Edition 4: 2009

Bleating about Lama

Focus: the year so far

Scene and not nerd

First team failure

page 4

page 8

page 11

page 16

31 March 2009 · Volume 68, Number 4 · 021 650 3543 · varsitynewspaper@gmail.com

Photos by Marco Balducci

Spongebob takes honours at floats Brian Muller UCT RAG’s 84th annual Float Parade, RAG’s oldest running project, took place on Saturday.

This years theme - Where in the World? – saw Kopano and Baxter winning first prize of R2 500 worth of products from South African Breweries (SAB) with their Spongebob Squarepants float. Among the 11 floats were participants from South African College Schools (SACS) Marching Band, Volunteer Wildfire Services, Dummies and UCT Latin & Ballroom Society.

“Here comes eight months of hard work” declared Project Manager (PM), Dulan Simons into his radio as the procession approached the starting mark outside The Golden Acre on Adderley Street. Simons has spearheaded the project since his inception to his position in July last year when he took over from last years PM: Jonathan Cotton.

Cheering and jeering from a Markham’s balcony, the judges - including Jean Barratt (RAG Senior Project Coordinator), Linda Lapping (RAG Secretary), Sonia Simons, Chris Ryall (SRC President), Jon Hodgson (SHAWCO Education President), Shannon Bernhardt (SRC VicePresident: Internal) - graded the floats and voted for the winners.

This year the floats were judged on their: originality, use of colour, mobility, appropriateness of costumes, promotion of responsible drinking and the Student Health and Wellness Centres Organization (SHAWCO) and, lastly, their overall ambience.

Every year thousands of resident students labour for three weeks over sheets of wire mesh as they push strips of coloured plastic through the holes to create the colourful floats. These sheets are later wired up and attached to large trucks before being exhibited in front of hundreds of bystanders who throw coins onto the floats and at the students. Those coins that miss the floats are collected by the vagrants who line the streets.

However, this year the traders who usually trade along Adderley Street were given notice in advance that they were unable to trade on Saturday and anyone who ignored this notice had their possessions forcibly confiscated. One such trader, Farah Ahmed, was so enraged that she protested at the procession with a placard stating: “DNT SUPPORT THE RAG”.

Afterwards Ahmed proceeded to shout at the judges enquiring as to what they planned on doing to help the traders who had had their goods impounded. Ryall promised to look into the matter and get back to her to ensure this problem didn’t occur next year. Similarly, a fundamental Christian gatecrashed the parade by joining in the march with a placard stating: “Turn to Jesus and repent. Read your Bible while you’re able.” Yet, these did not deter from the crowd involvement or their generosity.

All proceeds RAG make are donated to SHAWCO and although the Floats Parade – headed by Pick ‘n Pay - only raises approximately R9 000 for RAG, Cameron Arendse, RAG Chairperson, pointed out that the event “is not about making money but about giving back to the community.”

SO MUCH MORE THAN YOU IMAGINED

Varsity, the official student newspaper since 1942, is committed to the principles of equality and democracy

2

news

Volume 68 Number 4

Fight for workers’ rights OliviA wALTON LAST Thursday, the UCT Student Workers’ Alliance (UCTSWA) launched its petition to the management of UCT, demanding changes in the way that workers are employed and treated at UCT. Tara Weinberg, the UCTSWA member conducting the launch, stated that though UCT aims to be “transcending the legacy of Apartheid,” by outsourcing workers “UCT is failing.” She stated that the petition is not a solution, but rather a way of “adding weight” to the effort to improve the situation of the workers.

Speaking at the launch of the petition were Tony Ehrenreich, Provincial Secretary of COSATU, a G4S security guard outsourced

by UCT (whose name cannot be released) and Alex Spoor, a UCTSWA member. A Mike Van Graan play satirising the workers’ conditions at UCT was performed by UCT drama students. A UCTSWA member then read the petition to the crowd.

The play parodied TV shows such as The Weakest Link and Survivor and made clear the dissatisfaction felt towards the university’s treatment of workers with statements such as, “UCT,

in the fight for decent wages and working conditions, you are the weakest link.”

Ehrenreich stated that we must ensure our treatment of workers “reflects our human rights.” He spoke directly to the leaders of UCT, saying that “this is the most scandalous way to treat the workers of the university.” Ehrenreich’s sentiments were strongly supported by cheering members of the crowd.

The G4S security guard focused in particular on the code of conduct drawn up when UCT first outsourced all its workers in the late 1990s. The workers, he said, were “not a part of the negotiation”, and “see it to be more exploitation than before”. He stated that there is no monitoring of outsourced companies. Using the example of G4S, the outsourced security company he works for, he stated that employees sometimes work longer hours than the regulations allow for. He felt that “intimidation is too much,” describing a SuperCare worker who raised a complaint against management and is now “gone” because “she did not want to do the things management wanted her to do.”

According to him, re-employment

by UCT — as opposed to being

Politicians trading insults

employed by outsourced companies and not directly by the university — would be the “best thing for now.”

According to Spoor, UCT chose to outsource its workers on the basis that the services provided were not “core” services of the university. The result for workers was an “immediate reduction in wages and benefits,” including basic health care and a “75% reduction in [university] fees for [employees’] immediate family members.” Spoor added that an outsourced female worker is eligible for seven days maternity leave, only five of which are paid leave, as opposed to the four months allowed academic staff. Spoor stated that outsourcing must end and that “workers must be directly linked to management.”

UCTSWA is a student based organisation that aims to bring together students, workers and other staff in an effort to improve the situation for those who work at UCT. It aims to end the outsourcing of workers and to reform the code of conduct outlining UCT’s relationship with its non-academic employees.

For further information on UCTSWA email UCTSWA@ gmail.com

“University of COPE Town” Nicole Jonklass

produce tangible results. Malebo said that COPE UCT would instead encourage “lively debate and, not irrelevant, but constructive criticism”.

In his keynote address, Dandala characterised himself as a “COPE activist” and a “garden variety member” of the party who had no official leadership position. He said that the “realisation that things need to change” in the country had spurred him on to become actively involved in COPE. Dandala stated that it was “rubbish” that only one party liberated South Africa from apartheid, but that “every single South African fought for it”. He said that after the fall of apartheid, South Africans had asked the ANC to “take care” of the country, but that “15 years later, we were not happy with what they are doing” and “are giving it to someone else”, referring to the members of the audience and citizens of the country.

The launch ended with a question-and-answer session in which members of the audience posed questions that were mostly aimed at probing the policy stances of COPE with regards to issues such as HIV/AIDS, The Arms Deal, the possibility of reinstituting the Scorpions and Affirmative Action.

In closing the event, Interim COPE UCT President Siyaduma Biniza urged the audience to “turn UCT into the University of COPE Town”.

Image courtesy of www.api.ning.com

Image by Marius Redelinghuys

The UCT branch of the Congress of the People (COPE) was launched on 18 March. The event was well-attended in the Kramer Building. Actor Hlomla Dandala, who is the son of COPE presidential candidate Dr Mvume Dandala, was the keynote speaker at the launch.

COPE UCT Interim President Siyaduma Biniza opened the launch, and was followed by the organisation’s Interim Chairperson Uhuru Malebo who presented the official COPE UCT address. In his speech, Malebo focussed on the current state of student politics in South Africa and why students should become involved in it. Malebo said that the identities of some student political organisations were not based on the views of students themselves, but that “instead they seem to just mimic their mother bodies”. He added that student politics had come to resemble “the national political culture whereby students become involved not for the interests of others, but out of self-interest.”

According to Malebo, South Africa needed “well-equipped, humble, open-minded, thoughtful students to engage in issues that affect you [students] and others directly – not to engage [in issues] for self-interest”. He said that COPE UCT aimed to “foster a proudly South African identity where all students’ interests are recognised and protected irrespec-

tive of race, class, religions, ethnicity, gender, etc.”.

With regards to their planned activities on Campus, Malebo stated that COPE UCT aimed to “actively engage” on issues such as “the ridiculously high tuition fees”, problems regarding Student Housing, overcrowding in classrooms, and what he called the “controversial issue of transformation”. He added that these were issues that the organisation’s Interim Executive Committee had identified, and the body wanted members to identify other issues that could be addressed.

Malebo emphasised that COPE UCT could not yet “commit to specific policy stances regarding these [abovementioned] issues that we have identified”. Referring to policy stances that the organisation had already established, Malebo said that COPE UCT believed that “university enrolment should be accessible to all South Africans and that the University [should] provide an unconstrained environment where students can flourish and achieve excellence”.

Malebo said that COPE UCT realised that it was positioned in “one of the most reputable educational institutions on the continent of Africa”, and that the organisation therefore aims to “foster collectivism through the rejection of unthinking [and] unhealthy views”. He stated that there is a “political culture [in South Africa] that believes in the strength of rhetoric”, without being able to

taking the country by storm- turning out in droves to learn how to cope in the politcal climate. (Right) TUKS students are proudly COPE.

Tatenda Goredema LAST Thursday, the SRC, in conjunction with the Social Justice Coalition (SJC), the Students for Law and Social Justice, the History and Current Affairs society and the Humanities Faculty hosted an election debate in Jameson Hall. The debate featured Trevor Manuel of the ANC, Philip Dexter of COPE, Ryan Coetzee of the DA and Lance Greyling from ID. The debate was moderated by Zwelethu Jolobe, a lecturer in the Politics department.

Professor Paula Ensor, the Dean of Humanities and Dr Price made some opening statements before the panelists took to the stage. Mr Jolobe set down the ground rules, which included having the panelists answer a set number of questions and allowing two minutes for each answer. Each question addressed areas considered important in the upcoming election.

One question dealt with each party’s appeal to voters. Minister Manuel answered by stating the ANC is “a party that represents the poorest in the nation.” Mr Coetzee spoke of the DA’s vision of “an open society that gives opportunity,” and Mr Dexter stated that the “time for change has come.”

The debate was held in good spirit, with only one or two tetchy incidents. On one occasion, an unintelligible question was posed to Mr Coetzee by a member of the crowd, to which Mr Coetzee stated he did not understand the question. Mr Manuel made a riposte when he was given an opportunity to speak, stating, “I’m sorry you couldn’t understand the question, it wasn’t asked with a Bishopscourt accent.” Mr Coetzee responded by accusing Mr Manuel

of travelling with blue flashing lights, a claim Mr Manuel vehemently denied.

On the much talked about question of the Dalai Lama, Mr Manuel stated that the decision to deny the Lama a visa was a “matter of relations between states” and, in response to Mr Dexter’s comment about not being a fan of the Lama on a personal level, he stated that “to say anything against the Dalai

“...I’m sorry you couldn’t understand the question, it wasn’t asked with a Bishopscourt accent...”

Lama is, in some quarters, equivalent to trying to shoot Bambi.” Mr Dexter also stated that COSATU, who are “always protesting and jumping up and down on other issues, have said nothing on this issue.” Mr Coetzee then attacked the government’s foreign policy failures, stating that South Africa has an “abysmal record in the United Nations Security Council.”

To this, Mr Manuel coolly replied that being in government involved making “tough decisions.”

At the end of the debate, all the candidates embraced each other and showed that there was no ill will between them despite some of the sharp comments exchanged.

The audience was respectful and refrained from jeering or excessive booing during the debate.

Recyclution to the green problem Gerda von Benecke GREEN Campus Initiative (GCI), Student Housing & Residence Life, Property & Services and Wasteman will launch a new recycling system throughout all UCT’s self-catering residences on April 6.

“AFTER more than a year of pushing for a recycling system throughout various residences at UCT, things are finally coming together,” claims Terence Goldberg, member of the Green Campus Initiative (GCI) residence committee.

Unlike the coloured bins around campus, self-catering residences have a simpler recycling system of only two bins: one green bin for dry recyclables and one yellow bin for wet non-recyclables. Terence believes that “the easiest way to distinguish between wet and dry items is if it is literally wet or dry. A nice way to think of it is that a wet item is anything that begins to rot or smell within a day like dinner leftovers, condoms or sanitation pads.”

Students will have to separate their own waste and deposit it into the bins provided. These bins will be collected daily by

Metro cleaning staff and taken to a central location where Wasteman will collect the different materials in separate trucks. The wet non-recyclable waste is taken to landfills and the dry recyclables are taken to Wasteman’s Material Recovery Facility where they are further separated and recycled.

Posters will be put up in residences by GCI and Wasteman to inform students about the new system and to clarify “what goes where.”

Student Housing & Residence Life and Property & Services will also issue stickers for residence kitchens, which will further clarify what is recyclable and what is not.

Sarah Taylor, a third-year Environmental Science student from Woolsack Residence, said that though it is a great initiative, she felt that students generally do not use these systems because they do not trust that the waste really gets recycled at the end.

Questions and comments like these, according to Goldberg, are exactly the kind of challenges Green Campus Initiative face. In his view, “the initiative’s success is all dependent on the student’s involvement.”

Varsity

News

Vox pops As a student, how do you feel about the governments decision to deny the Dalai Lama access to South Africa?

“It’s like uninviting Jesus to a Sunday service.”

Dylan Gerber

Abuse of ‘Apartheid’ Tonbara Ekiyor BENJAMIN Pogrund, ex-Deputy Editor of the Rand Daily Mail and an anti-Apartheid activist, was on Upper Campus on 26 March to deliver a speech entitled “Israel and Apartheid: Fact vs Fiction.”

He was invited by the South African Union of Jewish Students (SAUJS) to help shed light on the highly contentious topic.

Pogrund, the 2005 recipient of the Award for Justice and Reconciliation of the Global Citizens Circle, USA, believes the term ‘Apartheid’ has been “abused” in its use to describe the situation on the West Bank.

He feels similarities between the illegal Bantustans during the Apartheid era and the West Bank are “invented by lazy individuals who want to see sanctions simi-

lar to those placed on Apartheid South Africa placed on Israel.”

“...it is not Apartheid, it is occupation, what Israel is doing is called security...”

Although he concedes that similarities exist between the segregation that occurred during Apartheid and the division of the West Bank, he strongly believes that “it is not Apartheid, it is occupation, what Israel is doing is called security, the West Bank has not been annexed, there are still Palestinians working in Israel.”

3

Pogrund further stated that the separation of the Arabs and Israelis is for the protection of the Jewish people. He agrees with those who believe what is happening in Israel is worse than what happened during Apartheid. “During Apartheid,” he said, “there were no suicide bombers to the extent that there are presently in Israel. If you walk around Tel-Aviv, there is an armed guard in front of every store and supermarket. It is called security.”

In response to questions raised about developing a one-state solution in Israel, Pogrund stated that “six million Jews are not going to give up on a state they have been fighting for, for over 60 years; the only option to a two-state solution is a two-state solution.”

VAT, vouchers and vendors Nyasha Kadandara “I think it’s giving the rest of the world a very bad view of South Africa because first of all we have other problems in South Africa for example with Jacob Zuma and now with this I feel like the world is looking at us and judging us because of it. It’s not a good idea. I mean the excuse they gave was ridiculous regarding the soccer and stuff like that.

I think it’s just terrible.”

Tana Forrest

“I think the government’s stupid.

Like really, it just caused so much crap ‘cause I mean seriously. Obviously China has this whole political influence but the Dalai Lama was coming for a peace conference. A peace conference!”

Yusri Van Der Schyff

“I feel it’s silly and that he should be allowed in. We need to keep our friendships up with these people as he is very peaceful and he’s helped us in the past.”

Cady Roberts

“Well, I feel personally that it’s wrong. He’s coming here to attend a peace conference and what does that say about us? That we aren’t promoting peace?”

Mcebo Ntombela

UCT RESIDENCE students who choose to use lunch vouchers instead of eating in residence are losing R2.00 worth on every voucher. The vouchers are valued at R16.10 but at many vendors on campus are only worth R14.15.

The reason for the discrepancy is because vendors not registered for the VAT with the South African Revenue Services (SARS) are unable to claim the full price of R16.10. The process of cashing in the vouchers involves the vendors handing them to Fedics in exchange for cash; however, they do not receive the full amount unless they have a VAT registration number.

Residence students told VARSITY that they felt cheated out of the extra R2.00 and purposely avoid going to unregistered vendors. However, the limited number of VAT registered vendors leaves them with little food variety. Students are frustrated, and one said, “It’s bad enough that not all the vendors take vouchers, but it’s even worse when the ones

that do say the voucher is worth R14.15.”

In order to be registered with SARS, a vendor’s business has to make a profit of at least R1 million per year. Many of the vendors that operate on campus have applied to become VAT vendors and have been denied because their businesses are too small. As a result, they take the res vouchers as R14.10 in order to be profitable.

Thila Miller, the Operations Manager at Fedics Management, told VARSITY that they had received complaints from the res students and have done their best to communicate the VAT issue to them. They have suggested that students use their vouchers at Afriqueezeen and Zenon, as they are registered VAT Vendors.

Meals at Afriqueezeen, however, are more than the value of a meal voucher, still leaving students with a dilemma.

When asked whether Fedics Management had considered increasing the value on the vouchers, Miller said, “No. UCT pays Fedics R14.15 (excl VAT) for a

UCT RAG & OLD MUTUAL present

lunch voucher, and this amount is given wholly and directly to the vendor without any profit margins.” The difference is then claimed by Fedics from SARS. She went on to say that Fedics has tried to encourage the vendors to obtain VAT registration, but understands the vendors’ situations from a business perspective.

Grant Willis, the Director of Student Housing & Residence Life, said they were currently investigating the matter and should come up with solutions in the next few weeks.

Sara Reith from the SRC said they were aware of the dilemma that the students were facing with the vendors. She said that the matter of the vouchers and vendors was brought to attention at the Residence Food Forum meeting which took place on 13 March.

Fedics management, Student Housing representatives and all the res food representatives were present at the meeting. Reith says the SRC will work on putting pressure on the vendors to become registered VAT vendors.

4

opinions

Focus on the issues THE UCT branch of the ANC Youth League would like to apologise for the baseless and opportunistic accusations laid by an unidentified member in the second edition [of VARSITY].

These unfounded allegations detract from real and substantive debate.

The disgruntled member in question was clearly upset because a cautionary message was sent out alerting the interim structure of prerequisites that had to be met before a BGM. Fortunately, these were met before the meeting, hence we could continue with what was originally planned. However, it must be understood that members were required to attend the meeting. In any case, quorum was met before the meeting began

and a regional representative was present to preside over the election of leadership. Clearly, the person who made the allegations refuses to go to meetings, yet takes any opportunity to bring our organisation into disrepute.

The general student body deserves better political debate.

Because of this individual student, this is what ends up appearing in the VARSITY paper, instead of reports about the ANC Youth League’s call on students to support progressive initiatives like UCT Student Worker Alliance or the carpool initiative. There are so many interesting initiatives on our campus and so many interested students, yet because of a single individual an entire organisation must waste more

space in this important part of the student newspaper to respond to unfounded claims.

We apologise as the ANC Youth League for the obvious effects of this kind of political debate.

We hope, as the ANCYL, to join interested students in supplying the VARSITY paper with stories of useful and progressive initiatives on our campus.

Together we can do more.

Trevor McArthur Chairperson ANC Youth League UCT

Opposing views on human rights THE DALAI Lama, a Nobel Peace Laureate and the Tibetan spiritual leader, has been denied entry into South Africa, and will therefore not be attending the 2010 World Cup Peace Conference. The conference, originally scheduled for 27 March, has subsequently been postponed as a result of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and F.W De Klerk’s decisions to pull out in protest.

South Africa’s decision may have been based on the fact that a trade agreement exists between China and South Africa.

Not wanting to displease China by exposing its human rights violations in Tibet, South Africa has chosen to deny access to the

Dalai Lama. A similar situation occurred in 1999, when Chinese pressure caused former president Thabo Mbeki to cancel a private meeting with Tibet’s spiritual leader, who was then in South Africa for the World Parliament of Religions.

In an official statement, Thabo Masebe, spokesperson for South African President Kgalema Motlantlhe, claimed that China had no influence whatsoever on this decision. Masebe stated it was in South Africas best interests to ensure that the world’s focus is directed on the World Cup proceedings, and not the issue of Tibet. Apparently, sports are considered more important than

human rights.

“Our government’s behaviour is disgraceful,” stated Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He also said he was ashamed that South Africa had clearly succumbed to Chinese pressure, and that this act was “a total betrayal of our struggle history.” As a country celebrating a peaceful transition into democracy, South Africa should not be bowing to the economic interests of the oppressive Chinese regime.

ON 23 March 2009, the South African government refused to issue the Dalai Lama a visa to attend a peace conference held in Johannesburg, which is related to the 2010 Football World Cup. As a result, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former president F.W.de Klerk (two of Dalai’s good friends) pulled out of the meeting in protest.

My question here is, will the arrival of Dalai bring any peace to the world or will he contribute anything in terms of the World Cup? It is not in the interest of South African people to invite anyone who is coming to a peace conference for the purpose of his own interest (to blazon forth

the independence of Tibet, the intention of splitting with China and therefore disturbing the peace of the world).

As we all know, the heart of this meeting is to promote the 2010 World Cup, instead of any public engagements. For as much, Dalai’s presence would be a distraction to the meeting. De Klerk argues that the denial of Dalai’s visa was not in favour of the principle of openness, the rights to freedom of expression and free political activity. According to his view, surely everyone should be participating in the meeting to prevent the unfairness. If Dalai was to attend the conference,

will South Africa in a way try to approve of him agitating for the split and demolishment of a nation’s internal peace?

Furthermore, because of Dalai, the scheduled peace meeting on 27th March has been postponed indefinitely. I doubt if Dalai Lama still deserves to be a Peace Laureate.

Daniel Sher

Xi Shen & Qingping Liang

Net. With such insightful and memorable pieces as the article on the stereotypes one meets on a night out, or of course how can we forget the classic ‘Hairweave cartoon’ that had everyone rolling on the floor – it’s surprising this guy hasn’t been struck down by the lighting of Zeus for just being too funny… Although the subtle nuances of my sarcasm can in now way be matched by “flip I hate how those first years walk” it seems like the humour is not only lost on me.

I realize, at this point this seems like a classic case of – if you don’t like it, don’t read it but the only problem is, what’s the alternative?!? If you enjoy dry toast or having your head manually inserted into a blender then there is always the Monday Paper but

Editorial With elections just around the corner, I can’t help but feel a stickling of nostalgia for the years gone by. Although it is just one day, the build-up to this day has dictated the lives of South Africans, in one way or another, for the past five or six years.

Even the apolitical and apathetic citizens amongst us have been forced to digest the constant battering of political dialogue that has been tossed around circa 2005 when Schabir Shaik was first sentenced and all pretences of allegiance faded.

Since that period, battles have raged between political parties, within parties and amongst the political elite. A lot has been said and a lot has been done. People have been murdered, defamed, scrutinised, criticised and applauded. Some leaders have employed shameless tactics to get their way while others have done their best to remain clean, but have faded into obscurity as a result. Others were hastily removed from their positions in government, and other bureaucratic structures, and replaced with puppets that answer subserviently to their party superiors.

South Africa is standing on the edge of a precipice. The slightest gust of the wind that has blown through so many other African countries, pushing them over the edge, could takes us down the path of Zimbabwe, or so the doomsayers will have us believe. A refreshing wind of change may bring us that extra bit closer to that stable and vibrant democracy that we have been punting for so long. Unfortunately, there is also the possibility that nothing will change and the nation will continue to be held to ransom by the power-hungry minority that infect all sides of the political divide.

Election fever has reached its climax and strangely enough this climax has come with a surreal sense of calmness and receptivity from our loud-mouthed leaders. Jacob Zuma came out in support of expatriates, albeit a couple of weeks after these expats had won a court battle for the right to vote. Elsewhere on the political playing field, Helen Zille has remained uncharacteristically settled and even attacked a German publication that suggested South Africa was slipping into the doldrums of political turmoil. Julius Malema has confounded his critics by taking a trip to Orania. If these aren’t instances of electioneering of the highest order, then I’m not quite sure what is. A few short months ago and you could have banked on Zuma’s allies mouthing off about unpatriotic expats, Zille saying that the country was in fact on its way to political turmoil and I’m pretty certain that Malema won’t be making any comments about killing for anyone to the community of Orania.

The startling thunderbolt of sensibility has given me an uneasy feeling of hope, something that has been missing from our politics for a while. It also poses the question, what was the real electioneering? The past five years of derogatory and aggressive speech, or the past few weeks of reconciliatory actions.

Enjoy the edition, Seamus

newsgathering next newsgathering Thursday meridian, 2 April 2009 in LS2C

2009 collective

VARSITY blues

If, at any stage this year you have picked up an edition of the VARSITY Newspaper and puzzled over what strain of meth the writer/ cartoonist must have been on when producing their ‘work’, know that you’re not alone. Troubled, that perhaps my intellect was getting in the way of some fine student journalism, I gauged the opinions of other students, who all seemed to be in consensus. This is in no way intended to offend any of the current contributors or editorial staff of VARSITY and is merely an exercise in free speech.

Said to be the offspring of a thesaurus and the personal scriptwriter to Leon Schuster, UCT has had the privilege this year to read some of the finest pieces of humour writing since ‘The Coconuts’ debuted on M-

Volume 68 Number 4

apart from that VARSITY is our only source for student journalism.

I guess that it’s not the fault of the gifted features ed. that he is forced to write half the pieces every issue but rather the lack of contributions from the students of UCT. Instead of complaining every week about the standards of writing, rather submit something. Whew rant over, that feels better…

Ribs-so-sore-from-laughing Dean Fox

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 Marco Balducci, Zakareeya Pandey, Jade van Blerk, Ghia du Plessis news Brian Muller news team Olivia Walton, Tonbara Ekiyor, Sarah Jackson opinions Tatenda Goredema features Remy Ngamije & Tara Leverton sport Daniel Freund finance & advertising team Megan Lyons & Desmond Manyatshe marketing & brand manager JohnRoss Hugo, Mathabatha Sexwale IT manager Irfaan M Imamdin staff writers Kerryn Warren, Moss Matheolane, Tiffany Mugo, Calvin Scholtz, Alexandra Perry, Gugulethu Hlekwayo, Tariq Desai, Liam Kruger external contributors Taruziwa Madangombe, Nicole Jonklass, Graham Pote 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

opinions

Expats allowed to vote AS A patriotic South African, I have never been a fan of expatriates. I have always seen them as people who go overseas, complain to all their new friends about South Africa, then return for holidays only to tell us how much better their lives are, how this country is going downhill and how, unlike us, they will be able to get jobs in the future. So, when expatriates were officially granted the right to vote on 13 March—allowing them to participate in the 22 April election—I was not entirely in support of the verdict.

It is painfully obvious why, after over a decade of not being a major concern, the issue of expatriates’ rights to vote suddenly topped the political agenda of almost every opposition leader. The hope is clearly that the “whities” who fled the country after the 1994 will make a dent in the first election that might see a decline in the ANC’s overwhelming majority. Although I have always that people who were abroad for a few years as temporary workers or international students should be allowed to vote, I never understood why those who had immigrated with little intention of returning should get a say in our government.

After all, they are contributing their skills and taxes to the growth of another country’s economy while we are stuck in the middle of a skills shortage. Similarly, it has always seemed strange that people, who have South African citizenship but have not even set

foot in this country for years-perhaps decades—should still be able to dictate where this country is headed. After all, we are the ones who have to deal with the consequence of a new government, right?

Photo courtesy of zajel.org

Sarah Jackson

finally allowed to vote Expats will vote in this year’s general elections.

However, after the past few days, my view has slowly started to alter on the subject. According to an article by constitutional lawyer Ian Macdonald, South Africans living abroad send up to R4.2 billion to South Africa annually and the South African Reserve Bank claims to have received up to R5.6 billion from ex-residents.

In addition, I no longer believe it is true that the life of an expatri-

ate is in no way influenced by who is in government in the country they left behind. After all, one cannot blame people for leaving a country rife with crime to give their children a safer environment to grow up in, or for taking advantage of an opportunity given to them abroad. These people might, in fact, return if these issues are properly addressed by the government. There is a massive shortage in the nursing and teaching sector because our nurses and teaches are severely underpaid and overworked. According to Healthe.org, over 2 300 qualified nurses are working overseas.

Perhaps, if we actively listen to the concerns of the people who had to leave the country in order to make a decent living, we could prevent more people from leaving and lure some of our qualified professionals back. It is also unlikely that people who have no ties to South Africa apart from a South African passport will bother to vote in the elections; we are battling enough as it is to get people who still live here to participate.

Plenty of my friends have British citizenship because of their parents and none of them have ever taken part in a British election. The vote is therefore available to expatriates who still have enough of an emotional connection to South Africa to want to be an active part in building her future. There cannot be too much harm in that.

SRC COLUMN At the beginning of the year we promised that the SRC of 2009 would be a responsive SRC - an SRC that remains relevant by responding to student issues quickly and effectively. To date, we have certainly lived up to that promise and continue to make significant progress towards achieving our objectives. We want to remain focussed on getting the job done.“Getting the job done” sounds rather broad, so let me elaborate on some of the SRC’s activities over the past two weeks.

We have continued to address a number of residence issues, most notably the standard of Fedics catering and the meal voucher system. With regards to the standard of food in the residences, we have now completed a report that will be handed to Student Housing within the next week. This report details the concerns that students raised in the surveys that were distributed by the SRC a few weeks ago and will be used to put pressure on management to fix the various problems as quickly as possible. It has also come to our attention that lunch vouchers, although technically worth R16, are only worth R14.15 at some food vendors on upper campus. After some investigation, we found that this is because such vendors are not VAT registered. We met with them yesterday to try and find a solution to the problem and are hopeful that students will soon be able to redeem the full R16 of their meal vouchers at any food vendor on campus.

The Transformation Forum was officially constituted last week and brings together all students with an interest in advancing UCT’s transformation agenda, particularly as it relates to students. It comprises all the transformation representatives from the various Faculty Councils, as well as SRC representatives and other students. The idea is to co-ordinate the efforts of all student transformation representatives across all faculties so that we achieve tangible results and make substantial progress in the transformation portfolio. Mzwa, who holds the Transformation portfolio, has also been working hard to increase SRC co-operation with the Disability Unit and HAICU. We will be looking to co-operate on important projects with both these bodies throughout the year.

The Jammie Shuttle service has never worked as well as it should. This year we want to make a difference and improve it as much as possible. Shannon, who is now in charge of student services on the SRC, has prepared a survey that we will be using to better our understanding of the issues that students have with the service. SRC members, dressed in their bright red overalls, were sent to strategic Jammie Shuttle stops yesterday to distribute these surveys. Students can also express their views on the SRC Vula tab.

We will then use the data collected from these surveys to find workable solutions to the problems.

The SRC of 2009 is working hard to be the most relevant, visible and accessible SRC UCT has ever seen. In order to achieve this goal it is important for us to engage with students as much as possible. I would like to encourage all of you to interact with us by coming to our events, attending a few Presidential Consultation sessions (Mondays, 13h00, LS1B), sending us emails or just by popping into the office and sharing your opinions with us. We are situated on the 7th floor of the Steve Biko Building (the food court building), our doors are almost always open and all SRC representatives have daily consultation times. If we are finally going to make student governance really work at UCT, it is going to require communication between students, the SRC and UCT management. This is the only way that the students of UCT will be able to shape our university into one that puts our needs and our interests first.

Chris Ryall

JOB OPPORTUNITIES Equal Education (EE) is a social movement working for quality and equality in South African education, particularly public schools. EE’s members are learners, teachers, parents, activists and community members. The organisation uses research as the basis for activism. Our commitment is to the right that everyone has to education. The organisation is currently based in Khayelitsha.

EE is looking for people dedicated to equality, social justice, human rights and freedom, and who believe that a strong command of policy and law can be combined with grassroots activism to deliver change in democratic South Africa.

Researcher & Policy Analyst This position will fall under Equal Education’s Policy, Communications & Research Department Job Description: - Monitor and respond to developments in education policy - Contribute to Equal Education publications and public information documents - Contribute to Equal Education parliamentary presentations - Speak publicly, and in the press, about education policy on behalf of the organisation - Help to prepare seminars to build understanding of the South African education system Job Requirements: - A university degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field of the social or economic sciences - Excellent reading and writing skills - Excellent team-work - Commitment to working in a poor community

Parliamentary Analysis, Monitoring and Engagement Officer

- - -

Organise workshops to brief and inform parliamentarians on the state of education and education policy Ensure that legislatures are exercising effective oversight in monitoring the implementation of education policy Participate also in the general work of the Policy, Communications and Research Department.

Job Requirements: - A university degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field of the social or economic sciences - Excellent reading and writing skills - Excellent team-work - Commitment to working in a poor community

Academic Support Coordinator Job Description: - Build a project to support Equal Education’s high school members in receiving afterschool and/or weekend academic support - Establish a matric advice office to guide high school learners in applying for tertiary education study opportunities and financial support.

- Research the above areas, recruit and coordinate volunteers, and manage the project Job Requirements: - Experience in the tertiary education system - Excellent organisational and leadership skills - Good read and writing skills - Commitment to working in a poor community

This position will fall under Equal Education’s Policy, Communications & Research Department Job Description: - Monitor and respond to developments in education policy - Attend and participate in education committees and debates at Parliament and provincial legislatures. Lead submission on behalf of Equal Education.

Equal Education is an equal opportunity employer. People who attended poorlyresourced schools are encouraged to apply. Submit CV’s to head of PCR Yoliswa Dwane at dwaney56@gmail.com

6

opinions

Volume 68 Number 4

LAST week saw taxi riots take place in Johannesburg, a result of taxi operators’ anger at the proposed new Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system. This system is staunchly opposed by taxi operators, who claim the system will harm their livelihood.

Taxi operators stopped movement in the Johannesburg CBD, and according to reports threatened to “cripple the economy” and “bring even the trains to a standstill” if their memorandum, highlighting their disenchantment with the BRT system, was not met within a week.

These complaints may or may not be valid, and perhaps the BRT system is unfair, but there are better ways to voice concern. In a country that prides itself on having one of the most inclusive and open constitutions in the world, it is embarrassing when people decide that the best way to have their views taken seriously is to resort to animalistic behaviour.

The acts of last Tuesday highlight an unfortunate attitude that is inherent in South African society: the belief that violence is the only way to overturn decisions.

Last year, people who felt aggrieved by a lack of service delivery and an increase in the influx of foreign nationals took it upon themselves to act out violently, resulting in the infamous xenophobic attacks.

When Khutsong was delineated as a part of the North West and removed from Gauteng, people took to the streets and showed their dissent through violent means. Students at the University of Johannesburg rioted last year when they found

out about unfair fee increases.

Two weeks ago, Sundowns lost to Platinum Stars in a cup game, and Sundowns fans showed their unhappiness by attempting to attack the Stars coach after the game. These are but a few examples of a hoodlum mentality that exists among some in South Africa. These people—who may or may not be rightfully aggrieved— bring embarrassment to this nation through their injudicious acts.

The Confederations Cup is a few months away, the World Cup is coming up, South Africa is hosting various sporting tournaments throughout the year—and foreign visitors are treated to watching people behaving like animals running up and down streets in tribal gear terrorising civil society.

This sort of violent protest must be met with the harshest response from the authorities. The police must deal ruthlessly with people who seek to subvert the promises of the constitution and, in so doing, bring down the nation’s reputation.

To acquiesce to hooligans’ terror would create a damaging and erroneous impression; there must be no doubt in the world’s eyes that South Africa means business when it comes to enforcing the law.

Those who feel aggrieved must stick within the bounds of the law when they voice their concerns; there is nothing wrong with marches or peaceful protest, but when people decide to overstep the bounds set by the law, a corresponding force must be used. Although they have a right to be upset, their indignation must find a dignified and proper voice if it is to be taken seriously: violence only begets violence.

Bought and paid for Gugulethu Hlekwayo “POLITICIAN secretly receives money from corporation.”

“Politician does favours for the corporation.” “Political party secretly receives money from corporation to fund election campaign.”

“Corporation buys political influence.” The latter is not illegal and we, the public, are meant to believe that these “harmless” campaign contributions are necessary and do not undermine our democracy. In light of the allegations surrounding Zuma and the arms deal, it is quite shocking that the legal bribery going on does not even warrant a mention. The law allows this and much more. Parties do not have to reveal the source of their funds (unless fraudulently received, as was the case with the Kebble affair involving the ANC and the DA). There are no limits on private and corporate funding to political parties. There is no independent auditing of private political funding. There is no government department tasked with monitoring campaign contributions, particularly those from foreign sources.

If we are to trust politicians (and as a profession, politics by its nature attracts morally dubious individuals) to not be led by corporate interests, we might as well legalise the more overt forms of bribery. The needs of corporate persons will soon overrule those of living, breathing people and society in general. The few corporations that have publicly declared their contributions include MTN (R13 million to unnamed parties) and SAB Miller (R5 million to the six biggest parties), but there remains a silent

majority. A more prudent system would force parties to reveal their sources, ensuring they are not unduly influenced by the private sector. But the political will to implement this is lacking. A utopian solution would be publicly funded campaigns which ensure that parties are only accountable to the electorate and not business interests, but it would take a brave party to threaten its cash flow in this way.

The most disturbing development is the creation of funding arms, particularly in the ruling party. The ANC’s funding arm, Chancellor House (named after the building that housed Mandela and Tambo’s law firm), recently benefited from an Eskom deal awarded by government (the ANC) to one of its subsidiaries worth R14 billion. The circular flow of money and influence is corruption taken to a new level — and it’s entirely within the law. Other dubiously procured deals include a manganese mining deal worth R7 billion. What’s more, the internal operations of Chancellor House are blanketed in secrecy. Who gets the money and how it is used is unknown outside of Luthuli House. We are left to trust businesses - selling influence at the expense of the masses masquerading as political parties.

All of this legal bribery makes Yengeni and Zuma’s (alleged) exploits seem amateurish and begs the question: does your vote actually matter? It has become almost fashionable to vote and pressure others to vote, but if all the choices on the ballot sheet are equally invested in a system of secret patronage, is democracy an X on a ballot paper or is it really just a $?

Charles Beck ALWAYS labelled in the media as “convicted fraudster”, Schabir Schaik may as well add it as a second name. Clearly, the media has gone out on a limb and decided to subtly let us know that they think convicted fraudster Schabir Schaik is indeed a fraudster – let’s be honest, “convicted” is just there to dodge libel suits.

Curiously though, Schaik seems to be unable to stop his recreational pastime. Not content with defrauding the public out of his debt to society, Schaik seems to have reached for the stars and managed to cheat even death. I’m wondering how this nimble cat with nine lives, apparently, is still alive.

We were told Schaik was released because he was “dying”.

Curiously enough though, Schaik is still apparently “dying”.

Remarkable! No, it’s not remarkable; it’s just a lie – a dreadfully obvious one. As much as I’d like to believe it, I don’t think Schaik is dying at all. I think we, as society, got screwed by one of our debtors. Do we deserve to be lied to and mislead like this? No. Like a child unimpressed with a horrid school lunch forced down his throat, we really should slap that crap on a spoon out of the abuser’s hand.

However, maybe we shouldn’t speak so damningly of the (near) “dead” like this. Let us try and look objectively at this whole Schaik controversy. Firstly, we could look at the facts surrounding Schaik. Unfortunately, there aren’t any. What we are caught up in really is a lot of allegations and closed doors which has rendered the public hoodwinked for the time being.

Let me illustrate: I was in the library the other day where the Mail&Guardian was next to the Sowetan. The M&G, fuming and up in arms over Schaik’s release, was demanding answers. On the other side was the Sowetan which was sporting the heading: “The Truth About Schaik: He Should Have Gone Home Seven Months Ago!” It seems the public is a little bit spoilt for choice. So, where to start? First, let’s start with the law which is pretty iron-clad on this matter– at least on paper. Nobody should be released until they are dying, and so much so that they are so incapacitated that they are no longer a threat to society.

Basically, Schaik must be about to kick the bucket if he wants to acquire this convenient get out of jail free-card. Taking our cue from the Sowetan, could Schaik really be dying? That’s unlikely because if you look at the odds, it is more probable that

this a slyly connived correctional services institution exit strategy.

It’s also terribly unlikely because - let’s use our heads - death does not have such a long doormat that you can seriously be at its door for seven months, still in the same state of semi-kinda-slightly-notreally dying, because that’s called living.

If you’re pronounced “about to die”, you generally die soon after. Schaik is clearly not dying.

He was about to die a while ago, still is about to die and, I suspect, will be about to die for quite a while. I’m not holding my breath, but I’d just like to know, Mr Schaik, when will you die? Please prove me wrong because eating my words would be more palatable than seeing you get away with your own private liberation struggle.

Et tu Trevor? Then fall South Africa seamus duggan

SHORTLY after his release from prison, Nelson Mandela, one of South Africa’s greatest sons, penned a document that would determine the direction of the nation’s foreign policy. Central to this document were two pillars: the first, as stated by Mandela, was “that issues of human rights are central to international relations and an understanding that they extend beyond the political, embracing the economic, social and environmental.” The second was that “considerations of justice and respect for international law should guide the relations between nations.”

After being elected to power, embracing one of the world’s

most advanced constitutions and developing a foreign policy based on the earlier document, the government, led by Mandela, reneged on the very foundations that they had set out for themselves.

Following diplomatic pressure from China, Mandela announced that South Africa no longer recognised Taiwan as a sovereign state and an independent member of the international community.

If even the deepest source of our nations pride is prone to hypocrisy, then why were we all so surprised when the current government, headed by Kgalema Motlanthe, or Jacob Zuma or Gwede Mantashe or whoever, once more turned their back on a foe of China, the Dalai Lama?

The government would have

Photo courtesy of iulian.org

Tatenda Goredema

Photo courtesy of 3.bp.blogspot.com

Behaviour unbecoming Diagnosing Schaik: open wide and say “Huh?!”

us believe that in refusing to allow the Dalai Lama to attend the peace conference that was part of the 2010 preparations they were protecting the interests of South Africa from the obscuring effect that a visit from the spiritual leader would have. The official stance of government is that they did not want the issues of Tibet to detract from the 2010 football World Cup. Well great work there guys, because that is exactly what has happened.

Was this decision based on respect for international law or concern for human rights? It would appear not. We could go into all sorts of arguments about South Africa’s history and that a nation that has had such gross human rights violations, such as we have, should open its arms to any advocate of human rights, especially one with the stature of the Dalai Lama, but quite honestly, why should we have to go this far?

All we need to do is consider what it means to be a sovereign nationto make decisions free from the influence of external sources.

Barbara Hogan, the Minister of Health, broke ranks and told government exactly how she felt, but where were the rest of the struggle heroes? The same heroes that tell us on a daily basis that the struggle continues? The same heroes that fought Apartheid and lost their comrades to a repressive regime. Where were they?

One of them was recently at UCT. Trevor Manuel, a champion of the ANC and a darling of the majority of South Africans, asked who the Dalai Lama was. He went further and said that “to say anything against the Dalai Lama is, in some quarters, equivalent to trying to shoot Bambi.” No Mr Manuel, the two are nothing alike.

Bambi was a fictional character in an American movie, the Dalai Lama is a human being promoting peace and advocating against the violation of human rights and he was trying to do so in a country that purports to care about peace and human rights, but only does so when it isn’t an inconvenience.

What a shame.

7

opinions

The more things change…

“IN A world like this, it’s appropriate to be uncertain. You’re an adult in a time when the leaders of the world are behaving like children whose demands are not negotiable. Where the central image of our day is a terrorist one: humane concerns inhumanely expressed. And where the only response to this is impotent fury.”

The above statement makes sense, doesn’t it? It perfectly describes today’s world. In fact, it is a quotation from a speech given by Alan Alda (the famous comedian who starred in M*A*S*H) at his daughter’s college graduation ceremony in 1980. It is disquieting to realise that in nearly thirty years, nothing much has changed.

People talk a lot about change.

The world is changing faster than it ever has before, largely because of massive advances in technology. I can still remember using MS DOS, although ten years down the line it seems terribly quaint and old-fashioned. The computer didn’t even have a mouse. Besides, I’m guessing that most of us can scarcely recall a time before cellphones. “...People

talk a lot about change. The world is changing faster than it ever has before, largely because of advances in technology...”

We Skype, MXit, Facebook, and break the sound barrier.

Devastating diseases have been eradicated, and human rights are widely acknowledged. Yet,

Photo courtesy of unescap.org

Louise Ferreira

Reasonable Doubt

Students ought to come first Tatenda Goredema

technology at work - technological advances have helped herald change in the 21st century war is still with us, along with terrorism and Aids. We have not been able to stamp out poverty and hunger because people can’t stop squabbling amongst themselves long enough to find a solution.

Human beings routinely violate one another’s rights without regard.

This is the world we are inheriting, even though most of us haven’t been here long enough to do any major damage. How are we to bring about change, then?

The day before Barack Obama’s inauguration, a cartoon that has stuck in my memory appeared in Die Burger. It shows a mound of rubbish, left behind by a retreating Bush, with labels like “Iraq” and “Guantánamo Bay”. Next to it stands Obama, a huge smile on his face, a broom and shovel in one hand, rolling up his sleeves with the other. Whether Obama actually manages to achieve the changes he has promised is irrelevant. The point is that we are the ones who need to take action.

The American conflict theoretician Barbara Deming said, “Our task is to turn the anger that is affliction into the anger that is determination to bring about change.” Sitting around and moaning about the authorities being bureaucratic, corrupt and inept is not going to make one iota of difference. It’s time we got off our butts and started doing the work ourselves.

Volume 66 Number 8

THERE is a poisonous condition afflicting student politics at UCT, and that condition is the existence of political parties. I am a great believer in promoting political awareness and having a proactive youth that is politically savvy, but events I have witnessed during my time at this university have convinced me that the problem of students being taken seriously lies in the power and effectiveness of the student body to communicate its concerns and needs to the administrators of this university. That power of unified communication, usually handed to the SRC, is eroded by the partisan squabbling and factionalism inherent in student politics as a result of the existence of political parties.

This is not to say that there haven’t been effective and wellmanaged SRC’s before or that the current one is underperforming; rather, my point is that the existence of political parties and agendas which are cultivated in various parties are generally detrimental to the ordinary student at UCT. I once spoke to an informed member of UCT staff who told me that the reason students often get a raw deal at this institution with regards to fee increases and Senate rulings was because the student leadership was too divided to contest the real issues and confront the administrators of UCT. A few weeks ago, I attended the first sitting of Student Assembly. The back and forth between SASCO and the “‘DASO-led’ SRC” — a term that

was constantly used to describe the SRC—was ridiculous. The students who sat through the Assembly session were treated to what student politics has devolved into at this great institution.

Instead of charting a unified way forward on key issues and finding ways to further improve the UCT experience, student politics has become about who has the most positions on the SRC with regards to a [political] party.

To be frank, I have little

the proportional representation system, it is completely unnecessary on a university campus. Thus, praise must go to those independents that have the temerity to stand and get elected onto the SRC. The promises of any political party on campus are meaningless when you attend Student Assembly and see some of the leaders in action. They take pride in bringing each other down, uncovering “conspiracies”, intimidating their fellow leaders, and fulfilling the stereotype that has been placed on politics as a dirty game played by hoodlums and hooligans.

I believe that we as students deserve better representation.

We deserve a better standard of leadership. And we deserve our voices to be taken seriously by the people in Bremner. This cannot be achieved as long as simple-minded and selfish individuals hide under the guise of representing student interests, while in fact they are playing for their own team—or, in this case, party.

Students must wake up from their sleepy state of apathy and take back the institution that belongs to them. Political parties on campus are needless, divisive and ultimately detrimental to students.

To those parties that will undoubtedly take offence from this piece, I leave you with a quote by the great Malcolm X: “you’ll have to forgive me for being frank-talking and bluntspeaking, we don’t care who likes it or not, it’s the truth.”

“...To

be frank, I have little affection or care for DASO, SASCO, ANCYL, the Good Party, Students for Progress...” affection or care for DASO, SASCO, ANCYL, the Good Party, Students for Progress or whatever other parties there are on campus. In my view, they offer little to this university other than a way to appear important for those who feel marginalised in an academic environment.

During SRC elections, when you look at a candidate list/manifesto, what you read about under a candidate for a party is what the party offers, as opposed to what the individual is offering. While this is the norm in the national domain under

A Pope, a rubber, a problem THE POPE is come to the Dark Continent, and he hath declared that condoms are a most unrighteous thing.

Nice one, buddy.

Africa and South America are the Catholic Church’s greatest hope. While the religiously apathetic Europeans disassociate themselves from organised religion en mass, the Church has found an eager ear in the Third World. In the last couple of weeks, millions have attended the Pope’s sermons across Africa to hear the word of God’s Special Envoy to Earth. People still trust and respect the Church here, and most of their followers need Catholicism as a source of hope in their desperate existences. There is nothing at all objectionable about religion’s capacity to empower the human spirit; but it is intolerable when a religion abuses its power to influence the vulnerable. This is precisely what the Catholic Church is doing by declaring contraception as unchristian.

The Catholic Church has made

the use of contraception more controversial than it has any right to. They have stuck firmly to the same archaic arguments for a while now – that we must respect the sanctity of life, that (and I’m not inventing this) condoms haven’t been proven to work, and that abstinence must be maintained outside of marriage.

The sanctity of life is a nice one to deal with first. Africa is home to the bulk of people infected with HIV. Their children will most likely also be infected by the virus (I don’t have not enough space to rant about the evil pharmaceutical industry and idiot governments).

These people will die before they ought to. African people are also producing too many children. The population explosion is a massive strain on the resources of African countries, where there is already not enough of anything to go round. Using the excuse that the suffering these people will endure is all part of the Grand Design is insufficient and cruel.

In spite of what the Pope

Photo courtesy of davidmacd.com

James Stent analyses the relevance of papal arguments in the 21st century

says, condoms do prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS. They also have the handy ability of preventing unwanted pregnancies.

Both of these properties are to the benefit of Africans. Supporting, or even just allowing the use of condoms will save lives. Catholics

in Africa will listen and follow sensible demands, one of which abstinence evidently is not. The ordained members of the Church have not found will-power enough to stick to this proclamation, so to expect the common Catholic to do so is rather deluded.

The Church struggles to manage issues relating to sex in a consistent manner, which is understandable considering that it is an institution run by a horde of blue-balled men. Their vehement opposition to the use of condoms gives the casual observer the view that using a condom is a greater sin than being faithful to one’s partner or refraining from sex altogether. People are going to do it no matter what the Pope declares; hormones will inevitably win. What can be changed is how people go about doing the nasty.

And should the Pope, a man with colossal influence, declare that people should practise safe sex, Catholics will likely listen.

The Pope has the ability to change the opinions of over a billion people. He should be using his position of power as an instrument of social change for the betterment of humanity. He should not spend his time mindlessly reiterating institutionalised dogma that has nothing to do with the teachings.

8

Features

Volume 68 Number 4

Feature focus: The year so far

Saxual Revolution

Photos by Simone Milward

SJC march to Parliament

Photos by Simone Milward

The SJC March To Parliament - Members of the Social Justice Coalition march to Parliament to protest about the Arms Deal. UCT Vice-Chancellor, Dr Max Price, lent his voice to the protesters.

Sax Appeal - UCT students woke up at the crack of dawn to sell Sax Appeal magazines. The proceeds from the sales of the magazine are donated to SHAWCO.

Freshers’ Braai

Societies Week

Photos by Simone Milward

Despite the windy weather, first-year and returning students all flocked to Jameson Plaza to sign up for their chosen societies. Above right: Ballroom Society show off their dancing prowess.

Photos by Remy Ngamije

An article published in the magazine caused a furore amongst the Christian community in South Africa, leading to apologies from the Vice-Chancellor, the RAG Chairman, Cameron Arendse and the Editor of SAX, Maciek Dubla (seen holding the sign). Interviews by Special Assignment and Carte Blanche covered the issue in great depth and many student opinions were published in Varsity.

Rag Olympics

Photos by Zakareeya Pandey

Crowded - First-year students of the University of Cape Town showed up in their hundreds for the annual Freshers’ Braai held on the rugby fields. Entertained by an energetic Anton Taylor, the crowd was left cheering and laughing by his antics. Fedics catered for the event for the first time (below right).

This is coooooommmerce! - Loyiso Litha Daka (left) leads the Commerce Orientation Leaders around Freshers’ Braai. The orientation leaders danced and cheered, providing energy to one of the most exciting Freshers’ Braais to date.

Big Bash

Photos by Remy Ngamije

Farewell to O-Week - The Big Bash, held at Ratanga Junction, was the farewell event for another frenetic O-week experience. Performances by Goldfish and DJ Euphonik had the crowd in in a frenzy.

Above left: The gentlemen take a breather from partying to pose for the camera.

Glory awaits - Students compete in the RAG Olympics held annually on Jammie Plaza. The obstacle course, bobbing for apples and trolley races were some of the events that competing teams participated in. With safety as the main priority of the event, no students were injured and the event went off without incident.

Above right: Goldfish crowns off another momentous night.

Left: The flashing lights of O-week come to another close with the beginning of term just around the corner.

features

The Woolsack Fire

9 Photos by Ghia du Plessis

gutted - On 6 March, a fire of unknown origin blazed through the Woolsack complex. In all, 14 rooms were affected from the fire itself and the water that was used to extinguish it.

No students were injured in the incident. The students of the affected rooms were quickly relocated to other UCT residences where they have been staying since.

From left to right: The state of the various rooms after the fire tore through the complex.

Fire at Rhodes Memorial

Photos by Graham Pote, Zakareeya Pandey, Ghia du Plessis & Remy Ngamije

We didn’t start the fire - On 17 March, a fire started at Rhodes Memorial, spreading swiftly across the mountainside. The fire started around 7:30pm and continued throughout the night and the following day.

Firemen battled the raging flames from Rhodes Memorial all the way up to the summit of Devil’s Peak. Helicopters were commissioned on 18 March to collect water from the UCT dam to help put out the flames on the mountain.

The inferno, although devastating, provided Cape Town with some spectacular apocalyptic scenes, lighting up the night sky for miles around and providing the mountain fynbos with the jumpstart it would need to start a new life.

All avid photographers are invited to submit photographs they have concerning UCT related events. Email them to varsitynewspaper@gmail.com

10 UCT workers - suffering in silence Features

IN JANUARY, as part of research for a UCT Student Worker Alliance campaign, my brother and I attempted to speak to G4S security guards on their lunch break. Supervisors directed us to a higher level of management and advised us to apply for permission to interview workers.

Two days later a memorandum from management was circulated amongst workers stating that anyone who attempted to get their concerns heard by the client, UCT, could face disciplinary action.

A month earlier, the service company responsible for cleaning our campuses, SuperCare, had a change in management structures.

The new site manager, addressing workers for the first time, reminded them that any worker speaking to academic staff or students about problems they faced at work would not be tolerated.

“...workers on campus face continuous, exhausting pressure from their employers not to speak out against illtreatment...”

Three weeks ago, UCT management held an operations meeting with service company managers and worker representatives. A NEHAWU representative informed us that the elected representatives of the Jammie Shuttle drivers were not invited by their management.

They did, however, attend the meeting. Despite having had their shifts covered by co-workers, they were subsequently suspended.

They are back at work, and they have received formal letters of warning.

Beyond the view of students, workers on campus face continuous, exhausting pressure from their employers not to speak out against ill-treatment.

Out of uniform and in a closed classroom, two workers on campus agreed to talk to me. One had often represented his co-workers’ concerns to management, so was

the Code will be fulfilled.

Without an open and constructive way to express their problems and have them addressed, workers are becoming frustrated.

“We haven’t striked, we carry on with negotiations. Maybe that’s why our problems don’t go away,” a worker representative told me.

Organising on campus to present a united position to UCT or the service providers is becoming increasingly difficult. Union activity across campus is difficult where workers are splintered into different service companies.

Through the Workers Forum, workers are demanding a direct, confidential route to getting their concerns heard by UCT. As the primary employer, UCT can exert pressure on service providers to provide working conditions in keeping with our values. One worker mentioned to me that she “would like staff and students to come ask our workers about how the company treats us, how managers treat us.” We can only address problems if they are acknowledged – and this is only

if workers are able to speak out openly and securely against illtreatment.

This narrative of the silenced worker calls into question the image of a university striving to fulfil the promise of human rights and dignity in our society. We have to ask how our graduates will respond to the challenges of working in Africa if these voices go unheard on our campuses.

More immediately, the livelihoods of those who cannot speak out depends on it.

Student’s Voice The ideals of the University of Cape Town, democracy and equality, are not only for the students of this prestigious academic institution. Write to us and tell us your views on this situation. Email letters to varsitynewspaper@gamil. com Image courtesy of www.blog.cleanwetfloor.wordpress.com

Image courtesy of www.blog.cleanwetfloor.wordpress.com

Tariq Desai

Volume 68 Number 4

All clean and no pay - Who cleans up after you? aware of the “threat and fear” experienced by workers who want to voice their problems. “I don’t like to see my colleagues victimised,” he explains to me.

Threats that these workers, and employees of other companies, face on campus take many forms. Without written warnings, workers have been threatened with transferral to another building or campus, or have received deductions from their wages. They have been transferred to other sites at which their companies have clients – causing workers to lose a wage supplement provided by UCT. Two weeks ago, an early morning meeting of workers of one company was stopped after supervisors intruded and started collecting the names of those at the meeting. The workers do not yet know how the company will use that information. Workers that are more outspoken have been suspended or lost their jobs.

And the problems they would speak out about are real.

The worker I interviewed produced pay query forms submitted by another who has not received the wage supplement that UCT stipulates he should receive.

More of his colleagues have not been paid sufficient overtime – work done outside of the usual 45hour week is not being recorded as such by supervisors. His own leave application failed to filter through management processes to receive approval in time for him to take off in December.

Addressing concerns through channels set up by the company is a bureaucratic process, involving any number of grievance forms, pay query slips, appointment letters or permission to speak forms.

Concerns are logged and filed away, though seldom addressed.

Between UCT and service providers there is a Code of Conduct to which the companies are required to subscribe. As stated in this Code, worker representatives are not to be “discriminated against”, and are to be given access to the workplace “to carry out their representative functions”. Moreover, service companies are expected to produce annual reports on adherence to the Code, to which workers must be able to comment. The reports, to be circulated to the University Human Resources Committee, have not been made.

Workers doubt the promises of

Decent wages for indecent work - The daily struggle of the UCT cleaning staff.

11

Features

Scene and not nerd - the world of comics

>Ă€iiÀÊ iĂ›iÂ?ÂœÂŤÂ“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ*Ă€Âœ}Ă€>““i

The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller The Batman’s swan-song in a gritty, dystopian near-future.

Stylistically striking, although readers may find the conclusion doesn’t quite satisfy.

Watchmen by Alan Moore With all the buzz surrounding the movie, you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not reading this. Be prepared, though – it’s confusing and upsetting, and demands your full attention.

The Immortal Iron Fist by Ed Brubacker A fun, visually impressive tour of a long-standing character and his world. Expect a vast repertoire of silly kung-fu names.

Image courtesy of www.distraction.com

audience?

Well, of course not. Film and comic books are distinct media with their own strengths and weaknesses, and comic book fans are a notoriously pedantic audience. That isn’t the point, though; what we’re seeing now is an emergence of comic bookbased films that don’t follow the formulaic Fantastic Four-style plot – super hero origin, super hero conflict, super hero romance, roll credits. While the films’ relation to the source material are at times tenuous, studios are starting to release far more thoughtful, frankly intelligent, comic book films – which in turn should draw mainstream attention to the thoughtful and frankly intelligent comic books themselves, ignored amongst piles of Archie and XMen. There are exceptions, sadly; films like Elektra, Catwoman and Daredevil are unlikely to have endeared any audiences to the “graphic novel� cliques. That said, as long as geek directors such as Christopher Nolan (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight) and Zack Snyder are prominent in the business, comic book films will find themselves slowly shifting into the realm of social acceptability. Who knows, one day it might even be cool to have your own Batcave.

Image courtesy of www.image.com

which often results in incredibly patchy reconstructions.

One such sufferer of poor adaptation is Alan Moore; he penned The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, From Hell and V for Vendetta comics, which were treated with little or no respect in their screen conversions. Sadly, Moore has since removed his name from all associated films. As such, we’re faced with the question: does the increased publicity and awareness inherent in film adaptation of a title justify poor conversion?

Of course, there is a contrary scenario – that of too much faithfulness to the source. Sin City, for instance, was hailed as being a panel-by-panel reproduction of the gritty noir comics of the same name; Zack Snyder took much the same approach in his directing of Watchmen. While fans of the comic were deeply appreciative, those who weren’t familiar with the source text often found themselves troubled by the film’s pacing and plot – the film being limited in many areas by its respect for the source material. This raises the question of “filmability� – if a comic book is done well (and Watchmen really is done astonishingly well), can it be properly translated to satisfy both the comic book fan audience and the (rather larger) mainstream

Image courtesy of www.criticadepeliculas.com

THANKS to Hollywood’s “discovery� that comic book films tend to become box office successes (with some unfortunate exceptions), it’s hard to find an audience these days that doesn’t show some recognition at names like Peter Parker, Bruce Wayne, or Clark Kent – but as more and more studios try and climb onto the Comic-Book-Moviebandwagon, lesser-known names are finding themselves thrust onto the silver screen. 300, Watchmen, The Spirit, titles relatively unheard-of outside of the comic book (“graphic novel�) reading fraternity, have recently found larger recognition – to varying degrees of success. Though these have only recently entered the wider public consciousness, the books are by no means obscure; indeed, the authors (Frank Miller, Alan Moore and Will Eisner, respectively) have constituted veritable bastions of comic book industry and artistry over the past couple of decades.

Of course, as the lesserknown, more “artsy� comics (and we would do well to remember that comic books do, of course, fill an artistic role) are being adapted for film release, directors are finding themselves saddled with the difficult task of communicating the features of a comic book in film format –

Some recommended reading

Image courtesy of www.thepurg.info

Liam Kruger dons his cape and investigates the world of comic books

The Sandman by Neil Gaiman A new take on a tired 60s character – a massive, intellectual work, dealing with ideas of myth, narrative, duty and change. Ambitious, but strongly recommended.

ĂŠ Ă€>`Ă•>ĂŒiĂŠ,iVĂ€Ă•ÂˆĂŒÂ“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠĂ“Ă¤Ă¤Â™ ĂŠ

ĂŠ

ĂŠ ĂŠ ĂŠ ĂŠ

ÊÓäÊ ÂŤĂ€ÂˆÂ?ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂŁ{ĂŠ >ÞÊ>˜`ÊәÊ Ă•Â?ĂžĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠĂŽĂ¤ĂŠ-iÂŤĂŒi“LiĂ€ ĂŠ

ĂŠ

ĂŠ

ĂŠ

ĂŠ

ĂŠ ĂŠ ĂŠ

ĂŠ ĂŠ ĂŠ

ĂŠ ĂŠ ĂŠ

ĂŠ

i˜iĂ€>Â?ĂŠ >Ă€iiÀÊ >ÂˆĂ€ĂŠ ĂŠ / **É/"**ĂŠ >Ă€iiÀÊ >ÂˆĂ€ĂŠ >ĂœĂŠ >Ă€iiÀÊ >ÂˆĂ€ĂŠ ĂŠ ĂŠ i˜iĂ€>Â?ĂŠ >Ă€iiÀÊ >ÂˆĂ€ĂŠ ĂŠ

{ĂŠ Ă•}Ă•ĂƒĂŒ xĂŠ Ă•}Ă•ĂƒĂŒ ÂŁĂŽĂŠ Ă•}Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂŠĂŠ Ă“xĂŠ Ă•}Ă•ĂƒĂŒ

Ă•Ă€ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ ĂŒÂ…iĂŠ >Â˜Â˜Ă•>Â?ĂŠ Ă€>`Ă•>ĂŒiĂŠ ,iVĂ€Ă•ÂˆĂŒÂ“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ *Ă€Âœ}Ă€>““i]ĂŠ Â“ÂœĂ€iĂŠ ĂŒÂ…>Â˜ĂŠ £ääÊ ÂœĂ€}>Â˜ÂˆĂƒ>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠ ĂƒiiŽˆ˜}ĂŠ ĂŒÂœĂŠ >ĂŒĂŒĂ€>VĂŒĂŠ }Ă€>`Ă•>ĂŒiĂŠ ĂŒ>Â?iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ ÂŤ>Ă€ĂŒÂˆVÂˆÂŤ>ĂŒiĂŠ ÂˆÂ˜ĂŠ ÂŤĂ€iĂƒiÂ˜ĂŒ>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠ >˜`ĂŠ ĂƒiÂ?iVĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂŠ ÂˆÂ˜ĂŒiĂ€Ă›ÂˆiĂœĂƒĂŠ ÂœÂ˜ĂŠ V>Â“ÂŤĂ•Ăƒ]ĂŠ ĂœÂ…ÂˆÂ?ĂƒĂŒĂŠ >Â?ĂƒÂœĂŠ ÂœvviĂ€ÂˆÂ˜}ĂŠ ÂˆÂ˜ĂŒiĂ€Â˜ĂƒÂ…ÂˆÂŤĂƒĂŠ >˜`ĂŠ LĂ•Ă€Ăƒ>Ă€ÂˆiĂƒÂ°ĂŠ Â?Â?ĂŠ ĂƒĂŒĂ•`iÂ˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠ V>Â˜ĂŠ Ă•ĂƒiĂŠ ĂŒÂ…iĂŠ ,*ĂŠ ĂŒÂœĂŠ Ă€iĂƒi>Ă€VÂ…ĂŠ `ˆvviĂ€iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ i“Â?ÂœĂžÂ“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ ÂŤĂ€ÂœĂƒÂŤiVĂŒĂƒĂŠLÞÊ>ĂŒĂŒi˜`ˆ˜}ĂŠ>ĂŠĂœÂˆ`iĂŠĂ€>˜}iĂŠÂœvĂŠĂŒ>Â?ÂŽĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠÂ…iÂ?ÂŤĂŠĂŒÂ…i“ÊiĂ?ÂŤÂ?ÂœĂ€iĂŠÂœÂŤĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠ>˜`ʓ>ÂŽiĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“i`ĂŠV…œˆViĂƒÂ° /Â…iĂŠ >Ă€iiÀÊ >ÂˆĂ€ĂƒĂŠÂŤĂ€ÂœĂ›Âˆ`iĂŠÂœÂŤÂŤÂœĂ€ĂŒĂ•Â˜ÂˆĂŒÂˆiĂƒĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠw˜`ĂŠÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠÂ“ÂœĂ€iĂŠ>LÂœĂ•ĂŒĂŠÂŤÂœĂŒiÂ˜ĂŒÂˆ>Â?ĂŠi“Â?ÂœĂžiĂ€ĂƒĂŠÂ‡ĂŠ>ĂŠĂ€>˜}iĂŠÂœvĂŠ ˆ˜`Ă•ĂƒĂŒĂ€ÂˆiĂƒĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠĂƒÂ…ÂœĂœV>Ăƒi`ĂŠ>˜`ĂŠĂƒĂŒĂ•`iÂ˜ĂŒĂƒĂŠ>Ă€iĂŠi˜VÂœĂ•Ă€>}i`ĂŠĂŒÂœĂŠ}>ĂŒÂ…iĂ€ĂŠÂˆÂ˜vÂœĂ€Â“>ĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜]ĂŠ>ĂƒÂŽĂŠÂľĂ•iĂƒĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜ĂƒĂŠEĂŠÂ˜iĂŒĂœÂœĂ€ÂŽÂ° /Â…iÊÓää™Ê Ă€>`Ă•>ĂŒiĂŠ,iVĂ€Ă•ÂˆĂŒÂ“iÂ˜ĂŒĂŠ >˜`LÂœÂœÂŽĂŠÂ­`ÂˆĂƒĂŒĂ€ÂˆLĂ•ĂŒi`ĂŠvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠÂ“Âˆ`‡ >ÞÊvĂ€ÂœÂ“ĂŠ

*Ă&#x160;Ă&#x20AC;iViÂŤĂ&#x152;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x153;Â&#x2DC;ÂŽĂ&#x160; VÂ&#x153;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x152;>Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x160;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;vÂ&#x153;Ă&#x20AC;Â&#x201C;>Ă&#x152;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x153;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x160;Â&#x153;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x160;Â?Â&#x153;LĂ&#x160;Ă&#x192;i>Ă&#x20AC;VÂ&#x2026;]Ă&#x160;Â?Â&#x153;LĂ&#x160;>ÂŤÂŤÂ?Â&#x2C6;V>Ă&#x152;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x153;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x160;>Â&#x2DC;`Ă&#x160;Ă&#x192;iÂ?iVĂ&#x152;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x153;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x160;Â&#x201C;iĂ&#x152;Â&#x2026;Â&#x153;`Ă&#x192;°Ă&#x160;/Â&#x2026;iĂ&#x160;Â&#x2026;>Â&#x2DC;`LÂ&#x153;Â&#x153;Â&#x17D;Ă&#x160;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;VÂ?Ă&#x2022;`iĂ&#x192;Ă&#x160;>Ă&#x160;Â?Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x160; Â&#x153;vĂ&#x160;Â&#x201C;iĂ&#x20AC;Â&#x2C6;`Â&#x2C6;>Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x160;>Â&#x2DC;`Ă&#x160;iĂ&#x203A;iÂ&#x2DC;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;}Ă&#x160;ÂŤĂ&#x20AC;iĂ&#x192;iÂ&#x2DC;Ă&#x152;>Ă&#x152;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x153;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x192;]Ă&#x160;>Â&#x2DC;`Ă&#x160;>Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x160; Â&#x2021;<Ă&#x160;`Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x20AC;iVĂ&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x20AC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x160;Â&#x153;vĂ&#x160;ÂŤ>Ă&#x20AC;Ă&#x152;Â&#x2C6;VÂ&#x2C6;ÂŤ>Ă&#x152;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;}Ă&#x160;iÂ&#x201C;ÂŤÂ?Â&#x153;Ă&#x17E;iĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x192;° ,i}Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x152;iĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x160;Â&#x153;Â&#x2DC;Â?Â&#x2C6;Â&#x2DC;iĂ&#x160;Ă&#x152;Â&#x153;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x20AC;iViÂ&#x2C6;Ă&#x203A;iĂ&#x160;Ă&#x20AC;i}Ă&#x2022;Â?>Ă&#x20AC;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x2022;ÂŤ`>Ă&#x152;iĂ&#x192;°Ă&#x160; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;°V>Ă&#x20AC;iiĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x192;°Ă&#x2022;VĂ&#x152;°>V°â>Ă&#x160;Â&#x20AC;Ă&#x160;1 /Ă&#x160;-Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2022;`iÂ&#x2DC;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x160;Â&#x20AC;Ă&#x160;-Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2022;`iÂ&#x2DC;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x160;,i}Â&#x2C6;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x20AC;>Ă&#x152;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x153;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x160; Â&#x153;Ă&#x20AC;Â&#x201C;°

, ,Ă&#x160; 6 "* /Ă&#x160;*," ,

iÂ&#x2DC;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x20AC;iĂ&#x160;vÂ&#x153;Ă&#x20AC;Ă&#x160; Â&#x2C6;}Â&#x2026;iĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x160; `Ă&#x2022;V>Ă&#x152;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x153;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x160; iĂ&#x203A;iÂ?Â&#x153;ÂŤÂ&#x201C;iÂ&#x2DC;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x160;­

ÂŽ Â&#x153;iĂ&#x20AC;Â&#x2C6;Â&#x17D;Ă&#x153;>}}Â&#x153;]Ă&#x160;1ÂŤÂŤiĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x160; >Â&#x201C;ÂŤĂ&#x2022;Ă&#x192; Ă&#x152;iÂ?\Ă&#x160;äĂ&#x201C;ÂŁĂ&#x160;Ă&#x2C6;xäĂ&#x160;Ă&#x201C;{Â&#x2122;Ă&#x2021;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x160;NĂ&#x160;iÂ&#x201C;>Â&#x2C6;Â?\Ă&#x160;V`ÂŤÂ&#x2021;V>Ă&#x20AC;iiĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x192;JĂ&#x2022;VĂ&#x152;°>V°â>Ă&#x160;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x160; Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x153;°V>Ă&#x20AC;iiĂ&#x20AC;Ă&#x192;°Ă&#x2022;VĂ&#x152;°>V°â>

12

features

Volume 68 Number 4

The new ‘old school’ Moss Matheolane

“The diversity of opinion about a work of art shows that the work is new, complex and vital.” So wrote Oscar Wilde in the preface of his seminal work, The Picture of Dorian Gray. One may ask if this was just an intellectual outburst or if dear Mr Wilde was really on to something?

Laocoon and his sons - Is this the real “old school art”?

It is not an easy task to contrast what is new and what is old when it comes to the art world. One may look at the Greek classical statue of Laocoon and His Sons and get a sense of awe from the sheer mastery of the work. In as much as the work may be old, the feeling you experience when you first see it in person is new. But what does this mean? Is it the work that makes an artwork new or is it the experience of seeing it? I would confidently have to say it is both and would implore you, dear reader, to see it this way too.

Art as a means of visual documentation has always kept up with the times. Logically one is inclined to think that progression means moving from one level to another that is higher. When you look at the paleolithic Venus of Willendorf and the above said Laocoon, you would notice that the human ability to reproduce what they see has improved dramatically over time. That is after all what art is: the ability to reproduce what one sees (experiences) and improve upon it.

In the time of the European Renaissance, artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael were superstars recognised for the immense talent that they wielded. Over time we had our Picassos, suicidal Van Goghs, Jackson Pollocks, larger than life Andy Warhols and Jeff Koons. All of these figures have one thing in common, of course; they are all dead and their works individually cost nothing below a million dollars. But these artists are the past and we are interested in the present.

To understand the present, unfortunately we must know the past. We must be aware of what came before us or else we are liable to make the mistake of thinking we have stumbled on the new when in fact all it is, is a revival of a time past. This is what newness for the most part entails in contemporary terms. It is of course a limited view if one considers that we have, as the people of today, technological innovations like CGI and Photoshop, to name a few.

The relationship between the old and the new will always be a meeting point for creative production and reproduction. One must note that the reproduction of an artwork is not about simply copying the image. What is involved often entails differences ranging from materials used to the social commentary of the work, albeit within a set context. To give a wonderful example, consider Napoleon Crossing the Alps a work by neo-classicist French painter, Jacques-Louis David. It is a painting from the collection of work through which David

average ticket price hovers at almost R50 per person, and that’s not including your popcorn, cooldrink, etc. Even before the economic recession was looming, certain people would rather opt to watch a pirate copy of a film, usually a good time before its official release in South African cinemas. One has the feeling that if a person wants something and can get it cheaper by illegitimate means with little or no chance of being caught or fined, they will.

However, I am encouraged by recent statistics at my local cinema that show that since it cut its ticket prices from R45 to R19, there has been a massive increase in sales. It’s evident, therefore, that people are still willing to invest in the film industry, so long as it’s within their means to do so. So let’s say you went to the cinema: three months later the movie you saw appears on the shelves at DVD Image courtesy of film.jpg.org

THE ART of cinema has existed for less than a century; a microscopic length of time in the history of the world. Yet, it has already undergone such dramatic changes that today it hardly resembles the form with which it started out in all those decades ago.

There was a time not so long ago when going to the movies was a rarefied experience. Prior to the advent of television, it was the prime form of entertainment, and while you could go and see a film as many times as you liked, it didn’t have much of a life outside of the movie-house.

Once its run was finished, that was it. You’d never see it again and it would exist only in your memory.

Today, of course, that all sounds downright ridiculous.

Nowadays, even going to the movies bit is optional. The

Off circuit - Is the cinema reel outdated?

then the latter is the “new”. It is the vision of the young who want what they see to reflect what they feel and think. Wiley is amongst those artists who have this vision. He is not alone in this position as it is one he shares with Damien Hurst, Robin Rhode, Mustafa Maluka, Kudzanai Chiurai, Banksy and many others who are re-defining what we see and how we feel. I embolden the ‘re’ because if you add these magic letters to anything in the art world, you signal your intention to be different, uninhibited and, dare I say, new.

Which is which - Borrowing from the “old school” extensively, is there such a thing as the “new school”?

Unreel - not worth the ticket price?

Calvin Scholtz

chronicled the French Revolution.

Now consider a retake of the same image with a slightly different title, Napoleon Leading His Army Over the Alps by contemporary African-American artist Kehinde Wiley. His subject is a black man, dressed in street regalia and looking “blinged out”. An interpretation of Wiley’s work could be that he purposefully inverts Western images of the white man with those of the contemporary black man so that black people may also be seen in the same position, but on their own terms.

If we follow what critics say

stores. Perhaps you enjoyed the film very much and would like to see it again; perhaps you’d even like to own it.

In the digital age, unlike in the past, this is possible, but once again, money is an issue. An ordinary new DVD release will set you back R150 (unless you want to wait another three months, by which time the price would probably have dropped to R100). And all the while technology is advancing.

No longer is an ordinary DVD good enough, but now to really appreciate a movie you have to watch it on a Blu-Ray disc on a high definition TV and with a 5.1 surround sound system. I don’t know about anyone else, but none of that falls within my current budget.

In the current economic climate, I wonder whether it’s going to be within the range of anyone’s budget. We also all know the law of supply and demand, if the public stop going to the cinema and buying DVDs, then gradually the amount of films coming out of Hollywood will also decrease.

I love movies – I always have - and I certainly hope that I won’t see a day when people no longer invest in the essential creative art that is filmmaking.

But I do believe that the youth of today face challenges that the older generations never even imagined, and that they will not be overcome without some degree of sacrifice on our part.

The real UCT Drama experience Lethabo-Thabo Royds ACTING is so much more than pretending to be someone else: it’s more like eavesdropping on their entire lifestyle. Many people have preconceptions about “the kinds of people actors are” and comments like “oh, you Hiddingh guys”; preconceptions that are, in fact, inaccurate and based on other internal issues. This is the part where I should pull out some Freudian stuff and relate it to “the youth of today” and “what they are thinking about” but since Freud wrote books so people could read them, I won’t.

“...a stage performance can never be recaptured; it exists in that moment that it is performed...”

Acting in a play is an experience that only happens once: there are many shows, but only one performance. (All the actors and actresses, snap your fingers if you hear me.) Unlike a film, a stage performance can never be recaptured: it exists in that moment that it is performed.

So as much as the show you watch on opening night is the same show as the one your friends will watch on the final night, the performance is different: the

actors have been doing it for longer, their days were different, the audience is different and thus the environment is different. It’s all these factors that make acting so hard: you have to recreate a believable environment every single night.

You need to crack the same joke you’ve been cracking on stage for months and still make it stomach-achingly funny each time. It’s like trying to explain why your tutorial is late for months on end and each time you tell the story it must be as shocking and terrifying as it was when you made the story up five minutes ago. You know, that “true story” of how your computer crashed and the ICTS guy mistakenly removed your hard drive and swapped it with that of an international spy who attempted kidnapping you, but couldn’t find you because you were with your best friend at the hospital while her mother’s cousin’s uncle’s sister’s third cousin-twice-removed had a baby and so the spy took the laptop instead.

Now, the original question remains: what is it like acting in a play? There is no simple answer, only this: go and watch a play and try imagine yourself attempting to perform that play for a month and ensuring that people keep coming to watch it and that they stay as riveted each time. It is fun and it is hard work and well worth every minute that you allow your mind and paradigms to be stretched: it’s just...well, art.

13 One pill, two pill, red pill, blue pill features

Chemically defacing your soul in the New Millennium

Society focus

Sarah Jackson IN THIS busy day and age, many of us hardly take five minutes to sit down and breathe. It has been scientifically proven that even basic meditation for a few minutes a day impacts greatly on our stress levels and mental well-being. New studies are even claiming that twenty minutes of meditation is the equivalent of two hours sleep.

This is where little-known UCT society the Art of Living comes in. Now put aside your expectations and preconceived ideas for just a second. This isn’t a “hippie boot camp” or a “New Age cult” or any of the other things that misinformed people have described the group as being.

It is, in fact, an international organisation founded by humanitarian Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and is active in over 140 different countries helping tens of thousands of people every year. The Art of Living aims to adapt ancient wisdom and yogic practices and make them relevant in order to enrich our contemporary lives.

You are taught to use your breath to bring you into the present

moment and bring you clarity and stillness of mind. As Ravi Shankar puts it, “The breath is the link between the body and the mind - every rhythm of the mind has a corresponding rhythm in the breath. When you cannot directly handle the mind, it is easy to do so through the breath.” Far from promoting a specific religious agenda, the Art of Living enhances what you already believe in and provides you with an opportunity to reaffirm these beliefs. If you are one of the many “spiritually lost”, the course might just give you the guidance you need by creating a brand new spiritual journey for you to go on.

As member Danielle le Chat said after her second course, “It’s a beautiful, enriching experience.

It brings you to another level of consciousness in your own life and makes you aware of others.”

Christoph Weissenburg, who runs the UCT courses, says, “Doing the course puts a smile on your face. It teaches you how to release your stress and tension in a fun and interactive way in which you learn more about yourself.”

If you are interested in doing the six day Art of Living course email: artofliving.uct@gmail. com Image courtesy of peaceful-yoga.wordpress.corg

Image courtesy of peaceful-yoga.wordpress.corg

Discovering the art of living

soul is an ethereal thing, separate from the brain, then realising how easy it is to completely alter one’s attention span, level of depression and outlook on life must be quite frightening.

Dualists must think that taking brain pills is akin to scribbling all over a priceless artwork in crayon.

I think that this might be why so many new brain illnesses keep coming up. I have known autistics, and people with OCD, and have always considered their various quirks to be simply extensions of their personalities - not diseases or queer infections. But perhaps people like the idea of taking pills for a disease more than they like the idea of taking pills to change your brain. And when they can’t swallow this justification (no pun intended) they do a Tom Cruise, swear off drugs altogether and start poking around for Traditional Herbal Remedies, because those come From The Soil and are Entirely Different to prescription drugs. Well, yes, they are. To start with, they don’t work.

Being one of those people who look forward to the day when we are able to replace sections of our cortex with Borg-style implants, and rewire our neuro pathways with nanobots, the concept of

experimenting with hundreds of various generics – and never being entirely sure what the next one would do- is appealing to me.

Generics are magical things. The original product will be tweaked sufficiently so that you will have only the vaguest notion of the effect it will have on your brain.

And often that notion will be entirely wrong.

Have you seen that desperately annoying Calvin and Hobbes cartoon? The one where Calvin

can’t see Hobbes anymore because the use of prescription drugs has killed his imagination and turned him into a homeworkcompleting robot? That is not what happens. And ADD, or whatever, is not something that needs to be overcome by force of will or, as one memorable school pamphlet one put it, “by eating fruit”. Prescription drugs aren’t creativity-stifling, emotion-killing lotus flowers. They are only tools; your brain is only a car. www.acupunturerichmondva.org

subjects. In my generation, they shove brain-altering medication at you and tell you to pick and choose. What an awesome world.

And to think it is still illegal to buy marijuana. Unbelievable.

What astonishes me is the level of sophistication one can reach. “Alright, I’ll take a half of this, that will last me three hours.

Or, if I take the whole thing, it will last me six hours… but then I’ll have nervous tics for the first two hours and I won’t be able to sleep tonight. So I’ll take a half, combine it with two antidepressants, THIS kind not THAT kind, THAT kind makes me nauseous. But, on the other hand, THAT kind is more effective, and I could counteract the nausea with this…”

Essentially, you are trying to alter your brain chemically.

Admittedly, you do it in small ways all the time; the rush of endorphins from a slab of chocolate, for example. But we have reached the point where one can actually turn one’s mental faculties from being good at one task to being good at another task.

It seems to throw the entire notion of personality out the window, doesn’t it? Which, I imagine, is why certain entities find the whole prospect disturbing - if you are a dualist, if you believe that the

THERE is really nothing more pathetic than being addicted to prescription medication. It’s like playing an extreme sport in a little pink apron.

“Do you have any twenty mg Ritalin? Or ten? I really, really need to study, and I can’t concentrate.”

“Nope, only forty mg.”

“Fine! Give me those! Let’s obliterate what remains of my brain and digestive systems, shall we? Let’s lay waste to those sons of bitches. Get out! Get out!”

Three minutes later: “Oh, shit.

I’m starting to hear the words I’m saying with unusual clarity and at peculiar volume. This is going to suck.”

Utterly pathetic. You can’t even pass out and lie twitching in a puddle of your own vomit.

The wonderful thing about growing up in a generation where ADD and Tourette’s and OCD and autism can be diagnosed at the drop of a hat is that they will give you this stuff at age twelve. Oh, you need a prescription, sure. But given that ADD is incredibly easy to fake, getting diagnosed as such is as easy as pie.

In my mother’s generation, you were a slacker and a heel if you possessed a brain that didn’t like to pay attention to boring

Open Wide - Such things they have these days.

Sizzling hot content - Easoc Tiffany Mugo WHAT happens when you put together the flavours of a variety of countries, add a touch of the good times and cook at sizzling hot temperatures? You get Easoc - the hottest dish on the countryorientated societies menu. The society seeks to educate and create awareness about our East African cousins and one can say that it does it in a way that leaves people yearning for more.

Easoc is comprised of ten countries, easily allowing it to be one of the biggest societies on campus. For those of you who are not sure whether your country falls in line with the spices of this tasty dish, the countries represented in this society include Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan and Djibouti. Heri Mwapachu, the Vice-President, states that “Easoc prides itself on being the symbol of internationalisation, a melting pot of diversity.” There is literally something for everyone in this giant of a society.

There is more to Easoc than just the partying. If you want history there is a healthy dose of it, if you want culture there is a plethora to choose from, if you want to wear that little black dress you overpaid for there is a little something to help with that too. The Julius Nyerere talk allows one to delve into the issue of South African leadership by paying homage to

this great leader from Tanzania. So for those of you who love a good discussion there will be debates and discussions concerning the upcoming elections - a hot topic in any circle these days. The commemoration of the Rwandan genocide, a turning point in world history, is commemorated by international speakers. At the end of the society season, the Met, a cocktail event filled with swanky activities, allows the students to forget the constraints of student budgets. These are just some of the diverse events that the society has on offer.

I had to lead off with the nonparty things. Admit it, had I led off with the party roster a lot of you would have stopped reading by now. Yes, ladies, gentlemen and

party freaks of campus, I’m talking about the big dogs, THE JUMP OFF and THE REMIXXX! The fun continues with the Easoc Braai as well as the Peninsula Tour.

Both events are what can only be termed a “jam”! Pentour takes you around Cape Town beaches with a distinctly East African feel, mainly copious amounts of alcohol and ruckus.

It doesn’t matter where you’re from, there are Zimbabweans, Zambians, people from outer Mongolia (that last one may be a lie but it could be true). There is something for everybody, not just the club crawlers. Plus you can catch them on their Vula page or on UCT Radio on Sunday afternoons on the Easoc show. There’s just no better place.

Photo by Remy Ngamije

Tara Leverton

Cultural Diversity - The Easoc steering committee.

All UCT societies are invited to contact VARSITY Newspaper about upcoming events. Email all relevant information to varsitynewspaper@gmailcom.

The Societies page is strictly reserved for student-run societies affiliated with the University of Cape Town.

Societies desiring to be published will be reviewed on a “first come - first serve” basis.

13 One pill, two pill, red pill, blue pill features

Chemically defacing your soul in the New Millennium

Society focus

Sarah Jackson IN THIS busy day and age, many of us hardly take five minutes to sit down and breathe. It has been scientifically proven that even basic meditation for a few minutes a day impacts greatly on our stress levels and mental well-being. New studies are even claiming that twenty minutes of meditation is the equivalent of two hours sleep.

This is where little-known UCT society the Art of Living comes in. Now put aside your expectations and preconceived ideas for just a second. This isn’t a “hippie boot camp” or a “New Age cult” or any of the other things that misinformed people have described the group as being.

It is, in fact, an international organisation founded by humanitarian Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and is active in over 140 different countries helping tens of thousands of people every year. The Art of Living aims to adapt ancient wisdom and yogic practices and make them relevant in order to enrich our contemporary lives.

You are taught to use your breath to bring you into the present

moment and bring you clarity and stillness of mind. As Ravi Shankar puts it, “The breath is the link between the body and the mind - every rhythm of the mind has a corresponding rhythm in the breath. When you cannot directly handle the mind, it is easy to do so through the breath.” Far from promoting a specific religious agenda, the Art of Living enhances what you already believe in and provides you with an opportunity to reaffirm these beliefs. If you are one of the many “spiritually lost”, the course might just give you the guidance you need by creating a brand new spiritual journey for you to go on.

As member Danielle le Chat said after her second course, “It’s a beautiful, enriching experience.

It brings you to another level of consciousness in your own life and makes you aware of others.”

Christoph Weissenburg, who runs the UCT courses, says, “Doing the course puts a smile on your face. It teaches you how to release your stress and tension in a fun and interactive way in which you learn more about yourself.”

If you are interested in doing the six day Art of Living course email: artofliving.uct@gmail. com Image courtesy of peaceful-yoga.wordpress.corg

Image courtesy of peaceful-yoga.wordpress.corg

Discovering the art of living

soul is an ethereal thing, separate from the brain, then realising how easy it is to completely alter one’s attention span, level of depression and outlook on life must be quite frightening.

Dualists must think that taking brain pills is akin to scribbling all over a priceless artwork in crayon.

I think that this might be why so many new brain illnesses keep coming up. I have known autistics, and people with OCD, and have always considered their various quirks to be simply extensions of their personalities - not diseases or queer infections. But perhaps people like the idea of taking pills for a disease more than they like the idea of taking pills to change your brain. And when they can’t swallow this justification (no pun intended) they do a Tom Cruise, swear off drugs altogether and start poking around for Traditional Herbal Remedies, because those come From The Soil and are Entirely Different to prescription drugs. Well, yes, they are. To start with, they don’t work.

Being one of those people who look forward to the day when we are able to replace sections of our cortex with Borg-style implants, and rewire our neuro pathways with nanobots, the concept of

experimenting with hundreds of various generics – and never being entirely sure what the next one would do- is appealing to me.

Generics are magical things. The original product will be tweaked sufficiently so that you will have only the vaguest notion of the effect it will have on your brain.

And often that notion will be entirely wrong.

Have you seen that desperately annoying Calvin and Hobbes cartoon? The one where Calvin

can’t see Hobbes anymore because the use of prescription drugs has killed his imagination and turned him into a homeworkcompleting robot? That is not what happens. And ADD, or whatever, is not something that needs to be overcome by force of will or, as one memorable school pamphlet one put it, “by eating fruit”. Prescription drugs aren’t creativity-stifling, emotion-killing lotus flowers. They are only tools; your brain is only a car. www.acupunturerichmondva.org

subjects. In my generation, they shove brain-altering medication at you and tell you to pick and choose. What an awesome world.

And to think it is still illegal to buy marijuana. Unbelievable.

What astonishes me is the level of sophistication one can reach. “Alright, I’ll take a half of this, that will last me three hours.

Or, if I take the whole thing, it will last me six hours… but then I’ll have nervous tics for the first two hours and I won’t be able to sleep tonight. So I’ll take a half, combine it with two antidepressants, THIS kind not THAT kind, THAT kind makes me nauseous. But, on the other hand, THAT kind is more effective, and I could counteract the nausea with this…”

Essentially, you are trying to alter your brain chemically.

Admittedly, you do it in small ways all the time; the rush of endorphins from a slab of chocolate, for example. But we have reached the point where one can actually turn one’s mental faculties from being good at one task to being good at another task.

It seems to throw the entire notion of personality out the window, doesn’t it? Which, I imagine, is why certain entities find the whole prospect disturbing - if you are a dualist, if you believe that the

THERE is really nothing more pathetic than being addicted to prescription medication. It’s like playing an extreme sport in a little pink apron.

“Do you have any twenty mg Ritalin? Or ten? I really, really need to study, and I can’t concentrate.”

“Nope, only forty mg.”

“Fine! Give me those! Let’s obliterate what remains of my brain and digestive systems, shall we? Let’s lay waste to those sons of bitches. Get out! Get out!”

Three minutes later: “Oh, shit.

I’m starting to hear the words I’m saying with unusual clarity and at peculiar volume. This is going to suck.”

Utterly pathetic. You can’t even pass out and lie twitching in a puddle of your own vomit.

The wonderful thing about growing up in a generation where ADD and Tourette’s and OCD and autism can be diagnosed at the drop of a hat is that they will give you this stuff at age twelve. Oh, you need a prescription, sure. But given that ADD is incredibly easy to fake, getting diagnosed as such is as easy as pie.

In my mother’s generation, you were a slacker and a heel if you possessed a brain that didn’t like to pay attention to boring

Open Wide - Such things they have these days.

Sizzling hot content - Easoc Tiffany Mugo WHAT happens when you put together the flavours of a variety of countries, add a touch of the good times and cook at sizzling hot temperatures? You get Easoc - the hottest dish on the countryorientated societies menu. The society seeks to educate and create awareness about our East African cousins and one can say that it does it in a way that leaves people yearning for more.

Easoc is comprised of ten countries, easily allowing it to be one of the biggest societies on campus. For those of you who are not sure whether your country falls in line with the spices of this tasty dish, the countries represented in this society include Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan and Djibouti. Heri Mwapachu, the Vice-President, states that “Easoc prides itself on being the symbol of internationalisation, a melting pot of diversity.” There is literally something for everyone in this giant of a society.

There is more to Easoc than just the partying. If you want history there is a healthy dose of it, if you want culture there is a plethora to choose from, if you want to wear that little black dress you overpaid for there is a little something to help with that too. The Julius Nyerere talk allows one to delve into the issue of South African leadership by paying homage to

this great leader from Tanzania. So for those of you who love a good discussion there will be debates and discussions concerning the upcoming elections - a hot topic in any circle these days. The commemoration of the Rwandan genocide, a turning point in world history, is commemorated by international speakers. At the end of the society season, the Met, a cocktail event filled with swanky activities, allows the students to forget the constraints of student budgets. These are just some of the diverse events that the society has on offer.

I had to lead off with the nonparty things. Admit it, had I led off with the party roster a lot of you would have stopped reading by now. Yes, ladies, gentlemen and

party freaks of campus, I’m talking about the big dogs, THE JUMP OFF and THE REMIXXX! The fun continues with the Easoc Braai as well as the Peninsula Tour.

Both events are what can only be termed a “jam”! Pentour takes you around Cape Town beaches with a distinctly East African feel, mainly copious amounts of alcohol and ruckus.

It doesn’t matter where you’re from, there are Zimbabweans, Zambians, people from outer Mongolia (that last one may be a lie but it could be true). There is something for everybody, not just the club crawlers. Plus you can catch them on their Vula page or on UCT Radio on Sunday afternoons on the Easoc show. There’s just no better place.

Photo by Remy Ngamije

Tara Leverton

Cultural Diversity - The Easoc steering committee.

All UCT societies are invited to contact VARSITY Newspaper about upcoming events. Email all relevant information to varsitynewspaper@gmailcom.

The Societies page is strictly reserved for student-run societies affiliated with the University of Cape Town.

Societies desiring to be published will be reviewed on a “first come - first serve” basis.

Features 14 The final word - Apple and the rest Gugulethu Hlekwayo

THE apple that fell on Newton’s head caused an epiphany and many Apple users will claim a similar phenomenon happened to them when they converted to Mac. But does this seemingly overpriced and over-hyped system deserve its reputation and its almost religious worship? The Mac vs PC debate has been endlessly hashed and rehashed by the nerds and geeks alike (there is a difference, geeks are enthusiasts whereas nerds are…well…nerds) leading to often violent confrontations (on Counterstrike). This, however, is the final word.

To begin with, a major omission in these debates is the sleeping giant that is Linux. In its Redhat and Ubuntu flavours, it trumps both Windows and Mac OS. It is free, but not quite ready to pass the Grandmother Test. Once Linux gets to the point where your average pensioner could install and run it without any external assistance it will be a force to be reckoned with.

For now, the debate centres on Windows and Mac. An often overlooked fact is that Windows and Mac are not directly comparable as in apples-to-apples. Mac OS X is exclusively embedded on Apple

hardware whereas Windows is pre-installed on a variety of PCs such as Acer, Dell and Phillips.

Microsoft, unlike Apple, does not make hardware to complement its operating system, but for the sake of debate we’ll overlook this and compare as is.

From the hardware perspective, it’s hard to fault Apple’s innovative design, which has won more Industrial Design Awards than any other computer manufacturer.

Comparable hardware manufacturers like IBM and HP are further down the list, but not far behind. The unique feature of Apple is that it stands out from the dreary grey or black monoliths that usually pass for design. You can tell an Apple from a mile away whereas other manufacturers always seem to blend in - think about it, have you ever noticed the brand of the computers in the Comm Labs or Knowledge Commons? But the true measure of a system is not looks but what hums beneath. Here PCs can claim to have the edge since Macs have a limited number of models and configuration options: Mac Mini, MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac Pro, whereas PCs can be configured to individual needs.

The much-maligned Windows

Student Entrepreneur

Adrian Stanford

Talented - Rhodes Memorial as never seen before. Photo by Adrian Stanford.

Vista is often the butt of many jokes, but in an objective analysis it is not as bad as perceived. The almost paranoid security measures of Vista are a legitimate response to a more dangerous environment.

Mac OS benefits from security through obscurity, so claims that it is safer than Windows are untested and are simply not true, but for now there are no viruses on Mac and malware is unheard of. Vista, admittedly, steals many graphical user interface elements from Mac OS - but both are attractive operating systems. The difference is in the “ease of use”. The average user rating on CNet.com for Vista Premium is a paltry 4 out of 10 whereas Leopard (Mac OS) scores 7 out of 10. Even XP Pro scores a respectable 6 out of 10.

To further undermine PCs, Apple computers can run Windows in addition to Mac OS (whereas Mac OS is exclusive to Apple hardware). In fact in a speed test done by Popular Mechanics Vista ran faster on a Mac compared to a similar non-Apple PC.* Where Macs really excel is in reliability. They tend to break a lot less often (and need less rebooting) than brands like Dell.

When considering the additional cost of repairs and downgrading to XP (as most people do) a Mac Alexandra Perry AT THE beginning of the month, all seems right with the world.

As you stand there in front of the ATM with that smooth, white square piece of paper in your hands, you smile. You smile because there is a number at the bottom. This number now entitles you to so many good things: food, freedom, opportunities, your own personal swagger, the right to life, all that jazz - until about a week later, when an almost identical piece of paper suddenly makes you worry, “Where the hell did it go?” Students as a demographic group are notorious for living on the fringes of their bank accounts, which aren’t that large to begin with. However, there is a small group of students who challenge this status quo by opting for part-time jobs to help line their pockets. It is hard work and they should be respected for it. VARSITY sat down with one such student, photographerentrepreneur Adrian Stanford.

You might have seen his advertisements in VARSITY, maybe even been to a 21st where he’s snapping away. Adrian is

love fashion?

Call CenTe r agenT, DaTa CaPTu rer or a Confi rmer/ unDerwriTe r If you are energetic, passionate, display exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, consider working in our credit office. infor maTion SySTem S Devel oPer If you love the idea of applying technology in a creative fashion retail world and want to play a strategic role in the success of a world leading business, then IT at Truworths is for you.

Image courtesy of www.applelove.com

Volume 68 Number 4

Not as dominant as you think - Apple computers, although stylish and sexy, are not winning the computer race.

Mini (or a second-hand MacBook) starts looking competitive, but the expensiveness of the rest of the range is prohibitive. So which is better?

Mac scores well on its OS, design and coolness, but ultimately PC trumps simply because for the price of an iMac, R14,999 at present, you can buy two respectable PC’s. Macs are a third year Business Science Marketing student, who manages to run a business on the side.

Varsity: So Adrian, what do you do exactly?

Adrian: I’m a part time professional photographer doing mainly functions and events. I’ve essentially made what started out as an interest into a self-funding hobby.

V: What can people hire you for and what do you like best?

A: I tend to shoot anything people hire me to do. I think the only thing I’ve turned down so far is studio work, mostly because I don’t have access to a decent studio. As far as my interests go, I like shooting cars.

As far as working professionally, I do 21sts. Shooting 21sts is brilliant.

V: In your professional opinion, is there really a market for that sort of thing?

A: It’s a very small niche.

A photographer is generally the last thing anyone would think is necessary to have at a 21st. But it is such an important event in

still far too expensive to justify overlooking a cheaper PC, but an undeniable truth is that once you go Mac you never go back. *The Popular Mechanics speed test: http://www. popularmechanics.com/ technology/reviews/4258725. html one’s life I can’t understand why people compromise on how they remember it. People seem to be catching on though. My clients are always really glad that they hired a photographer.

V: Why do you do it?

A: Well, it is good money and it is something that I enjoy doing.

V: How do you market yourself?

A: I rely mostly on below the line techniques, things like my website, Facebook, referrals and word of mouth. If people like the photos, they talk. My website displays photos from past events as well as photos taken during my free time.

With regard to living on the fringes of financial considerations, Adrian is there with the rest of us, but not for the same reasons. “I’m in debt. I took a loan from my brother to buy a new camera,” says Adrian. Still, not many 20year olds have a website with www and .co.za on either side of their name. Check out his work at www.adrianstanford.co.za

If you are looking for an exciting career in a dynamic, energetic working environment, there are many opportunities for young, passionate graduates in various departments. All our positions advertised below are based at our Head Office in Cape Town. For more information on the requirements for these positions and to apply, visit our website at www.truworths.co.za

Trainee Buyer If you live, breathe, eat and sleep fashion then our Trainee Buyer programme is for you!

Tra ine e Pla nne r love If you are a born trader, analytical, gic strate a play to t wan numbers and role in the success of a business, then a you should consider embarking on career as a Trainee Planner.

Truworths is committed to Transformation and meeting the objectives of the Employment Equity Act. Meeting our employment equity goals and targets will be taken into account in our recruitment decisions.

5260 NEWSP AD_R.indd 1

3/11/09 11:05:02 AM

Varsity

15

sports

Photo courtesy of timesofmalta.com

Ireland bring an end to 61 years of pain Dominic Verwey WITH the final round about to be played, it would have been next to impossible to predict the winner of this year’s RBS Six Nations trophy. Yes, not every team was in the running for the glory, but there were enough within reach to set up an enthralling weekend of fixtures.

The table before the final round of fixtures on the 21 March allowed no room for error. The most important match was between Ireland and Wales – the inevitable title decider.

Before the final week of fixtures took place, the top of the table had Wales in second place, with three wins and six points in total, while Ireland sat in first position with four wins and a total of eight points. Fittingly, the final match of the campaign featured a nerve-wrecking encounter between Ireland and Wales.

Wales was playing to retain its title, but Ireland seemingly had even more at stake. They were positioned at the top of the table and had won every previous game of the campaign. Even more so, the title had eluded them for a staggering 61 years.

Thankfully for the Irish, it was their year. They came out as eventual 17-15 winners in a highly exciting and scintillating game.

Wales, prior to the game, trailed Ireland by two points and knew they required a win with a substantial points difference in order to claim the title – by

champions - Ireland celebrate winning the Six Nations and completing the grand slam. In a tightly contested final match, Ireland edged past Wales to seal their number one spot. no means an impossible task.

However, it was Ireland, led by its inspiring and talented captain, Brian O’Driscoll, which took ownership of the Grand Slam title for the year to come.

Both teams were evenly matched in terms of points for the entirety of the first half at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

Wales went into the halftime break as marginal leaders with six points to Ireland’s zero. However, it was moments after halftime that the Irish captain got the ball rolling

with the first of Ireland’s two tries – this being his fourth try of the tournament, making him the tournament leader in tries scored.

Irish winger, Tommy Bowe scored the second try. Ronan O’Gara, the Irish fly-half, slotted the two conversions and sent Ireland to a 14-6 lead within a matter of minutes.

Wales fought back with a succession of penalties awarded to them and a drop goal by Welsh fly half Stephen Jones, clawing their way to a 15-14 lead and

putting them in contention for a second Grand Slam title in as many years. It was only seconds after the restart that Ronan O’Gara responded with a drop goal of his own, lifting Ireland to a 17-15 lead.

With the final play of the game, Wales were awarded another penalty on the halfway line. Welsh fly half Stephen Jones booted the ball towards the posts, only for it to drop agonisingly short, ensuring that Ireland’s 61year wait was over.

The other matches played during the final week of fixtures saw France trounce Italy in a 50-8 win and England overcome Scotland by 26 points to 12. These results left the Six Nations final table with the leader, Ireland, on 10 points. The second, third, and fourth places – England, France, and Wales respectively – were all equal on 6 points, only separated by points differences.

Final Round Results Wales 15 – 17 Ireland England 26 – 12 Scotland Italy 8 – 50 France Final Table

Ireland: England: France: Wales: Scotland: Italy:

Played 5 Played 5 Played 5 Played 5 Played 5 Played 5

Won 5 Won 3 Won 3 Won 3 Won 1 Won 0

PD 48 PD 54 PD 23 PD 19 PD –23 PD –121

Pts 10 Pts 6 Pts 6 Pts 6 Pts 2 Pts 0

Chiefs downed in seven goal thriller LAST Saturday, Pretoria University took on Kaizer Chiefs in the Round of 16 of the Nedbank Cup in what was surely one of the most thrilling South African cup ties ever. AmaTuks were considered rank outsiders before the game, as their team comprised mainly of previously unknown footballers and they were pitted against the mighty Amakhosi.

“The small section of AmaTuks fans, clustered in one corner of the ground, were rightly delirious.”

Predictably, Chiefs bossed the early stages, demonstrating some slick passing and sound attacking play. However, they failed to make the break through and were duly punished in the 23rd minute when AmaTuks forward, Mthokozisi Yende snuck behind the Chiefs defence and cooly slotted the ball past the keeper. Chiefs responded impressively equalising after just 5 minutes, but AmaTuks had given notice of their intention not

to lie down.

More goals followed and Chiefs could rightly be viewed as fortunate as some of the more controversial decisions went their way. With five minutes to go the score was 3-3 and the match seemed destined for extra time.

However, AmaTuks substitute Phenyo Mongalo surged powerfully down the left flank leaving defenders in his wakeh. He cut inside towards the goalmouth and although he appeared to have miscontrolled the ball, he dove and got a foot to it, forcing it over the line. Absolute bedlam broke out.

The small section of AmaTuks fans, clustered in one corner of the ground, were rightly delirious.

Shortly the referee brought an end to the game and one of the greatest giant-killings in South African football had been completed.

Also in the Nedbank Cup, Bloemfontein Celtic shrugged off the form which sees them battling relegation in the PSL, to overcome Orlando Pirates 2-1 at Olen Park.

This completed a miserable set of results for the Sowetan giants.

Elsewhere in the world of football, Manchester United and Liverpool look set to produce a thrilling title race after Manchester United faltered at Fulham losing 2-0, while Liverpool walloped Aston Villa 5-0. The Champions League draw for the quarter-finals has taken place.

High-flying Bayern Munich

Photo courtesy of telegraph.co.uk

Daniel Freund sums up a week of excitement in local and international football

From the spot - Fulham captain Danny Murphy slots a penalty away against Manchester United.

Fulham went on to beat the nine-man United 2-0. will face Catalan giants Barcelona. kicks-off here in South Africa in exciting tournament as an array Liverpool will face Chelsea for the less than 100 days and as you may of fantastic international teams fourth time in five years in what is have noticed, the Local Organising will be bringing close to fullfast becoming a highly boring Committee is undertaking a major strength sides. It may be wise pairing. Manchester United will marketing campaign. The focus to avoid the inevitable rush of be favourites against unfancied of the campaign is to encourage 2010 and take this opportunity Porto, while Arsenal will also people to purchase tickets to appreciate some of the world’s expect to progress at the expense as sales have been decidedly finest footballers this year; not of Villareal. underwhelming so far. Overall, to mention getting fully behind The Confederations Cup the Confed Cup promises to be an Bafana Bafana!

(KTUV :8 HCKN CV ſPCN JWTFNG

Taru Madangombe reports on the last minute syndrome that has killed the ill-fated Ikeys once again…

World Cup winning coach, Jake White (left) and UCT Head coach Dobbo (right) having a chat with during Ikeys training.

THE IKEYS have once again mastered their own downfall. With less than ten minutes remaining, Ikeys led 17-9 and looked likely to oust Pukke and book a place in the semis against Stellenbosch. They say, “On the edge of your destiny,

you must taste your strength,” but that strength was not enough to save the Ikeys from falling over the edge.

By and large, the Ikeys looked out of sorts and did not look like they were in the game. Their

trademark brand of expansive rugby was not flagrant, and it seemed as if Dobbo’s boys were being weathered down by the notorious cold front squalling across the Green-Mile on that evening. They failed to take advantage of the south-westerly that was blowing in their favour during the first half and allowed Pukke to control the game from the onset. The Pukke side looked more structured, apparent by the way they controlled the first half and kept the ball in hand, making sure they didn’t lose possession unnecessarily, as opposed to UCT. They did very well to contain the Ikeys attack, until UCT eventually broke the deadlock with two well devised tries by exciting wing Marcello Sampson and flank Nick Fenton-Wells. This brought a sigh of relief, but the Pukke flyhalf did well to keep them in the game with three well taken penalties to bring the score to 12-9 in favour of the Ikeys.

A late second half try by replacement hooker, Dayne Jans seemed to have nailed the visitors, but they fought ruthlessly to get back into the game. However, a couple of bad decisions,with some poor handling errors, landed Pukke a converted try with five minutes to go. Lack of discipline allowed the visitors to slot in a penalty in minute 77 to allow them to take the lead for the first time in the game to 19-17. You could see the panic in the manner in which the Ikeys players were performing during the last minutes of the game. John Dobbo must have been the most disappointed man after the game, as he could only watch from the sidelines as his side let the cup final’s spot slip through their fingers in front of their entertaining and supportive crowd. All those hopes of challenging the Varsity Cup have been dashed, and the boys have to focus on getting back to the Super League rugby. For the

record, Pukke has beaten the Ikeys twice within a week following a consolidation of last week’s 17-14 victory in Potchefstroom.

However, as much as he was left thwarted by the defeat, the talented Ikeys coach, Dobbo was upbeat about the teams overall performance and was quick to give credit where due. “Firstly, I want to congratulate Pukke who came down to these awful conditions and got a win,” Dobson told www.uctrfc.co.za on Tuesday.

“I am full of admiration for them and their remarkable captain, Willem van der Waal. He is the engine and talisman of that team and a very impressive player and individual.” Assistant coach Fleckie also added, “So, I guess, rather than be too disappointed, I suppose we must be happy with second place and a home semifinal, which was our goal at the start of 2009.”

Interview with a UCT sportsman: Xhanti-Lomzi Nesi VARSTIY: What is your involvement with UCT sport?

recently been elected and set to have their first meeting on Tuesday 31 March.

NESI: I was elected as the UCT Rugby Club Captain for 2009 and I was elected as Vice-Chairman for the UCT Sports Council for 2009.

V: Is there suitable unity between the different sports codes; in other words do they work together to achieve common goals?

V:What does that entail?

N: Being Club Captain for the rugby club basically entails being the liaison between the players and management, helping with the marketing of the rugby club, chairing club meetings, introducing new players and integrating all the different players from U20 to 1st team level.This can be a daunting task considering that the UCT Rugby Club has produced the second highest number of Springboks in South Africa and we currently have the most players in the SA Sevens side, so being club captain is a very prestigous position.

As Vice President of the Sports Union I have a seat on the Sports Admin committee. This is where all sporting policies and decisions at UCT are made. Sports Council, as a whole, functions as the backbone of the different sports clubs.

We handle all issues of external members, funding concerns and general queries from the various sports clubs. I also sit on Student Assembly, which seems to be more of a political battlefield than a structure to combine all facets of student life into a cohesive programme.

V: How effective is the administration side of UCT sport?

N: I think UCT Sports Admin is very well run. Issues are always handled quickly and, generally, there have been no problems.

A new sports Admin body has

N: A big problem of UCT sports’ clubs is that they all work in isolation. The powers of the Sports Union are limited but this is something we are looking into.

Most students don’t know how other sports clubs are doing or what tournaments UCT teams are taking part in. We dont even share the same uniform, only the same UCT badge. You can go to a SASU tournament and UCT squash players will be dressed differently to the UCT tennis guys, they don’t even look like they are from the same University.

V: Rugby has gotten a lot of attention lately following the Varsity Cup, how do you respond to that?

N: The Varsity Cup is a great opportunity for the university as a marketing tool . So many sportmen and sportswomen are taking a keen interest in coming to UCT. The success of the rugby team puts all university sports in a positive light. People associate the IKEY TIGER brand with the whole of UCT. We would also like to thank all the students for all their support and congratulate the team on a second semi-final in two years.

V: At other Universities around the country a considerable amount of funds are directed to sports to encourage sporting excellence. Can you clarify UCT’s stance on funding sports?

N: A big thing about UCT sport is that they encourage participation above excellence. This can be good in that so many students can take part in various sports codes that they have never played before, without the pressure of performance. This, I must say, does aid transformation. The downside to this is that, as a University, we pride ourselves in being the best university in Africa. Evidently our academics are head and shoulders above other institutions. We a very liberal universtity and our students are given platforms to express themselves freely. We seem to push for the best in every facet except for sports. We do not invest enough in our sports clubs. I agree that we should not compromise on our academic standards to enhance our sporting capabilities but the two need not be mutually exclusive. Look at institutions such as Harvard- we should be striving to reach those ALL-round standards of excellence.

doing, to promote participation in sport at UCT? N: The Sports Council is a responsive body rather than a proactive one.When we hold meetings not all clubs are represented and this can be frustrating when it comes to trying to get a concensus on issues or formulate policies going forward. Sports Council were the ones that pushed for a new fitness centre and for gym contracts that were affordable

for all students. We are, at the moment, looking to work well with the new Sports Admin commitee and hopefully their vision for sports at UCT is inline with ours - to promote excellence and have room for recreational participation.

V: Do you find that the respective sports clubs are generally happy with the level of facilities made available by the University?

N: Generally, I think most sports clubs are content with the facilities available but, as with anything, there is always room for improvement. The netball courts where only resurfaced recently and this is a problem as they are already in-season and this disrupts their training and match scheduling. Sport at UCT is not taken as seriously as it could be and as result we don’t achieve maximum results.

V: What efforts do you think the sports council could make, in addition to what they are already

‘NESI’ - Vice-Chairman of Sports Council and captain of the rugby club.

Varsity, the official student newspaper since 1942, is committed to the principles of equality and democracy