4 May 2020 Issue 7 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

Hatmed Medical and Dental Centre

454 Hilda Street, Hatfield

454 Hilda Street, Hatfield

Tel: 012 362 7180

Tel: 012 362 7180

454 Hilda Street, Hatfield

Tel: 012 362 7180

PDBY

4 May 2020

Year 82 | Issue 7

yourcampusnews.

P6

Health Faculty combats COVID-19

P7

Rescession

P9

May the fourth be with you

P14

Talking to TuksUnderwaterHockey Image: Leah Rees

2 | From the Editor

PDBY Media

May the 4th be with you!

Y

es, it is another holiday spent in lockdown. Where is the list at now? Easter, 4/20, Freedom Day, Workers Day, and now May the 4th. While the introvert in me is happy to celebrate from the comfort of my couch, the Kayla of over four weeks in lockdown wishes she could celebrate in the presence of other human beings. I’m simple to please. PDBY is enjoying May the 4th with an extended entertainment section that explores the science fiction genre and some notable moments in its history. You will also see the abridged timeline of major science fiction works throughout entertainment – you can read the extended version at pdby.co.za.

Despite the fun of a sci-fi themed section this week, we all know we are still in the midst of a pandemic. And honestly, it’s not feeling good. I don’t know about everyone else but some days I find it all very overwhelming. The fear of the unknown and of what I have no control over makes me anxious and I find this affecting my motivation, my focus and my productivity.

Things feel surreal and life feels like it has stopped.

But, it hasn’t. And I try to remember that I may be at home and away from campus life, but life is continuing. We have to find new ways to connect and engage with our friends and family and remind ourselves that we are not as isolated as we may feel.

I battle to feel connected to people when I can’t interact with them in person and it’s been difficult. But I try to remind myself that everyone is in this together and that while I may feel overwhelmed and anxious, I need to be easy on myself. How can we expect ourselves to function normally when we are not living in normal circumstances?

The point of my sap and over sharing is that you are not experiencing this alone. Reach out if you need help, if you need company or support, or you just need a chat. We are

Copy: Ropafadzo Chidemo CJ Barnard Ume Dikio Takunda Marecha Nomzamo Xolly Maluleka Kalen Kroëse

in this together.

Something positive that makes me feel better is seeing all the ways humanity is responding to support one another. Essential workers risk their health daily to keep the world running.

And millions of people around the world are donating to countless solidarity and support funds to help their fellow human beings. That is a small but bright light in a dark and uncertain time. If you are in a position to donate, consider donating financially or with required goods to the numerous funds established, or to organisations that still require support during this time such as animal shelters, old age homes and abuse shelters.

On a lighter note, let us know how you’re spending May the 4th at @PDBYMedia and your favourite aspect of sci-fi!

But, above all, remember to wash your hands, practice social distancing, stay home and stay safe!

Layout: Kelly Anne Kong Kam Wa Duane Kitching Kara Olivier Ngoako Ramokgopa Kirsten Minaar Multimedia: Mashudu Madzhiga Vice Mkansi Promise Zulu Cletus Mulaudi Madhuri Rambaran Sanele Zulu Cassandra Eardely Marchall Potgieter Adorn Ndlovu Kamogelo Mogapi Elma Akob Web: Jonathan Oladeji Zurika Raubenheimer Lucky Griffin Nyabicha Social Media: Jc Steyn Mbali Kunene

Mothusi Masibi

We sadly say goodbye to our 2015/2016 Multimedia Editor, Mothusi Masibi, who passed away last week. Mothusi your legacy at PDBY will forever remain. You were loved by our readers and all those who knew you.

Rest in peace kind soul.

Kayla Thomas

P.S. I just lost the game.

Happy May the 4th.

Photo: Shen Scott

yourcampusnews.

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.

Advertising Sales Tel: 012 420 6600 Cell: 083 318 9738 carel.willemse@up.ac.za

PDBY Media

Print, Digital, and Broadcast Youth Media

www.pdby.co.za Twitter:

@PDBYMedia @PDBYSport @PDBYe Instagram: @PDBYMedia Facebook: PDBYMedia Tel: (012) 420 6600

Editorial Editor-in-chief Carel Willemse Editor Kayla Thomas Digital Manager Sam Mukwamu News Susanna Anbu Features Kristin De Decker Entertainment Dani Van Der Horst Sport Caitlyn Walsh

4 May 2020

carel.willemse@up.ac.za @Ed_in_Chief editor@pdby.co.za @KaylaThomas1998 digitalmanager@pdby.co.za @sammysouthside news@pdby.co.za @PDBYMedia features@pdby.co.za @krissydd1 entertainment@pdby.co.za @danvanderhorst sport@pdby.co.za @cait_walshh

Social Media Tacita Black Marketing Marné Swanepoel Copy Marren McKay Visuals Giovanna Janos Multimedia Tshepang Rhilampfu Layout Leah Rees Web

socialmedia@pdby.co.za @tacitablack marketing@pdby.co.za @skippingswan copy@pdby.co.za @wallflower_hippie visuals@pdby.co.za @gigi.janos multimedia@pdby.co.za @romanfigga layout@pdby.co.za @leahgram98 webeditor@pdby.co.za

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.

Copyright PDBY is printed by Paarlmedia. All rights reserved. Contributions are welcome. All due care will be taken with materials submitted, but PDBY and printers cannot be held responsible for loss or damage. The editor reserves the right to edit, amend or alter in any way deemed necessary. PDBYcannot be responsible for unsolicited material. The opinions expressed in PDBY are not necessarily those of the editors and printers of PDBY.

4 May 2020

Advertisment | 3

4 | News

4 May 2020

UP Health Sciences Faculty at the forefront of COVID-19 outbreak Susanna Anbu

I

n response to the national health emergency imposed by the outbreak of COVID-19 in South Africa, many staff members and students from the University of Pretoria (UP) have made active contributions to combat the outbreak on the frontlines and behind the scenes. Professor Tiaan de Jager, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences asserted that “The Faculty of Health Sciences is at the forefront of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic” and referred to numerous initiatives formulated by faculty members.

The Faculty of Health Sciences has deployed members from all four of its schools, namely Dentistry, Healthcare Sciences, Health Systems and Public Health, and Medicine to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. The work that they do comprises of active screenings and laboratory-based testing, frontline healthcare, emergency medicine, and infection control. The faculty has also formulated the emergence of community-based services such as helplines and conduction of tests at rural locations.

Professor Anton Stoltz, the Head of Infectious Diseases in the school of medicine, is currently part of UP’s COVID-19 taskforce. Prof.

Stoltz is involved in the planning and implementation processes regarding the successful housing of patients afflicted with COVID-19 at Steve Biko

Illustration: Marchall Potgieter

Academic Hospital. Steve Biko Academic Hospital is one of three hospitals in Gauteng tasked with housing COVID-19 positive patients. Citing the negative-pressure feature of the isolation ward, Prof. Stoltz has assured members of the public of the hospital’s preparedness and patient management.

The negatively pressurised isolation ward ensures that there is no influx of air from the isolation ward, into the general ward.

Previously, Prof. Stoltz has also rendered his services in preparation for the potential Ebola outbreak in South Africa.

Mmane Boikanyo, the Head of Media and Communications at the Faculty of Health Sciences, confirmed that Prof. Stoltz is currently involved in international studies relating to COVID-19.

It was previously reported by PDBY that Prof. Stoltz was involved in a study, published by Lancet, that devised a revolutionary mask technology allowing early detection of Tuberculosis (TB) in patients. In speaking about the potentiality of the technology to detect other viruses, Prof.

Stoltz confirmed that his team had already started testing the technology for respiratory viruses and is currently writing a protocol for evaluation of COVID-19

infections. Regarding the current status of the venture, Boikanyo confirmed that the department will soon start testing the mask’s efficiency at diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 (the causative agent of COVID-19) infected patients. The initial study pertaining to TB was undertaken in collaboration with the University of Leicester (UL). Collaborators at UL have completed the SARS-CoV-2 essay for analysis of the mask. The department hopes that through the mask, a myriad of respiratory pathogens can be

“

The Faculty of Health Sciences has deployed members from all four of its schools [...] to combat the COVID-19 outbreak

diagnosed along with SARS-CoV-2.

PDBY also reported in the 6 April 2020 edition on the initiative that the MakerSpace centre has undertaken to use 3D printing to print masks for health workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 outbreak. This was in response to an appeal drafted by Netcare that called on all institutions and members of the public in Gauteng who possessed a 3D printer to engage in this initiative, in order to meet the growing demand for face shields. According to Isak van der Walt, the Manager of Digital Scholarship & Innovation Digital Services & Systems at UP’s Department of Library Services, the UP Makerspace is able to print 20 masks a day with its current capacity.

Along with other leading universities, UP is a member of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA). All ARUA affiliated universities have taken a stand to engage extensively in research, in order to understand the effects of COVID-19 in a local context. Through this, UP has undertaken a WHO multi-centre clinical trial for Africa that aims to approximate the effects of antiviral treatments on in-hospital mortality.

A few research initiatives pertaining to COVID-19 have been articulated by the Faculty of Health Sciences. The Centre for Viral Zoonosis, together with National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has undertaken a research venture pertaining to bats as potential carriers of COVID-19.

A collaboration between the UP and the Gaven Institute of Medical Research, in Sydney Australia, has looked to utilize genomic sequences to profile the risk of South Africans being afflicted with the novel coronavirus.

Professor Wanda Markotter, who currently holds the NRF-DSI South African Research Chair in Animal Infectious Diseases and is also the Director of the Centre for Viral Zoonosis, is working on this venture. The study looks to identify the different types of zoonotic viruses (with the coronavirus being one of them) present in bats and other terrestrial mammals in Africa.

Using this information, the study aims to analyse the presence of these viruses in the excretions of the animals, which could then be a potential source of transmission to other animals and humans. Furthermore, the research also entails

surveillance of SARS related viruses in horse shoe bat species.

Professor Marietjie Venter, the Head of the Zoonotic, Arbo and Respiratory Virus Research Programme at the Centre for Viral Zoonosis partakes in an ongoing study that looks at fevers caused by zoonotic and emerging viruses. Prof. Venter is currently working on a review paper on COVID-19 diagnostics under the Journal for Clinical Pathology.

The Department of Family medicine has formulated a research unit pertaining to community oriented primary care, called UP COPC (University of Pretoria Community Oriented Primary Care). The initiative is actively involved in outreach programs that conduct COVID-19 screenings in rural areas.

With regard to the importance of delivering accurate information and statistics to the public, the Faculty of Health Sciences, in conjunction with the Department of Statistics and Department of Applied Mathematics, are undertaking a myriad of modelling studies that look to present accurate COVID-19 statistics. Prof. Vukosi Marivate, who is currently the ABSA Chair of Data Science and Senior Lecturer at the Department of Data Science, has created a repository to collate data on the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in Africa. The goal is to record detailed information on each reported case in every African country using data from official sources, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and departments of health.

UP Medical students have also become active participants in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak. Senior medical students who volunteered their services, have been deployed in hospital settings where they are tasked with assisting doctors in numerous COVID-19 related projects that do not expose them to the frontline. Some final year medical students have been tasked with manning a UP hotline for COVID-19 related

“

UP’s health sciences faculty has made numerous contributions in the form of hand sanitiser installations, cellphone applications [...] and the creation of informative COVID-19 media

questions that members of the public have, like locations of the closest testing sites.

The local hotline was created after a collaboration between the University of Pretoria (UP) and the Sediba Hope Centre.

This project was an attempt at easing the influx of calls faced by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases. The service is available from Monday through Friday between 8am-5pm, via 080 061 1197.

UP’s health sciences faculty has made numerous contributions in the form of hand sanitiser installations, cellphone applications for use by doctors in a hospital setting to track COVID-19 cases, and the creation of informative COVID-19 media that informs UP students. The numerous contributions made by UP staff and students in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak in South Africa on the frontlines and behind the scenes has been an exemplary model to many institutions.

News | 5

4 May 2020

Support with online UP School of the Arts learning for students inspires with lullaby with disabilities Nokwanda Kubheka

Manelisi Magoro

T

he University of Pretoria is set to resume studies on 4 May. Arrangements are in place to ensure success with the completion of the semester through online learning. However, queries have arisen as to how students with disabilities will be accommodated.

The Disability Unit (DU) is working with various faculties, library services, lecturers, and tutors to ensure accessibility of learning material by students with disabilities, including those who use special technology.

Furthermore, the DU sent extensive guidelines to faculties on the assistance that they are to provide, depending on the different categorised levels with what assistance is required. A member of the DU@UP, Mr Juan Erwee, says that they are working closely with academic staff to provide additional support as students have specific needs which differ from each other.

As students with disabilities complete assignments independently as part of their curriculum requirements, online learning can

be a concern as well as worrying due to the fact that students may feel they will not receive adequate support. However, the DU provides psycho-social support under test conditions and grants extra-time for assessments with time limits during online learning. Further offering support, the DU loaned devices to students prior to the lockdown to ensure that students would be able to continue with online learning.

Being without on-campus support, and the fact that time management is crucial, can be worrying to all students. Therefore, the DU acknowledges that creating a time and space to manage a study schedule during a pandemic is challenging, and states that “there will likely be additional challenges as the academic programme commences and [the DU] will be ready to address these as they are identified”, says Erwee. Erwee further advises students to remain disciplined and to practise good time management to ensure that online learning is less challenging.

Students who encounter challenges as a result of barriers due to a disability are encouraged to contact the DU online platforms and via email at du@up.ac.za.

Dr Boje receives second PhD at 83

Kendall Behr

D

r John Boje recently received his second PhD in 10 years at the age of 83. He wrote his thesis on his translation of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales from Middle English into Afrikaans. He would

have graduated on 6 April, after submitting his thesis, ‘“Save oure tonges difference”: reflections on translating Chaucer’s Canterbury tales into Afrikaans at the end of 2019’. PDBY spoke to Dr Boje about his work, what lay ahead for him, and his advice for young students.

I

siduduzo’ is the UP School of the Arts’s response to a call made by the Humanities Faculty for sources of inspiration, as the UP community and the world face uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The lullaby was composed by the Head of Music and Head of the School, Professor Alexander Johnson, while the design component of the images was assembled

by Professor Amanda du Preez. ‘Isiduduzo’ (2nd movement) is drawn from ‘Imicabango’ (Impressions), which was written in 2010 for the SAMRO Endowment for the National Arts.

The UP website describes the artwork as a gentle, almost romantic work. It consists of three movements. The first two, namely Impumalanga (Dawn) and Isiduduzo (Lullaby), both are intimate expressions of first daylight and early evening accompanied by sounds and

Why do you think an Afrikaans version of the Canterbury Tales is useful?

The Canterbury Tales is in Middle English, a form of the language which makes this major literary work inaccessible to most present-day readers. There are modernisations, but I think translations are more successful.

The Tales have been translated into more than fifty languages, so an Afrikaans version is part of a world-wide tribute to a great poet.

How will your translation be used?

The Canterbury Tales provides a window on the Middle Ages, a time when people just like us coped with very different circumstances.

The text is therefore of interest to the general reader. A more likely readership, though, will be students of English who battle with the Middle English.

What did you enjoy most about writing your thesis?

The thesis came long after the translation, so it was fascinating to see how the theory of translation, of which I was ignorant when I worked on the translation, meshed with decisions I had arrived at intuitively.

Dr Boje, middle, with his supervisor Dr Idette Noome, right and his wife Elizabeth, left. Photo: provided

What surprised you the most about your translation?

Probably the capacity of a language to say things one thought would be beyond its reach, for example a hymn of praise to the Virgin

emotional evocations. The third movement, Isikhwishikazana (Small whirlwind), is an impression of a wind that disappears as quickly and as quietly as it appeared.

The work has been performed at the Hugo Lamprechts Theatre in 2010.

It was recorded for two CD recordings

by Liesl Stoltz (flute) and Jose Dias (piano) in 2014. The work is also prescribed for the Unisa Grade eight and Licenciate flute examinations (2011), and has been performed around the world numerous times.

According to the UP website, r all Potgiete Illustration: March Prof. Du Preez says that the accompanying images are loosely interpreting the music, with themes of sleep and awakening running throughout.

The lullaby can be watched on the UP YouTube page, on the news section of the UP website and is titled ‘Art is a Wound Turned into Light- Isiduduzo’, and on the news section of the UP website.

Mary, which sounds perfectly authentic in Afrikaans.

Are you looking forward to having a more celebratory physical graduation ceremony?

Yes, my wife bought me a pair of outrageous socks to go with my scarlet gown and I missed out on wearing them.

What’s next for you?

I’ve made some progress with a translation of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It’s so slick and so witty; I hope I can carry it off.

What advice do you have for young students who are daunted by writing a PhD thesis?

It’s vital to choose a topic that is of sufficient interest to keep one going. Then, once you’ve started, do just that. Keep going; don’t despair and don’t give up.

What advice do you have for other multilingual South Africans who are struggling to bring together differing cultures and ideologies?

Live fully in both worlds. Don’t use one to measure or to denigrate the other but let different perspectives on the same reality deepen your understanding and enrich your life.

Know something, say something Tips can be sent to news@pdby.co.za or to @PDBYMedia on Instagram

6 | News

4 May 2020

Flywire payment method for UP International students Jameo Calvert

O

n 31 March, Flywire rolled out their platform to aid UP international students make fee payments.

According to Munya Chiura, Flywire South Africa Country Manager, the payment option is immediately available for use by the University of Pretoria’s international students.

Chiura told PDBY that Flywire allows international students to pay their tuition accounts from over 240 countries in their domestic currencies stating that “ [it is] especially critical now, given COVID-19”.

“Students and their families can easily leverage [their] global payment network to securely make international payments from the safety and convenience of their homes”.

Their services are especially beneficial to international students during the present COVID-19 pandemic that the world is faced with, because most students are finding it difficult to leave their homes for anything other than essential services. “In many cases, these students are still in their domestic countries, and can not physically visit a

bank branch to make a payment. Only 6% of the international student population at UP remained in their respective residences because they could not travel back to their domestic countries for various reasons”, she said.

Supporting 150 currencies across 240 countries, the online payment options include secure bank transfers, card payment options, and alternative payment methods such as PayPal and Alipay. International students have 24/7 access to Flywire support via phone, email, and live chat with any questions regarding their payments, according to Chiura. Furthermore, Chiura told PDBY that students can track their payments from start to finish via SMS and email.

Chiura said that “[Flywire] ensures that there is a quick delivery of international students’ fees, deposits, and accommodation payments within days, and not weeks”.

International students who want to learn more about Flywire can contact the UP SRC or ICD, they can also download the Flywire mobile application on the Google Play and Apple App Store.

TuksRes solidarity fund continues

Jameo Calvert

T

he Chairperson of the residence sub-council, Lara Thom, was happy to share with PDBY that the fund has turned out to be successful. According to her, they are ahead of their schedule, and have since been able to make the first round of payments on 27 April. She says that they were able to assist approximately 98 residence students with a disbursement amount to the value of approximately R 47 000.

Thom explained that the second round of payments was processed over the weekend of 1 May, and states that “hopefully, this will aid around 150 residence students”. As of 3 May, the fund has assisted 265 students from 29 residences with a total of R121 000.

According to Thom, their ‘back-a-buddy’ initiative has also done well and that Professor Themba Mosia made a personal donation. “Successful applicants were personally notified through a WhatsApp business account, so that [they] could make it a bit more personal and so that [the students] knew that [they] were there for them and could ask follow up questions” she added.

One of the residence students that received assistance to the value of R400 from the fund, Lebogang Mokgalaka, a first year Bachelor of Education student and resident at Zinnia, told PDBY that she was able to buy food that will assist her and her family for at least a month. Lebogang advised her counterparts who applied for assistance to be patient, and further said that “patience is a virtue, [she] believes that everyone who needs assistance will be assisted”, “to the TuksRes Solidarity Fund, words are not enough to express [her] [...] appreciation”.

On 1 May, the sub-council for residences issued a Question and Answer on the TuksRes Solidarity Fund as follows: What is the process for approving students for funds?

Once an application has been successfully submitted through the provided Google Form, it gets exported to an Excel spreadsheet. Applications have been batched in order to simplify the processing of applications. All applications are viewed, considered, and noted. After the applications have been sorted, the individual student needs are measured against the availability of funds, while [they] also consider the fact that some students have recently received NSFAS assistance/pay-outs, and/or support from their bursaries. As soon as all these checks have been done, the list is sent for approval, after which a pay-out is made within a few days.

How much assistance is provided?

The maximum pay-out per approved student is R 800. Assistance is provided on a needs basis, and applications are read in full to try and determine an amount which would be able to assist the applicant. [They] therefore also rely on students’ integrity and honesty when submitting their applications.

[They] are limited in the funds which [they] can distribute, and thus [they] assign as much money as [they] can, while keeping in mind that other students need assistance as well.

“

They were able to assist approximately 98 residence students with a disbursement amount to the value of around R 47 000

“

How will [students] know if [their] application was successful?

If you can expect a payment, you will be notified via your UP email. You will receive the payment into the account you indicated, and the reference will be TRSF. If you are unsuccessful, you will not be notified, as your application will remain on [their] records. [They] will continue to look for people who [they] can help with donations.

This is an ongoing process.

Will [students] need to reapply for the fund if [...] not successful?

You will not need to reapply. As indicated, all applications are kept on file with comments made.

Is there anything [students] can do to help with this process?

Any donations are welcomed, and [they] appreciate the support given. In order for [them] to help as many students as possible, [they] request that you communicate and share this initiative with those you think might be able to contribute. You can visit and share the official Back-a-Buddy fundraiser at https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/ project/tuksres-solidarity-fund.

Amogelang Motsepe, chairperson of House Hayani said, “this fund was created by the students for the students, but it was specifically established to aid students who really cannot afford [what they need] at this time.” Motsepe also added that her worry was that students themselves might want to take advantage of the initiative, “such as students applying even when there is no need for them to apply, but applying for the sake of abusing the system”. Motsepe pleaded with students to refrain from misusing the system, and to allow the disadvantaged and needy students an opportunity to get the much-needed assistance. Read more at https://pdby.co.za/solidaity-fundestablished-to-aid-residence-students/

7 | Features

4 May 2020

The switch to online learning

Carli Botha

O

n 10 April, the university released a statement informing students that the first semester will be completed online. This followed the address made by President Cyril Ramaphosa, extending the lockdown period and introducing the stages of lockdown. According to the email sent out by the Department for Education Innovation, online learning will be given preference to contact classes.

Access to computers and internet Student Representative Council (SRC) President, David Kabwa told PDBY that a solidarity fund had been set up to ensure equal access to learning. “Six million rand will be used to assist students with devices. They will be distributed using postal services as they are classified as essential services”, said Kabwa. An email was sent to students explaining that these devices would be provided “based on two criteria: financial need, and registered students who regularly attend classes”. According to Kabwa, the “zero-rated access is also being finalised and will take the form of a link that will take students directly to the portal”. This portal, called UP Connect, can be accessed by students using an internet browser on any device. The university sent out an email about the progress made with regards to the distribution of internet-enabled devices. This email confirmed that the distribution is on schedule, and this will allow students in financial need to continue with online learning on 4 May, as planned.

“

“

...these devices would be provided “based on two criteria: financial need, and registered students who regularly attend classes

In an email sent out on 21 April by the Department for Education Innovation, Vice-chancellor and principal Professor Tawana Kupe told students “we will continue finding innovative solutions to ensure the success of our students, and we will do everything possible to make sure that no student is disadvantaged”.

The question of what would happen to a student in the case that they miss a test due to not having access to the internet or a computer was raised. Kabwa responded by saying, “I can confirm that academic exclusions will not take place in the same manner in order to give consideration to students in this situation, and assessments will have greater fluidity to assist students”. Kabwa also told PDBY that the SRC requested a consideration of fee adjustments, and consultations with the departments are ongoing. “We’ve raised fee adjustments in relation to international students, charge for resources that would not be used and residence fees”, he added.

Access to textbooks Many students were dependent on the library for access to textbooks. While the physical libraries remain closed during lockdown, the library website is still accessible. In order to get access to certain prescribed textbooks, departments, and lecturers need to negotiate an agreement to get access through the Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (Pty) Limited (DALRO). Some students will continue to use eBooks while other students are able to access certain textbooks and articles through the UP Library Services.

The UP Library website can also be accessed free of charge

Vaccines and immunisation Feliciana Nezingu

T

he current global outbreak of COVID-19 has shone a light on the importance of vaccines in tackling infectious diseases. The World Economic Forum (WEF) describes vaccinations as “arguably the single most life-saving innovation in the history of medicine”. They provide the body with immunity from harmful and possibly fatal diseases as well as greatly extend life expectancy.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is one of the most effective ways to prevent life-threatening diseases as it protects people from diseases before coming into contact with them. Today vaccines protect against more than 25 diseases that can be fatal, such as cervical cancer, measles, and polio.

Where do vaccines come from?

In 1796, Edward Jenner, an English doctor, created the first vaccine. Jenner had noticed that dairymaids who had been previously infected with cowpox, a mild illness contracted from cows, did not contract smallpox, a feared and more dangerous disease. He started an experiment which included taking pus from a blister of a dairymaid infected with cowpox and scratching it into an eight-year-old boy’s arm. Jenner then exposed the boy to a small amount of smallpox. The experiment was then deemed successful when the boy did not contract the disease. This marked the birth of vaccination. Jenner’s method of vaccination subsequently became the major means of preventing smallpox around the world.

Later in 1885, a French chemist named Louis Pasteur developed the first rabies vaccine. He injected a weakened form of rabies virus into a boy who was bitten by a rabid dog. The treatment was a success, and the boy’s life was saved as he did not develop rabies. In the 20th century, new vaccines were introduced against diseases such as whooping cough in 1914, tetanus in 1938, and influenza in 1945. The

last half of the 20th century saw the introduction of more vaccines against polio, measles, and rubella. Arguably, one of the biggest vaccination success stories is the complete global eradication of smallpox in 1980, a disease which killed between 300 million and 500 million people in the 18th century.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccinations today are based on the same principles that were employed by Jenner and Pasteur centuries ago.

According to the WHO, vaccines introduce a weakened or killed form of disease into the body, usually by injection or mouth. The body builds resistance to the infections once its natural defences recognise the invading germs and produce antibodies to fight off the disease. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to fight off threatening diseases. If the individual comes into contact with the disease in the future, the body’s immune system quickly destroys it as it remembers the disease and how to fight it.

This is why vaccines are an effective preventative measure against harmful diseases.

Vaccinations in the 21st century Today vaccination has revolutionised global health. Most vaccinations are carried out during childhood to ensure immunity before coming into contact with the diseases.

In December 2016, the WHO reported that although most children received vaccines, about 19.4 million under the age of one year did not get vaccinated. In July 2019, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that, due to vaccination, measles had declined by 80% between 2000 and 2017. The organisation described immunisation as “the most cost-effective public health interventions to date”, which prevents about 2 to 3 million deaths annually.

The anti-vaccination movement One major challenge to vaccination today is the anti-

Illustration: Promise Zulu

through the UP Connect portal.

Format of online assessments Prof. Alta van der Merwe, deputy dean of the Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology Faculty (EBIT) told PDBY that, for the faculty, the format of the online assessments will differ depending on the nature of the module. Prof. van der Merwe explained that theoretical modules may only have theoretical assignments, while other modules could have assessments in the form of online presentations.

Online classes will continue until 17 June, as students were informed by the university. This date is however, subject to change and variation. When it comes to the June examination, Prof. van der Merwe told PDBY that the EBIT faculty consists of 14 departments, and “there might be some of the departments that will be able to write online exams, but our preferred model, if it is possible, will be to have a sit-in exam”. Professor Elsabe Schoeman, dean of the Law faculty, was unable to comment on these matters, and told PDBY that students will be informed and updated through official communications. Each department or module is therefore subject to different learning and examination methods.

A learning continuity plan was released to enable students to keep up with the changes happening. It remains important that students keep up to date with university emails and ClickUp notifications.

vaccination movement. This movement spans from when smallpox vaccinations expanded, and protesters argued that vaccination was an intrusion of their privacy and bodily integrity. Some also viewed compulsory vaccination as a violation of their freedom. The more recent anti-vaccination movement is attributed to a case study co-published by Andrew Wakefield in 1998. The case study reported that there was evidence that a number of cases of children who had received the common measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR), had displayed symptoms of autism. MMR vaccination rates dropped as people began to question the safety of vaccines. No other subsequent studies to date have found the link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

In 2010, the General Medical Council of Britain banned Wakefield from practising medicine, and a year later the British Medical Journal published a report which found evidence that Wakefield had falsified data for his research.

Today a growing number of parents choose not to vaccinate their children as they are concerned about the safety of vaccines. It can be difficult to make a decision as the abundance of information in support of vaccines is paralleled by misinformation on the dangers of vaccines.

Vaccination in the present The last two decades have seen a number of unexpected disease outbreaks such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003, the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, the Ebola virus in 2014, and the current COVID-19 pandemic that has infected millions worldwide.

Developing a vaccine is a time-consuming and cost-intensive process. The long development process is attributed to extensive research to understand the virus, and rigorous testing to ensure that the potential vaccine is effective and does not cause dangerous side-effects. According to the WHO, many attempts fail or are abandoned before the testing process, which can last six to eight months. The potential is then studied by regulators in order to grant approval. The WEF stated that most vaccines used today took 5 to 15 years and predicts that a COVID-19 vaccine will take at least 12 to 18 months of development. According to the organisation, at least 35 institutions and companies are racing to develop a vaccine.

4 May 2020

Res-cession Maryke Steynvaart

T

he national lockdown has forced the University of Pretoria (UP) to implement online distance learning, while campuses and residences remain closed. Students will not be using various facilities, utilities, and services during this period, which raises the question of whether UP will reimburse some tuition and residence fees. As South Africa faces an economic recession, many students and universities are rendered financially vulnerable, and the dilemma of whether or not to pay fees can be the difference between UP’s financial viability, and students’ financial ability to pay their debts.

Since the suspension of all physical classes on 16 March until the end of the first semester on 17 June, students have been absent from campus for 62 days. The end of the first semester online does not mark the return to contact classes, but it depends on how the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds. Rikus Delport, UP’s spokesperson says, “following the lifting of the lockdown, the university will continue with online teaching and learning and will abide by the decision and direction of National Government. This process will be communicated to students once we have received the appropriate mandate”.

Based on a presentation named “Plans for Academic Year 2020 and response to COVID-19 pandemic” by the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology dated 21 April, students will likely not be allowed to return to campus and residences until the peak of the virus has passed. Current scientific projections estimate

that COVID-19 cases are most likely to peak in July or August and thus contact classes might only be resumed in September.

In other words, there is a high possibility that students will not be allowed to access campus or residences for approximately five months in total as contact classes are suspended.

During this time period, students will not use UP’s facilities, utilities and certain services physically, hence the question of what a student pays for becomes significant. Delport explains that a student “pays for, among other things, the student’s tuition, access to facilities, including the library, student-related services, such as health and security, computer and laboratory equipment etc”. Delport also noted that a student’s residence fees cover “accommodation and food”.

Online classes do not have a drastic impact on tuition fees, Delport explains that “preparing for, and presenting teaching and learning online require[s] considerable financial commitment, and could in certain instances be more expensive than contact classes owing to the cost of the technology involved”. Regardless of the fact that students are not living in residences, Delport relays that there is almost no impact on residence fees, “as salaries, rates and taxes, insurance, among other things, still need to be paid, and facilities continue to be managed and maintained”.

UP has not answered the question of whether tuition and residence fees will be reimbursed at all. Delport says “the university is doing everything it can to salvage the academic programme and it is too early to determine whether students will be reimbursed”.

Tuition and residence fees are vital to

ensuring UP’s financial viability and the mass reimbursement of fees might financially compromise the university.

This issue was addressed in the minutes of a recent meeting between the SRC and UP Executives. It is written in the document that “the Vice-Chancellor pointed out that the matter of fees could not be considered in isolation. The University’s income streams are limited (namely, government subsidy, earmarked grants, fees, and donor funding in the form of scholarships). Reducing income from fees would have to be considered as part of the comprehensive budget”.

The strict national lockdown has compromised South Africa’s economy and a recession with a projected 6% contraction of the GDP is anticipated by many. To reimburse fees in this financially stringent time would possibly place UP in jeopardy. Delport told PDBY that “the university has a sustainability plan in place to ensure it can deal with the possible impact of an economic recession. Part of the plan is to continue and strengthen our efforts to cut costs wherever possible and to ensure we operate efficiently on all fronts”.

Many citizens, including students and their families, have been socio-economically affected by the pandemic as thousands are left without an income during this time. Students are expected to pay half of their fees by 30 April, and the full amount by 31 July. After comment the dates have been postponed by two months, to June and September. As a result of the economic impact, many financiers might not be able to afford the tuition. This raises additional concerns such as whether students will be academically excluded if they can not pay their tuition and/or residence fees.

Concerns also centre on what will be done if a student cannot afford food and necessities, and whether these financial deadlines will be pushed later into the year. Reimbursing university fees might not be feasible, at the moment or in the future, but Delport assures

“

Features | 8

the dilemma of whether or not to pay fees, can be the difference between UP’s financial viability, and students’ financial ability to pay their debts. students that UP is “committed to providing all [the] students with the necessary support to ensure their success, and all faculties are developing strategies that will ensure that all students have access to the teaching and learning opportunities provided by the university”.

UP has been forced to adapt to the restrictions put in place by the South African government. In the face of a recession and distance learning, there are still many issues that need to be dealt with by UP. Delport explains that, “the situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic is very fluid and circumstances might change at short notice.

[UP] will continue to update students and staff, and encourage them to visit the university’s website and follow the social media platforms for regular updates”.

PDBWhy: Refunding Tuition Bianke Neethling

T

he university recently announced that the decision has been made to continue and complete the first semester online, rather than resuming contact lectures. PDBY spoke to some students to hear their opinions on whether or not they believe, given this new form of online learning, the university should partially refund tuition.

Unathi Boloshe 2nd Year BCom I do believe that students deserve some financial relief from their tuition fees as [it] can be a burden for some students. A refund could be better as none of us knew how long the current situation was going to take and could provide financial assistance to the students and parents/ guardians paying the fees. Yet the university is trying to allocate necessary resources, study materials etc. And from the information that I read on newsletters and emails from universities (particularly mine), they are limited because of finances. [Refunding tuition] could provide financial support to students and relief, yet I try to remember that universities are businesses in a way and in order to provide for students, they need more money.

Martin Hanekom 3rd Year BEng Computer Engineering

The whole world is in turmoil, that much is certain, but very little is. In a matter of weeks, our whole lives have been flipped upside down, and even the simplest assumptions about normal, daily life is no longer applicable.

I can understand that this puts the university in a very precarious position, and some tough choices will have to be made to keep on delivering world-class students, while keeping everyone safe. Fees are a contentious issue, as the university needs the money to function, but it is still unfair paying such hefty tuition fees for no tuition. Should the university manage to finish the academic year without great quality reduction, full tuition is in order, but if not, I propose that the university saves as much money as possible by switching off all non-essential functions, and only receive payments for the months that class will be available this year.

Theshmira Pather 2nd Year BVsc I do not think there should be a refund. I can only speak for my faculty and with regards to Veterinary Science the lecturers and Dean are going out of their way to ensure that we receive a high quality of education and that the academic year is salvaged. We already have a very well thought out revised academic programme and the lecturers are easy to contact. There is even a boot camp planned over the July holidays to cover the practical aspect of our modules. The faculty has also been sending us frequent communication and kept us all in the loop every step of the way. […] Therefore, we are receiving the maximum level of education that we can, and I don’t think we need to deprive the university of our fees especially since they are spending funds to supply mass technology and free internet to those who don’t have. I am however also staying in the university residence and I do think they should pro rata the fees as we are not staying there or using any of the facilities.

Sinazo Sijovu 2nd Year BSocSci (Philosophy, Politics, Economics) I would like to acknowledge the efforts that have been made by the university management, SRC, and student body leaders in making the health and safety of UP students their main priority, as well as their timely response in implementing feasible crisis-management solutions. Granted, online learning is not ideal for conducting our studies, but this guarantees that learning will proceed as normally as possible.

Tuition covers the costs of our education, and the university has communicated that lecturers will continue making material available for students to learn from. Resources to aid the online learning process are being provided to students who need them, and a lot of work by our educators are still being done to offer us the same quality of education.

Our tuition has not gone to waste, and does not need to be refunded as learning will continue to take place.

Entertainment | 9

4 May 2020

SCI-FI LITERATURE TIMELINE Compiled by Kayla Thomas and Dani van der Horst Illustrations by Giovanna Janos Timeline by Leah Rees Check out the full version at htpps://pdby.co.za/sci-fi-literature-timeline/.

ANCIENT ‘SCIENCE FICTION’

THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH

20 00

BC

While this Mesopotamian text does not explicitly reference science or technology, it is regarded by some to be the first precursor to the genre of science fiction

EARLY ‘SCIENCE FICTION’

Illustration: Cassandra Eardley

May the Fourth be With You Ahmed Best, who played the character in the prequels, has stated that he considered committing suicide because ver since George Lucas shared A New Hope with the of the intense backlash towards his character. In more recent years, Kelly Marie Tran, who plays Rose Tico in world in 1977, Star Wars has been an unstoppable force in pop culture. The film introduced us to some The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019), was the target of racist and sexist abuse online by fans. of the most beloved characters in movie history such as Tran was the first woman of colour to hold a major role Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker. The first film was also progressive for its time, as Princess Leia ended up helping in the franchise. The online harassment led the actress Obi-Wan Kenobi and Han Solo in her own rescue mission. to delete her social media as she was inundated with comments suggesting that she was only added into the The initial trilogy kick-started the behemoth that the Star film as a social justice warrior, or to meet the “quota” Wars franchise is today. Star Wars quickly became one of the most successful franchises of all times, spawning comic of racil inclusivity. Daisy Ridley, the lead actress in the newest trilogy, deleted her own social media soon after. books, merchandise, video games, animated series, and Toxic and problematic fans caused an up-stir regarding now even an entire attraction at Disneyland. This initial issues they did not agree with, and therefore led to a trilogy also created one of the biggest fan communities distate to the last trilogy for other, casual viewing fans. of people from all walks of life. In 1999, The Phantom With a franchise that has such a cultural impact and Menace was released which was the start of the divisive is embedded in pop culture, it is important to foster a prequel trilogy. The prequels proved to not be as big of a community that is inclusive rather than the exclusionary critical success as its predecessors, and was also less of a success with fans. The prequels were, however, a financial nature the fandom has had in recent years. It is also important that Disney understands the value that they success which proved the continual profitability of the hold with the Star Wars franchise - as by flooding the franchise in the 21st century, and led to Disney eventually movie market with countless trilogies, as they currently buying Lucasfilm Ltd. With Disney now in control of the are, the “magic” and enjoyment is lost, and will surely franchise, fans have recieved a third trilogy added to the lead to a disdain for the Star Wars franchise. Regardless Skywalker Saga, which began with The Force Awakens in of some problematic fans and an at times saturated 2015, and recently concluded with The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. During Disney’s reign over the franchise, we also market, the love and culture of Star Wars is not going anywhere. got a few spinoffs with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) and Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) and a series, titled The Mandalorian. The franchise is a phenomenon that you either love or hate, but whether you are a fan or not, Star Wars has influenced many parts of modern pop culture.

With the first and most beloved trilogy. Lucas revolutionised motion picture special effects which he continued to advance with the prequel trilogy.

It has also become impossible to interact with any part of modern pop culture that does not reference Star Wars in some way, and it is a guarantee that everyone has said ‘may the force be with you’ at some point. The original films revolutionised how the industry creates merchandise for movies, and is responsible for the thinking of toys as collectibles rather than just for children. It is also important to note that if we did not have Star Wars, we probably would not have the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as Star Wars led to the success of blockbusters filled with special effect imagery and popularised the idea of a movie franchise.

Sadly, not everything in the Star Wars franchise is perfect and one of the biggest problems it faces, is its own fans. Cracks in the fan culture first started to show when the Illustration: Kara Olivier prequels were released. The character of Jar Jar Binks was punitively criticised by Star Wars’ fans and critics alike.

This text was written centuries before the genre of science fiction was established but featured ‘sci fi’ elements such as aliens, space travel, colonisation and wars between planets and artificial lifeforms.

101 – 200 AD

THE TALE OF THE BAMBOO CUTTER

901 – 1000

Emily Harrison

E

15 16

More’s work featured an island, Utopia, that offered an alternative to contemporary society and introduced the idea of a Utopian society (and inspired its name) to science fiction.

THE MAN IN THE MOONE Francis Godwin

16 38

GULLIVER’S TRAVELS Jonathan Swift

17 26

THE SANDMAN E.T.A Hoffmann

18 16

UTOPIA Thomas More

THE BLAZING WORLD Margaret Cavendish

Considered a significant precursor to modern science fiction, this text contains sci fi elements such as utopian and dystopian societies, a flying island and alien cultures.

18 05

This French text is an early version of the dying earth genre and features an earth of the future that is becoming sterile.

This Japanese tale is considered ‘protoscience fiction’ and features an extraterrestrial protagonist from the moon and a manuscript illustration depicts a flying vessel that could resemble a flying saucer.

This text is largely regarded as the first official science fiction work and features a Utopian society living on the moon.

16 66

This text is considered the first science fiction text by a woman and features a Utopian world, different life forms, submarines and invasions between worlds.

A TRUE STORY (LUCIAN OF SAMOSATA)

THE LAST MAN Jean-Baptiste Cousin de Grainville This German short story (and others by Hoffmann) features automatons or robotic figures and advanced mechanics, and was of crucial importance to Freud’s theory of the Uncanny.

10 | Entertainment

MODERN SCIENCE FICTION

18 18

Regarded as the first modern science fiction text that introduced the distinct genre of science fiction, this text features the sci fi elements of the ‘mad scientist’, advanced technology and scientific innovation beyond the scope of science at the time.

Shelley’s novel distinctly focused on science and technology, something she developed further in her 1826 short story “Roger Dodsworth: The Reanimated Englishman” which featured the introduction of cryonics.

THE MUMMY! A TALE OF THE TWENTYSECOND CENTURY

FRANKENSTEIN Mary Shelley

Aaron Cloete

T 18 27

This novel features the mummy of Cheops reanimated in the year 2126 and a future of advanced technology such as automaton doctors and lawyers.

Jane Webb Loudon

18 70

This novel inspired real world scientific advancements and research with its considerations of the submarine and under water exploration.

TWENTY THOUSAND LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA Jules Verne

THE TIME MACHINE H.G Wells

18 95

H.G Wells

18 98

Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain

This play features robots created in a factory with synthetic flesh and blood and sentient thoughts that rebel against humans.

This play is significant in introducing the word ‘robot’ to the English language and to science fiction.

TWO PLANETS Kurd Lasswitz Wells’ novel was one of the first tales of war between humans and an alien race and featured an advanced Martian raced with fighting machines and developed technology.

19 02

Considered the first science fiction film.

SULTANA’S DREAM

This novella is credited with popularising the concept of time travel with a specific device – which Wells coined the Time Machine, a term central to modern science fiction.

18 97

This novel features advanced alien life on Mars who resemble humans but with much larger eyes.

THE WAR OF THE WORLDS

A brief history of science-fiction

19 05

A TRIP TO THE MOON Georges Méliès An early feminist science fiction story

by Muslim feminist Hossain, the text features a female-ruled utopia in which there is labour free farming, flying cars, weather control and no crime, all due to female advances in technology and science.

19 20

R.U.R Karel Čapek

he genre of science-fiction is one that has a long and rather interesting history and, as a genre, it has not only been able to inspire real world innovation but also provides hope for a better and more advanced future. The genre started with Mary Shelley, an author, and a poet who wrote what is widely considered to be the first science fiction novel in 1818 - Frankenstein. We can in hindsight recognise the aspects of sci-fi that we know and love: the mad scientist, the weird and wonderful machines, and the use of electricity.

This was, however, ground-breaking at the time and became a fundamental piece for the kind of fiction we see today.

This is not to say that ideas from science-fiction did not exist before Shelley. The earliest example of sci-fi tropes such as space travel, and alien cultures dates back to the 2nd century AD with the novel: A True Story by Lucian of Samosata. Myths and legends have also held many tropes that we know are attributed to science-fiction. Most prominently there exist several stories in A Thousand and One Nights, a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales that included space-travel and extra-terrestrial worlds. The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter speaks of a princess who originated on the moon. Both of these works date back to the 10th century AD and have acted as sources of inspiration for many contemporary authors. Shelley can, however, be considered the first author of contemporary sci-fi.

Sci-fi as we know it today can also trace its lineage back to the works of H. G. Wells. Wells’ work gave us much of what we consider today as true sci-fi. Classic works like The Time Machine (1895), and The War of the Worlds (1898) took the ideas of industry and development sparked by the world fairs of the time and brought a new futuristic and wondrous aspect to contemporary literature. Wells also set the stage for much of what we see as sci-fi today. Star Wars, and Doctor Who spring to mind.

The genre saw a boom in the 20th century as decades of war sparked not only works of social commentary like George Orwell’s 1984 (1949), and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World (1932) but also forward looking works like Isaac Asimov’s I Robot (1950). What sci-fi has always done is look to the future as something different, something that takes the technology the world has at the moment and abstracts it into infinite strange and varied forms.

4 May 2020

It would seem that a common trend with science-fiction is that the genre is so embroiled with technology that it is difficult to determine which exactly came first: the technology or the fiction. A prominent case of this phenomena comes with Arthur C. Clarke, author of 2001 A Space Odyssey (1968), who is widely credited with conceptualizing the geostationary communications satellite.

The 20th century also saw science-fiction begin to reach new heights with the widespread commercial use of film. Series and films began to pop up from early examples like Metropolis (1927), and Flash Gordon to later films such as Forbidden Planet (1956), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) and even the beginning of Doctor Who in 1963.

It has already been shown that politics and war spawned some of the best early sci-fi novels. This was never truer than in the period of 1947-1991, a period more commonly known as the Cold War. The technological advances made during this time as well as the focus on extra-orbital flight culminating in the 1969 moon landing, all added to the spirit of the sci-fi movement.

Azimov and Clarke have already been mentioned, and both did incredible work during this time.

Contemporary sci-fi is varied and diverse. Mass media outlets like Netflix as well as the increased popularity of things like Star Wars, and The Avengers has catapulted sci-fi into popular culture (there is even a channel on TV dedicated to it). Now sci-fi authors have changed from vague soothsayers of potential futures to people very much on the forefront of general thought.

Asimov is studied for his insights on the philosophy of artificial intelligence and these authors have come up with ideas that are very real in our world.

Truly it is impossible to list each of the advances in sciencefiction literature, as the increased speed of technological advancement has meant an equal increase in the rate of new authors and new ideas. Contemporary sci-fi is all around us, and as strange as it may be to think we live in the future that many of these authors envisioned. AI, cell phones, and aeroplanes all seemed impossible once but are now commonplace. Douglas Addams, author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (1979) puts the meaning of science-fiction (in fact all fiction) best: “Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all”.

TRY @Home

Online Book Clubs Kendra Connock

T

his period of national lockdown and worldwide quarantine seems to be cementing the idea that even the most introverted people need some form of personal interaction in order to stay sane. Even those of us who previously thought we could easily survive by simply staying inside 24/7 have had the rude awakening that “maybe I am not as introverted as I thought”. This new and unprecedented way of life has brought out a creative side to many people as they strive to find new ways to remain in contact with other people. For the bookworms and bibliophiles out there, lockdown is the perfect opportunity to work through that TBR pile (‘to be read’ for those unfamiliar with the ways of the bookish).

Books are fantastic on their own, and there is nothing quite like cracking the spine on a new one and diving into it head first, but one of the simple pleasures that comes along with reading a new book is discussing it with someone else. Another activity of

Photo: Madhuri Rambaran

‘normal’ life that has turned to online platforms is the humble book club. Consider joining up with the Reblog Book Club on Tumblr or the Reddit Book Club (r/bookclub) for a unique digital book club experience where you can discuss this month’s chosen book with members from all over the world. Another excellent option is the Tolstoy Together online book club which carves War and Peace into easier to read portions, and requires about 30 minutes of reading per day to finish a classic within 3 months. Actresses Reese Witherspoon and Emma Watson have their own platforms (Reese’s Book Club and Our Shared Shelf, respectively) which recommend a book each month and allow for conversation over Instagram. Alternatively, you could start your own. Get some friends together and choose a book, read, and then take to your preferred video-chat platform to discuss (best done from a comfy couch with a cup of tea).

Whether you choose to join an established online community, or you decide to forge your own path, be sure to tag us on social media so we can see which books you choose and discuss.

4 May 2020

Not now. One World: Together At Later Home

Vasalya Moodley

O

Image: Provided

n 18 April, humanitarian organisation Global Citizen launched a worldwide broadcast, One World: Together At Home, in support of the World Health Organisation and all healthcare workers, who are working tirelessly amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. By using social media platforms, this campaign strived to bring about positivity to ease those feeling isolated at home. This special, in collaboration with Lady Gaga, aimed to unite the world through music - from pop to rock, and everything in between. The special featured informative words from leading health experts, and an array of highly renowned artists.

As a mere tip of the star-studded iceberg, some of the performers included The Rolling Stones, Lizzo, and Taylor Swift, all singing from their homes. Lupita Nyong’o, Jimmy Fallon, and many other famous figures from the film and television industry also appeared. A variety of international artists also made appearances. Bollywood titan, Shah Rukh Khan, Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi, and K-pop group, SuperM, were a few of these. Well-known names in other industries contributed to the broadcast, such as David Beckham, and Bill Gates. South Africa was also represented on the special. Black Coffee, Cassper Nyovest, Nomzamo Mbatha, and Sho Madjozi joined the enormous line-up of artists. As a build-up to the broadcast, music streaming site, Spotify, compiled the official playlist of #TogetherAtHome which included the music of the performing artists in the concert.

Emily Harrison

L

isteners may recognize Mikhaela Faye’s vocals from the pop duo Floors, but the Cape Town born singer/songwriter released her first solo project with her debut EP Not now. Later on 24 April. The artist said that her EP “represents a screenshot of [her] life on somebody else’s phone”. All the tracks on the EP explore the themes of figuring out being in love, and your place in the relationship as well as just trying to be an adult. Her sound can be categorised in the genre of bedroom pop, which also features artists like Billie Eilish (specifically her earlier work).

The first track on the EP, ‘Please Don’t Ask Me’ is just as real as her description promises with honest, yet witty lyrics accompanied by atmospheric jazz.

In the track ‘Body’, Faye shows vulnerability that is a refreshing change in the pop genre. The electropop sound and catchy melodies that define the song makes it easy to imagine grooving to it on a long drive. Her track ‘Bullsh*t’ features relatable lyrics yet captures insecurities in relationships. ‘Trippin’ is a beautiful sounding and atmospheric track on the EP with a blend of instrumental and electronic sounds.

The track ‘Dopamine Rush’ is a satirical standout in the EP with its unique sound and catchy chorus.

The track is also poignant commentary on social media. The final track, ‘Compulsion’ features funny, relatable lyrics that are also somewhat sad. The song captures the beautiful struggle of trying to be an adult in the 21st century. The track has a completely different sound to every other song on the EP, yet it feels like a necessary inclusion to end off her vulnerable and honest conversation with her listeners.

The EP captures the ‘chilled vibes’ sound that has been dominating popular music, indicating that this EP is likely to be a success. It is clear that Faye is still experimenting with her sound making the project seem like an exciting prologue to the artist’s career.

The EP cements Mikhaela Faye as an artist to watch.

Her sound is fresh and modern, making this EP a breath of fresh air in the South African music scene.

19 26

The first science fiction magazine is established and the pulp magazine coined the term ‘scientifiction’ for the genre.

METROPOLIS Fritz Lang

19 27

THE COMET

19 30

THE WAR OF THE WORLDS RADIO DRAMA

The first science fiction ‘fanzine’, a magazine by the science fiction fandom, is published.

19 37

One of the most highly acclaimed science fiction novels in the genre’s history. The novel spans two billion years and features the accumulation of different minds and a meeting with the cosmic creator.

19 38

NINETEEN EIGHTYFOUR

19 49

I, ROBOT Isacc Asimov

Ray Bradbury publishes a novel about a futuristic world where books are outlawed. The novel is regarded as one if his greatest works and overlaps with the dystopian genre.

Olaf Stapledon

FIRST CONTACT Murray Leinster Orwell publishes his dystopian novel based on totalitarianism, mass surveillance, censorship and government oppression. Often stylised as 1984, the novel remains hugely influential.

George Orwell

19 50

Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard publishes his first paper on Dianetics, which launches his new religion, in the science fiction magazine Astounding Science Fiction.

STAR MAKER

The radio broadcast drama of the novel of the same name.

The episode allegedly caused panic for listeners who did not know it was a story and thought the broadcaststyle of the story was legitimate.

19 45

This novelette featured one of the first concepts of a universal translator in science fiction.

In the set of performances, some stand-outs were Sam Smith and John Legend’s melodic duet of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me”. Elton John’s energetic rendition of his hit “I’m Still Standing” was fun and vibrant. Billie Eilish and Finneas performed a smooth cover of Bobby Hepp’s “Sunny”.

The concert capped off with a collaboration of “The Prayer”

by Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga, John Legend, accompanied by concert pianist Lang Lang. This performance gained over six million views on YouTube and became number 5 on trending.

Hugh Evans, the CEO and co-founder of Global Citizen, hopes that everyone who tuned in to the special will take away not just the importance of the healthcare community, but other pillars of society, such as teachers, and grocery store employees. Lady Gaga stated that this massive online concert aimed to highlight and encourage everyone to flatten the curve.

The broadcast was immensly successful. More than 24 million people viewed the concert on YouTube, and it became number one on trending. On 20 April, Global Citizen announced that $127.9 million dollars was raised by this project for COVID-19 relief.

Music and television have united the world for years. It fuels people’s interests and brings them together. One World: Together At Home used social media, inspiring words, and artistic mediums to unite people. Not only does this campaign pay tribute to medical communities around the world, it also highlights the need humans have for each other. The full broadcast and individual performances can be viewed on Global Citizen’s YouTube channel.

BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY A.D. Phillip Nowlan

Orson Welles

Image: Cassandra Eardley

AMAZING STORIES

One of the first feature length science fiction films, this film is regarded as pioneering the science fiction film genre.

19 29

This comic strip is credited as the first non-humorous science fiction comic strip.

Entertainment | 11

ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION publishes

DIANETICS

19 50

This collection of stories featured the introduction to Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics and influenced thoughts around artificial intelligence.

19 53

FAHRENHEIT 451 Ray Bradbury

4 May 2020

I AM LEGEND AND OTHER STORIES

Entertainment | 12

19 54

American writer, Richard Matheson, publishes a novel that influences the modern development of zombie and vampire literature and popularises the concept of a worldwide apocalypse due to disease.

Richard Matheson

Rod Serling creates and presents a television series titled The Twilight Zone, which would go on to run for five seasons.

Each episode presents a stand-alone story in which characters find themselves dealing with often disturbing or unusual events, an experience described as entering “the Twilight Zone,” often with a surprise ending and a moral.

FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON

19 59

The Jetsons

Originally written in French, Boulle’s novel explores a world in which great apes are the dominant species, whereas humans are reduced to a savage animal-like state.

DOCTOR WHO

The original television series makes its debut. It follows the voyages of the starship USS Enterprise on its five-year mission, “to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before”.

WESTWORLD Michael Crichton

Joe Thompson “Since Forever” IG: @joethompson1994 Joe Thompson is a solo artist from Joburg, his sound can best be described as indie pop. He has performed at The Grind’s Bar Acoustics and you can check out his two singles on Spotify, Apple Music and Google Play Music.

Edlustar “Budget Pt. 1” IG: @edlustar Edlustar is a hip-hop recording artist, songwriter and record producer from Pretoria. His music is available for streaming on all major platforms.

1959

Daniel Keys A novel is published about a near-future society that has a youth subculture of extreme violence. The teenage protagonist, Alex, narrates his violent exploits and his experiences with state authorities intent on reforming him.

THE TWILIGHT ZONE

PDBY’s Artists to Watch

1962

Daniel Keys publishes his short story about a laboratory mouse called Algernon who has undergone surgery to increase his intelligence.

A CLOCKWORK ORANGE Anthony Burgess

1962

1963

The Space Age counterpart to The Flintstones makes its debut. The Jetsons live in a comical version of a century in the future, with elaborate robotic contraptions, aliens, holograms, and whimsical inventions.

PLANT OF THE APES Pierre Boulle

1963

1966

1973

The popular British science fiction television programme premieres for the first time. The programme depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called “the Doctor” who explores the universe in a time-travelling spaceship called the TARDIS.

STAR TREK

This screenplay about amusement park androids that malfunction and begin killing visitors is released.

Johnny Allison IG: @johnny1allison Johnny Allison is an illustrator artist and graphic designer based in Gauteng.

His work can be spotted in The Grind Bar & Eatery as he painted one of the pillars live on 7 March.

Check out his website and his Instagram account to see some more of his incredible work.

Club of Suns “Once Around the Sun” IG: @clubofsuns Club of Suns is band from Johannesburg. They describe their sound as Alternative (cerebral indie rock/ depro pop). Check them out on all major streaming platforms.

PDBY Featured Artist: 17ad Daluvuyo Mapuzi

1

7ad is a hip-hop/rap musician and a third-year medical student at the University of Pretoria. Thoroughly focused on and passionate about both his studies and music, he has a background in club dance music, which takes form in his current music to give it a unique melodic feel.

What does the name 17ad mean and represent to you?

All the tracks that you hear are mixed, mastered, engineered, and produced by me, 17ad. I live by the slogan of “forever young, forever remembered” so I came up with the name. It is two parts, so the 17 is a youthful number, forever youthful, it is before [stuff] gets serious and life gets in the way.

AD is “after death”. It is because I really felt like this was my shot at having a legacy so even if I had to pass on people would Image povided still have these songs one day to listen. There will always be a memory of me because I am down for that [stuff], when I pass on I do not want to be forgotten. So yeah, 17ad is just about that chance at a legacy, and I strive for the whole thing of self-sufficiency in creating a legacy.

I want to make everything myself. I want to be the reason that this pops off, you know, I do not want any help, if that sounds right.

So yeah, just a legacy, and forever young, forever remembered.

How would you describe your music?

I would describe my music as an experience, if that makes sense. The only reason I make music is for myself. I want [music] to bump to, and I like the idea that it is me on the record, or me on the track so it is just me sharing experiences thoughts, feelings, and what I am going through in a way that is still catchy as hell, and gives you a melody that many other people cannot do. It is a melodic experience.

When and how did you get your start in music?

For my 14th birthday my dad bought a PC and I ended up getting FL Studio which is one of the softwares I use to make music, and I just explored music creation and I was really [bad] for the 1st year, like terrible. At around 15-16 I started DJing, so trying to get gigs at underage clubs or under 18 events. And then 16-17 I continued DJing, I DJed with my best friend at the time and we DJed at Tiger Tiger, we DJed at Billionaires - a club in Durban - and at big underage events, and then I kind of got over it because I obviously did not get paid, and I enjoyed the music more than the DJing if that makes sense. So at 18-19 I took a creative break because I was just making [bad] dance music, and I wanted to try find what I am about and then I ended up coming to Pretoria and I kind of developed in that first year at university and I found the music I want to create, the feelings I wanted to share, and so that is why I formed 17ad. It is just about trying to push out quality and share experiences that I go through that I know people will relate to, so it has been quite a few years.

Which 3 of your existing songs would you recommend to a new listener?

“Last Time”, “Feel That Too’ and “Love the Attention”.

Who are your biggest influences musically?

Definitely XXXTENTACION, rest in peace. He was probably one of the main reasons I even started making music for myself.

I would say Russ, [he has a] big impact on telling stories, he is a great storyteller. Frank Ocean, and I also draw inspiration from weird things like Otis Redding, I was listening to “Sitting On The Docks’’ and I came up with an idea. It is all about the feeling within the song.

Could you elborate on your experience collaborating with Hendrik Joerges and how it came to be.

Hendrik is the best producer in South Africa, and he has become a close friend of mine. He was a DJ at 2, and I will not lie, I idolised the man when I was DJing so I always wanted to meet him and so I would always support him when he was dropping his new tracks or [when] he had a gig I would go see him. So eventually, I was trying to make music and then I sent him [music] and he would give me criticism, and eventually, one day he posted something on his IG story, like a snippet of “Stressed” or just the template and then I was like “I have a hook” so then I was like “step aside, let the real ones work” and then from there it jumpstarted us into collaborating so we got together. “Stressed” got done in a day’s time, in under 8 hours, and now it has been picked up by Trap Nation and edm.com and gotten 300 000 streams on Spotify which is a massive achievement for us. To be honest, he is one of the only people I can really work with musically because he kind of understands my direction with my music so it is crazy.

And we have just released “What She Said”, and we have so many more projects on the way.

Would you describe Hendrik Joerges, and anyone else, as a mentor or advisor?

Yeah, definitely. The biggest downside about artistry in general is that I often feel very isolated in my room making beats and he is often the getaway to evolving. [Hendrik] is probably one of the only few that I send stuff I am working on to get critique. It is a pretty lonely game, I will not lie. I am by myself, but I believe that it is meant to be that way. So yeah, he is a mentor, and he is the one I go to. And also, a notable mention is my brother. I often phone him to ask him “is the message of the song right”, “am I being authentic”, “am I being who I can be” because he knows me best.

Who else would you like to collaborate with in the future?

Locally, I would be keen to make [music] with obviously, Nasty C, and A Reece. They have 2 different lanes that you could go.

There is a girl, her name is, I think, Hanna/therealnigis. I [like] her flow and her vibe. Internationally, I would say Russ, and Octavian, he is a British rapper from Essex.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In five years I would like to see myself as a qualified doctor, and also have this thing going, like a side hustle. I would like to be an artist that is recognised in SA. I am not really down for performing, I just want to release good music.

Do you have any exciting projects or plans we should look out for in the near future?

Yeah, I am trying to produce now at home, and it is kind of hard. I have had to make a homemade studio; recording is not that great but I am going to try releasing weekly songs. I released a song this week, I am going to drop one next week sometime, and eventually, work towards an EP/album when I have enough of a following. Right now, it is just [about] releasing quality music, and getting my name out there, but I am not really trying to prove anything which also helps me stay true to myself. So yeah, a lot more from 17ad this year, and the years to come.

4 May 2020

STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE George Lucas

Entertainment | 13

THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY

E.T.

BLADE RUNNER

Steven Spielberg

Ridley Scott

Douglas Adams

1977 The world is introduced to galaxies far far away for the first time. This first instalment follows the journey of Luke Skywalker who along with Han Solo and the wizened Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, attempt to free Rebellion leader Princess Leia from the clutches of the Galactic Empire and the Sith lord Darth Vader. The heroes, in league with the Rebel Aliiance, attempt to destroy the Empire’s planet-destroying space station, the Death Star.

1978 Douglas Adams creates his radio science fiction comedy series that airs on BBC Radio 4. In 1979, the first novel with the same title is published.

1982 This film introduces the world to a friendly extraterrestrial who finds itself trapped on earth.

1982 A film that is later regarded as one of the best science fiction films of all time, makes its debut. It is loosely based on Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, and is set in a dystopian future Los Angeles of 2019, in which synthetic humans known as replicants are bioengineered by the powerful Tyrell Corporation to work on off-world colonies.

When a fugitive group of advanced replicants led by Roy Batty escapes back to Earth, burnt-out cop Rick Deckard reluctantly agrees to hunt them down.

The first instalment of the “Terminator” film series hits the big screen.

THE HANDMAID’S TALE

1984

James Cameron

1985

Margaret Atwood Robert Zimecks and Bob Gale team up and introduce the world to Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett “Doc” Brown.

ENDER’S GAME

1985

THE MATRIX

1985

1985

THE HUNGER GAMES Image: Marchall Potgieter

The Duffer brothers create a science fiction horror series set in the fictional rural town of Hawkins, Indiana, during the early 1980s. The nearby Hawkins National Laboratory ostensibly performs scientific research for the United States Department of Energy, but secretly does experiments into the paranormal and supernatural, including those that involve human test subjects. Inadvertently, they have created a portal to an alternate dimenstion, “the Upside Down”.

2016 STRANGER THINGS

Inspired by older series such as The Twilight Zone, Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones create a dystopian science fiction series. Each Episode is a standalone episode that is usually set in an alternative present or the near future, often with a dark and satirical tone, although some are more experimental and lighter.

2011 BLACK MIRROR

The first instalment of the “Divergent” series makes its debut. The novel is set in a post-apocalyptic dystopian Chicago. Citizens are organised by their social and personality-related affiliations into five different factions.

2011

In this film about aliens, it is partially presented in a found footage format by featuring fictional interviews, news footage, and video from surveillance cameras.

The story begins in an alternate 1982, when an alien spaceship appears over Johannesburg, South Africa.

When a population of sick and malnourished insectoid aliens are discovered on the ship, the South African government confines them to an internment camp called District 9.

1999

2009

DIVERGENT

DISTRICT 9

Veronica Roth

Neill Blomkamp

1999

UNDER THE DOME

2008

2008

AVATAR James Cameron

JURASSIC PARK

The Wachowskis debut the first instalment of the Matrix franchise.

FUTURAMA

The first instalment of “The Hunger Games” trilogy and Katniss Everdeen’s story is published.

WALL-E Pixar and Disney

2009

Stephen King

James Dashner’s first instalment of “The Maze Runner” series is published.

Card publishes a novel based off of a short story he wrote in 1977. Set at an unspecified date in Earth’s future, the novel presents an imperiled humankind after two conflicts with the Formics, an insectoid alien species.

Matt Groening

Suzanne Collins Pixar and Disney release a science fiction animated film of a deserted earth and robot love story.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

Michael Crichton

Lilly and Lana Wachowski An American adult animated science-fiction sitcom airs on Fox. It follows the adventures of slacker Philip J. Fry, who is cryogenically preserved for 1000 years and is revived in the 31st century.

Atwood’s awardwinning novel is published. It is later adapted into a film and then a television series.

Robert Zemeckis

Orson Scott Card

A novel is published that depicts the collapse of an amusement park showcasing genetically re-created dinosaurs to illustrate the mathematical concept of chaos theory, and its real world implications. In 1993, the film is released and it becomes the highest grossing film ever at that point.

THE TERMINATOR

2009

Stephen King publishes his 48th novel. It focusses on a invisible glass dome-like barrier that seemingly falls out of the sky, transforming the community into a domed city.

THE MAZE RUNNER James Dashner

2009

This fiction, fantasy film is set in the mid-22nd century when humans are colonising Pandora, a lushhabitable moon, in order to mine the mineral unobtanium.

Sport TuksUnderwaterHockey with Elrich Engelbrecht

Sci-Fi sports: Fiction E turned real life

Boitumelo Kokwe lrich Engelbrecht is an Underwater Hockey player, and is the coach and Coach Coordinator at TuksUnderwaterHockey. PDBY spoke to Engelbrecht about TuksUnderwaterHockey and what Underwater Hockey is.

Caitlyn Walsh

I

f you haven’t realised it already, many science fiction sports from movies and other forms of media have become popular and, in turn, have been made into real sporting events. Turning fictional sports into real-life sporting activities is a matter of great interest to those in their respective fandoms.

Harry Potter’s Quidditch: One of the most popular fiction sports, known as Quidditch from the Harry Potter franchise, is now being practised as a real sport. Unfortunately, certain details of the game cannot be included, such as witches, wizards, flying broomsticks, and a golden-ball with the ability to fly, but improvisations have been made to call the new game Muggle Quidditch. Muggle Quidditch, the term “muggle” referring to normal humans, involves the use of dodgeballs to replace “quaffles”, hula hoops on sticks for goals, a player dressed in gold who acts as the “snitch”, and every player is straddled to a broomstick unfortunately, without the gift of flight.

Star Wars’ Beat Saber: Another popular science fiction sport is Beat Saber, which is presumed to be lightly based on Star Wars. This is a Virtual Reality game, in which you exercise. The Virtual Reality Institute of Health and Exercise says that “Beat Saber’s primary exercise comes from the fast upper body movement needed to slice musical blocks, along with moderate side-to-side leaning, and occasional squats to avoid obstacles”. A player moves the lightsaber to the rhythm of the beat during a game, giving the player an interesting and innovative way to workout.

Howard Phillips Lovecraft’s The Call of Cthulhu: The Call of Cthulhu, which is a horror fiction roleplaying game, is based on H.P Lovecraft’s short story with the same name. According to HPLovecraft.com, this game is initially based off of a short story Lovecraft wrote in 1926. Not only has it been turned into a popular video game, but it has also become a real-life fantasy tabletop role-playing game, similar to Dungeons and Dragons. Although it does not include aspects of physical activity, like other reality games and sports sometimes do, it definitely keeps the mind active and is a fun and interactive way to celebrate your favourite authors.

However, there are many sci-fi and futuristic games that will probably never come into reality - for example, Hunger Games, which would be a terrifying real-life sport. A sporting game that includes murder and killing for entertainment would probably not land too well.

Another example of a fiction sport that would not stand well in the 21st century, is Flamingo Croquet from Alice in Wonderland. The possibility of using real flamingos is definitely not viable, however the likelihood of the sport’s rendition using flamingo-like croquet balls does exist.

Overall, the impact of sci-fi movies on sport is great, and the fact that may fandoms have taken it upon themselves to recreate certain sports is fun and unique - however, some sports should remain what they are, fictitious.

What is TuksUnderwaterHockey about?

TuksUnderwaterHockey is a family who love water and is a sports team with people who enjoy having a good time.

What is the major difference between Underwater Hockey and other types of hockey?

The major difference between underwater hockey and other forms of hockey are that it is the only three dimensional sport in the world.

Thanks to that, there are three referees in the pool court, instead of one. You can’t speak to your teammates while you are submerged and playing the game.

Needing to hold your breath while playing the game is a massive factor in Underwater Hockey.

And what is Underwater Hockey about specifically?

Underwater Hockey is played in a two to three metre-deep pool. There are two teams with ten players each - with six players per team in the court with four substitutes per team. The team is either black or white indicated by the colour of their caps and sticks. The gear worn consists of a cap, diving mask, snorkel, a glove to protect the hand, a stick [to] move the puck, a pair of fins, and a swimming costume.

What happens during a match?

A match consists of two 15 minutes halves, with a three minute break where teams change sides. At the start of the match, both teams start on the side of the pool where their respective goals are. The puck is placed in the middle of the pool and when the match starts both teams sprint for the puck.

How does a team win?

The team that scores the most goals wins. This is through scoring the puck in the opposition’s goal.

When did you start playing Underwater Hockey?

I started playing at the end of 2007. My brothers and I have always been avid swimmers so when we found out about a water sport that is also a team sport, we dived right in. We were hooked from the moment we played our first game. It has almost been 13 years and we all still love the sport.

How much have you achieved in the sport?

I have won a gold medal at the Under 19 world championships and had the privilege of captaining the Under 19 and 23 South African men

teams in two different world championships. Earlier this year I was selected to be part of the team that would have represented South Africa at the 2020 Underwater Hockey World Championships. Last year I had the privilege of being the assistant coach of the Under 19 South African men’s team.

Would you consider yourself having reached the level you want to be in terms of Underwater Hockey?

With being selected for the men’s open SA team, I have reached the level I have always wanted to reach in my career. As a coach I would like to be the head coach for the Under 19 South African men’s team and a gold medallist coach. The biggest prize would be to win gold on Elite Level.

What tournaments are TuksUnderwaterHockey participating in at the moment?

The three major tournaments TuksUnderWater Hockey competes in are the Senior Nationals, Inter Clubs, and the Arnold Classic Games.

What is TuksUnderwaterHockey looking to achieve in the tournaments?

Tuks has been on the podium for all three tournaments for the last three years but haven’t won a gold medal. Our goal before the national lockdown was to win the Senior Nationals tournament. We are now focusing on winning Inter Clubs held at the end of the year.

Where is TuksUnderwaterHockey currently located?

TuksUnderwaterHockey is currently located at the Hillcrest Sports Campus’ swimming pool. Training times are Mondays and Thursdays starting at 19:30 and ending at 21:00 and on Saturdays from 13:00 to 15:00.

Image: Provided

Bongani’s badminton dream Chrizaan Pretorius

B

ongani van Bodenstein is 23 years old and represented South Africa for badminton in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, and was a University Sports South Africa (USSA) triple time winner for three consecutive years.

PDBY spoke to van Bodenstein about his passion for the fastest racket sport in the world (that reaches over 470 km/h in speed) and is played all year-round with no off season. Van Bodenstein told PDBY that his love for this sport derives from of his constant search for new experiences, and badminton offered him the opportunity to meet new people, while traveling across the country to compete on an elite level. Moreover, van Bodenstein added that his biggest dream is to compete at the Olympic Games and to bring back a medal for South Africa, but generally speaking it is important to build on smaller goals that will lead to the achievement of bigger goals later on. Some of these goals include to get his singles ranking to top 10 and his doubles ranking with his partner, Jason Mann, to top 3.

TuksBadminton is one of the many sports offered at UP, making it possible for various players to fulfil their ambitions by providing a foundation of community, equipment, facilities, and leadership under their manager, Ilze Wicksell. Bongani also admits that no dream goes without disappointment, stating that, “the advice I would give to any sportsman/woman is that disappointment has the power to shape you if you let it, not all failure needs to have negative residual effects. Draw motivation from that feelings you felt when you lost and work every day to rectify those mistakes in a positive and healthy way”. Given these points, van Bodenstein added that he is keeping fit during lockdown with a weekly program from their National Coach Stewart Carson and a strict diet.

By and large van Bodenstein says that for anyone eager to professionally compete on any sport level, it does not go without sacrificing certain things and requires perseverance, determination and problem-solving skills. Furthermore, comparatively adding that “[…] I really enjoy being outdoors and just spending time with friends and making them feel appreciated”. Badminton all in all is a wonderful, but physically demanding sport. It does not only challenge the mind, but also a person’s mental capacity. Van Bodenstein enjoys the challenges badminton has to offer, and enjoys competing in the unknowingly competitive sport.

Illustration: Mashudu Madzhiga

30 000 people read the print version of

To advertise email carel.willemse@up.ac.za

visit www.pdby.co.za for ad rates