2009: Edition 2

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Vox pops

High as a kite, SAA

Blogging 101

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UCT rising star page 10

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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...

2 Images by Jade van Blerk

NEWS

Vox pops

UCT societies have their say ... from pg 1

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“I find it really offensive as a Christian. I’m just so shocked; didn’t the editors see it? It’s not even hidden, It’s, like, right there, sticking out at you.� Megan Von Loggenburg BCom Acc 1st year

VOLUME 68 NUMBER 2

VARSITY asked UCT’s faithbased societies whether they thought the ‘Top Ten Atheist Retorts to Fundamentalist Christians’ should have been published: Moosa Hassim, Chairperson of Muslim Students Association (MSA): “It is an unfortunate issue, as it mars a worthy initiative, which supports and enriches the resources available to students to participate in and contribute to community, social and welfare projects in Cape Town. The issue does, however, highlight the responsibility that UCT students, societies and staff who are expressing themselves in the public arena, regardless of the context, must have towards cultural and religious sensitivities of others. This applies both to the piece in question, as well as, regrettably, some of the public complaints which themselves attacked other faiths. We encourage a platform of discussion around

this issue, which is underlined with an ethos of reciprocative respect and tolerance by all.� Lugisani Nefale from the UCT Student Christian Fellowship (SCF) who is a Fellowship Council Chairperson: “The article should not have been published. It was both disrespectful to God and offending to Christians. Atheism is a form of faith and religion on its own since they believe that humans and all that is around us just came from nowhere. RAG should not have promoted the faith of Atheists. UCT management should discipline these ‘loose Atheist believers’ who are running wild in our campus. The Vice Chancellor should not take such publications as freedom of speech, it was an attack on Christians and RAG publishers acted as irresponsible citizens of this country.� Gareth de Vaux, Chairperson of Atheist and Agnostic Society (AAS): “We think that should be up to the RAG editorial

team. We weren’t particularly impressed by the cartoons but defend SAX Appeal’s right to free speech.� David Daniel from His People Society: “We as a society have no objection to the freedom of speech enjoyed by our nation, and specifically the editorial team of SAX Appeal. However, when an individual monopolises that freedom for the purpose of not merely belittling another’s view, but grossly insulting it too, it becomes discriminatory counteractive to the very purpose of free speech, and contradictory to the Constitution. Furthermore, his insults (which we presume were to be aimed at Christians) were misdirected towards our God, and more specifically Jesus, and this is completely unjustifiable, and utterly offensive. These points being noted, we strongly believe that this article should not have been published, as the aforementioned issues should have been recognised, and the article acknowledged as inappropriate.�

Social Justice Coalition launches at UCT

“It’s all in the aid of charity, so it’s really all good fun I guess. It shouldn’t be taken out of context.�

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Lusanda Zibayo BA Law 1st year

“It speaks a lot of truth to both sides; it’s quite profound, and it points out all the contradictions of Christianity which is nice actually.� Ziyanda Kenya BA Film & Media 2nd Year

THE Social Justice Coalition (SJC) launched its UCT branch last Tuesday. A grassroots organisation pushing for political action beyond party politics, the SJC’s launch was aimed at introducing students to the SJC as well as outlining how the UCT branch will function. Various students who are members of the SJC spoke at the launch, addressing such issues as the background of the organisation, its aims and its methods. Also speaking at the launch was Zackie Achmat, founder of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and one of the “conceptual parents� of the SJC. About 80 people, mainly students, attended the launch. The SJC is a Western Cape– based organisation, with three branches in Khayelitsha and one in Kraaifontein. The UCT branch will be the fifth official branch, and a branch in the City is planned. SJC member and UCT student Eitan Stern explained at the launch that the idea behind creating various branches was a focus on

community issues. He said that having different branches would allow SJC members to address issues of safety and security within their own communities. Each branch would deal with issues specific to its location, such as the problem of fire security in Khayelitsha. The UCT branch will be centred on student activism, and will work with other organisations on campus, such as the UCT Student Worker Alliance (UCTSWA) and the Student Society for Law and Social Justice (SSLSJ). Students will be able to join the UCT branch in a variety of capacities – as volunteer, organiser, or educator, among others. Achmat stated that one of the aims of the UCT branch is to “encourage a spirit of activism, which we have lost in this country�. At its inception in June 2008, the SJC was primarily focused on the crisis in Zimbabwe and the defence of the South African Constitution. Stern said that since 2008 the organisation had shifted its focus to issues of safety and security within local communities,

initiating two campaigns with regards to this; the first being a demand for an inquiry into the Arms Deal. As part of this campaign, the SJC recently lead a protest to Parliament, and has called on South African citizens to join the movement. The second campaign is focused on the national elections, scheduled for the 22nd of April. Essentially educational, it is aimed at equipping South African citizens with information that will enable them to cast an informed vote. However, speaking at the launch, SJC member Michael Mbikiwa emphasised that the SJC will in no way try to tell people who to vote for. Kira Schlesinger, also of the SJC, added that the Coalition is not affiliated to any political party. As part of the campaign, the SJC is planning a debate in Jammie Hall between high profile members of political parties including the ANC, DA and Cope. For more information, go to www.socialjusticecoalition.org or email Liat Davis at liat_ davis@hotmail.com

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“Not at all. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. That was just an opinion so there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.�

UCT Student Worker Alliance kicks off 721%$5$ (.,<25

Shanna Williams BBus Sci Fin CA 4th year

“Maybe to those that might be a bit sensitive it could be‌ I think it should not have been published. I don’t think we must attack each other’s religions, we must respect each others religions even if we don’t agree. If you’ve got ideas about somebody else’s religion, please keep it to yourself.â€? Walter Steenekamp BSc 2nd year

ON 26 February, the UCT Student Worker Alliance (UCTSWA) congregated for their 2009 launch. The alliance was created last year in a bid to call on the student community to “stand with the workers against UCT�. UCTSWA is an organisation that, according to one of its founding members, Tara Weinberg, “advocates for better conditions for the workers at UCT�. According to the Alliance, the poor working conditions of the workers are a result of the “outsourcing of certain functions of the University�. Outsourcing began in 1999, when then Vice-Chancellor, Dr Mampele Ramphele, in an effort to rectify what she called the “gross distortions in [UCT’s] salary and wage structures�, proposed that the University hire its “support staff� from external companies (see Monday Paper, 20 September 1999). UCTSWA says that because the University outsources workers, it does not have to provide them with benefits. This, says UCTSWA,

has led to workers’ salaries being cut from approximately R3 000 to a minimum wage of R1 200, and the University increasing the salaries of academic staff. The effects of Rampele’s actions are still being felt by outsourced workers, said a CPS officer who spoke at the launch. Ten years later, workers receive an average salary of approximately R2 200. According to the Officer, workers are hesitant to complain because they are afraid of salary reductions that have occurred in the past when others voiced their discontent. According to UCTSWA, a code that is meant to protect the workers “is not good enough as the code was drawn up without consulting the workers, for whom it aims to provide solutions�. “The University needs to establish formal mechanisms for workers to complain,� said another member Robert Krause, “and recognize its social responsibility to workers�. The Alliance stresses the need for the involvement of the student body in achieving this.

On 18 March UCTSWA will launch a campaign to raise student awareness about the plight of outsourced workers. Through the campaign, the Alliance hopes to encourage students to sign a petition demanding that outsourced workers’ wages be increased. It will present the petition to UCT Management at Bremner on 1 May (Worker’s day). UCTSWA member Lauren Phillips said that the Alliance hopes the petition will lead to workers’ minimum wage being increased to R4 500, and that it will “push UCT to a point where it is no longer feasible [for the University] to outsource their workers�. Audience members at the launch raised concerns about how the pay-rise for workers would be financed. In their response the Alliance said that “students should not be the ones made to pay for UCT Management’s decisions by having their fees hiked�. For more information, join the UCTSWA Vula tab or email uctswa@gmail.com

3

NEWS

A few questions for... Lauren de Vos Image by Marco Balducci

Chairperson of the Green Campus Initiative (GCI)

2. There are colour-coded bins situated all over campus. Can you please elaborate on this new recycling campaign and how students can make use of it? We’ve made it easy by having funky, eye-catching bin lids and by printing which materials go in which bin on the lid - Tin in the Red Bin, Plastic in the Yellow Bin, Paper in the Blue Bin and Organic Waste in the Green Bin - but we’ll carry on educating our community on how to use the system. Look out for our “Waste Talk” in the near future, where we’ll clarify which materials are recyclable, as well as the recycling contract and process – plus we’ll be putting a document on our Vula site that explains how to use the bins. Our waste is collected by Wasteman, is sorted off-site by them and is recycled. 3. Is UCT recycling enough of its waste? Not yet, but the new recycling bins are certainly an achievement, and a step in the right direction. Obviously, the ideal would be to initiate recycling in all of UCT’s residences and buildings, but this will take some time and planning – it’s a long term goal, but is definitely attainable. 4. Is the University’s carbon footprint and the way it makes use of energy acceptable? We need to start moving our campus towards greater sustainability, much like international universities such as Harvard and Stanford have already done. Energy conservation is definitely not yet emphasised enough on our campus – but hopefully the launch of the GCI’s Energy Challenge in the residences this year will go a long way towards reducing electricity usage there and educating students about energy-use.

ResNet Application system goes online KERRYN WARREN AND NICOLE JONKLASS

PLASTIC, TIN, OTHER, PAPER - A UCT student shows that not much effort is needed to keep UCT clean and green. The colour-coded bins are part of a recycling campaign by the Green Campus Initiative. 1. Since the GCI’s inception last year, what has the support from students and staff for the campaign been like? We’ve been delighted at how well received the GCI has been. This year, we managed to recruit over 400 new members, bringing our numbers to over 900 students and staff members. The response to our O-Week Education talks from the first years was phenomenal, and the visits to our Vula site increase daily. It’s very exciting to see, and is hopefully a sign that the UCT community is ready to make our campus sustainable.

Simpler, better, faster?

The GCI, as a student-run body, is working on making what practical, affordable changes we can, and on extending our policy of education to encompass energy. But large-scale changes will be the domain of UCT’s administration and higher governing bodies. A Sustainability Policy has been drawn up for UCT, and has been accepted by Senate, so hopefully we will start seeing changes implemented – sooner, rather than later. 5. Besides the coloured-coded bins project, what other projects does the GCI have regarding recycling and reducing UCT’s carbon footprint? We have 14 projects for the year – they’re outlined on our Vula site. The Building-to-Building project is implementing recycling in Kramer Law Building – we’ll then draw up a report from this and use it as a model to implement recycling in all the buildings on Upper Campus. We’re initiating a Biodiversity Project that will look at indigenous and endemic plant species on campus, as well as water use and conservation in our gardens. We’re very much centred around education - we host talks, screenings and will be doing Green Week again this year - but like to take practical action too. To include those members who can’t commit to a project we’re implementing some fun litter, coastal and freshwater clean ups and doing some alien vegetation clearing too – they’re once-off events in and around Cape Town 6. What recycling projects are you facilitating in UCT residences? The Res Team succeeded last year in including an environmental clause in the catering contract for Fedics for 2009, so that they have to look at recycling and “greening up”. We’re looking at setting up recycling points on Lower Campus at the moment... that will service the residences and surrounding areas for [students] to bring [their] waste from home to recycle. It’s still very much in the planning phase however, and ideas and logistics are constantly being brainstormed. We are definitely continuing with our Exam Paper Recycling Drives in all the residences this year – we collected well over a tonne last exam period!

7. Do you have any tips for students on how they can reduce their carbon footprint while they’re off-campus? The great thing about going green is that it always seems to save you money in the long-term. Switch off lights in unoccupied rooms and unplug unnecessary appliances. Cellphone chargers are a big culprit! DON’T buy plastic bags when out shopping – keep one or two reusable bags in your car or handbag so that you don’t forget. There are some neat tricks, like putting a brick in your toilet cistern, that save litres of water, cost you nothing, and save you hundreds of rands! Share lifts when going out partying – it’s much safer, cheaper and saves on emissions. Get your digs recycling. Look out for companies like Oasis, or visit ecodirectories like Urban Sprout to find out where your nearest depot is. Recycling is very easy to do on a small-scale. Become a conscious consumer – don’t buy heavily packaged goods. Go local - imported goods cause major emissions through transport. And, if you can, try buy organic. It’s way better for your health anyway! 8. Has the GCI Green Police noticed any non-green habits that students on Campus are displaying? The biggest problem at the moment is getting people to put the right waste in the right bins. It’s not rocket science – and we’ll definitely be doing our best to help [students] out by explaining the system over, and over … and over. The litter left on Jammie Plaza is always disappointing – it looks pretty awful too. It’s up to individuals to be conscious of their actions – close taps tightly, don’t leave litter behind, switch off lights when you leave a room/lab etc. We’ll be trying our best this year to keep the awareness coming, but ultimately, each person at UCT is accountable for their actions. You can join the GCI Vula tab, by searching for GCI on the site. There is also a link off the UCT Homepage – visit www.uct.ac.za and follow the link from “About the University; Green Campus Initiative”. All welcome!

THE NEW online Residence Network (ResNet) application process has undergone its biggest test yet, with many new and returning residence students using it for the first time to gain internet access from their rooms. The new process was implemented by the Department of Student Housing and Residence Life (SH & RL) at the beginning of 2008’s second semester. This was to replace the previous process which had come under fire last year from students who experienced delays in gaining internet access or were not able to get connected at all. According to SH & RL IT Facilities Coordinator, Tsebo Litabe, the new application process was put in place to “speed up the process” and to resolve the problems of the previous paperwork-oriented application process that caused the delays. These problems, said Litabe, included unclear handwriting on application forms; delayed delivery of these forms; incorrect details on forms, most of them MAC addresses; and students not keeping their computers or laptops switched on during the day. Litabe said that these problems had been eliminated with the new process, but that “some students are still submitting incorrect details.” These students, he added, “do not read all the necessary information and/or consult House Committee IT Reps as required”. Litabe said that Student Housing was “doing the best we can [to resolve this problem] by referring the students to IT Reps and to troubleshooting documents”. To gain access to the UCT websites, students must register their MAC addresses by emailing it to the ResNet administrator, a process which Litabe says has a turnaround time of at most one day, on weekdays. To gain access

to external websites, students must apply online at www.icts.uct.ac.za. This process has a turnaround time of five seconds. Students had already been registered succesfully from as early as February. There is no cut-off date for ResNet applications. VARSITY spoke to some residence students about the new Resnet application process. “It’s fantastic!” stated Namcheja Maghambe, a third year resident. “I got internet the next day! Last year I had to wait a month. I had to apply twice in first year and still didn’t get it.” Third year student Michael Dube said that last year he “had to run after people to hand in forms [which] turned out to be really messy.” According to Litabe, so far, SH&RL, had received positive feedback from students. He added that they “share these compliments with ICTS.” ICTS is defined as the ‘supplier’ of ResNet services, with SH &RL defined as the ‘customer’ and students as ‘end users’. Litabe said that to produce a “much more efficient service delivery” and to improve the “response time for more complicated problems” SH&RL would be employing students to assist with the administration of ResNet. He added that students could also access readily available information on ResNet at www. resnet.uct.ac.za and the ICTS website. As a message to students, Litabe said that: “ResNet is indeed a learning tool and should be treated as one. It is not a tool for unlawful use of online material.” He urged students to “use ResNet responsibly and refrain from sharing media on the network.”

4

OPINIONS

Responsible journalism? I’M WRITING in regard to your editorial on America, Americans, and America’s election process. I believe that the second half of your article focusing on America’s elections was written intelligently and made me proud to say that I was apart of that process. In America, watching the process was amazing, particularly with young Americans. Many young Americans became excited about politics for the first time because they felt the government was finally going to include them and just maybe it might move away from radical partisanship. The most incredible thing to watch with these young people was the intelligence with which a large majority of them entered the process. They were knowledgeable

about their candidate as well as the other candidates and made their decision on who to support based on those qualities rather than star power. However, the first half of your editorial regarding Americans was openly and unapologetically stereotypical. It made fast judgments of an entire nation of people based on only a few experiences. This is not acceptable from any newspaper and especially not the Editor of a paper that has a readership of well over 20,000 students as well as faculty, and staff. As a newspaper, you are inevitably a pillar of your community or, in this case, campus. Therefore, you have a responsibility to represent and

advocate for the best qualities of your readership and the larger community you are apart of. In the future, I hope you show better judgment in deciding what is acceptable to print in your newspaper and especially what is printed in your column. Finally, I hope you make an effort to get to know more Americans because I think you’ll find your stereotypes will be proven wrong Sincerely, John Schweichler c/o Quinton Redcliffe, CIEE International Academic Programs Office (IAPO)

Not all Americans are the same IN RESPONSE to last weeks Editorial in VARSITY, I felt an obligation to voice a response to the Editor’s address. I don’t like poor writing. There, I said it. Voicing opinions that are unjustified and underdeveloped through the use of stereotypes evokes racism, misogyny, and faulty reason for hatred. I’ve recently become dauntingly aware that the leader of this publication doesn’t like the United States of America or Americans. Unfortunately for me, as an International Student studying at UCT from the US, I am subjected to being one of “them”: an American. It’s not that I don’t understand where the Editor comes from in his (albeit confusing) thesis of disliking Americans. In fact, as a foreigner, I see them everywhere I go – those Americans. They’re boisterous, rude and often

unwilling to abandon their “privileged western” embodiment. Still, I find such a condemning statement hard to swallow. This mindset is not new to me. I grew up in disgrace as a homosexual, child of a failed marriage and left-leaning Socialist. America has clear expectations for how its citizens should turn out—ones I obviously don’t fit. Yet, while I fail at several obligations of being a hegemonic American, I must say that my experience as one formed me into the radicalised being I now am. Having just experienced a pivotal moment in history within my own country, I came to South Africa to appreciate and bear witness to your own discourse; however, my prior expectations of the Post-Apartheid state have now become a reality of what is to come with my visit to the city of

Cape Town. As much of this appears to be self-deprecating, the antiAmerican stigma present in the editorial will not hinder my own experiences of this life-changing trip I’ve spent a year preparing for. I’m left wishing that everybody would truly appreciate their own experiences within and outside of the lecture halls. I’m speaking of an essential humility and necessary humanity which should be compulsory — not as a South African or American, but as a Global Citizen. Benefit and take pleasure in the endeavours of the semester ahead. Mark E. Lampen Albion College, ‘10

design! I challenge everyone to watch two excellent DVD documentaries: The Case for a Creator (irrefutable scientific evidence for a Creator) and The Case for Christ (reliability of the historical evidence about Christ). I will gladly post anyone copies. God doesn’t believe in atheists. We know that atheists already know that there is a God and are without excuse, because God has revealed Himself in His Creation - “the skies proclaim God’s glory” (Psalm 19:1) but they refuse to admit it so that they can continue in their blasphemy, sexual immorality and drunkenness. Atheists are also sub-consciously aware that there is life after death - God has “set Eternity in every person’s heart”. Have you always loved your neighbour and done unto others what you would have them do unto you? Have you ever told

Editorial Hubert H. Humphrey, the 38th Vice-president of the United States of America once said, “Just be what you are and speak from your guts and heart – it’s all a person has”, wise words indeed. In the last edition of VARSITY, I said in my editorial that I didn’t like Americans due to certain stereotypes. Now, nowhere did I say that I act on these feelings, discriminate against Americans or treat them any differently from any other human beings. I simply stated that whilst my view of Americans is blatantly obscured by my personal prejudice, I could still manage to respect them. While it was not my intention to cause offence, I understand fully that it was a consequence of my words and for any offence caused I offer my humble apologies. I was not the only one causing something of a stir in student media. SAX Appeal managed to generate controversy on a far greater scale. If you haven’t picked up a newspaper in the past week or so then allow me to update you. The magazine, which has always been one that is based on ironic humour as well as toilet humour, published a ‘blasphemous’ article using derogatory terms about Christians, Jesus Christ and God. In response, believers came together to castigate the magazine and its staff, demanding an apology from those involved, including UCT senior management. They more or less got what they wanted. UCT offered an unconditional apology for the article and promised to review the magazine’s editorial advisory board, but refused to discipline the students involved. As individuals being educated at a liberal university where such ideals as freedom of speech and expression are driven into us on a daily basis, we must ask ourselves if the apology was necessary and if so, to what degree should the apology have been offered? It is one thing to apologise for offending people, but the Constitution of the Republic allows us to say what we want as long as it does not amount to hate speech. The article(s) in question does not try to convince anybody to discriminate against religious peoples nor does it attempt to mobilise people against Christianity. It was simply a crass article meant to make people laugh. On the other hand, the university clearly wants to come across as being accepting and tolerant of all people, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity, but should this agenda be forced onto a magazine that is blatantly and purposefully disrespectful of not only Christians, but many other denominations as well? What bothered me most about the opposition to the article was the fact that many of the complaints contained rhetoric that was hugely Islamophobic. Some complaints suggested that if the article had been about Allah or the Prophet Muhammed that there would have been a violent reaction. One person even suggested that if the article had been about Muslims that UCT would have been placed on a “hit list.” At the end of the day, people need to accept that life isn’t a bed of roses and sometimes we are going to be offended by what others say. Does this give us the right to protest through written and verbal complaints? Sure. Does it give us the right to be irrationally abusive and make excessive demands? No. Enjoy the edition,

newsgathering

Christian retorts NOT ONLY were the blasphemous cartoons published in this year’s SAX Appeal and other smut contained therein offensive to me as a Christian, but no doubt were offensive to thousands of Christian UCT students and many of the Christian volunteers of charities that RAG supports through its fundraising. I appreciate the public apology issued by the University, however, since I do not believe in simply complaining to and about “the messenger”, I have responded to the “Top Ten Atheist Retorts to Fundamentalist Christians” with my own “Christian Retorts to Fundamentalist Atheists”: We have evidence that demands a verdict. Faith in a Creator and Christ is not a blind leap into the dark but a step into the light. The beauty and order in creation testifies to the fact that there is an Intelligent Designer behind the intelligent

VOLUME 68 NUMBER 2

a lie? Have you ever taken something that did not belong to you? Have you ever looked with lust or been envious of others? If God was to judge you by the standard of The Ten Commandments, would you be innocent or guilty? Would you go to Heaven or to Hell? God is Holy and part of His goodness is His justice. Because He is a good judge, He cannot let the guilty go unpunished. But there is good news. Yes, Jesus was a “tool”. He was a tool of God’s love and His justice. Jesus took the punishment you deserved. If you will turn from your sin and put your trust in Him to save you, He will give you the gift of eternal life and you can enter into a relationship with Him. Taryn Hodgson

next newsgathering Thursday meridian, 5 March 2009 in LS2C

2009 collective editor Seamus Duggan deputy editor Zerene Haddad chief sub editor Maciek Dubla sub editors Cayleigh Bright, Jackie Zvoutete, Jonas Kane, Louise Ferreira dtp editor Wei Mao dtp assistant Tiisetso Mngomezulu operations manager Tina Swigelaar images Simone Millward photographers Anita Buramu, Zakareeya Pandey, Jade van Blerk news Nicole Jonklass opinions Tatenda Goredema features Remy Ngamije & Tara Leverton sport Daniel Freund & William Clerke finance & advertising team Megan Lyons & Nadia Read marketing & brand manager John-Ross Hugo & Celeste Adonis IT managers Irfaan M Imamdin & Michael Dube staff writers Olivia Walton, Tonbara Ekiyor, Kerryn Warren, Moss Matheolane, Calvin Scholtz, Sarah Jackson, Rob Scher external contributors Taruziwa Madangombe, Berndt Hannweg, Mathew Milne, Kantrell Betancourt, Tiffany Mugo, Liam Kruger, Luyolo Manganane tel 021 650 3543 fax 021 650 2904 email varsitynewspaper@gmail.com location 5th Floor, Steve Biko Student Union Building, Upper Campus advertising email Megan Lyons on megan@meganlyons.co.za or fax her on 021 650 2904. Rates and other information available upon request.

disclaimer The VARSITY Opinions section is a vehicle for expression on any topic by members of the University or other interested parties. The opinions within this section are not necessarily those of the VARSITY Collective. The Opinions Editor reserves the right to edit or shorten letters. Letters should include the name and telephone number of the writer, and must be received by 5pm on the Wednesday before publication. They should not exceed 350 words, and will not be published under a pseudonym, or anonymously.

5

NEWS

Pimp My Book prohibited on campus Continued from pg 1... She added that: “Other students have complained about the monopoly that [UCT] Campus Store was given over new and used books. They feel it disadvantages student enterprises.” The exclusive right that the UCT Campus Store has to sell books on campus, means that student-owned second-hand book vendors Pimp My Book and EuroBooks can no longer legally operate on campus. Gama told VARSITY that the SRC had tried to contact Atlas Books to establish if they were providing enough second-hand books on Campus to cater to the needs of the “large student population that is need of them”. She said that Atlas Book’s response was “uncooperative”. Atlas Books did not respond to any of VARSITY’s queries. Gama also said that the SRC had “tried to use other channels to address the students concerns about the availability of second hand books”, but that these attempts were “unsuccessful.” SRC President Chris Ryall writes in his VARSITY column this week that the SRC is “busy negotiating a deal with Juta Books in Claremont (near Cavendish) which will see UCT students obtain discounts on all their textbooks.” Now Pimping at Pick ‘n Pay In an interview with VARSITY, Pimp My Book (PMB) representative Seithati Mofokeng said that, the Department of Student Affairs (DSA) had given

the student-run second-hand book vendor permission to operate in Molly Blackburn Hall, in June last year. She said that this had been done even though their contract had not been finalised at the time and that the DSA had said it would “sort out the contract issues later”. The Executive Director of the DSA, Moonira Khan, told VARSITY that PMB “did not have a contract with the University”. Mofokeng said that after a month of operating on campus, PMB received a letter from the owner of UCT Campus Store, informing them that the Store had the sole right to sell books on campus and that PMB therefore had to close down. She added that the UCT Campus Store owner had also sent a letter to the owner of the neighbouring stall, underneath the library, “telling him that he shouldn’t sell stationery” for similar reasons. After consulting the DSA, PMB was told that they had to vacate their stall, but that this “was a decision coming from the Registrar’s office”, said Mofokeng. The Registrar did not to reply to VARSITY’s queries. According to Mofokeng, PMB continued to operate on campus “to do book collections from graduating students in December”. VARSITY asked Mofokeng whether PMB thought it was fair that they were being dissallowed from operating on campus. Mofokeng said that the business questioned why the DSA allowed them to operate on campus “when they knew or when they should have known about the existence of

a monopoly on the campus?” PMB also questioned if the move was in the interested of the student body. “Why are we pretending as if there isn’t an economic situation all around? Why are we pretending as if we don’t know that textbooks are expensive,” asked Mofokeng. “And then the other question is what do we do about the students that are putting up notices [to sell textbooks]?” asked Mofokeng, adding that “Is that not a secondhand textbook market?” “What we’re doing is not something new” stated Mofokeng, “adding that the only thing that [the business] did was to formalise the process [and] bring the customer and the seller together.” Mofokeng said that PMB had sent letters of complaint to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Nhlapo, the DSA and the SRC. She said that the SRC had reviewed UCT Campus Store’s contract with the University and found that it was “solid”. “For myself, personally, that was not satisfying,” said Mofokeng, adding that she would have preferred it if the SRC had called a meeting with PMB to discuss the matter. “Since then they were like, no we will pursue it further, we will support you. But it’s been three weeks [without progress].” Mofokeng said that she had signed the SRC’s above-mentioned petition, but didn’t know if it was related to their complaint to the SRC. She said the SRC did not inform PMB about the Atlas Books -boycott. Pimp My Book is now operating outside Pick ‘n Pay Rondebosch.

And then there were twelve SRC loses another member NICOLE JONKLASS AYANDA Dhladhla has resigned from the Student Representative Council (SRC). Dhladhla, who held the Day Houses portfolio, has been academically excluded from UCT and will therefore not be able to complete his term in office. SRC President Chris Ryall told VARSITY that Dhladhla “is pursuing his studies at another institution and thus will not continue to serve on the SRC”. Dhladhla, who contested the 2008 SRC election under the banner of the South African Students Congress (SASCO) is the third member from this body to resign from the SRC this year. In our last edition, VARSITY reported that the resignations of former SRC Deputy Secretary-General Sabelo Mcinziba and former Health, Safety & Security Coordinator Babongile Mandela were pending. Ryall has since told VARSITY that he had still not received official letters of resignation from either Mcinziba or Mandela. However, because Mcinziba and Mandela have not registered for any academic programmes at UCT this year, they are ineligible as SRC members. The SRC now consists of 12 members. Sticking to a dozen Ryall stated that the SRC held a special meeting last Tuesday to decide on whether new members would be added to the SRC. “At this meeting all three vacan-

cies were discussed, and it was decided, by majority vote, not to co-opt or hold bi-elections to fill the vacancies,” said Ryall. According to Ryall, the main reason for why the SRC did not want to fill the vacant post was because the body felt sure that the people in the SRC at the moment are the best people for the job, and that [they] will be able to pick up the slack and comfortably achieve the objectives set at the beginning of [their] term of office. However, one SRC member voted against the decision not to fill the vacant posts. “I respect their stance completely and will work to ensure that their concerns are addressed,” added Ryall. The Constitutional Committee will meet this Friday to decide whether to ratify the SRC’s decision, after which the SRC will refer the matter to Student Assembly for further consultation. Ryall said that: “It is important to note that past precedent suggests that [this] course of action is not at all in contravention of the relevant sections of the SRC constitution, section 12.1.” SRC members Anton Taylor and Nevena Kostic will henceforth share responsibility over the Day Houses portfolio. The duties of the Health, Safety & Security portfolio will be divided amongst Shannon Bernhardt, Sara Reith and Mzwa Kweyama. SRC Secretary-General Portia Gama will also preside over the Deputy Secretary-General portfolio.

Safety first at RAG Olympics 2009 SARAH JACKSON

Images by Zakareeya Pandey

STUDENTS braved the merciless sun last Thursday as RAG Olympics 2009 brought in a 2500strong crowd on Jammie Plaza during Meridian. The annual event involves teams of students racing to complete a unique obstacle course, and is used by RAG to raise funds for SHAWCO. It is an age-old tradition enjoyed by students as they bid farewell to Oweek and settle into the tedium of assignments and tutorials. According to RAG representative Shannon Cumming, RAG took steps to revamp the Olympics this year. “We needed something new. Especially after last year, we wanted to change the image,” said Cumming.

Safety precautions were also revised in light of the accident last year in which an intoxicated contestant was rushed to hospital after sustaining an injury while diving head first down Jammie Steps. Cumming said that, “Precautions were taken this year that weren’t taken last year. For example, the participants weren’t allowed to dive down [Jammie Steps] headfirst. They had to sit on wooden boards and wear helmets.” The wooden boards were tested by the RAG committee before the event. A paramedic was on site and all contestants were breathalysed before being allowed to participate. Spurred on by the grand prize of a four day trip down the Orange River, contestants fervently threw

themselves into the challenges which included lifting their team mates over haystacks, bobbing for apples and, for one unlucky team member, downing a onelitre mixture of Cream Soda and Tabasco sauce. UCT radio djs entertained the crowd, while the twelve teams were whittled down to two who battled it out in a heated final. Cumming explained that the obstacle course was modified this year in order to comply with new University regulation regarding Plaza events. “Instead of having numerous events throughout the week all events were combined into the obstacle course. This was also because of new UCT policy [which states that] we are only allowed to make noise during

Meridian on a Thursday”. An all-male team from Rochester House won the event. Only one all-female team, from Fuller Hall, competed in the Olympics. Much to the relief of hot supporters, RAG Olympics sponsor Cornetto sold a variety of ice-creams. The RAG Committee also sold boerewors roles, with profits going towards SHAWCO. First Year spectators told VARSITY that they enjoyed the energetic atmosphere of the event. “The RAG Olympics was so much fun. I never realised how high UCT was in spirit and it’s so much greater than high school. It was just amazing,” said a First Year Humanities student. Second Year Actuarial Science student Lesego

Tladinyane, however found the event “disappointing”. “There was more danger last year. There was no blood and ambulances [attending to students] this year,” said Tladinyane. He also said that he felt contestants should be allowed to drink before the event. With the event finishing timeously at 13:45, RAG officials were able to breathe a sigh of relief as these Olympics went smoothly with no noticeable hitch and their contestants all going home in one piece. “Our whole Comm was very happy with the event,” said Cumming, adding that, “It went smoothly and we all enjoyed it.

OPINIONS

VOLUME 68 NUMBER 2

Whose job is it anyway? ZERENE HADDAD

“...There is no grey scale of morality when it comes to Zimbabwe: there are those who are Zanu-PF and then there is everybody else...” from the worst cholera epidemic since the 1930s, where maize is imported solely for the production of beer because the government decrees it so, whilst millions are starving and people harvest maggots out of loved ones’ bodies when they collect them from the morgues, there is no such thing as “apolitical”. There is no grey scale of morality when it comes to Zimbabwe: there are those who are Zanu-PF and then there is everybody else - which may or Photo courtesy of cdn.wn.com

‘TIS THE season to be fasting: Lent is here and all “good” Catholics are guilt-ridden for one reason or another. I would like to send a memo out that the number one spot on the Guilt Chart belongs to people who have the misfortune of being Catholic and Zimbabwean. Guilt plagues me everyday. I feel guilty that I am a student at UCT; that I can buy any basic grocery on any day from any shop. I feel guilty because I don’t live in fear and because I can drink water from the tap. My list of “things to feel guilty over” is as long as Zanu-PF’s list of atrocities. Why all this guilt? It’s quite simple - not only do I feel like I managed to escape a life of oppression, but I am burdened by the thought that I cannot make a difference from outside the country. It’s hard to believe in the ideal that education and empowering myself in order to make a difference in the future, is the best possible solution when I’m posting toothpaste home. I remember coming to UCT and thinking that I could join Zimsoc and through them help advocate for change. I had visions of students protesting; after all, there are thousands of Zimbabweans at UCT alone, never mind greater Cape Town. I dreamt of those days when governments heeded

the call of the youth for change. I must have been tripping out on something. Zimsoc, for the past three years, has declared itself “apolitical”. Now, let me explain in laymen’s terms: “apolitical” translates directly to “pro-Zanu- PF”. In a country where people are dying

HUMAN SUFFERING - Zimsoc chooses to be “apolitical” in a time that demands action

A crew of fools MACIEK DUBLA

may not mean you are an MDC supporter. What incenses me further is that when confronted about being apolitical and utterly useless as a conduit for speaking out, the response from members of Zimsoc over the years has been: “You should be careful because you know… your families still live in Zim.” Is it just me, or am I being told to watch what I say and do at a university that upholds the freedoms of the South African constitution? I thought I was protected by the laws governing this country. Mugabe’s regime should not be able to infiltrate this university, and students should not be living in fear here. The freedoms upheld in the South African constitution should be seen as a resource at our disposal. For the diaspora, it is difficult to actually prevent a Zimbabwean child from starving. I’m not saying that activism is the only solution, but at the very least we ought to have our voices heard. Freedom of expression and association are rights which weren’t won in vain and it is verging on disrespectful when we do not employ these rights to protect the suffering. There have been marches organised by the Save Zimbabwe Now campaign, SRCs and the like, but not once have I ever seen Zimsoc rally students for a protest. The other day I confronted an executive member of this year’s committee on their overall ineptitude and was told that first Zimsoc needed to “have parties” to attract followers and then they would try and collect “goods” later in the year. Hmmm, yes, I can see how that works - the later you leave it, the more dead Zimbabweans there will be which means less people to collect for it’s far more economically viable. I challenge Zimsoc 2009 to make a difference, regardless of who pays daddy’s salary; to accept the responsibility that as the privileged few receiving a tertiary education, we are bound by our humanity to speak up for the oppressed and to do everything within our means to assist Zimbabweans. Or perhaps we are to be the generation that idly sat by and watched?

THERE is a saying that goes: “reputation is character, minus what you’ve been caught doing”. If this is the case then South African Airways (SAA) has just about shot its reputation – and character, mind you – in the proverbial foot. To make matters worse, it isn’t only their national reputation that has been razed, but internationally, they are nothing short of the biggest joke around. Frankly, they only have themselves to blame. It was on Tuesday, 20 January, that 15 SAA crew members – five men and 10 women – were caught at Heathrow Airport trying to make some extra cash. Airport officials found 50kg of dagga with a street value of R2.6 million and 4kg of cocaine estimated at R2.3 million. It was embarrassing, to say the least, to hear about our own crew members being caught trying to smuggle drugs internationally. One can imagine that since they got it through Johannesburg, and we all know how easy that must have been, they clearly thought they could get it through Heathrow too. They were wrong, and needless to say, South Africa’s reputation took a considerable blow. However, it was what happened about four weeks later that really showed just how absolutely dim-witted and utterly brainless some people are. As expected, after having caught the South African drug smugglers first time round, Heathrow tightened their security. One would think this was impossible, but apparently, the security got tighter. So much so that if you even thought of doing anything illegal, they would catch you and remove you from society. Yet, on Monday, 16 February, another 15 SAA crew members – this time nine men and six women – were caught at Heathrow Airport, once again, with 5kg of cocaine at an estimated street value of R3.6 million. There is definitely no cure for stupidity and clearly no lack of it amongst the SAA crew. How down-right foolish do you have to be to try smuggling drugs, in an SAA-labeled corporate bag, into a country where their security is tighter than a hamster’s rearend? This is Heathrow Airport we’re talking about, not some desolate airstrip in the middle of the Gobi Desert – or Johannesburg. By this point, South Africa had

Photo courtesy of llnw.creamermedia.co.za

6

fashioned itself a new reputation; quite simply, a nation of senseless fools. And that’s putting it lightly. In the midst of trying to restore South Africa’s reputation in anticipation of the 2010 World Cup, it blows my mind that there are still people out there who would be selfish enough to only cause greater damage to what is already an extensive wreck. Isn’t it enough that South Africa has to deal with crime internally without having to take it beyond our borders and destroy what little dignity we have left? Understandably it isn’t every South African that is smuggling drugs, because Lord knows we wouldn’t be hosting the World Cup by this point, but we are all well aware that the world is quick to generalise and what may be the fault of a few – in this case 30 – people becomes the reputation bestowed upon the entire population. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be known as “that guy from the country where the airline crew members tried to smuggle in drugs through one of the most secure airports in the world. Twice!” Nor do I want to feel like a criminal every time I set foot in Heathrow Airport. I want to be proud of my country and to a certain degree, I am. But it is becoming increasingly hard to do so when there are people out there messing it up for the others who are trying to hold onto the last shreds of patriotism they have. I’m not saying this doesn’t happen in other countries, but I’d really prefer it if we weren’t that country whose crew members – or anyone else – get caught trying to smuggle drugs. Can’t we at least try? Surely it can’t be that difficult.

TIFFANY MUGO “OUT OF sync”, “in disarray”, “facing imminent collapse” are some of the phrases one can use to describe the powerhouse that is the African National Congress (ANC). The party is plagued by wave after wave of scandal and drama ranging from possible arrests to name forging at a crucial time in the political cycle. But despite these “shortcomings”, let me place this question within the realms of political thought: is irreversible harm being done to this Goliath? Let’s explore these supposed failures: The ANC leadership has indulged in some corruption waltzes that would make members of the mafia blush. There have even been articles published asking whether the ANC is threatening the rule of law through their various actions and misdemeanors. This is a concern we should all share as when someone finds themself in a

position where those who set the rules do not follow them, nothing but anarchy can surely follow. It starts with the leading party, then government; next thing we know we are all throwing stones, flashing people and generally being social problems. The most prominent example of “operation above the law” that we are faced with is the Niehaus incident. Forging signatures for a loan? What next, getting Zuma to sign for your car? Rumours that members of the ANC allowed his dealings do not help matters. It is stated in the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, a person in “a position of authority who knows or reasonably suspects another person has committed fraud or forgery involving R100 000 or more must report it to the police”. Not doing so is a criminal offence. So are the ANC officials above this? Should Niehaus’ political past make him

Photo courtesy of southafrica-pig.blogspot.com

ANC: our angels with dirty faces? AT ODDS AND SPLIT ASUNDER the ANC faces internal turmoil

exempt from legislature? Chew on that for a second. Throw Jacob Zuma’s pending corruption trial into the mix and you have got yourself one hell of a stew, something that many will find hard to swallow, but weirdly enough a significant number will gladly gobble up. But I personally think it smells funny, has lumps in it and I won’t eat it. So does the fact that they seem

to function in a realm above the law concern the populace enough to want to clip the wings of these high flyers? Funnily enough, no. There have been many whisperings of the end of the ANC dynasty with parties such as COPE breathing new life into a corpse of a political realm and with the recent aforementioned happenings, it would seem like a new era is on the horizon. But let’s slow down a minute before we crash, is the ANC star really setting? My gut says no. A recent move - very strategic, I might add - was the recent appearance of Nelson Mandela at an ANC rally. This showed that the leviathan is not out of bullets yet. By-elections rang with the same tone. In the municipal byelections held across the country last week, the ANC won 23 out of 27 wards contested. But there isn’t only sunshine in the sky with a couple of losses to COPE, but

the fact still remains the alarm that should be present is distinctly absent. The masses still seem to be speaking in the tone, albeit not as loudly as before. Today as I waited for a shuttle, I saw a young man step off with a Jacob Zuma shirt with “Vote ANC” on the back. I therefore found the evidence that it is not merely the unwashed masses, as political theorists term them, who follow suit and shut up. The learned elite, too, are apparently unable to see the wood for the trees. It’s obvious that the sun isn’t setting quite yet on the ANC as despite their dealings, they still enjoy the popularity of an easy cheerleader. But the winds of change are coming. They may be just a whisper, but remember the wings of a butterfly can cause a hurricane in another part of the world. This might just be that butterfly.

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OPINIONS

SRC COLUMN SOMETIMES UCT management really gets it wrong. Last year, when the registrar’s office signed the contract with Atlas Books giving them the exclusive right to sell textbooks on campus, was one of those times. The contract between UCT and Atlas, who operate the Campus Book Store, has prevented student-run businesses such as ‘Eurobooks’ and ‘Pimp My Book’ from providing secondhand textbooks to students on campus. This is unacceptable. If Atlas wants a monopoly at UCT they need to provide UCT students with the best possible service, and this includes the provision of an extensive range of second-hand textbooks. Portia Gama, the SRC Secretary-General, was mandated by the SRC to investigate the reasons behind the lack of second-hand textbooks on campus and to suggest a way forward. Unfortunately, our attempts to discuss the issue with the owner of Atlas Books have been unsuccessful. He is not interested in listening to the students and seems certain that our cries of protest will go away if he ignores us for long enough. This should not be tolerated and something must be done to make sure that we do not find ourselves in this situation again next semester. The SRC is calling on the entire UCT community to boycott the Campus Book Store and Atlas Books in Rondebosch until they agree to provide enough second-hand textbooks to meet the needs of UCT students. We are also busy negotiating a deal with Juta Books in Claremont (near Cavendish) which will see UCT students obtain discounts on all their textbooks. We will be holding a protest on Tuesday, 3 March on Jammie Plaza at 1pm, where we will hand over a ‘Memorandum of Discontent’

to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nhlapo. In addition, a petition has been distributed to residences and Faculty Councils and I encourage all of you to sign it as it will add weight to our calls for action. On a separate note, the SRC has been receiving a lot of complaints regarding the quality of residence catering. In an effort to better understand the problem, we sent two SRC members to each residence last Monday. They ate the food and handed out surveys to students. Sara, the Residence Co-ordinator, is busy compiling a report based on the answers you gave us, which we will then use to put pressure on Student Housing to fix the problems as quickly as possible. Finally, the second panel discussion in the ‘2009: Ignorant Free Vote’ campaign takes place on Wednesday, 4 March in the African Studies Gallery (next to the Leslie Commerce Building). This campaign is being run by Amanda, the Vice PresidentExternal, and aims to encourage political discussion, debate and critical thought. This week’s discussion will centre on South Africa’s foreign policy and all major political parties will be represented. It is hard to believe that we have only been back for two weeks. I’m sure that your academics are already in full swing and that your stress levels are increasing every day. When things get really hectic and stress starts to get the better of you, just look back at the mountain, relax, and remember how truly lucky we all are to be studying at a place like UCT. Enjoy your week. Chris Ryall SRC President

Reasonable Doubt

VOLUME 66 NUMBER 8

Cry the beloved student TATENDA GOREDEMA OVER the period of the last few days I had the option to write about a variety of issues currently relevant on campus for as a great man once said, “we live in interesting times.” Some of the issues that spring to mind are the furore surrounding a piece on Christianity in SAX Appeal, the recent visit of Kumi Naidoo and the Save Zimbabwe Now campaign, the SRC losing two members, and the political debate that took place on campus some days ago. All of these are important and key issues but all of them pale in comparison to the recent re-launch of the ANCYL on campus. The re-launch was scheduled to happen last Tuesday on Upper Campus. It was scheduled to coincide with the election of a Branch Executive Committee (BEC). It was scripted as a public meeting, with posters that encouraged public attendance without prerequisite conditions. I had previously met with a member of the ANCYL to enquire about the location and time of the event and he confirmed that all were welcome to attend. However, on Tuesday, the nature of the event had been changed. A source said that a certain member of the ANCYL made calls to persuade members of the party to vote a certain way in the meeting when it took place. The source also confirmed that a text message was sent out stating that the meeting would

no longer include a BEC election despite the preceding fact. A member of VARSITY was barred entry at the meeting despite its advertised public nature, thus bringing into question whether certain members of the ANCYL know what “public meeting” means.

“...It is sad to see these kinds of things happen. I cannot blame the entire ANCYL but only the reported behaviour of a few, who would call themselves leaders...” Once the doors were closed and student media was barred, voting for the BEC did in fact take place, and Trevor McArthur was confirmed as president of the ANCYL after running uncontested. The election for the BEC was allegedly full of irregularities and undemocratic. It is sad to see these kinds of things happen. I cannot blame the entire ANCYL, but only the reported behaviour of a few, who would call themselves leaders.

It is this kind of thing that encourages apathy amongst the youth. Politics on campus should be better than this: students ought to look with pride at leaders of parties and student societies, but how can they when some of these so called leaders deal in dishonesty and deceit. I find it repugnant and deplorable that petty politics seem to be more important than improving students’ lives at this great university, and that personal goals are placed above those of the collective. Whilst some are campaigning against injustice in Zimbabwe, and others are taking steps to improve voter knowledge, a leader who purports to be a cadre and a comrade is running around creating erroneous impressions. As I write this column I am fully aware that there will be those who will make an issue of the criticism given here, there will be those who will accuse me of having a partisan agenda, and there will be those who will think that this is a personal vendetta and demand public apologies and retractions. To those unfortunate people I would only wish luck in developing a mind capable of analysing and understanding situations. Once again I find myself quoting Edward Kennedy who once said, “It is important to take issues seriously, but never to take ourselves too seriously.” This must become so if student, not individual, goals are to prevail at this institution.

Tripartite incest: fun for everyone I’M NOT going to repeat what everyone already knows from high school history. COSATU, launched in 1985, the ANC, and SACP, known collectively as the Tripartite Alliance - had an indispensable role in instigating social change and successfully uniting workers with different political beliefs into one resistance movement. One would think that by the 1994 elections, the three organisations would reminisce about wars fought and won, exchange fond farewells and go their separate ways. But a few decades, a social revolution, changing political and economic policies and three landslide election victories later, these three parties are still in bed with one another. Their alliance is not fooling even the least politically astute. Why, then. are the parties keeping up their incestuous relationship with one another? Unfortunately, South Africans have got into the bad habit of being unable to criticise a previous liberation organisation regardless of their post-1994 actions and the SACP and COSATU are no exceptions. This, coupled with the fact that without the ANC, the SACP

Photo courtesy of flickr.com/Miriam Mannak

SARAH JACKSON

would not even get a glimpse of parliament, let alone an actual seat. They therefore tow the line, motivated by job offers, pats on the head, and the bit of reflected glory that their former “comrades in the struggle” offer. It has reached the point where the SACP will not publish a manifesto because it will inevitably have to question the current budget and economic policy which increasingly encompasses the interests of the middle class and is definitely not swinging towards nationalisation.

SACP Deputy General-Secretary Jeremy Cronin even had to apologise for voicing concerns that the ANC might be taking on a few dictatorial characteristics of Mugabe’s Zanu-PF. Therefore instead of providing a “critical socialist engagement” with the ANC, the SACP has become the embodiment of the old saying “evil flourishes when good men do nothing”. This brings up bed buddy number three, COSATU. Where the SACP lacks political

backbone, the trade union has plenty, considering it is not even a political organisation. Historically, COSATU changed its policy from worker-concentrated to populist, and agreed to represent the worker in home and community spheres as well as in the workplace. Effective as it was in the 1980s, surely it is time for the union to go back to its original, worker roots. According to the official COSATU website, their policies are still to improve the labour conditions of the working class, organise the unorganised and ensure worker participation in the struggle for peace and democracy. With 30% of all economically active people in South Africa unemployed, there have never been more people to organise. With the working environment worse than it was in the 1970s, conditions have never been in greater need of improvement. And isn’t the third one done and dusted by now? But, instead of championing the rights of the majority, the majority that voted in and gave the ANC two thirds of the electorate, COSATU - like the SACP - uses its position and influence to get comfortable seats in the government. The Union has gone from being a virulent

force, channelling the oppression of the majority for social change, to one that prefers to fight selected battles behind closed doors. They make huge compromises, such as the Labour Relations Act, which makes it extremely difficult for workers to organise legal strikes without various mediation obligations. COSATU’s unhealthy obsession with defending the ANC to the death is limiting their ability to do what they were established to do in the first place: to fight for worker’s rights. The political Tripartite Alliance incest no longer serves the interests of the people as it did three decades ago. The ANC shamelessly uses its allies to gain the votes of workers desperate for the change that has been promised to them and the SACP and COSATU spend their time compromising their values and their supporters’ rights in order to create comfortable and conflict-free lives for those at the top. It remains to be seen which organisation will be the first to find the courage to end ties with their former allies and begin to instigate the promise that they made over 30 years ago.

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FEATURES

VOLUME 68 NUMBER 2

LIAM KRUGER WE’VE all been there: everyone’s been a freshman. Well, everyone except depressive high school dropouts, I guess, but who cares about them anyway? They’re losers. In fact, I’d say there’s only one demographic that’s made up of losers: freshmen. What’s that? I was a first year once too? Don’t be silly, I repressed those memories months ago. Unfortunately, in these reckless days where interyear mingling is accepted, nay, encouraged, weeding out these first-year parasites gets harder and harder. Fortunately, we at VARSITY, who have committed ourselves to the task of tracking down the “freshers”, have spotted the one unmissable tell-tale sign. Is it that nervous, I-just-wetmyself look? The “Orientation 2009” booklets they naively carry around with them? No, no, friends. It’s more obvious still: it’s the walk. Take a look around you the next time you’re on campus. Notice a few students walking around, briskly, with a slight scowl on the face? Maybe there’s an iPod jammed deep up their ears, blasting “MCR” or “FoB”? Maybe they’re even talking on their phones, as if there’s a friend of theirs on the line? Dead giveaway – it’s a first year. We fresher-hunters like to call this particular move “The Storm” – and no, this needn’t have anything to do with poor-quality rugby, but it can, if you like. These kids are alone, they’re probably lost, but don’t want anyone to know about it, so they make sure they get wherever they’re going promptly, with much stomping of feet. And that

+OCIG EQWTVGU[ QH VTCHſEUKIU EQO

Walks like a (fresh)man The toilet manifesto

scowl’s there to show you that no, they’re not alone because they don’t know anybody yet, they’re alone because they don’t need your stupid friendship. For extra points, see if they’re busily checking their watches as if they’re late for something important. Dumb call, kids: real students never have anywhere important to be. And they sold their watches to pay their bar tabs weeks ago. Of course, “different strokes”, as the saying goes, “for different folks”, which is patently ridiculous because I’m talking about first years’ walking habits. They’re fairly unlikely to have a stroke within the first few weeks of university, regardless of what you say about the canteen’s health risks. So let’s say “different kinds of walking for different people and different purposes” - because that’s so much smoother on the tongue.

“The Storm” isn’t for everyone; some opt for “The Stroll”, which is almost the exact opposite of “The Storm”. Watch those freshmen with those mad grins hewed onto their faces, swinging their arms, and throwing out their legs like they’re the most welcome people on the campus. They pretend that this is their home, and that they’re totally familiar with everything and everyone in it. For extra alertness, look out for their trademark aviator shades – worn to hide the fear in their eyes. There are many other forms of devious first-year locomotion: “The Strut”, “The Float” - you know who you are - and “The Fandango”, but the main two outlined above should be enough to weed out the majority of the brood. So happy hunting, readers; “let no first-year go unpestered”, is one of our many mottos here at VARSITY.

Rob Scher investigates the dark, dingy and smelly world of the unsung toilet artists - people expelled from the society of respectable humour AS A Politics student, I have learnt that one of the most important features of a democracy is the right to free speech. Free speech is great - it allows for clever satirists such as Zapiro, as well as even the occasional Umshimi Wam from the nice young chaps of the ANC Youth League. Why, even in this article I can express my right by saying something controversial like, “I enjoy having sex with Mowbray hookers, but always brush my teeth after, thus protecting myself from Aids!” With such grand outlets as national newspapers, television or even the majestic VARSITY for people to express their views, it makes complete sense for the elite of UCT to exercise this great freedom of speech on that timeless of platforms – the toilet wall. If you are lucky enough to happen upon one of these great murals that pay homage to the fine education we receive at UCT, you may come across such gems as “Homosexuals are gay and must die” or my personal favourite, “Jews caused 9/11”. Although I’m quite sure that homosexuals are aware that they are gay and

that the professors at the Politics department might question the references to the 9/11 theory, it’s nevertheless a great service that these illustrious graffiti authors are paying us all. By putting this information in easy-to-read places it provides both interesting points for conversation and a light read while taking a piss. Another great feature of this academic pursuit is the opportunity for peer review. Many of the views expressed on the walls have been annotated by other “budding” freedom writers. Memorable toilet scribbles include the existential comment “Steve was here” which later had the words “was here” scratched out and replaced by “is gay” or the family favourite, “I had sex with your mom”, to which a witty person replied, “my mom’s dead” – touché Mr Toilet Tolstoy. So the next time you fail that English assignment or have your white-supremacist meeting cancelled, don’t take your anger out on the nearest person. Simply write down your hate-speech on the nearest toilet wall – it won’t take off marks for bad grammar.

Dominoes by Dylan De Villiers

disclaimer The VARSITY section is a vehicle for expression. The views expressed in the Humour section are not necessarily those of the advertisers or staff of VARSITY newspaper, or the University of Cape Town. Any resemblence of the cartoon characters to real life people is purely accidental.

Adventures in Weaveland

by Che Mauritz & Remy Ngamije

TRAGEDY ENSUES!

9

FEATURES

The UCT guide to blogging

MATHEW MILNE

“ANIME,” you say with brighteyed innocence, the word ringing strangely in your ears, “isn’t that like Pokémon and, um, that Dragon Ball thing?” Not entirely true. Anime is an action-packed world filled to the brim with ninjas, ample bosoms, and hair more perfect than Johnny Depp. Anime spans nearly every genre of fiction, from romance to scifi to giant robots to porn (or hentai) featuring girls, guys and sometimes even dinosaurs. Quick - wipe that drool away. Anime has been around since 1917 and uses an animation style that is very different from Western productions, although Disney styles did play a role in the shaping of anime techniques. Osamu Tezuka, a master anime artist, played a pivotal role in the simplifying of Disney techniques for use in Japanese productions. One of his key goals in simplifying the drawings was to reduce the costs and the number of drawn frames. During the ‘70s, manga (Japanese comics) suddenly became immensely popular. Many manga series are adapted to anime, in much the same way as novels are adapted to film in the West. One of the most popular film adaptations in the Western world is Masamune Shirow’s Ghost in the Shell. Mamoru Oshii adapted this manga into a film in 1995. It is a brilliant example of anime’s complex themes and often-serious nature. GITS deals with the blurring of boundaries between man and machine and the paranoia

surrounding artificial intelliegence, and it also carries a strong feminist reading. The Wachowski brothers have cited GITS as an inspiration for their Matrix trilogy. In 2003 the Animatrix, a collection of short anime films based on the Matrix universe, was released. Anime characters are stylised and generally characterised by large eyes and big hair. Many of the styles were drawn from manga, but the influences of traditional Japanese calligraphy and painting are also evident. Ever wondered who that scantily dressed girl painted on the wall of Stones in Obs is? She’s Faye Valentine, a character from the Cowboy Bebop series. Anime is often misunderstood by Western audiences and dismissed as ‘cartoons’. The stereotype formed around series such as Pokémon has led many to believe that all anime is for children. As for cartoons being childish, well, what about South Park? Furthermore, anime is inherently Japanese and it becomes evident in anime just how different Western culture is from Asian. Some series are so complex that few understand them, even their creators. I dare you to watch the legendary Neon Genesis Evangelion series. By now you are probably wondering where on earth you can get hold of some anime. Well, Animax on DSTV is an entire channel dedicated to showing dubbed anime 24/7. On the other hand, Genshiken is a UCT society that meets on Friday afternoons on campus to view and discuss subtitled anime. Keep an eye out for their posters on campus.

BERNDT HANNWEG HUMAN beings have been recording their personal thoughts for thousands of years in their diaries and pillow books. With the invention of print media came the writer’s column and, inevitably, letters to the editor. Nevertheless, as technology improves, more and more of us have the opportunity to preserve and share our thoughts with others. Welcome to Web 2.0 and the world of blogging. Blogging, for those of you not aware, is… well… anything, really. A quick definition: the regular updating of any article or thought in an online format. Blogs have become the next wave of human communication. There are blogs about economic climates, failed love affairs and celebrity gossip. Now there are even UCT blogs. Visitors to www.blogs.uct.ac.za should expect the unexpected. Or maybe not, if you’re tuned in to the minds of both the student body and the academic staff, as members from either group maintain blogs on the site. Several other groups run blogs centred on their areas of expertise. The site is run by CET (Centre for

Educational Technology) as a free UCT service, and is available to all students and staff. While an in-depth analysis of all the blogs available would take four hundred man-hours and an additional sixty pages, here’s a quick sample: Oligarcy (www.blogs.uct.ac.za/ blog/oligarcy) by the enigmatic George GISS – Don’t let the misspelled title put you off. Some good political commentary is interwoven with really bad poetry and views on the UCT of today. Retroid-Raving (www.blogs. uct.ac.za/blog/retroid-raving): even members of lofty academia have relevant things to say about the world around us. Retroid Raving is a collective view of South Africa and our very own university. HumBlog (www.blogs. uct.ac.za/blog/humblog), run by the Humanities Desk in the Chancellor Oppenheimer Library – As the blog states: “The purpose of the blog is to give a human face to the Humanities Reference Desk,” which it certainly does. Fun quizzes, serious databases, and referencing tips can all be found here. Thinking for a Thought (www.

blogs.uct.ac.za/blog/thinking-fora-thought) is a student-written blog dealing with society’s views on the fairer sex. Pussycat Dolls and washing powder ads are only some of the subjects touched on here. Call Me Cassandra (www. blogs.uct.ac.za/blog/call-mecassandra): cat-lovers, eat your heart out. You will find humorous cat photos, comics, thoughts, as well as other pick-me-ups for the burnt out (or severely bored) student with time to spare. If you can’t find one you like, start your own. Registration is an easy and painless process. Log on to www.blogs.uct.ac.za and click “REGISTER”. Sign the disclaimer - but do read it first - and then fill in your information. Programme your blog’s settings, give it a name, choose the style, and away you go. For those of you who are more into painful criticism than building a person up, feel free to make use of the comments bar under each article. Disagree, digress or, at a pinch, compliment grammar usage. Blog writers love to know that they’re being read. Spread the love people. Image courtesy of wordpress.com

What you need to know about anime

Photo courtesy of bleachexile.com

BELOW - Bleach, a popular anime series

Fashion trends for 2009 Tiisetso Mngomezulu’s advice for staying in style

Unreal News: board game bloodshed BERNDT HANNWEG A TEAM building exercise in New York ended in violence today when a game of Pictionary went horribly wrong. The incident occurred when Theodore Bundy’s (34) team failed to accurately guess that he was drawing a duck. A police statement claimed that some of the guesses were recorded as being “a loaf of bread,” “President Bush” and the novel “Paradise Lost.” He went on a murderous rampage, bludgeoning several people to death with the game board before turning the egg-timer on himself. This brings the total acts of board game violence this month to 15. A government official, Mr Gregory Boyle (52), spoke under condition of anonymity, saying that, “We have noticed an

alarming increase in cases of board game violence over the previous year.Words like ‘decapitation’ and ‘asphyxiate’ have become increasingly prevalent highscorers on the Scrabble board, and I don’t think I need to remind anyone of the ‘Do Not Pass Go’ incident of last June. We are tightening regulations on all board games, including making it illegal to sell board games to all under-21 year olds, and outlawing the possession of any Monopoly playing pieces without a license.” Mr T. Happy of the National Board Game Association has called the new legislation “ridiculous” and “against the rules,” and has vowed to take the fight all the way to Congress. In other news, President Obama faces allegations that he has played 30 Seconds, sometimes in the presence of children.

THE NEW year always brings new beginnings: first years who want to make a mark, older students who want to learn from last year’s mistakes or people who want to reinvent themselves. Clothes can help with all the above, and this year you won’t have to navigate the daunting world of fashion trends alone. The major trend underlying all fashion choices for a few seasons to come is Gothic Romance think Vampire Love. Everything is dark: eyes are smoky, jackets are black leather, accessories are gloomy. But with the darkness comes a touch of romance: dresses are flowy, lace is in and everything is pretty. For the boys, this means invoking the image of Robert Pattinson from Twilight: black and gray, three-piece suits and some old-school chivalry buying a girl a bouquet of flowers is now a fashion trend. For girls it means anything from 1950s prom queen to Rihanna - grungy punk rocker with a flower in her hair or pretty innocence with an edge. After a season of sex, covering up is in - think long-term relationships, not one-night stands. Clothes are not overtly sexy; sheer materials and delicate peek-

a-boo cutouts make sex subtle, as seen in the Autumn/Winter shows of Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Prada. Pretty is the new sexy and dresses are a must. Whether you go for Grecian drapery, a sexy LBD (little black dress) or a whimsical ruffle dress, show your feminine side. With it being summer in the southern hemisphere, hats are hot. Whether you wear a trilby, a fedora, a floppy, a wide-brimmed, a panama or a straw hat, everyone is wearing one. But for those of us who don’t have hat-heads, hats should also be worn for function as well as fashion, as a good hat offers protection from the scorching Cape Town sun. Another huge summer fashion trend that loads of the kids on campus have been rocking is gladiator sandals. Whether they’re flats or platforms, Mr. Price or Diesel, leather or not, these sandals are in. Wear with a pair of shorts or jeans or even with a dress, day or night, for the ultimate summer look. They’re also super comfortable. One of my favourite trends for the season is tartan or plaid - what I like to call “Farmer Brown”. This is an old trend that keeps coming back and has

recently been touted as a “Trend to try” in the March issue of Elle magazine. A plaid shirt can be worn everyday in a multitude of colours with a pair of jeans. Or, if you’re a little more adventurous, you can try a tartan dress, skinny pants or jackets. Alternatively, rifle in your parents’ cupboards and find some plaid gems from the 80s. The staple item in every wardrobe has also had some changes; jeans are as tight as they were last year but they are shorter: not short enough to be capris but not long enough to touch your shoes. The term “don’t touch my ankles” has never been so en-vogue, as pants skim the shoes to reveal the ankles. Another, completely different, denim trend is a baggy “boyfriend-jean.” These jeans sit low on the hips, drag on the floor and can be found in your boyfriend’s jean collection or the most hip clothing stores. Remember, though: to be stylish, you have to be comfortable and true to yourself. Trends come and go, but style is choosing the fashion trends that work for you and incorporating them into your wardrobe with your own flair.

10

FEATURES

VOLUME 68 NUMBER 2

RÉMY NGAMIJE FROM the cello-wielding, crowd-stirring Goldfish and the scintillating one-armed house banditry of Vinnie Da Vinci to the rhymes and life of Proverb, Da-Lez and Slikour, one thing is undeniable: South Africa has talent. Although the South African music industry may not be the largest in the world, it’s on the rise, with many local artists receiving support. Original, influential, young, and vibrant, the music scene of South Africa has budding talent that can compete on any international stage. It is for this reason that I sat down with the quiet, well-spoken Sizwe MpofuWalsh, a UCT student, better known by his rap alias, ViceVersa. I aimed to discover more about the artist and discuss the rise of “student artists” – university students who also pursue music careers. For a student with heavy academic commitments, it is often very hard to pursue interests outside the academic sphere. Whether playing a sport or pursuing a simple hobby, it is difficult to make time for all the interests that one has. In a campus of athletes and academics, there is a small niche for aspiring musicians to ply their trade, a niche lacking in the currency of trade at UCT – time. “The biggest thing that you give up is time, and pursuing a music career automatically guarantees that you will lose time. Your studies tend to struggle. I know that mine did when we [Entity] dropped our first album. I was in Matric at the time and my parents

had to draw the line.” Perhaps the hardest part about breaking into the music industry is getting discovered. “I think it is very difficult to break into any music industry. It’s all about connections. And if you do not have any connections, it becomes all the more difficult,” says Sizwe. But as he emphsises, the factor that holds back a lot of artists in the South African hip hop game is the absence of quality. “It is not just lyrical quality that is lacking, although it is important; it’s also the quality of the recording studios that are being used, the quality of sound engineering used to make an album; production and marketing schemes. The separating factor between the people who make it and the people who do not is the professionalism and combination of all those aspects that are required to make music and be a successful artist.” Western influences are seen most clearly in art forms like films and music. Across the globe, children grow up wanting to be Superman, teenagers pick up trends from the latest music videos and even African artists claiming to display the talent of the continent seem to be engulfed in foreign trends. Asked about the “American wannabe” artists that litter the music scene, Sizwe acknowledged the strong American influence, “but to make African music does not mean that you have African drums or a Khoi-San instrument in the background,” he said. “It just means that you bring the subject matter of your music into the context of your surroundings.” Hip hop may have been pioneered in

the US, but South African rappers have appropriated that influence and are now placing it in a local sphere that people of the country can relate to. With a budding career, it was a bit of a mystery why Sizwe would have taken a sabbatical from the rap scene to pursue an academic career. “We were at the peak of our career when we decided to study further, and since we went to different universities, we had to take a break,” says Sizwe. With the combination of being a student and an artist, Sizwe feels that he can add more depth to his music, and since rap is all about experiences, he can attest to having more content to fuel his lyrical arsenal. “The things that I learn add more depth to the things that I write. I can put a different slant on the things that I learn so that I can make a sound that is appealing to the music lover in us, but also the intellectual side of a person.” In a sea of smart beats, poor lyrics and video “hoes”, hip hop has too many hips to make it hop. When asked about this, Vice-Versa emphasised the importance of making music that’s intellectual but also “listenable”. “The music that Entity sought to make was always listenable - you could dance to it - but if you listened more intently, there was always a depth that appealed to the more intellectual side of a hip-hop listener.” Though he outlined the importance of making intelligent music, he also warned about alienating the listener from what he or she wanted to listen to: music.

Image by Remy Ngamije

Rap and study - all in a day’s work

SIZWE MPOFU-WALSH - The virtues of Vice and Versa. Due to drop his solo album later in the year, Vice-Versa leaves with the words “Learn. Build. Grow.” It’s a project he is working on.

Image courtesy of Wordpress.com

WTF - writing that is failing KANTRELL BETANCOURT BEFORE, he would say to you, “I shall see you again underneath the glistening moonlight and shining stars.” Today you are lucky to receive a text message that says “ttyl” - people no longer even write out that they will speak to you later. Our generation has become so lazy with the advancement of technology that we no longer appreciate the true essence of writing and its position that it holds in our lives. On a daily basis, the only time that people put together words to make a sentence in order to form an even half-completed thought is when communicating with others. Facebook, Myspace, instant messaging and text messaging have completely overtaken our writing ability and simplified it

The remixed/nationalised currency of Zimbabwe

to such an extreme that people do not even realise how much they are limiting their minds. What happened to sitting down and meditating on how your day went, grouping your thoughts together and expressing those thoughts through written word? If our generation continues on this ignorant streak, who knows what will happen. We need to do something about it. If our generation just stops writing, what would you be left to read - a bunch of pointless comments on Facebook, or broken English that slowly transformed itself into a trend? Your mind needs to get whisked away on an adventure, travel through time, or live the life of a drug sex addict. You can even create a novel of your own and make your own footprints through the sand of the reading world.

Doing this, you may also discover something new about yourself. Other than realising your spelling and grammar may be horrible, you might actually have a flair for writing. Expressing yourself can only expand your mind across an open field and allow others to explore it by reading what you have to say. I ask you, please do not stay a part of the WTF (Writing That’s Failing) trend. Don’t use your vocabulary to write simple text messages or comments online. Instead, run with your words and take them to your highest ability. Even if it starts with blogging, or a simple jotting down of a thought you had while eating your Super Sandwich on campus, start somewhere. Oh Yes! And write for VARSITY (they made me say it!).

11

FEATURES The Children of Húrin by J. R. R. Tolkien

HÚRIN is a soldier who goes off to war, leaving his wife to bring up their son and daughter alone. When Húrin is captured by the Enemy, a terrible curse is laid upon his family because of his defiance and his homeland is invaded. When his son Turin becomes separated from his mother and sister, it seems as though they will never meet again. Years later, after spending time as the leader of a band of outlaws, Turin sets out to find his family. However, this may be just what the Enemy wants, and he may end up helping to fulfill the curse rather than avoiding it. A fantastical tragedy from the author of The Lord of the Rings, put together from his notes and edited by his son, Christopher Tolkien. REVIEW BY CALVIN SCHOLTZ

Inkheart - Brendan Fraser MO IS a bookbinder visiting a small town with his daughter Meggie when he is confronted by a strange man called Dustfinger. The stranger is looking for a rare book that allows Mo to bring things in books to life simply by reading aloud. The rare book is called Inkheart, the book from which Dustfinger and Capricorn originated, and while Dustfinger wishes only to go home, Capricorn harbours a far more villainous agenda. Based on the best-selling children’s book by Cornelia Funke, this film is recommended for anyone who has ever wished that a book they were reading could come to life. REVIEW BY CALVIN SCHOLTZ

Football Manager 2009 THE Football Manager series is one which attempts to simulate the “real-life” happenings of the day to day running of a professional football club. This game is addictive. Personally I’ve spent around 151 hours in just 3 weeks playing the game; dedicated to turning my club into world beaters.The worst thing about Football Manager 2009 has got to be that you will need some basic football understanding in order to truly appreciate it. Overall, football enthusiasts will worship it and the occasional football viewer will really enjoy it. REVIEW BY LUYOLO MANGANANE How much coffee you need to get through these ordeals...

Hold the coffee! This is some good shit! Two for the road Can you make it a little stronger? How much longer?

Zzzzzz!

Images courtesy of cduniverse.com, Baxter.co.za If you have seen, read, heard or played anything - write us a review. Reviews must not be longer than 60 words. Email them to varsitynewspaper@gmail.com

Freak Country - Antony Coleman

It is one thing to hear about a corrupt, dysfunctional political system, viewing it from afar. It is quite another to find yourself bang in the middle of it, with no clear idea of how you’re going to get out. Paul Slabolepszy’s Freak Country takes a darkly comic look at just such a political system. The play is set in a country just north of the South African border – unnamed, but clearly based on our northern neighbourin-crisis. Aaron Blakely (Antony Coleman) is an actor on his way to the Comores, set to play a small role in a war movie. He makes the frankly idiotic error of filling in his “in transit” form after having had several drinks on the plane, and when his answers arouse the suspicions of immigration officials, he is taken in for questioning. The different elements of the play mesh well. The characters are on the stereotypical side, but in the context of the play this is actually effective, lending it a universal quality. There are some genuinely funny moments, and God knows, you need humour to deal with this situation. However, the nature of Aaron’s predicament requires a good dose of seriousness, and a strong sense of unease filters through the action onstage. I felt that the middle section of the play should have been expanded; it was too short, making for a slightly awkward narrative. In addition, more attention should have been given to the development of the relationship between Aaron and his guard, Ndlovu (Peter Mashigo). As it is, the turn of events does not quite ring true. Nevertheless, the play does what it intends to do: convey a sense of what really goes on beyond the border. The set was perfect, right down to the bent Venetian blinds, as my companion pointed out. The actors, including Jerry Mofokeng as Colonel Moyang, portray their characters effectively. For the most part, I consider it a success. REVIEW BY LOUISE FERREIRA

POP-Splat by Ian Martin New South African author Ian Martin doesn’t like Western culture, and he’s taking it out on you. ONE is reminded of that abstract artist in England, who put two goldfish in a blender and attached a sign saying, “Press this button if you want these goldfish to die.” Of course, someone pressed the button, and everyone afterwards had to look at pureed goldfish. The point I’m making is that one can easily view this as a neat representation of man’s base nature. One can just as easily think, so, what? That’s your point? Some people are arseholes who will puree goldfish for the hell of it. Good grief, most people can work that out for themselves by the time they turn eight. To summarise, if the author’s only goal was to provoke violent nausea, he has succeeded. POP-splat! is the story of Matt, depressive rich kid from Johannesburg, and his descent into hating everything. You can get away with a multitude of sins under the banner of “social satire”, but the fact remains that one of those sins is not bad writing. Not only are the characters materialistic, superficial scum of the first water, exaggerated to a point of hyperbole no one can relate to, but the plot is dull and the execution uninspired. Matt, our anti-hero, stands as a spectator to all this, but his commentary is hardly objective. His is an angry view, almost devoid of wit and entirely devoid of empathy. If the lead character possessed any insight into the human condition that was witty and new, we would be able to sympathise with him as the one grounded man in a world of avaricious sociopaths. But he doesn’t. Rather than standing in contrast to the horrible world within which he lives, he only adds to its dreadfulness. Matt’s apparent disillusionment with everything is understandable, given his upbringing. Unfortunately, this does not make reading about him and his horrible family any fun at all. Doubtless, a few English students will fall into raptures at the thought of a book that is sheer agony to read; if you are among them, good for you. You will begin this book with no emotional investment in the characters, and that is how you will finish it. It must be said that Martin’s grasp of the language isn’t bad. He constructs some nice imagery, when he can be persuaded to get off the topic of how much everything needs to die. This book is a scathing critique on… everything, really, but particularly consumerism, the previous generation (who are to blame for everything, ever), rich people, over-medication, and humanity in general. It is flat, overly reliant on shock value and says nothing new. REVIEW BY TARA LEVERTON

Champions League knockout round kicks off DANIEL FREUND THE FIRST leg of the Round of 16 section of the European Cup took place last week, with all four English sides performing well enough to keep alive the possibility of each one reaching the quarter finals. On Tuesday night Arsenal was at home to Roma, who, in light of Arsenal’s sketchy form, was expected to be a difficult encounter for the Gunners. However, Arsenal played with fluidity, and their attacking movements displayed the incisive quality which saw them atop the league this time last year. Robin Van Persie scored the only goal of the night, thundering home a spot kick midway through the first half. Despite their dominance, Arsenal were stunningly wasteful at times, with Danish striker Niclas Bendtner particularly guilty. This tie still hangs in the balance as only a solitary goal separates the sides. Roma are notoriously bad travelers and there was never much expectation that they would get much from this match. Expect a completely different Roma team in the return fixture, as they play much better at home in front of their own fans. Also on Tuesday, Manchester United faced Internazionale in the San Siro. Despite the final score of 0-0, this was a highly engrossing match in which United bucked the convention of away teams sitting deep and looking to counter quickly on the break. United drove forward at every opportunity and created a string of decent chances, with Cristiano Ronaldo - through a series of lung-busting thrusts down the flank and swirling free kicks -

proving United’s most dangerous player. Inter offered more going forward in the 2nd half and Estian Cambiasso almost snatched the win for Inter late in the piece after Zlatan Ibrahimovich flicked on a Zanetti corner. Manchester United will be the happier of the two teams with the result; yet without an away goal, the return tie at Old Trafford promises to be a tense affair. Chelsea hosted Juventus on Wednesday night, with Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri returning to Stamford Bridge to take on his former club. Chelsea had put in a strong performance over the weekend at high-flying Aston Villa, and there were clear signs that temporary manager Guus Hiddink had inspired confidence and determination in his new players. This was even more apparent when, after a neat through ball by fellow Ivorian Salomon Kalour, Didier Drogba coolly slotted the ball past Buffon to put the Blues up 1-0. Juve responded in kind with another former Chelsea man, Tiago, playing in Del Piero, who forced a fine reflex save from Petr Cech. Although both teams displayed admirable intention to attack in the 2nd half, it remained 1-0. A good result for Chelsea but not a bad one for Juventus either. An out-of-sorts Liverpool team travelled to the Santiago Bernebau to face Europe’s arguably form team: Real Madrid. Nine wins from the last nine meant most pundits considered Real favourites for the match - and quite possibly the trophy. Liverpool also faced intense speculation that manager Rafa Benitez was about to quit. These rumours were given an

Photo courtesy of newsoftheworld.co.uk

Liverpool win in Madrid and Arsenal gun down Roma

Didier Drogba got the goal for Chelsea to put them 1-0 up obscene level of credence by various media outlets, but despite the media storm, the master of European tactics rose above the quagmire and delivered another vintage performance. This was typical Liverpool in Europe. They pressed and harried Madrid, with Alonso and Mascherano disrupting the Madrid midfield. This side

needs no star players to overcome Europe’s finest: this victory was achieved without talismanic captain Steven Gerrard, and Fernando Torres was substituted early in the second half. After being in control for most of the 2nd half, Yossi Benayoun popped up to head in a delightful Fabio Aurelio free kick and the win was secured. The

performance vindicated the many Liverpool fans that consistently back Benitez in spite of the lazy analysis of his achievements that permeates the mainstream media. Although it is effectively only half-time in the tie, it will take a special performance from Madrid to win on Merseyside in front of a fired up home crowd.

Ikeys show their mettle… Is it déjà vu? Taru Madangombe gives an update of the Varsity Cup and Super 14 IN THE 2008 Varsity Cup competition, the Ikeys lost the first of their group matches but eventually went on to win the remaining six, grabbing a bonus point in every subsequent match. In one of the matches leading up to the final, a last second penalty by flyhalf Matthew Rosslee secured a close win for the team. The 2009 season has started with a similar pattern, as the Ikeys lost their first game against the Maties before turning the tables to win their next three (two away, one home). Their most recent match against Tukkies was the most dramatic yet as, once again, flyhalf Matthew Rosslee (the eventual Man of the Match) landed a last second penalty to bag a 24-22 victory in Pretoria. The Ikeys are living up to their

exciting brand of expansive rugby, similar to the style that Bok coach Peter De Villiers has been trying to promote among his men. The mere fact that of the twelve tries they scored, eleven have been scored by their backline (back three) shows their capability to run the ball. Former Maties player (now UCT fullback) Therlow Pietersen is the current joint top scorer in the tournament with four tries; fellow new recruits Tiger Bax (fullback/centre) and Dane Johnson (wing) have two tries apiece. The Ikeys’ next game is against NMMU on 2 March in Port Elizabeth. This should be an easy full-house for the Ikeys, but they should not be complacent after the heavily-packed NMMU outfit registered their first victory

of the Varsity Cup campaign against TUT last week. However, this should be one of the matches where Dobbo can give his fringe players a chance to gain game time. As such, guys like Kuselo, JP Robert, Ashley Wells and the ‘Goose’ are expected to get the start. On a different note, it appears Luke Watson may have silenced the booing with his five-star performance against the Reds on 21 February. Prior to the match, most Luke-critics wondered if he would be able to cement a starting place in the Stormers’ loose-trio, with most favouring the combination of Schalk Burger, Francois Louw and Duane Vermeulen. However, a change of game-plan by coach Rassie led to Luke surprisingly starting at No. 8 against the Reds

(ahead of Louw), and he put on a blistering performance in an otherwise scrappy 27-24 win for the Stormers. The Stormers have had a fragmentary start to their Super 14 season, with a loss to the Sharks and an unconvincing 2724 win over the resilient Reds. Their failure to accumulate a bonus point in that match may yet come back to haunt them when the playoffs are decided. On the other hand, the Bulls have resurged from their forgettable 2008 season with victories over the Reds and the Blues. Their match against the latter was one of their best performances in a while, and Pierre Spies put on a perfect display to cap two tries in a 59-26 demolition of the Blues. The Sharks have maintained

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their clean start to the season with victories over the Stormers and Lions. Their fate, however, will be decided in the five away games, with their first game against the Chiefs on 28 February. At the end of week two of the Super 14, some local players have really stood out, including: Duanne, Deysel, Luke, Kankowski, Pierre and Rory Kockott. Given that Bok coach De Villiers announced that there is room for anyone in the Bok team for Lions tour, it would not be surprising to see guys like Deysel or Kockott getting a Springbok call. On an unpleasant note, Bok heroes such as star Bryan Habana and JP Peterson have had a slow start to the season. Let’s hope they’ll pick up soon in time for the Lions Tour matches.

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