Hola MaHigh School Volume 5, Issue 6 September 2016
AAAAARGHHHH Exams! and not long to go!
PS: look for study guides here September: Heritage month. But what is it realy all about? and where did it come from? Prepare for a tour with Masiziba and Fikile
... and a lot more!
Gauteng, home to Africa’s economic powerhouse, Johannesburg, boasts an exciting mix of urban lifestyle, diverse cultural and natural attractions, as well as advanced infrastructure. Call us and we’ll show you why Gauteng in South Africa is the perfect location to bring your big idea to vibrant, colourful life.
Cont 06 Editor’s Letter 07 Poem of the day 08 Writers Needed 10 Contributors 11 Holler at us 14 Heritage Day: Where did it come from 16 Learn in our mother tongue 18: Brexit: What has happened
tents 24 Nuclear Power 27 Quotes 28 Study Helps 32 DBE Studyguides 34 study guides: USA 36 Book review 38 Ice age: science! 41 Enough is enough 44 Russia 46 next issue
Editors Letter September and that means SPRING is HERE! ... But it also means that the time is nearly up now. Some going for grade 11, some for grade 12 and some for final exams. Now, that is why we have filled this issue (nearly) with study guides. There are plenty of them. some are probably better than others, but I will leave that to you. That said, we are still on the nuclear question. Masiziba is on a roll here. International: Russia! So much to write about there, but see if we have done justice to the topic. ... and the quotes and the books and... It is all there! Good read!
Sybil
Time for poems:
Who am I? I braai, therefore I am Or something similar And It takes a village to raise a child So I am a function of more than ‘me’ I exist because of all the people around me And that makes me feel very small Or it makes me feel like a part of something bigger Because then YOU exist because of me And that makes me feel quite big And you and I are forever together!
Sybil
We need writers! Our writers are growing up and getting older That is og course good. BUT.... it means they are leaving us Therefore: would you like towrite for us? What is required? That is easy You have to be in grade 10-12 Impeccable in your preferred language-and that might not be English. We try to be more than just English Passionate about your topic of choice no dull articles here
Do you get anything out of it? Well, not money, sorrry. BUT if we publish your articles you will have: Your bio in a commercial magazine A photo of yourself You can put it all on your CV you can use us as a reference ... and it goes in your portfolio
Is it important? YES it is. Look what Rofhiwa said: My name is Rofhiwa and I love to write. I think I am rather decent writer too. I took my talent and have used it to express my thoughts on international dealings of the world which have been published in Hola MaHigh-School. It has paid off, not only is my work printed for young people in the country to read, but it also contributed to me gettng a bursary from CNBC-Africa to do my post-graduate studies. Would be a lot harder to get by if I didn’t have platform like Hola MaHigh-School.
What
me o
to do
?
n iva n co.za @romele . : nam e scho Cell n ol E-ma umber ... and il addres s we w ill tal k!
Meet our contributors My name is Masiziba, a 16 year old girl from a small rural town called Balfour in Mpumalanga. I am a matriculant in wait. My mother worked as a domestic worker and my father is a backyard Farmer. During my spare time I love reading, writing stories and watching TV. I am a confident girl who has big dreams and wants to prove that you can make it whatever your background is
Pinky Rapoo is a creative writer by nature and not yet by profession.She lives in Vosloorus and is currently in grade 12 at Vosloorus Comprehensive SecondarySchool. Listening to music is her hobby,writing is her passion. Her motto is “Think twice before speaking,think three times before acting and think thoroughly before writing�. My name is Fikile Unifire Zulu, I hail from Evaton West in the Vaal Triangle, Gauteng. I love art (writing included) and started doing so ever since I can remember. I am a go-getter, determined, ambitious and diligent young woman, I strongly believe in reading because it allows you to look at the world in a new perspective and writing .. well you get to express your thoughts and imagination without any fear. Besides writing, I am passionate about serving the community, currently I am a Provincial Secretary-General for Disabled Youth South Africa, Deputy Chairperson for Evaton West Local Drug Action Commitee, PR officer for Educate South Africa and part of Gauteng Youth Road Safety task team.
HOLLER AT US Hola MaHigh-School
The stuff we need to mention: Editor & Publisher Sybil Otterstrom sybil@romele.co.za
Advertising sales Next level Management services cc 011 614 5046 076 360 1792 sybil@next-level.co.za Publlishing Romele Publications cc 32 Eleanor street Troyeville 2094 011 614 5046/076 360 1792
Website www.romele.co.za
Hola Ma High School When you post your comments here, it will go to the website
Enquiries Romele Publications cc 32 Eleanor Street Troyeville 2094 Production and Art Direction Ivan Otterstrom ivan@romele.co.za Distribution On-The-Dot Printing United Litho
follow us on Twitter @holamahigh When you post your comments here, it will go to the website
South WeSt GautenG technical
and
Voc
APPLY NOW AND STAND A CHANCE T THE SECOND SEMESTER AND
“Sharpen your skills, Unleash your passion, Join the Economy and Shape up your Career at opportunity to all Grade 10-12 learners as well as youth seeking to further their education o Utility Studies.
As only a limited number of spaces are available in certain programmes, prospective studen
We are therefore inviting all eligible and interested prospective students to apply for any of
SEMESTER PROGRAMMES Business Studies
U
Report 191/Nated Programme Offered
Level
Campus
Business Management
N4 - N6
Dobsonville / Roodepoort
Marketing Management
N4 - N6
Dobsonville
Human Resource Management
N4 - N6
Dobsonville
Public Management
N4 - N6
Dobsonville
Management Assistant
N4 - N6
Roodepoort
Financial Management
N4 - N6
Roodepoort
DISTANCE EDUCATION
TRIMESTER P
Offered at Technisa Campus only Programme Offered
Business Management
Utility Studiwes
Engineering Studies
Engineering Stu
LEVEL
Report 191/Nated
Business Management
N4 - N6
Programme Offere
Financial Management
N4 - N6
Civil Engineering
Human Resource Management
N4 - N6
Electrical Engineerin
Management Assistant
N4 - N6
Electrical Engineerin
Marketing Management
N4 - N6
Mechanical Enginee
Public Management
N4 - N6
Water & Waste-wate Management
Public Relations
N4 - N6
Tourism
N4 - N6
Educare
N4 - N6
Civil Engineering
N1 - N6
Electrical Engineering
N1 - N3
Electrical Engineering
N1 - N6
Machanical Engineering
N1 - N6
Water & Waste- Water Management
N1 - N3
DHET BURSARIES THOUGH THEY AR TO THE STUDENT THROUGH THE M MAKE THE WISE PLY NOW!
SWGC Pe
For further enquiries on applications, please contact any of our Campuses on 086Â headoffice@swgc.co.za or visit us on www.swgc.co.z Head Office Contact Centre Dobsonville Campus 1822A Molele Street, Klip Valley/Union Street, Kliptown 5604 Van Onselen Road, Dobsonville c/o Koma Road, Molapo Roodepoort Campus Roodepoort West Campus Technisa Campus 1 Lawson Street, Roodepoort West Cnr Main and Huguenot, Blairgow 1 Webber Avenue, Horizon
cational
education
and
traininG colleGe
TO BE INVITED TO ENROLL FOR D THIRD TRIMESTER 2016!
t South West Gauteng TVET College.” The College is offering an or advance their careers in the fields of Engineering, Business and
nts are advised to apply for enrolment at the College, NOW!
the following courses/programmes provided that they meet the set requirements:
Utility Studies Report 191/Nated Programme Offered
Level
Campus
Introductory Clothing Construction
N4
George Tabor
Clothing Production
N4-N6
George Tabor
Educare
N4-N6
Roodepoort
Hospitality & Catering Services
N4-N6
Roodepoort
Popular Music (Composition, Studio Work & Performance)
N4-N6
Dobsonville
PROGRAMMES
udies
d
ed
Level
Campus
N1-N6
Molapo
ng
N1-N3
Molapo
ng
N1-N6
Roodepoort West
ering
N1-N6
Molapo
er
N1-N3
Roodepoort West
S ARE AVAILABLE, EVEN RE NOT GARANTEED, EVEN TS THAT ARE DEEMED NEEDY MEANS TEST CHOICE, KHETHA AND AP-
eriod! Enough Said!
176 8849, Fax: 011 984 1262, za George Tabor Campus e 1440 Mncube Drive, Dube
Molapo Campus wrie 1822B Molele Street, c/o Koma Road, Molapo
Application procedure:
1. Manual Application forms can be obtained at any of the College Sites/Campuses and, or on the College Website; www.swgc.co.za 2. Online Applications can be found on the College’s Website: www.swgc.co.za and maybe completed electronically, please ensure to follow the system rules. 3. Returning of the Application Forms: - Semester Application Forms • Completed application forms to be sent to any of the College Sites, by hand, fax, email or post using the details or addresses given below, but must reach the College no later than 10 June 2016 • Applicants will be notified of their acceptance / non-acceptance no later than 24 June 2016 - Third Trimester Application Forms • Completed application forms to be sent to any of the College Sites, by hand, fax, email or post using the details or addresses given below. Completed Forms may be submitted from the 1 June 2016 and must reach the College no later than 1 August 2016 • Applicants will be notified of their acceptance / non-acceptance no later than 24 August 2016 - Distance Learning • Applications are opened throughout the year. 4. Completed Application forms must be accompanied by the following documents: - Certified copy of Identity document. - Certified copy of latest results/qualification
LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED! Address all correspondence to Private Bag X33, Tshiawelo, 1817. Distance Education correspondence to Private Bag X7, Pinegowrie, 2123
Heritage Day: W from? what d Heritage day. Sounds so OK and great, but where did it come from? Do other countries also have one? Surprise: Heritage Day is a bit of a compromise. What does Wiki say: “Heritage Day is a South African public holiday celebrated on 24 September. On this day, South Africans across the spectrum are encouraged to celebrate their culture and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to all its people. In KwaZulu-Natal, 24 September Heritage Day was known as Shaka Day. Each year people gather at King Shaka’s grave to honour him on this day. The Public Holidays Bill presented to the new democratic Parliament of South Africa in 1995 did not have 24 September included on the list of proposed public holidays. As a result of this exclusion, IFP objected to the bill. Parliament and the IFP reached a compromise and the day was given its present title and seen as a public holiday” Right! So it was a bit by luck we got this one. But what do we do with it? What more can we say? Culture, yes. Culture. We do cultural things! “South Africans celebrate Heritage Day by remembering the cultural heritage of the many cultures that make up the population of South Africa. Various events are staged throughout the country to commemorate this day” Is it important? Oh yes. Heritage day is not just something with Zulu dances and Ndbele Pottery. It is .. well, all of it. Can we even find one picture depicting Heritage Day without being biased with something? I can’t. The best thing is maybe sports? But, wait. I also saw something about boerewors? Didn’t I? OK, let us read a bit further: “In 2005, a media campaign sought to “re-brand” the holiday as National Braai Day, in
Where did it come does it mean? recognition of the South African culinary tradition of holding informal backyard barbecues, or braais. On 5 September 2007, Archbishop Desmond Tutu celebrated his appointment as patron of South Africa’s Braai Day, affirming it to be a unifying force in a divided country (by donning an apron and tucking into a boerewors). At the end of 2007 National Braai Day changed its name to Braai4Heritage and the initiative received the endorsement of South Africa’s National Heritage Council (NHC). Organiser Jan Scannell (known as “Jan Braai”) announced that the aim is not to have a mass braai, but little ones with friends and family. Some have commented that this is a ploy to make people forget the history and the original meaning of why the day was created”. But let us be realistic. Is there anyone in the entire rainbow nation of United Nations who does not know a braai? Have never been eating any of the meat (or a vegetarian braai)? Anyone who has never seen the charcoal? Maybe – after all – a braai is what we do have in common, across all cultural divides. Maybe having a braai with the neighbors is the real celebration of Heritage Day.
Failure to teach in in is detrimental to fu We are just so many people in South Africa, from all over the world. Even within our own borders we ‘have one of each’. Our diversity makes us rich, but it does pose some unique challenges which other countries may not have. With the 2011 census showing a decline in six of the 11 official languages, linguists are warning that failure to teach in home languages will lead to continued failures at schools and universities. With a decline in the use of Zulu, Sepedi, Sotho, Tswana and Swati, the head of the Wits University language school, Nhlanhla Thwala said: “Teaching pupils in their mother tongue is imperative to ensuring success at schools and tertiary institutions.”
increases, with tion speaking these Zulu and Xhosa popular languages, with 22.7% and 16% (8million people) of the them respectively. The number speaking Zulu increased.
While most indigenous languages showed a decrease in popularity, English, Afrikaans and Ndebele recorded 9.6%, 13.5% and 2.1% of the populalanguages respectively. remained the most (11.5million people) population speaking of whites and Indians
Although decreasing in popularity in the Northern Cape and Western Cape, Afrikaans is the third-most-popular language. English language speakers increased to 4.9 million from 3.7 million in 2001. Thwala said South Africa’s “tragedy” was that even though so many indigenous languages were spoken, children were not taught in them. “We are essentially ignoring well-known facts - if you want to learn you must do so in your
ndigenous languages uture generations mother tongue. If we do not, South Africa will continue to experience high failure rates in schools and universities,” he said. “People speak a language for a reason. Increases and decreases show which languages people find useful, regardless of whether they are their first language.” While the increases were not surprising, the changes were, Thwala said. “The popularity of Zulu and Xhosa are understandable, with Zulu South Africa’s de facto second language. People hear Zulu more than other language, therefore there is a greater expectation to speak it.” Research showed Zulu, the most widely recognised of the Nguni languages, was by far the most requested by people wanting to learn a language, he said. While the inkaans was surprising, once a language vantage - be it through the amount of or available teachers - it was difficult to “Social engineering to or undermine languages does not work.
crease in Afrigained an adschool materials undermine. either promote
It is about respecting each other’s background and culture!
Brexit – what has happened? This is really a strange one. We did write about the vote, analysing what were the implications and who was doing what. Well, the vote was that UK will be leaving European Union (EU). The way of doing it is to write a letter to EU (article 50 letter) stating that they will be leaving. Then there is a two-year period to figure out what it means. The predictions were indeed doomsday predictions. Crash of the EU, currencies worthless, unemployment, inflation, and a lot more. The world coming to an end, the sky falling. But it has not happened at all. It is like a vacuum. The letter has not been sent yet and will probably not be sent before end of the year or early 2017. Sure, Cameron resigned and the new PM is Ms May. But that is hardly news, really. There is a new minister of foreign affairs, the former mayor of London, Boris Johnson. There is a rumour that although he vigorously campaigned for Exit, he didn’t really mean it. It was a ploy to become the next PM (which he didn’t become anyway). The rumour is that he really didn’t want an Exit win. When the results got analysed it also showed something strange: The older generation voted Exit and the younger generation voted to remain in EU. Is it significant? Yes, it is. The older generation was the sceptical one’s when UK voted (in the 70’s) to join. And now they are still sceptical and voted (again) to stay out of EU. So, there were demonstrations by young people claiming that the ‘oldies’ sold out their future. The demand was for a re-run of the vote. And that is hardly possible – right now at least. But what has happened? A lot of what can happen has been mentioned, but nothing really of what has happened (as far as I can tell). The exchange rate went south, but is probably picking up. Because UK is still a member of EU anyway. There are uncertainties and markets do not like that. But it has hardly manifested itself as something dramatic.
But what are the other EU members saying? Merkel (Germany) and Hollande (France) have been in London to talk to the new PM, Ms May. But nothing substantial has come out of it. Some member states want to have UK out immediately – like punishing them – but there is no appetite for that either. And it cannot happen before this famous article 50 letter has been mailed off to EU. If I read the mood correctly, the ‘Exit’ voters have relented. It feels as though they only wanted to tell EU that they are unhappy with certain things. As though that they actually won the vote was not really in the plan. As though the thought of it actually happening was furthest from their mind. If this is then correct, we will see something ‘funny’ happening: The article 50 letter will only be mailed off toward mid-2017. There will be prolonged negotiations which are not really negotiations for another two years or more. Then there will be some sort of treaty suggested and there will be a vote along the lines of: Option 1: NO to treaty and YES to just stay in EU. Or option 2: No to treaty and No to EU. … and if the vote is not the ‘right’ one there will be an extension of another two years for a new treaty to be suggested and the same question will be posed. UNTIL THE ‘RIGHT’ VOTE IS IN: YES TO EU. … and then there is no change at all.
CALENDAR 2016
MAR Construction Focus Week – Grade 9 - 12 Launch My Career – Grade 11
Food for Life Holiday Program
Bloodhound Rocketry Course Electronics Club – (Intro) – Grade 10 & 11 Fame Lab Speak2aScientist
APR Launch My Career – Grade 11
Bloodhound Rocketry Course Electronics Club – (Intro) – Grade 10 & 11 Mathematics Week – Grade Subject Choice – Grade 9
FOCUS WEEK
ENQUIRING MINDS PROGRAMME
Speak2aScientist
1 - 29 FEBRUARY
JANUARY Life after school – Grade 12
25 Jan. - 12 Feb.
FEBRUARY Life After School – Grade 12
25 Jan. - 12 Feb.
Enquiring Minds Programme – Grade 12 - 3
1 - 29
Finance, Banking & Investment Industry Focus Days– Grade 9 - 12
24 - 25
Finding my Way– Grade 7
15 - 19
Electronics Club - (Intro) – Grade 10 & 11
Feb. - Sep.
Speak2aScientist
25
Spea
Scie
RCH 8 - 11 7 - 11
mme
19 Mar. - 4 Apr.
e
29 Mar. - 2 Apr. Feb. - Sep. 22 31
RIL 11 - 15
e
29 Mar. - 2 Apr. Feb. - Sep.
4 - 12
18 - 22 18 - 29 28
ak 2a
MAY Electronics Club – (Intro) – Grade 10 & 11
Feb. - Sep.
Health Science Week – Grade 4 - 12
16 - 20
Engineering Focus Week – Grade 9 - 12
23 - 27
Subject Choice – Grade 9
3-6
Minquiz (Provincial)
19
Exploring Careers – Grade 10
9 - 13
Speak2aScientist
26
JUNE
entist
Electronics Club – (Intro) – Grade 10 & 11
Feb. - Sep.
Subject Choice – Grade 9
1 - 10
Astonishing Anatomy Holiday Programme
25 Jun. - 17 Jul.
Bloodhound Rocketry Course
27 Jun. - 1 Jul.
Speak2aScientist
30
JULY Electronics Club – (Intro) – Grade 10 & 11
Feb. - Sep.
Subject Choice – Grade 9
18 - 28
Astonishing Anatomy Holiday Programme
25 Jun. - 17 Jul.
Bloodhound Rocketry Course
27 Jun. - 1 Jul.
Bloodhound Rocketry Course
4 - 8 Jul.
Minquiz (National )
13 - 14
Astronomy Quiz
Jul.
Speak2aScientist
28
Exciting Careers For Girls
SEPTEM
AUGUST Electronics Club – (Intro) – Grade 10 & 11
Feb. - Sep.
Electronics Club – (Intro) – Grade 10 & 11
National Science Week – Grade 4 - 12
1-5
Sustainable Energy Week – Grade 4 & 12
Media Week (Mnet) – Grade 9 - 12
15 - 19
Entrepreneurship Development & Support Bootc
ICT Focus Week – Grade 9 - 12
22 - 26
Subject Choice – Grade 9 Speak2aScientist
Girl Power: Exciting Careers for Girls 5 - 6 – Grade 9 - 12 Speak2aScientist
25
OCTOB Maritime Focus Week – Grade 9 - 12
Transport Week (special focus on Maritime We – Grade 4 - 12 Subject Choice – Grade 9 Space Explorers Holiday Programme Bloodhound Rocketry Course Mental Maths Speak2aScientist
NOVEMBER Early Explorers Month – Grade R
1 - 30
Subject Choice – Grade 9
1-4
Speak2aScientist
24
DECEMBER December Holiday Programme
10 - 31
MBER
camp
Feb. - Sep. 5-9 22 - 23 1 - 30 29
BER
eek)
24 - 28 (during Transport Week) 24 - 28
EARLY EXPLORERS MONTH 1 - 30 NOVEMBER
10 - 21 1-9 3-7 Oct. 27
ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT BOOTCAMP 22 - 23 SEPTEMBER
The cost of nuclear South Africans and expenditures! They‘ll rip you apart if you do not provide, to some degree, something legit. So how much will the government expend on this widely projected nuclear investment? A new study by EE Publishers looks at the initial capital cost as well as the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) generated by the proposed 9,6 GW new-nuclear build in South Africa. The EE Publishers study estimated that an initial overnight capital cost (including owner’s development costs, but excluding interest during construction) of the 9, 6 GW new-nuclear build at US $50-billion (R776-billion at a rate of exchange of $1 = R14). Imagine by 2030! The levelised cost of electricity (at base date May 2016) is calculated to be R1, 30 per kWh under the stated assumptions, rising to R1,52 per kWh if Koeberg’s fuel, operating and maintenance costs per kWh are used in the calculation. As assumptions roam around the economic world, it is estimated that Decommissioning and long-term waste disposal costs can safely be ignored for discount rates of 8% or higher. This is because Decommissioning and long-term waste disposal only becomes relevant when the discount rate is low, which is what nuclear proponents argue should be the case. Then we have the long-term waste management, handling and storage costs. The EE publishers have used the German Government as reference clearly stating that since having failed to transfer all liabilities of decommissioning and long-term waste disposal to society, German nuclear power plant owners recently reached an agreement with the German government for the transfer of €23,3-billion into a fund (i.e. about US $1200 per installed kW), and for the government to take over all risks and liabilities related to long-term nuclear waste management, handling and storage. The decommissioning liability remains with the nuclear power plant owners. Again, because privately owned, for-profit companies made the offer to government, one can assume that the cost of long-term waste management, handling and storage is at least US $1200 per installed kW. Life extension costs: The bulk of all nuclear power plants in service today were built in the 1970s and 1980s, and hence are between 25 and 45 years old. According to the World Nuclear Association’s Reactor Database, the oldest operational nuclear
r: how to calculate reactors came online in 1969. Hence, no nuclear plant that is operational today has experienced a lifetime of 60 years. However, the LCOE calculations in the Integrated Resource Plan for Electricity (IRP) 2010-2030 and the 2013 Draft IRP Update Report (and therefore in this study too) assume a plant economic life of 60 years, with no major refurbishment or overhaul capital costs factored in at midlife. It is said to be an unrealistic assumption that should be reviewed in further IRP updates, or alternatively a shorter economic life of 30 to 40 years should be assumed. However, the Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa (NIASA)’s own model calculations showed that Based on more realistic assumptions(according to NIASA), including taking into account the high external costs of coal, the cost of nuclear waste management and plant decommissioning, the longer 60 year plant lives of new nuclear plants, nuclear power is substantially cheaper than coal. If these assumptions had been applied in the Base Case of the IRP Update, as it should have been since adding external costs is confirmed Government policy, nuclear would have been the preferred power source, after hydro, which is not always readily available. The LCOEs of Nuclear are substantially lower than coal at low WACCs, even when the nuclear overnight cost is increased to the much dreaded $7,000/kW-installed. Therefore the cap on the overnight cost for nuclear, proposed in the IRP Update, is largely meaningless and should rather be replaced by a cap on the LCOE, which will for all the plant types be determined by the combined effects of WACC, overnight cost, external costs and system costs, such as expensive pumped storage plants required to move the oversupply of power by PV solar panels during mid-day to the evening demand peak. This cap on the LCOE should then be applied to all the power sources, rather than to only single nuclear out. The external cost of Generation III nuclear accidents is approximately 50 times lower than that of coal. This shows that, in spite of the image of nuclear power as a grave threat to humanity (Read my previous articles), as it is regularly portrayed by anti-nuclear organisations. Generation III nuclear power plants actually have the potential to save humanity from the grave health threats posed by the toxic emissions from coal power plants according to NIASA.
Costs - continued All the flaws in the IRP Update conspired to drastically overestimate the LCOE of nuclear and to drastically underestimate the LCOEs of coal, PV-solar, and wind. Therefore nuclear capacity was suppressed or even absent in most of the scenarios of the IRP. However, our own modelling results showed that, once one corrects these flaws, nuclear easily outperform all its competitors, except hydro which is not readily available in South Africa. Therefore nuclear should neither be scaled down nor be delayed. The logical solution, according to NIASA, is then to make long term construction commitments to supply the minimum expected base-load demand with nuclear plants and the demand peaks with peaking technologies such as gas turbines and hydro. As and when unexpected demand increases appear imminent, the other plant types, with their shorter lead times, can then be rolled out quickly in order to supply this excess demand. Nuclear then become the cheap base-load foundation upon which the other, mostly more expensive, technologies can be added. The abundant and affordable power produced in this way should then be used to stimulate the electricity intensive primary and secondary sectors of the economy, in order to create jobs for unskilled and semi-skilled workers as part of a pro-poor strategy. They recommended that the calculations of the IRP Update be ‘repeated’ with the said corrections to the modelling assumptions. The Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa (NIASA) has also welcomed the recent statements made by Eskom and the minister of Public Enterprises that nuclear energy is South Africa’s most viable option for safe, reliable, green and affordable base load power. Investments in nuclear power plants will just be the beginning, they say- supply chains, jobs, skills development, industry and education will all benefit from this investment. Nuclear power will benefit all South Africans in one way or another. This is in line with the government’s 9-point plan which looks to resolve the country’s energy challenges through short, medium-term and long-term measures. A secure energy future is guaranteed through nuclear power. The development of the nuclear power industry will have to prove to be a significant developer to strengthen the South African economy because billions of rands will be spent in the building of nuclear power plants that will power South Africa for decades to come (read my previous articles). But hopefully, a secure energy future that will not only contribute to a broad economy but also one that builds skills, infrastructure and encourages investments, and hence reducing poverty and decrease inequality since jobs will be created, skills shared and the industry as a whole developed.
By Masiziba Hadebe
Quotes If you think you are too small to make a difference, You have not spent a night with a mosquito Eyes can see widely: They can cross a river in full flood If you don’t know where you are going, Any road will take you there If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk with others These are all African/South African provers ... All of this from various websites
Study Help: Where to go Here is a list of all kind of things. It is all off a google search and we do not have opinions about any of them. That said, please go through the links. There are some real ‘gems’ here. http://www.education.gov.za/SelfStudyGuidesGrade1012.aspx These documents are intended to serve as resources for teachers and learners. They provide notes, examples, problem-solving exercises with solutions and examples of practical activities. http://www.education.gov.za/Curriculum/LearningandTeachingSupportMaterials(LTSM)/MindtheGapStudyGuides.aspx Mind the Gap Study Guides Grade 12 CAPS Aligned The Department of Basic Education has pleasure in releasing the second edition of Mind the Gap study guides for Grade 12 learners. http://proverto.co.za Since 1992, Proverto Educational Publishers (BEE compliant) has played a significant and leading role in supplying learners in South African high schools with a unique brand of educational study guides free of charge. http://digitalclassroom.co.za/digitalclassroom/links A comprehensive list of education resources available on the internet, both local and international. This is the most comprehensive list of study guides I have seen. If anything: Go here!
go? What are the options? http://mathstudyguides.co.za/ The X-Factor series of math study guides was developed and compiled for Grade 7 to 12 learners in such a way as to allow them to work independently. Based on the new syllabus. Available in Afrikaans and English. Learn Xtra - http://learn.mindset.co.za If it’s top quality lesson revision and support you need then look no further. Mindset’s Learn Xtra provides learners with high quality video lessons and supporting lesson notes. All the lessons are CAPS aligned and cover key aspects of the curriculum, providing overviews and summaries of difficult and important sections. During exam time, special support exam revision programmes are broadcast, which focus on working through past exam papers. We summarise all the key content, work through selected past paper questions and unpack the ins and outs of exam readiness. Learn Xtra lessons are broadcast on DSTV 319 and on OpenviewHD 201. They are also made available on the YouTube Channel Mindset Learn and are available on our website learn.mindset.co.za/ HYPERLINK “http://learn.mindset.co.za/xtra/lessons”xtra HYPERLINK “http://learn.mindset. co.za/xtra/lessons”/lessons free of charge. www.prestoacademy.co.za Presto Academy is a student-run educational resource provider that produces study guides written by top South African students for fellow students. Co-founders Shivad Singh and Fuaad Coovadia, both current students of the University of Cape Town, use fellow students to develop the content that is tailored around understanding the issues that students face when learning certain topics. Its student-authors are selected only from among an elite group achieving matric pass rates of 90-100%.
A tyre? No Goodyear unve Unique spherical shaped concept tyre highlights ultimate manoeuvrability, safety and connectivity
Geneva, Switzerland, March, 2016- After 117 years of making tyres, Goodyear presented a vision of a fut Goodyear unveiled its latest concept tyre, Eagle-360, at the Geneva International Motor Show. The spher for the long-term future when autonomous driving is expected to be more mainstream.
According to a recent study from Navigant Research, 85 million autonomous-capable vehicles are expec Tech Choice Study, consumers are most concerned with ensuring safety through technology in autonom “By steadily reducing the driver interaction and intervention in self-driving vehicles, tyres will play an ev president and chief technical officer. “Goodyear’s concept tyres the boundaries of conventional thinking and as testbeds for Spherical shape for ultimate manoeuvrability and safety The unique shape of the Goodyear Eagle-360 could contribautonomous mobility.The spherical shape of the tyre is key to move in all directions, contributing to passenger safety. Active from potential hazards, such as black ice or sudden obstacles, so In addition, the spherical shape of the Goodyear Eagle-360 This helps the car to overtake an obstacle without changing its Finally, because 360 degree turns are possible with this tyre, it less space will be needed for cars fitted with spherical tyres to same role, this could significantly increase the capacity of public
Connected via magnetic levitation To connect with the body of the car, the Goodyear Eagle-360 from the car by magnetic fields, similar to magnetic levitation “Though this is purely a concept tyre, it showcases some of drivers can be addressed. Based on our own recent research[3], able cars to be part of future mobility and that reliability and could deliver a safe and sustainable solutionfor our end consumer who is likely to drive or ride in autono as inspiration for the automotive industry as we continue to find solutions for the future, together.”
Sensors ensure connectivity with car and increase sa Goodyear imagined another feature, connectivity, to cles, which is brought to life in three features. First, s the road conditions, including weather and road surf to the car as well as to other vehicles to enhance safe and pressure monitoring technology, sensors in the E tyre to extend mileage. Finally, because the tread is p based on the region where the driver lives is a new p
Biomimicry - inspired by nature Elements of the Eagle-360 design showcase biomimi Goodyear often uses in its designs. The tread mimics blocks and grooves help to secure a safe contact patch. The groove bottom has the same elements as a n and aquaplaning resistance. This texture also absorbs water on the road and ejects water from the tyre f
o, Science eils Eagle-360
ture tyre that looks radically different from tyres today -it’s a sphere. rical, 3-D printed tyre highlights Goodyear’s vision for the future and presents an inspiring solution
cted to be sold annually around the world by 2035[1], for example. According to the J.D. Power 2015 U.S. mous cars. ven more important role as the primary link to the road,” said Joseph Zekoski, Goodyear’s senior vice play a dual role in the future both as creative platforms to push next-generation technologies.” ute to safety and maneuverability to match the demands of delivering ultimate manoeuvrability. The multi-orientation tyres technology allows the tyre to move as needed to reduce sliding it contributes to staying on a safe path. provides a smooth ride by creating a fluid, lateral movement. driving direction. could tackle anticipated parking constrictions of the future, as pull into parking spots. Assuming public parking areas play the parking areas without increasing their size.
concept tyre relies on magnetic levitation. The tyre is suspended trains, which increases passenger comfort and reduces noise. Goodyear’s best innovative thinking and how the needs of future we know that young drivers are looking for smart and sustainsafety are key for them.4 We believe the Eagle-360 concept tyre omous cars in the future,” said Jean-Claude Kihn, President of Goodyear EMEA. “We also hope it serves
afety o optimize driving conditions in autonomous vehisensors inside the Eagle-360 concept tyre register face conditions, and communicate this information ety. Secondly, leveraging Goodyear’s tread wear Eagle-360 register and regulate the wear of the produced by a 3-D printer, customizing the tyre possibility.
icry, which is the imitation of nature, a principle s the pattern of brain coral, and its multidirectional natural sponge, which stiffens when dry yet softens when wet to deliver adequate driving performance footprint through centrifugal force to reduce the risk of aquaplaning.
Time to be impres by Dept of Bas As a service we tried to open the link from Dept of Basic Education: http://www.education.gov.za/Curriculum/LearningandTeachingSupportMaterials(LTSM)/MindtheGapStudyGuides.aspx This is impressive stuff! Now, it is a long time since I have been doing Physical Science and this here is probably more than i have ever wanted to know, but alas, we had a look.
It looks sort of like this. The start of the web site. Just go there
If we look at just one of them, Physical Science, the front page is this one:
All the papers are like 200+ pages long. They contain the minute detail of the entire curriculum (as far as I can see). There are study tips as well and these do make sense.
ssed: Study Guides sic Education OK, and the content? Difficult to judge, but it looks immensely comprehensive. Here is a screen grab of one of the pages:
But is there more from DBE? Try this link: http://www.education.gov.za/SelfStudyGuidesGrade1012.aspx and try some of the headings. DBE is not doing badly! Take a bow
Study guides
Here is a list of the biggers one’s - I think.
BUT I take no responsibility for them. Good luck! SparkNotes, - http://www.sparknotes.com/ originally part of a website called The Spark, is a company started by Harvard students Sam Yagan, Max Krohn, Chris Coyne, and Eli Bolotin in 1999 that originally provided study guides for literature, poetry, history, film, and philosophy. Later, SparkNotes expanded to provide study guides for a number of other subjects, including biology, chemistry, economics, health, math, physics, and sociology. SparkNotes does not charge users, but instead earns revenue from advertising
CliffsNotes - https://www.cliffsnotes.com (formerly Cliffs Notes, originally Cliff’s Notes and often, erroneously, CliffNotes) are a series of student study guides available primarily in the United States. The guides present and explain literary and other works in pamphlet form or online. Detractors of the study guides claim they let students bypass reading the assigned literature. The company claims to promote the reading of the original work, and does not view the study guides as a substitute for that reading Schaum’s Outlines - https://www.mhprofessional.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=schaums is a series of supplementary texts for American high school, AP, and college-level courses, currently published by McGraw-Hill Education Professional, a subsidiary of McGraw-Hill Education. The outlines cover a wide variety of academic subjects including mathematics, engineering and the physical sciences,
s - Overseas
computer science, biology and the health sciences, accounting, finance, economics, grammar and vocabulary, and other fields.[1] In most subject areas the full title of each outline starts with Schaum’s Outline of Theory and Problems of, but on the cover this has been shortened to simply Schaum’s Outlines followed by the subject name Permacharts Inc. - https://permacharts.com/ is a Canadian company based in Concord, Ontario, which specializes in the manufacture of laminated quick reference Study guides.[1] Along with other study guide manufacturers like SparkNotes, CliffsNotes and Schaum’s Outlines, they control most of the North American market share for study guides. Study Notes - https://www.apstudynotes.org/ is an online learning tool created by high school junior Feross Aboukhadijeh in El Dorado Hills, California. It was released to the public in March 2007. By September 2011, Study Notes was receiving 10,000 page views per day.[3] As of September 2015, Study Notes has served over 43 million users. The site currently operates out of Stanford, CA.
Diamond boy is a book published by Oxford university press and is written by Michael Williams — a world renowned South African author. Having read his crocodile burning novel in grade 10, I had expectations of an intense, African and gripping storyline of the diamond boy, and this diamond-rush story met up to the standards. It is based upon a fifteen year old Tshona boy, Patson, whom ( including his family ) is on journey of seeking wealth and unfortunately in the heart of Zimbabwe’s illegal diamond trait—Marange. Hoping for a better life in Marange, they arrive to only find a dreadful lifestyle which lead to the far-reaching change of ‘the’ athlete to become a mere mineworker under an illegal syndicate. Trouble begins when he finds 3 Girazis (large shiny diamonds) because of luck. But unfortunately due to the greed facing both the illegal syndicate and the government officials he ends up being a ‘one-legged stumpy boy’ who uses crutches to walk since he was shot. The story is written in the first person narrative which makes the story subjective. It has even Whatsapp-written text between Patson and his girlfriend giving it a modern touch. The book is also immaculately designed to help the reader understand the story by highlighting notes on the margins and the usage of footnotes at the bottom of the page for word meanings and Tshona translations to English. This good book’s motive is basically to say to the reader” never ever give up” By Masiziba Hadebe
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR CAREER Knowing yourself and your capabilities
Choo se Subj your ects
Care Plan er ning
eer Car ice o ch
For you to pursue your career choice.
You need to pass your Nationa l Senior Certi ficate!
The Eastern Ca pe Department of Education enco urages learners to choose suitable career path, by collecting inform ation that will he lp them pursue their career / field of study.
“it is in your hands “ - Nelson Rolihl
ahla Mandela
Sondlo & Knopp Advertising
Do we fry or freeze? I Global warming is reality but is it the end of it? Or what about the next ice age? Not the movie! The real one! Here I the definition from Wiki: “An ice age is a period of long-term reduction in the temperature of Earth’s surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental and polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers. Within a longterm ice age, individual pulses of cold climate are termed “glacial periods” (or alternatively “glacials” or “glaciations” or colloquially as “ice age”), and intermittent warm periods are called “interglacials”. Glaciologically, ice age implies the presence of extensive ice sheets in both northern and southern hemispheres.[1] By this definition, we are in an interglacial period—the Holocene—of the ice age that began 2.6 million years ago at the start of the Pleistocene epoch, because the Greenland, Arctic, and Antarctic ice sheets still exist Right. That settles it. If we really read it, it says that the NORM is the ice age. Our warmer climate is just a stage in-between two cold fronts. The stuff we see in the movie. What is this Holocene thing? A time period characterised by warm climate and having started some 12,000 years ago. This is the time period we are living in, where all human inventions, written records, buildings, developments, social and cultural innovation, well.. the entire humankind’s progress is coming from. Jericho is probably the oldest city in the world and it was started 10,000 years ago. Oh, yes. The last Mastodon (the movie!) died only 7,000 years ago. But if we live in an in-between, when will the freezing temps hit us again? Here is one view (source: https://www.skepticalscience.com/) No, we are not. It is all about CO2 levels. It is correct that there seems to
Is the Ice Age coming? be a cycle of 10,000 years of warming up (as we are in it now and a long period of cooling (really an ice age). The earth rotation is also important here. Here is the quote: Figure 4 examines the climate response to various CO2 emission scenarios. The green line is the natural response without CO2 emissions. Blue represents an anthropogenic release of 300 gigatonnes of carbon - we have already passed this mark. Release of 1000 gigatonnes of carbon (orange line) would prevent an ice age for 130,000 years. If anthropogenic carbon release were 5000 gigatonnes or more, glaciation will be avoided for at least half a million years. As things stand now, the combination of relatively weak orbital forcing and the long atmospheric lifetime of carbon dioxide are likely to generate a longer interglacial period than has been seen in the last 2.6 million years.
Figure 4. Effect of fossil fuel CO2 on the future evolution of global mean temperature. Green represents natural evolution, blue represents the results of anthropogenic release of 300 Gton C, orange is 1000 Gton C, and red is 5000 Gton C (Archer 2005). So, in this scenario, we will fry.
Fry or Freeze? According to http://www.collective-evolution.com, we are indeed heading for an ice age: “According to the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS): A new model of the Sun’s solar cycle is producing unprecedentedly accurate predictions of irregularities within the Sun’s 11-year heartbeat. The model draws on dynamo effects in two layers of the Sun, one close to the surface and one deep within its convection zone. Predictions from the model suggest that solar activity will fall by 60 per cent during the 2030s to conditions last seen during the ‘mini ice age’ that began in 1645. (source) So it is the Sun’s fault, really. But wait, there is more! (source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-15) Based on previous cycles the Earth is probably due to go into an ice age about now. In fact, conditions were starting to line up for a new ice age at least 6,000 years ago. “If you look at what was happening prior to the industrial revolution, summers were actually getting colder in the northern hemisphere. They’ve been getting colder for at least the last 6,000 years, so we were definitely on that trend,” Dr Phipps said. But that trend has now been comprehensively reversed because of greenhouse gas emissions, according to Dr Phipps. “There’s no chance of us going into an ice age now because the greenhouse gases we’ve put into the atmosphere during the industrial era have warmed the earth.” Although scientists cannot say we have definitely prevented the next ice age, it’s certainly accepted that humans have had a significant part to play. So, we all disagree – as usual – but the vote is: fry – not freeze.
It is always like this: When have I done enough? When am I ready? When can I just go watch TV for a little while? When is this exam season over and done with? Let us try to take the frustration down a notch: Nothing beats being on top of it during the year. If that has been achieved, the rest is easy. If you meet the book for the first time, 2 weeks prior to exam, well, “Houston, we have a problem”. The books through the year are of course to be mastered. That is the first point. It is not even a matter of knowing it on the day. It has to be mastered as a part of the yearly tasks. Just run through old notes on a weekly basis should take less than an hour. Probably like 15-30 minutes. If it is more, there is a gap in knowledge. CLOSE THE GAP while there is still time. Next one is simple: use the study guides during the year. This is even better: If by going through the study guides you know the answer – can do the tasks – you got it. Go for the next one. Don’t waste time doing what you can do, focus on the one’s where you got it wrong. … and have an early night before exams. If you know your stuff, you are OK. If not, that extra hour at midnight will not make it for you.
We provide loans and bursaries to students at all 26 public universities and 50 public TVET colleges throughout the country.
Another one of our BRICS associates. And Russia is just such an interesting place. Russia covers some 11 time zones and is the largest country in the world. It spans from Europe and Asia to the arctic and Arabia and china. It has some 160 ethnic groups and some 100 official languages. Beat that! Russia is not a ‘new’ country. Let us put it into perspective: The Slavs settled in the Rus area from about 300 AD (Western Russia). It became a super-power but got ‘gobbled’ up by the Mongol invasions. The 1800 saw Russia becoming the 2nd largest economy in the world as it also invaded Siberia and a lot of the smaller countries in the South. But it was a feudal state, based on serfs (slavery really) and hopelessly behind the European developments. Disaster waiting to happen. And it did. WWI saw Russia being crippled and its economy collapse. So we got the communist revolution (1917) and with it the purges and mass-murders. As Russia was starting to come together, WWII happened with the result of a total destruction of Western Russia (with the bulk of the industry) and some 25 million people dead. 1991 saw the collapse of the Communist state and a president (Putin) getting it into the 21st century. Democracy (sort of), market economy, growth, back in the world, etc. It all started to happen. Russia surely came back into the world. The break-up also saw some of the republics in the South going their own way. Maybe it was a good idea to get rid of all those countries which had been settled by force and focus on an homogenous country, populated mostly by Slavs (not Chinese, Arabs, eskimos and all and sundry). We have to mention president Putin. There is a cult around him now. He is a black-belt in Judo, he can fly fighter jets, do submarines, kill bears with his bare hands and survive in Siberia. He is tougher than ‘Bear Grylls’. And he is on a mission = get Russia back to its former glory. The ‘golden days’ of a world power. What people can remember. That, however, is causing some ructions in the world (like Crimea,
Ukraine, Syria, etc). But it is a gamble (to Russia) worth-while. Let us also acknowledge: Russia is a treasure trove. It has got oil, gas, diamonds, gold, timber, well, one of each. It is immensely rich, but the wealth is not so easy to get to. Siberia is a hard master if anybody would like to develop anything. Minus 60 is not great for outdoor sports. GDP (PPP): $3,6 Trillion, Per capita: $25,185 (SA: $742 bn and $13,321). In essence: 5 times our economy and twice as rich as us. So what will we see? Russia is at its end of the beginning. It is not possible to do more on its own in the world. I foresee an alliance with USA (whether it is Hillary or Trump). There will be some areas of conflict, but there will be more areas of cooperation. Russia needs an ally as USA. There is nowhere else to go. They compete too much with China in Asia and the Pacific strategy is bound to collide with China. There is only one way forward: USA. Could it be Europe? After all, Putin was KGB stationed in East Germany so he knows Europe. It could be, but not at a strategic level. Europe is concerned about .. well, Europe. USA is concerned about the world and Russia is a part of Europe, Asia, Middle East, Arctic and Pacific region. That is a world-view which Europe simply has not got. There will have to be compromises and Putin will have to take it down a notch, but it could happen. ‌ and that will be a true renaissance of a great country again with so much to offer the world!
Next Issue ow.
ose n So cl
r elp fo ill h y d stu e st re on ow, so w u. o m yo en ave We h is so clos d value to d It you. can a e do w e nd we et a believ e r e g out th ist you to t o l is a ass There e they can v bellie at extra. S h BRIC So just t e h t on a. h up g at Chin s i n fi ill kin We w ies by loo . r ly count ore, real o m th int e e t r much he utting ed. p s i epar zziba Masi r, so be pr t a oes i e d l c t u a n h f th? w ‘Make Di n o m , t r ’ d a lo t Day ctobe But o ‘Black Ca ile Day’an ure, c ? m mean e Day’, ‘S rather obs . c t le feren Some of i ce a gigg . du more ill pro t s n poeta , c s t e t u o b qu of sics: lot more ! s a l c s d our and a ew writer ... an k review n o rom ry, bo ’ ... also f s ‘thing rd! or wa f k o Lo er.
Octob