Rag Photo Essay -Page 6
Perdeby
Tuks se amptelike studentekoerant / Official Tuks student newspaper / Kuranta ya baithuti ya semmušo ya Tuks
27March2017
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Headlining act rapper Cassper Nyovest gets the crowd going. Photo: Tshepo Moagi
Rag of Hope Day Benefit Concert Successful concert has UP students grooving to local acts including Cassper Nyovest and Matthew Mole SHAUN SPROULE On 25 March, TuksRAG hosted the Rag of Hope Day Benefit Concert at the Rag Farm. The concert aimed to raise funds to assist student with food hampers and fees, but also to bring students together to celebrate different talents in the community. The event boasted names such as Matthew Mole, Desmond and the Tutus, Cassper Nyovest, and Pretoria’s own A-Reece. The evening started off with a performance by Desmond and the Tutus to a small crowd. The small audience was treated to lead singer Shane Durrant joining the crowd and sitting with them on the grass
as he performed. This was followed by indie-folk band Sutherland performing original songs and covers. Matthew Mole performed next and started gathering a crowd. Mole performed old favourites with a slightly different sound, as well as songs from his new album Run and some covers. As the night progressed, attendees were treated to sets by dance electronic producer Junior Taurus, Hip Hop Facalistic, and DJ Snow Deep. Crowds enjoyed the upbeat sets as they waited for headliner Cassper Nyovest. DJ Speedsta performed a long set of remixed local and international
songs as the audience waited for Nyovest to arrive. Eventually Nyovest performed to an excited and lively crowd, performing newer songs and old popular favourites and the audience rapped along. Nyovest’s stage presence and band were on point and, although the performance had to be cut short due to time constraints, left the crowd happy and excited for the night’s final act, Pretoria’s own A-Reece. Security at the event was tight with strict control at the bar area and entrances. Strict access meant that crowds didn’t have to worry about safety and busses to various drop-off points meant that people could get home safely.
The event had a slow start, but had a good turn-out by the end of the night. TuksRAG aimed to start a new annual event to replace the old RAG traditions. RAG Chairperson, Roahan Gouws, said that the “executive committee really worked hard on changing the concept this year and from our side it seemed like a great success”. Low pre-ticket sales were saved by a large turnout of sales at the gate. Gouws said that they fulfilled their aim of raising funds for needy students as well as their culture-building aims, “bringing student life back and giving the students something to enjoy while at the same time giving back to the students that need it.”
Higher Education Convention disrupted DANICA CHARLES On 18 March, the Higher Education Convention, organised by former Constitutional Court Deputy Chief and mediator at the meeting, Justice Dikgang Moseneke, took place at the Eskom Academy of Learning in Midrand. The convention was however cancelled after students who were allegedly aligned with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) refused to give Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande, an opportunity to give his speech. Some students objected to the presence of Nzimande who, according to SABC News, was heckled by students upon entering the venue. The two-day convention focused on the challenges that tertiary institutions are facing, such as the demand for free decolonised higher education. The gathering
was attended by students, academic staff (including university vicechancellors), politicians, and businesses who were anticipated to make proposals on the government's plan for the education sector. Incidents of heckling and disruption were followed by a fight between EFF students and those aligned to Fees Must Fall (FMF) movements at some universities. The programme directors ordered everyone out of the tent as students became violent. According to News24, Nzimande is believed to have been escorted away from the premises by his security team. The proceedings were temporarily suspended and Moseneke told EWN that he is “disappointed” and “personally deeply saddened” that “he had to call off the convention due to multiple violent disruptions”. Fees Must Fall movements took to social media to nationally and
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EFF and FMF movements disrupt the speakers at the Convention. Photo: Sourced iol.com.
“vehemently reject the Higher Education National Crisis Forum conference”, which the FMF delegates believe is a “disingenuous attempt at free education”. The Department of University Relations at UP stated that “The University of Pretoria is disappointed that the convention had to be
cancelled. However, we recognise the effort put into convening this summit as well as the progress made up to the point of the cancellation. We remain committed to working with all stakeholders in finding solutions to the issues facing higher education in an environment of mutual respect and understanding.”
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