27 July 2020 Issue 9 Year 82

Hatmed Medical and Dental Centre 454 Hilda Street, Hatfield

Tel: 012 362 7180

Hatmed Medical and Dental Centre

Hatmed Medical and Dental Centre 454 Hilda Street, Hatfield

454 Hilda Street, Hatfield

Tel: 012 362 7180

PDBY

27 July 2020

Year 82 | Issue 9

Tel: 012 362 7180

yourcampusnews.

UP ranked number 1 university in Africa Photo: Carel Willemse

UP Farms for the Future

PDBY Music roundup

UP Sport Hall of Fame

P11

2 | From the Editor

27 July 2020

Is anyone out there? I t has been a while since I have seen another student’s face (physically, at least) and I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling pretty isolated. While a lot of people seem to be going on with their daily lives, students are still stuck at home, trying to fly at ‘UPisa’. I may be in Honours but I am still not equipped to self-study! I feel like I have no idea what I am doing, trying to navigate a whole degree in the dark. It is also made a lot worse by having to face it alone. While it is a huge help to have platforms like Google Meet and Zoom (maybe even Blackboard Collaborate when it works) to keep in contact and engage with our fellow students, at the end of the day we are isolated in our respective homes. And that can be pretty lonely. I am still learning to cope with this and it is something I personally battle with a lot. I can admit that I did not have the psychological coping skills to navigate this time, and my mental health has taken a beating. It is very overwhelming to live through a pandemic and I’d love to hear how things have been for you. Let me know about your lockdown experience at editor@ pdby.co.za. Write a letter, and it could be published in the next edition of PDBY.

Thankfully, exams are over and we can breathe a sigh of relief. We made it through the semester! And, if anything, we will always be able to say we did it during a pandemic. It can feel a bit pointless – well, at least to me – to keep working so hard and pushing through your curriculum when it seems like the world is falling apart around

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Ah, to memories of human contact and public spaces.

us. But we have still each made it through another semester, and are one step closer to our degrees. When life does inevitably go back to normal, we will all be able to look back with pride that we kept going. So if you feel despondent or that your hard work isn’t worth it anymore, remember that there is an ‘after’ to the pandemic, and we need to keep going right now, to flourish then. The UP meme pages (@life_at_tuks, @cry_at_up, @tuks_facultyofmemes and @tuksmemes) also deserve a shout out for their role in keeping us connected and sane over the past five months. We appreciate it!

During such a difficult time, it is important to support local artists and luckily for us, we have some amazing talent at UP. If you want to be featured or know someone that does, email your information to entertainment@pdby.co.za.

But, that aside, PDBY is back with your second semester editions! And we have some exciting projects planned for this semester, so keep your eyes on @ PDBYMedia! Hint – it’s a lot glossier than our usual publications. We are also still dedicated to keeping you up to date with Your Campus News – even if it is a bit quieter than usual. We have also recently launched PDBYlive, which are live streams with featured UP and South African artists.

Until next time, get some rest and stay safe!

For now though, I hope everyone can relish the little bit of a break until classes start again. Hopefully we will all be able to see our campus again this year and attend some actual classes. But if not, we can still make it through and survive the mess of 2020. Don’t lose hope, and keep pushing.

PDBYMedia, formerly Perdeby, is the official independent student newspaper of the University of Pretoria. We are committed to providing fresh and entertaining news content for UP students, by UP students, about UP issues.

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Letter policy PDBY appreciates that freedom of speech is an inalienable right enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic South Africa. We encourage our readers to engage in discussion and debate on issues that affect them through letters to the Editor, comments on our website, tweets, or posts on Facebook. We ask our readers to keep the following in mind: 1. PDBY will not edit letters, comments, tweets, or Facebook posts in any way. 2. PDBY will label letters, comments, tweets, or Facebook posts as opinion. These do not represent the views of PDBY in any way. 3. The PDBY editorial must approve letters, comments, tweets, or Facebook posts before they are published. 4. PDBY will not publish letters, comments, tweets, or Facebook posts that are defamatory, or libelous, or that contain offensive content. 5. PDBY reserves the right to practice discretion when publishing letters, comments, tweets, or Facebook posts. 6. PDBY reserves the right to publish any content we receive unless the sender specifically requests otherwise. 7. PDBY reserves the right to retract a letter, comment, tweet, or Facebook post after it has been published. 8. PDBY will not accept responsibility for any consequences the author of a letter, comments, tweets, or Facebook posts may experience as a result of the letter being published. 9. PDBY will only publish letters between 150 and 200 words. 10. PDBY will not publish letters unless the writer confirms their full name, student number and contact number. PDBY will not publish this information, we need it for our records.

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27 July 2020

News | 3

The phased reopening of universities across South Africa

South Africa begins COVID-19 vaccine trials

Jameo Calvert

Tshepang Moji

niversities across South Africa have developed a framework for the safe return of students and staff in a co-ordinated and phased manner. This was pursuant to an announcement made by President Cyril Ramaphosa that the country moved to alert level three of the lockdown from 1 June. The framework that all these universities developed was in line with the guidelines provided by the national government. University of Cape Town (UCT) According to a media statement issued by UCT, the move to alert level three did not signal an automatic return to campus for them. “We have been warned that tragically, the COVID-19 outbreak could still get worse as we proceed into winter”, read the statement. It was further mentioned in the media statement that “the plan for a gradual and phased return of students, as health and safety conditions allow, does not at this point in any way mean that the current emergency remote teaching approach will stop. UCT will continue with remote teaching until the end of term three”. Returning students were required to quarantine on arrival and to practice strict social distancing. University of Witwatersrand (Wits) Wits said in a letter to staff and students that “the well-being and safety of [their] students and staff is paramount, and it will take [their] collective effort, courage and determination to keep the coronavirus at bay”. After consultations with the Deans, academics, and student leaders, it was agreed that a staged approach will be adopted with the first cohort of students that already returned from 8 June. This cohort will, according to the letter issued to Wits staff and students, be followed by a second cohort in mid-July. The letter concluded that “we are living through a difficult period, but it is time for us to put our shoulder to the wheel and to move forward, in the interest of the broader Wits community. This is a true test of our ubuntu – our personal actions and choices impacts those around us, and it is up to each and every one of us to act responsibly for the sake of our collective humanity”. Sol Plaatje University (SPU) Sol Plaatje University (SPU) welcomed their first cohort of students from 19 June. Among those students that returned to campus were those in their final year of study and those requiring access to laboratories and technical equipment. The SPU SRC and some members of the student leadership in residences returned approximately 10 to 14 days prior to the first cohort of students. The team was trained in the various health protocols and is now assisting the university with the transition to a new way of operating, necessitated by the present pandemic. Professor Andrew Crouch, the Vice Chancellor of SPU mentioned in a letter addressed to the university community that “a further cohort of students will be allowed once the COVID-19 alert level has been further reduced and we are advised to do so by the government”.

The SPU Senior Manager: Communications and Marketing in the office of the Vice-Chancellor, Kahini Maistry, told PDBY that “lectures will continue online, the students that returned to campus returned because they need access to labs and technical equipment which will necessitate their working in the relevant environment on campus”. The University of the Free State (UFS) According to the director of communications and marketing, Lacea Loader, UFS acquired a total of 3500 laptops that were given to assist eligible NSFAS and FUNZA Lushaka funded students, as well as students with disabilities who had difficulty accessing UFS’s online platform. Loader confirmed that students belonging to the said categories also received a three month data bundle grant from the Department of Higher Education and Training. Furthermore, it was confirmed that UFS students and staff started returning to the campus in a phased approach from 1 June. The university reported their first COVID-19 positive case on 16 June, this was confirmed by an e-mail which was sent to UFS students by the Rector and Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francis Peterson. This was the first positive case that has been reported at UFS since students were allowed to return to campus from 1 June. The Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) CUT welcomed all final year Radiography, Clinical Technology, and Biomedical Technology students to campus on 1 June. This was done according to the phase-in process of returning students under level three lockdown regulations. The first group of students who returned to campus are 1607 in Bloemfontein and 403 in Welkom. Seithati Seimenokane, CUT Journalist / Communications Specialist, told PDBY that “they returned to their private residences in the two cities on 12 June, where they were required to self-quarantine before commencing with on-campus contact academic activities on 26 June”. She further added that “other students will be returning in phases and will also be required to self-quarantine before commencing with on-campus contact academic activities”. In explaining whether academic activities will continue online or not, she said that “the university will continue with online lessons, and have delivered tablets to our students to ensure that they have access. We have also acquired data for them, from various cell phone network providers, to ensure that they are able to continue with their lessons. In addition, international students, who due to lockdown regulations cannot return during level three will continue to be accommodated online”. Seimenokane further added that should a student test positive for covid-19, the university will follow the recommended procedure of isolating the student and tracing all those they might have come into contact with, to stop the further spread of the virus. “To ensure our student’s health and safety, all buildings, including the university residences, have been decontaminated and cleaned, sanitising stations installed, and upon entering campus all students will be screened and issued with two washable cloth masks”, she added.

The Black Mambas: South Africa’s historic all-female anti-poaching initiative Vasalya Moodley

outh Africa is the proud home of The Black Mambas, an initiative founded by the non-profit organisation, Transfrontier Africa, in the plight against poaching. This project is the first of its kind, as it is the first all-women anti-poaching unit. The work of these women encompasses the dire need to eradicate poaching, for the benefit of more stable ecosystems. Initially in 2013, the six-membered Black Mambas team were deployed to prevent poaching within the Olifants West Nature Reserve near the Kruger National Park. Today, the team has

Image: blackmambas.org/

grown to the extent that there are enough members spread out across the Balule area, beyond the borders of the reserve. Team members must undergo a demanding training program. This includes a three-month instructional program, classes, fitness surveillance, and survival training. They are also required to learn about animal behaviour, and how to handle dangerous animals. Rhino poaching and bush-meat poachers are particularly rampant in the Balule area. All wildlife, including predators like wild dogs and cheetahs, suffer as a result of getting caught in snare traps set out by poachers. To eradicate this, the unit searches daily for traps and campsites of poachers and

The University of the Witwatersrand has launched clinical trials for a potential vaccine against COVID-19, with two thousand South Africans volunteering to be given the vaccine. The set of vaccine trials are to be the first in South Africa and on the African continent, and the trial seeks to find the vaccine that will prevent people from being infected with the SARS-CoV-2 - the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease. Wits University is collaborating with the University of Oxford and the Oxford Jenner Institute on the trial. The vaccine that is to be used in South Africa is the same vaccine that is being used in Brazil and the United Kingdom. The vaccine being tested is called ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, and consists of a weakened and non-replicating version of a common-cold virus. It works by using genetic material from the SARS-CoV-2, namely spike glycoprotein from the surface of the virus, inserted into the weakened cold virus, in the hopes of teaching the body to “recognise and develop an immune response” that can prevent the virus from entering the body’s cells. Vice Principal and Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research and Postgraduate Affairs (and incoming Vice- chancellor) at Wits University, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi said “vaccines are amongst the most powerful tools to mitigate life-threatening diseases. Without a vaccine against COVID-19, there will likely be ongoing contagion, causing severe illness and death”. Prof. Vilakazi also said that “Wits is committed to developing a vaccine to save lives in collaboration with the University of Oxford”. Professor Shabir Madhi, Professor of Vaccinology at Wits University, remarked that it was a landmark moment for South Africa and Africa at the current stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. “As we enter winter in South Africa and pressure increases on public hospitals, now more than ever we need a vaccine to prevent infection by COVID-19”. Prof. Madhi, who is also the Director of the South Africa Medical Research Council Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit, is due to lead the South African Ox1Cov-19 Vaccine VIDA-Trial. “As the world rallies to find health solutions, a South African endeavour for the development of an effective COVID-19 vaccine is testament to our commitment of supporting healthcare innovation to save lives”, says President and CEO of the South African Medical Research Council, with the Director General of the Department of Health, Dr Sandile Buthelezi. Dr Buthelezi said that the Department was excited at the launch of the trial, which would go a long way in cementing South Africa’s leadership in the scientific field. “With COVID-19 infections increasing every day, the development of the vaccine will be the last solution in the long term, and we are fully behind the team leading this trial”. South Africa is currently the worst hit country on the African continent. It has surpassed the 420 000 case mark, and has exceeded 6 300 deaths. destroys them using technology such as specialised cameras and drones. Even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Mambas continue their anti-poaching activities. As far as the trend of poaching efforts are concerned, Leita Mkhabela, a member of the team, stated that visitors to the reserve make poaching efforts more difficult. However, now with lockdown regulations in place, the animals are in greater danger of poachers. They have also launched a food security campaign that delivers food packages to vulnerable families in rural areas as a result of the pandemic. The Black Mambas have gained international recognition for their work. The Irwin family’s Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors, a non-profit organisation founded by Terri Irwin and the late Steve Irwin, cover wages to the unit in order to continue their activities and train new members of the team. Towards the end of June, the unit’s base camp was severely damaged after an elephant wandered through it. Such damage unfortunately limited the activities of the unit. Subsequently, the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors founded an online fundraiser to improve the base camp of the Black Mambas. In 2015, the women won Best Conservation Practitioner at the South African Rhino Conservation Awards, and the Champions of the Earth Award from the United Nations Environment Programme. The aim of the Black Mambas’ efforts is to make the areas of patrol so dangerous to poach in, that poachers find it risky to commence any poaching activities. Their dedication to wildlife conservation has earned them prestigious accolades and international support. The Black Mambas’ fearless antipoaching efforts are historic and are a proudly South African achievement.

27 July 2020

News | 4

Three UP students in Miss SA semifinals Kendall Behr

hree University of Pretoria (UP) women are among 15 semi-finalists in the Miss South Africa pageant. They are: Sithole, a fourth-year Law student, Musida, a UP Social Sciences graduate, and Dr Ramdev, a MBChB graduate. Matsepo Sithole (21) – voting number 8. Sithole is in her fourth year of studying law, and her dream is to elevate South Africa’s creative industries using her law degree. She is from Pietermaritzburg, and is passionate about the arts and is inspired by current Miss SA, Sasha-Lee Olivier to be comfortable in her own skin. She plans to use her platform as Miss South Africa to share her passion about how the creative industries in South Africa affect every one of us through the entertainment we like to consume, but not always pay for, with all South Africans. She says that “creatives often lack legal expertise” and she hopes to be able change that and show creatives how the law can protect them. Shudufhadzo Musida (23) – voting number 14. Musida is a powerful woman from Limpopo looking to empower other women and girls. She completed her Bachelor of Social Sciences in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at UP and is currently doing her honours degree in International Relations at the University of the Witwatersrand. She believes that pageants like Miss South Africa empower women through representation and providing a platform for women to make a difference in South Africa. She hopes to use her platform to help alleviate period poverty, food insecurity, and the barriers that many women face when seeking help for their mental health. She says that “reigning Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi inspired [her] to enter [Miss South Africa] because of her grace and her ability to make a statement without straining her voice”. Dr Karishma Ramdev (25) – voting number 6. Dr Ramdev is currently a medical intern at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, donning PPE and helping people during the current pandemic. She is a “total dog-lover” and has two German shepherds and a golden retriever, but she is also driven woman who sees herself as a reconstructive plastic surgeon by 2030. She hopes to be able to help children who need reconstructive surgery. She has been dreaming about being Miss South Africa since she was a little girl who saw Joanne Strauss on the cover of a You magazine. This is not the first time she has entered the competition, and she says it is a once in a life-time opportunity to be a finalist that leaves you with friends for life. Asked about the relevance of beauty pageants, she says that “beauty pageants are more relevant than ever […] [and they] focus on how a woman can use her strength and knowledge to uplift […] her community”. All three of these inspiring women are in the top 15 finalists of Miss South Africa. Voting is closed, but the top 10 finalists for Miss SA 2020 will be announced soon. You can find out more online (www.misssa.co.za), including a short bio on each of the contestants.

Photo: Cassandra Eardley

UP Campus Tours Goes Digital Nokwanda Kubheka

Photos: Willem Botha

Prof Kupe becomes first African member of Kairós Susanna Anbu

airós is a non-profit organisation dedicated to engaging in discussions that promote a 21st century template for the education sector, with a mission to “contribute from the transformation of education to the global economic and social development of countries”. Kairós serves a fair platform to freely discuss potential solutions to challenges in the education sector due to not having any political or organisational ties. Prof. Kupe achieved this feat of becoming the first African member of Kairós through an invitation from the organisation that was motivated by Prof. Kupe’s track record as a leader concerned about the transformation of the duration sector in the 21st century. The invitation stated the opportunity to serve on such an organisation requires great leadership, commitment and global projection, qualities that Prof. Kupe encompasses. Prof. Kupe welcomed the invitation and expressed that “[he] looks forward to building new relationships, learning from peers and sharing knowledge and skills with Kairós members”.

Furthermore, Prof. Kupe ascertained that the organisation will provide a platform to conduct discussions on moving education into the 21st century in response to the new realities of the technological revolution in Africa. The relevance of such a platform has been reiterated in unprecedented circumstances, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, and its subsequent impacts on the education sector. Furthermore, Prof. Kupe states that “as the world moves towards embracing a new way of doing things, it is organisations like Kairós that will bring fresh, creative, and innovative insights because they bring together some of the world’s finest minds to solve some of education’s most complex problems” . Other ntable members of Kairós include Dr Federico Mayor Zaragoza, a Spanish scientist who served as the director general of UNESCO between 1987-1999, Prof. George V. Chilingarian, a world renowned Armenian – American professor of petroleum engineering at the University of Southern California who has penned numerous works, and Hugo Oscar Juri, who served as Argentina’s education minister between 2000-2001.

n 2020, UP Campus Tours (UPCT) developed a new initiative which offers tailored interactive virtual tours - University of Pretoria Virtual Campus Tours – Interactive (UPVCT – Interactive). The tours are online, and aim to take interested guests on interactive tours of the university from the safety and comfort of their homes. According to the UP website, UPVCT Interactive’s mission is to share their enthusiasm for UP and its rich past and bright future with guests. These tours are ideal for students and parents with children who are interested in enrolling at UP. According to the UP website, with the tourism industry stalled due to border closes, restricted services, mandatory social distancing, and a fear of a spike in COVID-19 cases, now is the time to reconfigure tourism, reimagine and reignite it. UPVCT – Interactive, run by a six member team, is part of the solution. On their part, lecturers at UP’s Department of Heritage and Cultural Tourism are repositioning what and how they teach undergraduate and postgraduate Heritage and Cultural Tourism degrees. Focusing on pre and post COVID-19 scenarios, students must learn to think cautiously, but creatively. Students are encouraged to understand how regional, continental, national, and local travel destinations have been impacted and how they can adapt. Interested parties can apply for an interactive tour. After receiving an application for a digital interactive tour, the team creates the tour around individual interests, and sets a tour for the agreed date and time. Afterwards, a Zoom App link is sent for the tour. During the tour, a tour guide takes you through the campus, shares information about the university, and answers any questions about UP. The tours are roughly an hour long, depending on the number of questions asked by the guest. According to UPVCT- Interactive, one of the pros of an interactive tour is that the human interactive element is present. The guest can ask questions and receive immediate answers while looking their tour guide in the eyes. Another pro is that the UPCT staff can still continue to share their knowledge about the university’s campuses with interested parties. A con of making the tour virtual and interactive is that the time of the tour depends on the guests’ availability. Another being that these virtual tours do not allow the guest a tangible experience of the campus. However, UPVCT-Interactive guides will do everything they can to make the tour as close to tangible as possible. In July, the 2020 Heritage and Cultural Tourism honours students will be running complimentary UPVCT – Interactive tours, but welcome donations. Prospective students can find more information and make bookings on upcampustours@gmail.com for an interactive and specialised campus tour.

27 July 2020

UP LLB student a semi-finalist for Miss SA 2020

Manelisi Magoro and Amukelani Makamu

atsepo Sithole (21), an LLB student from the University of Pretoria, is one of the semifinalists for Miss South Africa 2020. Regarding her journey to entering pageantry, Sithole says she had never been signed to an agency. She posted her pictures for fun and never missed an opportunity to squeeze in for a selfie. “When I was born, my father said I am Miss SA” says Matsepo. She was not aware of this until years later when she started taking interest in modelling and watching the Miss SA pageant. She mentions that the pivotal point was in 2019, when she had an urge to enter the Miss SA pageant in 2020. “It was a feeling I couldn’t ignore and so I went for it” she says. Sithole has held titles such as 2nd Princess at her high school pageant (Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School) in 2016, and in 2019 she was crowned Miss TuksVillage. Apart from pageants, she is passionate about transformation within the creative industry. PDBY spoke to Sithole about her Miss SA journey and her passions for transformation and the arts. In your introduction video for Miss South Africa 2020, you mentioned that you are an advocate for redefining the word ‘diversity’, and that the word diversity has had the connotation of race attached to it for years, and you believe that it should be expanded. What inspired this thought? Albert Einstein wrote ‘Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid’. This quote is the epitome of the current reality of many South Africans. A lot of people have passions within the creative industry that they are not pursuing, and even those that are pursing these passions, these individuals face a lot of adversity. I want the creative industry to be valued, celebrated, and protected. I dream of a South Africa where each career path is celebrated as much as the other because the truth is that we all do not have the same talents, and not everyone wants to be a doctor, lawyer or accountant. How amazing would it be to have each individual playing to their strengths and living their life purpose? Participating in Miss SA is part of my plans to expand on the word ‘diversity’. Moreover, working with the relevant structures / organisations that have the same core values as I do, is definitely [in] the pipelines. Are there any other issues or causes that you champion? Issues of Gender Based Violence and the empowerment of the youth are very close to my heart. What inspired you to be a catalyst for change within the arts? My inspiration is twofold. Firstly, the creative industry is not something that I randomly thought about, it is something that I grew up with from the time I was four years old – meaning, I ‘live and breathe’ the creative industry. My stepfather is a musician and I have always had an interest in the arts; his struggles have enabled me to see the creative industry for what it really is and not the façade it puts up. Secondly, my main objective is to afford individuals the opportunity to play to their strengths - strengths within the creative industry. I

News | 5

UP ranked Number one on UniRank Global List Susanna Anbu

T Image: Mashudu Madzhiga

feel like all the other mainstream careers already have enough spokespersons – but who speaks for the creative industry? The arts are often looked down upon and wrongly perceived to be a waste of time and not sustainable. I believe that people should follow their passions because when you do what you love, you will never have to work a day in your life. COVID-19 has highlighted how much the creative industry is undervalued and unprotected. I want to expose and address the exploitation within the industry. Furthermore, I would love to see people realising and cultivating their talents, making a living out of their talents and, most importantly, their talents being celebrated, protected and valued. The arts are growing each day and it is becoming a societal pillar on its own. How important do you think it is to find yourself through the arts? It is important to find yourself within this industry as an artist in order for you to have your own unique identity. This would definitely contribute to diversifying the industry and also adding to South Africa’s rich culture. Moreover, I believe individuals within the creative industry need to find their voice and use it. The creative industry is not only a universal language but is a way of speaking for those who don’t have a voice in our society. What made you choose the year 2020 to enter Miss South Africa out of all the years? I felt that I was ready. Moreover, in 2019 I had a feeling that I could not ignore and I had to go for it. Why did you choose the platform of being Miss South Africa 2020 in order to be a catalyst for change within the arts, among all other platforms you could have chosen? Miss South Africa is a selfless platform that affords young women the opportunity to make a change in this country. I chose this platform because it is in line with my core values and since the organisation has rebranded based on the following pillars: beauty, empowerment, duty and championship – all women are welcome. The inclusive nature of this platform is the best thing that a pageant organisation can offer to young women. Who is your role model and why? My high school music teacher Mr van Rooijen. He taught me that it’s always better to make a glorious mistake, which basically

means that we should be present within our failures and be confident in ourselves enough to celebrate them. We shouldn’t fear failure because failure is not detrimental but rather a learning curve. This is something I’ve carried with me ever since. Another role model of mine is Thuli Madonsela for her ability to stand for what is right. What are the biggest challenges that you have faced in your life? And how did you grow from them? Finding myself. Finding what my purpose on this earth is. For a large portion of my life, I wasn’t sure – I was confused. I didn’t know what Matsepo liked and what Matsepo didn’t like – I didn’t know what my driving force was. But as I grew older, I found my purpose and I am still in the process of moulding and shaping it. How do you balance your academics at the University of Pretoria with your pageant responsibilities? It involves a lot of planning, late nights and sacrifices. But also, having a great support system has really been important to me.

he University of Pretoria (UP) has attained 1st ranking in Africa, and 183rd globally, as per UniRank’s Annual publishing of its tertiary institution ranking. UniRank’s ranking system stems from three integral selection criteria: the accreditation of the institution by the relevant higher educationrelated organisation in the respective country, the institution offering four-year undergraduate degrees or postgraduate degrees, and delivering courses and lectures in a traditional face-to-face setup devoid of non-distant formats. Additionally, UP’s Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) has been ranked by UK’s Financial Times as the most genderbalanced business school in the world. As per the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS), UP has attained first position in South Africa in three subject areas and joint first in five others. UP Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Tawana Kupe, expressed his gratitude to the university diaspora, stating that the “rankings are a result of the high-quality programs UP offers, as well as a validation of the expertise of our academics”. He thanked the staff for “their hard work in constantly improving our educational offering”. He further said he was “grateful for the recognition, and will continue to work on improving in all subject areas. Excellence is a continuum. The impact of our research matters to a transforming society”.

Is there any advice that you would like to give to ladies who aspire to enter Miss South Africa? Always believe in yourself. Do not listen to naysayers and be prepared to congratulate yourself before anybody does because you will be doing a lot of work in the background, and so you alone need to validate yourself first. What would you like to say to the public before the Miss South Africa pageant day? Life has been moulding and shaping me into the woman I am meant to be and that I am now. This is the best version of Matsepo right now. In addition, I am only 21 years old and so this goes without saying – I have a lot to learn. I ask for the public’s support throughout my entire journey. Please take us through the voting process. If you are using a credit card, you may vote on the Miss SA website where you will vote for number eight. If you’re using cash, then you can go to Checkers, Checkers hyper or USave where you can cast your vote at their money market centre and ask to vote for number eight. You can follow Matsepo on social media platforms Facebook: Matsepo Tseppy Sithole, Instagram: @tseppy_sithole, Twitter: @SitholeMatsepo

Image: https://www.4icu.org/reviews/4234.html

UP SRC Elections 2020 Susanna Anbu

In response to PDBY’s query pertaining to the eventuality of holding elections for the Student Representative Council (SRC) of 2021, the SRC confirmed that “discussions are currently revolving around how to conduct elections that would be inclusive during a lockdown”. The response hinted in the possibility of term extensions of the current SRC body or the formation of a Temporary Student Committee. SRC president David Kabwa confirmed that “SRC substructures such as Key Committees, Residences Committees, Faculty and Day houses will have their elections before SRC elections, should SRC elections take place this year”.

6 | Features

27 July 2020

UP Psyche Society launches podcast series Tshepang Moji

he Psyche Society, in partnership with the University of Pretoria’s award-winning campus station, TuksFM, has launched a collaborative podcast series. The Psyche Student Society (Psyche), is the University of Pretoria’s student-run and student led psychological society. The podcast series, titled “Mental Matters”, is a tenepisode series that aims to break the stigmas that surround mental health, as well as develop ways to address the mental health issues that students face. The podcast offers a “fresh new look at mental health” and will also delve into progressive methods of navigating the new challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Each week, with TuksFM, the podcast will feature professional psychologists who will be responding to topics of the respective week. On 22 July the “Mental Matters” podcast featured Dr

Nicoleen Coetzee, neuroscience research psychologist and lecturer, and addressed “how to make use of the upcoming uni break: what can we do to make sure we have a proper rest and gain back energy”. The next podcast on 29 July will feature Dr Anthony Townsend and be on the topic “Problems vs disorders: how to tell the difference, why the difference is important and different treatments for both”. Other scheduled speakers include Dr Mpho Tshivhase and Ms Nkateko Ndalo-Magoro, counselling psychologist and lecturer. Students are encouraged to submit questions and topics they would like to hear discussed on the podcast to Psyche at psychesociety.up@gmail.com, or follow the link in their bio on their Instagram page: psychesociety.up. “Mental Matters” will be broadcast every Wednesday and can be accessed on the TuksFM website, www.tuksfm.co.za, and their Instagram page @tuksfm1072.

Illustration: Giovanna Janos

Crowdfunding projects during COVID-19

Bianke Neethling

Illustration: Giovanna Janos

“

Crowdfunding refers to the practice of collecting small donations from a large number of donors and is often run through the internet.

believe should not be dependent on wealth”. De Beer further states that, since the company was started in 2017, Feenix has “raised a total of R39.52 million, which has positively affected the lives of 1181 students” and that they were able to do so “[with] the support of corporates, SMME businesses and individuals”. Other online platforms which turned to crowdfunding as a way to address the fallout of the pandemic, are UPrelated meme pages, whose follower bases enabled them to connect with students in need and encourage those who were able to, to help raise necessary funds. One such meme page is LifeAtTuks (@life_at_tuks). This account has managed to raise more than R126 000, which has been used

“

he outbreak of the pandemic has had far-reaching and often devastating consequences for many, especially in terms of its financial impact. As lockdown regulations prohibited workers from either working their usual hours or being able to work at all, thereby significantly impacting earnings, the necessity arose for South Africans to come together and take personal action. While government measures have been implemented to address this economic fallout, personal initiatives, especially the practice of crowdfunding, have proven to be an effective addition in helping to lessen this impact. Crowdfunding refers to the practice of collecting small donations from a large number of donors and is often run through the internet. Throughout the pandemic, these campaigns have often been facilitated through online crowdfunding platforms, such as Feenix, Thundafund, Uprise Africa, Jumpstarter Crowdfunding, and BackaBuddy. A content piece on crowdfunding, “The rapid rise of crowdfunding during a global pandemic”, released on HWB communications, details how these platforms “have all seen an increase on their platforms since the announcement of the lockdown”. For instance, according to the piece, “BackaBuddy saw a 32% increase in the number of campaign submissions and a 72% increase in the number of individual donations on their platform. Another online charity organisation, GivenGain, saw donations climb by more than 60% year-on-year since 1 April”. Leana de Beer, CEO of Feenix and contributor to this piece, states, “the very existence of these crowdfunding initiatives speaks to the principles of social responsibility and compassion at a time when South African businesses and individuals are facing a great deal of uncertainty and fear”. In an effort to address the needs of students during this time, Feenix launched their #CapTheGap Response Fund. This fund was started to raise R6.6 million, and used to buy laptops, data and food vouchers for final year and post-graduate university students. Reportedly, this fund has been able to amass “a total of R 3.1 million […] by corporates and individuals”, which has already been used to assist 294 students. De Beer attributes the success of Feenix’s efforts to the fact that “[Feenix is] passionately invested in the right of access to education for students, which we

to help students who were negatively financially impacted by the lockdown and who contacted the page, seeking help to afford necessities like food and rent. The administrators of the page state that “[all] donations come directly from [students] who follow our page. Some students donate R50 [and] some have even donated R5000”. Additionally, their holdings company “has donated over R35 000 to the initiative” and they are in contact with other businesses to do the same, although they “haven’t been successful in that department yet”. This page has “also ran a data [initiative where] students transferred [and/or] bought other students in need of data”. The administrators further state that they will continue their initiatives for “as long as it’s needed” and that “[the campaign will] most probably run throughout the pandemic as it has crippled most communities”. These initiatives serve to prove that crowdfunding can be a highly effective means to raise funds. According to Forbes, in the article “Top 10 benefits of crowdfunding”, some of the potential advantages of crowdfunding include its ability to provide capital, serve as a marketing tool, introduce prospective loyal customers and offer proof of concept. In another article, Forbes also lists the “Six hallmarks of successful crowdfunding campaigns”, naming, amongst others, a “short, sharp and clear” pitch, the inclusion of testimonials and validation that builds confidence, and incentivising your audience to help, as attributes of effective crowdfunding campaigns. Aside from the benefit to those running the campaign, crowdfunding also provides willing donors the opportunity to contribute to good causes and raise awareness for those in need. Crowdfunding is, however, not without its drawbacks, as a NI Business Info article, “Advantages and disadvantages of crowdfunding”, highlights, citing the fact that “not all projects that apply to crowdfunding platforms get onto them”, the need to “[build] up interest before the project launches” and the risk of “damage to the reputation of your business” as potential disadvantages. Therefore, a well-run, purposeful and thoughtout campaign is essential to make crowdfunding a success. As De Beer states, “the success of crowdfunding proves that South Africans are stronger together and that there is so much more that unites us than divides us. Now more than ever, through mobile phones and laptops, everyone can play their part in rebuilding our economy”.

27 July 2020

Snuffing out Smoking

Features | 7

South African society and smoking bans

Maryke Steynvaart

he ‘cigarette’ is one of the most contested inventions of human history and is often at the centre of conflict surrounding money, health, human rights, and addiction. Today, most people acknowledge the harmful potential and danger of cigarettes. Several national governments have channelled significant state resources into regulating the tobacco industry, and persuading citizens to abstain from smoking. These incentives and changes have a direct impact on smoking policies. UP can be seen as a ‘microcosm’ of South African society, as the institution often reflects wider national and social changes, ideologies, values, and culture. During the early 1900s, cigarettes started gaining popularity as factories started mass-producing them - and subsequently, the smoking habit boomed after World War 2. During the 1950s, the first medical studies started reporting a correlation between individuals who smoked cigarettes and lung cancer. In the 1800s, lung cancer was considered one of the rarest diseases to exist, but within decades, it became alarmingly prevalent. Tobacco companies denied this correlation and retaliated with aggressive advertising campaigns. One such advertisement was published in 1954 in Die Perdeby for Rembrandt cigarettes. For a long time, cigarette advertisements have been banned but during the early 1900s, as the smoking habit boomed, the market was unregulated. Companies targeted specific groups such as students and young adults in general as a way to increase smoking. The most controversial topic historically, regarding smoking at UP, is arguably banning women from smoking on campus. Die Perdeby, in earlier years, suggested that smoking is unfeminine and that women would be fined for smoking on campus. One example published on 17 May 1968 titled “Men don’t like ladies who smoke” relays this idea and tries to discern whether it is junior or senior female students who are the culprits. On 19 February 1971, Die Perdeby reported that female students started a petition to lift the policy prohibiting female students from smoking on campus - students contested the idea that smoking is unfeminine and that there is not any concrete explanation for the ban. In 1970 on 13 February, an article titled “Smoking prohibited” in Die Perdeby illuminates the point in time where smoking was banned inside lecture halls and additional spaces such as the library and laboratories. On 23 April 1971, Die Perdeby published an article titled ‘‘Smoking associated with lung cancer’’, discussing how 90% of lung cancer cases are associated with smoking. This marks a point where people increasingly acknowledged the dangers of smoking. The South African government started increasingly taxing cigarettes for various reasons, by adding what has been called ‘sin tax’ on these products. Professor Francois Steyn, from the Criminology and Social Work department, explains that the South African government’s continued taxation of cigarettes is “in part to discourage smoking, but also often used as a mechanism to assist in making up shortfalls in the national budget”. Another effect of the taxation is that smokers start buying illegal or contraband tobacco products “at a much cheaper price, which only benefits organised crime,” Prof. Steyn adds. The national ban- COVID-19 Several bans were implemented along with the announcement of the COVID-19 lockdown measures. Despite many bans being lifted with restrictions, cigarette and tobacco product sales remain prohibited. The effectiveness of the ban was placed under scrutiny when a UCT survey conducted between 29 April and 11 May, filled in by 16 000 citizens, reported that approximately 90% of smokers were able to obtain cigarettes. Prof. Steyn explains that “evidence shows that national legislation which limits both the use of and access to cigarettes can reduce the number of smokers”. However, these reductions are highly dependent on “aggressively enforcing laws, from manufacturing tobacco products to the point of sale, and the behaviour of smokers. This also

Illustration: Giovanna Janos

includes the police in curbing illicit cigarettes entering the market”. The illicit trade in tobacco has been steadily increasing its market share of sales over the last couple of years. Now, due to the COVID-19 ban of cigarettes, the whole market has become illicit and hence, organised crime essentially dominates the market. In addition, this illicit trade results in the deregulation of the cigarette market. “Another effect is that, without any official oversight in the manufacturing of illegal cigarettes, the government cannot control the tar and nicotine content of cigarettes, which further compromise the already negative health status of smokers”, added Prof. Steyn. The UP ban Recently, UP banned smoking on campus, but the ban has since been retracted. Rikus Delport, UP’s spokesperson reports that “the notice was based on a media report which [they] believed was from the Minister’s office and in light of

the ban on the sale of cigarettes”. This decision was a preemptive measure “taken in the best interest of [the] students and staff in the midst of planning to ensure their health and well-being during the planned, phased return of staff and students to the campuses”. Delport continues to explain that, at UP “[they] take [their] responsibilities to protect the health and well-being of [the] community seriously”. Although the ban has been officially retracted and there were no changes to the university’s smoking policy, UP is legally obliged to enforce notices, regulations and restrictions that are issued by the national government and specifically DHET (the Department of Higher Education and training). Smoking has been the centre of much controversy for a large part of the global history. Recently, it has been one of the most contested points during the lockdown in South Africa. Even though UP’s ban has been retracted, it is a marker of the impacts the national governments’ decisions have on institutions and citizens alike.

8 | Features

27 July 2020

UP Farms for the Future Stephanie Cookson

hile the issue of food insecurity among students in South Africa is well known, the University of Pretoria is home to food sustainability projects that hope to tackle it. PDBY spoke to the organisers of UP’s Community Engagement food gardens, as well as the Mamelodi Business School’s garden project. UP Community Engagement, which is a part of the Department of Education Innovation, has made use of unused land in Hatfield to build vegetable gardens. “The two sites [are] now called Reliable House and Moja Gabedi”, explained Ms Gernia van Niekerk, the Manager of Community Engagement. Moja Gabedi also “serves as a therapy garden providing occupational therapy, wellness therapy, [and] art therapy”, she added. The sites were being used as “dumping sites and garbage dumps where homeless people stayed, producing and selling drugs” according to van Niekerk. The first challenges the project faced included cleaning up the sites, preventing businesses from using them as dumping grounds, and eradicating “drug dealing out of the area, and to replace drug dealing with legitimate work”. Van Niekerk further states that “the initiative is very successful in this regard”, as the project aimed to “reduce crime in the area, and to rehabilitate and re-skill the drug addicts who were also drug dealers in the area”. The project began eight years ago when van Niekerk was tasked with improving the Hatfield area as a result of increasing homelessness around abandoned sites or pavements, as well as increasing crime and the growing problem of drugs being offered to students. This was “economically and health wise [impacting] students as drugs were used in residences and on campus which resulted in more serious problems” she explained. The project involves stakeholders from “almost all faculties for curricular related community engagement”, such as NAS, Health Sciences, Humanities, EBIT, as well as staff from UP’s Library Services, and Human Resources. Outside the institution, the National Library and landlords are also involved. In terms of running the gardens, the students involved include “voluntary students […], vulnerable students who request to have their own garden, and students doing their community engagement”. Churches and residents of old age homes in the surrounding areas are also involved, as well as “homeless people [who can] take care of their own gardens”, she explained. Both students and homeless volunteers can “earn a small income and learn how to keep a kitchen

Think Twice Before You Post Feliciana Nezingu

n increasing number of South Africans spend time on the internet, with the average user spending an estimated daily time of nine hours and 22 minutes on the internet, according to statistics in the #Digital2020 report by We Are Social. With such heavy internet use, social media has become an integral part of the lives of millions of South Africans. According to the report, South Africa had 22 million social media users in January 2020. This was 3.5 million more users compared to the previous year. The report estimates that the most popular age groups using social media are those between 18-24 years, and 25-34 years old. The average user is reported to have eight social media accounts, and spends about 3 hours a day using social media. As social media is now a popular platform for communication and self-expression among South Africans, it is essential to remember that not all opinions or content are appropriate for sharing. While social media allows individuals to exercise their freedom of expression, some content and opinions expressed may come with negative consequences, such as public condemnation and legal proceedings. These posts are released into and remain in the public domain and may affect more people than just the individual who posted the content. Past social media activity sometimes cannot be erased and can also harm individuals in the future. Last month, Bianca Schoombee, a Miss South Africa hopeful, had to withdraw prematurely from the Miss South Africa competition due to public outrage over tweets that she posted in 2013 when she was 14 years old. The tweets, containing body

garden”, she added. PDBY also spoke to five students who have been working in the gardens for the last few months. “[Van Niekerk] contacted us from Community Engagement to come and get involved in making the garden”, explained Daddy Kgonothi, a Masters of Food Sciences student. Just before the lockdown in March, the students were able to begin working on the garden, which had been in the works for many years. Queeneth Hlatshwayo, a Mechanical Engineering student, said now that the project has “finally been initiated, [we are] happy we can finally produce”. Van Niekerk added that, although the pandemic has slowed things down, “there is no threat to the project”, even though groups visiting for therapy need to be smaller. “The idea is for students to come and plant something which we can either consume once it is ready [or] sell it to the local market”, explained Kgonothi. This market will be opened for students after harvesting has concluded, although Kgonothi noted an upcoming challenge will be running a market during the pandemic. Andzile Valoyi, who studied a degree in law and is involved with the vegetable garden, explained that if it were not for the project, the spaces were “going to be left unused, and were going to invite so many people to come and stay there and [further] criminal activities. This project […] will help the city of Hatfield very well”. “I told myself, I’m not [going to] let this opportunity pass me by, it is my time to give something life”, Valoyi said. Mlungisi Mhlanga, a Metallurgical Engineering student, explained that he grew up in a community where growing food was common, and that his father believed that “[they will] work in order to have food. He inspired me to understand that there is life in soil”, said Mhlanga. “Soil can produce a lot of things, it can change you, it can even become a business instead of just feeding you”. “It inspired me to know that you’re participating [in] helping other people to have some fresh vegetables”, said Kgonothi. He said that because the project uses affordable compost, free borehole water, and seasonal vegetables, the produce will be affordable for students. “Food security is about food affordability, not just food availability, so [with] whatever we can harvest, we can actually feed other people”, he said. Regarding sustainability, Kgonothi believes the project can be sustainable, as “it was actually fertile land. If we use it wisely, we can actually use it long term”. Ludwig Mahlangu, an architecture student, added that, although harsh winters and hot summers are an added challenge, the main concern moving forward is space, and suggested the introduction of aquaponics and vertical gardening.

“The project is evolving all the time”, said van Niekerk, explaining that “the foundation for a hydroponic plant is already built [and] training will be done from there to demonstrate and introduce the concept”. Hlatshwayo also expressed that, while they were initially concerned about the compatibility of the soil with the vegetables being grown, “with what we’ve been growing for now it’s really promising”. UP’s Mamelodi Business Clinic is also working towards food security. The clinic is housed in the Faculty of Economic and Business Management Sciences, and encourages entrepreneurship in the Tshwane community. In 2019, the clinic setup a garden at the Mamelodi Campus, inspired by a food security program at the University of Witwatersrand. “They planted vegetables everywhere on campus and even had a soup kitchen where students can cook meals for themselves during the day by making use of the vegetables from the garden”, said Ms Carto Abrams-Swart, the operations lead for community engagement at the Albert Luthuli Centre for Responsible Leadership in the EMS Faculty, who is part of the Mamelodi garden project. Currently, the garden occupies 400 square metres on Mamelodi Campus, and last year, over 300 Business Management students ran a planting day involving local ECD centres. “Most of the vegetables were given to the ECD’s and to the ELIM Church in Hatfield”, said Abrams-Swart. “The goal of this project is to eventually involve more students [...] with food security”, she explained, and hopes to “also start with gardens on all the campuses”. AbramsSwart expressed that in future, more sustainable and eco-friendly gardening techniques will hopefully be implemented. So far, however, “we are not using a lot of chemicals on our vegetables and are trying to plant in-season vegetables”, she said. MasterCard, and Bidvest have helped fund the project, and in the long-term, Abrams-Swart said that goals for the project include involving approximately 15 people from the community in the project to learn about agriculture, gardening, and sustainability. Although the COVID-19 pandemic means that students will have to continue their projects at home this year, “the security guards are gardening for us now”. While the project aims to work with Enactus UP on growing produce for their own Fruitful Living project that creates preserves, “ultimately, we would also like to start a soup kitchen on campus, similar to what the students at Wits are doing”, she said, by providing fresh vegetables. In spite of the pandemic, UP’s community is forging ahead with gardening projects that promise to have a positive impact on food security in Pretoria, and for the university’s students. While the yields of these initiatives will likely only be felt as the pandemic recedes in following months, these projects are a reminder that food insecurity can be challenged.

Images: Provided

shaming and racist comments, resurfaced on social media, prompting outraged South Africans to take to Twitter with the hashtag #BiancaMustFall. Schoombee then apologised for her comments, dropped out of the Miss South Africa competition, and her model agency, SYNC Models, cancelled her contract despite initially defending her in a public statement. The uproar caught the attention of the Miss South Africa organisation, which then released a statement stating that finalists could not be involved in any “unsavoury or unethical incidents or conduct” that would bring the organisation into disrepute. Social media controversies often remind us to be responsible on social media, but it may be easier than we think for people to forget about posting responsibly. Laws regulating social media use South African laws serve as a useful guide for social media use. In 2018, the National Assembly passed an updated Cybercrimes and Cybersecurity Bill. In chapter 3 of the new Bill, acts such as sharing people’s personal details without their consent for malicious reasons, and sharing intimate images of other people are criminalised. One should never share intimate and sexually explicit photos or videos without the consent of the individual featured, as it is a criminal offence and one which is punishable by jail time or by substantial fines. The Bill also criminalises data messages that incite self-harm or harm against other people and damage to property. Know the difference between opinions and hate speech Hate speech on social media is also a quick route to legal trouble. Offensive or harmful statements, including sexist, racist or homophobic comments, are grounds for legal prosecution. South Africa is no stranger to social media controversy and public outrage created due to racist posts. Adam Catzavelos and Penny Sparro, for

example, created public outrage after their racially charged posts surfaced on social media. Sparro was ordered to pay a fine of R150 000, and Catzavelos is currently facing prosecution. Reputational damage Seemingly harmless comments on social media, such as complaints about the workplace may also invite negative consequence. According to Law For All’s guide on content to avoid posting on social media, individuals should steer clear from posting negative comments about colleagues or the workplace that could damage their reputation, as this may ultimately result in a defamation lawsuit. As social media allows posts to be shared and possibly stored as evidence, it is important to ask oneself whether the content may be harmful or offensive to anyone before posting. Social media affects employment prospects Social media also affects employment prospects more than we think. According to the South Africa HR Recruitment Survey 2019/2020, 77% of employers used social media to recruit candidates. In addition, iFacts, an employee screening and vetting services provider in South Africa, reported in 2017 that more employers realise that reviewing CVs and contacting references is no longer sufficient to learn about job candidates. That said employers are taking to social media to scrutinise the desirability of candidates based on their social media profiles. According to the organisation, 61% of employers in 2017 rejected applicants due to negative content on social media. The negative content included inappropriate photos, use of drugs, discriminatory comments, and sharing of confidential employer information. The culmination of past and present social media activity creates a digital footprint that will influence reputation and perceived behaviour in the personal and professional sphere of life. Freedom of speech is a right but should also be considered a responsibility.

Illustration: Marshall Potgieter

27 July 2020

Entertainment | 9

PDBY Music Roundup Daluvuyo Mapuzi

DJ WHOO KID AND NASTY C

APPEL

PALESA RAVELE

Zulu (Hip Hop/Rap)

LOCO (Pop)

Vhuhulu and Vhuhulu Reprise (Christian/Gospel) Based in Polokwane, this Gospel artist, with about 5000 followers on his Facebook page, secured two spots on South Africa’s Top 100 on iTunes with 2 of the 3 songs in his most recent project, Renowned Name, which has a total runtime of approximately 17 minutes.

REASON FEATURING BOITY

With punchy drums, soulful vocals and melodies that are sure to make your head nod, the Universal Music Group signed artist delivers a feel-good pop tune to curb your quarantine blues. The song is accompanied by home videostyle comedic visuals that perfectly embody the essence of the song.

KING MONADA FEATURING MACK EAZE

VUSI NOVA FEATURING DUMI MKOKSTAD

Ase Moruti (Dance)

Satan O Wele (Hip Hop/Rap)

With tracks like “Ska Bora Moreki” and “Malwedhe”, the Tzaneen native has proven himself as a hit maker. The Mack Eaze assisted track hopes to keep the ball rolling as the song charts at spot number six on iTunes South Africa’s Top 100.

After celebrating her recent signing to Def Jam Africa, Boity delivered a strong guest appearance on the most recent single from Reason’s catalogue. Early impressions from listeners were overwhelmingly positive, and the song charted at number 20 on iTunes South Africa’s Top 100.

Yibanathi (Christian/Gospel) Smooth instrumentation and emotionally charged vocals make for the standard formula for any Vusi Nova song. This song proves that the formula never fails. With another strong entry in his catalogue, he and Dumi Mkokstad deliver a prayer song with a strong message.

KABZA DE SMALL

MAMPINTSHA

I Am the King of Amapiano: Sweet and Dust (Dance)

Bhut’ Madlisa (African) This 13 track album marks Mampintsha’s first solo project. With guest appearances from DJ Tira, Babes Wodumo, and Distruction Boyz, the Big Nuz alumnus revives the gqom sound which took over the country in the early 2000s but has since taken a back seat, most notably to the now ubiquitous sound of Amapiano. This album might spark the return of the once beloved genre.

Inking his name above the dotted line at Def Jam Recordings earlier this year, Nasty C became a representative and ambassador for South African hip-hop. The eleven track mixtape Zulu is his first project released under the Def Jam banner, and is mainly produced by DJ Whoo Kid, an American hip hop DJ with credits on multiple artists’ projects, most notable being 50 Cent, Eminem, Tupac, and Michael Jackson. “Eazy” and the T.I. Harris assisted track “They Don’t” are standout tracks on the mixtape, garnering the most views on Genius.com.

The title of the project speaks for itself. Amapiano royalty Kabza De Small made waves and shocked fans with a new 27 track album. With guest appearances from African music titans Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Cassper Nyovest, the album serves as a refresher on why the Piano Hub signee can confidently proclaim himself the king of amapiano and is uncontested on the statement. The three hour long project has been received with overwhelming support and praise.

KAREN ZOID AND DANIE DU TOIT Kort Donner (Afrikaans) With over 17 000 subscribers and half a million monthly views on her YouTube channel, Karen Zoid hosts a slew of popular figures on her show Republiek van Zoid Afrika. She and Spoegwolf band member, Danie Du Toit, delivered a powerful rendition of the Spoegwolf song “Kort Donner” live in front of a studio audience.

Phumlani Pikoli’s Born Freeloaders screenplay in the works

Vasalya Moodley

arlier this year, Pretoria-born Phumlani Pikoli sat down at Exclusive Books in Brooklyn Mall to discuss his debut novel: Born Freeloaders. The novel tells the tale of Xolani and Nthabiseng, siblings with parents linked to South Africa’s upper class. With the background of being born into the wealthier class of South Africans, Pikoli’s novel uses the youthful eyes of the siblings to comment on modern societal conflicts such as race and identity (and even teen dramatics). On 18 June, Pikoli announced on Instagram that his lauded novel will be adapted into a screenplay. PDBY spoke to Pikoli, to learn more about his up-andcoming screenplay. Pikoli stated that his writing style in Born Freeloaders has been described as ‘filmic’, therefore the decision to adapt the novel into a screenplay format was a somewhat lucky

achievement for him. He is working towards a film adaptation of the screenplay, the ultimate goal being for it to be viewed on the big screen. On whether the current topics and themes of the novel make a screenplay adaptation more apt, or perhaps emphasise them against the born-free generation, Pikoli is uncertain. To him, ‘born-free’ “applies to anyone who has spent their primary schooling on the ‘right’ side of the apartheid divide”. Children in today’s age may also share the same experiences as the siblings in the novel. Pikoli continues: “we live in a world with multi medium access when it comes to information, and this will be another form of medium with which you can engage the story”. The screenplay adaptation of Born Freeloaders is being co-penned by Jead Stehr and Dr. Kwasu ‘Baz’ Tembo, to provide the story with a set of “fresh lenses”. Additionally, these co-writers will be starring in the film. Pikoli also wittily remarks that “time is imminent” when

asked about the finishing date of his screenplay. With regard to the worldwide standstill as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pikoli sees this as a “huge pause button”. It is an opportunity to review his work more seriously, even if only fractionally. He is using the time of self-isolation to channel his energy into a screenplay, with an end result he is proud to have his name attached to. As a writer and artist of many disciplines, it is fitting that Pikoli and his team bring his

Illustration: Giovanna Janos

intellectual property to life, with his own unique creativity. The excitement of the novel itself was infectious at release. While the product of the screenplay is yet to be revealed, there is no doubt that the final product will be awaited in great anticipation.

10 | Entertainment

27 July 2020

Books to lookout for by Black South African Authors

Cassidy Bessa

he global Black Lives Matter movement has highlighted the need to uplift the voices of black creatives. South Africa has no shortage of local black talent, especially when it comes to writing. PDBY has compiled a short list of books written by local black authors to keep an eye on.

You’re not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich by Mapalo Makhu This non-fiction book is ideal for millennials who are trying to learn how to pay their debts and stay debt free. It is the perfect book filled with amusing stories about how to manage money as a young professional. It teaches readers how to invest money and explores topics such as budgeting, black tax, emergency funds, financial scams, savings, retirement, and estate planning. Becoming Men by Malose Langa Langa tells the story of 32 sturuggling young men from Alexandra, a township in Johannesburg. This book details the objectification of women as well as other everyday tribulations that are faced within

townships. It follows the twelve year journey of adolescence into adulthood, with topics such as masculinity and manhood are at the core of the book. Throughout the book, the boys deal with a range of topics such as absent fathers and relationships with mothers, school violence, homophobia, gangs, unemployment, and prison life. The author suggests that there should be an intervention that serves to support and assist them in reducing “high risk behaviours with regard to hegemonic masculinity”. This book is perfect for someone studying gender studies but also for anyone who wants more insight into the struggles boys face when growing into men. Malibongwe by Sono Molefe This anthology of poems is a collection of non-fictional poems written by women in ANC camps and around Africa and the world in the late 70s. The book was banned by the apartheid regime in the 80s and has subsequently been republished in South Africa in 2020. In this book, we see what women were dealing with during apartheid, as well as their hopes, and aspirations. It also gives a new stage to female South African writers and gives female writers and artists a place in SA’s liberation. The poems in this book are about “the struggles within the Struggle”. These poems show the radicalism

TRY TIME 100 @Home Talks Kendra Connock

very year since 1999, Time Magazine has published a list of the 100 most influential people of that particular year. The people on the list are recognised for changing the world (sometimes negatively, but mostly positively). Influence is hard to measure but to the selection committee of the TIME 100, influence refers to people whose trailblazing ideas, exceptional talents, or ground-breaking discoveries have transformed the world we live in. The list has included figures like Barack Obama (listed 11 times), Oprah Winfrey (listed 10 times), Steve Jobs (listed 5 times), and LeBron James (listed 4 times). Some of the names on the list have been questionable (again, people can be listed even if the influence they have isn’t necessarily good) including Donald Trump, Kim Jong-il, and Bill Clinton. With the COVID-19 pandemic putting an abrupt halt on social gatherings all around the world, Time has opted out of its TIME 100 Gala for this year and is instead hosting a series of talks online by some of 2020’s most influential figures. The TIME 100 talks series, available on time. com, broaches some uncomfortable topics and questions that people have, and allows experts from the relevant fields to discuss and answer. Mark Cuban talks about resuming the US’

NBA season amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Health experts like Dr Anthony Fauci and Dr Robert Redfield discuss what the coronavirus could look like during winter and how the pandemic is progressing in various parts of the world. There are timely discussions on issues of systemic racism and police reform with voices like Nancy Pelosi, Reverend William Barber, John Legend, and sports stars Maya Moore and Malcolm Jenkins. There are also discussions on how the pandemic is affecting several different communities, including those in the performing arts (with Broadway star Ben Platt) and the fashion industry, hosted by Christian Siriano whose haute couture brand has stopped producing evening gowns and started working on face masks. Laverne Cox speaks about the importance of increasing visibility of transgender narratives. There are Image: Cletus Mulaudi politicians, celebrities, scientists, drag queens, sports stars, and activists. These talks are on issues that are of cardinal importance, not just now, but for the future too. The people in the talks are sharing their views, research and experience, with the hopes that it will bring about some collaboration between them and others to help build the future together. Visit time.com to see the full catalogue and learn from some of 2020’s most influential figures.

within women, not just then but also today. The Terrorist Album by Jacob Dlamini Dlamini discusses apartheid’s afterlife in this non-fiction novel. In the 90s, the government security police collected over 7000 photos of apartheid’s enemies. This was known as the terrorist album and only three copies survived after the end of apartheid. These people depicted in the terrorist album were targeted for surveillance. This book talks about the stories behind the photos, their origins, how they were used, and how these photos changed peoples’ lives. The author includes extensive interviews with the targets depicted in these images. This book tells the story of the height of apartheid, its ultimate failure, and its horrible legacy. The author traces tales of South African insurgents, collaborators, and security police through the tale of a photo album used to target ‘apartheid’s enemies’.

Image: Cletus Mulaudi

Grasping At Straws by Yvonne Maphosa This fictional story takes place in the village of Matombo with Lwezi as the main character. Lwezi questions traditions and a culture that seems in favour of men. Girls are excluded from school and are not allowed to get an education. Girls are also groomed for marriage at a very young age. This book centers around the hardships that women face from childhood to adultood.

Blood and Water Cassidy Bessa

lood and Water is a South African Netflix special. This web series stars South African actors Ama Qamata, Khosi Ngema, and Gail Mabalane. The premise of the story is that Puleng Khumalo, played by Ama Qamata, moves to Parkhurst High as her past continues to haunt her. Her sister, Phumelele, was kidnapped as part of a human trafficking scheme. Her father is now being accused of playing a role in this scheme. The case seems hopeless until she meets Fikile Bhele, played by Khosi Ngema. This new introduction springboards an obsession that seems to grow. Puleng believes that Fikile is her sister and she will do anything to find out the truth. Puleng is selfish in her friendship with Wade, seeming only to use him. The series consits of six, long episodes, so it creates the feeling of watching a movie instead of a series. As the epiodes are quite lengthy, they are slightly overwhelming and difficult to manage. This coming of

age web series shows the South African high school culture not only in the prestigious Parkhurst High, but also in Puleng’s old school which her friend Zama still attends. This show is a step in the right direction for South African web series and it encourages the production of more local web series. South African music is used in the show, starring some wellknown favourites such as Nasty C, Lastee, and Crowned Yung. The show is political in nature as it deals with human trafficking and fake adoption as one of the biggest problems in South Africa. Wendy, played by Natasha Image: Cletus Mulaudi Thahane, brings other African political events to light by insisting on learning more about African history in class, much to the rest of the students’ dismay. The series is diverse in terms of racial and queer representation. The finale left room for the possibility of future seasons of the show. If you are looking for South African talent to watch, then Blood and Water might be a perfect fit.

27 July 2020

Sport | 11

HALL

FAME

Chrizaan Pretorius & Boitumelo Makaepea

UP Sports Lungisani Ngidi

Onthatile Zulu Zulu studies BCom Business Management and is part of TuksHockey, with various national awards such as FNB Player of the Tournament in the 2019 Varsity Hockey Season. She is also part of the African women’s hockey team that qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.

John Smith

Akani Simbine Jonathan Ham Ham is a South African veterinary student at the University of Pretoria. He competes for TuksYachting. He has various national and international achievements, which include placing second in the youth team at the 505 World Championships of 2019 in Australia. His latest accomplishment is achieving first place in the monohull class at the South Atlantic Race, stretching from Cape Town to Rio.

Smith competed for TuksRowing. His biggest achievement is winning a gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics and qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics with his heavyweight rowing partner, Lawrence Brittain.

Images: Provided; ultimaterugby.com; up.ac.za; enca.com; sascoc.co.za; varsitysportssa.com; runblogrun; Facebook - John Smith Rowing; sports.ndtv.com

Simbine of TuksAthletics, is a South African sprinter and a University of Pretoria graduate with a Bachelor in Information Science. He won numerous medals on the national and international stage. He competed in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, where he won gold medals. He also won the men’s 100m at the 2017 IAAF Diamond League in Doha.

Ngidi is an Assupol Tuks Cricket alumni. He was part of the UP-Tuks Cricket team that won the Varsity Cricket Cup in 2015. He now plays for the South African National Cricket team. He was amongst the best cricketers of the year in the 2018 South African Annual Cricket Awards.

Erin Burger

Maike Diekmann Diekmann, who is originally from Namibia, is part of TuksRowing and won numerous international medals. Her achievements include a gold medal at the 2018 Lucerne World Cup, and qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games.

Burger played for TuksNetball, and the Protea Netball team Warrick Gelant that competed in the World Gelant is part of the Springbok Netball Championships in rugby team. He was part of 2007 & 2011, as well as the the UP-Tuks rugby team, and 2010 Commonwealth Games participated in the 2014 Varsity in India. Burger announced her Cup. In 2019, he was on the retirement in 2019, after 12 Springboks team that won the years of representing South Rugby World Cup. Africa.

Tatjana Schoenmaker Schoenmaker is a South African swimmer who is also part of TuksSwimming. She has won numerous medals on the national and international stage. Some of her achievements include gold medals in the Women’s 100m and 200m breaststroke at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Compiled by: Chrizaan Prestorius and Boitumelo Makaepea

Mapaseka Mpuru Mpuru is part of the Tuks Women’s Football and is a goalkeeper for Banyana Banyana (South African Women’s National Football team). She was also part of the Banyana Banyana team that competed in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Sport Foods affect fitness Caitlyn Walsh

utrition and different foods can have a serious impact on fitness and the well-being of the body. The body needs certain and necessary foods to increase fitness levels and to meet specific needs that it requires in a physical workout. The muscles that a person would use in an exercise routine need nutrients that they should supply through diet, therefore, one should avoid unhealthy foods and stick to wholesome nutrient filled meals. According to the Fitness Genie, proteins, vitamins, minerals, water, the lipids in fat and certain carbohydrates should be ingested daily. Athletes that train incredibly hard each day should ingest more servings of carbohydrates with every meal as carbohydrates are necessary to provide energy that the body needs during exercise workouts. Healthy fats should also be ingested as they support the metabolism of the body and they help the body to absorb certain nutrients. The best place to source the lipids in fat would be through nuts, seeds and oils such as olive or canola. Protein plays a key role in the building of muscles and should therefore be checked and eaten according to what activities a person partakes in daily, as excess protein will be stored as fat. Vitamins and minerals play a significant

role too as they aid in the body’s muscle contraction and the production of energy. If people do not consume enough of the correct vitamins and minerals that they are required to, there is a possibility that they will not be able to exercise in the way that they want to. It is especially imperative that one drinks a lot of water especially when working out as the body should always stay hydrated. When exercising, the body loses fluids through sweating and the body needs to stay hydrated as it keeps the heart rate steady and controls body temperature. Once again, according to the Fitness Genie, the timing of meals is also important when considering fitness. Large meals should not be eaten less than 3 or 4 hours before a workout however it is acceptable and healthier to eat Illustration: Giovanna Janos smaller snacks prior to exercise or during. Eating too much before an exercise routine could negatively impact the workout. Carbohydrates and protein foods can be eaten after workout sessions to aid in the repairing of muscles. Nutritional supplements can also be taken when it is not easy to maintain a healthy diet. Supplements such omega 3 fish oil tablets, multivitamins and fatty acid supplements can be taken to ensure that your body is receiving satisfactory nutrition to boost fitness levels.

TuksRugby Webinars with SA Rugby legends Marren McKay

n an effort to help and spark an interest in rugby fans during lockdown, as well as to adapt to the changing ways of 2020, TuksRugby will host a live webinar on 27 July partnered with SA Rugby Legends Association (SARLA) – a non-profit association formed for ex-Springbok and Provincial rugby players. SARLA aims to develop rugby at a grassroots level, and to support the Legends in its program. These Legends include players like Percy Montgomery, Corné Krige and John Smith. The webinar will take place from 17:00 – 18:00 and features Petrus Francois Smith, better known as Franco Smit. Smit is a former Varsity Cup coach as well as former rugby union player – most famous for being the head coach for the Toyota Cheetahs from 2015 to 2017. In the beginning of the year, he received an offer to coach Italy’s National Rugby Union team and is currently coaching there. This seminar is only the first of many more to come, all featuring renowned South African rugby players and coaches. The webinar series aims to help and teach not only members of TuksRugby, but also people outside of TuksRugby, who play rugby or are interested in rugby overall. Smit promises to deliver an insightful and highly educational session, with a take-home message for aficionados and newcomers alike. Future webinars will cover different aspects of the game, such as strategy, tactics and techniques, that are all essential to gameplay. The series of webinars will be free, with the option of donating on SARLA’s website. Virtual tickets to attend the webinar can be purchased on Hero Ticket’s website, at tickets. heroticket.co.za/thero/shops/88e605b. When purchasing the free ticket, users have three options to donate to before checking out, including donating to Smile Foundation for masks to those that can’t afford it, distribute food parcels through Afrika Tikkun, and to contribute towards M4Jam hampers. After checking out, a virtual ticket and QR code will be emailed to the user to be used when the webinar commences. Keep an eye on TuksSport and TuksRugby’s social media pages to see when future webinars will take place.

TuksCycling reaching new virtual heights

Chrizaan Pretorius

ndries Nigrini, Luke Bushell and Kieran McKenna, all students at the University of Pretoria, won third, fifth and sixth place in the recent 2020 FISU

Illustration: Promise Zulu

Virtual World University Cycling Cup. The tournament was held on 24 June, while the cyclists completed a distance of 55,5 km with an elevation gain of 1000m on the same track used for the 2018 World Cup in Innsbruck, Austria. The track offers more consistent gradient climbs as change

compared to South African courses. All three cyclists told PDBY that the overall experience was quite exciting and a good compromise for FISU, although practically done on a trainer at the doorsteps of their homes. Provided that the virtual experience differs from reality, where competitors’ facial expressions can’t be read and points of attack cannot be determined, they still enjoyed the overwhelming family and friends’ support from the sidelines. All three cyclists were happy to inform PDBY that the excitement on the virtual starting line was still very real and universally felt. Platforms like Zwift are rising to the forefront of global cycling, as in the United Kingdom’s existing e-race national championships. Nigrini stated that, “I do feel the real thing can’t be replicated. The sensation of conquering a hill and then looking back is something that can’t be displayed on a screen”. Virtual cycling is a different style than non-virtual cycling with more intense monitoring of power output and tracking of pedal strokes and rhythm. In the long run, Bushell told PDBY, that cycling has taught him to push past mental barriers, to always push for the next goal and reach them through consistency. McKenna correspondingly added that cycling has extreme power on one’s mindset, which is necessary to get through tough situations in life, like in the current COVID-19 outbreak. A community worth joining is the biggest bonus to any sport. Generally speaking, chances for upcoming competitions are slim, but these TuksCyclists are not standing back in their attempt to reach new heights in the global arena of cycling - right in the comfort of their own homes, surrounded by their loved ones.

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27 July 2020 UP LLB student a semi-finalist for Miss SA 2020