25 July 2016 Issue 11 Year 78

Perdeby

Tuks se amptelike studentekoerant / Official Tuks student newspaper / Kuranta ya baithuti ya semmušo ya Tuks

25July2016

year78issue11

UP to become English only from 2017 XANDER JANSE VAN RENSBURG AND MARKO SVICEVIC On 22 June the Council of the University of Pretoria, the highest decision-making body at UP, approved a new language policy in which English will become the only language of tuition and assessment.

According to a statement by UP, Afrikaans will be maintained as a language of scholarship, but the use of Afrikaans as a language of instruction will be gradually phased out. “The goal of the new policy is to facilitate social cohesion and promote inclusivity,” the statement explained. The statement further added that the development of Sepedi to a higher level of discourse must be supported and provided with adequate resources. Of the 23 Council members that were present at the Council meeting, 19 voted in favour of the new language policy, three voted against it, and one member abstained.

According to UP spokesperson Anna-Retha Bouwer, the implementation date of the new language policy was subject to the process to be followed with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) in order to change the statute of UP. Bouwer further added that students currently receiving tuition in Afrikaans would be able to complete their studies in Afrikaans.

According to Nobungcwele Mbem, the SRC member with the media and marketing portfolio who formed part of the language policy work stream and is also a member of UP’s Senate, the new language policy was adopted concurrently by both Senate and Council and entails that English will be the only medium of tuition effective for all first time first-year

students from 1 January 2017. This means that all lectures, tests, exams and tutorials will be given in English.

Mbem confirmed that students who are currently studying in Afrikaans would be allowed to finish their courses in Afrikaans, but added that this would happen provided that it is financially and academically feasible and that it is within an acceptable timeframe. “The feasibility will be administered at a faculty level while being informed by the new conditions of the new language policy,” Mbem explained.

UP’s decision to change its language policy has been both welcomed and criticised. In a statement issued on 24 June, the ANC, SACP, Cosatu and Sanco congratulated UP on its open, transparent and democratic process in adopting the new language policy. However, Afriforum and Solidarity have announced that they are consulting their legal teams over possible action against the decision.

Khaye Nkwanyana, spokesperson for Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of the DHET, told Perdeby that the DHET had greatly welcomed the decision by UP on its language policy, Infographic: Daimon Sewell calling it a major breakthrough in addressing the issue of language of academic teaching that address transformation, it is possible”. accommodates all students. “The institution The Independent Transformation Panel has been briefing us in its process of language (ITP) of UP’s Council concluded its report redress and we congratulate them for this giant on recommendations to the current language step,” he said. Nkwanyana added that what this policy on 17 June, which was then presented to decision demonstrates is “the effect that when Council. university leadership embraces the need to Continued on page 3

Language policy changes at SA universities

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Perdeby

Editorial | 25 July 2016

“Never again,” we said. How naive we were.

www.perdeby.co.za perdeby@up.ac.za m.perdeby.co.za @perdebynews @PerdebySport @PerdebyE Tel: (012) 420 6600

I’ve been told that whenever we have a particularly large edition, I mention that fact in my editorial. So here it goes: this is a really big edition. Like really, really big.

This is the biggest edition that any of the editorial have worked on, with more than double the usual content. And we managed while a little short-staffed. I find this quite impressive and I’m super proud of both the editorial and their teams.

This is especially because the last time we attempted a large edition was last year, and then it was only 24 pages. At the time we said we’d never do a 24-pager again. In a way, I guess we haven’t. We went further than that.

I think the pandemonium that this rather large edition brought about was representative of many people’s first week: everyone knows it’s going to be tough, but no one is quite prepared. Even everyone’s new favourite pastime, Pokémon Go, feels this way with its overwhelmed servers.

Talking about Pokémon Go, Perdeby has put together its annual gaming supplement. There’s

Editorial Editor-in-chief Carel Willemse

carel.willemse@up.ac.za @Ed_in_Chief

Editor Michal-Maré Linden

perdeby@up.ac.za @MicsLinden

News Chad Johnston

news@perdeby.co.za @ChadChaddalz94

Features Huvasan Reddy Entertainment Michal-Maré Linden Sport Carli-Ann Furno

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From the Editor tons of content, ranging from upcoming games to the rebirth of UPCon (think ComicCon, but at Tuks).

Features has done an in-depth write-up about the situation at the SABC, as well as the changing university language policies around the country. For cat lovers, a look at how the campus cats are managed can be found on page 8.

UP has had a number of successes this holiday both, with the USSA tournaments and qualifications for the Rio Olympics. We’ve taken our five back pages to have a look at these stars and their achievements.

As always, we have a letters section that often sits empty. We’d love to hear from you, so please drop us a letter at perdeby@up.ac.za.

I hope your week is a little less chaotic and that you’ll find something in this rather huge edition to read in your downtime.

Michal

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25 July 2016 | News Continued from page 1 The panel consisted of Justice Johann van der Westhuizen, a former Constitutional Court judge, Khanyisile Kweyama, CEO of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), Dr Danie Langer, MD of the Federasie van Afrikaanse Kultuurvereniginge (FAK), Prof. Sheila Mmusi, chair of the Setswana Language Commission of the Academy for African Languages (ACALAN) of the African Union, Judge Jeremiah Shongwe, judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal, and Prof.

Adam Small, a philosopher and poet.

The ITP received 78 submissions from various internal and external stakeholders. The submissions had diverse views on the language policy and arguments were put forward in favour of retaining the current language policy, in favour of a more comprehensively multilingual policy, in favour of a monolingual policy, and arguments that centred around the protection of Afrikaans and for accommodations regarding the language policy.

The recommendations submitted included that subject codes should be changed to English, students should be allowed to respond to exam questions in English, Afrikaans or Sepedi without undue influence, and students currently studying in Afrikaans should be able to complete their courses in Afrikaans.

Several industry stakeholders, including the Actuarial Society of South Africa, the Health Professions Council of South Africa, and the Law Society of the Northern Provinces, all submitted that English should be the primary or only language of tuition at UP. In submitting its report, the ITP made 12 recommendations regarding UP’s language policy. Among these recommendations were that the current language policy be amended or replaced by a new one, that the new language policy should be implemented without delay and, as far as possible, by the beginning of 2017, that English is to be the main language of teaching and learning, and that urgent attention be given to develop Sepedi to a higher level of scientific discourse.

The ITP further agreed with the draft language policy proposal by the legkotla and work stream that UP is to at least use English, Afrikaans and Sepedi for ceremonial purposes and that UP must encourage students and staff to learn South African languages.

According to a consolidated document on

Intervarsity news RENEILOE BALOI Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch University will have its first female registrar from the start of 2017. In a statement issued on 13 July 2016 by the university, Dr Ronel Retief, who is currently the Deputy Registrar of the Tygerberg campus, will take over from Johann Aspeling,

3 the number of modules in Afrikaans and class sizes per faculty, the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences have no modules in Afrikaans and no students studying in Afrikaans.

The ITP report further explained that the task team’s recommendations were largely informed by several factors. Among these were that the number of students who report their home language to be Afrikaans has decreased from 85.2% in 1992 to 30% in 2015. Furthermore, 82.1% of students currently indicated that they preferred English as a medium of instruction, compared to 17.9% who preferred it in Afrikaans. The report further cited that the task team’s recommendations were based on the idea of entrenching multilingualism for the promotion of social cohesion, the important link between language and student success, and UP’s obligation to contribute to the development of all South African languages as languages of communication.

Speaking to Perdeby, Afriforum Youth Tukkies branch spokesperson Henrico Barnard said, “The short and long of it is that Afriforum Youth [is] not stepping away yet [and] we will fight [so] that no student’s Constitutional rights are violated.” Barnard added that Afriforum was considering their options and that one possibility was to take the matter to court. Commenting on UP’s decision for a new language policy, Daso UP branch chairperson Kwena Moloto said that Daso UP strongly supported the introduction of multiple support languages and the creation of the opportunity for indigenous languages to be retained. “We strongly feel UP must prioritise indigenous languages that were not previously supported,” added Moloto.

In 2006 the Koornhof Committee, chaired by Prof. Carolina Koornhof, was appointed by the Senate to identify problems with UP’s language policy. The Koornhof Committee identified several problems, including the costs involved in teaching a large number of modules, direct costs in duplicating modules in both languages, and the indirect costs of repeating modules with low enrolments. Following from this in 2006 the Melck Committee, chaired by Prof. Anthony Melck, was established by the Senate to review and refine UP’s language policy. Among its recommendations included the request for more funding from the DHET for language policy issues, interpretation measures in assisting students, and due consideration for the costs

who retires at the end of this year. Dr Retief said that she is looking forward to the role of registrar and hopes to add value, both by giving informed advice about the determining factors in the higher education sector in South Africa and by promoting excellent, empathic academic administration that supports student success. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Wim de Villiers, said that Dr Retief will have her work cut out for her, noting the fact that she will be taking up the position “at a decisive moment of the university”. “Her excellent academic record and extensive experience in a complex faculty

involved in duplicating modules in both languages without placing excessive constraints on UP’s other objectives.

In 2015 the Duncan Task Team, chaired by Prof. Norman Duncan, was established to review UP’s language policy. The Duncan Task Team recommendations included that UP should

programmatically promote multilingualism, that English should be the primary language of instruction in all lectures and tutorials, that Afrikaans should be maintained and further developed as a language of scholarship, and that Sepedi should be programmatically developed as a language of scholarship.

where diversity has expanded a lot will stand her in good stead. We have the utmost confidence in her,” said Prof. De Villiers.

funded by the Academic Staff Association of Wits University, aims to create a space for debate and discussion on issues about higher education in South Africa and beyond.

The podcast explores a range of topics and opinions relating to higher education in South Africa. Each episode has a guest for an in-depth discussion of a particular issue relevant to university life, and also features commentary from students on the topic at hand. The podcast goes live on Wednesdays before midnight. Eleven episodes have been published so far.

University of Witwatersrand The Academic Citizen, a new podcast based at the University of Witwatersrand, was recently launched. The team is made up of host Mehita Iqani, who is an associate professor in the Media Department, and Balungile Mbenyane, an MA student of International Relations. The podcast is researched, scheduled, edited and produced

by Mbenyane. The new podcast, which is

4

News | 25 July 2016

Photo: Fezekile Msimang

Res thief sentenced to eight years in jail KEMELO SEHLAPELO On 23 June, Zolile Vilakazi (44) was sentenced to eight years in prison for five counts of housebreaking and theft at the Pretoria Regional Court. Vilakazi was detained on 9 September 2015 for trespassing at UP men’s residence Mopanie.

Vilakazi was initially apprehended by security personnel of the university. He was then arrested and investigated by the Brooklyn SAPS. According to the Brooklyn SAPS, the perpetrator was found to be linked to five housebreaking incidents reported since March 2016 at Mopanie, Maroela and Boekenhout.

According to Colin Fouché, director of the Department of Security Services on campus, the accused – who is not a student of UP – gained access to the residences by befriending students, gaining their trust and therefore either being permitted into the residence by a student or by breaching the residence’s security by abridging the gates with an object such as a dustbin or a brick. The accused would also ask students residing in these residences to let him in, masquerading as a resident himself.

“The accused is an opportunist operator, which means that his behaviour is fostered by negligence,” says Fouché. Acts such as leaving one’s room unlocked while in the bathroom or in general and leaving one’s keys on the door frame can be described as “unintentional negligence”. Constable Ben Moloko also

describes the accused as a habitual criminal, meaning his criminal behaviour is of a repetitive nature.

Due to the magnitude of the case, a task team was created involving investigating officer Constable Moloko and principal investigating officer Linda Meyer of the Brooklyn SAPS along with Napoleon Boshielo (investigating officer of the UP Department of Security Services) and Fouché. The task team utilised the help of residence co-ordinators and, at a later stage in the investigation, put a reward out for any vital information that could help with the investigation.

Fouché emphasised the importance of a “collective responsibility” among students, both residing in residences and day students.

“Students also need to be alert and aware of their surroundings,” says Fouché, as “this is to ensure that we as the Department of Security Services can play our functional role in safeguarding assets and the wellbeing of students. We want students to know that every crime that is reported at UP is investigated internally.”

Students are encouraged to take preventative measures in ensuring the safety of themselves and their belongings.

The Brooklyn SAPS, who are under the Brooklyn Station Commander Brigadier Kushie Nair, commended Constable Moloko for securing the sentence and UP’s Department of Security Services for their assistance and cooperation in the investigation.

Some of the accused students. Image: UP SRC’s Twitter page

Tuks24 case postponed again RENEILOE BALOI The 24 UP students who were arrested for public violence during the Afrikaans Must Fall protest appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on 19 July. The case was then postponed, for the fourth time, to 2 August.

Advocate Donald Sekwakweng, one of the advocates representing the students, explained that the reason for the postponement is that the “students were charged by the Chief Prosecutor Luphondo, who is based at Vaal and Pretoria.”

Luphondo was not present at the time of the students’ court appearance. Instead, an acting Chief Prosecutor presided over the scheduled court appearance. The legal representatives of the Tuks24 submitted a representation for them on the day. Advocate Sekwakweng explained that “since [Chief Prosecutor Luphondo] is the one who charged them, the consideration of the preparations and the desired decisions to have the charges dropped can be made by him or someone on the same level as he is.” However, time is needed to consider the newly submitted representation by the Chief Prosecutor before a

decision can be made. The case will then be held by the acting Chief Prosecutor who will decide whether or not the case will be withdrawn. It is hoped that the outcome of the case (withdrawal, dropping or proceeding to trial) will be announced at the court appearance on 2 August.

For now, the accused students remain under bail conditions.

The UP SRC has said that they stand in solidarity with the students. They have created a petition calling for the release of the 24 students, which is accessible via their social media pages.

The SRC encourages students and members of the public to sign it order to show their support for the arrested students.

On 19 February, UP announced that it had obtained an urgent court interdict against Afriforum, Afriforum Youth and the EFFSCUP to prevent the parties from disrupting UP operations. 24 students, know also as the Tuks24, were arrested during these protests.

The arrested students were released on bail of R500 each. The accused appeared in court on 22 February, 7 April, 26 April, and most recently on 19 July.

Courtney Gehle. Image provided.

UP’s Greenline and Courtney Gehle win at 2016 Green Campus Conference COURTNEY TINK Greenline, the environmental society at the University of Pretoria (UP), recently took part in and won two awards at the Green Campus Conference. Greenline walked away with the 2016 Green Transport award for their University’s park and ride system, and Courtney Gehle walked away with the Green Student of the Year award. The conference invites 18 South African campuses to come together and provide solutions for sustainable issues in South Africa.

Gehle was excited about her award and

explained that being environmentally friendly has always been part of her life. “Great things happen when you do what you love, and the last few years have absolutely proved that for me,” Gehle said about her win. “Every success that Greenline has had or that I myself have had is because I love what I do and so it is easy to give 100% effort, which in turn reaps amazing rewards,” she explained.

In the second semester Greenline plans on organising a tree-planting drive to celebrate Arbor Day and a campaign to raise awareness against cosmetic testing on animals.

25 July 2016 | News

5

Carmen van Niekerk and Struan Garland of UP. Image provided.

UP student victorious at Agbiz Congress MAMMETJA MOGOTLANE

Pulse Intercare Talent Show 2016. Photos: Fezekile Msimang

Medical students shine at Pulse talent show MICHAL-MARÉ LINDEN The 22nd annual Pulse talent show was held on the evening of 17 July in the Musaion on Hatfield campus.

The event, which is organised

by UP’s medical student society, aimed to showcase a different side of the university’s Health Sciences students. The theme was “A night at the ballet” and the event contained all the class and wonder thereof.

The event consisted of a large number of musical performances as

well as dance, poetry and painting.

Some of the highlights of the night included Jannes Badenhorst and Laura de Bruin’s comical mashup “A day in the life of a SIC”, a musical skit featuring competing musicians Ryan Coetzee, Angus Fletcher, Isolde Straub and Elyzka Badenhorst titled “Beethoven Battles”, and the duet of Lebogang Boshielo and Thandeka Masombuka who performed a rendition of Alicia Keys’ “If I ain’t got you”.

Other acts included a portion of

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Olympus’s serenade arrangement, six-piece band McBurney’s Point’s original song “Woman”, and Thato Morena’s poem “Strength of a women”, dedicated to his mother.

The evening was rounded off by Sibusiswe Jali’s impressive cover of Etta James’s “At last”.

The event was presided over

by John-Henry Opperman of the band Klopjag. Opperman navigated his role fantastically, entertaining the audience between acts with succinct introductions and his own

performance of two songs.

The audience greatly enjoyed each act and the Musaion was nearly filled to capacity with supporters.

Anleo Jansen, chairman of Pulse UP, said that he was impressed with the talent on the night and the variety. The evening showed that UP’s medical students are people with diverse interests and skills and that attending next year’s event will be worth your while.

At the Agbiz Congress conference in Somerset West this June, 16 graduate students from UP within the agribusiness field participated in a case study competition.

Teams were formed for different students and each had five hours to develop a complete business plan for a SMME for De Fynne Nursery – a fast growing black-owned indigenous plant breeder and supplier.

The focus of the case study was on the indigenous plant industry in South Africa. Carmen van Niekerk, a researcher and PhD Human Nutrition postgraduate student in the Department of Human Nutrition at UP, was part of the team that emerged victorious at the competition.

The team Van Niekerk was part of consisted of Frieda Scheepers, an economist from North-West University, Luan van der Walt, an agricultural economist from the University of the Free State, and Lawrence Njabulo Nkosi, a student in economics and marketing from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. “[Because of the] financial and policy issues experienced by most businesses in South Africa, the team decided to rather focus on the science behind innovation, the real world application, and a strong consideration was given to the human aspect of business development and scientific endeavours,” Van Niekerk explained.

She further added that the booming consumer market needs product development based on the pliability of science.

Van Niekerk said that her career in research and science provided her with the skills necessary to be part of the team that won at the competition.

She attributes these skills to the mentors and scientific leaders at the Institute for Food, Nutrition and Wellbeing at UP. The competition, which is held annually, aims to be a catalyst for innovative thinking by exploring diverse solutions to problems within a limited amount of time.

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News | 25 July 2016

Curlitizia’s Around the World: local makes a comeback MICHAL-MARÉ LINDEN Curlitzia hosted their annual Around the World party on 20 July.

The event took place at the Jardown warehouse in the Pretoria CBD. The “motherland” theme of this year’s event brought partygoers back to a sense of the local.

The large venue hosted a number of stalls stocking a variety of punches and snacks. Each stall featured a particular province and was decorated accordingly.

The Gauteng stall made reference to Johannesburg with edible gold coins and the province’s CBDs with a backdrop of skyscrapers. The Western Cape stall was tastefully decorated to reflect the Cape’s vineyards, while KwaZulu-Natal’s backdrop depicted a large Zulu hut.

The fruity punches ranged from sweet to strong. Nonetheless, all in attendance enjoyed being able to taste a variety of drinks made by the ladies of Curlitzia.

Entertainment for the evening included DJs such as Milan K and DJ Dekstir, whose sounds played out over the huge dance floor.

The event was hugely popular with nearly 1000 people in attendance. Organiser Madeli Smith said that she was “so pleased with the way that all the weeks of hard work and planning [had] come together to keep one of [their] oldest and proudest traditions alive.” She added that “what was particularly special was that we could portray our own South African culture this year, showing diversity while creating unity.”

Photo: Kirsty Mackay

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25 July 2016 | Photo essay - KrĂŠkvars Kopanong

7

The annual Krekvars-Kopanong student drama festival

Scratch.

The Coffin.

She howled and forgot to say sorry.

If these bodies could speak.

Mildred.

Backline.

The Bakers Hotel.

All photos by Shen Scott

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Features | 25 July 2016

Juno probe may demystify first planet formed in our solar system

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket blasts off carrying Nasa’s Juno probe at the Kennedy Space Centre on 5 August 2011. Four lightning protector towers surround the rocket. Image: Space.com

UP campuses are home to sizeable feral cat populations. Image: Shen Scott

Varsity’s feral felines SAVANNAH PLASKITT

UP has become home to many cats on all its campuses and residences. These cats can cause problems by going in search of food inside residences and breeding indoors, and they can also carry rabies. However, the cats prove an advantage in controlling rat populations. While UP may have a case of overpopulation, it is not effective to remove the cats as they are territorial and will likely return, or a new cat will simply take their place. Instead, UP chooses to manage its cat population, which is far more effective.

Ilze Ueckermann, the manager of Waste and Environment at UP, coordinates this process. The cats are caught with traps at night and are sterilised by a veterinarian at the Onderstepoort campus before being placed back in the area where they were caught. Those that have been sterilised are marked with a tick in their ear. The cats feed often on campus and residence rats and mice, but UP also purchases cat food which is placed out every day by volunteers (including holidays) at locations around campus, such as outside the Graduate Centre and the Musaion.

Ukerman explains that this helps supplement the cats’ diet, giving them enough energy to hunt rats and keeping them healthy and disease free. The volunteers also keep watch for sickly looking cats and kittens who need to be taken to Onderstepoort for treatment.

The Onderstepoort Cat Interest Group (CIG) focuses on the cats in the area surrounding their campus, supplementing their diet with cat food every second day and implementing a Trap, Neuter and Release program. This is an especially important operation as the rats pose a threat to the large quantities of animal feed kept on the campus. The CIG implement a feral mapping system where members photograph and keep records of any cats seen around campus, which is used to create a feral database. The CIG also takes in stray kittens and fosters them until they can find homes.

Jamiela Cornelius, a fourth-year BSc Agriculture and BVSc Veterinary Science student and chairperson of the CIG, said, “CIG gives me the chance to work with cats and make a difference in these animals’ lives. Feral cats exist due to humans that sometimes reject the responsibility of having a pet for life and so these highly

adaptable creatures learn to fend for themselves. I love cats and when given the chance the feral cats on campus show they still love us too.”

UP’s cats are indicative of a larger feral cat problem in Pretoria.

According to CatPals, a welfare non-profit organisation that feeds and run shelters for feral cats in Pretoria, there are an estimated seven million feral cats in South Africa. Alley Cat Allies, an American organisation that advocates for the protection and humane treatment of cats, defines a feral cat as a cat that has never had contact with humans, or has not had contact for a very long time and is now fearful of people. Feral cats often live with a group of related cats as a colony, defending their territory, and are seldom seen. Feral cats need shelter and food, but according to Alley Cat Allies, “being forced into a house or other structure can be the most frightening experience possible for a cat.”

Doreen Gough of CatPals said, “Ferals in cities happen because pet owners are irresponsible and do not sterilise their pets. In difficult economic times pets are abandoned either because owners erroneously think they can take care of themselves, or the owners simply don’t care what happens to the abandoned animals.” Gough also explained that, “The attitude of [the] majority of people in Pretoria regarding feral cats is regrettable.

Mostly they want them removed, or they feed them and when the cats breed continuously (as cats do if they aren’t sterilised) they then want someone else to remove them. Thankfully not everyone is like this and some businesses and private people are willing to contribute toward their sterilisation and management. Cats play an important role among humans, especially in factories, businesses and areas where there is a lot of open areas. They reduce the vermin population and a settled colony will keep out other cats.”

In an article published by eNCA titled “Joburg’s feral cats forgotten and unseen”, Rulof Jackson, chief inspector at the Animal Anti-Cruelty League, said, “A feral cat that is healthy and in good condition can catch anything between 10 and 14 rodents per night, so if you equate that in kilograms, over time you’re looking at catching over 90 kg of rodents per year … without that the city would probably be overrun by rodents.”

Perdeby

COURTNEY TINK The Juno probe, launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa), a branch of the US federal government, has travelled over five years and more than 2.7 billion kilometres to enter the orbit of the planet Jupiter on 4 July 2016. According to a statement released by Nasa on the day of the launch, the name of the probe stems from Greek and Roman mythology: “The god Jupiter drew a veil of clouds around himself to hide his mischief, and his wife, the goddess Juno, was able to peer through the clouds and reveal Jupiter’s true nature.”

The probe resembles a windmill and is powered by three elongated solar arrays stretching away from its rotating body.

Once the probe entered Jupiter’s orbit it gained immense speed, and will not run out of energy but rather risks over exposure to radiation. For this reason, the Juno probe resides in a radiation vault of 1.2 cm-thick titanium walls. If the probe survives then it will spend the next 20 months attempting to successfully orbit Jupiter 37 times. The probe will also sweep closer to the clouds surrounding Jupiter than any other spacecraft previously has; it will dive near the clouds, at a distance of about 5 000 kilometres, every two weeks.

The goal of the mission is to discover the truth about the first planet that formed in our solar system. This involves discerning the planet’s origin, exploring the intense radiation fields, and learning more about the magnetic fields that surround Jupiter and cause magnificent auroras that are hypothesized to be the result of a strange exotic form of molten hydrogen.

According to the principle investigator of the mission, Scott Bolton, Jupiter holds a unique position because it can reveal what the Earth consists of, as it is theorised that Jupiter has similar conditions and structures to that of Earth. He says, “Learning about that history is really critical to figuring out how we got here and how we find other systems like ours elsewhere.”

An important factor of this is uncovering liquid water on Jupiter and by extension its levels of oxygen. It has been suggested that Jupiter is made up of 99% helium and hydrogen with slight amounts of ammonia, however the probe could produce results that suggest otherwise. This is why the Juno probe is important, as it shows promise of providing a better understanding of the composition of the Jupiter’s core, about which very little is currently known.

The probe makes use of eight different instruments that will only be activated once it has stabilised within the magnetic fields of Jupiter. One of these instruments is JunoCam, which will provide never-before-seen images of Jupiter. However, the life expectancy of JunoCam is only 7-8 orbits before the high levels of radiation exposure are expected to destroy it. The images captured will not only be accessible by the public but will also be involved in various activities that will encourage public participation. From a more scientific approach, the images will be used to learn more about Jupiter and its surroundings, specifically the moons of the planet. A voyage to explore one of Jupiter’s moons named Europa is already in motion for 2020. The moon boasts icy conditions and a subsurface ocean that may contain life.

The Juno probe is never destined to return to Earth; after two years it will dramatically plunge into Jupiter once its mission is complete so that it does not contaminate any of the surrounding moons or other outer space material. It appears that the fifth planet from the sun may play a key role in furthering our understanding of our home planet.

25 July 2016 | Features

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SABC decisions questioned SAVANNAH PLASKITT

The South African Broadcasting Commission (SABC), South Africa’s public broadcaster, operates four television channels and 22 radio stations and is the largest media outlet in South Africa. The SABC has been under scrutiny over the last few months about editorial decisions taken by the SABC that many have called censorship, foremost a decision to not broadcast violent protest images. Chief Operations Officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng is responsible for these decisions, although he denies that they constitute censorship.

The censorship allegedly began with MetroFM in February this year when presenter Rams Mabote did not take any open line calls from listeners during an interview with Durbanbased businessman Vivian Reddy, who has strong ties to the ANC. In a memo published on 28 February by City Press titled “SABC bans radio callers”, Metro FM programme manager Tony Soglo said, “Communication has been sent to all radio stations to stop having open lines for this current period before the local government elections. This is done to protect the station and the SABC against anybody who could potentially use the platform for their own benefit and also use it for electioneering.”

In March the SABC news show On The Record with Vuyo Mvoko was cancelled abruptly.

According to a City Press article titled “Mvoko’s show now off the record” published on 20 March, there was a heated argument between Mvoko and his bosses over airing a show on alleged state capture by the Guptas. It is alleged that Mvoko’s superiors argued that there was no way he could do a show about the Guptas without painting President Jacob Zuma in a bad light.

“The SABC has been under scrutiny over the last few months about editorial decisions taken by the SABC that many have called censorship” Other controversial decisions include the banning of reading and discussing newspaper headlines on SABC radio and a policy dictating that all SABC radio stations must play 90% local music for a trial period of three months.

In May this year Motsoeneng announced that footage of violent acts during service delivery protests would no longer be aired by the SABC. A media statement released by the broadcaster on 26 May said the destruction of property would no longer be shown, although the SABC would “continue to cover news without fear or favour”. Motsoeneng also said in the statement

SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng Image: www.vocfm.co.za

that “[i]t is regrettable that these actions are disrupting many lives, and as a responsible public institution we will not assist these individuals to push their agenda that seeks media attention. As a public service broadcaster we have a mandate to educate the citizens, and we therefore have taken this bold decision to show that violent protests are not necessary.”

Journalists reacted with outrage to these decisions, and the civil rights group Right2Know protested outside the SABC headquarters. These protests were not covered

by SABC, which led to three senior journalists being suspended due to disagreements about the decision not to cover the protest. Acting chief executive officer of the SABC Jimi Matthews resigned from his position, saying in a resignation letter posted on Twitter, “For many months, I have compromised the values that I hold dear under the mistaken belief that I could be more effective inside the SABC than outside, passing comment from the side-lines, [and], in the process the prevailing corrosive atmosphere has impacted negatively on my moral judgment and made me complicit in many decisions which I am not proud of.”

Lukhanyo Calata, an SABC journalist, was charged by the SABC for contravening its rules, allegedly for criticising its recent

decisions and participating in protests against the broadcaster. He said in an article “#BlackFriday: Call to unite against censorship” published on IOL on 1 July, “If we don’t show one aspect of a protest, then we are also not going to show an aspect of another story. It starts off small and then it escalates into something so much bigger than any of us would have ever imagined.”

“If you look at situations like Vuwani...self-censorship to that degree was a necessity, but when you think of it from a journalism standpoint, that’s something we shouldn’t be doing.”

In an interview, an SABC journalist, who wished to remain anonymous but whose identity is known to Perdeby, said that the policy would have to be looked at holistically and that it was a very shallow observation that [the executive decisions taken by the SABC] were just censorship and that we [the SABC] should be showing everything”. However, he did acknowledge that it was “theoretically true the SABC should be showing everything”. The journalist added that “[w]hen policy itself came

out, the main reason behind it [was that] the powers behind it believe[d] that showing the result of violent protest as a means for people to get attention encouraged it. So from that standpoint, we did not want to promote the use of violence as a means of getting a result.”

They went on to elaborate further: “If you look at situations like Vuwani, certain elements of the population used violent means, destroying property which ran into the millions. Schools burnt down, public buildings burnt down because they could not agree with the demarcation and the leadership of the community. They used violent means and got attention, everybody went out there, but now look where Vuwani is, there’s very little follow-up. And now you’re sitting with a community that’s lost several schools, kids now having to play catch-up on exams and curriculum, so from that standpoint, selfcensorship to that degree was a necessity, but when you think of it from a journalism standpoint, that’s something we shouldn’t be doing. We should be showing everything because our mandate as journalists [and] a news organisation is to show the truth and report on the truth, so there’s a lot of layers.”

Continued of page 10

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SABC decisions questioned Continued from page 9 The journalist concluded: “It’s an executive decision; [it] wasn’t a decision that was taken from bottom up with journalists and producers complaining all the way up and then decided at the top. It was a top down decision and we’re all now trying to live through it.”

Minister of Communications Faith Muthambi has supported the decision to no longer broadcast violent protests, saying in a media statement published on 30 May on the Department of Communication’s website, “We unequivocally condemn the destruction of public and private infrastructure. It is our belief that the decision by the public broadcaster not to show footage of people burning public institutions such as schools and libraries, in any of its news bulletins, will go a long way to discourage attention seeking anarchists.”

In an article published on 8 July on EWN titled “Decision to ban airing of violent protests was fair – Mughave”, SABC board chairperson Mbulaheni Mughave said, “The ANC could not dictate terms to the broadcaster, as it was accountable to the South African public.” He also said, “It can’t be the ANC only which is a stakeholder. We listen to the views of different stakeholders and I am not sure when we tied the knot with the ANC.”

Features | 25 July 2016 Motsoeneng has denied that the SABC is guilty of censorship in an EWN article titled “Motsoeneng rejects Icasa ruling on SABC”, published on 11 July. The COO said, “I want to deal with the issue of this hullabaloo, because it is still hullabaloo when people talk ‘censorship’. I don’t know what the SABC is censoring.” He went on to say, “If you talk about censorship, because you know English better I think – because you are clever people, I think all newsrooms censor stories every day.”

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has ruled that the editorial changes banning the showing of violent protests be withdrawn, saying they are not in line with the Broadcasting Act or the Bill of Rights. As explained by the High Court in the case Freedom of Expression Institute versus Chair, Complaints and Compliance Committee: “The SABC is a public broadcaster funded by the taxpayer to provide the highest standards of journalism and fair, unbiased, impartial and independent news coverage. Whereas a private citizen or broadcaster may freely take political sides and promote party political objectives, a public broadcaster may not use public money to do so.” Icasa’s Complaints and Compliance Committee said, “In the present context, the SABC has categorically imposed an absolute restraint on its newsroom and there is nothing in the Broadcasting Act or the licences that permits this ... [s]uch absolutism is totally foreign to our new democracy based on freedom of expression and especially, for this case, the right to receive information which is in the public interest.”

After initially rejecting this ruling, Mughave said in an 11 July EWN article titled “SABC responds to Icasa’s ruling on censorship” that

their lawyers are looking into the matter and that if the legal advisers’ “advice is that we are going to review this matter with relevant authorities, which would include the High Court and the Constitutional Court – that is what we are going to do.”

“On 20 July the Pretoria High Court granted an interdict sought by the Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) against the SABC, overturning the SABC’s decision not to screen images of violent protests.”

In a post titled “SABC censorship weakens SA’s democracy” published on his blog Constitutionally Speaking on 12 July, Constitutional law expert Prof. Pierre de Vos explains that the public interest is not based on what interests the public, but rather “freedom of expression, as guaranteed by the Constitution”, and imparting the necessary information to the public, allowing them to form their own views about matters concerning them and their country. Prof. De Vos also said, “The SABC has the right to decide in an impartial, unbiased and fair manner whether the broadcasting of specific images of a specific event (for example, a sex tape of some or other B grade celebrity or minor politician or sports star) would be in the public interest. What it cannot do is to order its newsroom to exclude in its entirety the broadcasting of material of a certain category of news that is potentially in the public interest. Any absolute prohibition

by the SABC of the broadcasting of certain activities – for example, the burning of public property by persons complaining about service delivery – will therefore be unlawful”. As Icasa’s Complaints and Compliance Committee explained, “An [entire] subject, as such, may never be blocked from SABC television or radio – South Africa is not, as in the apartheid era, a dictatorship.”

On 19 July SABC journalists Vuyo Mvoko‚ Thandeka Gqubule‚ Busisiwe Ntuli and Lukhanyo Calata were dismissed by the SABC. The previous day journalists Krivani Pillay‚ Jacques Steenkamp‚ Foeta Krige and Suna Venter were dismissed. All of the dismissed journalists had previously been suspended by the SABC after raising objections to the events currently transpiring at the state broadcaster.

The so called “SABC 8” had lodged an urgent application with the Constitutional Court to have the charges laid against them by the SABC, which were the reason for their suspensions, declared unlawful.

On 20 July the Pretoria High Court granted an interdict sought by the Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) against the SABC, overturning the SABC’s decision not to screen images of violent protests. This was after the SABC conceded to the terms of a settlement that was negotiated between the two parties, reports The Citizen in a 20 July article titled “SABC bows to Suzman Foundation interdict”.

In a 20 July article by SABC News titled “Icasa welcomes SABC’s decision to comply with its order”, the SABC’s laywers sent a letter to Icasa – only hours after the settlement with HSF was reached – saying that the SABC would abide by Icasa’s 11 July ruling.

25 July 2016 | Features

Know your mayoral candidates

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HUVASAN REDDY The 2016 South African municipal elections are scheduled for 3 August. The City of Tshwane is a highly contested metro, and the upcoming elections could bring about a change in leadership. There will be a definite change in the mayor of the city as incumbent mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa of the ANC has been replaced by a new candidate, Thoko Didiza. The Democratic Alliance (DA) will be represented by a member of the provincial legislature Solly Msimanga as a mayoral candidate, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are pursuing a different election strategy and is not putting forward a mayoral candidate. Perdeby takes a look at what these three parties have to offer in terms of mayoral candidates and governance as elections are around the corner.

ANC ANC mayoral candidate Thoko Didiza is originally from Durban and held the post of Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs from July 1999 to May 2006, after which she held the position of Minister of Public Works from May 2006 to September 2008. After Didiza was announced as the ANC’s mayoral candidate for the City of Tshwane in June, riots broke out which lead to the deaths of five people. Many objections were raised by protesters, some of whom wanted incumbent mayor Ramokgopa to remain as the ANC candidate for the election, while others opposed Didiza as she is not originally from the Tshwane area. Some of Didiza’s plans for the city include building a reservoir in Hammanskraal to increase the delivery of water, expanding the reach of WiFi services in the city, and expanding bus services to ensure that the services cover the whole city.

Image: Shen Scott

DA DA mayoral candidate Solly Msimanga was born in Pretoria and was elected as a City of Tshwane councillor from 2011 to 2014.

He is currently a member of the Gauteng provincial legislature and is the chairperson of the Gauteng branch of the DA. If elected as mayor, Msimanga plans to enact changes in the city in line with the DA’s manifesto. Some of these changes include creating job centres across the city and establishing small business support offices in areas such as Soshanguve, Hammanskraal, Mamelodi and Atteridgeville.

Msimanga has said that, as mayor, he would seek to establish an internship programme in the city to help matriculants and graduates gain workplace experience in the government, increase the budget to assist the youth in finding employment, and implement an e-portal to help residents pay rates and tariffs online, as well as complete license applications and renewals.

EFF The EFF is following a different electoral strategy in the upcoming elections and will not

90% local content for SABC radio REBECCA WOODROW On 11 May the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) announced its decision to play 90% local music across the corporation’s 18 radio stations from Thursday 12 May in order to “prioritise home-grown content”. The SABC also increased its local television content from 1 July and music fillers between programmes are intended to be locally produced.

Hlaudi Motsoeneng, the Chief Operations Officer (COO) of the SABC, said the change would make sure that the public broadcaster reflected the multitude of local music available.

SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the decision came about after consultations with local music producers. The public broadcaster has encouraged fledgling and independent artists to come to the public broadcaster with “fresh proposals and content” to aid in this transition.

South African music heavyweights, like hiphop artist AKA and vocalist Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, have shown support for this decision on their respective social media accounts. Mabuse tweeted “good news viva SA music” in his response to the announcement of the quota.

The announcement has not been universally welcomed and is not without controversy.

Popular commercial radio stations MetroFM and 5FM have stated that they were not told of this decision until knowledge of it had entered the public domain and were unable to properly orientate themselves to this substantial change.

Lotus FM, a Durban-based station that caters to a community largely made up on Indian South Africans, had listeners threatening boycotts because the content traditionally played by the station meant that the station would not be able to conform to the quota. Jazz legend Don Laka, a proponent of the quota, wrote an open letter of warning to the station that it would

face ramifications for its behaviour should it not abide by the SABC’s decision. Laka warned LotusFM in the letter posted to his Facebook page on 25 May that it must “Please (toe) the line and stop with your threats or we will campaign for a total shutdown.”

A belief that has supported the implementation of the 90% quota is that the additional exposure will aid artists in garnering success and earning an income from royalties. Royalties paid to artists are calculated as a percentage of advertising revenue. In May 2016 the SABC increased the percentage of the royalty payment from 3% to 4%. This is a significant increase considering the billions in advertising revenue generated by the SABC. The public has shown a mixed reaction to the implementation of the quota, with Twitter users both praising the SABC and Motsoeneng, while others felt that the quota of 90% was too much. Some questioned whether the 90% quota would work on SABC’s commercial stations such as MetroFM and 5FM. Speaking to TheMediaOnline, Nkopane Maphiri, business development director of The Media Connection, a company which represents community radio stations, said that community radio had been “playing well above the prescribed quota of local music for as long as community radio has been alive and with great success, because it’s been the choice of the listeners in the community that the radio stations serve”. He compared this to the decision of the SABC, saying, “The SABC as a public broadcaster may have unintentionally alienated a wide net of its listeners by disrupting the healthy mix of international and local blend that their discerning listeners are accustomed to – with no consultation and no warning.”

be putting forward any mayoral candidates.

Instead, the EFF seems to be contesting individual wards in the city. Earlier in the year EFF leader Julius Malema said that the EFF would contest all wards in the upcoming municipal elections. The EFF has not ruled out the possibility of coalition governance, in the event that the ruling party does not receive 50% of the votes. Should the EFF win Tshwane, they have said that they would implement some of the policies that the ANC had failed to implement and would additionally address the housing backlog in Tshwane. The EFF also pledged free water and electricity to those living in RDP houses and receiving government grants.

Election polls According to a poll run by eNCA in conjunction with research group Ipsos South Africa on 6 and 7 June, 28% of those surveyed in the city of Tshwane said that they would vote for the ANC, while 33% said they would vote for the DA. 10% of those surveyed said that they would vote for the EFF, while 17% said

that they were uncertain as to who they would vote for or would not say who they would vote for. The poll results showed slight changes over time. Over a period of six weeks the poll results saw the DA gain an increase to 39%, while the ANC saw a loss of support, going down to 25%. The EFF saw a slight increase in support with 13% of those surveyed now saying that they would vote for the EFF, while 13% remained undecided or would not say who they would vote for.

The youth of Tshwane have shown a slightly different sentiment. According to the latest available poll results, those between 18 and 24 show the greatest interest in voting for either the DA or the ANC, with approximately 30% of the youth saying that they would vote for the DA and approximately 30% of the youth saying they would vote for the ANC. The EFF maintained a similar level of popularity among the youth as they did among voters as a whole, with approximately 13% of the youth saying that they would vote for the EFF, while approximately 11% remain undecided.

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Features | 25 July 2016

Protesters in favour of Afrikaans clash with those protesting against Afrikaans at UP on 22 February. Image: Fezekile Msimang

Universities across South Africa see changes in language policy HUVASAN REDDY Language policies have become a contentious issue at universities across the country. On 22 June the Council of the University of Pretoria (UP) approved a new language policy making English the primary language of tuition and assessment at the university, while Afrikaans will be gradually phased out. UP is not the only university which has recently had a shift in language policy.

Stellenbosch University (SU), the University of the Free State (UFS), and the University of South Africa (Unisa) have also undergone changes in their policies.

Unisa In April 2016 the Council of Unisa decided that English would be the only language of instruction at Unisa from 2017. According to Unisa’s revised language policy released on 28 April, the language of learning and instruction for all undergraduate courses will be English, along with “scaffolding in other official languages”.

According to the policy, “All formal study material, formative and summative assessment, as well as other formal tuition activities will be in English only, whereas learner support activities may be in the language of the student.” According to the policy, the responsibility of the implementation of the policy falls under “a special language unit to be established in the university, with oversight by the Senate Language Committee and ultimately the Senate of the university.”

The use of Afrikaans as an academic language was discussed during a Unisa debate in March. In an article released by Unisa, Mpho Morolane, a member of the panel of students debating president of the EFF student command, said, “We are not saying we hate Afrikaans; we are not saying Afrikaners must go back to the sea. What we are saying is we want to see the development of African people.” Morolane, who is a Unisa student, added, “We understand languages must be developed. It takes time. We must start by bringing Afrikaans down so it becomes equal to other languages.”

Afriforum, a non-governmental organisation that is described as acting in the interest of protecting minority rights, has stated that they are instituting legal action against Unisa. According to a statement released by Afriforum, a letter was sent by Afriforum’s legal representative to Unisa saying that “the Council Chairman and senior management of Unisa are asked to provide an unequivocal undertaking to Afriforum’s legal team before or on 6 July 2016 that the implementation of the new language policy will be suspended, pending finalisation of a review application to set aside the Council’s decision.”

University of the Free State (UFS) UFS has also made an attempt to change in language policy after

the Council of the university unanimously voted in favour of English as the main language of instruction from the beginning of 2017. However, it allowed students currently studying in Afrikaans o complete their studies in Afrikaans. Speaking to eNCA, Afriforum deputy CEO Alana Bailey said that they were “very concerned about the decision. [as they] feel that not only does it undermine the language rights of Afrikaans speaking students who want to be tutored in Afrikaans, but it is also a problem because Sesotho as a main language of the people of the Free State is still a developing language.”

Speaking to News24, UFS SRC president Lindokuhle Ntuli said, “This is the kind of change we have been advocating. We have witnessed division and racial debacles under the parallel medium.” He also said the change inspired unity among students of different races.

Afriforum, along with trade union Solidarity, approached the Bloemfontein High Court on 20 June for an interdict against UFS following the change in language policy, claiming that the change in policy was a violation of the Constitution. On 21 July the High Court in Bloemfontein overturned the decision of the UFS Council, granting an interdict setting aside the Council’s decision.

Stellenbosch University (SU) SU currently uses a dual-medium language policy, where a lecture is conducted in equal halves of English and Afrikaans. A new language policy adopted by the Council of the university in June grants English and Afrikaans equal status at the university, and changes the use of language in undergraduate modules where Afrikaans and English are used, with all information conveyed in English, followed by a summary in Afrikaans. The development of isiXhosa as an academic language also forms part of the new policy.

Afriforum Youth was opposed to the change in policy and said that the change disregarded almost half of the residents of the Western Cape’s residents, who are Afrikaans-speaking. In March an urgent application was made at the Western Cape High Court which claimed that Afrikaans students had been disadvantaged in faculties where lectures were now English. The application was unopposed by SU. The new policy was well received by the SRC of the university as well as Open Stellenbosch, a movement at the university which previously challenged the language policy of the university, calling it “discriminatory”. In a statement released by SU, Council chair George Steyn said of the decision, “It gives effect to the Constitution of South Africa in relation to language usage in the academic, administrative, professional and social contexts of the university, and also advances the institution’s own vision of being inclusive, innovative, and future-focused”.

Image: Ciske van den Heever

Gun control: which side are you on?

COURTNEY TINK

Gun control is extremely topical on a global scale at the moment. In the US, citizens are attempting to recover from the Orlando and Dallas shootings that have recently dominated the media. In our own backyard, South Africans became acutely aware of gun control when Oscar Pistorius shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp dead in 2013. Whether you agree or disagree, arms access is pertinent to your constitutional knowledge.

There are two sides to gun control. On the pro-side stand organisations such as Gun Free South Africa (GFSA), who noted that in 2011 there were over 2.9 million registered guns to over 1.5 million owners. This is contrasted to the unknown statistics of unregistered guns, which are estimated to sit anywhere between 500 000 and four million. The GFSA encourages the notion that gun control equates to crime control. These organisations aim to restrict access to weaponry and encourage harsh punishment for crimes involving guns.

On the other side stand organisations like the South African Gun Owners Association (SAGOA) who are vehemently against harsh gun control stating that such restrictions only encourage illegal arms dealings, because if a person wants to shoot another person they will find a way, regardless of what the law says.

SAGOA encourages education over regulation.

The Firearm Control Act (FCA) came into effect in 2000, replacing the Arms and Ammunition Act of 1969. The FCA places more control over the requirements to obtain a gun license. While owning a gun in South Africa is permitted, it is not a right. According to the FCA, in order to own a gun you needs to possess a license for it. Gaining such a license is determined by a competency test and several other factors that include a background and mental health check, inspection of the owner’s house and, as of July 2004, licensing of the actual weapon by the police, which requires a personal statement justifying the purchase of the weapon. The police have a maximum of 90 days to either deny or grant access to a license.

A self-defence license is valid for five years and all sport and hunting licenses are valid for ten years. When the license expires, the entire process above must be repeated. It is important to note that a gun can be used by anyone for self-defence in the correct situation without fear of penalty, but the purchasing of a gun intended for any self-defence in the future requires a license.

In 2015 the draft of the Firearms Control Amendment Bill was released to the public for comment. Proposed additions to firearm legislation include mandatory ballistics tests and microdots on each gun in order to keep track of gun holders and to also gain up-to-date statistics on gun ownership and registration in South Africa, an area that appears to be lacking information. Other additions to the amendment include harsh punishments for illegal arms dealers and a minimum of five years to be served in prison if a person is found to be in possession of a firearm in a criminal situation, regardless of whether it was fired or not.

Critics of the bill state that the South African Police Service would not be able to keep up with the data, which is evident from the fact that before the 2006 amendment to the FCA, the backlog of unanswered license requests resulted in a waiting period of two years for over one million licenses. The draft is not yet finalised and many debates regarding the pros and cons of it are expected to still take place.

The question that remains to be answered is if restriction of guns is the solution or whether the answer lies in relatively easy access to guns by a society educated in proper gun use and safety.

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Student Culture (STUKU) is a committee that promotes culture to the students at the University of Pretoria through a variety of events. The committee aims to provide a multicultural platform where students can express themselves through song, dance, poetry and more. STUKU facilitates UP Arts, a series of events that provides a stage for student expression.

UP Arts hosts Tuks Got Talent, a competition of the hottest talent at the UP, where students can sing, dance and speak their way to the winning title. UP Arts provides a platform for student art and literature in its event, Expression, as well as a showcase of choir singing in the upcoming event, Are Opeleng. STUKU is responsible for the hosting of inter-residence competitions such as the dance spectacles, Ienkmelodienk and Serrie, and the a cappella singing competition, Serenade.

The list of events has been expanded with Nothing But Vernac, an event that celebrates the beauty of South Africa’s languages.

STUKU is a dynamic committee that strives to provide an exciting platform for cultural involvement to the students of the UP. The committee aims to refresh existing traditions and events, as well as constantly creating new ones to suit the needs of the student body. For more information on the committee and upcoming events, follow STUKU - Student Culture on Facebook.

Tuks RAG is a studentrun organization that was started over seventy years ago and serves as one of the largest of its kind in South Africa. The term RAG stands for “Reach out And Give” and its mission is driven by student volunteers who are not remunerated financially for their time and efforts; but instead are rewarded with the active participation of being the change that the world requires.

Tuks RAG offers students a lifetime experience to assist those who are less fortunate due to various circumstances. Over the years, Tuks RAG has undergone a number of changes from once being registered as a non-profit organization to now being a recognized student structure at the University of Pretoria as a sub-committee of the Student Representative Council. Tuks RAG continues to aspire and embrace the changes that arise through the years in order to discover new and innovative ways to embody the principles that sparked its inception many years ago.

The beginning of every academic year at the University of Pretoria is marked by the annual Tuks RAG Procession which takes place at the LC de Villiers sports ground at the end of RAG Week. This fundraising event serves as a reminder to inform students of the purpose and importance of community engagement through fun activities. Other RAG initiatives are the Kagiso programme and the various Tusho projects done by the Residence and Day Houses.

Our vision for Tuks RAG in 2016 is to lead the path in creating a culture of voluntary student community engagement in South Africa guided by the spirit of Tuks Pride and academic excellence. Furthermore, our mission aims to develop our students and channel their energies and continuous search for fun into fundraising and community engagement initiatives. This is made possible through various monthly events and awareness campaigns that aim to increase student consciousness surrounding various issues determined by the committee at the beginning of a term. To find out more about Tuks Rag and what to expect from us visit our website page at http://www.up.ac.za/tuks-rag or follow our social media pages on either Facebook (TUKS RAG) or on Twitter (@TuksRag).

Student De SSC

The Student Sport Committee is a substructure of the SRC aimed at providing opportunities for regular UP students to participate in sporting activities on a recreational level. The committee exists of two main groupings titled the “Executive Committee (EC)”and the “General Committee (GC)” that are responsible for ensuring the well-functioning of the structure. Furthermore, the SSC’s operations are coordinated by two managers, one representing TuksSport and the other representing the Department of Student Affairs.

The committee is responsible for ensuring that students within the University are awarded the platform to partake in sports. The committee provides a great platform for students to hone their skills for possible future careers through the volunteering opportunities it offers to students across the various portfolios. A few portfolios within the structure are aimed at fulfilling an administrative role, however portfolio’s such as “projects”, “students with special needs” or “varsity sports” are created with the purpose of bridging students and sporting activities closer together.

Interested students have the opportunity to apply to be a part of the committee each year in accordance with the election procedure that the committee makes available each election cycle. The SSC is not only a great platform for students to participate in sport at the University; it is also an ideal platform for any student to find expression for their talents in a manner which is aligned with the Universities vision for its students.

Student Committees Other Committees S TU

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The South AfricaWashington International Program (SAWIP) www.sawip.org SAWIP, established 10 years ago as an extension of the Washington-Ireland Program for Service and Leadership, currently recruits 20 high potential, diverse, emerging servant leaders from the Universities of Cape Town, Western Cape, Stellenbosch and Pretoria into annual Teams.

Its purpose is to inspire, develop and support selected team members to strengthen their servant leader attributes and skills so that they can enhance their contributions to social cohesion, nation building and community development. Teams participate in a demanding 7 month curriculum which includes 6 weeks of cultural, global and work exposure in Washington DC during the winter vacation as well as individual and team projects in under-served communities.

On successful graduation from the program, team members join the active SAWIP community with the expectation that they will continue to contribute towards the goals and activities of SAWIP and help to sustain it.

Applicants need to be South African citizens or permanent residents, registered students from the partner universities, between second year and the age of 25 years, have a record of service and are committed to the attainment of the full realization of our Constitution and a peaceful, just and prosperous country for all.

Applications open on our website in February each year.

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Golden Key is an internationally recognised, nonprofit organization affiliated with over 370 universities throughout Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, South Africa, India and the United States. Membership into Golden Key is by invitation only, to the top 15% of university students. Selection is based solely on the criteria of their academic achievements.

The Society’s mission is to enable members to realize their potential by connecting individual achievement with service and lifelong opportunity.

Golden Key offers activities that are in line with the advancement of academics, leadership, and service locally, regionally, and internationally.

Thus there is ample opportunity for Golden Key members to be actively involved and truly Unlock their Potential! Golden Key members may also apply for Golden Key scholarships, awards, travel grants, and attend international summits. For more information see www.goldenkey.org.

Golden Key at University of Pretoria offers activities that cater for professional development, community service around Tshwane, socials and chapter leadership opportunities. The opportunity to serve in the Golden Key at University of Pretoria’s 2017 executive committee is currently open until 02 August 2016. Thus all Golden Key members are encouraged to apply for positions by contacting the Golden Key at University of Pretoria President Albert Zitha at gkpretoria@gmail.com.

On 03 September we will be welcoming new members into the Golden Key International Honour Society!

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Docendo is the newest of the Day Houses. With a vibrant and energetic culture we hale from the Groenkloof campus, but don’t let that fool you, we are still a general Day House open for all day students.

As the Eagle in our badge symbolises we are a House striving towards empowerment, balance dignity, grace and the pursuit of higher truths. As all other Day Houses we aim to apply these principles in all the events that we offer. This will include sport, cultural activities, outreach opportunities and many other interesting activities.

Docendo has a lively culture and we like to take great pride in our House Members, offering you the opportunity to make the most of your student experience by being an active part of student life at UP.

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The STARS Mentorship programme is a student development programme at the University of Pretoria, under the guidance and supervision of Dr Rina Wilken, the Head of the Department of Student Development.

The aim of the programme is to assist first year students with their adjustment from high school to varsity life by supporting them socially and emotionally with the intention to boast their academic performance.

The programme employs the capabilities of senior students on our campus (2nd year and above), who are trained within the programme to assist and groom the first year students throughout the first semester of their arrival at the university.

As a mentor, this opportunity forms part of your community service and thus it is a great addition to your CV. Once enrolled in the programme, each first year student is assigned a mentor (senior student) who is studying a similar course to help them navigate around campus, assist them to set their goals, and to refer them to relevant people on our campus when need arises, such as, Faculty Student Advisors, the Financial Aid offices, or to a professional psychologist at Student Support for career guidance or for therapeutic and emotional support, to name a few.

For more information or to become a mentor for 2017, please send us an email at upmentorship@gmail.com

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Vividus Ladies is a day house that is devoted to providing a place where a diverse group of female day students’ can belong and be valued, where you can proudly and passionately participate in all areas at UP. Vividus Ladies creates opportunities where comradeship and unity can be established; providing an environment where students can be exposed to a diverse group of people. Vividus ladies has a number of sports, such as soccer, netball and basketball; as well as cultural events namely serenade and serrie; academic support is offered as well especially through those rough exams. Along with all the different areas you can compete in we also have a number of socials and cultural festivals which is a great way to meet new people. Through different RAG events you can participate in, you can also make a difference in our community.

Vividus Ladies is a sisterhood of young ladies with passionate hearts working together to thrive each year. A strong group of girls with a mission and a vision of excellence.

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Enactus, formerly known as SIFE, is a global organization with its headquarters in the United States of America. It currently boasts a membership of 70 500+ participating students in 1650+ universities across 36 countries. All Enactus chapters collectively contribute toward 4900+ projects annually, amounting to 5 850 000+ volunteer hours. This subsequently results in 1 950 000+ lives impacted annually by us students.

Enactus aims to create sustainable community development projects through entrepreneurial action. Students are encouraged to implement strategic projects, which address the unique needs of communities from an entrepreneurial stance. In partnership with business and academic leaders, communities and individuals are equipped with the necessary skills to improve their standard of living and quality of life.

Annually, students from each Enactus chapter in South Africa compete at the National Competition where they present on their community projects. This competition provides students with the opportunity to develop numerous skills and also to represent their country in the Enactus World Cup should they win the National Competition. Students also get to meet and interact with business executives from the multinational companies. Therefore, Enactus has a two prong impact: the development of students who are involved in this programme and the upliftment of communities and individuals through assisting them to become entrepreneurs in their own right.

The TTJ&S Programme is an initiative by the University of Pretoria, which aims to give students who show academic promise the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills in two ways.

Firstly, through the provision of modules lectured by experts on topics, such as leadership, project planning and sponsorship seeking. While these lectures are found to be invaluable, it is important for students to learn to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Therefore, the affiliation with Enactus comes in as students are able to utilize both their academic expertise and their newly acquired leadership skills in a real world setting.

The University first instituted Enactus UP in 2009 and it now represents the fastest growing student enterprise on campus. Enactus UP embodies diversity, academic excellence and social responsibility.

In summary, TTJ&S and Enactus UP serves to enrich students’ lives by providing them with the opportunity to help the community and equipping them with valuable business and life skills, while simultaneously transforming them into well-rounded, altruistic leaders.

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Stu Developm focusing on organ the development o All students are enc in student life structu Representative System Programmes such as Golden Key; Faculty house Mentorship Programme, S TuksRAG, Perdeby, Stude When dealing with our le each student holistically a This assists in the broade and preparing him/he As Student Develo to broaden your ho involved in one of 2016/2017

Road to le Step 1: Eligibility Al potential leaders have to meet the eligibility requirements of the structures they would like to apply for. Furthermore a 60%GPA is a general requirement for all student leaders of the DSA.

Step 2: Application Once you have met the requirements all student leaders should announce their intent by fulfilling the nomination requirements of the structure they would like to apply for.

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House theology forms part of the nine faculty student leadership structures of the university of Pretoria. This structure is made up of 12 individuals, one could assume this is following Jesus’ blue print of 12 disciples especially given that we are theologians, but again twelve could just be a functional number in terms of impact driven leadership. The house committee has always been known for its inclusive nature where all are respected and given an opportunity to lead and grow the faculty through serving the needs of their fellow students. Each year has a different beat to it and each year is welcomed by an enthusiastic group of young leaders driven to make a difference and serve the needs of the students and most importantly be the voice of students in management meetings. It must be noted that the Dean Prof Buitendag has been exceptionally good in including the house committee in management meetings and supports them in student related initiatives, thus empowering and creating a space for the student leaders to be heard. What sets us apart is our passion for serving through the understanding servanthood, putting community above ourselves and needs, and in the midst of it all still making time for fun and building solid long lasting friendships.

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Luminous is a diverse mixed day house, that provides day students the opportunity to partake in various aspects of student life. From cultural events such as Ienk, Serrie and Serenade as well as cultural showcases and our annual Dinee, to a range of sporting codes that Tuks offers (rugby, hockey, soccer, netball) with the newly added Luminous initiatives which are rock climbing, ultimate frisbee and cycling. We partake in the annual RAG festivities where great friendships and memories are made. We strive to make your university experience an unforgettable one by having social events such as our Friday is Braaiday as well as various events with other Day Houses and Residents. We offer a mentorship program that is facilitated by the HK as well as senior members. When you find yourself with some free time you can find us in our Piazza office, which is always open for you to come and visit. Luminous can be your campus family and your home away from home. At Luminous we encourage you to be yourself and let your own unique light shine through.

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Vividus Men is a Day House dedicated to provide a place for every male day student to belong and to be valued. We are the only male Day House at the University of Pretoria and although we are only 13 years young, we have already made our mark by succeeding in many facets of student life at UP. Vividus Men Day House is a student structure that enables all male day students to become part of something, to become part of a family, a brotherhood! Vividus is a Latin term that can be translated to “Full of Life” which is the best way to describe the vibrant nature of our members. We provide our members with the opportunities to excel in student life, whether it be sports, culture or leadership! Student life is an important part of student development and Vividus Men offers you an opportunity to develop in your personal as well as your professional life. We offer day students the opportunity to have a balanced student experience in order to perform better academically and other areas of life in order to be a well-rounded individual. Vividus Men is there for and takes care of their members, we want all our members to enjoy and utilize all that is offered by us and by UP.

Step 3: Election/ Appointment After the application procedures have concluded successful candidates will have to submit to either an election, interview or appointment procedures as dictated by the constitution of the structure they are involved in.

Health House is the student governing body for the Health Sciences field of the University of Pretoria. It is unique in that it is composed of nine subhouses, namely, Medicine, Nursing, BCmp, Physiotherapy, Dentistry, Radiography, Dietetics, Sports Sciences and Occupational Therapists. Each of these subhouses represent their own degree and the Chairperson of each makes up Health House as a whole. Our purpose is to act as an umbrella body that links different subhouses as well as remain an open channel between students and faculty administration. As the Health House 2015/2016 committee, we have aimed at unifying the different subhouses by having certain events such as the annual Health House camp for all Health Sciences subhouse committees, as well as making Sports Sciences feel welcome in recently joining our faculty. We encourage good relationships amongst each other now as students in order to attain mutual respect for what the other professional does when in a medical setting. Health House also bears in mind the personal academic responsibilities of each student. The process of unifying this faculty began sometime ago and the fruits of past leaders are starting to ripen.

A standard of excellence is the main goal and progress is being made year after year. We look forward to what the future holds.

The best is yet to come.

Step 4: Announcement Once all the procedures have been followed and signed off on by the relevant governing bodies the structures will announce successful candidates to their constituents.

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We are House Education, we are at Groenkloof, we are education we are students. We are a faculty house that cares about students and we will do our best to assist them where possible.

As a faculty house membership is free and all education students and students taking education modules are a part of us. House Education is the new “kid on the block” of faculty houses. As we are responsible for being the academic representatives of education students we do not offer any sport activities. We serve as a link between the students and the faculty ensuring that they have a voice within the faculty. As we are new we still have a long way to go in terms of establishing ourselves we look forward to every chance of working with the students and faculty members. We aim to not just serve as a link but also to develop professional skills of students. This will contribute to their personal as well as professional development on university level. We also engage in community outreach projects and are open to any suggestions and help from students. But at the end of the day student academics is our main goal thus our strive towards academic excellence of students.

We at House Education are a family and look forward to welcoming you into the family!

OPVSC The Faculty of Veterinary Science, offers a very unique student experience. Here at Onderstepoort, all our students are passionate about Veterinary and Para-veterinary sciences, by being involved with the welfare and treatment of animals. The programme offered is a very comprehensive and exciting one, involving hands-on practical experience and theory, taught by world-class veterinary specialists and educators. Our faculty has top-notch facilities, including the recently opened Lesedi Complex in which the multi-disciplinary skills laboratory resides, as well as a state of the art Veterinary Academic Hospital.

What is unique to the student experience here at Onderstepoort is the large variety of clubs and societies offered, amounting to 20. Student involvement in all activities has always been well subscribed. To name a few; The Beagle Interest Group, Ballroom dancing, Production Animal Group, OP Fishing Club as well as the OP Riding Club. VETSCO is Onderstepoort’s Community Engagement Club, which embodies the Faculty’s renowned contribution to community outreach. All these clubs and societies organise talks, trips and conferences for the students. There is something for everybody! There is also an array of different sports offered, mainly by House Onderstepoort.

Due to the high standards set by the faculty, our students are driven, hardworking, and well-rounded individuals. OPVSC, the Onderstepoort Veterinary and para-veterinary Student Committee, strives to support all students in every facet during their time spent here at Onderstepoort, so that they will graduate as well equipped and sound veterinarians and veterinary nurses.

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We as NATHouse represent the students of The Natural and Agricultural Faculty. So if you’re studying a BSc, congratulations you are automatically part of us! Free of charge if we might add.

We essentially act as the middleman between you and the faculty. What this means is that if you have any problem in your course, whether it’s the lecturer or you’re simply in need of some extra tutoring, we are your go to people!

NATHouse is a faculty house that not only focusses and helps you to achieve academic success, but also creates tons of opportunities for students to socialize. NATHouse is the perfect place for day or res students to participate in varsity activities and enjoy student life with their fellow BSc students.

Whether it is playing netball or soccer or any of our other sports, organizing community outreaches or just chilling and braaing at one of our socials throughout the year, good times are awaiting.

So next year make sure to sign up for a NATHouse activity.

Or if you are feeling super excited after reading this article and can’t wait until then come and pop into our office and say Hi. You can find us at the Agricultural Annex 2-8 (right across Oom Gert’s, wink wink).

Hope to see you soon Team NATHOUSE

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Law House is the heart of the Law Faculty at the University of Pretoria. We represent the interests of the entire law student body. We cater for our fellow students through our different portfolios, each in charge of their own sub committees. Our academic portfolio hosts trips to the constitutional court, manages our class representatives and supplies the student body with past question papers. The sports portfolio manages both male and female sport leagues. The marketing portfolio works closely with our secretary who are responsible for promoting our activities. The outreach arm of law house engages with the broader community on various levels. As from 2015, Law House also has a portfolio specifically dealing with transformation, which is a crucial pillar in our current student environment. Finally, our treasurer also holds the role of vice chairperson, working closely with the standing chairperson.

This year saw the introduction of a Moot portfolio as well as a legal shabeen portfolio, which has contributed to our success as an executive committee. As a collective, we host the annual Law Faculty Festival (the only one of its kind) as well as other unique events. We are a faculty house that embraces diversity, and strives to ensure student success in all spheres of student life.

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House Humanities means Homo Sapiens/ House Humanities is all about being Human.

What sets House Humanities apart from any other day or faculty house is that House Humanities is about Homo sapiens. The faculty of Humanities in general, with House Humanities being student representatives, is all about Human being. It is about discovering the essence of human beings, examining the depth of humankind and embracing all that is it is to be Human.

It is common knowledge that coming to University is about studying and obtaining an education, well House Humanities tries it best to ensure that students obtain more than a class room education. House Humanities aims to ensure academic thinking even when the textbook is closed. House Humanities aims to put an end to student apathy through the House taking part in the much relevant Transformation and through being a voice for the students by voicing student issues. Our aim is to create students that are well rounded, students who can balance sports, studies and also their personal life.

House Humanities also creates opportunities for involvement in the university community and the outside community through community outreach, social and networking and through supporting the diverse and various departments and societies in our faculty.

House Humanities is about people, and the best part is, every person in the faculty of Humanities is automatically a member, they just need to acknowledge their membership.

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EBIT Faculty House is governed by a committee of 11 Engineering, Built Environment, and IT (EBIT) students. EBIT Faculty House was restarted in August 2009, making it the youngest Faculty House at the University. In contrast, we represent approximately 12 000 students, which makes us one of the largest Faculty Houses.

The Faculty House offers academic, professional, and personal development opportunities. These opportunities include CV Workshops, Industry Presentations, and Study Guidance.

Social and educational events are organised for empowerment, enjoyment and networking. Some of our previous events include Poetry Events, Dance Workshops, Wine Tastings, and Mr and Ms EBIT. We also administer and organise sports teams for sports such as Hockey and Soccer.

The EBIT Faculty is a leading source of locally relevant and internationally competitive programmes. The Faculty maintains close links with industry that supports both the teaching and research programmes. As the Faculty House, we act as a channel between students and the Faculty as well as industry.

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Commercii is the faculty house for all students pursuing a degree in Economic and Management Science (EMS).

Students are therefore automatically members of said society and we invite them to get involved with all that Commercii has to offer them.

What sets Commercii apart, is that it looks after the largest faculty’s students and does so with the help of nine subhouses.

These subhouses make it easier to reach and effectively serve the individual disciplines within the EMS faculty as they all have unique offerings and do a great deal to ensure that they bring the industry and expertise closer to the students they serve.

Commercii students can look forward to social and academic events year round hosted by the faculty house itself as well as the individual subhouses. As a part of this structure and the benefit of your membership, you will be able to connect and network with industry heavy-weights, chat to entrepreneurs and senior executives and link to international companies. As you’ve heard so many times, it is not what you know, it’s who you know.

If you are interested in becoming a part of Commercii or any of the subhouses, now is your chance. Be sure to hop on over to the Commercii Lounge at EMS 2.88, we would love to tell you more!

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udent ment is literally nised student life and of our student leaders. couraged to participate ures such as: The Class m; Leadership Development Enactus UP, SAWIP and es; Day Houses; The STARS Student Committees such as ent Culture and Student Sport. eaders our goal is to develop as a full-rounded individual. ening of a student’s horizons er for the world of work. opment we INVITE you orizons and becoming our structures for the term of office!

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25 July 2016 | Entertainment

17

Oppikoppi’s Unsea promises stellar lineup JULIA BAIN It’s that time of year when first timers and veterans alike come together in Northam to brave the dustbowl that is Oppikoppi. The 22nd anniversary has been titled “for the lovely young taken to THE UNSEA” and will welcome a wide variety of artists, both newcomers and old favourites, to partake in the festivities.

August Burns Red, a Christian metalcore band from the USA, is the headliner for The Unsea. With multiple albums and a Grammy nomination under their belt, this metal loving group from Pennsylvania has been highly anticipated by many South African fans and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser in their first performance on African soil.

The Kongos are a South African born band consisting of four brothers who moved to America. This alternative rock band’s return to South Africa is sure to bring on a great performance for all Oppi attendees.

Returning favourites of the festival include local artists such as Fokofpolisiekar, Bittereinder, The Kiffness, Jack Parow, and Newtown Knife Gang. Newcomers to the festival include pop punk band Made For Broadway, experimental rock band Follow Me Follow, as well as local gems that festivalgoers should keep their eyes out for like Petite Noir, Riky Rick, and Khuli Chana.

If electronica is more for you, head over to the Red Bull stage to check out a lineup that includes Sketchy Bongo ft Aewon Wolf, Nonku Phiri, Kid Fonque, Slice Freddy, and DJ Danger Ingozi.

For those of you who are looking for a more laid back jam session type of atmosphere, Oppi’s original stage, the Top Bar, is the place for you. You’ll see acts like Bad Peter, Georgetown, Shotgun Tori and the Hounds, Hezron Chetty, and Wolfgang Marrow, with poetry sessions each day for those of you who want

Kongos are one of Oppi’s 2016 headliners. Image provided.

a different art form.

One final jewel of the festival is Satanic Dagga Orgy. Don’t let the name fool you, as the members of this folk band are laid back and have a comical tone to their music. Be on the lookout for their red speedos.

The Unsea’s wide variety of musical acts has something for everyone, from the metalheads to the ravers. Don’t miss your chance to sail away to South Africa’s largest music festival.

Things you wished you packed for Oppikoppi CAROLYN HUGHES When attending something as exciting as Oppi you can often breeze over the finer details when it comes to packing, especially if your mom is not the one packing your bags or, even more likely, you decide that you’re going to pack the morning of. Have a look at some of the top ten things seasoned festival attendees wished they had brought along for the ride.

1

Common sense. There’s a reason why this is number one. Not every idea is a good idea, especially when it comes to trying to win competitions or sponsored giveaways.

2

Bread rolls. You can never have too many bread rolls, especially the cheesy kind. However, keep the packet closed so you don’t end up with crusty, circular, dustflavored rusks.

3

Sun defence. The sun is even more aggressive than 2016 featured American metalcore band August Burns Red, so be sure to pack everything from sunscreen and after-sun to lip ice and a wide brimmed hat.

4

Wet wipes. These can be traded like gold so make sure you have the upper (and cleaner) hand and bring these, as well as a couple of extra rolls of toilet paper to keep you out of trouble.

5 6

A lighter. You might not smoke but your new friend will. Be a mate and have a light.

Black bags. Rubbish doesn’t evaporate in the campsite and it is disgusting to sit in your own filth. For your tent mate’s sanity, bring a roll of black bags to pop your used wet wipes into. Bonus: a black bag can also double as a raincoat on the very off-chance that it rains.

Follow us on twitter @perdebyE

7

Extra socks. Everyone thinks of the gum boots but no one remembers what goes inside of them. Pack more than enough socks, especially if you aren’t a fan of tick bite fever and nasty blisters. Same goes for clean undies.

8

Padlock. People aren’t out solely to steal hearts at Oppi.

Sometimes they are after your cellphone, camera, and even alcohol. It may seem excessive but make sure to secure your tent when you aren’t nearby.

9 10

Tent poles. Never assume that tent bag = tent poles.

Spade. This comes as a well-groomed life hack from Oppi attendees. Often at night the temperature dips low enough for a hole in the ground to double up as a beer fridge.

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Entertainment | 25 July 2016 To get your event listed in our event calendar free of charge, send the date, event name and venue to entertainment@ perdeby.co.za or tweet us (@PerdebyE).

UP societies are welcome to send their events, too.

Survival Guide First things first: you need a place to sleep. Nights get chilly and while you think you’re tough or adventurous, no one appreciates an uninvited stranger in their tent.

Camping in Mordor: free, especially if you own a tent, sleeping bag and mattress already (or can make creative substitutions, like your car) Tent hotel for three nights: R1550-R3650, depending on the number of people sharing and how “luxurious” your tent is.

STUDY LAW AT WITS Do you have a degree?

Are you interested in a career in law?

If YES, then the Wits three year graduate entry LLB is for you .za/law c a . s t i www.w Applications

While you may think you can get by on alcohol alone, hunger will unfortunately set in sometime over the three days. Our advice is to bring your own breakfast and lunch, but buy dinner from the vendors because you’ll be cold and/or drunk.

Tin of tuna (no plate or preparation required): ~R12 Loaf of bread: ~R10 Bag of apples: ~R20

The festival is notoriously hot. Stay hydrated!

Five litre water from grocery store: R20 Unlimited free water with the purchase of an Oppi water bottle: R40 Windhoek six pack from grocery store: ~R63 Windhoek six pack from festival bar: ~R120 2 litre mix: ~R13 Cup of mix at festival: ~R10 Ricoffy and cremora from grocery store: ~R50 Single cappuccino at Oppi: ~R20

Oppi is all about being dusty, but if you want to look fresh, wet wipes are pretty much the equivalent to a shower if you can’t bear cold water.

Cool shower at the festival: free Pack of 72 wet wipes: ~R33

Infographic by: Mothusi Masibi Content by: Michal-Maré Linden and Thomas Marais

Please visit www.wits.ac.za/law/ llb for prospectus and application information.

Applications close: 30 September For more information: undergraduate.law@wits.ac.za

WITS SCHOOL OF LAW

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25 July 2016 | Entertainment

19

Sannie Fox to bring sweet tunes to Oppikoppi The Unsea MICHAL-MARÉ LINDEN

Image provided.

Five minutes with TCIYF MICHAL-MARÉ LINDEN Soweto-based thrash punk band TCIYF are set to perform at Oppikoppi this year. Perdeby conducted a quick Q&A ahead of the festival with the band.

You’re just about to release a full-length album. What inspired the album?

Skating and living in Jozi and Soweto.

Was there anything memorable about the writing and recording processes?

Finding a hip-hop dude, Psykey Train, to come [and] learn how to record a punk band for the first time. We recorded the whole thing in his shack, first take.

How are you hoping listeners respond to the album?

Its gonna be wild. This is Africa after all.

You’re set to play at Oppikoppi this year. What are you doing to prepare for the festival?

[We will be] playing [at] a house party at our home in Soweto with our homies Demogoroth Satanum. We [have] a ramp we built there, so bring your skateboards.

What are you looking forward to most about this year’s Oppikoppi festival?

Playing, bra. We’ve never actually been to Oppi, so let’s see what happens.

After the release of her successful album Serpente Masjien last year, Sannie Fox has spent a large part of 2016 touring. One of her next stops is Oppikoppi. Sannie caught up with Perdeby in light of her upcoming performance.

You released your latest album Serpente Masjien last year.

What has the reception to it been like?

The reception has been positive. Upon release, the album was selected to be featured on the iTunes New Artist Page in the UK as well as the US. Locally, Serpente Masjien received two Sama nominations for Best Alternative Album and Best Produced Album. It is enjoyable to play the live shows and be able to get signed copies to fans afterwards so they can take something away.

I receive messages frequently from fans, to radio presenters to producers expressing interest in use of the material for film or television or personal enjoyment.

You were nominated for two Samas this year. What did it mean to you to have your work acknowledged in this way?

It is always a good feeling when the work you have done is acknowledged. I was happy also for everyone who contributed to the making of the album like Rob Nel who recorded the bass guitar, Werner von Waltsleben who recorded the drums, and Matthew Fink who produced the album.

You’ve spent a good part of the year playing live both locally and abroad. What is your ideal live performance?

I think for me, besides a great sound engineer, I have come to find that atmosphere is a big part of what determines an ideal performance. Whether the venue is tiny or very big, the defining effect of the show is the ambience and energy of the venue and audience, as well as the energy between you as players on stage.

Performance is a two-way action: you feed off the audience and the audience feeds off you. As a professional you rehearse so you can put on the same show to any audience, but for the show to really take off to another stratosphere as a performer you benefit from playing to an audience who enjoys the music, appreciates the experience, and energetically encourages the show.

You’re set to perform at Oppikoppi this year. What are you doing to prepare for your set?

For starters, I am still choosing the set list, which is enjoyable and

Image provided.

also tricky because the festival slot is 45 minutes and we have [over] 40 songs to choose from, old and new. So it is the task of deciding which ones are in and which ones are out!

What can fans expect from your set at Oppikoppi?

Fans can expect songs from Serpente Masjien and also new material they wouldn’t have heard before. Better come and see for yourself.

What are you looking forward to most about this year’s Oppikoppi festival?

Most of all I am looking forward to playing the show. I am also looking forward to enjoying the other acts. Oppi is a diverse and gratifying music festival. I can’t wait to have dust all over my lighter and my face and my cigarettes and my socks and my guitar too, of course.

What is the one item you won’t forget to pack into your festival bag?

Padkossies!

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Entertainment | 25 July 2016

Be the creator: a gamer’s world

Illustration: Lene Stroebel

AAISHA KALLIER Photo: Fezekile Msimang

Pokémon Go takes over our world JULIA BAIN From 6 July lucky Pokémon fans in Australia, New Zealand and the US were the first to have access to the highly anticipated augmented reality mobile game Pokémon Go. The UK and Europe followed shortly after, with Japan being the most recent release. Although the rest of the world still awaits the official release, many people have found alternative ways to get their hands on the game. The game’s popularity skyrocketed in the first week of its debut and has surpassed apps such as Twitter and Tinder in its short existence.

Pokémon Go uses your phone’s built-in GPS, speedometer and pedometer in order to create a virtual world of Pokémon, superimposed on top of our own. The user must then explore the game by walking around in reality. Niantic, Pokémon Go’s developers, wanted to create a game in which players need to get off their couches and go get some exercise in order to progress.

Another result of this is helping Americans learn the metric system, as all distances are in kilometres.

After creating your avatar, the first thing all players need to know is how to catch all the original 151 Pokémon. Once a Pokémon appears on the map, tap on it and get your Pokéballs ready. A coloured ring will be seen around the Pokémon, with green indicating the easiest to catch and red indicated the most difficult. Wait for the ring to be at its smallest, then swipe to fling the Pokéball toward the Pokémon.

It may take a few tries, but once it has been successfully captured your new Pokémon will be added to your Pokédex. The combat point (CP) number above your new Pokémon indicates how strong it is, and candies and stardust can be used to make the Pokémon stronger.

Pokéstops are your best friends in the game, as they drop free

items such as Pokéballs and eggs with each visit. They refresh after about five minutes, so you won’t need to wait long in order to gain free items. Pokéstops can be found at public places such as parks, shops and statues.

Eggs are another way of gaining Pokémon, but can only be unlocked after walking a certain distance. A 2 km egg often hatches a low-level Pokémon, and 10 km egg indicates a more rare or powerful Pokémon. No cheating by getting in your car, now: Pokémon Go tracks your speed and knows that you can’t run at 60 km/h.

Gyms in Pokémon Go are a little different to those in our world.

Once players reach level five they can visit local gyms, battle other Pokémon and choose one of three teams: Team Instinct (yellow), Team Valor (red), and Team Mystic (blue). Players can join gyms run by members of their team or battle to claim ownership of opposing teams’ gyms. Gyms are usually found at shopping centres, schools or churches, as one individual found out when his refurbished church home was accidentally marked as a gym. Luckily he was a good sport about the whole situation, making friends with the players and even the owner of his “gym”.

Criticism of the game includes frequent server crashes due to its unforeseen popularity and the missing option of trading Pokémon with players, this having been teased in the promotional trailer.

Niantic executives have said that this feature will be added to the game in future upgrades.

Pokémon Go has taken a beloved fandom and used it as a tool to take gaming in a new direction. Both fans and newcomers alike can enjoy this popular game, as socialising has become a by-product of playing. The aspect of having to go out and explore a game immersed in reality – and even possibly meeting your new crush in the process – makes Pokémon Go a standout game for our time.

The world of gaming is always expanding. New titles and remakes of old games are released every month, and there is such a wide variety that it can become difficult to sift through all the games to find ones that suit you. An option is to create your own game, and there are multiple websites that help facilitate this process.

Flowlab allows you to customise every aspect of the game you’re creating. You can create the background and sprites and decide how players will control their character. The indepth creation of levels and mechanics is made simple enough for anyone to understand. Though it will take time to create a masterpiece, you can share the link to your game with friends and the Flowlab community.

Sploder allows you to create a variety of online games. You have the option to choose from arcade, platformer, spaceship shooter or space adventure games. For advanced game makers, the service includes a physics puzzle maker with which you are able to create original minigames. You will then be able to control what objects are in the game, what physics are present and even customise the game using your own game art.

Cyberix3D allows you to create complex games with 3D graphics. The games created on this platform look and play as if they were made by professionals. The platform includes options to create first person shooters, card, driving, and adventure games.

This site accommodates the difficulty in the creation of games by giving step-by-step tutorials.

Another great game making site is Gamefroot. With Gamefroot you can learn how to program and publish your creations. It also gives you an opportunity to earn money from the games you make, provided you subscribe to the website. The design environment provides you with a wide range of terrain, character and level options and you are able to create a well-balanced and interesting game.

Creating your own custom game has never been easier, with each of these sites offering something unique to the creation of a game, while providing easy to understand logic.

E3 anticipates a year to look forward to

Image: E3Insider.com

THOMAS MARAIS If the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) is anything to go by, then 2016 looks to be quite the year for gaming. From industry

giant Ubisoft we have a preview for Watch Dogs 2, the sequel to the popular yet flawed Watch Dogs. Watch Dogs 2 promises the same high tech hacking action, with a brand-new protagonist and many upgrades to the game. Character action specialists Platinum

Games brought a bunch of new information about their dragon riding game Scalebound, showing gameplay that had the Expo abuzz for hours afterward. Sony showed off a gameplay preview of their console exclusive Horizon: Zero Dawn, and journalists got to shoot a robot T-Rex in the face while others watched in palpable excitement.

Meanwhile Nintendo brought a breath of fresh air to their Legend of Zelda series by showing some details for the latest instalment in the venerable series. Breath of the Wild is sure to scratch that open world itch for many, as it allows the player to venture to any part of the map from the get-go. From the team over at Respawn Entertainment we got our first look at Titanfall 2, the sequel to the Xbox-exclusive multiplayer first person shooter.

The game will include a single player mode, which was lacking from the original and was widely considered to be the leading cause for its lack of commercial success.

Skyrim developers Bethesda unveiled gameplay for Dishonoured 2, Arkane Studio’s second game in the stealth action series. According to developer Harvey Smith, this game promises to have a “sublime tension to it” and continues the story of dishonoured imperial consort, Corvo Attano.

The long-delayed Last Guardian may finally be coming to systems this October, exciting many frustrated fans of Shadow of the Colossus and Ico, the games which Last Guardian is a spiritual successor to.

All in all, this year looks like a good year for those lovely procrastination engines we call video games, and this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of game announcements.

25 July 2016 | Entertainment

21

Photo: Kaylyn O’Brien

LonelyGirl15 makes a return

Cosplay at this year’s GeekFest. Photo: Ciske van den Heever

SHAUN SPROULE

KOJO ESSAH

In 2006, when YouTube was only one year old, a vlogger named Bree Avery posted a series of videos about her life. It slowly unfolded that Bree was a member of a secret organisation called “The Order” and was selected to go through the “Ceremony”.

Faced with the uncertainty of what it meant, Bree and her best friend Daniel Bradlow, or DanielBeast, attempt to escape The Order while trying to figure out why Bree is the target of the organisation. Ten years after the first video was posted, a new video has surfaced indicating a new series of events about to unfold.

Initially, LonelyGirl15 seemed like an ordinary YouTuber, but soon The Order, a cult-like secret society, moulded into an increasingly bizarre story line. The videos showcase drama with occasional comedy and even action sequences, while also traversing the complicated stages of adolescence. The channel also invited input from the audience, often using their help to unravel clues and give them warnings about impending danger.

With its growing following, fans started collaborating on the show’s website, discussing in depth questions about each video to try and figure out where Bree was, why she was being perused by The Order, and most importantly, who LonelyGirl15 was.

Eventually, after running for almost six months, a sting operation by reporters found that the show was fictional, with actress Jessica Lee Rose portraying the bubbly and quirky teenage girl. The channel continued to gain a following and over the next five years the LonelyGirl15 universe began to unfold in LG15: The Resistance, and in four spin-off series: KateModern, N1ckola, LG15: The Last, and LG15: Outbreak.

The original series ended in 2008, with the spin-offs continuing until 2010. However, on the ten year anniversary of the series, the channel posted a new video setting up the premise for a new series. After the revelation about her “trait positive” blood needed

by The Order, Bree disappeared at the end of season one, but it seems that Bree was able to survive and escape The Order, or possibly join it, for the start of the new series.

Tuks Anime and Gaming is a society on campus that offers students interested in anime and video games a platform to discuss and engage with other like-minded individuals about their favourite activities. Perdeby spoke to Thami Phakathi, secretary of Tuks Gaming, to discuss the society’s plans to bring back UPCon in 2017, as well as their plans for the rest of 2016.

Tuks Anime and Gaming would like to bring back UPCon in 2017. For those who do not know, could you please explain what exactly UPCon is?

UPCon is the University of Pretoria Convention. It is pretty much like rAge and Geekfest, but [is hosted] at the university. The last UPCon was in 2011. Almost one thousand people attended, which was a great turnout. There were stands for comics, card games, gaming stands for PC and console, as well as LARPing (liveaction role-playing) and cosplaying.

What happened to the convention that led to its discontinuation?

It was discontinued mainly due to funding issues and getting people [interested enough] to support it. As of now, we are trying to send out surveys to all gaming groups across our university as well as other universities in South Africa, as well as nonuniversity related gaming societies, so that we know if this is actually feasible or not. A good number of people are responding to the surveys, so hopefully we can get this [convention] up and running by 2017. Student feedback in regard to the survey is the most important part, because as a result we have decided different prices for UP and non-UP students, with the latter price being a little more expensive. This is to attract a lot of UP students, which will mean a lot more people joining the [gaming and anime] community, which in turn means that the community will stay alive. We’re just trying to make Tuks’s name more known in the gaming environment.

Why does Tuks Anime and Gaming want to bring the event back?

We as a community know that there are gamers and people on

campus who love anime in general, but they don’t really have their own place or events to really [show off their interests], socialise and communicate with people. The wait between Geekfest and rAge is so long that we thought something in the middle, something that is Tuks’s very own thing, would be able to bring everyone together, and in addition to the [anime] screenings on Tuesdays and Thursdays, we feel like there is more we could do. We wanted [to do] something huge for our community, and it’s the one thing the university will allow us to do, provided we get the numbers needed so they don’t waste too much money on it.

How does the society plan to bring this event back in 2017?

In addition to the surveys, we also plan to get sponsors, which we have already, but I can’t exactly give you their names as of yet. Another thing is just advertising the whole event itself and trying to get a good design for posters, so that when we put the posters up around campus people will be attracted to it, as well as the fact that we’re trying to revive the Tuks gaming mascot, which is going to be similar to rAge’s mascot, as well as trying to incorporate anime.

UPCon is set for March 2017. What events does the gaming side of the society have planned for the second semester of 2016?

We have a draft of events for the rest of 2016. The gaming side of the society will be using Tuesdays and Thursdays for our meetups. We will be having card game matches every second Tuesday, and every Saturday we will be having what we call scrims, which are basically practice matches to [increase] their skills. We have also arranged dates during August, September and October, using holidays and any other days off from school where we will have a braai and gaming party. I will be [overseeing] League of Legends and Overwatch, and the gaming director will be [overseeing] DotA 2 and the card games. We will also be having one-on-one matches in games like Heroes of the Storm, League of Legends, DotA 2 and Overwatch, where players who feel like they are up to the challenge will challenge each other one-on-one, and the winners will then be posted on the Tuks gaming group for acknowledgement.

founding members of South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee and operates on a school, league, provincial and national level. Since 2013 it is has been possible to receive provincial and national colours in eSports.

There are many games that can be played in various eSports competitions. The most common are first person shooter games such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) and multiplayer online battle arena games such as Defence of the Ancients (DotA 2) and LoL. LoL is considered to be the most played game and also boasts the highest viewership, but for pro gamers who want to earn from their sport, DotA 2 is the first choice. Since 2011, DotA 2 tournaments have awarded over $60 million in prize money, with the last year’s main tournament, called The International, reaching a prize pool of $18.5 million.

South Africa is not left behind in the world of eSports. Our national teams compete in various international tournaments and teams from South Africa attend various competitions around the

world. The annual rAge expo hosts a competition for seven of the top games, awarding prizes to the winning pro gamers. This year, the Telkom Digital Gaming League (DGL) will award R1 million in cash during the league to the winning DotA 2 and CS:GO teams in their DGL Masters, which runs from April to October. Eight gaming teams will be invited to compete in the event, with Aperture Gaming, Bravado Gaming, CarboN eSports, Damage Control, In-Finity Gaming, Veneration E-sports, White Rabbit Gaming, and Xperts@Total.Chaos sending teams to participate in the competition.

Like many sports, individual players become well known and gain a committed fan base. Injuries are also not uncommon, as with the high speed and accuracy needed, hand and wrist injuries can put players out for months. LoL player Hai Lam, from the US eSports team Cloud9, was even forced to retire from his career after receiving a wrist injury that impaired his performance.

Understanding competitive gaming SHAUN SPROULE While names such as SpawN, Vigoss and Toyz are not well known household names such as Messi, Matfield and Spieth, the world of eSports is a growing and competitive one. Last year, viewership of the League of Legends (LoL) world championships reached 36 million compared to the NBA (23 million) and the MLB (17 million) finals. But what are eSports? eSports are organised video game competitions usually involving by professional gamers. In South Africa, eSports fall under Mind Sports South Africa, which is one of the

Tuks Anime and Gaming prep for UPCon’s return in 2017

22

Advertisement | 25 July 2016

25 July 2016 | Fun and Games

23

Pssst...

Pssst... rolls it’s eyes in disbelief at the souring fact that even though the second semester has just begun the antics of res students have barely ceased.

With this in mind, Pssst...was unpleasantly surprised at the annual Around the World yawn fest to find out that despite the unholy behavior on the dance floor of Tenessee, the Kloekies actually do not know what makes a good punch. Curlitzia will be relieved to know that they don’t hand out awards for best punch at external prestige, and that they can continue to bore crowds by winning all of the awards.

Speaking of yawn fests, the annual Taaibos July was held this weekend, where all of the old Rag partners of Taaibos gather to compare whose dress reveals the most leg and who needs to be carried home before the sun sets. The Brakke were on their worst behavior (as usual) and Pssst...was more excited for a midnight snack on the way home from the party than any of the events lined up for the evening.

Pssst… hopes that the Knolle enjoyed their “welcoming ceremony” (read: watered down initiation tactics) last week.

Hopefully the new ladies of Madelief will be able to keep the

Sudoku

hair on their heads in future as they slip into irrelevance, seeing as no one tries to steal their polystyrene hats anymore.

Kollege is the new Huis Hatfield Studios this semester and has already become more of a pest than the car guards of Hatfield. Pssst… is sure the Vremies will blend in nicely on the streets, because neither like to indulge in clean showers.

Pssst... can’t wait to see what Serenade 2016 has in store.

Will Asterhof’s theme be about food? Will Erika put everyone to sleep yet win the entire competition? Will Boekenhout plaster the stage with their mediocrity? Will Jasmyn be able to hold a note? Will Lilium ever feature outside of the closing paragraph of Pssst...? Only time will tell.

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24

Sport | 25 July 2016

UP Olympic dreams come true

Gift Leotlela. Image provided.

Gift Leotlela books ticket to Rio

THORISO PHASHA Gift Leotlela of TuksSport High School has clinched a spot on the South African Olympic team competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The 18-year-old athlete is among the elite sprinters in the country.

Leotlela qualified for the 200 m event at the Rio Olympics when he competed at the CAA Southern Region Under-20 Championships in Lusaka. He won the 200 m event in an Olympic qualifying time of 20.47 s. His training partner Clarence Munyai, who is a fellow student at TuksSport High, also qualified for the Olympics for a third time with a time of 20.45 s during the heats, only to be disqualified in the final. Leotlela also came close to qualifying for the Olympic 100 m event earlier this year at the South African Junior Championships. The speedster won the 100 m title in a time of 10.21 s, which was just 0.05 s slower than the Olympic qualifying time of 10.16 s.

Leotlela burst onto the international scene in September 2015 when he ran the 100 m in a record time of 10.20 s at the

Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa Apia. He managed to run the second fastest time of all time by a youth with a windspeed of 1.5 m/s behind his back. Only one athlete has ever run faster than Leotlela in this event, that being Yoshihide Kiryu of Japan who ran a 10.19 s in 2012.

Leotlela’s most incredible achievement came earlier this year in Palafrugell Spain on 29 May. The teenager was in top form as he won both the 100 m and 200 m events. He won the 100 m event in a time of 10.21 s to equal the title winning time he clocked in the South African Junior Championships in Germiston. To sweeten the 100 m triumph, his time was also a new stadium record. A slight headwind probably hampered his running time in the 200 m event as he registered a time of 20.96 s.

Leotlela will be pleased to be among the youngest competitors at this year’s Olympic Games, should he compete. Leotlela will be competing against the world’s elite athletes including Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake and Justin Gatlin, who have all clocked the 200 m in under 20 s.

Men’s heavy duty crew in Lesotho including Jake Green, Vincent Breet, David Hunt and Jonty Smith. Photo: Lindsey Davis.

Rowing in Rio: men’s duty four crew ERIN SLINGERLAND Jonty Smith, Vincent Breet, Jake Green and David Hunt are four names to remember this Olympic year. These four make up the men’s heavy duty four rowing team. They became South Africa’s fifth boat to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games, with only two spots up for grabs at the final qualification regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland in June. Hunt and Green are UP students who have experienced a journey to qualification that has, by no means, been easy.

The team missed the qualifying time at the World Rowing Championships in France last year August, and some adjustments to the team were made by promoting Lawrence Brittain (former

UP student) and replacing Sizwe Ndlovu. Coach Roger Barrow said that although this was a new crew, all the athletes had performed internationally. The pressure leading up to qualification had been immense, and as Breet explained, for four years of training to come down to six minutes of racing was “mildly terrifying”. The crew made it to finals by winning their heat and beat France with a winning time of 5:55.22.

When asked about their Olympic hopes, Hunt explained that the team would not go through such intense training if they did not intend to win a podium position in Rio. The team’s biggest competitors at the games are Great Britain and Australia, but Hunt is undaunted and said, “We have one goal, and that is gold”.

Leroux Hamman during Varisty Athletics 2016. Photo: SASPA.

Leroux Hamman shows why hard work pays off THANDO CELE Team South Africa will have its full complement of men’s 400 m hurdlers at this year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro from 5-21 August, and one of them will be UP’s very own Leroux Hamman. The 24-year-old athlete achieved the Olympic qualifying time at UP-Tuks Athletics’ opening of its new athletics track this past June, winning his race with a new personal best of 49.24 s, demolishing his previous only sub-50 run of 49.99 s.

For years, Hamman was considered as one of many local 400 m hurdles runners hoping to break the 50 second barrier.

According to Hamman, “four hard years of training and devotion” has allowed the UP athlete to initially change his time from 50.99 s to 49.99 s, which was the first indication that Hamman was improving. Earlier this year when interviewed by Perdeby, the topic of the Olympic time for qualification came up and Hamman said, “As for that Olympic qualifying time, the best way to achieve that is to keep on praying and believing that God will bless me with going to the Olympics. I have been running hurdles for 14 years now, and one of the biggest lessons I have learnt is that you can’t run hurdles without God. So in short, my faith will determine my athletic goals this year.”

The athlete made sure to attribute his success to his faith, the role his coach Irma Reyneke played in his breakthrough, and the impact that UP has had in his development. Hamman had nothing but positive remarks about his time at UP, as well as the setup that’s in place for its athletes: “In almost all of the events, UP sits with the best coaches in SA. When an athlete performs, half of the credit is due to the coach. When you know you have the best coach, you believe you are on the right track. With every training session and every gym session, you know they have a plan and are making you faster and better. With so many good coaches in UP, all the athletes have the belief that they can win, which eventually makes you win,” he explained.

Hamman has made it clear that he is a man to watch in Rio and has instilled the hope for another potential South African medallist, with perhaps a time under 49 seconds.

25 July 2016 | Sport

25

Netball Protea Lenize Potgieter

Lenize Potgieter during a match with the Proteas. Image provided.

ERIN SLINGERLAND Tuks ladies Lenize Potgieter, Geanie Steyn and Izette Lubbe were selected to be part of the prestigious Spar Protea Netball team. The Spar Proteas beat Wales in the Spar Challenge International Netball Series at the Durban International Convention Centre, which took place from 17-19 June. In the final matches the Proteas overtook Wales with a score of 6450, while the baby Proteas thrashed their Welsh counterparts 88-2. Goal shooter Potgieter reached a pivotal moment of her netball career.

How has being a part of team like this helped shape you as

a netball player?

Each individual [in the team] adds something different to me as a netball player. They push you hard to become the best, not to give up and not to back down during training sessions. This team also boosts your confidence when it’s low or keeps on adding to it when it’s high. They’re hard workers [and that] makes me want to work hard.

How has TuksNetball helped develop you as a netball player?

TuksNetball [has] enabled me to reach my goal of becoming a Protea netball player by helping me reach my full potential.

When we go on tours, we stay in backpackers which help us stay humble, keep our feet on the ground and become more independent women. They provide fitness sessions, gym sessions, as well as individual sessions to make us stronger, fitter, faster and better players.

Now that this series has ended, what are your netball hopes for the rest of the year?

Definitely to win Varsity Cup this year. Also, we have a tour in Australia and New Zealand [at the] end of August, beginning September where I hope that we can show the Aussies and Kiwis how much we’ve improved and give them a run for their money.

Is your training strictly practicing netball or do you branch out into other areas of fitness and wellbeing?

Basically we have our gym sessions to improve our strength and explosive power, fitness sessions to improve our fitness, individual sessions to work on your specific skills that are required for your position – sometimes speed and agility – and then netball training sessions where the team trains together to put the final puzzle pieces in place. We have a nutritionist that help us stay in shape and also a biokineticist that works with us at the gym to correct our technique.

You have given advice to aspiring female athletes, but what advice would you have given your past self?

To work on my fitness, eat healthier, and learn the correct gym technique from an earlier age to avoid injuries I have now and be fitter and stronger for the game.

What ambitions do you have for the rest of your netball career?

I would love to make netball my career. Hopefully in a few years I will be able to call myself a professional athlete. I have a wish to be seen by the Australian selectors to hopefully join their netball league in Australia in 2017.

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26

Sport | 25 July 2016

AmaTuks vs Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: Stefan Stander.

UP’s road back to PSL following relegation DYLAN JACK The University of Pretoria was relegated from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) after finishing second from the bottom of the log and failing to win a single one of their relegation playoff matches.

Following their second from bottom finish in the PSL season, UP played playoff matches in a three team log format against Mbombela United and Highlands Park, the teams who finished third and second respectively in the National First Division (NFD).

UP got their relegation campaign off to a poor start as they lost 1-0 at home to a clinical Mbombela side. They faced another disappointment in Johannesburg where they lost 1-0 to a determined Highlands Park who booked their place in the PSL 2016/2017 season with a 2-0 win over Mbombela United.

UP then played out a goalless draw against Highlands Park at the Tuks Stadium, leaving them at the bottom of the relegation table and consigning them to relegation. This means that UP will play

in the NFD for the first time since 2012.

UP’s relegation can have both a negative and positive effect on the club. In terms of the negatives, UP’s top players may elect to leave the club to play for a team in the PSL, which could leave the team short of squad numbers come the start of what can be a very competitive NFD season. However, UP’s relegation may be a positive as it allows the club to rethink the brand of football that has been played and allows a certain amount of restructuring so that the team can come back stronger if they gain promotion into the PSL. Coach Shaun Bartlett has been in this position before as he took the Lamontville Golden Arrows into the PSL in the 2014/2015 season and has experience of coaching in the NFD. When asked how UP had got to the point of relegation, Bartlett said, “We had a great five-year period in the PSL, and maybe part of the reason we are in this situation is that the players may have become a little complacent. Everything happens for a reason, in my opinion. I think being at a club now having to start a new team means we can give more opportunities to younger

players and students that can play at a higher level.”

In order to regain their spot in the PSL, UP needs to finish in the top three of the NFD. If UP finishes first at the end of the NFD season they would guaranteed automatic promotion and allow them to avoid the relegation playoffs. Should the team finish second or third on the NFD log they would then have to play relegation matches against the team who finishes second from bottom in the PSL 2016/2017 season.

When asked about how the team plans to regain their spot in the PSL and compete in the NFD, Bartlett answered, “We are going to try and put as strong a team together as we can so we can get back into the PSL as quick as possible. The NFD is a very tough competition to play in, and in my opinion can be tougher than the PSL due to the fact that the players tend to show plenty of fighting spirit and work hard, and it’s not always about being technically good. That is what I am going to look for in terms of putting a squad together. We are going to have to travel far in this competition, so we need players with a lot of character both on and off the field.”

Catching up with Springbok Nadine Roos

Image provided.

THORISO PHASHA UP-Tuks women’s rugby player Nadine Roos has been captivating rugby audiences around the globe on the sevens circuit lately. Roos has won a number of trophies and individual accolades since her international debut earlier

this year, and her finest hour came in the Roma Sevens Cup final against Kenya on 11 June. She gave a performance that onlookers will not soon forget after scoring two tries and converting five tries for a personal tally of 30 points to steer the team to a 40-0 victory.

What was it about the final game in Rome that you

attribute your standout performance to?

I felt particularly motivated and amped before this game! There was something about having that Springbok emblem on my chest. I prepared myself mentally and told myself that I was going to give it my all, because this was the last game.

What did it feel like to know that most the points of the victory against Kenya came from you?

It was such a privilege! I did not do this on my own, though.

I knew that God had given me the guidance on the field to put points on the board, and my teammates guidance to pass me the ball.

How has TuksRugby shaped you to reach this point in your career?

I started at Tuks and experienced my first international tournament with them. I really enjoyed playing the game, and that is what has kept me going ever since.

You obviously do extensive touring as a sevens international. What would you say has been your most memorable tour?

There are two tournaments (Hong Kong and Rome). It was a great atmosphere in Hong Kong, and the support the players gave each other was the best. As a youngster it was [also] a great feeling to win a cup final in front of a stadium full of people and against players that have played in [the] World Series. [I’ve] always wanted to play in Rome, and it was dream come true.

Your team faced the disappointment of missing out on the Olympics, and Kenya will compete at the Games instead.

Do you think that this victory will motivate the team to push even harder to gain a spot at the 2020 Olympics?

Talking to all of the senior players, they all want to work hard for that [2020] spot and I’m sure they will want to give anything to get there. This game really motivated us not to give up. We know what we are capable of and will keep working toward our Olympic dream.

25 July 2016 | Sport

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Megan Page. Image provided.

TuksSquash: meet Megan Page TAY LETHULOE Photo: SASPA. Varsity Hockey 2016.

USSA 2016 hockey review THANDO CELE The 2016 edition of the annual University Sports South Africa (USSA) hockey tournament took place from 4-8 July in Johannesburg and was hosted by the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). At this year’s tournament UP finished second overall in the mens’ and ladies’ divisions after narrow losses to the University of Stellenbosch and North-West University (Pukke) in their respective finals.

The candy striped men and women played through the group stages of the tournament unbeaten. These performances swept aside the University of the Free State, the University of Johannesburg, Varsity College Durban and tournament hosts Wits with a complement of points to show for it.

The ladies’ final against Pukke was gripping as both teams

showcased their skills at the highest level of university sport to be crowned the best in the country. The UP-Tuks ladies ultimately went down 1-0 after a run of promising displays throughout the tournament. A vast improvement in performance was notably seen and rewarded with a silver medal and overtook the disappointment of last year’s fifth place finish.

The men’s final was a tight affair that went right down to the wire. Coming back from 0-2 down, Tuks fought back to tie the game at 2-2 and take it to penalty shoot-outs. The shoot-outs ultimately proved to be UP-Tuks’ undoing as the men went down 3-2 in a final that had all in attendance on the edge of their seat.

The success of USSA 2016 will allow both UP-Tuks teams to shift their focus on to the Northern Hockey League, with the league resuming this semester. Both teams will be intent on once again being crowned champions of Northern Gauteng.

Photo: SASPA. UP vs UWC at Varsity Football tournament.

Varsity Football underway TAY LETHULOE The UP-Tuks team will look to improve on their 2015 campaign as they begin their 2016 Varsity Football tournament. The twotime champions were unexpectedly knocked out at the semi-final stages last year after a strong comeback during the log stages. The team will be under the new leadership of experienced Simbongile Njokwe as captain.

This will be a balanced UP-Tuks team, with many players returning and some of the players from the previous season no

longer available. The likes of Jurgen Booysen, Qongo Musa and Tsambo Sabelo will be making their debut for the team. The Pretoria side also have a winning momentum coming into the tournament, having won the USSA tournament earlier this year.

Tuks’ campaign began against the reigning champions, the University of the Western Cape at UWC Sports Stadium on Monday 18 July. It was a game of two halves as UWC and UPTuks held out to a 1-1 draw. Perdeby will be providing match reports of every UP game, which can be found online at Perdeby.co.za.

Perdeby interviewed Megan Page on the TuksSquash team’s success at the USSA competition and her own performance.

TuksSquash have been one of the most consistent top performers at the USSAs. What would you attribute this to?

I believe our competitiveness at the USSA is a direct result of lots of hard work, a good training programme and dedicated players.

We have a great training programme in place that is tailored and is continuously developing toward the needs of the players. Our support structure at TuksSquash is a strong one and is made up of a team of managers and coaches, which plays a huge role. Most importantly I think we have a lot of awesome players who are dedicated and proud to be part of TuksSquash, which makes it natural to try to do our best for ourselves as well as our university.

How do you feel about your own personal performance at the USSAs and your selection for the national team for the world championships?

I’m very honoured to have been selected for the university world team. I faced a lot of challenges with regard to an injury I had at the end of last year, and looking back over my journey since then, this didn’t even seem like a possibility. I definitely gave it my all in terms of my training to get back to a competitive level, and I’m pleased to say I tried my best in every match. I’m delighted with my performance and feeling very privileged to be part of the South African team.

What are some of your objectives leading up to the squash world championships?

I think the main aim would be to work on maintaining the standards we have set and improving in areas we’ve identified need improving. The benefit of having USSA prior to the championships is that it illustrated to us where we each individually need to improve. From my side, I think the plan is to perfect my shots, minimise my error rate and maintain and hopefully improve fitness and agility. A lot of dedication in other areas is obviously needed, so a healthy diet, hard training and mental preparation will hopefully lead to my best performance at the event.

Sport

TuksSport highlights 2016. Photos: SASPA.

While you’ve been away: USSA TAY LETHULOE

UP-Tuks proved once again to be one of the top performing institutions in the University Sports South Africa (USSA) rankings as they placed within the top three of multiple sporting codes which were on display over the mid-year semester break. The USSAs are one of the premier intervarsity championships in South Africa as university institutions across SA showcase their sporting skills.

The UP-Tuks Football team were the first code to set the tone as they were won the postponed USSA tournament in March. Their victory allowed UP to secure the title for the third time in three years. Coach Jan “Mabuza”

Motaung had this to say about the tournament: “Our preparation went well for this tournament.

One can give credit to the boys for the hard work that they put in, and for all their dedication.” UPTuks now hopes to carry the momentum into the Varsity Football tournament, which started on Monday 18 July, to regain the Varsity Football title that went to the University of the Western Cape last year. “Now that we’ve started our next major tournament [Varsity Football], I am still confident in the team and believe we can achieve our objectives,” said Motaung.

UP-Tuks Netball was able to put in a winning effort and retain the title as USSA netball champions for the third year in a row. The side displayed a consistent effort throughout

the tournament, placing them first on the log before heading into the knockout stages. They overcame Maties 49-38 in the semi-final before beating NWU-Pukke 46-36 in the final. The combination of youth and experience proved valuable to the team, with the likes of senior national players like Izzette Lubbe and Jeanie Steyn. The team will hopefully carry the same strength into the Varsity netball season which starts in September. Tshina Mdae, who was captain during the USSA tournament, said: “The team came together well for a bunch of youngsters. We rose to the occasion and did what the girls who came before us [did].” As she looks ahead to the Varsity Netball season, which begins in September, Tshina said, “Varsity cup is

a different ballgame. Preparations are underway and we are looking forward to the competition!”

The University of Pretoria also put in mentionable performances in other sporting codes, such as Volleyball which took place from 4-8 July. UP managed to make it to the final in Pretoria, where they went on to place second to the Vaal University of Technology.

Individual USSA performances that have stood out include TuksGymnastic’s Van Zyl Steyn and Lynelle Venter, who were awarded the 2016 Victor Ludorum and Victrix Ludorum, respectively. TuksSquash also managed to place third in the USSA this year and had two of their players selected for the university national team, namely Nell van der Merwe and Megan Page.

UP crowned 2016 USSA Rugby Champions DYLAN JACK

Photo: SASPA. TuksRugby during Varsity Cup.

The USSA rugby championship took place at Walter Sisulu University from the 4-8 July.

UP was crowned as 2016 champions after they beat a determined University of Stellenbosch (Maties) side by 21-17 in the final.

UP opened the tournament by beating the Central University of Technology 38-5.

Inside centre WJ Strydom crossed the try line twice while wing Riaan Britz, hooker Theuns Reynolds and prop Justin Forwood also added tries. Flyhalf Marcel Steyn Scholtz added four conversions and a penalty to what proved to be a convincing display. Perdeby spoke to the flyhalf about the experience: “The USSA is always a tough tournament. You play against the best university teams in South Africa, but this year’s tournament was great! Even though the conditions were tough, some great rugby was played. I loved every second of [the

game] down in East London,” Steyn Scholtz said.

UP faced Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in the group-A semifinals and managed to secure a victory of 24-3 to earn their spot in the final against Maties. The two teams battled it out in the final minutes of the game, but UP put in a determined display to win 21-17. Strydom and Steyn Scholtz added tries for UP, with Steyn Scholtz also kicking two conversions and three penalties. When asked about how it felt to win the tournament, Steyn Scholtz said, “It was a great feeling and a moment of relief when the final whistle blew. It was a hard fought win against the guys from down south. The UP players showed some real guts on defense and played together as a team to pull it through. It was a tough week playing three games in one week, but our management staff did an excellent job to keep us healthy and ready for the final.”

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