King Kendrick
- pg. 5
Mixologist Dino Batista - pg. 10
Perdeby
Tuks se amptelike studentekoerant / Official Tuks student newspaper / Kuranta ya baithuti ya semmušo ya Tuks
7March2016
year78issue5
Think twice before tweeting
Laws you should be aware of
MARKO SVICEVIC
Constitution of South Africa Bill of Rights Section 16: Freedom of Expression
UP warns against irresponsible use of social media
On 2 March, UP management informed students of possible consequences they may face should students be involved in irresponsible social media use. Following recent violent protest action at the university, UP has warned students that it could suspend, expel, or even lay criminal charges against them for liking, retweeting or being tagged in posts which incite violence or constitute hate speech. The statement was posted under the new notifications module called “UP Communication 2016” which aims to “increase the effectiveness of communication between UP and its students.” The statement explains that “not only ‘posts’ or ‘tweets’, but also ‘likes’, ‘tagging’ and ‘retweets’ of posts on social media, which incite violence, harm or constitute ‘hate speech’ are in contravention of the University’s Disciplinary Code [for] students”. Students whose names are “coupled with any ‘likes’, ‘tags’, or ‘retweets’ of this nature” may face disciplinary action and may even be suspended or expelled from UP. In addition to this, civil or criminal action against such students may also be instituted. According to UP spokesperson Anna-Retha Bouwer, the notice serves as a reminder to students of their rights in terms of the UP Constitution for Student Governance, and also the responsibilities attached to these rights. “According to the University of Pretoria Constitution for Student Governance, Section 14, students have the right to freedom of expression, which includes freedom of the student media, freedom of
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes – (a) freedom of the press and other media; (b) freedom to receive or impart information or ideas; (c) freedom of artistic creativity; and (d) academic freedom and freedom of scientific research.
Photo for illustrative purposes only. Photo: Shen Scott
academic expression and scientific research, freedom to receive information from the University and Student governance structures on matters that affect her or his rights, and freedom of clothing and appearance,” said Bouwer. Bouwer further explained that “the notice sent out is a reminder of these rights and the conditions of these rights, and that [m]any statements on social media during the protest action, but not only limited to the protest action, were in contravention of these conditions.” She said that in some cases, threats of violence to property and to certain individuals were expressed on social media. Speaking to Perdeby, SRC secretary Thabo Shingange said, “Although we [the SRC] recognise the need for responsible interaction and commentary, the current nature of the statement [notice], we believe, creates a sense of victimisation and limitation of speech and engagement
among students.” Shingange said that the SRC had received many complaints from the student body after the statement was released and that the SRC would therefore be challenging the notice once they have undertaken the necessary research on the matter. “These tactics, with the [stated] intention to create a safe environment, ironically instil a sense of fear among students, and thus [is] not conducive to the moral of an academic institution,” added Shingange. UP’s decision to hold students liable for their social media presence has brought to light the possibility of students and staff being suspended or dismissed for apparent social media misconduct. According to social media experts and attorneys Emma Sadleir and Tamsyn de Beer in their book Don’t Film Yourself Having Sex, what you say or do online can have the following consequences:
(c) advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion, and that constitutes incitement to cause harm. Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act Section 10: Prohibition of Hate Speech
(2) The right in subsection (1) does not extend to –
(1) [N]o person may publish, propagate, advocate or communicate words based on one or more of the prohibited grounds, against any person, that could reasonably be construed to demonstrate a clear intention to -
(a) propaganda for war; (b) incitement of imminent violence; or
(a) be hurtful; (b) be harmful or to incite harm; (c) promote or propagate hatred
• It can result in a prison sentence. • You can be sued. • You can be fired from your job. • You can be expelled from your school or university. • It can do significant damage to the brand and reputation of a company. • It can do irreparble damage to your personal reputation. • It can jeopardise your personal safety. In a 2012 social media seminar by law firm Bowman Gilfillan director Rosalind Davey, she explained that there was “no legislation explicitly dealing with media in South Africa, and employers therefore needed to look to other statutes and the common law to determine social media law”. Davey further pointed to several recent cases in South African law which saw employees being dismissed because of social media misconduct.
Speaking to News24, director of Werksmans Attorneys Bradley Workman Davies explained that employers can dismiss workers for inappropriate, insensitive and racist content posted on social media. “This [is] because companies could face a backlash from customers, prospective customers and other stakeholders because of [that] association ... [with the employee],” he explains. This is not the first university incident relating to social media misconduct. In 2014 two students were expelled from a UP residence after posting pictures of themselves wearing domestic worker’s outfits and their faces smeared with black paint, an incident commonly referred to as “Blackface”. A similar incident followed at the University of Stellenbosch earlier this year when two students were temporarily suspended from their residence.
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Perdeby
Editorial | 7 March 2016
“Life wasn’t normal enough to decide on a title.” - A badger.
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Editorial Editor-in-chief Carel Willemse
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Editor Michal-Maré Linden
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Sport Carli-Ann Furno
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Web Marko Svicevic
This week’s edition has happened so quickly, it’s hard to register that it’s been happening at all. This is just another situation that has
become the norm at the publication. Gone are the days where we had to scrounge for news or could take our time writing it up. While I long for a break, it’s great to have news booming currently, so much so that we decided to include most of it in last week’s edition (which means we are now a bit limited this week as everything has already been published or is being worked on for our 14 March edition). Much in the same way that our publication is a constant whirl of panicked activity, many students are also feeling this way, having fallen behind with academics because of disruptions and uncertainty. This week has been somewhat normal, but can we say that normality is back? The constant intense security presence has allowed things to become relatively the same as before, but its still hindering our daily activities with long lines and tedious checks. I’m thankful that they have been able to ensure a peaceful week, but for how long must it continue? This limbo state is not an easy one and I find myself with a lot of questions. Not just about when we will return to normal, because I don’t think the upcoming “normal” will be the same as the “normal” from a few months ago, but also on
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From the Editor
how we move forward. I’m hoping we’ll be able to provide you with the answers to some important questions over the next two or so weeks. For now, here is a start. Many students were in uproar about UP’s update about student social media posts. Read our article on page one for more information on what UP’s policy says and how you can ensure that you publish intelligently online. If you aren’t aware of how the national budget speech and the outcomes of it affect you as a student, you can find out on page four. The progress of the Varsity Cup is also being questioned and its postponement is dealt with on our back page. If this is all too much for you and you need a break, make sure to page through the Entertainment pages – we have a book review for those who need to escape into fantasy, and an interview with a mixologist for those who choose to escape in other ways. Have a productive week! Michal
7 March 2016 | News
3
UP researchers develop smartphone hearing app NTOMBIKAYISE MKANDHLA UP researchers have developed and validated South Africa’s first app that tests hearing, known as Hearza. It is sponsored by the Ear Institute, Oticon, and Sivantos. Hearza was released by Hearscreen, “an innovative startup providing smart solutions for healthy hearing.” The app launched on World Hearing Day, 3 March, and is supported by the Innovation Hub along with UP and Mlab. Hearza is a two-minute long self-test that works with headphones, and is available for free from Android and iOS app stores. Hearscreen describes the application as a “digits-in-noise” hearing test that, upon completion, gives users a hearing score. Prominent figures such as Lucia Mthiyane and Dr Michael Mol support Hearza, which is running a challenge called #CanYouHearThat. The campaign seeks to raise awareness for the early detection of
hearing problems, which could ultimately prevent permanent hearing loss. Nic Klopper, Hearscreen’s CEO, mentions in a Next Billion blog post that he wrote with co-inventor Prof. De Wet Swanepoel that “a collaborative project with a local NGO and an early childhood development funder, Innovation Edge, will see 10 000 preschool children being tested as part of a community-based screening program in a poor township outside of Pretoria.” Hearing loss is a global problem, with impoverished regions such as sub-Saharan Africa having up to one million people per single hearing care provider, according to the latest World Health Organization’s (WHO) multi-country assessment on hearing care. Hearza will be released in partnership with the South African Association of Audiologists (SAAA) and the South African Speech Language and Hearing Association (SASLHA).
#MotivationalMondays gives back to the community RENEILOE BALOI #MotivationMondays is a campaign launched last year and has recently gained traction online. It was started by two UP students: Bongani Mthembu, a second-year BCom Marketing student, and Ntiko Mathaba, a third-year BSc IT student. This community service project focuses on feeding the homeless. The project was motivated by last year’s #FeesMustFall campaign and student protests. “It started last year when Ntiko and I started a Facebook page called MotivationalMondays. After the #FeesMustFall protest in October last year, there was a meal assistance programme for students, so we used that money to buy food for the homeless,” Mthembu said. “We attended a seminar last year at which Tshepiso Makhubedu spoke. Her talk moved us and made us realise that we not doing a lot with our lives. So after the deliberation, we came up with the idea of the Facebook page to motivate people,” explained Mthembu.
Mthembu says that due to a lack of funding and sponsors, it is a struggle for them to have events as they use their own money to do so, but they are not willing to give up and will do whatever it takes to feed the homeless. #MotivationalMonday now collects food and funds by asking students on campus to buy food for the homeless. The mission and vision of this campaign is to help the youth realise that nothing is impossible. “What we really want to see happening is people contributing to this campaign by donating food, money, clothes, equipment and anything they can bring,” Mthembu said. “We hope to do so by collecting such [items] every month for the homeless people of Pretoria,” Mthembu added. What Mthembu and Mathaba hope to see is students challenging themselves, friends and families and to motivate the youth by giving back in any way they can. In addition to this, participants are encouraged to share their work by posting on the MotivationalMondays Facebook page with the hashtag #MotivationalMondaysChallenge or #MMC.
Students voting in last year’s SRC election on Prinshof campus Photo: Carel Willemse
SRC presidential election placed on hold NTOMBIKAYISE MKANDHLA
The re-election for the 2016 Student Representative Council (SRC) president and deputy president portfolio is still on hold. The candidates are Henrico Barnard from Afriforum, Kwena Moloto representing Daso, and Tumelo “Duke” Rasebopye, an independent candidate. Dr Willem Jorissen, deputy director of the Department of Student Affairs, said, “At the moment we await the climate on campus to normalise. The presidential election is still a priority ... As soon as the executive member provides clearance on the way forward, we will communicate accordingly.” Last year, the credibility of the election results for the 2016 SRC members was marred by controversy and saw Afriforum, EFFSC-UP and Sasco linking arms in protest against what they alleged were rigged elections. Furthermore, allegations of hate speech and election regulation violations surfaced, which led to an investigation by the Independent Monitoring Body (IMB). On 2 October 2015, the IMB ruled that the elections were “substantially free and fair” but called for the re-election of the president and vice-president portfolio. However, the FeesMustFall protests soon escalated, resulting in the re-elections being postponed to 2016. The Independent Electoral Commission supervises the electoral processes and is in charge of polling and counting the votes. Every registered UP student is eligible to vote. Any registered UP student is eligible to run for president as long as they meet certain criteria. In the case of undergraduate students, the UP website states that the candidate “must have completed three consecutive semesters at [UP], having enrolled for at least 80% of modules required for their qualification in those semesters, and have attained a [GPA] for the semester preceding the elections of 60%”. Postgraduate students, depending on
whether they are pursuing a coursework-based degree or a research qualification, will have to have obtained a 60% average leading up to the election or submit written proof from their respective faculty confirming that they have made sufficient academic progress to graduate on time. Furthermore, candidates have to have demonstrated leadership abilities by having served on a recognised student government structure prior to elections. In addition, candidates must not have been found guilty of offences by a UP disciplinary committee. Much has been said with regard to the dynamic of the current SRC and how the integration of the presidential portfolio will affect the group. Rasebopye said, “I believe the SRC has shown good intentions to make significant changes in their term and set in motion certain fundamentals that can bring about transformation in our institution. Looking at the presidential candidates, we will either have a president who will positively advance the progress the SRC [or one who] seeks to make, or negatively restrain it through non-transformative organisational mandates.” Barnard believes that the workforce of the SRC can be expanded by adding two more portfolios and believes that the role of the president will also be to “supply additional personal perspective and knowledge to the current team”. So far the SRC has successfully raised R2lmillion in an effort to provide tuition fees for students who cannot afford them. “The current SRC has managed to achieve a lot without a president and deputy president. A dynamic has been created that has proved fruitful with them already raising R2 million in their #R10MillionGame [campaign]. The incoming president will need to be extremely humble for the current winning formula to continue to work. The president will need to learn to lead within the current dynamic rather than trying to rebuild an SRC that has come so far in the past 3 months,” Moloto pointed out.
4
Features | 7 March 2016
+ R3,94
+R25,00
+ R2,50
(x1 bottle of spirit per week)
(x104 bottles a year)
(x3 boxes per week)
+R34,32
(x312 6-packs a year)
Water! R 0, 00
Total:
Wine: R25 p/a 130 p/a R : s e t t e r a ig C 8 p/a Spirits: R204,8 p/a Beer: R34,32 Wine: R25 p/a
Infographic: Mothusi Masibi
The national budget 2016: a students’ perspective JARED DE CANHA After what can easily be described as a finance minister fiasco last December and the relatively weak performance of the Rand in recent months, all eyes were on Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan on 24 February as he delivered the 2016 budget speech. Some of the key objectives of Gordhan’s speech were to address the need to cut government spending and to increase tax revenues in order to keep ratings agencies at bay. Despite personal income tax rates remaining constant, the 2016 budget aimed to raise a projected R9 billion from increases in indirect taxes. While many students studying non-financial degrees may feel unaffected by the budget speech and foreign concepts such as junk status and indirect taxes, it is important not to dismiss the 2016 budget speech at first glance as students may have to tighten their belts in the near future. Driving to become more expensive Carpooling or making use of public transport may need to become more used methods, as the costs of owning a car are set to increase. This is because the general fuel levy is set to increase by 30 cents per litre on 6 April 2016. In addition to this, the minister proposed a new tyre levy of R2.30 per kilogram that will be used to finance recycling programmes. An increase in the motor emissions tax rate from R90 to R100 for every gram of emissions
released per kilometre above a certain rate for passenger vehicles is expected, with double cabs increasing from R125 to R140. Students’ sins to become a burden Because of the new proposals to increase revenue by increasing indirect taxes, a fiscally-irresponsible night out could set you back even more in the near future. This is because of the proposed increases of between 6% and 8.5% in the duties charged on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. Perdeby took the liberty of calculating this increase in very broad terms. A student who buys one bottle of spirits a week will pay an extra R3.94 per week and an extra R204.88 for the 2016-2017 financial year. For the wine-lovers, two bottles of wine a week could cost you an additional R25 for the year ahead, while beer-lovers who consume a six-pack a week will pay an additional R34.32 in the upcoming year. For the smokers, three boxes of cigarettes will cost you an additional R2.50 per week and an extra R127.92 in the year ahead, with this amount increasing to as much as R384 a year extra for those students who are burning through nine boxes a week. A trip to the bottle store will also set you back a few cents more with the proposed increase in the plastic bag levy, so frugal shoppers should reuse bags to avoid this. Your sugar rush will cost more than just your waistline Among the proposals is a new tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB’s), which will come into effect on 1 April 2017, with an
amount to be determined through legislation. According to an article published by Fin24 titled “The secret’s out – SA to get a sugar tax”, SSBs are set to include still and carbonated soft drinks, fruit juices, sports drinks, energy drinks, vitamin waters, sweetened iced teas, lemonades, cordials and squashes. The purpose of this sugar tax has been cited as an aid in the fight against South Africa’s growing obesity and diabetes levels. According to the article above, researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand believe that a suggested 20% tax on SSBs could help reduce cases of obesity in as many as 220 000 adults in South Africa. Gordhan’s policy follows similar sugar taxes that have been introduced in countries such as France and Mexico, as well as several US states. SA’s bid to keep rating agencies at bay South Africa’s credit rating (or credit worthiness) is determined by credit ratings agencies, and has come very close to junk status after the finance minister debacle in December. If South Africa were to be rated as “junk”, we would carry a higher-than-average risk of defaulting on our credit. During the budget speech, Moody’s ratings agency downgraded SA’s Brics counterpart Brazil to junk status, which had an adverse effect on the Rand. A downgrade of the Rand could spell further economic turmoil for all South Africans, and this is why it will be vital for Gordhan to continue to steer us away from junk status.
For web exclsuives and additional content, visit www.perdeby.co.za
7 March 2016 | Features
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King Kendrick: social hip-hop in the spotlight TIJANA SAKOTA During a period of political resistance in towns such as Ferguson in the US, Kendrick Lamar’s music reached across the globe, stretching right down to Africa. Lamar is one of the most prominent rappers of our time, having won seven Grammy awards this year, including one for best rap album. His second and latest album, To Pimp a Butterfly, addresses social issues of the past and their effects on current societal disparities within the US and Africa. Rolling Stone magazine describes Lamar’s album as a “one-of-a-kind masterpiece”. Lamar mixes political awareness into an album representing far more than an amalgamation of rap, jazz and funk. In an interview with BBC Radio 6, Lamar reflects on issues of gang violence and identity through his music. Lamar grew up in Compton, California, and describes how Compton was “unpredictable” and how growing up in a hostile environment makes a child become numb to such negative situations. “King Kunta”, the third single from To Pimp a Butterfly, holds particular relevance to Africa and the fight for the promotion of black identity in the US. In an exclusive interview last year with MTV’s Rob Markman, Lamar discussed the symbolism and significance of “blackness”, saying, “I’ve been called many things growing up ... in the state of being a black man ... it’s about taking that negativity and being proud of it and making it into your own, saying ‘I am a king no matter what you call me’.” These elements of Black Consciousness resonate with two of Lamar’s inspirations: civil rights icons Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X. Expressing his feelings towards the treatment of black people, Lamar describes how, through his music, he is not speaking to or of the community. “I am the community,” urges Lamar.
Lines such as “gang banging make me kill a n***r blacker than me,” from his track “The blacker the berry”, hold particular significance to the message of his album. He says, “When I say these lines ... it’s therapeutic for [me] because I still feel that urge and that anger and that hatred.” Lamar’s politically-charged Grammy performance in February this year conveyed elements of black pride and self-actualisation. The performance of “The blacker the berry” and “Alright” called to mind the chains of slavery and condemned injustice toward African American people by having African American dancers dressed as slaves with chains around their wrists and ankles. Grammy host LL Cool J said Lamar’s performance was about “provoking people to have conversation about society”, irrespective of if one agreed or disagreed with the performance’s message. Lamar draws on African elements in his songs that not only resonate with Americans, but also bring the album home to Africa. A reference to “negus” in his track, “I”, transforms the n-word, Illustration: Asiphe Dlulane placing it on a pedestal by invoking about it,” he says. “negus” as a royal title from Ethiopian semetic “Mortal man” references former president languages. Lamar reinforces the importance of Nelson Mandela’s captivity on Robben Island. black self-actualisation and identity in society. Inspired by his visit to South Africa in 2014, “I started on this album already knowing what I Lamar brings important issues to the forefront wanted to talk about. As I am doing it, all these with the lyrics, “Don’t let me resent you / things are happening, Ferguson ... we have a that’s not Nelson-like, want you to love me like message to thrive off of.” Speaking about the Nelson / I went to Robben’s Island analysing, Ferguson shooting of teenager Michael Brown, that’s where his cell is / so I could find clarity”. Lamar described how he does not want to feel Here Lamar describes how society is “so like a victim in society. “I can talk about it all confined with hatred ... [it wants] to point out day or I can do something about it. Me putting people’s flaws, it’s been done with leaders way out this album is the start of doing something
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before my time”. Lamar sees himself becoming the voice of a generation, following in the footsteps of leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. “For the generation at the time being, I hold myself responsible ... because I have got to see these kids everyday who come to me with slit wrists, saying my music saved their lives. I can’t run from that.” Lamar remains one of the most influential current artists. The coming together of music, truths, and political discussions remains at the forefront of hip-hop as a form of activism.
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Features | 7 March 2016
Image: Emmanuel Makhado
Could there more to The critical state of Tutankhamun’s tomb? Image: Blue Palm UP
education in SA SAVANNAH PLASKITT
In 2013 the Boston Consulting Group did a study comparing South Africa with a group of its peers, consisting of ten emerging economies from the region, eight countries with similar levels of development to South Africa, and six global economies that have had per capita growth at least double that of South Africa and have demonstrated both consistent growth and a strong track record of translating growth into wellbeing. The study found that South Africa spends more money than most of its peers on education, but has worse outcomes, falling far below the global average and its peer group average. In the World Economic Forum’s 2015 Global Information Technology Report, South Africa was ranked last out of 143 other countries in the quality of its mathematics and science education, and ranked 139 out of 143 in the overall quality of education. A stern warning was given by the authors of the report saying, “There is no shortcut to improved learning outcomes in a post2015 world economy where knowledge and skills have become the global currency, the key to better jobs and better lives. We cannot inherit this currency, and we can only develop it through sustained effort and investment in people.” However, the report also said that South Africa has the second highest potential for growth globally, and that if education levels were improved over the lifetime of current pupils, the country’s GDP would increase by 2.624% . Dr Sonja van Putten, a senior lecturer in the Department of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education in the Faculty of Education at UP, is conducting research on mathematics as a career choice and Professional Mathematics Teacher Identity. She blames a shortage of specialist mathematics teachers and inadequate teaching for South Africa’s low global ranking. Dr van Putten also said that although 36 951 vacant teaching posts have been filled in previous years, 34 383 posts remain unfilled, which leads to many schools not being able to offer mathematics in the Further Education and Training phase. She also said, “Education, particularly mathematics education,
must once again become a sought-after career, instead of a fallback when other disciplines reject the aspirant student. These statistics led us to ask why South Africa’s education system is ranked so poorly. Most of the blame falls upon teaching quality, poor and inefficiently used resources, and high dropout rates.” A study by the Southern and Eastern Africa Consortium for Monitoring Educational Quality found that almost 60% of mathematics teachers from grades one to six failed to pass tests set at the grade level they were teaching. “Education is only as good as your teachers, and our universities are failing to produce quality teachers, particularly in maths and science. Teachers also have patchy content knowledge. We go to schools and find that teachers are only teaching the parts of the curriculum that they are comfortable with,” says Ariellah Rosenberg, head of educator empowerment at ORT SA, a branch of the global non-profit organisation Obchestvo Remeslenogo Truda (ORT): Association for the Promotion of Skilled Trades, that originated from Russia and provides teacher training and skills development. Education researcher Nic Spaull says, “If we look at when we started school 12 years ago, there were 1.1 million children in grade one, but when you look at the 2014 matrics, there were only 550 000 students. Where did the half a million students go?” A survey conducted by Stats SA from January to December 2014 found that the top three reasons students drop out of school are because they have no money for school fees (23.5%), cannot perform academically at school (17.7%), and have too many family commitments (11.6%). Textbook delivery has also been a major problem in recent years, with Limpopo the province worst hit. Over 100 schools did not receive textbooks last year. Many of them were rural schools that had not received textbooks in the years before despite renewed promises. A court case was opened against the government stating that the rights of the pupils had been violated. The most important problems faced by the children who did attend school were found to be high fees and a lack of textbooks. These were closely followed by overfilled classes and poor
almost 60% of mathematics teachers from grades one to six failed to pass tests set at the grade level they were teaching
COURTNEY TINK
On 4 November 1922, one of the most renowned discoveries in history was made: that of King Tutankhamun’s tomb by British archeologist Howard Carter in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Now it appears that the young pharaoh’s tomb will make headlines yet again. A study was carried out by a team from Cairo University’s Faculty of Engineering and the Paris based organisation Heritage, Innovation and Preservation. Preliminary infrared thermography radar scans were performed by Hirokatsu Watanabe, a Japanese radar specialist. Through these scans, Watanabe noted the possibility of a second hidden doorway in the northern wall of the chamber. This was deduced from the fact that the northern wall of the chamber was a different temperature than the tomb itself, irrespective of the time of day. This discovery led experts to consider the possibility of another corridor or burial room concealed behind the northern wall. According to Mamdouh Al-Damati, Egyptian Minister of Antiquity, initial results suggested a 60% possibility of unexplored corridors and chambers within the tomb itself. However, after further investigation Damati said that the chance of a secret passageway existing has grown to 90%. These results boost the claims made by Nicholas Reeves, a British Egyptologist at the University of Arizona. Reeves has long suggested that Tutankhamun’s chamber has distinct linear traces on the walls that point to chambers beyond the pharaoh’s tomb. He argues that Tutankhamun’s chamber is merely the main corridor tomb and that behind the walls rests another mummy. The mummy in question, according to Reeves, is Queen Nefertiti, wife of pharaoh Akhenaten and mother to Tutankhamun. The reasoning behind Reeves’s allegation is that Tutankhamun’s death at the age of 19 in 1323 facilities. Despite a critical need for improvement, there is hope for South Africa. The matric pass rate has improved from an estimated 40% in the late 1990s to 70.7% in 2015. However, this is a drop from the 75.8% pass rate seen in 2014 and is blamed on so-called “progressed learners” who had failed grade 11 twice but were allowed into grade 12 despite not meeting the criteria. Without the addition of their marks, the pass rate would have been 74%. Stringent marking and higher quality exams also contributed to the lowered pass rate. Basic Education Minister
BC was very sudden and was followed by a hurried burial, which is apparently evident in the fact that Tutankhamun’s body has more traces of resin in it than any other mummy, suggesting that he was mummified twice: once upon his death, and then a second time for his official burial. This haste caused Tutankhamun to be buried in Nefertiti’s chamber and in turn caused Nefertiti, who had died 10 years prior to Tutankhamun, to be buried elsewhere. This is supposedly evident in the painting found behind Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus, which was originally interpreted as depicting Tutankhamun, but according to Reeves is an illustration of Nefertiti as it makes use of symbols commonly linked with depictions of her. This claim has been met with mixed emotions as a mummy by the name of “Younger Lady” was discovered in 1898 by Victor Lovet in the Valley of the Kings. Through DNA testing it has been noted that this mummy was the mother of Tutankhamun, also known as Queen Nefertiti. Damati believes that if a mummy is found in the tomb, it will be that of Kiya, a wife of Akhenaten. Other speculations of the mummy’s identity are Pharaoh Smenkhkare, Queen Meritaten, or Ankhesenamun, Tutankhamun’s half-sister and wife. Zahi Hawass, former Egyptian Minister of Antiquities, asserts that there is nothing behind the walls and that he, himself, has already proven the validity of this testimony. Professor Frank Rühli of the Swiss Mummy Project told Discovery News that “the possible findings [in Tutankhamun’s tomb] range from nothing at all or unfinished and closed corridors to storage chambers of intact burials with treasures.” Regardless of the speculation, it can be noted that new technology will allow for a more in depth study into ancient Egyptian history, allowing for a completely new form of exploration. Angie Motshekga announced that the number of learners who passed mathematics has increased from 120 523 in 2014 to 129 481 in 2015, and those who passed physical science increased from 103 348 in 2014 to 113 121 in 2015. She also said there were 3 711 more distinctions in 2015 Education is an extremely important pillar in the development of South Africa, and has been labelled by experts as the tool to help break the cycle of poverty and underdevelopment which far too many South Africans are still trapped in.
7 March 2016 | Fun and Games
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Pssst... Pssst… was in an absolute flat spin last week. With a mass exodus happening at reses due to the lack of food at res dining halls, Pssst… was afraid there’d be nothing to write about. Fortunately, res-dwellers somehow never fail to disappoint, and there was more than enough gossip to go around. Pssst… didn’t even need to consider attending Curlitzia and Mopanie’s Shavathon, since Pssst… was too busy tearing Pssst…’s hair out at how uninterested the Kloekies seemed in the whole event. Relationships are a two-way street, Curlitzia, and events won’t run on ego alone. If Pssst… had a heart, Pssst… would probably feel sorry for Magrietjie and Olienhout for the poor turnout at their “Beaches of Dubai” event. Kiddie pools and volleyball might have been enough to convince the small-minded Houte to join the party, but a little birdie told Pssst… that
the Magrietjie girls were bored out of their skulls, since this was really just an excuse for Olienhout to coax the ladies into an unwitting wet t-shirt contest. Pssst… would like to know why the reses have been so obsessed with having “back to school”-themed socials lately (Kiaat, Klaradyn, Taaibos and Nerina, Pssst… is looking at you). Perhaps they’d like to relive their prime? Pssst… understands that people who peak in high school are doomed to mediocre student and adult lives, but Pssst… doesn’t think this is a fact that anyone should be too proud about. Speaking of mediocre, Pssst… sees that the boys from Kollege have really been doing the rounds this last while, what with hosting socials for Nerina and Asterhof in G6 in the past two weeks. Pssst… isn’t sure that Kollege’s Greek social with Nerina went so well though, since so few people attended that there were practically tumbleweeds floating across the bar, and the
Sudoku
Vremies’ “Good vs Evil” event with Asterhof inevitably ended up at Tennessee (Pssst… thinks the reses should be careful at Tennessee these days, since Pssst… hears that a Jasmyn resident spent an evening in jail after being charged with public indecency due to… occurrences on Tennessee’s roof after a semi week event. Now, if only someone would tell Pssst… which male res was involved…). In other, less important news, no one wants to join Katjiepiering’s serrie band, Madelief have totally dropped off the radar since Ienkmelodienk, Boekenhout are still eating everything in sight, and no one wanted to go to Luminous’ “Fright Night” event. If you feel like your res was underrepresented this week, send your gossip to pssst@perdeby.co.za (and no sassy emails, please – that’s Pssst…’s job).
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Entertainment | 7 March 2016
Hezron Chetty reinvents the violin
JULIA BAIN
Photo: Daniel Boshoff
Cape Town violinist Hezron Chetty has been taking South Africa and the world by storm with his diverse mixture of the gypsy, Spanish, and punk genres in his playing style. Perdeby spoke to this eclectic artist about his music and the release of his debut album, The Fallacy of Composition. How would you describe your unique style of playing? I would describe my style as being groundbreaking, innovative, original and fresh. In your songs “Catcher in their eye” and “Sounds like the movies”, you use techniques such as pizzicato and double stops. Could you explain more about these techniques to those who are unfamiliar with them? Both “Catcher in their eye” and “Sounds like the movies” were [part of] promo videos that I did for two awesome events. I wouldn’t call my plucking technique pizzicato as I do not do it the traditional way. It is more of a skill I have developed on my own. The double stop is when a violinist plays two notes at one time. Was there any particular reason for the choice of these techniques in influencing your musical style? Yes, it was something I developed from years of training, but I would not say there was a particular reason for it. It kind of just came to me. I refuse to be a boring violinist and I always want to try something new. What was the recording process for The Fallacy of Composition like? The recording process was great. I had loads of fun working
with Rudi Greyvenstein at Velvet Underground. He is a great musician and producer to work with and we have been friends for a while, so it made the collaboration in the studio so much better. How has the use of a loop station influenced your sound? The loop station has played a major part in getting my thoughts and ideas across. I can write my own songs at home and I can really be free and experimental with my writing. You’ve taken influences from many different styles such as jazz, African, rock, Spanish, and punk. How do you use these influences in your music? I play what I feel and all my influences come out of me. It is really hard to describe how I use these influences. I do not really spend much time thinking about that. I focus more on just playing all that I have learned. What has been the inspiration for the creation of the album? Life, death, love, loss and proving to everyone that I am a great instrumentalist. What has been the reaction to your album’s release so far? I have had a great reaction to my album release. People really like it and I am proud of what they come up to me and tell me at shows after hearing the album. What are you planning to do next with your music? I am currently recording a new single called “See journey” and I am shooting a music video for it. My next album is going to show a dark side to my writing. I am an artist and I am always creating something special. There is never a “next” with my music, it is all on the same line and wavelength and I just have to flow with time.
The Shabeen release new EP, Folk is Dead
Image provided.
Georgetown: bluegrass for the everyman ELMARIE KRUGER Folksy bluegrass band Georgetown make hillbilly music “for the modern man”, as they put it. This eclectic group will be bringing their sound to Mieliepop this March and will be releasing their debut album in the near future. The band will be performing at Mieliepop soon. How do you think this performance will compare to your shows at Oppikoppi and Up the Creek? Since we have never been to Mieliepop, we don’t really know what to expect, but from what we’ve heard our genre fits the audience quite well. What is the band’s favourite song to perform live? It’s never really just one song, [and it] changes from time to time, but at the moment it’s definitely “Pink Cadillac”. What can festivalgoers expect from your Mieliepop set? They can definitely expect some collaborations with some of our favourite bands [that] we’ve met along the grapevine. Your debut album has been in the works for some time now. What can listeners expect from the release? Listeners can expect a fresh sound with neat vocal harmonies, unique instruments, foot stomping beats and honest lyrical content. What inspired the band to get involved in the bluegrass and hillbilly genre? The fact that it’s a really pure and natural style of music. We love the idea of being able to play music totally unplugged. What has been the band’s favourite live performance venue so far? [There are] too many good ones out there, but it’s always a pleasure playing [at] Park Acoustics.
Photo: Tash Montlake
THOMAS MARAIS “Folk is dead,” says The Shabeen, but they certainly are not. Perdeby caught up with the band in light of their debut EP’s release. The Shabeen consists of Jon Shaban (guitar and vocals), Ryan McArthur (upright bass), and Thomas Glendinning (drums). What made you decide to make your album launch a nationwide event? We wanted to launch in Johannesburg and Durban as soon as possible while we still had momentum after the Cape Town launch and then, because of some festival bookings on some other weekends in March, we managed to fill the whole month and fit in some new towns we’ve never toured to [as] The Shabeen. Your punk lyrics sound rather tongue in cheek next to the folk tunes. What made you choose to go for this effect? Our lyrical content is very important to us. It might come across as tongue in cheek but the message isn’t always as light-hearted as it seems. We just like to be honest and sing about things that are easy to relate to. Which song on Folk is Dead was the most fun to record? Probably “Quit your job”. It’s fairly humorous. What song do you most enjoy performing live?
“Swords” is great to play live. More often than not we have a bunch of friends who know the lyrics, jump on stage and sing along with us. What was the inspiration behind the music video for the song “The maths”? The concept was drawn from the opening lyrics to the song and finding out that Santa Claus was fake. It kind of represents the loss of a childhood innocence and becoming angry and full of angst due to being discarded. Can you give us a little insight into your creative process when writing songs? It’s different every time. Jon writes most of the initial song ideas. Sometimes it takes a few hours, sometimes it takes a few months. Then when there is something worth working on, we work on it as a band and figure out what is best rhythmically and instrumentally. Then the lyrics are refined and we work on any backing vocals and then we have a song. Are you planning on taking a break after Folk is Dead, or will you immediately start working on the next album? No ways. Life’s too short to take breaks. We’re going to push The Shabeen hard. We’ve already got some new material which we’ve played live, but we’ll tour this album at least twice locally and once overseas before we start properly writing for a new one.
7 March 2016 | Entertainment
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Image provided.
Die See: music to soothe your ears THOMAS MARAIS Pretoria-based band Die See are busy working on a new album and will be bringing their ocean-fresh sound to Mieliepop this year. Perdeby caught up with the band in light of these developments. You’re still working on your third album. Will it be any different from your previous offerings?
We do not set out to do something different deliberately, but [we] think, as with the two previous albums, it will sound very different. We like to experiment with music and sound and wouldn’t want to repeat something we have already explored. We also use Die See and our other individual projects to grow as musicians. What has your favourite performance been thus far? Each performance is different and we enjoy small and big
shows. It is always special to play at music festivals because it starts to feel like a family. Each festival has its own characters and we love being part of that. Oppikoppi is always fun because of the size and the craziness, but we also enjoy Mieliepop because people are really there to listen to the music. The laid back atmosphere is also great. What can fans expect from your upcoming Mieliepop performance? We will be playing old favourites but will also be testing out some new material. We like to play off our audience and the Mieliepop audience is always very supportive. We always try to bring something new to each performance. We really enjoy playing live [shows] and [we] hope it comes across to the audience. There are large gaps between your album releases. Are you particularly frustrated by any part of the recording process? We record very organically and sometimes that can take long. We would rather wait to release the album until we are sure about the sound. Everyone is also busy with other projects and we need to schedule around that. With Die See we have the freedom to experiment. We like to layer our sound and that also takes time. What is your favourite song to play live, and why? It really depends on the mood. “Gordelroos” is always great because of the crazy vocals that really showcase Henry’s [Cadle Ferreira, lead singer] voice. Has the fact that you each make music with other artists outside of Die See influenced your sound in any way? Definitely. We are all very privileged to work with other amazing artists and we each bring these experiences to the band. The different influences make Die See’s music rich. It is difficult to classify the music because of all the different influences. We also listen to [a] wide variety of genres, from metal to country to classical, and it is fun to be able to bring all this to Die See. We can also take some of Die See to the other projects and [this] makes for interesting musicians. We wouldn’t want to commit to one genre or project.
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Entertainment | 7 March 2016
Image provided.
SA’s Dino Batista comes second in Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge KOJO ESSAH South African mixology legend Dino Batista recently represented his home country at the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge, taking second place overall. Perdeby spoke to Batista about his achievement. How did you prepare for the Angostura Global Cocktail Challenge? [I developed] cocktails [and worked] out flavours, develop[ed] a story that’s linked to Angostura, Trinidad and South Africa. And practice, practice, practice – and a lot of drinking [laughs]. Contestants were each asked to create two cocktails in seven minutes, and had to use Angostura bitters for each cocktail. How did you find this task? Relatively simple. The biggest challenge was making use of products that I had not yet been exposed to [like] Angostura rums and orange bitters – we only get aromatic bitters in our market – and figuring out their flavour profiles. But once that was nailed, it was learning to put up four cocktails with a presentation in under seven minutes. [That was difficult], it’s not a lot of time, especially when you’re up on stage, [then] it’s time to “dance”. I think I completed on the seven minute mark with no extra time to spare. You took second place overall. What was your initial reaction to this achievement? I was in complete shock. I didn’t register that they had called my name for a while as I had tasted most of the cocktails from the
other competitors and the competition was definitely quite stiff. Once I realised what had happened, I was over the moon. It’s the highest I’ve ever placed in a global competition and the highest a South African has in any cocktail competition. You also won the award for Best Rum Cocktail. What do you think set your rum cocktail apart from the cocktails of the other contestants? Probably the expression of the spirit. What you need to do is combine flavours that won’t mask your star item (in this case, Angostura five-year-old rum and the Angostura aromatic bitters) but rather help it shine through and amplify the natural flavour notes already in it. The finals of the competition consisted of twelve contestants. How did the other contestants influence your performance in the competition? They definitely made me step up my game a little and got me more determined to do well. We are talking about some of the best bartenders in their regions representing their countries on a global scale, so you [had] better come prepared to fight. The competition was held on the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago. How did you experience this exotic location? [It was] absolutely incredible. You’re in the Caribbean, how wrong could it possibly go? We never had a chance to visit Tobago, but Trinidad is truly special. The food [was] delicious and plentiful, the people [were] super friendly with the best accent, and the culture – if ever you go to Trinidad, be sure to go during Carnival. You won’t regret it.
Image provided.
Love Next Door Amina Thula
AAISHA KALLIER Set in Johannesburg, Love Next Door is a love story that begins with the start of a journey of independence. The protagonist, Abongile (Abby), finds herself moving into a new apartment as she sets out to further her career and live life without the rules of her grandparents. Little does she know that her next door neighbour, Kopano, turns out to be the love of her life. With life’s twists and turns – and a large amount of miscommunication – Abby is forced to leave the man of her dreams and jet-set to New York to follow her career path. Two years later, Abby is scheduled to return home to South Africa, and with a few tricks from her closest New York friend, she finds a happy but unexpected ending. Amina Thula is a female South African author who enjoys writing about African love stories. Her work shines a light on strong African females, in South Africa specifically, who find true love and happiness. Love Next Door is her second book, after Elevator Kiss. Love Next Door is written in the first person persona with many monologues of Abby’s thoughts and inner workings. Thula incorporates into this story unexpected twists and heart-wrenching turns that are able to keep readers captivated and wanting to read further. The characters are authentic and relatable as this story is set in a typical South African context. The story unravels with a slow pace for the majority of the book and near the end escalates just enough to keep the reader intrigued until the end of the book. With a total of 147 pages, this short novel only leaves the reader wanting more. Well-written and with a strong storyline, Love Next Door is a good read for any romantic looking for a break in their day.
Calendar 8 March: Vividus Men: Party with Nerina – Club Tennessee 12 March: Mystery Ghost Bus Tour – Smuts House Museum 17 March: Mopanie St. Patrick’s Day – Papa’s Real Food 17 March: Nicki Minaj: The Pinkprint Tour – Ticketpro Dome 20-21 March: Lionel Richie Live – Ticketpro Dome 2 April: Sowing the Seeds Music & Lifestyle Festival – Emmarentia Dam 14 May: Oesdag 2016 – Pretoria High School Old Boys Club
To get your event listed in our event calendar, send the date, event name and venue to entertainment@ perdeby.co.za or tweet us (@PerdebyE). UP societies are welcome to send their events, too.
7 March 2016 | Advertorial
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Catching up with TuksGolf’s Demi Flanagan
Photo: Stefan Stander
Varsity Cup postponed pending protests DYLAN JACK AND CARLI-ANN FURNO On 25 February, Varsity Cup announced that the matches for the following week would be postponed “to allow universities across the country the opportunity to address various challenges faced at their respective campuses”. On 1 March the first announcement was followed by another – after investigations by the University of the Free State (UFS) and the Varsity Cup board, the postponement had been extended indefinitely. This came after the interruption of a Varsity Cup match at UFS between UFS and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) on 22 February by protesters protesting against outsourcing. After 17 minutes of play, a large group of protesting workers and students walked onto the field. The disruption became violent as fans clashed with protesters before both groups were removed from the field by security. The match resumed an hour later and allowed UFS to claim victory against NMMU with a score of 46-19 Varsity Cup CEO Duitser Bosman released a
statement about the postponement and said, “The safety of the students, players and spectators is of immense priority to the board. We have immense compassion and respect for the situation and hope that amicable solutions can be reached with all parties.” Perdeby spoke to TuksRugby executive Gert van Coller to gain more understanding of the situation. He explained that the main sponsors of the tournament, FNB and Steinhoff, will have a board meeting on Tuesday 8 March to discuss the way forward regarding the stability of rugby matches at all universities. On Wednesday 9 March the executive committee (Exco) of all the universities, Bosman, and South African Rugby Union CEO Jurie Roux will meet with these sponsors in Cape Town to discuss whether Varsity Cup will continue or not. If the decision to continue with Varsity Cup is made, a new game schedule will have to be drawn up to ensure that all Varsity Cup games finish before 18 April. “The main concern here is whether campuses will be stabilised, and allow students to watch the game safely. Also, we need to see if the
players will be able to cope with the changes academically. They missed classes for a week, and now might have to engage in more Varsity Cup games in the weeks to come.” The possibility of several games being played a week at stadiums like Loftus and Newlands will be discussed. UP-Tuks captain Ruan Steenkamp said, “The postponement is a big frustration for us. We do not know what the Board of Varsity Cup will decide, and whether the tournament will continue or not.” He added, “I believe postponement can work in the favour of some teams, but can also be a bad thing for other teams. If teams use this time to work on their weaknesses, they could return stronger. I really hope Varsity Cup will return.” VarsitySport supporters have also been left frustrated when the decision to postpone VarsityAthletics was made last week. The first meeting at the Coetzenburg Stadium, was postponed just days before it was set to take place on Friday, 4 March. Discussions about the next meeting, scheduled for 18 March, will continue before the meeting can be confirmed.
Ruan Steenkamp: UP-Tuks and the new point system THORISO PHASHA It’s been a rocky start to the season for UP-Tuks in the Varsity Cup rugby tournament. The recent postponement of the tournament will certainly give teams the opportunity to head back to the drawing board and assess their performances so far, and possibly make the necessary changes to improve their chances of the title. Perdeby spoke to UP-Tuks captain Ruan Steenkamp about the way forward for UP-Tuks. In the game against Pukke you found yourselves trailing by 25 points at one stage, and the players looked rather deflated. Do you think the new point-scoring system takes away from the competitiveness of the game? I am not a big fan of the new point system. I think it can work to a team’s advantage and to [a] very bad disadvantage. So my honest opinion
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is [that] it takes away the competitiveness; one or two lucky tries from your own half and your opponents play catch-up rugby. UP-Tuks has yet to win a match under the new points system. Does the new system work in favour of your playing style as a team? I can’t say that the new system does not [or cannot] necessarily fit our way of playing, but it has most definitely counted against us in the competition so far. Do you prefer the old traditional scoring system as opposed to the new one, and why? Yes I do, because you know you have to work hard at the element of both attack and defence. No matter how great or poor your attempt [at] scoring, there is the possibility of a set seven points. This is the worst recorded start to a Varsity Cup campaign by UP-Tuks. Is it entirely
due to the new scoring system or a lack of execution from the team? We don’t have any excuses. As a team we have struggled to pull [through] together. Poor execution [of our game plan] has also played a role [in our performance so far]. Do you think the team can still qualify for the playoffs? Yes, we still can. We are working hard as a team with the firm belief that we can make it. What will the team be doing in the interim to come back fighting in their remaining matches? It is very frustrating at the moment, not knowing whether Varsity Cup will return or not. But we are going to train as if it were game week every week to ensure we will be ready, should Varsity Cup continue. If a team uses this time to work on their weaknesses, they can return stronger.
Image provided.
TAY LETHULOE Just over two months into the year and TuksGolf’s Demi Flanagan has already left her mark on the golfing community. She recently returned home to compete in the Border Championship at the East London Golf Club, claiming victory for the fourth successive time. Perdeby spoke to the talented athlete to reflect on her recent achievement and plans for the rest of the year. Were there any particular challenges that you had to overcome during the championship? The biggest challenge was to make sure that I continually believed in myself [so that I would] build more confidence and play the best I could. After winning the championship for the fourth time, is there any particular skill or strength that you attribute your consistency to? It’s actually a combination of everything, but I would say my putting is really good. That’s where you win the game and I knew that I had to work particularly hard on that. How have you progressed as an athlete over the past year with TuksGolf? My game has improved tremendously [because] I am working with the best coaches – Emile Steinmann, my swing coach, and Gavin Groves, my gym trainer. They have played a big role in where I am today and where my golf game is today. What would you like to achieve with TuksGolf this year? I have stuff to strengthen in my swing. I would also love to see my game become more consistent, improve my amateur rankings in South Africa and win a couple more tournaments.
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