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
Tel: 012 362 7180
454 Hilda Street, Hatfield
454 Hilda Street, Hatfield
Tel: 012 362 7180
Tel: 012 362 7180
PDBY
9 March 2020
Year 82 | Issue 4
yourcampusnews.
COVID-19: UP suspends biometric access system Image: Kayla Thomas and Sam Mukwamu
P3
New TB detection technology
P4
EMS Faculty turns 100
P6
Interview with “Moffie� actor Stefan Vermaak
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2 | From the Editor
9 March 2020
Don’t panic!
PDBY Media Copy: Ropafadzo Chidemo CJ Barnard Ume Dikio Takunda Marecha Nomzamo Xolly Maluleka Kalen Kroese
Y
es, COVID-19 is in South Africa and UP is taking steps to prevent an outbreak among students. But this is not the end of the world – in fact it is very promising that UP is being so proactive in preparing for COVID-19. We all need to exercise a reasonable amount of caution, and practice hygienic habits both at campus and in our personal lives. Read the article on page 3 for all the info you need and some tips for preventative hygiene habits. That being said, this is still a disease that is spreading around the world. And while we joke about “cambola” (and by we, I mean me, in the last edition), a campus wide outbreak is far from desirable. It is our responsibility to maintain our health as far as we reasonably can and communicate any COVID-like symptoms to health care officials. If China’s approach to the outbreak has shown anything, it’s that containment can be an effective means of fighting the virus. But of course, prevention is the best overall approach. But, moving on from the coronavirus, I want to take this opportunity to discuss campus security in general. In suspending the biometric system, UP has prompted me to think about access to campus and the approach to it. I often speak to students who say they feel as if they are doing something wrong in trying to access campus. While I understand safety concerns and limiting access to registered students, it has been made exceptionally difficult for students to get onto campus,
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and something as simple as forgetting their student card can cause a lot of hassle. How do you feel about the dreaded “main gate” instruction? Let me know at editor@pdby. co.za or on Instagram, I’d love to know what you think, and start a conversation about UP’s approach to campus access.
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In happier news, recess is soon! By the end of March, we will all be watching Netflix with slightly less stress, while we procrastinate and avoid our recess work. The next edition of PDBY comes out in April but until then, you can keep up to date and informed by following @PDBYMedia on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and checking pdby.co.za for regular online exclusives. Until next time,
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9 March 2020
News | 3
Pharmacy | Clinic | Health | Beauty
woolfsons@gmail.com 012 342 4546
UP suspends biometric access system following COVID-19 case in South Africa
T
Kristin De Decker
he University of Pretoria (UP) has begun to temporarily deactivate the turnstile’s biometric touchpads at the entrances to all campuses. This follows a statement released by the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, on 5 March verifying that the first case of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed in South Africa.
According to a media briefing, the 38-yearold patient is from Hilton in KwaZulu-Natal and recently travelled to Italy with his wife, in a group of ten people. After returning on 1 March, he consulted a medical doctor and displayed “symptoms of fever, headache, malaise, a sore throat and a cough.” A nurse then “took swabs and delivered it to the lab”. The press release also stated that “the patient has been self-isolating since March 3”. According to Eyewitness News, the patient has two children and Cowan House
World Hearing Day features hearing test kiosk Yolanda Sithole
T
he Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology launched a self-service hearing test kiosk. The hearing test was free for all UP students and staff, on 3 March. The kiosk was at the Merensky Library on Hatfield Campus - it was self-service and user-friendly which made it easy for students and UP staff to use. The kiosk gives students a score, which if below 50, the student is referred to a professional, and those with a score of higher than 50 would be considered to have a good hearing range. Solomon Matheza, a final-year Education student, took the test. Matheza said he found the test to be helpful as he got to see his hearing-range score. After taking the test, he was required to type in his contact details as a referral to a professional audiologist. Keegan Bosman, a first-year BCom general student, described the test as convenient, simple to navigate, and that he would highly recommend it to other students. Both Matheza and Bosman emphasized that the hearing test device was convenient as it automatically calculated the hearing range, and, if needed, refers the tester to a professional. The Clinical Coordinator of the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Dr Christine Louw, explains the aim and importance of World Hearing Day: What is the aim behind the free hearing test initiative? The aim behind the free hearing test initiative is two-fold: Raising awareness about hearing loss, and increasing access to hearing care services. It is important to raise awareness in the younger generations as more than one billion students and young adults are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices, according to the World Health Organization. Furthermore, when a screening service is brought closer to the public, in this case the staff and students of the University of Pretoria, access to hearing care can be improved.
Photo: Kamogelo Mogapi
If a UP student/staff member finds that they have a hearing problem after taking the test, what steps can they take from there? After completing the hearing screening using the self-test kiosk [...] students and staff can be directly connected with the UP-Audiology Clinic situated on the Hatfield Campus. What measures can people take to prevent hearing loss? 1) Protect your hearing from loud noises. This can be done by: -minimising your exposure to loud noises that are persistent. -When listening to music through headphones or earphones on your personal audio device, keep the volume down. -Wear ear protectors during any activity that exposes you to very loud noise (above 85 decibels). 2) Be sensitive to subtle changes in your hearing - if you experience any ringing in your ears, or struggle to follow a conversation in a noisy area, such as a restaurant, see an audiologist. 3) Get your hearing checked annually. The self-test kiosk is situated on level three in Merensky Library and can be used by UP students and members of staff.
Preparatory School, where one of them is enrolled, issued a notice saying it will be temporarily closed. This is despite Mkhize urging that such action is unnecessary. The school maintains that “conservative action is appropriate under these circumstances.” Similarly, UP indicated, in a notice to students, that the decision to “temporarily disabled the biometric access systems on all campuses” is a “precautionary measure” and one that has been implemented to “minimise the possible spread of the virus”. Although biometrics are in the process of being disabled, students are still required to scan their valid student cards in order to gain access to campus. UP reiterated that they “take the issue seriously, and are closely monitoring the situation while working with a team of health experts as well as the relevant authorities, including the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD)”. Moreover, an announcement on the UP website stated that they are “taking proactive steps to help ensure that [they] have a plan of action in place to address a possible outbreak on campus.” They further stated that they have a ‘task team’ that will assist in implementing this plan, as “the safety and wellbeing of staff and students are paramount”. Students that display symptoms of a sudden onset of fever (38 degrees and above) and one or more of the following symptoms: fever, cough and difficulty breathing, are advised to isolate themselves and consult a medical doctor. The UP Crisis line can be contacted via 012 420 2310. The NICD should be contacted on 0800 029 999, before going to a medical centre. The UP website also indicated that there are “nursing staff and experts on standby in our Student Health Services to assist with initial diagnoses”. One of the best ways to prevent illness is to avoid exposure. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including: - Avoid close contact with people who are sick. - Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. - Stay home when you are sick. - Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. - Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. - Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom;
New technology allows premature detection of TB Susanna Anbu
A
joint research venture between the University of Pretoria (UP) and the University of Leicester (UL) has brought about the emergence of a new technology that successfully gives a premature diagnosis of Tuberculosis (TB) in individuals. The technology comprises of 3D printed strips that are inserted into a face mask. The inserts are 3D printed polyvinyl alcohol strips that have the capability to catch the tiny TB particles. The details of the technology were published by The Lancet on 18 February. TB is an airborne infection, therefore particles can stay airborne for up to 8 hours. The TB bacteria can enter the body as humans inhale thousands of particles with every breath. The bacteria is transmitted via airborne particles called droplet nuclei that vary in size, from between 1-5 microns. The polyvinyl strips were designed and printed at UL. The strips are capable of catching
prospective TB bacteria within 30 minutes of a potential TB patient wearing it. This allows for a quick diagnosis that leads to earlier treatment, thereby reducing potential lung destruction before symptoms are evident. The joint research venture arose due to a chance meeting between Professor Stoltz and Professor Barer - a Professor of Clinical Microbiology and Honorary Consultant Microbiologist (UL). Professor Barer and his team had initially used gelatin coins in the mask but this plan of action had a few limitations. The progression of testing materials led to the utilisation of the polyvinyl strips that were inexpensive and also 3D printed by an engineering student who was pursuing their Ph.D and had investigated the properties of the material. Professor Anton Stoltz, Head of Department in the Division of Infectious Diseases at UP, said this finding is particularly important because it makes early detection of TB easier and faster.
He mentions that “this is a potentially universal solution that can also benefit underprivileged communities, who still struggle with accessing healthcare”. Furthermore, Professor Stoltz highlighted the ease of accessibility of the technology, as it is accessible via the Family Medicine Community Program (COCP). Professor Stoltz states that “community health workers are currently walking with these masks and distributing it to families that are tested for tuberculosis”. After 30 minutes, the masks are collected and taken to the labs at UP to test for the presence of TB bacteria on the strips. Professor Stoltz mentions that this is the second phase of their experimental venture to evaluate how well the masks are picking up TB in the community. During a pilot study conducted by UP and UL, researchers sampled 24 people with confirmed TB over a 24-hour period, which showed that infectious TB was exhaled and spread when patients were asleep. This was a breakthrough in the understanding of the disease, as it
before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. - If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. It is important to note that, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there is no specific medicine or vaccine, to date, that can cure COVID-19. Although the virus first surfaced in Wuhan China, according to NBS News there are currently cases in over 80 countries. In addition, as of 6 March, more than 102 000 people have been infected and at least 3 436 people have died. Yet, more than 56 000 people have recovered. The WHO estimates the mortality rate to be 3.4%. Yet, it is noteworthy to acknowledge that while the mortality rate is on the lower end of the scale, COVID-19 prevents a greater risk to those with weakened immune systems. This problem is highlighted by The BBC’s South African Correspondent, Andrew Harding, in an online article that explores the vulnerability of those infected already with HIV/AIDS. The high frequency of HIV/ AIDS in South Africa could therefore be a determining factor in how adversely the country is affected.
Preventive actions - Avoid close contact with people who are sick. - Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. - Stay home when you are sick. - Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. - Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. - Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. - If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. demonstrated that a cough may not be required to spread the infection. All of the work that was published under Lancet Infectious Diseases, was undertaken in South Africa. Professor Stoltz reveals that the research team is planning to undertake a study in small children due to the difficulties imposed when diagnosing children. Furthermore, the mask is to be tested in congregate settings such as jails, nursing homes, and shelters.
...is currently writing a protocol for evaluation of COVID-19 coronavirus infections... In speaking about the potentiality of the technology to detect other airborne infections, Professor Stoltz confirms that his team has already started testing the technology for respiratory viruses and is currently writing a protocol for evaluation of COVID-19 coronavirus infections. This technology has revolutionized the way we combat airborne infections that afflict humanity.
4 | Features
Faculty of EMS celebrates 100 years
9 March 2020
Fundi accommodation platform launch Feliciana Nezingu
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Photo: Cassandra Eardley
Stephanie Cookson
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his year, UP’s Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) is celebrating its centenary. The office of the Dean and the EMS Faculty House, Commercii, is set to commemorate the last 100 years, and look towards the faculty’s future. The faculty of EMS began with only 32 students and four professors making up the permanent staff in 1920. Today, the number of students has grown to 7 800, 194 permanent academic staff, and around 60 professional staff. “While the numbers are impressive, our growth has not only been in quantity but also in the quality of our degrees,” said the Dean, Professor Elsabé Loots. The faculty offers a variety of both nationally and internationally accredited programs, ranging from “management sciences, economics, financial sciences and public administration,” explained Prof Loots. All of the faculty’s broad subject groups can be found on leading international ranking lists. The faculty also boasts about their accomplished and “soughtafter” alumni, according to Prof Loots, who “are really making a mark across the globe in their respective industries”. The commemoration of the faculty’s accomplishments began during Orientation Week, where the 2020 first year EMS students were welcomed with commemorative centenary branded caps to mark “this special year and the fact that they were part of such a special first-year cohort,” said Prof Loots. The faculty’s 100th celebration was on 14 February, where staff, lecturers, the Deans of the faculty and the Commercii executive committee celebrated over cake and champagne, with speeches on the faculty’s milestones over the last century. “I think it was so fitting for our celebration to be on [Valentine’s Day] … it was a spirit of love,” said Commercii’s chairperson, Amelia Veldschoen. “It’s really nice to have our deanery on board and [we are] super excited to see what we have in store for out students,” she added. One of the first of these plans is the centenary merchandise that Commercii will be selling. Ranging from hoodies, sweaters, shirts, and bandanas. The merchandise will also be up for grabs in competitions that will be announced on Commercii’s social media platforms and at activations. The faculty house’s main event for the year will be the faculty festival, 2moroLand, which was launched in 2019 “with the vision of creating future leaders today for a better tomorrow” said Veldschoen. This vision applied to all of Commercii’s events, with this year’s 2moroLand focusing on the faculty’s centenary. The festival will take place on 6 and 7 April, with the first day of events comprising of a quiz night involving staff, lecturers and students. “We want to bridge the gap between staff and students, and what better way to have them participate in a competition, something fun, something interactive,” explained Veldschoen. The following day will see the EMS showcase, which aims to introduce the university’s entrepreneurs. Open to entrepreneurs from all faculties, the event will allow students to promote their businesses, and even sell “products”. “It would be great to have […] students come on board and share their businesses, and show other students […] that it is possible to do something outside your studies and promote entrepreneurship” said Veldschoen.
Following the showcase, Commercii is planning “EMS Got Talent”. “We want to […] call out our artists, our talented students that can sing, that can dance, that paint […] and show […] that there is another side to EMS students” Veldschoen said. Open to students from all faculties, competitions, prizes, facepainting, and free merchandise will also be available at the event. To close, Commercii has organised a networking session similar to speed-dating. “You’re actually speed-networking with your future boss,” explained Veldschoen. “We get representatives from companies to actually speak to the students that are interested,” she said, who then go on a date-like networking session at the event. Later in the semester, the Faculty’s Gala Dinner will take place with the theme of the centenary, as well as a sports day around the period of the dinner. Throughout the year, a series of expert lectures will take place from high-level speakers, according to Prof Loots. Prof Loots said that the “product” the faculty is proudest of, is its alumni. “Some are captains of industry, while others are still in the early stages of their careers and we are honoured to showcase their inspirational stories through a series of weekly profile features,” said Prof Loots. The profile features can be found on the EMS faculty’s website, some of which have profiled esteemed alumni like Henk Deist, the CEO of Atterbury Europe (a European real estate fund), Noelani King Conradie, the founder of NKC Independent Economists (an independent and trusted economic service in Cape Town), and Phumzile Langeni, the co-founder and Chairperson of an investment and advisory business, the Afropulse Group. As for the faculty house’s achievements, Commercii’s many awards speak to the hard work of the committee, with last year’s team winning multiple awards from the Department of Student Affairs. These include the Faculty House Treasurer Award, the Faculty House Personal & Professional Development Award, the Faculty House RAG Award, and the Faculty House Faculty Involvement Award shared with House Humanities. From UP’s RAG Awards, Commercii won the best long term project of the year in 2019. Veldschoen expressed that the future of Commercii will see a committee which takes “excellence to another level and [advances] not only in their leadership, but in academic and social spheres as well.” Her term as chairperson allowed her to focus on encouraging other student leaders to focus on serving students, giving back, and acting as responsible citizens, and hopes that this will allow her successors to “continue that legacy” moving into the next part of the faculty’s history. Looking to the future, Prof Loots said that the centenary is “also an exciting period as we collectively envision how the Faculty will continue to advance over the next 100 years.” One area of ongoing progress is the faculty’s move towards obtaining international accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which covers all BCom undergraduate and postgraduate programmes available in the faculty. “Measures like this are part of the continuous process of re-positioning our programmes for the future world of work,” explained Prof Loots. The faculty’s research is also geared towards having societal impact and widening the faculty’s “international footprint,” said Loots.
he educational funding and solutions provider, Fundi, recently launched a digital accommodation platform for students, institutions, and merchants to manage the accommodation process online. The launch was held on 20 February at the Rand Club in Johannesburg and was attended by keynote speakers such as Fundi’s CEO, Tshepo Ditshego, Stephen Narsoo who is the CEO of Kite Capital and Professor Adam Habib, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Witwatersrand (Wits). According to Ditshego, the aim of the event was to encourage collaboration by taking the ideas and considerations of students and institutions in order to see how Fundi, as a private player, could address some of the accommodation challenges. He explained that the platform will become like the “Amazon of Education”, a go-to platform for students for educationrelated matters. It was created to have an interface that allows easy registration and navigation of functions, such as selecting an accommodation budget and messaging the property merchants. “This is just the beginning,” he said. He added that “collaborations will continue with important stakeholders for the next few months. I believe and I hope that through this platform we will solve some of the problems that we have identified today.” Narsoo, an alumnus of Wits, opened the discussion by highlighting that it is important for student accommodation providers to view and engage with the students and educational institutions as co-designers, and not just as consumers. He lauded Fundi for facilitating collaboration and improving the channels of engagement between users, customers, and institutions by launching the new platform. Architect and member of the Property Sector Charter Council, Nonkululeko Bogopa, gave some statistics to illustrate the realities of housing issues. Some of these statistics indicated that university enrolment in Africa has increased to 5.2 million students however there is a shortage of 500 000 beds, which is especially relevant to South Africa as it is one of the most popular destinations for tertiary education in Africa. She added to this by encouraging the private sector in South Africa to invest more in the student accommodation market as it is profitable and carries a low business risk. During the State of the Nation Address held on 13 February, President Cyril Ramaphosa committed to providing R64 billion for student accommodation in the next few years. Bogopa made reference to this announcement, describing it as a positive step towards development because it has the potential to encourage more private sector actors to consider entering the market. Several university students and leaders were also given a chance to speak about their experiences with student accommodation. They explained that the lack of available accommodation is a prevalent problem and also shifted the focus to the poor conditions and services found in accommodation. Some of the common challenges mentioned included dilapidated facilities, no Wi-Fi, and security concerns such as theft. The discussion led to calls for universities to implement stricter rules and regulations for the accreditation process to ensure that residences provide students with higher quality facilities that are safe and conducive to study and live in. A panel representing South African educational institutions also led an insightful conversation on how to address accommodation challenges. Prof Habib added that the challenges faced in South Africa differ across universities and depend on their different locations. He explained that for universities such as Wits, which are located in the city, there is actually an adequate supply of private accommodation. The problem is that the accommodation that is available is too costly for most university students. There are vulnerable students who do not qualify for funding schemes like The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) but also cannot afford their own accommodation and students who are turned away from residences due to low academic results. Prof Habib stressed the importance of establishing a financing plan that might include bursaries and state funding in order to provide accommodation to these vulnerable students. The Vice-Chancellor of Walter Sisulu University, Professor Rob Midgley, explained that universities that are further from the bigger cities face a different challenge compared to those institutions closer to cities. Even though accommodation providers might be interested in building private student accommodation, there is a lack of infrastructure space. He proposed that government partners and universities should collaborate more to share costs and co-create accommodation infrastructure. Students can register on www.fundi.co.za.
9 March 2020
Entertainment | 5
South African podcasts you should be listening to Emily Harrison
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odcasts have been steadily gaining popularity over the last few years. Almost everyone in the world has access to a smart device which has made listening to podcasts a lot easier. Podcasts are an amazing way to learn something new or to listen to a story on commutes to campus or walks to class. Locally, there have been a lot of podcasts started over the last few years. Here is a small portion of the best: Alibi is an award winning South African podcast. There are currently two seasons available to listen to on most podcast platforms as well as on iono.fm and has a 4.5-star rating on Apple Podcasts. The first season investigates the case of a man who was behind bars for 17 years but may have been wrongfully convicted. After the very popular first series of episodes, the podcast won Best Radio Feature at the national Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards. The second series, which was released late last year, follows award winning journalist ,Paul McNally, as he investigates what really happened at the now infamous Laduma High in KwaZulu-Natal. Any fan of investigative journalism or true crime is sure to be hooked. True Crime South Africa is the perfect podcast for true crime junkies. The podcast is released once a week and each episode follows a different South African crime, solved and unsolved. The host, Nicole Engelbrecht, researches every detail of the cases to give a true deep dive into the crime. The podcast also gives a voice and dignity to the victims of the crimes. You can listen to the podcast on most platforms (including iono.fm) and has a 4.5-star rating on Apple Podcasts. The Burning Platform is a collaboration between Cliff Central and Nandos. Various political commentators and journalists join host Gareth Cliff to discuss the biggest news stories of the week and current trends in the world of politics. This podcast is great for anyone who wants to be more knowledgeable about the current political climate. The Burning Platform has a 4.5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and is available on most platforms as well as on cliffcentral.com. Polotiki is the politics podcast from the popular news
platform News24. The episodes are quick and range from 15 to 20 minutes each. The short episodes are an easy way to stay updated on the biggest political stories from each week. The podcast has a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and is available for listening on most podcast streaming platforms. Lesser Known Somebodies is one of the most popular comedy podcasts in South Africa. The podcast was started by comedian Simmi Areff after his bosses at a radio station refused to put him on air. Areff talks to all types of talented South Africans from comedians to journalists and everything in between. His podcasts are hilarious but also feel genuine. The podcast is great for introducing audiences to new talent as well as uncovering interesting facts about well-known personalities. The podcast has a 4.5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and is available everywhere. The Sobering is a popular hip-hop podcast hosted by Lil FRAT, Kitso Moremi (one half of the rap duo Fratpack) and Mokgethwa. The podcast features hip-hop playlists made up of only local artists as well as interviews with important figures in the South African hip-hop scene. The podcast usually comes out once a month, but it is worth the wait. The show is great for discovering new music and gaining knowledge on the local hip-hop community. The Sobering has a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and is available for streaming on most podcast platforms. Tuks FM Podcast. Most students are unaware that Tuks FM has a podcast where they discuss a variety of subjects and interview many interesting people. You can listen to the podcast on the station’s website. Illustration: Marchall Potgieter
Image: imbd.com
Kendra Connock
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child goes missing every five hours in South Africa. Approximately 30% of missing children are never found, while almost 50% of missing adults never re-emerge” according to the SAPS Missing Persons Bureau, 2013. It is this statistic and the many notifications of missing people across the country that spurred on the development of KykNET’s newest drama series, Projek Dina. The show relies on expert advice from a former Hawks investigator and members of Missing Children SA portray the effort that goes into missing person investigations. As a result of these specialist consultants, the stories in the show are inspired by real events; giving viewers an intimate picture of what it’s like to know someone who goes missing. The premise of the show surrounds three detectives, hand-picked by their Brigadier (played by Vicky Kente) to form a brand-new task force responsible for rapid responses to missing persons cases. The task force is nicknamed “Projek Dina”, after the biblical character, Dinah; who was thought to be the first person in history to be kidnapped. The team is led by the stoic and strategic Captain Deon Visagie (Tim Theron), who is detail-orientated but struggles in personal relationships. Deon’s greatest challenge comes in the form of one of his team members, the happy-go-lucky Sergeant Lux Dladla (Chumani Pan). Lux has excellent people skills and scores high in emotional intelligence. He and Deon constantly butt heads over the way an investigation should be run, particularly when it comes to following petty rules. The
dynamic between these two polar opposites will resonate with anyone who has ever had to work with someone they don’t get along with. It demonstrates the reality that we don’t always like our colleagues but, sometimes, personal feelings must be put aside in the interest of the bigger picture. The internal conflict within the team adds an interesting dimension to the drama as personalities clash within their fight to find missing people and solve their cases. Holding the team together is Warrant Officer Ronel Oosthuizen (Chanelle de Jager), a wife and mother who holds a deep personal connection to cases involving missing children. Ronel is fearless in her pursuit of the truth and can always be counted on to keep the men of the team in line, until their cases have been solved. She delivers an incredible performance; striking the perfect balance of sensitivity and ruthlessness and will not stop an investigation until a resolution is found. The task force is rounded out by an unofficial informant, the rough-around-the-edges Charlene Botha (Kay Smith), a self-taught hacker who helps the team on the technological front. Projek Dina showcases some realities of our country; from the underworld of human trafficking, to the daily reality of people who vanish without a trace. The show portrays some adrenalin-fuelled chases, some happy resolutions, and some heart-breaking endings that will leave you reeling. For its realistic portrayal of missing persons cases, its storylines, and its celebration of good South African talent (from amazing actors, to the spectacular music of Laudo Liebenberg, which ends every episode), Projek Dina is a Five Star Show, and should be on everyone’s watch list. You can find Projek Dina on KykNET and DSTV Catch Up.
EET KREEF HERLEEF! Chatting to Laudo Liebenberg and Frank Freeman Dani van der Horst
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he iconic alternative Afrikaans album EET KREEF!, has been given a new lease on life through the talents of some of Cape Town’s finest artists. The live production of the Johannes Kerkorrel en Die Gereformeerde Blues Band classic has taken South Africa by storm, winning the 2020 kykNET Fiesta award for “Best Music Production”. The production will be showing at the Atterbury Theatre on 27 March. PDBY had the opportunity to catch up with Laudo Liebenberg and Frank Freeman, the two major driving forces behind the project. In the production, Liebenberg and Freeman perform alongside Sheldon Yoko, Schalk van der Merwe, and Mikhaela Kruger. When asked about what it is that makes EET KREEF! such an iconic album, Freeman stated that “it struck [him] how relevant the content of the album still is today, just in a different context”. He stated that he was amazed by how something that was produced in Afrikaans during the late 1980s could still fit into the modern South African context. Liebenberg suggested that the album still resonates with a lot of people because it deals with themes of division and “cultural loneliness”. These are themes that carry through generations, even after society has moved forward. Liebenberg says that when Freeman approached him to work on this project it “placed the fear of god inside of [him]” as this is a “holy album” and “purists wouldn’t want it to be messed with”. He stated that they had to strike a balance between respecting the original work and making it their own. He felt that they had a duty to make the album appealing to the younger generation as the content is “still so relevant today”. They had “big shoes to fill” but Liebenberg feels that after the first performance he was confident in their abilities. He felt as though they “were doing [the album] justice”. Freeman stated that their goal was not to simply replicate the album but rather to add their own twist to it. Liebenberg suggested that one of the ways in which they did this was by replacing many of the multi-instrumental aspects with guitar effects. He says that this brought certain elements of “eeriness and chaos” that Kerkorrel could not recreate with his guitar. “I haven’t listened to the album again since we started performing it because I didn’t want to be tainted by the old way” said Liebenberg. For him singing, reading, and playing the music has really shown him just how amazing these songs are. It has shown him how the “simplest songs can actually be the most poignant”. When asked why students should go and watch the show, Freeman responded by saying that it “gives great insight into the history of alternative Afrikaans music”. He says that it is really great to see that people from “the older generations” were thinking in this way. It is important to see that there were different albums and different angles on Afrikaans during those times. There was an entire branch of Afrikaans people who were conforming to the societal “norm” at that time. He says that it’s so important to “experience something from the past, reinterpret it in the present and to still see the relevance”. Liebenberg added in that “it’s important to see how people got together to put a message out” and how they acted as “a voice in standing up against the norm”. He went on to talk about his experience of becoming socially aware and how when he felt “so ashamed” of what the people before him had gotten up to. He felt so removed from that culture and to know that there were people in the midst of that who were “fighting for equality and for the right for human beings to be unified” was inspiring. Freeman wanted “to do something in Afrikaans that proved that there are a lot of Afrikaans people who don’t necessarily fit into the “stereotype”. There are a lot of Afrikaans people who feel differently, think differently and do not conform to the stereotype. This album was a “testament to that way of thinking, even all the way back in 1989”. Freeman stated that while it’s hard to ignore a classic song like “Hillbrow”, “which is one of the greatest Afrikaans songs out there”, some of the songs that really stood out to him include “Ou Ou Lied Van Afrika” and “Liefde”. Liebenberg stated that the emotionally driven songs like “Donker Donker Land” and “Tronk” make him feel like he is a part of the audience when they perform them because it shows him that they are “just the vessel for the voice and the message of these songs”. The EET KREEF! album is important for an array of reasons but as Liebenberg suggests, it catalysed an entire musical movement. EET KREEF! is about taking the language back from the oppressor. Afrikaans can be poetic, beautiful and unifying, if you choose to use it in that way. You can purchase tickets for the show on the itickets website.
6 | Entertainment
PDBY’s Artists to Watch Martin Gill “Candlelight” IG: @martinlukegill FB: Martin Luke Gill Check out his single on Apple Music and Spotify and keep an eye out for his new song “London Town”, which will be out later in March.
Roman Figga “I don’t know” IG: @romanfigga Twitter: @romanfiggaoffi1 Check out his album titled “I’m That Figga” on all major streaming platforms and look out for his new single “Dahlia”.
9 March 2020
TRY Bar @UP Acoustics Marné Swanepoel
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efore heading into another busy week at university, it’s great to take a day to relax. Sundays are perfect for unwinding at The Grind Bar & Eatery while listening to some live music. Bar Acoustics is a live music event that takes place at The Grind Bar & Eatery every Sunday, with the exception of Sundays that fall on the same day as Park Acoustics. The intimate setting creates a calm atmosphere, Illustration: Marchall Potgieter
Stefan Vermaak on his upcoming role in the film “Moffie” Dani van der Horst
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tefan Vermaak is a South African actor, who plays the role of Oscar Fourie in the upcoming drama, Moffie, which will be out in Cinemas on 13 March. PDBY caught up with him and chatted about the upcoming film. This film is an exceptionally important piece of work for the LGBTQ+ community, how did it feel being a part of something that was so much bigger than just a film? It’s just so much more satisfying. A lot of time you are part of a film/series/tv show etc that is mostly just entertainment and that’s also great but being part of Moffie, you get to do way more than just entertain. You get to educate an audience or even more, you get to educate a society. This is such a powerful way to change the way people think. I really hope that this film will be talked about for year to come, because I think It has the content to do so. You play the character, Oscar Fourie, could you tell us a little bit about him? He is a conscript going to war, with all the same emotions as all the other conscripts, except
he is easy going and up for any challenge. He is physical and stands out from the group. And of course, [he is] a lady’s man. His biggest challenge during his time at the border is, is not the border itself, but being without a girl. To him, being a conscript will probably give him more girls. The story is full of heart-breaking moments, which moment did you find exceptionally tough to portray? In that time, being homophobic was a general thing. So, to portray a character that is homophobic was extremely difficult. I am lucky to say that my best friend is gay and to say homophobic things and to do homophobic things (although it was my character) almost made me feel like I was betraying him. It broke my heart to see how gay people and all outsiders for that matter [were] handled, and I hope this film will change the way people think about homosexuality- that it’s not a choice and being gay doesn’t make you a moffie but being homophobic makes you an a**hole. Recently strides have been made in South African television with regard to the
making it the ideal space to spend the afternoon with a bunch of friends before the week picks up again. You can sit back, relax, and enjoy quality music and great food. The Grind Bar’s menu has a variety of options to choose from. Their R150 burger special includes two burgers, chips and a bucket of six black labels. Other options you might want to try out are their tacos, wings or their recently launched crunchy hash brown vegan burger. The line-up boasts established as well as upcoming South African talent. This offers you the chance to see some of your favourite musicians perform live and discover some new talent. Artists like Martin Gill, Ruiter Piet, Nicola McLeod, and Jeandré Pistorius perform here regularly. Bar Acoustics has also hosted names like December Streets and Jethro Tait in the past. There is no entry fee and doors open at 10:00. The first performance starts at 14:00, which gives you ample time to invite all your friends over for a good time. Be sure to follow @thegrindbar and @baracoustics on Instagram to stay updated on upcoming performances.
representation of the LGBTQ+ community, for example the first gay “boer” on “Boer Soek ‘n Vrou” stirred a lot of discussion on the topic of LGBTQ+ representation on television. This was based on a real-life experience, but fictional experiences are equally important in creating a space that is inclusive. How do you think the film industry in South Africa could work towards creating a more Image provided inclusive space? Again, we have to educate a society; and to educate is to understand,and I think something like “Boer Soek n Vrou”, made a lot of people realise that the idea that homosexuality is wrong, is out-dated. I hope that in the future we will not talk about a film about 2 gay men, but rather a film about love. How would you describe your experience working on this film? This was definitely the highlight of my career. The script is amazing. The director is world class. The process that the director used, is every actors dream. You get to rehearse, you get to really become that character, because of the
director that gives you the tools do so. It was also a young and very talented cast, that all just fell in love with process and each other- and I believe you will see that on screen. As South Africans, many of our fathers were a part of the army during these times, did working on this film change your perspective on that at all? Yes, because it was very close to home for all of us. We all listened to army stories from family members. It wasn’t just a story. It was real. It really happened. And not a million years ago. It happened to our parents. How would you describe Nicholas van der Swart? And why do you think his story is so important? I’m not sure if this scene made the cut, but I remember reading the script and there is a line where Nicholas asked his father: “Why am I gay?” and his father just did not reply at all. And that is why his story is important. So that if we are all grown up and our kids ask us: “Why am I gay” that we can answer them with love. Do you have any comments on the South African arts industry and where it’s heading? After you see this film, you will see that we have the directors, we have the crew, we have the actors, but most importantly we have the stories so that we do have to stand back for any country when it comes to making beautiful films. Therefore, I have a lot of hope and dreams for our industry.
PDBY Featured Artist: Bennett Terblanche
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ennett Terblanche, known on stage as Soul Strings, is a third year BCom Marketing student. Armed with his powerful voice and guitar, he is taking on the Pretoria music scene with full force. PDBY spoke to him and about his music. What made you want to pursue music? I wouldn’t say that I woke up one day and said to myself, “I want to be a musician.” My parents raised me to have an immense appreciation for music. Since I can remember my dad would quiz me on any track that ever played on the radio. Shazam didn’t always exist right? How long have you been a musician? I’ve been playing guitar since 2009, when I was in grade 8. Started off with bass guitar, and realised that I needed an instrument to compliment my voice at an improved level in terms of my original sound. So, I made the switch to guitar and picked up a little bit of piano as well. I always knew I had some musical talent though. What are your biggest trials and tribulations as an artist? Good question, singing a diverse kind of music in Pretoria. Sometimes the crowd you play for is hard to read but I try stay true to what I know. I stick to what I’m comfortable playing so that I can give a quality performance to the ears that are listening. We live in such a diverse country so I would love to be able
to play a little something for everyone. I would definitely say that’s something I struggle with. What is your favourite memory of being a musician so far? Well I could talk about some of the gigs I’ve played at. To be honest though the best feeling a musician can experience is having someone come up to you after your performance and compliment you. It’s the best feeling for me. It’s where you, as someone that spends time and puts in huge amounts of effort to be able to play the way you play, get something back. So, yeah man I play for the audience and I love getting that positive feedback. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years? Well hopefully I’ll be done with university and stick to my music for sure. I still haven’t given any competitions like Idols or The Voice a shot so I’m really keen to give that a solid effort. I also just want to keep playing for as long as I can. I always say, “If you’re good enough, someone will take the time to mould you.” In five words, how would you describe yourself and your music? Powerful, soulful, deep, flexible, and raw. Where did you get your stage name “Soul Strings” from and what does it mean to you? Honestly, I came up with it driving back to Pretoria from Nelspruit this year. I just need a stage name because Bennett Terblanche is a little bit lengthy, don’t you think?
Do you have any ideas for future music that we should look out for? In terms of my music? At the end of this year I would like to have a decent social media presence and have some form of an EP or album at the end of the year. Another aspect to look out for is on the streets. I love busking, always have, and I don’t see why I would stop doing it. How do you find ideas for music that you currently play? Oh! Love that question. If it’s a cover? I literally go through phases. All the way from the 1950’s through to Justin Bieber’s latest album Changes. I do everything and love playing as many genres as possible. My own music involves some effort. I get ideas from past experiences, people I see in my day to day life, know or don’t know. Music is a timeless phenomenon and I wouldn’t want my music to be any different. I can write a song in 10 minutes, 10 days or 10 months. All depends on the message I’m trying to send to people. I always write lyrics and melody at the same time
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Cassidy Bessa
Image provided
Powerful, soulful, deep, flexible and raw.
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What advice would you give someone who is too shy to start playing gigs? Anyone that is too shy or thinks that they aren’t good enough. Get playing. The only way you improve is by playing as much as you can for as many people as you can. I found my love for music by playing around bushfires and latenight chats after everyone has gone to bed. So just go for it. Someone will hear what they like. Keep an eye out for Bennett at Aandklas open mic nights.
9 March 2020
Fun and Games | 7
SUDOKU
WORD SOUP How many words can be made with the following letters? _____ 6 LETTER WORDS 1. __________________________ 2. __________________________
EGGPLANT
5 LETTER WORDS 1. __________________________ 2. __________________________ 3. __________________________ 4. __________________________ 5. __________________________ 6. __________________________ 4 LETTER WORDS 1. __________________________ 2. __________________________ 3. __________________________
struggles with dates and couldn’t get the year their newsletter, The Pendoring, was established in, correct. Who cares about years of history right? (Sneezes)
Hi (coughs) hi (coughs) Pssst… here. Pssst… is feeling rather sick this week so needs to keep this short. No Pssst… does not have the Coronavirus, Pssst… probably just drank too much and weakened Pssst’s… immune system. But the symptoms are all the same and easy to mix up. The same way dates are easy to mix up. (Coughs) Isn’t that right Career services? Pssst… is very excited to attend the Law Career Day on 6, 3 and 4 March. But please don’t worry, Pssst… wants you to know you aren’t alone. (Coughs) Tuks Ekhaya also
@
”
Free
Pssst… says adieu. xx
Burger Special Buy 1 Get 1 Free !
or
Poetry Corner
Sleek. My fingers trace your elegant lining. A minute button meets me: tiny, yet influential. It greets my fingertip inviting me in. I accept. I’m welcomed generously by a slew of information. Date. Time. Battery level. All in a blink of an eye. My finger hovers over the neatly printed, artificially illuminated, white letter ‘F’ Oh and speaking about not caring, the standing against a blue backdrop. I’m intimidated. My mind is suddenly riddled people having sex in an area in the IT Building with self-doubt: when, where, how and most importantly who? I spiral scanning obviously don’t... Pssst… may even set up a the posts of displaced people. Time becomes absolute, my surroundings of no little hidden camera there. Pssst… thinks making consequence. There are no obligations in this world. I find myself chasing an sex tapes could be a great side hustle. (Coughs) artificially constructed reality. Engulfed and consumed by the ‘new’ the ‘different’ Scanned with CamScanner Pssst… thinks Kris Jenner would be proud. and most dangerously: the ‘unattainable.’ (Sneezes) (Coughs) (Sneezes) And with that I hunt for a future which should be now, the falsehood which should be truth, the Pssst… must go to the doctor. Pssst… needs to me which should not be. The constructed me, the one that will never be… get better as Pssst… has eavesdropping to do, The disconnected self. information to trade and rumours to spread.
with every meal
Kemi
Pssst...
Disconnected
3 LETTER WORDS 1. __________________________ 2. __________________________ 3. __________________________ 4. __________________________
Poetry submitted by UP students to PDBY. You can submit your poetry to editor@pdby. co.za if you would like to be featured in the PDBY Poetry Corner.
½ Price Pizza
SCHNITZEL r45
Sport TuksHockey with Samkelo Mvimbi Caitlyn Walsh
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DBY chatted to Samkelo Mvimbi about his sporting career, goals, his trip to Namibia, and his achievements.
How is your sporting career going now? Is there anything you would like to tackle? My career has been somewhat interesting and busy recently, but I have been enjoying every single bit of it. I am currently playing for my club, the University of Pretoria, and have been on national duty for the past two months. I have been making huge strides and I just feel it comes with playing week-in and week-out, and it is something I have been looking forward to for a long time. What is your next big goal to achieve? My next goal is probably one of my biggest goals, and it is linked with all this hockey I have been luckily involved with this year, and that is to go to the Tokyo Olympics happening. I have other goals that are as important, but that has taken priority this year. Last year, you were selected to play in Namibia, how did it go and how was that experience? Yes, fortunately for me I made my debut against Namibia so that test series comes with a lot of emotion and excitement every time I speak about it, and it has hopefully marked a start for a long journey ahead with my career. What do you consider to be your best achievement? My best achievement to date has to be either competing with the German national side, or winning Varsity hockey with TuksHockey two years ago during my first year with the club, and if we said we were not looking to win it this year I would be lying, and we have a nice group of guys to go all the way again. What do you find important to focus on in a game? In most teams I have recently played in, we always speak about focusing on winning and doing all that is needed to win, training hard, and taking each game on merit. Personally, winning and trying to keep things as simple as possible are my two biggest focuses. What advice would you give to other aspiring hockey players? That you control your own way up, and do not wait on anyone to
do it for you. What is your training process like? Training is quite important, so my time outside of class I try spending working on my skills. It does differ every week as it is important to not overwork your body in order to last long and stay injury free. What do you consider the key to success in terms of your sport? A successful team, as many have said, requires bind in from everyone including the coaching staff. I strongly believe that a team that comes together best has the best chance of being successful and that refers both off and on the field. As Tuks, we are always looking for ways of getting better. Good, positive vibes bring success and comradely. As I’ve said above, we enjoy spending time with each other and understanding each other’s do’s and don’ts. We also always speak about sacrifice for the greater good of the team - whether it be time, personal Image provided. endeavors, etchose all go towards building a strong bond. Although striving to be at our best the whole time, we understand that yes, teams go through dips and it is just about picking up the good habits and staying focused on the end goal.
Swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker’s progress with coach Rocco Meiring Caitlyn Walsh
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atjana Schoenmaker is a South African swimmer, who completed, and won two gold medals for breaststroke, in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. PDBY spoke to Schoenmaker’s coach, Rocco Meiring, about her latest achievements, training, goals, and upcoming competitions. How is Schoenmaker progressing in her training? Schoenmaker is doing well in her training, and is in her maximum training now. We are on week 8 of a cycle of 13 weeks for going to Olympic trials. How vigorous is her training? She is obviously training very vigorously, 22 hour weeks, so that is nine swimming sessions a week with a minimum of two hours per session, and 2-3 gym sessions of at least an hour per session. What is your next big goal for her to tackle? The next big goal is obviously the Olympics. We have not spoken about anything beyond the Olympics. First stop is to get selected for the Olympics, and then compete doing the best that she can. What have been her greatest achievements so far? She is the first woman in many decades to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games. She won two golds and she is the first South African female to do that. She broke the long standing African and South African record. She is also the first female to win world student games, and then she went on to be the first South African
TuksRes Athletics Met 2020
Boitumelo Makaepea
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n 4 March, the first TuksRes Athletics Met took place at the Tuks Athletics Stadium. This inter-residence event included mostly students from the University of Pretoria. Among residences that participated was Erica, Asterhof, House Khutso, House Nala, Tuks Ekhaya, House Tau, The Tower, Blossom Delights, Madelief, Azalea, Nerina, House Zinnia, House Tirisano and more. The event started at 18:00 and throughout the event, both male and female students participated separately in the following field and track items: 100m, 200m, 400m, 150m and 110m hurdles, long jump, high jump, shot put, discus throw, and team relay. There were many prizes to be won, including a prize for the residence with the most “Gees”. The crowd was active as students showed up in numbers to show their support. PDBY asked TuksRes if they are planning on making the event annual, and they responded saying that: “The TuksRes Athletics Met will become an annual event on the student life calendar, where all the students of the University of Pretoria are invited to participate in ten track and field items’’. TuksRes also added that “this will support our aim in having student life activities and events that are inclusive and add value to our students’ overall wellbeing and experience whilst studying at UP’’. As this event turned out to be a success, and still on the mission of making it an annual event, TuksRes said to PDBY that “The collaboration between different departments and faculties is important to us, and therefore we are approaching all structures within UP to participate and help organize the event’’. For 2020, PDBY asked TuksRes if there are any sporting events that students can look forward to or expect to see throughout the year, and they said that “students can look forward to the annual TuksRes Fest, which will take place in the second semester of 2020”. With much excitement, TuksRes highlighted that “TuksRes will also be introducing an exciting new event for the rather witty and academically oriented students. More details will follow at a later date’’. You can look for more information about the TuksRes Athletics Met 2020 on TuksRes social media pages.
woman to ever win a medal at the world championships, where she finished second in the 200m breaststroke. She is also the first [South African] female in many Olympic cycles to qualify for the Olympics. What do you believe she can still achieve? Tatjana can become one of the world’s greatest swimmers, I have no doubt. It is going to take a while, she only graduated at the end of last year from a difficult degree, and her professional career is only two months old. At the end of 2019, Tatjana handed over R100 000 to Precious Blessings. What did this mean for her career and what is the organization? With regards to the R100 000 that Schoenmaker handed over to her charity, the charity is for children and babies who have been abandoned by their parents. As youth is very close to her heart, she is intent on focusing on the youth of South Africa, and inspiring young people - making their lives better not only with the swimmers, but with the community. What advice would you give to other swimmers training hard to achieve their goals? My advice is to have a plan, be patient, and be willing to take knocks, but to get up again and keep going, and have the mental strength to take the knocks and disappointments. Schoenmaker missed qualifying for the Olympics in 2016 with less than half a second, but she got up again, refocused, regathered herself, and now she is qualified.
Photos: Adorn Ndlovu
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