Vox pops
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Blogging 101
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3 March 2009 · Volume 68, Number 2 · 021 650 3543 · varsitynewspaper@gmail.com
SAX Appeal: freedom or responsibility? ZERENE HADDAD & NICOLE JONKLASS
THE CONTROVERSY surrounding SAX Appeal resulted in Special Assignment interviewing the editor of the magazine, Maciek Dubla, last Friday. Since the release of SAX Appeal, there has been a large outcry over the perceived antiChristian views of certain articles and cartoons featured in the magazine. VARSITY spoke to Special Assignment senior producer, Cobus van Staden, who said, “it [SAX Appeal] fits into a programme we are doing about political satire in the run up to elections. We look at satirists in the different stages of their careers and the problems they face… We’re trying PREPARED FOR GLORY- 9KPPGTU QH 4#) 1N[ORKEU HTQO 4QEJGUVGT *QWUG TGUKFGPEG ETQUU VJG ſPKUJ NKPG to see how healthy our freedom of speech is, and whether things have KP QPG QH VJGKT JGCVU DGHQTG YKPPKPI VJG ſPCN NCUV 6JWTUFC[ QP ,COOKG 2NC\C 5GG HWNN UVQT[ QP RI changed over the years for people who do controversial satire.” Dubla said, “Special Assignment weren’t looking to attack, they were looking at it from a neutral perspective as opposed to NICOLE JONKLASS Chancellor, Professor Nhlapo. shops that can provide an adequate focusing on aspects of a negative According to a notice posted on service must be allowed to sell nature, such as Errol Naidoo did. They focused on the concept of THE SRC has called on all mem- the SRC Vula site, the petition “is second-hand books on campus. bers of the University to boycott aimed at highlighting how many 2. If Atlas [Books] is selling sec- satire and not just that we were Atlas Books because of what it students are concerned and unhap- ond-hand books, then they must supposedly intending to insult Christianity. Essentially it was feels is the inadequate availability py about the second-hand book advertise the service. of second-hand books and afford- issue on campus and to urge the 3. The University should not enter an interview without prejudice. able books for students. Atlas University to act quickly so that into an exclusive bookshop con- It was far easier to express my thoughts on camera as I believe Books trades on Campus as the poor and cash-strapped students tract in future. UCT Campus Store and its con- are not disadvantaged.” When asked about the com- my words cannot be manipulated. tract with the University stipulates In an interview with VARSITY, plaints the SRC had received from I feel that some newspapers have that it has the sole right to sell SRC Secretary-General Portia students regarding the availability twisted this entire matter into what new and second-hand books on Gama laid out the SRC’s demands of books on Campus, Gama said is advantageous for them, while Campus. as follows: that students had told the body that Special Assignment offers a more The SRC is having a dem- 1. Atlas [Books] must provide “they are unable to find second- real understanding of the situaonstration on Jammie Plaza dur- enough second-hand books to hand books at the [UCT] Campus tion.” The Vice-Chancellor, Dr Max ing Meridian today where they cater for the large student popula- Store”. Price, issued an apology alongside will hand over a petition and a tion that needs them. If they are the RAG Chairperson, Cameron list of demands to Deputy Vice- unable to do so, then other book- Continued on pg 5...
SRC calls for Atlas boycott
Varsity, the official student newspaper since 1942, is committed to the principles of equality and democracy
Arendse, to those offended by the views in the comic piece, “Atheists top ten retorts to fundamentalist Christians.” However this was misconstrued by some as UCT apologising for the magazine as a whole. The Vice- Chancellor rectified this misconception in a statement last week in which he emphasised that “the magazine as a whole is not in question… I believe the magazine is a good one - a typical student offering of satire and humour.” When asked about how this reaction had affected the sales of Sax Appeal on Thursday, 12 February, Arendse responded, “The magazine being pulled off the shelves did not affect the sale of SAX Appeal in any way. The main aim of SAX is to sell most of the magazines on the street, in one day for about five hours.” The money made from the sales goes towards SHAWCO. As reported in our last edition, 35 000 copies were sold in one day. Many of the complaints laid against the magazine called for the “punishment” of the students involved in the production of SAX Appeal, some went as far as to violently threaten members of the Department of Student Affairs. This manner of complaining was condemned by the Vice-Chancellor in his statement. He defended the freedoms of students but added that, “UCT will not discipline the students involved nor will we censor the magazine in the future… We will ensure that our students understand that with every right – also that of expressing oneself – comes a responsibility.” Continued on pg 5...