PDBWhy: UP adopts trans protocol

Faculty of Health Food Parcel Project

Manelisi Magoro

The Food Parcel Project is part of the faculty of Health’s ‘Life Changers Fund initiative’. It is a collaboration between the faculty and student bodies to address student hunger. In 2018 it was estimated that 30% of students were food insecure and that percentage is likely higher in 2021 in the aftermath of the national lockdowns in 2020. The Health Faculty recognised that supporting students only academically is insufficient, and that there was also a need to support them in other areas. This led to the initiation of the Food Parcel Project.

The drive accepts donations of nonperishable foodstuffs such as canned food, whole grains, long-life milk and toiletries. It is important to note that perishables are not collected in the donation boxes which are found on several locations on campus such as: HW Snyman North Building (next to the library), the entrance of Student Admin, 6th floor of the Dentistry building, House Ukuthula, Tuks Bophelong and Hippokrates.

“We do not only collect non-perishable food items but also toiletries to assist students too. All sponsorships are gladly accepted” says Vanessa Steenkamp of the project. The drive received two big donations of perishable food that included bread loaves, sandwiches and cooldrink. These perishables need to be distributed swiftly to ensure that they remain fresh. In the case of such donations, class reps are informed to pass on the message to students. “The remainder is taken to residences or churches who have and [continue to] assist us when we have a student without a place to stay or when [students are] waiting for accommodation’. “We also donate to the community”, Steenkamp adds.

The Food Parcel initiative plans to collaborate with the Department of Dietetics on incorporating a balanced cooked meal with all the necessary nutrients at least once a week.

Health students who require this aid are encouraged to contact one of the following people via their respective email addresses: Ms Lolo Mosia (lolo.mosia@up.ac.za), Ms Corne Nel (corne.nel@up.ac.za), or Ms Mahlatse Mokwena (mahlatse.mokwena@up.ac.za).

The Food Parcel project is an extension of the SNAPP project that provides food parcels to students in different faculties. Steenkamp expressed that they have plans to extend the project to other faculties. “We are one institution and [we] must help each other. We first wanted to get the project up and running on a smaller scale” says Steenkamp.

She adds that the next step for the project is to seek sponsorships which will allow them to buy the items in bulk. Steenkamp also expressed that there were some promising sponsorship opportunities and she is confident that this will cotninue to grow.

PDBWhy: UP adopts trans protocol

Vasalya Moodley

In recent UP news, the University of Pretoria adopted a new trans protocol. This was done to allign with the university’s Anti-Discrimination Policy and to include the needs of non-binary, transgender and intersex students and staff. The trans protocol is UP’s response to protecting vulnerable individuals experiencing trans-aimed discrimination, thus building a stronger policy of anti-discrimination and creating a safe, inclusive university life.

This new protocol was compiled and produced by the Centre for Sexualities, AIDS and Gender (CSA&G), the UP Transformation Office, UP and OUT, #SpeakOutUP, Department of Residence Affairs, the SRC, students and staff as well as other societies and organisations. The collective efforts in drafting this protocol have spanned three years and were initiated when a student in the process of transitioning stated that he needed to feel recognised and safe in his university environment.

Acting director of the CSA&G, Pierre Brouard, has stated that this protocol is a response to the question but “what kind of space do we want to create at UP, where everybody – including people who are transgender, intersex, non-binary and genderqueer – feel welcome”. Discrimination, whether it be due to malice or misinformation, is prevalent in university spaces; with the addition of this protocol, Brouard hopes to achieve broad transformation at UP.

Brouard now wishes to start the conversation of gender fluidity to create an environment of understanding and acceptance before a student or staff member announces their transition or process thereof. In this way, prepatory work is done so that there is no place for discrimination and harm after the fact. Trans issues are not in isolation either, they can be linked to other facets of one’s identity such as race and disability. He hopes that this protocol will illustrate how these issues connect together.

According to Brouard, despite the South African Constitution protecting sex and gender, actual policies containing applicable provisions to execute such protection are absent. He goes on to say that these are new uncharted waters for South Africa. With this new protocol, a conversation has now been opened and the recognition it condones is empowering. PDBY asked UP students what they thought of the new protocol.

Natania Harding

2nd year Mechanical Engineering

“As a non-binary [person] I am excited to see not only representation of the trans community but affirmative action taking place. Our constitution may protect us but we do not necessarily feel safe even in more open and accepting environments such as university. We are people and yes I am happy we are receiving protection now but it is the bare minimum to not be endangered for living as our true selves. I hope this protocol will allow us to be more than protected but also accepted and integrated into society.”

Sinazo Sijovu

Final year BSocSci (Philosophy, Politics and Economics)

“The passing of the UP trans policy is a progressive step towards the university’s overall aim of achieving holistic transformation. Acknowledging the existence and humanity of all members of the UP community goes beyond just saying it - which is why policies like these have to exist, for accountability sake and in order for it to be documented how the university practically plans to better accommodate transgender, intersex, gender non-conforming and non-binary members of the institution as per the needs of these individuals. Additionally, the policy demonstrates what measures are being put in place by the institution to actively make all persons feel recognised and comfortable not as an exception, but as the standard for how all people within their rights deserve to be treated. I appreciate how this policy plans to engage multiple facets of student life and how it will challenge us all to confront discrimination and do better in our efforts to eradicate it. I look forward to the benefits that the transgender community will directly reap from the passing of this policy but I am also hopeful about the opportunities that it will [be] present for the rest of the UP community to educate ourselves and act in accordance with the policy so as to see to it that the importance of it and why it should be consistently upheld is never lost.”

Hamish Craze

Masters in Bioinformatics

“I read through the trans protocol and I get the sense that this document was written from a position of compassion. In that regard, I feel happy that I live [in] a society where we attempt to cohabitate and be tolerant instead of the alternative (re-education camps, conversion therapy, genocide). Aspects such as the SCU (Student Counselling Unit) offering their services to transitioning individuals seems like a win no matter how you slice it. However in some places, I feel it may reach for the impractical or idiotic. Say for example: In section 17, accomodation is provided to trans people who have legally transitioned (their ID document reflects their chosen gender) to residences based on their chosen identity. I just picture a trans-person in Taaibos, Maroela, Mopanie or literally any res and think “yea guys, I don’t [think] this is going to be this win for human rights you expect”. But at the same time, what else is there to do? Build an entirely new res just for the three trans people? That doesn’t seem practical either.

At the end of the day I wish whoever is transitioning luck on their journey and advocate for growing a thick skin because by all accounts you’re going to need it.”

Student voices in the pandemic

Introduction

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic reached South Africa and the country went into a strict lockdown to try and contain the situation. In the following months, a group of University of Pretoria development studies students - themselves forced to leave campus and student residences and try to learn online – wrote about this unprecedented situation. In this short collection we share some of these experiences; some reveal what the students themselves were going through, some capture the stories of others around them. No-one, at the time of writing these really imagined that a year later we would still be so severely affected by this pandemic. But here we are, all still grappling with many of the same challenges. We hope you find these glimpses of how others have been affected in some way illuminating and perhaps encouraging.

Editors:

Marc Wegerif and Bontle Modubu – March 2021

University of Pretoria, Department of Anthropology and Archaeology.

COVID-19 Anxiety

Most people might face stress and anxiety as a result of issues relating to food insecurity, money and employment, but from my experience I face stress and anxiety because of my schoolwork. Online learning has been a huge struggle for me as I face challenges with my network connectivity, the constant buying of data and my laptop being extremely slow on certain days (mostly when I need it). Such challenges put an extra amount of stress on top of the general stress I already experience from being a student. I have not been clinically diagnosed, but I generally have bad anxiety, which causes me to stress about things for weeks on end, and sometimes I end up not doing certain things because of my anxiety.

Author: Nelisiwe Maseko

SHS tackles misinformation about contraceptives

Nokwanda Kubheka

In May’s Department of Student Affairs service letter, Student Health Services tackled myths about contraceptives (birth control) and countered them with facts.

Some of the myths included:

Myth: Birth control causes weight gain.

Fact: Contraceptives, like any other drug, have varying side effects on various women. Increased appetite caused by injectable contraceptives can contribute to weight gain, but is not a certainty.

Myth: Birth control will affect a person’s future ability to have children.

Fact: Short or long-term birth control has little impact on potential fertility, according to research.

Myth: Contraceptive pills can lead to cancer.

Fact: Combination oral contraceptives have been shown to reduce the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer. Myth: Contraceptives protect people from sexually transmitted infections. Fact: The only birth control methods that protect against sexually transmitted infections are the male and female condoms. Other birth control methods only protect against pregnancy.

Myth: It is not safe to use hormonal birth control over a long period of time.

Fact: It is safe for women to take hormonal birth control for as long as they need them.

Myth: Contraceptives cause acne.

Fact: Oral contraceptives may reduce the appearance of acne.

Students can get access to contraceptives free of charge in government funded clinics and hospitals, and at a cost in private medical centres.

Assault and GBV in student spaces

Thabang Moloi and Amukelani Makamu

University of Pretoria structures such as Speak Out, Just Leaders UP and the the Centre For Sexualities, AIDS and Gender(CSA&G) have carried out initiatives to raise awareness on sexual assault. Student Structures such as SRC and Stars Mentorship also participate in the fight against gender based violence.

Speak Out and co. held three webinars on Instagram. All three of the webinars have been recorded and uploaded, these can be found on the Speak Out Instagram page (@ SpeakOUT_UP). SpeakOut defined sexual harassment as outlined in the University of Pretoria’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, which is accessible to the public on the institution’s website. It states, “[s]exual harassment is unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. The unwanted nature of sexual harassment distinguishes it from behaviour that is welcome and mutual. Sexual attention becomes sexual harassment if the behaviour is persisted in (although a single, serious incident may suffice)[…]”. Speak Out encourages students to go through the University’s Anti-Discrimination policy to be better informed on the issue of sexual assault.

The highlight of Speak Out webinars was the presence of a health care institution, OnPoint Health Care, which provides health care for victims of Sexual Assault and various other health care services. The focus of their in-depth discussion was the role of perpetrators.

Sharmilah-Kasai Matime, a UP student, answered the question of “what do you think ncompasses sexual assault?” and answered:

“People who have a certain power or strength, (even physical strength, where someone is stronger and knows the other person cannot fight for themselves) over another person or the victim. Lack of knowledge, a perpetrator may think what they’re doing is not sexual assault or may not be defined as sexual assault so they will not get into trouble, however anyway sexual act that is unwanted and forced or opposed is assault. Perpetrators know that in most cases they will not get punished or[that they will] get away with a lenient punishment like a fine or a warning or a suspended sentence, especially when they are first time perpetrators. Some [perpetrators] know that they can get away with the crime as most victims do not report the crime or wait a long while before they report it, meaning the evidence is lost or doesn’t exist and there are no witnesses and it becomes the victim’s words versus the perpetrator’s words.”

Sexual assault, sexual harassment and gender based violence can be reported to Protection officer, Mrs E Gardiner from the Legal Services Division (Tel: 012 420 3073) or a member of the Support Panel. Crime can also be reported to Brooklyn SAPS at 012 366 1700.

Students and safe sex

Mothusi Mokalane

Sex among students is a common practice in universities. This is because of the ample freedom that most students find themselves having, as they are no longer under parental authority. It is, therefore, of great importance to have conversations surrounding sex, especially among students. This is a measure to try and prevent sexually transmitted infections and diseases, as well as to do away with unwanted and unplanned pregnancies. University years are probably the most exciting for any young person and it is at university where we learn and discover our sex rhythms, who we want to have sex with and how we want to have sex. The Centre for Sexualities, AIDS and Gender (CSA&G) maintains that there is not enough sex education in South African universities. That is why the centre uses sex positive and intersectional approaches to working with young people and broader issues of human rights and social justice. “An ‘intersectional’ approach refers to the fact that forms of oppression intersect with and co-constitute each other, so that our work must focus on people as complex bearers of multiple, contextual and fluid identities”, stated Hulisani Khorombi, a member of CSA&G. A sex positive approach is based on the idea that people should have space to embody, explore and learn about their sexuality and gender without judgment or shame. Above all else, sex positivity values consent, communication, and education that allows people to make informed choices about their bodies and pleasure.

Safe sex and STIs

The University of Fort Hare psychology scholars, Magqamfana and Kheswa, in their study of “Sexual Practices of Female Students at South African Universities”, indicate that the majority of female university students fall within the sexually active group and are at risk of sexually transmitted infections. This is because of practices that students participate in, such as partying and having unprotected sex with multiple partners. The study shows that many female students go to university without having explored partying and clubbing, and this reality makes them adapt to these cultures in an uninformed manner, which in turn, can adversely impact their sexual health and behaviour.

A study conducted by the National Department of Higher Education and Training HIV/AIDS Programme (HEAIDS), revealed that in South African universities, 32.4% of sexually active male students did not use a condom the last time they had sex. The study also considered that some students explore their sexual diversity when they are in university as the study revealed that a quarter of the students in this study acknowledge that they have sex with men, however, they do not identify as queer. This suggests a sexual trend that indicates that most students choose sexual partners on grounds other than the sexual orientation they identify as. Khorombi of the CSA&G adds that when a student attends university, there is an opportunity for exploration that occurs as the space may be more inclusive than previous spaces that the student was in. There is often less judgment and Sexual dysfunction critique in a space that is filled with peers of a Lee Spencer and Antoinette Zeiss’s study similar age group who come from vastly different on “Sexual Roles and Sexual Dysfunction backgrounds. The inevitable exposure to new in College Students” revealed that 13% out ideas and concepts can affirm certain ideas that of the 43% of students that participated in a student may have had that they could not fully their survey experience sexual performance understand until the vocabulary was explained to difficulties. Spencer and Zeiss’s observation them. “A student may find that now that they are is that sexual pressure from partners is closely in a safer space they allow themselves to fully associated with sexual dysfunction for most engage with their attraction to people whom they students. Spencer and Zeiss indicate that may be attracted to regardless of the biological many male students are likely to not report sex of the person”, explained Khorombi. their sexual problems and concerns. Mkhize Siyabonga Mkhize, a programme coordinator at of Outreach added that, because of the shame Outreach, a division within the Engage Men’s attached to sexual challenges, especially among Health Clinic, stated that there is nothing wrong males, Engage Men’s Health does not have a with having multiple sex partners, however one large influx of people coming to the clinic for has to practice protected sex, or at least be on a consultations. Mkhize, however, encourages PrEP treatment. students to seek help and make medical enquiries PrEP – Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis so that they get the help needed. A study by

PrEP is a preventative medicine for people Caroline Moreau et al. on “Sexual Dysfunction at risk of HIV/AIDS. It is taken to prevent Among Youth: An Overlooked Sexual Health infection from sex or injection during drug Concern”, shows that a large percentage of use. If one takes it as required, PrEP is highly female students also experience some form of effective for preventing HIV. Mkhize of Engage sexual dysfunction. These range from lack of Men’s Health explained that for one to be on sexual desire, difficulty in reaching orgasm, to PrEP one has to be HIV negative. Therefore, a pain during sexual intercourse. Additionally, test is conducted first before one is approved Moreau et al. wrote that “21% of male youth/ for treatment. Mkhize went on to indicate that students indicated that they regularly experience there is a worrying lack of knowledge about premature ejaculation while a 4% minority PrEP and access to it. “Most people in our reported problems of erection”. The study also society have no idea what PrEP is, they do not shows that one in eleven females indicated that even know that it exists and this act further puts they experience vaginal dryness on a regular people at unnecessary danger of infections”, basis. Khorombi indicated that when a person stated Mkhize. Mkhize added that there has becomes sexually aroused, hormones, muscles, to be popularisation and advertising of PrEP, nerves and blood vessels all work with one especially among young people and students another to create a reaction. There are many because of their often highly active sex lives. factors that can influence this, including physical Mkhize noted that for the mere fact that it and psychological factors. These are not limited prevents what is among the biggest killers of to age and should they be prolonged and cause people in South Africa, distress to the person who is it is a huge advantage suffering from such struggles, for everyone, therefore it is suggested that they people should know about Above all else, speak to a professional such it. “Because of budget constraints, PrEP is not sex positivity as a doctor. “Engaging in sexual acts can at times be advertised enough for the values consent, frustrating and it is important general public. Only a small percentage, mostly social media users, [are] communication, and education that that everyone is aware that they can get assistance”, motivated Khorombi. aware of it”, explained allows people to make In trying to bridge the gap Mkhize. Mkhize went on to suggest that when one informed choices of lack of sex education, the CSA&G runs a 9-week entry wants to be on PrEP it about their bodies level training course twice a is better if one is at risk of getting HIV, because and pleasure. year which gives foundational knowledge surrounding social mostly people with a justice matters. In light of single sex partner take that and having created a safe the treatment, and default space for students to explore along the way. This has negative effects because difficult and uncomfortable conversations, there in some areas PrEP is not easily accessed. A are instances where students feel comfortable single bottle is purchased by the state for over approaching either staff members, trainers or R600. Khorombi explained that the CSA&G befrienders around issues surrounding sex. In informs students about both this as well as the context of its history and vision, the CSA&G PEP - a post-exposure prophylaxis which is a explores, at the university and beyond, themes short course of HIV medicines taken soon after that are not limited to, social and community a possible exposure to HIV to prevent the virus justice, gender-based justice, sexual and from taking hold in the body. PrEP treatment can reproductive health and rights for all sexual be found at no cost for people at various medical diversity, and sexual citizenship. The centre can institutions; Engage Men’s Health in Hatfield be found at Akanyang Building at the University also gives the treatment. of Pretoria.

Toxic productivity

& student culture

Kirsten Minnaar

Toxic productivity, as Huffpost defines it, is the “unhealthy desire to be productive at all times, at all costs”. It is not hard to understand why this phenomenon is so prevalent among university students. Students are expected to push themselves to their limits to succeed, even if that means sacrificing their mental and physical health in the process.

According to the Amherst Wire, university students are forced to go above and beyond in order to remain competitive in the job market. This means that students are expected to partake in internships, full- or part-time jobs, and student societies, all while maintaining high grades for all of their classes. The University of Pretoria’s Student Health Services (SHS) and Student Counselling Unit (SCU) also expressed that toxic productivity is encouraged among students through “pressure to achieve high marks, competitive programmes, [and] pressure to complete quickly no matter their own possible individual obstacles”. They believe that this phenomenon stems from students’ inability “to realistically estimate their own reasonable levels of achievement”. Students will put more pressure onto themselves and they “could end up feeling like failures when the problem is not their own outcomes but rather their expectations”. Psychologist and blogger, Dr Julie Smith, explains that toxic productivity enforces a feeling that no matter how much you do each day, it is never enough. This means that students are drastically overextending themselves, while simultaneously never feeling fulfilled or accomplished.

Dr Smith believes that there is a wider cultural problem at play. Social media has created an environment where people have a constant view into one another’s lives. This has created pressure to “appear a certain way to family, friends or potential employers”. TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are filled with an endless amount of ultra-productive day-in-the-life videos, accounts dedicated to beautiful note-taking, pictures of fellow students studying in coffee shops, and, tragically, the #hustle. This has led to a culture where hyper-productivity has been romanticised and normalised on social media. The UP SHS and the UP SCU stated that “[s]tudents may publish achievements on social media which do not reflect the real world. Images are displaced from the real-life context of ongoing challenges and disappointments which accompany ordinary life experiences amid the achievements”. This culture of “performative workaholism”, as the New York Times calls it, makes people feel inferior if they are not able to maintain the same levels of hyperproductivity they see portrayed on social media. Social media also exposes people to an onslaught of advertisements that force people to compare themselves to others and their levels of productivity, in order to encourage them to buy their products. PDBY conducted a poll on social media and asked students about their feelings regarding toxic productivity. When asked if social media has ever made them feel as though they were not being productive enough, the vast majority of students who responded replied that it did.

The constant push for hyper-productivity is not sustainable or healthy. However, in order to keep up with the high levels of productivity that this culture requires, many students are forced to turn towards unhealthy habits. In PDBY’s poll, 73% of 1260 students who replied said that they drank caffeine while studying, 59% of students said that they sleep less than 6 hours multiple times a week and 79% of students said that they practise unhealthy eating habits while studying. Students also revealed that they suffer from panic attacks and insomnia, partake in smoking, neglect personal hygiene, and use concerta or similar substances without a prescription, or double their usual dosage. One student also shared that they “[went] to class with a kidney stone”, because they prioritised their academics over their health. An overwhelming majority of responding students also expressed that their sense of self-worth was dependent on their ability to be productive. They expressed that if they think that they are not being productive enough they experience feelings of guilt, stress, and anxiety and can feel like they are “useless”. The SHS and the SCU explained that, in the long term, hyperproductivity can “bring about low self-esteem and a sense of hopelessness”.

The constant pressure that students put on themselves to participate in endless activities, while also maintaining high grades, is not sustainable. Even though this behaviour is expected from all students, it is not good for the mental or physical health of students, and it can leave them with a sense of hopelessness. As one student expressed on PDBY’s poll, “[w]e need to stop comparing our progress to others’. That’s where it becomes toxic.”

Illustration: Bernhard Schiele

Trophy hunting for conservation

Lauren Harries

Recently, the Zimbabwean government released a statement regarding the hunting of critically endangered African forest elephants in order to accumulate an income for the further conservation of their wildlife. According to CNN, the Zimbabwean government plans to sell hunting licenses for the hunting of approximately 500 elephants. Hunters will reportedly need to pay between $10 000 - $70 000, depending on the size of the elephant, to secure their hunt. This announcement is considered extremely controversial as it comes only two weeks after the International Union for Conservation of Nature announced that African forest elephants are now considered critically endangered. Despite this, Zimparks is pushing for the number of elephants for the hunt to be increased due to overpopulation within their national parks. The Zimbabwean government has motivated this decision by stating that the revenue accumulated from the hunt will be used to fund further conservation.

According to Discover Wildlife, trophy hunting is the shooting of carefully selected animals, under official government license, for pleasure. It has been around for decades with big wildlife, such as elephants often being the targets of these kinds of hunts. According to wildlife conservationists, the Zimbabwean government’s allowance for this trophy hunt to occur will not have any drastic effects, as it is not a sustainable or beneficial way to manage the wildlife. This solution will also not address the issue of local communities being affected by them due to the overpopulation in the national parks.

The effect of trophy hunting on conservation is an issue that is often critically discussed within the wildlife community. Simiso Mlevu, a spokesperson for the Centre for Natural Resource Governance, a Zimbabwe environmental and human rights advocacy group, reminded the public that trophy hunting is a practice that agitates animals and increases the chances of human-wildlife conflict. Mlevu argues that the Zimbabwean government’s argument that trophy hunting will assist with conservation is one that is motivated purely by greed, and that the money accumulated from such hunts is often not accounted for.

The decline in tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic is an international issue that has resulted in a significant loss of income for many countries. Many African countries, like Zimbabwe, rely

Image: Bernhard Schiele

on tourism revenue to fund their conservation programmes. With this loss of income, countries are forced to find other ways to fund their programmes. For Zimbabwe, this means the trophy hunting of African forest elephants. However, whether trophy hunting is the most effective way to fund conservation is a topic of debate. A journal article, written by Melville Saayman, Petrus van der Merwe, and Andrea Saayman, about the economic impact of trophy hunting on the South African wildlife industry predicts that trophy hunting brings in an annual revenue of more than $341 million and provides for more than 17 000 employment opportunities.

With South Africa’s alarming unemployment rates and decreased tourism revenue, trophy hunting would be an effective way for the country to increase its revenue and further its conservation. However, this would be done at the expense and livelihood of the already endangered wildlife.

Overall, a country’s decision to use the trophy hunting of endangered wildlife as a means of accumulating income for further conservation has the ability to create jobs and increase their overall tourism revenue in a time where it has significantly dropped. However, the use of critically endangered wildlife, such as the African Forest Elephants, for the hunt has the potential to further endanger their species. Overpopulation and lack of capital gain could mean the relocation and not the death of the elephants and funding for conservation could be sourced in a more eco-friendly manner.