity on you current symptoms, assess the need to seek further medical attention or help you self medicate with the safest, most effective and appropriate treatment. Our pharmacists are accessible, knowledgeable, friendly and have a deep passion for your well-being. So rather then “googling”, asking your room mate, or your gran for what to do about the red blotches you just noticed on your ASK OUR PHARMACIST. CALL :012 3424546/7 E-MAIL:woolfsons@gmail.com ADRESSS: The Fields 1066 Burnett street
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Res Update
25 July ‘11
Res through the years KATLEGO MKHWANAZI Looking back at the history of the residences, it becomes clear that the more things change, the more things stay the same. 1. Sonop is one of the residences that has stayed true to its res tradition. Sonop still goes on the Drommedaris cycle tour which started more than thirty years ago. 2. Rag oats are still being built and residences have kept the traditions of vouing blommetjies alive and well. Perdeby understands that the oats of long ago regularly suffered from
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rain damage, as they didn’t have the advantage of being made out of plastic and polystyrene, but cardboard. Shame. But at least cardboard is easier to work with. You win some, you lose some. 3. It seems the rst years in the 60s and 70s were not amused by the act of sleeping. But who can blame them? Waking up early in the morning and then running to the female residences or waiting outside res for the male residences to pitch up and then having to belt out a note to each other isn’t our idea of fun either.
5. First years cheering at a res event and it’s great to see that the residences have continued with this culture. However, the amount of cheering that you do in your rst year is insane. One of the things you’ll always remember in your Ienk year is the many res songs/war cries you sang. These rst years seem like they understand your pain.
Images: UP Archive
4. This is one of the oldest dinning halls at TuksRes, JAKE dinning hall. It’s used by Jasmyn, Asterhof, Klaradyn and Erika.
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In the spirit of time travelling Pssst... decided to go back in time to see which residences gave Pssst... something worth writing about. Some residences have not changed their ways while others underwent some serious image reconstruction. So here is a Pssst... version of then and now. The beef: “Mopanie en Maroela het die vakansie so na mekaar verlang dat hulle vroeg al begin het om appels te skud het dat `n Maroela seun se armpie gebreek het” (1997) – Pssst... is bly die “Maroepanie” russie het `n breuk gevat. “Wanner gaan die manne van Olienhout leer dat dit regtig nie cool is om in die square te ‘probeer’ boks nie?” (2001) – Selfs na tien jaar is Olienhout nog steeds besig om die square te verwal met `n vegkruit. Wanneer gaan julle ooit leer? “Maroela het vir Taaibos se vensters uit geskop” (2001) – Weereens is Taaibos die slagoffer, maar wie sal ooit hierdie manne kan ernstig op neem in `n geveg? “Maroela and Sonop ght at Aster’s house dance” (2007) – Pssst... isn’t sure why anyone would ght over the Asters. Anyway, Pssst... thinks Maroela has gone soft. Maybe the fruity men have handed their boxing gloves over to Olienhout. Some things never change: “Pssst... wonder maar net wie was verantwoordelik vir die skade aan die waterfonteitjie by die Amteater en vir die steel van die landswapen by die Unie-gebou. Pssst... wil net sê: Olienhout los asseblief die wapen op die nuwe geld uit” (90’s)
Not much has changed over the last decades, including the role this hall plays in rst year weight gain.
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– Olienhout is nog steeds besig om hulself skuldig te maak aan wangedrag daarom is Pssst… oortuig dat hierdie manne nooit sal groot word nie. Daar’s `n baie fyn lyn tussen hoërskool en universiteit en duidelik is dit nog baie dof. “Pssst... wants to advise the Klarries that they shouldn’t dance on the tables or “brul” if they had too much to drink because this might just frighten your date away” (2005) – The Klarries are still scaring men away and it’s not just because of your nauseating colour. “Boekenhout can’t let go of the little things. Even when things are going well like when the fellas win a rugby game, they still moan about heartache and babbelas” (2005) – Boekenhout is still known for always making a big deal out of nothing. Talk about drama queens. Yes, queens. So unnecessary. Count yourself lucky if you haven’t heard the ystermanne moan. “Pssst... sees Katjiepering must be quite unattractive considering they can’t even get drunken Kollege guys to give them the least bit of attention” (2009) – Katjiepiering probeer nog steeds en dit sal seker so aan gaan vir die volgende generasie … of twee. Julle sal altyd een van die seuns wees, meisies. Fact or ction? “Die mooiste meisies op die kampus bly in Erika” (1973) – Really? Pssst... isn’t sure if this is still true. The other female residences are giving Erika a run for its money. But Pssst... will ask the Eifelmanne if this is true. That is if they are able to look at anyone else, but themselves for just a second. The sad: “Asterhof het hulleself bereid verklaar om met Kollege te jool op leë voorwaarde: Kollege moet help volt bou. Pssst... vermoed egter dat dit net nog een van Kollege se leё beloftes was” (1996) – Pssst... is impressed with Asterhof’s alumni who gave Kollege an ultimatum. It seems the female residences today don’t know how to put their foot/pump down, especially when it comes to Kollege. There may be fewer male residences at Tuks, but ladies, don’t ever become desperate. Yes, this is directed at you Inca.
“Maroela heard Katjiepiering’s serenade practice the other night and the men assured Pssst... that there is no win coming from these ladies. But this is Maroela’s opinion, the only residence at Tuks that can’t keep a note” (2005) – Maroela men were correct in predicting that indeed no win will come from Katjie, but Pssst... still has faith in the rst ladies. As for Maroela being unable to hold a note, well it seems that hasn’t changed, but someone else is competing for that title, Kiaat. Change is good: “Klaradyn is besig om ‘n nuwe tradisie te verstig. Hulle sêrrie deesdae by die dameskoshuise. Die een koshuis wat hulle nog maar eenmaal nie van kan wegbly nie, is Jasmyn. Jammer Klaradyn, Jasmyn stel rêrig nie belang nie” (1985) – A lot has denitely changed since 1985. Firstly, the ladies stopped performing their serrie at female residences this year. Secondly, Jasmyn and Klaradyn can’t stand one another, even though they are neighbours separated by just a “fence” as high as their mascots. I guess good fences make good neighbours. “Pssst... hoor dat die meisies van Magrietjie maar gesukkel het om dates vir hulle feesjaar dinee te kry. Pssst... wonder wat die rede daarvoor kan wees, is dit miskien omdat die meisies van Magrietjie so breed soos hulle gebou is?” (2001) – Pssst... is glad to see that Magrietjie has loosened up over the years. The pink poppies show it off each year with their Serrie and Ienkmelodienk. From being sexy referees to rocking cowboy boots in shorts, I mean short shorts. Pssst... really thinks Magrietjie should have an age restriction for their performances. “Pssst... wants to inform the Groenkloof residences that you cannot use the excuse of ‘being young residences’ for not ‘doing so well’ anymore” (2006) – Pssst... would like to give props to Kiaat for stepping it up over the past ve years and reminding the older residences that Kiaat means business. The Groenkloof ladies however, are still using that old excuse. But maybe 2012 will be your year, seeing as it’s a year associated with unusual happenings.
Retrospective
25 July ‘11
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25 July ‘11
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Features
25 July ‘11
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Ons welgedaan Tukkiedames MIGNON PEENS In hierdie Perdeby herdenkingsuitgawe kyk ons bietjie na die Tukkiedames van die 1970’s in vergelyking met die moderne Tukkiedames. Die sewentigerjare was bekend vir die klem wat dit op die posisie van `n vrou in die samelewing geplaas het, asook die instelling van vroueregte. Daar het dus ook `n weeklikse “Damesblad” in die Perdeby verskyn in die sewentigs. In die beginjare van die Universiteit van Pretoria was daar slegs `n handjievol dames wat die besluit geneem het om universiteit aan te pak, in plaas daarvan om dadelik die rol van `n huisvrou in te neem. Die vrouens wat wél besluit het om te studeer het kursusse soos huishoudkunde en ander soortgelyke studierigtings gevolg. In vandag se tyd produseer Tuks suksesvolle beroepsvroue wat nie net die kuns van huishouding kan bemeester nie, maar ook ingenieurswese, medies en welke ander studierigting wat deur Tuks aangebied word. Tuks is ook vandag ideaal vir die Tukkiedame wat `n broep in sport wil volg, en het al menige beroemde vroulike sportsterre opgelei. In die sewentigs het die prentjie baie anders gelyk. Daar was verskeie advertensies en artikels in Perdeby wat die ideale vrou van daardie jare voorgestel het. Advertensies oor verloofringe, dansklasse, naaldwerkklasse, haarstylmodes en selfs ballet leotards was oral te sien. Die weeklikse “Damesblad” het onder andere “Wat weet jy dame?”-raaisels bevat met algemene kennis vrae soos “Wie is mej. SA van 1975?” en instruksies vir die dame soos “Hoe om jou kar se band om te ruil”. Die “Damesblad” het ook gereeld poёsie publiseer wat protesteer het teen die oppressie van die vrou, soos Ingrid Jonker se “Die stem van die vrou” en Antjie Krog se bekende woorde “Ek is, die Here hoor my, `n vry f****n vrou” te voorskyn gebring. Tuks is vandag `n moderne liberale kampus met `n variasie van studente, wat hulself kleed nes hul begeer en uitdrukking gee aan die identiteite wat hulle vir hulself skep. Mens kry iets van alles op kampus, van primadonna’s in hoёhakskoene, tot kaalvoet hippies met kopbande. In die konserwatiewe sewentigerjare was Perdeby vol artikels soos “Dames Uniek” wat gestipuleer het dat die dames verhoed word om behoorlik te kon uitdrukking gee aan hul kreatiwiteit en oorspronklikheid. Dit was as gevolg van die kledingregulasies en gedragskodes wat hulle moes volg, byvoorbeeld die lengtes van hul rompies, ensovoorts. Die artikel “Dames rook ondergronds” was die artikel wat die stereotipering van die Asterhof-trouvrou geskep het en die verwagtinge van `n opregte dame gestel het. Nog voorbeelde van artikels wat die rol van die vrou as middelpunt gehad het, was “Invloede verdeel tukkies” wat `n kritiese artikel oor die ontwikkeling van die
samelewing se ideologie van beskawing was, en `n artikel oor wat vrouwees beteken in die terrein van politiek, met die titel “Nabetragting”. Daar was ook `n “Finesse-week” met die slagspreuk “Tukkiedames, hoe verantwoord ons die eise wat aan ons gestel word? Die eis om vrou te wees op elke terrein van die lewe.” Tydens hierdie Finesse-week het menige kundiges, professors en dokters in die Musaion op kampus die dames kom spreek oor sake soos effektiewe kommunikasie, die uitdagings en rol van die jong vrou, dissipline begin by die kinderwiggie, gesinsbeplanning, ginekologie en sielkundige uitwerking van die studentediensburo.
Vandag is die rol van Tukkiesdames baie anders, te danke aan die meisies wat braaf genoeg was om te veg vir hul, (en ons) regte in die sewentigerjare. Vandag studeer ons wat ons wil, dra wat ons wil en ons weet dat wanneer ons werkgeleenthede begin soek, ons `n regverdige kans sal hê om aangestel te word – anders as in die sewentigs – die werk te kry en dieselfde betaal te word as ons manlike kollegas. Die vraag is egter: Wat is nou die rol van dames op kampus? Watter bydrae gaan ons maak vir die toekomstige dames wat by Tuks studeer? En wat gaan Perdeby van ons dekade se Tukkiesdames te sê hê oor dertig jaar van nou af?
Foto: UP argiewe
Troukoors: nou of nooit? MAGDALEEN SNYMAN Is jy een van daai mense wat dink wit laat jou vet lyk, wat nie kans sien vir `n Cruella de Vil-skoonma nie en wat in koue sweet uitslaan op die eerste note van die troumars? Jy is nie alleen nie. Volgens onlangse studies deur die BBC is trou so uit die mode soos `n jas uit die pels van `n bedreigde spesie. Nie moeilik om te glo wanneer studies wys dat vier uit elke tien huwelike in `n egskeiding sal eindig nie. Wanneer die egskeiding bonop met die kliek van `n muis verkry kan word, is die statistieke in sekere lande glad nie verbasend nie. Volgens die skrywer en redakteur, James Walsh, is die idee van `n huwelik nie meer populêr nie as gevolg van die gejaagde wêreld waarin ons lewe. Walsh beweer dat mense deesdae ongeduldige lewens lei en dat `n suksesvolle beroep hulle weerhou om die emosionele gewig van `n huwelik te wil dra. Mense maak nie meer keuses wat die res van hulle lewens bepaal nie, hulle verkies `n buigbare toekoms. Die nansiële verantwoordelikheid sit baie mense ook af. Die dae van jou maand se salaris in een naweek saam met vriende wegpartytjie en dan die volgende drie weke van tuna op provitas leef, is verby, want jy het `n verantwoordelikheid teenoor iemand anders. Walsh beweer verder dat sommige mense voel hulle seksualiteit word beperk deur net een maat vir die res van hulle lewens te hê. Saambly, “commitment seremonies” en langafstand verhoudings oor die internet is nie net modieus nie, maar ook meer prakties vir baie paartjies regoor die wêreld. “Mens hoef nie meer te trou nie, jy kan saambly. Dis amper soos `n toets om te kyk of trou ooit sal werk,” vertel Armand van Rensburg, `n eerstejaar Ingenieurswese student. Te danke aan `n meer oopkop samelewing is daar deesdae glad nie meer dieselfde druk op paartjies om te trou as wat daar `n paar dekades terug was nie. Volgens Amy Read, `n eerstejaar BCom Rekeningkunde student, wil meeste mense deesdae eers heeltemal grootword
en hulle eie doelwitte bereik voor hulle hul lewens met iemand anders deel. In vandag se samelewing kraai die individu koning en baie mense sien trou as `n bedreiging vir hulle persoonlike vryheid. “Ons het nie meer mans nodig om kinders te hê nie en dis glad nie weird vir `n vrou om alleen `n kind groot te maak nie,” beweer `n tweedejaar LLB student wat verkies om anoniem te bly. Tog is daar steeds die sewejarige dogtertjie wat droom van haar groot dag terwyl sy Barbie en Ken se huwelik op die mat in haar kamer laat bevestig deur `n teddiebeer. “Mense trou nog, hulle doen dit net later in hulle lewe as wat hulle ouers dit gedoen het,” sê André Combrink, `n eerstejaar BA student. Twintig jaar gelede was dit nie ongewoon om al in jou tweedejaar verloof te wees nie, maar deesdae wil meeste jongmense nie trou voor hulle ten minste vyf-en-twintig is nie. Om vandag te dink dat jy uit die koshuis na jou eerste huis as `n getroude man of vrou moet gaan, sal baie studente hulle kursus sommer met vyf jaar laat verleng. “Ek sal eendag trou, maar dit gaan nie die tradisionele kerktroue wees nie ... ons sal dit meer persoonlik en interessant maak,” vertel Werner Ernest, `n tweedejaar BSc student. Daar is vandag meer as genoeg maniere om jou spesiale dag onkonvensioneel te maak.Van `n kameelrit deur die woestyn tot `n onderwaterseremonie – die opsies is soveel soos jou verbeelding toelaat. “Ek sal defnitief trou, dit maak dinge ofcial, gee mens ondersteuning in moeilike tye en dis deel van my geloof,” vertel Jandri Webber, `n eerstejaar BCom student. Miskien is daar nogsteeds plek vir trou in die moderne samelewing en dalk selfs `n beter plek, omdat daar minder druk op jongmense is om te trou. Wat baie duidelik is, is dat studente wil wag totdat hulle reg voel om te trou, al beteken dit hulle moet in die paadjie aoop met `n loopraam in plaas van saam met hul pa’s. Illustrasie: Ezelle van der Heever
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25 July ‘11
Features
When seeing isn’t believing MASENTLE NTHOLENG
Do you miraculously know who is on the other end of the landline when someone calls? Have you seen dead people? Do you know when you are about to be dumped? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are clairvoyant. All right, that last one was a bit of a joke, but you could easily surprise yourself with a paranormal gift. Belief in clairvoyance has grown throughout the years: para-psychological research shows that the general belief of the existence of clairvoyant abilities grew from 26% in 1990 to 49% in 2005. Clairvoyance refers to the ability to gain information about an object, person, location or physical event through means other than the known human senses. The topic of clairvoyants, mediums, palm readers and psychics is a very controversial one because, though many people believe in it, there is very little scientic evidence that proves it even exists at all. The concept of clairvoyance even gained some support from the US and Russian governments during and after the Cold War. Both governments made several attempts to harness it as an intelligence-gathering tool. Often clairvoyance is associated with religious or shamanic gures. Locally, people visit sangomas for a proudly South African experience. According to sceptics, clairvoyance is the result of fraud and self-delusion and it is not scientically or logically clear. An example of this is John Edward. Internationally, the likes of John Edward of Crossing Over with John Edward fame introduced us to the art of being a medium. Mediums are supposedly channels between the living and the dead. Critics assert that he uses fraudulent techniques of hot reading and cold reading, in which one respectively uses prior knowledge or a wide selection of quick and sometimes general guesses, to create the idea of psychic ability. Choosing the rst reading from a two-hour tape of edited shows, magician and sceptic James Randi found that just three of twenty three statements made by Edward were conrmed as correct by the audience member being read, and the three statements that were correct were also trivial and unclear. James Underdown of the Independent Investigative Group (IIG), attended a Crossing Over
show in November 2002 and said, “John struggled to get hits, and in one attempt shot off nearly forty guesses before nding any signicant targets.” Along with the other para-psychological gifts Perdeby has mentioned, there are also other kinds such as clairsentience (feeling/touching), clairaudience (hearing/listening), clairalience (smelling), claircognisance (knowing) and clairgustance (tasting). These terms basically mean that a person has the ability
to connect to the other side, tell you of your past, future or present by using one of these enhanced senses. They always say “don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it”, and Perdeby encourages you to explore the clairvoyant in you. So if you put something in your mouth and you start hearing a voice, it is probably your deceased grandmother telling you the person that cooked the dish got the recipe wrong.
Image: Ezelle van der Heever
Entertainment
25 July ‘11
Jare van vermaak
JACO JORDAAN
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Dit voel nogal aardig om as wit Afrikaanssprekende deur die Perdeby-argiewe uit die 1960’s en 70’s te blaai. Die dodelike erns waarmee nasionalisme en sedelikheid in sommige rubrieke geprys word is effe onrusbarend. Dis soos om deur `n familiealbum te kyk en elke nou en dan op `n vernederende foto van jou en jou niggies en nees kaal in die bad af te kom. Gelukkig is daar nie nét artikels oor die uitverkorenheid van die Afrikaner en waarskuwings oor volksvreemde invloede nie. Hier is `n paar ligter oomblikke uit daardie donker tyd in ons verlede.
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Kyk net na hierdie advertensie wat naaktheid gebruik om boeke te verkoop! (28 Februarie 1968) Tukkies is selfs bereid om die geoorloofde geslagsrolle te verslap om `n “heildronk op die intervarsity” te drink, no homo (seks tussen mans kon sewe jaar tronkstraf beteken). (15 Maart 1968) Jasmyn was nog altyd bekend vir hul siese stamina (ahem) en hier wys hulle hoe belangrik ksheid vir toekomstige volksmoeders is. (29 Maart 2009) `n Lid van die Afrikaner Studentebeweging (met die sinistere afkorting A.S.B.) is slaggereed om die liberale en
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kommuniste die stryd aan te sê. (29 Mei 1968) Die oorspronklike seksistiese onderskrif lui: “Mnr. Andeon Visagie en sy astertjie maak `n passie tydens Kollege se hippie-bokjol.” Te oordeel aan mnr. Visagie en sy naamlose dansmaat se lyftaal het die gees van vrye liefde nog nie heeltemal na hulle toe deurgesyfer nie – maar die blompatrone wel. (14 Junie 1968) Dirk Wissing, voorsitter van die trampolienklub, maak `n bollemakiesie oor `n Mini. Hoekom? Want hy kan. (27 September 1968)
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25 July ‘11
Entertainment
Ashtray Electric: Measured in Falls NADINE LAGGAR
Two years after Bonjour, Ashtray Electric have launched their second album, Measured in Falls. Perdeby caught up with André Pienaar (vocals and guitar), Rudi Cronje (guitar), Regardt Nel (bass and backing vocals) and Rupert Nel (drums) at the Pretoria leg of the band’s tour to nd out more about truth, deception and swabbing. André, the lyrics on Measured in Falls centre around the concept of truth and deception. What’s the inspiration behind dealing with this kind of subject matter? André: I think Measured in Falls is about, well, the title basically is trying to say that in the past two years we’ve all grown up a lot and I feel that your age is [not a] depiction of your maturity. I think it’s more about how many times you f**k up and what you do to correct that. And I think that we all f**k up and we all lie about it. It’s subject matter that everyone deals with. Rudi: I don’t think people really want to admit that sometimes you c**k up and you’ve got to live with it. The sooner you make peace with things the sooner you can deal with it and move on with life. And obviously you learn a lesson. Just don’t c**k up again. André: Let’s not disguise everything in metaphors. Like in “Angst”, the rst line it says, “Baptised in angst … I’ll be honest this time.” So it’s just not trying to beat around the bush, it’s going like, “f**k it.” How would you say Measured in Falls differs from your debut album Bonjour? Rudi: I think it’s, like, two years in between? Growing up, we’re better musos than we were. We write better music now, we think. We worked long and hard on it, you know. I think you learn a lot. You learn from the rst album. Now we’re writing music instead of just songs around riffs. There’s more thought behind it. Regardt: You don’t listen to the same music all the time. You grow with your music and you get interested in other things. You basically evolve in that sense. We had a lot of time to sit on this album and to write and to think things through. To really make sure that the songs we wrote were what we wanted to write.
André: And I think the rst one we basically had, like, eleven or twelve songs and that’s what went on. This time we wrote about sixteen full songs and had ve or six ideas and narrowed it all down to eleven tracks that we really feel were good and worth putting down on a disc. André, you’ve said that Measured in Falls is a dictation of fears, trusts and other internal questions. Would you guys say that the creation of this album has been an introspective process? And if so, has it made the album more personal in a way for the band? André: I think we all have our own take on the band and the reason why I write lyrics
in songs is, I mean, it’s my diary. That’s how I process s**t. So I wouldn’t be writing if it wasn’t an introspective experience because I wouldn’t be getting anything out of it. I learn so much about myself when I sit down with a paper and pen. But there are some lyrics that I’ve included things of these guys’ lives in. I don’t know if they’ve picked up on it or not. The cover art for the new album features each guy’s DNA strand. What’s the correlation between the cover and the album’s content? Regardt: Stripped bare. You can’t lie about your DNA. That is who you are. André: That is as honest as you can get.
Rudi: It’s quite funny that all of ours look the same though. How was the experience of working with Gazelle on your single “Release”? Regardt: It was a refreshing experience. It was something new for us. We’ve never done something like that before. We wrote this song halfway and we just got stuck. [There] was drunken bar banter and I think Rudi said let’s do a [collaboration] for the fun of it. We pulled this half-song out and gave it to DJ Invisible. He messed around with it and added some really cool synth-y stuff to it, some production and Bob’s your uncle. Rudi: It’s a true [collaboration], though. It’s not like we wrote the song and just asked them to sing the chorus. It was written by the two of us together. It’s kind of frustrating because every single channel, just because our names are rst, says us featuring Gazelle but it’s not. It’s us with Gazelle. Regardt: And it’s quite interesting. It was our rst, sort of, big commercial single, on the commercial stations and we recorded everything in the garage, which is quite ironic. You’re on tour now promoting the new album. What item/s do you regard as key to your survival on the road? Rudi: Guitars. Regardt: Spur. André: Spur and guitars. Regardt: Spur, cigarettes and water. Rudi: Lots of water. Lots and lots and lots. André: We go along the route of, like, instead of trying not to drink too much we just x that by consuming as much water as we can. Rudi: You have to balance it out, you know. It’s hard being on the road for that long. It’s South Africa. You don’t y on private jets and things like that. Life’s good but it’s not private jets and people carrying your stuff. There’s still a lot you have to do yourself. It does party hard every now and again so you have to balance it out. André: Electrolytes. Rudi: I think the best thing to have with you is an awesome attitude. [laughs] I had to bring in the cheese on that one. That one was begging for the cheese. Photo: JP Nathrass
Entertainment
KIRSTI BUICK Aqua “Barbie Girl”: our generation’s version of that awkward chicken dance middle-aged people do at parties. But where did the bubble-gum pop band that created this masterpiece of cheese disappear to? Well, the Danish-Norwegian group consisted of vocalists Lene Nystrøm and René Dif (the squeaky one), keyboardist Søren Rasted and guitarist Claus Norreen. Apparently (pay close attention, this is where things get complicated) Lene and René had initially been dating, but
25 July ‘11
then they split and Lene, the hound dog, began dating Søren. According to the Danish media, René was not too pleased about this. So in 2001, just four years after the release of “Barbie Girl”, they split. Aqua, not Lene and Søren. But there is a happy ending to this tragic romance: Aqua have set aside their issues to release a new album this year. Ricky Martin Last year, Ricky nally conrmed the rumours of homosexuality that had followed him for almost a decade. And now, the Puerto Rican singer has taken the next step: theatre. The star is conrmed to play Ché in the 2012 Broadway revival of
13 Evita. Perdeby hopes this new gig will leave him enough time to take care of his four-year-old twins, Matteo and Valentino. A surrogate mother gave birth to the boys in 2008. The Cosby Show Kids Bill Cosby’s The Cosby Show may be one of the best-loved sitcoms of all time. Perdeby still wonders why this was the show’s name, as Cosby’s character was actually called Heathcliff Huxtable. Incidentally, Perdeby also wonders what happened to the billions of Huxtable children on the show. If you occasionally wonder such things too, here is the answer: Sabrina Le Beauf (Sondra on the show – the one who eventually had twins and called them Nelson and Winnie) now owns her own interior design company. Lisa Bonet (Denise – who married the divorced guy with the daughter) eloped with, had a child with, and divorced Lenny Kravitz. Busy girl! Malcolm-Jamal Warner (the only Huxtable boy, Theo) still acts, and now also directs music videos and sitcoms and has released two EPs. Tempest Bledsoe (Vanessa – the nosy one) is the new host of the hit TV series Clean House. Keshia Knight Pulliam (Rudy – the cute one) now plays a reformed con artist in Tyler Perry’s House of Payne. The Spice Girls This 90s pop sensation was arguably the biggest girl band of all time. But, sadly, all that girl power couldn’t last forever. The rst one to lose it was Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice) when she left the group in 1998. It was all downhill from there: although the four remaining girls released their third album, they too called it quits in 2000. The girls (can we still call them girls?) made a brief comeback in 2007 – with a tour and a mediocre album – but have yet to work together since. Interestingly enough, however, rumours are circulating about a possible Spice Girls musical, entitled Viva Forever. The show will reportedly follow in the footsteps of Mamma Mia! and will be based on the Spice Girls music, rather than their personal story. Sarah Michelle Gellar So why has Buffy disappeared off the face of the earth? Perhaps she just has no work, now that the vampires have all turned good and sparkly. As it turns out, however, Sarah Michelle Gellar’s fame has not simply been eclipsed (excuse the pun) by the Twilight era. Mrs Freddie Prinze Jr took a break from vampire slaying and mystery solving to raise her daughter, Charlotte Grace. Aw. But she will be back on American TV screens in September in the new series Ringer. Image: JP Nathrass
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Sport
25 July ‘11
Watch this space: a new star athlete CARLO COCK The Tuks Athletics Club has a long history of producing worldclass athletes who have reached the top of the sport, winning Olympic medals and world championships. Tuks athlete Andries van der Merwe is a young, talented and determined future star, seemingly destined to join the long list of superstars to emerge from the club. Taking into consideration his obvious talent, his tender age and the fact that he is at a club steeped in history with a proven trackrecord of success, it would appear Van der Merwe has the world at his feet. Although he was born in Windhoek, Namibia, the 17-year-old sensation chose to represent South Africa and has already begun to create waves in the world of athletics. He is currently the fastest junior athlete in the world in the 110m hurdles, with an outstanding personal best of 13.39 seconds. He ran the time at the Southern Region Youth Champs and in doing so became number one in the IAAF world rankings for the event, just ahead of fellow South African Tiaan Smit. He was recently selected as one of 36 athletes who represented South Africa at the IAAF Youth World Championships held in Lille, France. These championships have seen the emergence of several superstars over the years who have gone on to replicate their success at the highest levels of the sport. The South African team that went to the championships was one of the most exciting the nation has put together in years. There were several athletes who were expected to bring home a medal in their respective events. Van der Merwe, being one of only two South African youth athletes to hold the number one world ranking in his event, faced the pressure of high expectations. He stood ďƒžrm and converted his number one ranking into a gold medal with an impressive 13.41 seconds. While he may be still relatively unknown, it will surely not be long before Van der Merwe is a household name and joins the likes of LJ van Zyl, Khotso Mokoena and Caster Semenya as an international star.
Photo provided
In Memorium
25 July ‘11
Messages in a bottle
On Thursday 7 July 2011 we lost a beloved friend. Cobus Coetzee sadly drowned while on holiday with his family and friends. As a sport journalist Cobus was a much valued member of the Perdeby team. Actually, Perdeby is a family and losing Cobus is like losing a brother. He was our James Bond, our handyman, the smile you need at the end of a bad day and the
type of man you only read about in fairy tales. When a person close to our hearts is suddenly lost we often ask ourselves why. Why him? Why now? I think I might know the answer. He was too good for us. We couldn’t keep him. We miss you.
In die laaste artikel wat ek van Cobus Coetzee gelees het, skryf hy oor die Foekoesjima-kernramp en die aardbewing wat daartoe gelei het. “Vir baie Japannese het die 11de Maart 2011 soos `n gewone Vrydagoggend begin,” skryf hy. Toe ek van Cobus se dood gehoor het, was hierdie intro van sy artikel die eerste ding waaraan ek gedink het. Hoe daardie laaste dag by die see seker vir hom ook soos enige ander dag verloop het. Ek kan ook nie ophou dink aan die laaste keer wat ek hom gesien het: toe hy en sy klasmaats, Theuns en Roux, in my kantoor gestaan het; verlig dat hul TV-dokumentêr afgehandel is en opgewonde oor die vakansie. Cobus was nie eers bekommerd
oor sy punte nie. Hy het gesê hy gaan nie daaraan dink tot hy terug is in Pretoria nie. Hy kon met `n geruste hart gaan vakansie hou: hy het uitstekend gevaar. Soos ek hierdie skryf, kyk ek weer na daardie artikel. In die intro haal hy Marié Curie aan wanneer hy skryf oor die inwoners van Japan wat “niks in die lewe gevrees nie, maar dit net probeer verstaan (het)”. Wanneer ek dink aan die rustigheid en stil sin vir humor wat Cobus in `n klein klas-omgewing uitgestraal het , is ek seker hy het die lewe redelik goed verstaan. Marenet Jordaan, UP joernalistiek dosent
Cobus Coetzee was a ne young man with a great future ahead of him. We are very shocked to hear of his untimely death. Cobus was quietly condent with strong determination and excelled in the sport of wrestling at national level. He was always willing to assist where needed in arranging events and took responsibility in his role as student respresentative of TuksWrestling. He actively participated in coaching at the wrestling club, ploughing back his skills among the young wrestlers of the club. We mourn his
tragic death. He will be sadly missed by his friends and peers at the club. We offer our sincere condolences to his family and in particular his father Frederick and mother Myrina and sister Christelle. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this extremely difcult time. TuksWrestling
Vir Cobus Jy het my hart gestrek, my gees versterk. En al voel ek oorweldig deur pyn, weet ek dat jou glimlag nou en vir altyd oor ons almal sal skyn. Jy’t `n plek in ons harte wat niemand kan belemmer. Vir jou Cobus, sal ons die see leeg skep met `n emmer. Het ek ooit vir jou gesê jy is my heel gunsteling mens. Charlotte Keuris, Sport Redakteur
Cobus, who was generous, who was sincere, who was good and kind and strong, who was, without any doubt, the best person I knew, who lived fully and will be missed dearly, and be forever in our hearts. Beyers de Vos, Editor
Jy was `n wonderlike voorbeeld en `n positiewe motivering vir almal met wie jy in aanraking gekom het. Wat `n ongelooike voorreg om jou te kon ken. Die harsteer ding is nie dat jy weg is nie – want ek weet jy’s reguit boontoe – maar dat hierdie wêreld van ons `n stukkie hoop verloor het. Jy’t die strewe in mense verwesenlik om beter te wees as wat hulle is. Ek gaan jou mis. Turicia Vorster, voormalige Redakteur Cobus, jou sprankelende persoonlikheid sal my altyd bybly. Dit was nie nodig om baie tyd saam met jou te spandeer om God se hart in jou raak te sien nie. Jou opregtheid, positiwiteit en eerlikheid is `n rare kombinasie. Dankie dat jy ons almal inspireer. Jy los `n groot gaping in my hart vriend. Tot wedersiens. Al my liefde. Marissa Gravett, sub-editor Cobus was an amazing person who had this aura that infected people with a goodness that made you want to be around him. He was someone you could always count on even if he had other responsibilities to tend to. He was that person anyone would consider themselves lucky to have as a friend. He was not afraid to live his life, and even though he is already being missed, he is just busy taking on another adventure. Mari de Cock, Sport journalist Cobus, thank you for being the guy that, when we looked terried that layout would never nish, came in smiling, reassuring us that we can do it. Thank you for putting up with our constant drama, shouting and ghting. Thank you for the Monday you told me being an editor is easy, and quitting with me four days later. Thank you for sitting under the table with me, and refusing to come out. Thank you for looking like James Bond at the 21st, and expertly opening the wine. Thank you for being you. You will be missed. Desré Barnard, Visuals Editor I never met a person who seemed so comfortable and happy with life. His kindness and good humour should be an inspiration to us all. I never heard him utter a bad word about anyone. That is truly something. He was a true friend and left this life too soon, having had so much more to offer life. He will be dearly missed. Nina van Wyk, News Editor Thank you for being a part of my life. It was an honour to be a part of yours. See you again, my friend. Kirsti Buick, Entertainment journalist
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Al wat oor is om te sê is dankie. Dankie vir die nalatenskap wat jy gelos het in hierdie nuuskantoor. Dankie vir jou verbintenis tot jou werk en vriende hier by Perdeby. Dankie vir jou bereidwilligheid om altyd te help en te luister. Ons is vandag armer sonder jou maar ryker deur dit wat jy agterlaat. Jy sal gemis word. Carel Willemse, Hoofredakteur Cobus, you were one of the most amazing people I’ve ever had the fortune to meet. You were everyone’s best friend – so genuine and kind, with a maturity that is far beyond most people. You were taken so suddenly and unfairly. A part of me still wishes this was some cruel joke. I know you would have been a great journalist, because you were already a great man. I love and miss you. Meagan Dill, Entertainment Editor
Two weeks after he joined Perdeby, Cobus told me that he already loved us like he did his own family. He meant it with all his heart and he showed it by always being “a friend sticking closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) He brightened every day with his laughter and smiles and was the most wonderful friend anyone could ever ask for. There just aren’t enough words ... Love and miss you always. Hayley Tetley, Copy Editor Cobus touched the lives of everyone he came into contact with. He was a well respected gentleman and a true friend to me and always managed to put a smile on the faces of people. Cobus would go to the ends of the earth to help a friend in need, as he did many times for me. His untimely death came as a shock to everyone because it was simply not his time to go, he still had so much of himself to give to people and to the eld of journalism. Cobus may be gone, but his memories will not be forgotten. Kevin van der List, Sport journalist
“You’ll never really nd those perfect words, something more than just, goodbye. It’s hard to remember the good times when there’s just so much heartache, And they deserve more than that, They deserve more than just one single moment of sadness… But don’t ever let go of that smile, Hold on forever, because that’s our nal dedication.” JP Nathrass, photographer and layout designer
Vriendelik, behulpsaam, groothartig, liefdevol, hardwerkend, bereidwillig en `n baie goeie vriend. Dit is net `n paar woorde wat die wonderlike mens wat jy was beskryf. Die kantoor voel leeg en eensaam sonder jou glimlag, jou grappies ... sonder jou. Ek gaan jou vreeslik mis. Ons gaan jou almal baie mis. Marié van Wyk, Features Redakteur If you were to measure a person’s impact on your life by how conspicuous their absence is, then it is clear that Cobus was a great inuence on all of us here at Perdeby. He will be remembered not only as a talented journalist, but as a man whose integrity, kindness and sincerity should be aspired to. The time we had with him was very much a blessing, and I am truly thankful for the fact that I had the opportunity to become friends with him. Hickley Hamman, Layout Editor
You were a more decent man than most I knew, always improving yourself for reasons known only to God and you. I will miss you my friend. Matt Milton, Sport journalist
Die beste ding wat ek altyd van Cobus sal onthou is dat ek hom nooit met `n frons gesien het nie. Hy was altyd gaaf en ordentlik met almal. Cobus, dankie vir al die goeie tye, my vriend. Theuns van Rhyn, Nuus joernalis
Cobus was a passionate, talented and friendly guy and was an absolute pleasure to work with. My thoughts are with his family in this difcult time. He will be missed. Carlo Cock, Sport journalist
So passievolle en intelligente joernalis soos jy is skaars. En dan is jy nog `n man met respek vir die dames. Sal jou insette en teenwoordigheid in die klas mis. Eljana de Beer, joernalistiek student
The memorial service for Cobus will be held on Wednesday 27 July in the university chapel at 14:15.
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Sport through the years For Perdeby’s anniversary issue we went digging in the archives to see how sport at the university has developed over the years. 1. 2.
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Rowing has been a part of the university sport scene for several decades. Perdeby 14 September 1984. Intervarsity rugby was a very important part of the sport calendar and drew many supporters to the university grounds. Perdeby 9 August 1985 Many might not realise that the Judo and Karate clubs at Tuks are very established
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and have been raking in medals for decades. Perdeby 25 February 1966. Back in the day live bands entertained the supporters at sporting events. Perdeby archive. Supporters trying to leave after a rugby match. Perdeby archive. An illustration about Tuks winning a rugby match against Maties. Perdeby 18 June 1976. Tuks has also had many successful tennis players represent the university through the years. Perdeby 19 March 1976.
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