Edition 9: 2009

Micrahoo! page 6

The love of language

page 9

A bit of Decadence

Surf’s up UCT

page 13

page 16

Portrait of a lady Sarah Jackson

FEMALE residents of Graca Machel Hall were encouraged to value themselves and ensure that they were treated with dignity by South Africa’s former first lady, Graca Machel. As the residence’s namesake and UCT’s Chancellor, Machel was invited to a Women’s Day celebration at the residence last Saturday.

The pragmatic leader was welcomed into the residence as girls stood on either side of a red carpet that had been laid out in her honour. Upon reaching the end of the carpet, she playfully grabbed, and drank from, one of the girl’s champagne glasses. The first lady was then treated to various poetry readings and dances, which were all tributes to the modern woman.

Without any notes, Machel then gave what she insisted was not a “keynote address but a conversation.” She asked the audience what they felt it was like to be a woman at UCT and received various replies, some girls stated that they felt “joy” at being able to be educated alongside men while other girls felt empowered to be able to receive knowledge.

The political activist kept students entertained as she reminded them that, although women are now constitutionally equal to men, this does not guarantee that we will be valued to the same degree as them in practice.

Machel emphasised how sexism can still take place even in developed and liberal societies and used the example of how, in the workplace, women are routinely paid less than their male counterparts for performing the same job. She stressed that as modern women, we all have the

responsibility to value ourselves, whether it be in a relationship with a boyfriend, family member or male friends and we must not take for granted the liberties that we are able to enjoy thanks to the sacrifices made by our grandmothers.

Machel’s relaxed, yet engaging presence had the girls riveted throughout her speech.

She commented that she is often told to take proper care of Nelson Mandela, to which she replies, “Tata [Mandela] must look after me!” She finished the day by presenting the residence with a painting and promised to keep the relationship between her and Graca Machel Hall strong.

Head student, Jacqui Watson stated that it had been a “very special day for everyone involved.

Often in society we don’t have female role models. It was amazingly inspirational for the girls and made them feel special.”

Watson claims that although she has not faced any overt discrimination at UCT in her daily life, she does feel that women are undermined in student leadership structures as men often find female leaders “intimidating.”

Rudo Chitapi, a member of the Graca Machel House Committee agreed with Watson, saying that if she has experienced discrimination she hasn’t noticed because she is so confident in her right to be in a tertiary institution. She added that she felt a “huge sense of relief” that the day went well as the past week had been very stressful for members of the house committee. Having the first lady speak at the residence however was, “completely worth the stress.

It was a very special morning.”

Images by Simone Millward

12 August 2009 · Volume 68, Number 9 · 021 650 3543 · varsitynewspaper@gmail.com · www.varsitynewspaper.co.za

UCT’s Femme Fatale - Graca Machel addressed the residents of Graca Machel Hall on Saturday in honour of Women’s Day. Her vivacious character shone through as she urged girls to always uphold their sense of self-worth.

Swine flu pandemic on campus Brian Muller After two confirmed deaths in South Africa, swine flu has affected the UCT community with some students experiencing either swine flu, or severe flulike symptoms.

A UCT student was placed in an induced coma last week after he had contracted Swine flu (H1N1 virus). Details, including the student’s name, are being withheld as all medical records are private and confidential.

To monitor the crisis on a daily basis, Vice Chancellor, Dr.

Max Price, has called for the formation of a specialised Task Team, led by Executive Director: Communications and Marketing, Gerda Kruger, while a Risk Assessment Committee evaluates the extent of the flu’s reign over the UCT community and advises UCT management on the best way to update protocol and Student Wellness procedures.

Kruger told VARSITY, “UCT has not experienced a large outbreak yet, but have taken extra precautions. There are two call centres for staff and students; all illnesses in residences are recorded and reported to the Task

team and the personnel at Student Wellness has been increased. The most important thing is for people not to panic.” Rather, students should call the hotline where someone qualified will answer and go through your symptoms with you.

Although Swine Flu is highly infectious, several leading world health organisations concur that Swine Flu is substantially similar to seasonal flu. However, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) state the fatality rate is 100 to 1000 times less than seasonal flu.

Last week UCT launched an

information campaign in which poster and flyers were placed around the university, in residences and on the UCT website informing students who experienced symptoms to seek assistance from the Student Wellness Centre.

However, third-year Bsc student, Dulan Simons, feels that “UCT isn’t doing all it could do to inform and prepare students; people are dying. UCT needs to brush up its game!”

Although it is common for those infected to be quarantined, hospitals in South Africa are not forcing patients into isolation.

Symptoms to watch out for: • • • •

nausea vomiting fever body aches

Emergency contact info: •

Student Wellness Centre Hotline: 021 650 1068

•

Department of Student Affairs’ Wellness Service: 021 650 1017/ 1020

Visit www.varsitynewspaper.co.za to post your comments, air your opinions and raise awareness about issues that matter to you Varsity, the official student newspaper since 1942, is committed to the principles of equality and democracy

News 2 DASO emphasises “positive politics” Natasha nel ON SATURDAY 1 August, UCT hosted the second annual Democratic Allicance Students’ Organisation (DASO) Provincial Summit. The summit aimed to discuss and update DASO’s policies and was attended by members from UCT and Stellenbosch, as well as Cape Town’s Mayor, Dan Plato.

According to Ryno Geldenhuys, DASO UCT Chairperson, the core purpose of the summit was to revise and update the DASO Dossier, a document detailing DASO’s main principles. Geldenhuys stressed the importance of this procedure with regards to the upcoming SRC elections.

The opening speech was made by Chris Ryall, DASO

UCT Branch Manager and SRC President. Ryall expressed his dissatisfaction with what he perceives to be a lack of DASO mobilisation among members, something which he believes is a result of DASO’s comfortable political dominance at UCT. The first half of the Summit was devoted to making slight alterations to the DASO Vision, Foundational Principles and Ideological Foundations.

Formerly included phrases referring to the “ruling party” and “tribalist” or “nationalist groups,” were erased.

When questioned, many members conveyed a desire for a return to “positive politics”, or “fighting for a cause as opposed to against one”. Ryall made a statement against the inclusion of such phrases because they sound “bitter and angry”.

SRC candidates are coming

Nkosiyati Khumalo

SRC Elections are fast approaching, and the campus will soon be flooded with campaign posters, t-shirts, and promises to “change UCT,” as energetic candidates seek the support of the student body.

According to its website, the SRC “represents all students at UCT, and their overall interest and social well-being, in university committees.” The SRC is elected annually by the students, and members either represent other student organisations or are independents.

The elections are supervised by the SRC Election Committee, which operates under the auspices of the Department of Student Affairs – Student Governance.

SRC President Chris Ryall believes that “many of the issues that we have faced [in 2009] will still be prevalent in 2010. Fees, limited residence space, academic exclusions and transformation will always be high on the SRC’s agenda.”

As the SRC is the highest decision-making structure of student governance, students are strongly encouraged to make informed decisions when voting.

To that effect, the SRC Elections committee will soon be releasing a Candidate Manifesto booklet which outlines each candidate’s platform.

According to an unofficial transcript from the SRC election office, 38 candidates will be running for SRC, a significant increase from last year.

Image by Remy Ngamije

Applica tion deadlin e 5

Aug 200

9

Eight candidates are running under DASO, SASCO also has eight, COPE has four and a newlyformed group, FUCT, has entered seven candidates. Eleven students are running as independents, which should even out the politicallyfuelled playing field.

The 15-member SRC is involved with numerous initiatives and programmes on campus, and serves as the vital link between University management and the student body.

When asked what advice he would give to the 2010 SRC candidates, Ryall said “enjoy the process and conduct yourselves in a way that will earn you the respect of the student body.” Additionally, Ryall encouraged the candidates to “present a positive message; it’s not enough to merely stand against the status quo.”

The current SRC has made numerous accomplishments during its tenure in 2009, and recently distributed a brochure entitled “What the SRC Has Done for You.” Some notable accomplishments include making important amendments to the academic exclusion process, advocating for students without accommodation, producing leadership and academic workshops, hosting political debates, constantly seeking to improve the quality of student services, and increasing communication between the council and the student body.

For more information, members of the UCT community are encouraged to contact the SRC Elections Committee, Level 7, Steve Biko Students’ Union, (021) 650-3535.

Dawie Scholtz, Chairperson of DASO Stellenbosch, echoed these sentiments. Scholtz also spoke about the political apathy of Stellenbosch students in comparison to those at UCT, and indicated that a contributing factor to this is the fact that Stellenbosch SRC elections are not politicised.

Mayor Plato’s keynote address focused on the achievements of the Democratic Alliance in the city of Cape Town, but paid little attention to the role of DASO within the party. Mayor Plato was also the only speaker to make negative mention of the ruling party, while DASO members did not.

According to Geldenhuys, the most significant changes made to the DASO Dossier were related to their Admissions Policy, the details of which were not available at time of print.

Image by Simone Millward

Volume 68 Number 9

Plato philosophising? - Cape Town’s mayor, Dan Plato talks to students at a DASO provincial summit.

Baxter’s new leading lady Gerda von Benecke THE Baxter Theatre is set to have a new director at its helm by the end of the year. Lara Foot Newton will be the first female and fourth Artistic Director to take on this important role since the opening of the Baxter in 1977.

Newton will be taking over from Mannie Manim, current CEO and Director.

Newton moved from Johannesburg to Cape Town in 2005, taking up the position of Resident Director and Dramaturge at the Baxter Theatre Centre, and obtained her Masters Degree at UCT in 2007.

In a statement, Newton said, “I look forward to fostering creative relationships with the artists of Cape Town, the University and adjacent districts.”

At the age of 42, Newton has directed over 40 professional

productions, 29 of which have been new South African plays.

Plays which students might be more acquainted with - all of which have toured internationally - include: • • • •

Tshepang, Hear and Now Reach Karoo Moose

To film lovers, Newton might sound more recognisable as the writer and co-director of the interdisciplinary short film And There is the Dust, which won five international awards and two Golden Horn awards. Her accolades include her election to be part of the Sundance Film Writer’s Lab in 2007 and the Sundance Film Director’s Lab in 2008. In a statement published on the web by TONIGHT, Newton

said, “One of my dreams is to create a company of young theatre-makers who produce a steady stream of indigenous work.

Also, part of my goal is to attract young audiences to the theatre.”

She has won many other awards over the years, including a number of Fleur de Cap Awards, the 1995 Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year Award, a National Vita Award, the 2008 White Ribbon Award for Women in South Africa who Make a Difference, and a number of Naledi Awards.

UCT commented that, “[UCT] is very proud of our association with the Baxter, and we are especially delighted with the appointment of Lara Foot Newton as the new director of the theatre complex. Mannie Manim has left a significant legacy, not only within the Baxter, but throughout the creative arts industry.”

Penny-wise students on the rise Olivia Walton BEING a student in the middle of a recession no longer means you have to stay at home to avoid bankruptcy – NoBucks, the brainchild of two Capetonian students, provides quick access to a host of specials around the city.

Adam Lifshitz and Luke Godfrey launched NoBucks. co.za on 24 July this year. The site functions like a calendar, with a list of specials on drinks, food and entry, at venues ranging from Mercury and Tiger Tiger to Beluga and the Societi Bistro.

“We promote budget nights out for students and young professionals. Anyone really… people need the money,” said Lifshitz.

“We [started NoBucks] because we were in the same position as our target market: we’re students, it’s a recession.

The only way to save money is to get the word out about specials.”

NoBucks is designed to be as user-friendly as possible, and is updated on a daily basis.

“It’s constantly developing, new things are being added – not just the specials, the whole concept”, said Lifshitz, adding “The site is called NoBucks, we had no

money to start off with. It’s all word of mouth.” And so far the response has been positive. In its first week, NoBucks had 1000 hits, and after two and a half weeks it was up to 2500.

NoBucks’s founders plan to expand the site to cover more and more venues, and eventually other cities. “When everything’s in front of you it’s easy, you can just make your choice,” said Lifshitz.

Luke Godfrey is an Advertising and Design Major at Red and Yellow, and Adam Lifshitz is a second-year Business Science student at UCT.

Application Application Ap tion deadline a plicat c i ion ppl line deadline A 5 Au g 20 Brunching on a public holiday 09 d e adline ead tion d a c zerene Haddad i l to fully emancipate women.

App line 1 09 9 19 Aug 2009 A pp “the law lic A at io nher opinion, 20does ug 20 of Student Assembly In g MEMBERS facilitate women’s empowerment, u dead 2009 0 to a Women’s A an obstacle were invited 9 but it can also deadDay 19 be g lin e u A brunch on Monday, hosted by the if it is discriminatory.” Professor 5

SRC, UCT Radio and Student Soudien, who introduced her, Assembly. saying that it took UCT 180 years 19 Athe Professor Schwikard, to ugfirst 2 0 0 9 appoint a woman the Dean of Dean of Law at UCT, gave Law, and that in doing so, “we’ve Send in a brief CV and a motivationalfemale letter to a speech in which she outlined the missed 180 years of opportunity.” of the law in relation Although many guests were varsitynewspaper@gmail.comimportance to the political and social context. unable to attend due to flu, those She pointed out that the law students who attended enjoyed the of South Africa may have changed early brunch at Baxter Theatre on drastically following apartheid, the rainy public holiday. lady of the moment- Professor Schwikard and members of SRC and Student Assembly but there is still much to be done

3

NEWS Varsity A Captain’s Diary launches liam kruger

with deadlines tightened to accommodate Smith’s wishes for a 2009 release – allowing for only two months in which to hand in the final manuscript. “The copy,” said Boraine, “just kept on coming. He just made all his deadlines and that… says it all about Graeme Smith.”

While Smith wanted the book to give a behind-the-scenes look at the South African team, he warns that not all of their secrets are given away – as much to respect his team’s privacy as to avoid giving the opposition an edge in future matches. Smith did, however, hint jokingly at a more comprehensive memoir further down the road.

Also present at the event was Mohammed Ebrahim, president of the WPCA, and Schalk Burger, Springbok, and friend of Smith’s.

Signed copies of A Captain’s Diary are for sale at The Book Lounge.

Image courtesy of flickr.com

SOUTH African cricket captain Graeme Smith’s surprise publication, A Captain’s Diary, launched two weeks ago in the cozy opulence of Sahara Park Newland’s Presidential Suite.

The book, published by Jonathan Ball, serves as a reflection on the Proteas’ successes and challenges over the 2007-2008 period. The event, attended by local icons and fans alike, also marked the renewal of Sahara Computers’ sponsorship of the Newlands Cricket Stadium, as well as that of Smith himself – though discussion between Smith and interviewer Matthew Pierce focused more on the book’s contents and the Proteas’ dazzling past season than anything else, with good-natured heckling from Mark Boucher and Jacques Kallis who were present.

A Captain’s Diary, written with cricket commentator Neil Manthorp, traces key moments

over Smith’s captaining career – including the departure of former captain, Sean “Polly” Pollock, Smith’s own reservations as a young captain, the recent victory over England, and tensions while touring in India – culminating in the decisive successes against Australia in Melbourne and Perth.

This marked the first time since readmission that a South African team had bested both Australia and England in a test series, and the first time in sixteen years that Australia had been beaten in Australia. Trophies from the team’s early years arranged behind him, Smith recounted in particular his pivotal innings against England at Edgebaston, where South Africa would go on to win the test series, as one of the highlights of his captaining career.

Publisher Jonathan Ball’s spokesperson, Jeremy Boraine, praised Smith for his professionalism in dealing

Recyclution handguide

more than just a batsman- Graeme Smith at the launch of ‘A Captain’s Diary’, which details his time as Captain of the Proteas.

Power, politics and priorities Olivia Walton

“TODAY we are sitting with the reality that women face more poverty, more violence [than before]”, said Pregs Govender, former MP and currently a commissioner at the South African Human Rights Commission.

She was speaking to a group of staff and students in honour of Women’s Day. The talk was hosted by the History and Current Affairs Society, at which Govender shared her views on three issues she felt are essential to the lives of South African women in 2009: Power, Politics and Priorities.

Govender, the only MP to have voted against the Arms Deal, asked the audience to think about her topic. One student, commenting on this year’s election, said that “It was my first time voting. I thought I would feel powerful, but I didn’t.

I felt powerless, like my vote was as far as it went.”

Another student stressed the need in South Africa for people with an education to “move away from charity and towards social entrepreneurship...Think ‘How can I prosper while allowing others around me to prosper’”.

Many students expressed their dissatisfaction with politics, often resulting from the feeling that politicians do not listen to the people who elected them.

Govender responded “I think listening is one of the most powerful acts, and I think it is deeply undervalued in politics.”

“The issue of engaging in politics is a scary one,” said Govender, adding that it was complicated by issues such as “status and ego” and by the perceived need to follow the party line.

Govender stressed her belief that South Africans must not lose sight of the implications of events in our recent past: “after apartheid,

we were seated with an apartheid, patriarchal, capitalist system.” She commented on the public’s lack of response to Anglo Gold’s decision to leave the country: “[What are] the implications of Anglo Gold leaving, having built its wealth on this country, and the implications of us, as a country, not saying no, that wealth belongs here?”

Govender ended her talk with an account of the HIV/Aids hearings, a result of a controversial report she (as part of a committee) presented to the ANC caucus in 2001. The report met with much criticism from the ANC, and in 2002 Govender resigned from parliament.

Children from each province were asked to present their experience of sexual violence at the hearings. Having listened to numerous accounts of rape by family members, a politician stood up and said that the children “were not doing what they were supposed to be doing: they were supposed to be telling about the problems in their provinces, not their personal lives.”

Govender immediately adjourned the hearing, and a representative was asked to apologise to all the children on behalf of the politicians—including Govender—who were present.

“The children were asked to continue with what they had prepared, but after that, they were unable to speak freely,” said Govender. “The last child, however, stood up and said: ‘My child is your child, your child is my child. We believe in ubuntu.’”

Govender left the audience with a final question: “What does ubuntu mean in the face of so much corruption?”

What’s in a bin?

GCI drops a line to VARSITY and clears the air over the recycling system Nicolina van der Merwe and David Francis Why does UCT have four bins instead of two?

The answer to this lies in GCI’s vision for the long term sustainability of the recycling project.

The four-bin system is designed to be compatible with any recycling service provider (as these may change over the years), as it allows for the maximum level of user sorting. Currently the service provider, Waste Man, only requires that waste is sorted into two categories: dry, recyclable material in one bin, and all nonrecyclable material in another. Thus, while the open spaces of UCT have a four-bin system, it is still fully compatible with the Waste Man system, as

the refuse in the BLUE, RED and YELLOW bins is taken for recycling, while the GREEN bin entitled “OTHER” is sent to landfill. Waste Man sorts all recyclable refuse off-site, and thus, mixing the waste does not hamper the recycling effort.

Bin lids

Plastic - polystyrene coffee cups, polystyrene takeaway food boxes (yes, polystyrene is a recyclable plastic), water and cool drink bottles (please remove the lid), coffee cup lids.

Tin

While labels are printed on the lids, some students have commented that they are hard to read. GCI has taken note of this and is aiming to make the labels on future lids more readable. However, if one is standing close enough to the bin to deposit refuse, one is close enough to read the label. Remember:

BLUE:

paper

RED :

tin

YELLOW: plastic GREEN:

paper, cardboard, paper coffee cups.

other

What goes where?

Here is a brief list of the most common items found on campus and their corresponding bins: Paper - writing and printing

-

cool

drink

Go�BIG

cans.

Other - all other waste (food, juice boxes, unfinished drinks).

All recyclable objects need to be empty when placed in the recycling bin. If you are throwing away a can, cup or container that is only half empty, please place it in the “OTHER” bin so as not to contaminate the recycle bins.

Educational campaign In light of this confusion, the GCI is launching a recycling education campaign which will highlight the different recycling categories and help users identify what waste goes where.

Look out for posters around campus soon.

SO MUCH MORE THAN YOU IMAGINED

4

OPINIONS

Letter of gratitude to the SRC DEAR Mr Ryall and the SRC THIS letter serves to thank you for your efforts on our behalf.

In January of 2009, a group of post-graduate psychology students approached you about the minimal funding we had received in our Masters year. On average, we had received R2 000 per student and our fees are close to R30 000. This was in comparison to last year, where we received enough funding to cover our fees and research expenses. We felt aggrieved that we had such a small amount of funding whilst the enormous fee increase had been justified in terms of increased funding. We were unhappy with the opaque and incompetent management of the

postgraduate funding office and UCT administration in particular.

We would like to thank the SRC for your Herculean efforts on our behalf. We are a small interest group and it would have been extremely easy for you to ignore us. Instead you engaged in a long fight with the administration on our behalf. Through your efforts, many of the students received additional funding from the university.

By helping us to engage with the administration on this issue, you have shown yourselves to be an SRC who believes in tangible transformation. Instead of vague rhetoric, you have worked with a clear purpose and produced substantial results. Instead of making huge promises you have

worked to produce what is possible.

Instead of shouting loud slogans, you have worked quietly on an issue that was of vital importance to us all. You have represented us with dignity, intelligence and tenacity and have made us proud of our SRC. Thank you.

Hannah Schultz Robyn Human Nadine Kilchenmann Michelle Roberts Michelle Henry Claire Corbett Amy Northam Katharine James Joy Hyde

Stereotypes unfairly demean Xhosa people

BY THE time you finish reading this, you’ll probably be thinking: “Gee! What an angry letter.” Well, that’s because I am.

I find it shocking that at such an advanced and supposedly transformed institution as UCT, there are still some ethnic groups that are subjected to a great deal of social injustice. Some rather unlikely victims of this are the Xhosa people.

There seems to be a growing popularity in the belief that Xhosa people are violent, crude and somewhat uncivilised; that Xhosa men are inconsiderate bastards that cheat on every second girl

(I’m sure you’ve heard more). The matter here is not whether these stereotypes are true or not, but that all of us are unfairly categorised in this manner. While other races can easily be seen to conform to societal norms, we find ourselves with the additional task of having to prove that we are worthy people, despite “being Xhosa”. And then there’s the lame argument that “the majority of Xhosa people are like that, so you are probably just like everyone else”. What? Why can’t people consider each person as an individual, instead of looking at us as though we are just a statistical representation of an ethnic group

about which most people have something to dislike?

I find it disappointing that, even as a varsity student, one can hold fixed opinions about a certain people. If this institution is ever going to be fully transformed, then people need to rid their minds of the discriminatory stereotypes that they have about everyone else.

Until then, we will have to tiptoe around everyone, fearing that once you make a mistake it will be attributed to you being of a certain ethnic group and acting in a “typical manner”. Not ideal.

Siya Nyezi

Another rotation in the Middle East’s quiet revolution LIAM KRUGER THE Middle East is changing.

Whether the current protests in Iran are quashed or not is beside the point. The fact alone that Mir Hossein Mousavi, who believes he is the rightful winner of the Iranian elections, successfully encouraged public protest – albeit stifled – is evidence enough that the Iranian public is acquiring expectations of a decidedly more democratic and Western flavour; access to Western media has seen to that. Similar trends are noted in the increasingly opulent Dubai, Bahrain and Qatar. While

fundamentalist values still reign supreme, changes are evident, particularly in the outlook of the youth; internal disagreements between the religious and political heavyweights in Iran have not been uncommon in the past three decades since the revolution, but for the first time the dispute has been taken to the public forum, such as it is.

“People’s power” is gaining ground in the Middle East – admittedly, not in the way we’d like it to, but Lebanon, Kuwait and Egypt have all seen an upsurge in effective public protest. While the treatment of Iranian dissenters

by the baseej militiamen – Ahmadinejad’s thugs – has been an appalling and unacceptable violation of human rights, these measures are not sustainable in the long term; particularly not since, as President Obama points out, “the world is watching.” A revolution in the already disrupted Iran would be unlikely at present, and possibly unfortunate. That said, Iranian supreme leader Ayatalloah Ali Khamenei, backer of Mahmoud Ammadinejad, has shown himself unwilling to compromise – and he may soon find the disquieted Iranian public similarly inflexible.

Taxes deny people the pleasure of reading JAMES STENT EDUCATION is the key to South Africa’s success. It’s no secret that South Africa is faced with a massive skills shortage. Apartheid is certainly to blame; those daft bastards provided an inferior education to the majority of the population, and left it to us to pick up the slack. The government has done a lot to try to correct this imbalance; but teacher shortages, lack of funds for supplies and poor schooling facilities compound South Africa’s problems. There is one thing; an inherently simple action that the government can take that will do a lot for the quality of South African education. Remove VAT from the sale of books in South Africa.

I first learnt about the movement to remove VAT from books at the Cape Town Book Fair at the CTICC during the winter holidays.

The book fair was a laugh – there was the unintentionally hilarious Scientology display, the hordes of old people, and the stands exhibiting modern South African poetry books (on another note: South African poets, what is up?).

One stand in particular stood out,

mainly because it wasn’t trying to sell anything. It was manned by Terry Bell, who runs the Campaign Against Reader Exploitation (CARE). CARE is fighting for the removal of the 14% VAT that is placed on the sale of books; their supporters include Zapiro, PieterDirk Uys and other prominent SA authors. In 2004, CARE handed a 100 000 signature strong petition to then finance minister Trevor Manuel, which was rejected on the grounds that the only ones who would benefit from the removal of the tax would be the rich.

Fair enough, rich people buy lots of books. Why do they do buy books? Because they’re the only ones who can afford to do so in South Africa. CARE wants to change that, to make books more accessible. The tax on books is a massive hindrance to the poorer members of society. It’s not hard to envision the multiplier effects that the removal of VAT on books would have. Libraries would be able to buy more books within their limited budgets. Poor schools would be able to purchase textbooks for that many more pupils, textbooks for university students would be less of a burden.

The South African publishing industry would be able to increase its output, giving a voice to new authors (even if it is at the cost of a few more poetry compendiums).

Quite a number of countries have seen the light and removed VAT from the sale of books Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Brazil, Mexico, Thailand, Poland, Russia, Norway and Ireland to name a few.

If it makes sense and it benefits a huge number of citizens then do it.

It was not so long ago that British readers had to have deep pockets in order to savour literature.

Then Penguin books came along with cheap, easy paperbacks and made reading a pursuit free from class divisions. Reading is the first step towards bettering oneself and for South Africans to be hindered in the pursuit of self-improvement by a pointless tax seems almost malicious. Help bookworms across South Africa and support the Campaign Against Reader Exploitation in their fight against the evil taxman. Use some of those skills you’ve learnt at this place and write to the man in charge of finance, Pravin Gordham at Private Bag X115, Pretoria 001.

VOLUME 68 NUMBER 9

Editorial It’s ironic that the editor has been rendered bed-ridden by swine flu on Women’s Day - honestly, it wasn’t me. However, this convenient illness has afforded me, one of the few females in the VARSITY office boys’ club, the opportunity to write the most hallowed of columns. I won’t lie, I am thrilled. And yes, it does feel like I’ve been injected with liquid fizz pops: it’s an unadulterated, heady rush. So much to say, so little space…

This is theoretically my last edition as deputy editor because, by edition 10, there will be a new collective in place. Applications are still open for section editors and other portfolios, see page 5 for details. I can assure you that the process is very democratic as the entire collective votes and , what’s more, there is certainly “transformation” in the air this year, for those who have often said we are not representative enough.

Without ever intending it to be so, this edition has turned into a festival of femininity; from the front page to the back, women of UCT are featured and it’s about time too. Now, there’s no need to start grumbling and assuming I’m another feminist on the prowl, because I’m not. But I do know that there are many women whom I have encountered across UCT who are grossly undervalued. Is this something to do with equality?

Is it a case of incompetent management? IQ versus EQ? After all it’s taken 180 years to have a female Dean of Law. Instead of being frustrated by questions that generate more questions and fewer answers, I came to realise that these women may hover in the background yet they are genuine, everyday testaments to leadership. I’m obviously not talking about the traditional leadership role that thrusts you into the spotlight, throws awards at you and validates your existence so that you go home stuffed to contentment with your own achievements.

As much as accomplishments and authority are aspects of leadership, all of which are embodied in our Chancellor, Graca Machel, so too is the ability to sit in the corner and eat humble-pie. For a moment, I’d just like to borrow that “quiet diplomacy” phrase and tweak it slightly so as to end up with “quiet leadership”. Not grasping for glory does not necessarily mean that you are subordinate or oppressed. Women show an immense capacity for not being acknowledged for a range of things: the source of ideas, the backbone in times of trouble, a soothing balm on frayed nerves and- ultimately the reason why we celebrate Women’s day- the defenders of the cause. There’s much to be said for women who may not be the “heads” of families, societies or institutions, yet they are the very lifeblood that flows through these structures.

That infamous Greek aunty once said, “the man is the head of the house, but the woman is the neck and she can turn the head any way she wants”. So, to the women who crusaded in 1956 and made the head turn and pay attention, to those women today who eventually effect big changes through small everyday gestures, I would like to say thank you.

Without you, I fear there would be much disarray, less direction, more wayward men and far too much testosterone. Not to mention the depth of humility it requires to stand back and let others take credit, when human nature seeks always to claim what is “mine”.

From time to time I guess we could all do with a piece of humble-pie.

It’s been a fantastic year for me, thank you to you, the readers, and to the crazy 2009 collective, Zerene

newsgathering next newsgathering Thursday 13 August 2009, meridian, in LS 2C

2009 collective editor Seamus Duggan deputy editor Zerene Haddad chief sub editor Maciek Dubla sub editors Cayleigh Bright, Jackie Zvoutete, Jonas Kane, Louise Ferreira dtp editor Wei Mao dtp assistant Tiisetso Mngomezulu operations manager Tina Swigelaar images Simone Millward photographers Marco Balducci, Zakareeya Pandey, Jade van Blerk, Ghia du Plessis, Bianca Kramer news Brian Muller news team Olivia Walton, Tonbara Ekiyor, Sarah Jackson opinions Tatenda Goredema features Remy Ngamije & Tara Leverton sport Daniel Freund & Dominic Verwey finance & advertising team Megan Lyons & Desmond Manyatshe marketing & brand manager John-Ross Hugo, Mathabatha Sexwale, Celeste Adonis IT manager M Irfaan Imamdin website manager Yue Mao staff writers Kerryn Warren, Moss Matheolane, Tiffany Mugo, Calvin Scholtz, Gugulethu Hlekwayo, Tariq Desai, Liam Kruger, Nyasha Kadandara, Nkosiyati Khumalo, Gerda von Benecke, Sentlenyana Machaba external contributors Berndt Hanweg, Boniswa Mdebeku, Dylan Thomas, Martin Mendelsohn

tel 021 650 3543 fax 021 650 2904 email varsitynewspaper@gmail.com website www.varsitynewspaper.co.za 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.

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opinions

Volume 68 Number 9

Photo courtesy of cybernetnews.com

Micrahoo! / Yahoocrosoft. SRC COLUMN Graham Pote THERE is something horribly wrong going on in the tech world.

Scary thing about it is that it affects you and myself and every other Internet user out there.

Here’s the situation: Microsoft has finally managed to buy out Yahoo!. One of the world’s most powerful companies is trying to control the Internet.

Microsoft has been attempting to buy out Yahoo! for years, but until now, has been unsuccessful, not because Microsoft wasn’t offering enough money (the deal is worth around $44 billion), but because Yahoo! simply wasn’t interested in doing business with Microsoft. I wouldn’t be interested with any involvement with Microsoft either, they’re responsible for problems that effect global society on a minuteto-minute basis: those “This Programme Is Not Responding” messages are enough to make you throw that horrible piece of badly programmed machinery into a nuclear dump (or switch to Mac or Linux), not to mention the amount of time the demons freeze, or take to start up.

With regards to that operating system list, this is the spanner that’s been thrown into the works that has made Microsoft really push for the acquisition of Yahoo!: Google is launching its own operating system. It’s called “Chrome,” and it’s based loosely on their web browser, which is available via free download, under the same name. Google is claiming a start-up time of a few seconds and a complete re-build of the typical operating system, which will, according to Google, render it virus-immune. Acer, HP, Asus and Lenovo are supporters of the Google operating system, and

Microsoft + Yahoo - The much talked about merger is finally done you can expect to see Chrome on new computers by the end of this year, according to Google Chief Executive, Eric Schmidt.

This is bad news for Microsoft, whose operating system is unreliable, expensive, full of faults and prone to viruses. Which is why they’ve gone and bought out the second most visited website on the web, which is second to Google. Microsoft/MSN.com is the third most visited site, which will mean that now combined, the Yahoo/Microsoft empire may be more powerful than Google. I think, however, that it’s about time Microsoft realised that their time is over, and they should shove off. Microsoft hasn’t promised to keep Yahoo! alive; “that’s a question we haven’t answered yet, said senior Vice-President of Strategic Marketing, Yusuf Mendi.

What this means for you: in time, your Yahoo! email address will be converted to a Hotmail one.

Yahoo! Messenger will cease to exist and you’ll have to use MSN Messenger.

What’s interesting about this deal is that it’s not a website Microsoft is buying, it’s you. That’s right, you read correctly. The web makes profits from advertising, which is targeted at the web-user.

Whoever has the most views, wins. Combine the second and third largest web powers, and see the domineering effect take place.

I would sincerely like to see the demise of Microsoft. I’m sick and tired of the extreme sluggishness of their operating systems, which apparently shows in their business dealings as well: they’ve been in talks with Yahoo! for years. Just imagine how slow the web could become if Microsoft controlled it.

Quite frankly, I am not for sale Microsoft, so bugger off. How can you help? Set your homepage to Google.com, and keep it that way.

An article featured in Varsity two weeks ago suggested that political organizations can play no productive role in student governance at UCT. I strongly disagree. It is true that many past SRCs were plagued by petty political squabbles that limited their effectiveness; however my contention is that this is not a problem that all politically-aligned SRCs will face. I firmly believe that we have shown this year that political parties and independents can put their personal agendas aside and work together to effectively represent the students. Even during the highly contentious national election, political mudslinging was not a part of the SRC’s discourse. So perhaps it’s not that political organizations have no constructive role to play in student governance, but rather that certain leaders have, in the past, let their own narrow political agendas distract them from the work that really needs to be done.

Transformation Focus Fortnight is well underway. Last week we hosted a presentation by the Vice Chancellor on his vision for transformation at UCT. We also hosted two student consultation sessions on the Admissions Policy Review and a presentation on racism in South Africa’s tertiary institutions. Although these events were supported, I would’ve liked to have seen even more students attend.

On Tuesday we will be hosting a debate between the main political organizations on campus. The debate will centre around transformation and free education. We will also be co-hosting a ‘Buza’ event with the Disabilities Unit. The idea is to provide a forum for students to ask any questions they’ve ever had about disabilities. We will also be continuing the women empowerment campaign that was launched last week.

The details of all these events will be advertised across campus during the course of the week so watch out for the ‘SRC announcement’ posters.

Last week the SRC launched two new communication initiatives.

We handed out over one thousand ‘what the SRC has done for you’ booklets as a way of raising awareness about the various programmes and initiatives that the SRC has been engaged in this year, and we will be handing out another thousand over the course of this week. The second initiative will be rolled out in lower campus residences from today.

We will be placing ‘SRC suggestion books’ at the reception desks and the idea is to give you the opportunity to write any comments, suggestions or criticisms that you may have for the SRC in these books. I believe that these initiatives will help to promote the open, accountable and accessible SRC that we have strived to build this year.

Have a good week!

Chris

Adam Rang WHAT do Michael Jackson and one in four South Africans have in common? No, aside from the endlessly tasteless jokes that have clogged my inbox since the King of Pop’s demise. And so before VARSITY’s legal team suffers a panic attack, let me elaborate.

Of my earliest childhood memories is queuing alongside thousands of screaming kids on a family vacation to Disneyland.

The screaming, could be attributed to having to wait for hours in the sun simply to get onto any of the rides. The waiting, was the result of large parts of the park being systematically shut down and vacated in order to accommodate the selfish needs of a single grown man wanting to enjoy the park in complete privacy. His name was none other than Michael Jackson – the same man who along with his publicists and obsessive fans would constantly remind us that he never had a childhood. Instead, he “suffered” an upbringing marked by outrageous wealth and fame. In truth, Michael Jackson lived a life so self-obsessed that he constantly wallowed in the belief that he was one of life’s victims. With this mentality, he (allegedly) went on to make many more people victims.

Before I receive a summons from the people profiting off Jackson’s death, let me point out that the man is as innocent as

Jacob Zuma. All we know is that he liked to sleep in the same bed as young boys, one of whom could describe his penis in intricate detail and another who made allegations so “baseless” that he required a multi-million dollar payout.

Apparently, Michael Jackson was just a big kid who didn’t want to grow up, albeit one who had, court documents noted, alcohol and pornographic material in his room. Although speaking ill of the dead is taboo, applauding a deeply flawed life should be too.

Closer to home, when “victims” are allowed to wallow in their problems, instead of finding innovative ways of moving forward, you get the whinging likes of Julius Malema and Helen Zille dominating the airwaves.

Once the sycophantic hype surrounding Jackson’s death, fuelled by those with commercial interests, has subsided, we should go back to praising real heroes like Barack Obama. Many AfricanAmericans have tried to become President of the USA, but Barack Obama succeeded because he did something that took everyone – including his supporters and his enemies – by surprise. He refused to play the victim game by moaning about all the obstacles that could have held him back and instead marched confidently forward towards the White House.

Even his choice of slogan, “Yes, We Can”, was a clever move to wrong foot those who were

Photo courtesy of thewrittenworld.files.wordpress.com

Michael Jackson and the cult of the victim

The King of Pop- Hero or Villain, Victim or Cry-baby? expecting him to play the victim card.

Of course, no discussion of

victimhood would be complete without mentioning the man who could write the book on moaning.

Move over Wacko Jacko, mad Bob of Zimbabwe takes this crown.

Thirty years after independence, his country no longer has its own currency, he has struggled to keep people alive from a curable 12th century disease and one third of the country has fled, but this is not what he moans about. Moaning will not make Zimbabwe’s problems go away, only Mugabe going away will. Once the cry-baby ranting is set to mute, Mugabe is nothing more than a talentless murderer.

Obama mania has swept the world, Zuma has stopped invoking the revolution and even Zille has remembered that she is supposed to be governing the Western Cape. I really hope that this is the beginning of a new era that is tired of people who endlessly portray themselves as victims in order to cover up their flaws. Perhaps even Gucci-loving Malema could acknowledge that people don’t like him due to his character, and not the colour of his skin. The adults of the world have so far failed us with their unimaginative and piss- poor standard of politics that have dominated the planet.

It’s now time for us to be the “Yes, We Can” generation.

Now let me leave you with the words of Michael Jackson’s father in the week following his death, who told CNN, “I wish the world would have recognised him while he was living”. Now that is a hard man to please.

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opinions

Reasonable Doubt Controversy be damned Tatenda Goredema BEFORE I get into it this week, I have some issues to get off my chest. Ever since I took over the job of opinions editor at the paper and started writing this column, I have received both praise and criticism, as it turns out I have as many admirers as I have haters.

Some of my favourite digs have been that I am too abstract in some of my pieces, that I’m too verbose, that I am too political and my personal favourite, that I love controversy. I have never been a fan of popular opinion and never really mind who I upset with my column, I just write what I think. Contrary to popular belief I do not have a proclivity

for controversy and I do not say things just to provoke people, I say it because I mean it and if that upsets some people then that’s rather unfortunate.

Now that that’s off my chest, there has been debate of late about the recent appointment of Bheki Cele as National Police Commissioner. I for one abhor criminals and have rather strong views on crime and how it should be handled. Thus, I was happy to see the new Commissioner talking tough and stating his intention of amending a section of the constitution that prohibited the use of force by police unless it was necessary. The media have been quick to label Cele a “cowboy” and highlight his

extravagant dress sense, in my view if Mr Cele does his job and works to lower crime statistics, then the media can brandish him whatever they want and he can wear whatever he wants, he still gets my vote of approval.

I have always felt that once a person commits a serious crime, they lose their right to claim human rights, my reason for this being that human rights should only be guaranteed to people who respect those rights themselves and treat their fellow men according to those rights.

In other words if you contravene the law by committing a serious crime and you are convicted I believe you forfeit your claim on human rights because you have deliberately ignored someone else’s human rights so how can you still hold onto yours?

It has always upset me to see criminals who have committed rape, murder, or serious assault get convicted and smile at news cameras in courtrooms and show no remorse for their actions and the implications those actions will

have on the surviving members of the deceased or the victim of the crime. I have always been in favour of capital punishment and firmly believe in the eye for an eye adage. There is no doubt that a life sentence is not pleasant and South African prisons are no islands of pleasure, but if you murder someone or rape someone you leave an indelible mark either on the survivor of the rape or on the family that the deceased leaves behind thus my view is that the only remedy is for the perpetrators of these crimes be punished by death. How sickening it is that some criminals are permitted to vote, despite the fact that they have ignored the laws of the land.

Human Rights are important and to see them upheld so much in this country is wonderful, but the line has to be drawn somewhere.

How can a criminal enjoy some of the same civil liberties as an obedient tax paying citizen?

Many people might be offended by my view on the extent to which I believe serious crime offenders should be punished, but

Building a unified nation takes time DESPITE the xenophobic attacks which occurred in the year 2008, many people in the world still perceive South Africa as a united and cohesive society. Implied in the concept of rainbow nation (as invented by former South African president Nelson Mandela during his time in office), is the philosophy of multiculturalism. A rainbow nation is one which embraces the values of an egalitarian society whereby everybody is involved in building a future for our nation; and where everybody has an equal chance and equal opportunity, and there is respect for human rights and human dignity. In summary, the concept suggests that we need to be proud and grateful about the achievements of our country.

This is surely what Madiba and other leaders imagined when they promulgated this ideology.

Although I was very young at the time when South Africa was in transition from the previous regime to a new dispensation characterised by opportunities for every South African, this concept was absolutely relevant and essential for the time. However, as time passed us by this concept proved to be ineffective and too advance for a young democracy like ours. It merely served to reinforce a status quo as it did nothing to change the face of things but merely pacified the angry masses. The income gap between the poor and the rich has widened tremendously and it seems that the gap will never stop growing until the government implements drastic measures to address this problem.

Despite that the government has done amazing work in trying to eradicate poverty through social spending throughout the years, this has proved to be a waste of time, not to mention, a waste of money due to a general rise in poor living standards that South Africans experience daily. Apart from that, the government has also introduced programmes such as the RDP, GEAR, and BEE just to mention a few, in an effort to redress these social inequities. The point that I’m trying to raise here is that the government has tried its best in seeking to overcome these socio-economic problems but all amounted to a futile

Photo courtesy of jamati.com

Nicholas Kondlo

Tata Madiba - the leading representative of the Rainbow Nation activity. Moreover, the underlying argument that I am trying to establish throughout is that there could never be a cohesive society where there is a multitude of social inequalities.

By improving the lives of the poor and sharing the wealth, we could then trigger what Madiba had in his heart.

South Africa is still far from achieving a rainbow nation as long we still go to different sporting events or schools, defined according to race. We will never be a rainbow nation as long as you still find people who are the majority in this country living in shacks whereas the minority live a lavish lifestyle in the suburbs. We still have a long way to go as long as the majority of the wealth seats with the few, while the majority live in unbearable conditions. As a young black person in this country, even though South Africa is often

perceived as a beacon of hope by most of the world, I feel like there is yet a lot that needs to be done to improve the lives of many of our people.

Programmes such as the Affirmative Action, Land Reform and others could never be solid means through which change can become a reality. If we want to see unity happen in this country, we ought to ensure that everybody benefits from the wealth of our country. In other words, for any unity to occur some form of change needs to be implemented.

And what we must bear in mind is that this kind of change should not be any but a radical one.

This change is the one which will force the minority to share the wealth with the rest of the country.

By improving the lives of the poor and sharing the wealth, we could then trigger what Madiba had in his heart. Although my suggestions may sound unrealistic I think we all do realise that a more coercive hand is needed to bring across any concrete change thus achieve a rainbow nation as all of these factors are somehow interconnected. But all these changes will obviously come with time, we must not have unrealistic expectations, we must be faithful while simultaneously striving together to see this change become a reality.

it is my view and I stick by it.

No quotation from any politician, philosopher or theorist can best sum up this piece, but I am inspired by some of the speeches of Malcolm X in writing this. He lived a life that was controversial and said many hateful, racist and seditious things but he always spoke his mind so in closing I quote Mr X when he said “you’ll have to excuse me for being blunt-speaking and frank-talking, we don’t care who likes it or not, it’s the truth.”

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Features

Volume 68 Number 9

Feature focus: Language Language is more than simply speaking and writing. It is also the ways in which people solve problems. Have a crack at the following crosswords and see how good your vocabulary is.

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He/she has a way with words 1 25 5. The end, comes in pairs 8. Most famous Intermediate Species discovered 2 32 10. I released from heroin 12. The opposing conjunction 13. Jumbled up lie

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For the pros

16. Kurt found it, apparently.

17. U R thE END, through testing and turmoil 22. Home28of the dragon 29 23. Embarrassment and then confusion 30 25. Editing the maize 26. Of supremacy 3 27. An open square is a good place to eat pizza.

31. Rattle your weapon.

35. Beyond centuries

1. SRDNUAIO 3. He/she has a way with words 5. The end, comes in pairs 8. Most famous Intermediate Species discovered 10. I released from heroin 12. The opposing conjunction 13. Jumbled up lie 16. Kurt found it, apparently.

17. U R thE END, through testing and turmoil 22. Home of the dragon 23. Embarrassment and then confusion 25. Editing the maize 26. Of supremacy 27. An open square is a good place to eat pizza.

31. Rattle your weapon.

35. Beyond centuries 36. Tiny flaming dragon 39. Anger sees down 41. Writing instrument 1. Ignored and out of use.

42. Partying defender 2. Masonry blocks 43. O.J. 3. People give these out easily.

45. Aqueous 4. Fern Gulley 47. King of Valhalla 6. Sword in the stone 49. Smile, above it all.

7. Fear of UCT’s winged rats 50. Bartholomeu 14. Reckless abandon 52. Stay in line 15. Selfless, or selfish?

53. Galadriel 19. The belief in nothing 54. Spades 20. In harmony with...

21. After midnight 24. Washing monkey First person to solve 28. Enchanted this crossword must 29. Jah will be waiting come to Varsity 30. Personalized mannequin to recieve a special 32. Parting is such… mystery prize.

33. Gave away his birthright.

34. Keri Hilson 38. Sacking 40. Sound of silence 41. Move forward 44. Crown princess 46. Burn 48. Nearby 51. Computing intelligent ( or integrated) drive electronics

Across 31

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1. Building design 2. Circus 3. Queries 4. Letters 5. All Out Of Love (Artist) 6. Delivery vehicle 7. The Greatest of All Time 8. Decompose 9. Black gold 10. Feeling 11. Gratuity 12. Cat 13. Zodiac Sign 14. Greek philosopher 15. Dr Max Price 16. Fertile soil 17. Silver wrapper 18. Agent J & Agent K 19. The _ _ _ _ tolls…

20. Chimney ash 21. Aim 22. Found (opp.)

23. Head of faculty 24. Thomas Edison

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15. Of vessel or vessels 17. Die down 25. Genetic marker 26. Plant 27. Shylock 28. Untitled gentleman 29. Intermission 30. Trick 31. Human mind 32. Great courage 33. Bird home 34. Rotate 35. Assume the existence of a fact 36. Draw 37. Rifle through (search) 38. Dutch painter 39. Small 40. Calcium 41. Tip Harris

Features

What colour is your voice?

Gerda Von Benecke IF BY CHANCE you’ve had a brief encounter with the study of language as a sign, you will recognize the following exercise: when we write down the word “live” on a piece of paper, we create a sign. Semiotics teaches us that this sign consists of both a signifier and a signified, the former being the actual black letters forming the word “live” and the latter being the idea of say, having a home or coming from a particular place. The fun starts when you let Amy, Dirk and Mashudu each take a turn in reading this sign out loud. You automatically assume that Amy might “live” in Cape Town, but Dirk most definitely “lifs” in Pretoria, and well, you’re almost sure Mashudu “leaves” in the Limpopo area.

According to the Oxford Guide to World English, over 300 million people in the world speak English as their native language, while over a billion people use English as what is called a lingua franca. For us commoners, this means we have to speak English to each other, because if I were to ask, “Hoe gaan dit met jou?” you might just lift your hands and reply, “Andzi swi twisisi leswi u swi vulaka.” Either way, all of us sound pretty strange to each other whilst speaking this lingua franca.

According to Prof Rajend Mesthrie, Head of the Department of Linguistics at UCT, “accent” can be roughly defined, at an individual level, as the way in which you pronounce key aspects of a particular language.

Regarding the “Proudly Accentless” badge some people wear around frivolously, Prof Mesthrie comments, “Saying to a linguist you have no accent is like saying to a psychologist you have no personality.” Enough said. Except that this misguided accessory usually comes in pairs – along with the “Proudly Proper” broach, implying the existence of a kind of standard neutral accent of English, which is also, foolish.

On the website, “The Linguist List”, Anthea Fraser Gupta writes

Boniswa Mdebuka MANY people have said that language and race correspond to social stratification. This means that it goes hand-in-hand with the class (wealth, education, etc) with which one is associated. So, the more privileged you are, the more likely you are to get a better education. People who are born in privileged homes are said to speak “good” English and the less privileged are said to speak“bad” English. Confusingly, when black people speak good English they are labelled as coconuts and accused of trying to be white.

They are seen as wanting to alienate themselves from their race group and adopt the white race’s mannerisms.

Many disagree with this criticism by stating that these black

that your accent is the result of how, when, where, and under which circumstances you learned the particular language you are speaking.

Theoretically simple and acceptable – each to their own.

Amy takes off to America for a year, Dirk works as a barman in London for three months and Mashudu enrolls at UCT, majoring in English and Politics. What a preposterous bunch of people, we say – appropriate Amy now thinks she’s a Yankee, “broer” Dirk pretends to be a Brit and backwards Mashudu, well, he just wants to speak like white people.

Gupta states that “people do not have a single fixed accent”. People change their accents over time as their needs and their sense of who they are changes and develops.

According to the Oxford Guide to World English, the mosaic of South African English accents has been most dramatically influenced by all sorts of complexities due to our history. Roughly only eight to ten per cent of South Africans speak native English, most of whom are Indian, white and coloured, with a small, increasing number of African native English speakers.

Most of us, however, are capable of switching over to English when the situation demands it.

The variations in our accents usually depend on factors such as where you went to school, social class, and tolerance to accommodate different accents.

Theoretically simple and acceptable – but what’s new?

Ntathu Mayeza, 1st-year BSocSci student, is a native isiZulu speaker, with English as his second language. I am an Afrikaans native speaker, with English as my second language.

Though we have two very different home languages, we both have an option of three accents to speak with in our communal second language – what comes naturally, what is standard, and what sells. I can talk about a “dok” with my grandmother, a “dog” in my English tutorial and “what a doooog” as I try to be

understood by a six-year old child just south of Boston. Nthathu, on the other hand, can go from speaking a “rough cut” African accent in the townships, change into his Bishops educated English or use what is called a creamier “twang” as a mask for insider status. Ntathu says that even while having pride in and often using their different vernaculars, when someone switches over to English… they’re leaning over to American English – it simply sells!

Prof Rajend Mesthrie tells of the different accents that are determined by locality and community, formal accents with which we speak to figures of authority and then, “twang”, which he calls a “flirtation with accent”.

He describes this accent as not being associated with community or locality, as being select, often used for prestige or status and as very symptomatic of our generation, sometimes accepted and sometimes not.

Prof Mesthrie also speaks of another, in my opinion very exciting, trend that has been researched by Arista da Silva at Wits University in Johannesburg.

A new deracialised South African English accent is developing under young modern and educated people. Young people are taking something from everything, creating a non-stereotypical accent without the associations of the past - a new accent, for our new society. How’s that for a positive spin on things? Bring out the Kleenex!

But if we take the following words by the author of the Oxford Guide to World English, seriously, we’ll all just lighten up on each other a bit: “English is the possession of every individual and every community that in any way uses it, regardless of what any other individual or community may think or feel about the matter.

I speak English because I say I speak English” – Tom McArthur

men and women who speak good English are not making themselves better, but merely want to sound professional. It must be understood that English has become the dominant language medium of communication for people around the world; language has become a political and economical factor.

It is not to say that English is superior, but that you are fluent in English because you want to communicate more effectively. If someone speaks fluent English it doesn’t necessarily mean that they have forgotten who they are or what race they come from. Parents work hard to send their children to good schools so that they can get a better education. When these children speak differently from the less privileged child, it is unfair to assume that they are being snobbish or trying to be

“white”.

Some linguists suggest that language is not a mark of race but of society. The way someone speaks does not necessarily indicate their race but how they have been influenced by other languages, so having an accent does not make them superior to their own race or mean that they are detaching themselves from it.

We might grow up speaking our native language, but as time goes by we will learn others. The way you speak a language will not change your race, and it certainly does not make you part of another race. Language is an art that you have learnt, an art in which you have improved. You do not need to feel ashamed if you are a good English speaker; it just means that you have mastered the art of a language other than your own.

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Images courtesy of Masterfile

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Features

Volume 68 Number 9

Money, the language of success

Remy Ngamije IT WAS late one night, in a Cape Town club where the music was blaring at full volume, that I heard a truly genius statement from one of my closest friends. My ears were slowly going numb from the poor speaker quality, there was too much smoke in the air, the girls were average, for every one guy in the club there were two guys and my feet were hurting (five hours on a dance floor is no joke). It was reaching that point of night where DJ With-A-Wack-Name-ThrowsHis-Hands-In-The-Air-And-AsksYou-To-Make-Some-Noise does exactly what any other sub-par DJ would do in his position, he put on the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” and asked the club to “make some noise”. Somewhere in between thinking I should take out a contract on the DJ’s head (something in the realm of R10 his head could not me worth more than that!) and trying to brush off the overly touchy girl who got the idea that the Black-Eyed Peas song was definitely getting me “in the mood”, my friend leaned over to me and said, “Homie! I know

that this statement may make me sound like I am shallow. But I have thought about it, and I have come to the conclusion that all we can do is make money.”

The truth of the statement may be doubted by many people, as well as the ensuing explanation that I try to give. It is perfectly fine to disagree with me, but I assure you that although my friend will not be receiving any awards for his short insightful speech, he summed up many of humanities’ life ambitions in two sentences...

And he did it while he was drunk.

(Drunk men do speak sober words, after all).

Money cannot buy you everything. It cannot buy you happiness; it cannot buy you love.

And some say that it can buy you all of these things, but only for a short while. And some even say that “money is the root of all evil”. Whoever came up with these sayings was probably holding the wrong end of the bank account slip. Because I do believe that money cannot buy you happiness and it cannot buy you love, but it can buy you all the things that

make you happy. The reason I take such a narrow-minded view with regards to “how happy money can make you” is because when I first heard the quote about money not buying happiness, I was a tiny lad of about seven. I wanted a toy, a Batman action figurine, I think, but I was three hundred rand short of the currency needed to reach childhood nirvana. I remember thinking that, if I had just another rand, even fifty cents, I would be that much closer to reaching happiness. I remember thinking that somewhere, later in life, I should have so much money that every whim and fancy that I ever had would be entertained at the drop of a hat. I would have so much money that when I got sick, I would cash a cold. In my tiny mind, the simple “the ends justify the means” logic was being played out on a small scale: Batman figure = expensive, expensive = money, therefore money = Batman figure and thus, money = happiness.

my friend was saying. All you can do in life (at the moment, at least), is make money. Why? Because that is what it takes to survive. Money is the language of success and as such, it is the language of survival. Because, money puts food on the table, it pays the electric bills, it puts your kids through high school, it puts petrol in your car and keeps the worries away. With all the things that we do with money, it is the new form of natural (or unnatural) selection. Those that make money, will survive, those that do not won’t. It is as simple as that. The laws of nature may have shifted, but the rules at the core are still the same. The large club with which our early ancestors used to beat their food to death, the invention of fire, clothing, shelter, water, health, technology, all of these were currencies of success. And it can be seen that whomsoever had these within their grasp was able to survive.

The club, the fire, the ability to hunt, have all been replaced by a newer, smaller, greener, tradeable form of “bring home the bacon”.

It’s called money and it is the language of success. Because at the end of it all, if oranges became the medium of success, I would be learning a whole new language.

Which is why when my friend told me his “life’s ambitions”, I did not hear a drunkard speak, I did not hear a loser or a person with a narrow world view. I simply heard the will to survive and realising what it takes to survive is half the job done...

Of course at seven, everything seems like it can be solved by ten rand and a mouth full of lollipops.

As I grew older, all of these views changed. Ten rand, became twenty, twenty became three thousand.

The Batman Collection (complete with the “limited edition Bat-cycle, each part sold separately!) became a watch, a pair of Nike basketball shoes, a car, a university education, a girlfriend, the world...

All of these things, as you may have seen are not things that can easily be plucked out of the air.

They are things that are driven by a fuel that is that much harder to obtain everyday. Each litre drives you less and less and everyday, it becomes more stressful, more nerve-racking wondering just where the hell it is that the you are going to get this “fuel” from this thing called “money”.

Which brings me back to what

Money! - A hundred dollar bills, this ain’t you, this ain’t you.

Epilogue: after this small internal monologue, the DJ proceeded to play “I Gotta Feeling” three more times. When last I heard, he has now moved on to Calvin Harris’s “I’m Not Alone”.

My friend is still busy making money.

HIV TESTING Anyone of any age, race or culture can be infected with HIV.

Get tested today.

Jameson Hall Tuesday, 11 August - Friday, 14 August 09:00 - 16:00

Features

Graham Pote

A new (s)language

TO SLANG is an art form just in itself. To do it properly results in the creation of a word or phrase that lasts longer than you will.

Except, of course, if you plan to cryogenically freeze yourself like I do, in which case we can both restart the phrase, a few generations after we half-died, and we can be the cool kids again.

Allow me to muse, for this paragraph at least, as to why some sayings stick, and why some sayings should stick to where they came from. The “nought bru” will remain on the beaches of Durban, and “jislaaik” should stay in Gauteng, as long as I have a say in it. In Mpumalanga, people will continue to “kuier” and Capetonians, a special race

with which I associate myself, will continue to “jol”. Slang may work because the context is special and means something more than simply its denotative meaning. Does slang dictate to us, or is it the inverse? Do films and television programmes give us slang, or do they take it from us?

Sayings like “F%*# ma!

Meatloaf” and “shake ’n bake” become assimilated into culture because someone apparently cool, like Will Ferrel, said it.

Then it sticks, and just when you think you’ve heard the last of it, the fool in your group of friends watches the film on DC and it’s back again, like an old rash from an unfortunate hookup that shouldn’t have happened.

As with certain pulp fiction films that rather shouldn’t have been made.

I’ll admit that many of my sayings come from the genius of script writing, especially from 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live.

Sometimes, when something sucks and life is being a troll, use “blërg” to express your dissatisfaction (Tina Fey taught me this and I love her for it).

The saying is surprisingly apt.

In light of the word used in that last sentence, when someone is being a real ass and deserves nothing more than the underside of a bergie’s foot, call them a “troll.” I came up with that word years back, honest to blog. It’s my own, but I am giving it to you for your own insultry usage (I just made up that “insultry” word, you can use it too). I have no problem using sayings that other people came up with. Most of the time, someone spent eleventeen years at film school studying

Bookmark

actually) is that we use sayings to express ourselves when formal language can’t really do the trick. Like those Afrikaans words that you understand, but can’t translate. Or “ubuntu.” You know it means something along the lines of “togetherness”, but it’s also something about “I am who I am because of those around me”.

So therefore, in the spirit of expression and youthful code language/Juno, I will conclude this in slang: “Guys, I’m all about slang because it’s a certain something that is in our faces and for shizz in our lives. It helps us tune what we’re for real with, but we don’t have to mos use a word book to find the perfecto vibe of what we’re blurting.” You can have a kajillion karma points if you understood that.

Run This Town (Single) - Jay-Z featuring Rihanna & Kanye West

The Selected Works of T. S. Spivet

by Reif Larsen

T. S. SPIVET is a 12-year old boy who lives on a ranch in Montana with his family.

He has an almost unhealthy fascination with facts and figures and also loves drawing maps and diagrams. One day he gets a phone call from the Smithsonian Institute, saying that he has won a prestigious award, and that he will have to come to Washington, D. C. to accept it.

Without a word to his parents, he sets out on a life-changing journey during which he will learn many things about his past and also shape his future. This impressive first novel is genuinely funny and heart-warming, and tremendously enriched by the wealth of original maps, diagrams and drawings (by the author himself) that adorn the margins of the pages.

Spud – Learning to Fly by John van de Ruit This is the third novel in the phenomenally successful Spud series, which revolves around John “Spud” Milton’s experiences in high school and is written by Durban-born actor John van de Ruit. This time round, Spud and his friends (the Crazy Eight) are a little more mature as the fallout from the previous year’s antics forces them to act their age.

However, there’s a new kid, Garth, who just won’t shut up about his home in Malawi; and, when an opportunity arises for them to spend an entire term at an all-girls’ school, chaos and hilarity are bound to follow. The result is the funniest and probably the most emotionally fulfilling book of the series so far with one final title to come in 2011.

script writing, so they deserve a chance to have some social impact, and often what they write is alarmingly clever. It’s like the person that came up with the “cool” saying; they deserve a Nobel prize for contributions to language, because that word is used more often than most people blink.

The swearing vibe is also super rad. What better an expression of internal rage than the blurting out of a social taboo. Next time you’re stuck in a UCT-bureaucracyfuelled-sub-council-meeting-toset-up-another-meeting, cry out something like “F#@% people?!

It’s just a facking university for eff’s sake! Is there really a need?!”

Watch as everyone eventually exhales, looks around, and then agrees with you. So the point I’m making (much to my surprise,

11

The first single of the much anticipated Blueprint III. It is catchy, it is the definitive Jay-Z; smart metaphors, iconic rap flowing style and urban hip hop beat. The album is due for release on September 11.

Metropolis (Album) - Janelle Monae If people think that Kanye West is talented as an artist, that he is a pioneer in the world of music and all the other things that have inflated his ego, then they have not heard of Janelle Monae. Metropolis is a descent into the bowels of musical creativity. It is electronica, it is hip-hop, it is pop...it is a lot of things. But it is good. Definitely worth a listen... wait...definately worth buying.

Loso’s Way (Album) - Fabolous Fabolous is a talented rapper, there is no doubt about that. But he must fire his manager, or whoever is in charge of his marketing. Because for a very good rap album, it has received little or no airplay, and it is possible that until you read this, you did not know that he even had a new one out.

Aural Pleasure

Hook Me Up (Album) - The Veronicas The Veronicas are hot. Yes, they are damn, hot. And they can sing.

Oh, and they are hot! Avril Lavigne must be looking over her shoulder because The Veronicas do everything that she does that much better.

They are better singers, they are hotter, and they are just so badass they make the whole skater girl thing feel so old. Oh, and they are identical twins....and they are sooooooo hot!

Undergraduate & Postgraduate Degrees in Motion Picture & Live Performance AFDA is an independent private tertiary institution registered with the Department of Education (DOE certificate no. 2001/HE07/012).

Our degree programmes are fully accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and registered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

GET THE SKILLS GET A DEGREE GET TO THE TOP

Johannesburg: zubeir@afda.co.za Tel: 011 482 8345 Cape Town: mario@afda.co.za Tel: 021 448 7600 The AFDA accreditation may be verified on the SAQA website at www.saqa.org.za

www.afda.co.za

12

features

Apple-mania still going strong

Volume 68 Number 9

When it rains Louise Ferreira LIVING in Cape Town, you naturally want to do some exploring.

But this is August, and the weather is ruining your Long Street/Table Mountain/Camps Bay plans. VARSITY did some research and found places for you to have fun when the rain starts falling.

First up: getting some culture.

The Baxter Theatre on Lower Campus, as well as the Intimate and Little Theatres on Hiddingh, feature a wide variety of plays and other shows. They sometimes have discounts for block bookings and students, and you can join the Facebook groups “Baxter Theatre VIP Club” and “Friends of the Little Theatre” to get more info on special prices.

Nyasha Kadandara APPLE has been around for 33 years, and this last quarter recorded $7.9 billion; $1.14 billion of that was pure profit, their best sales record ever. Since September 2008 very few businesses have been able to make decent returns and actually improve on their annual performance. Most have just managed to survive, whilst the small, least-funded ones have fallen to their knees due to the recession.

From the outside looking in, Apple’s performance suggests that they are not part of the recession as they have defied many economic ills that everyone else is feeling in such times. They have undertaken to release a series of new products and are rumoured to produce even more in the near future.

On 19 June the new iPhone 3GS was launched at retail price of US$199 for the 16GB model and US$299 for the new 32GB model. Apple is now one of the three leading mobile distributors in the market. According to Peter Oppenheimer, Apple’s senior Vice-President, the new version is the fastest, most powerful one yet, with features such as a speed

double that of the iPhone 3G, and longer battery life, a high-quality 3 megapixel autofocus camera, hands-free voice control, OpenGL ES 2.0 standard for high-quality 3D graphics, support for 7.2 Mbps HSDPA, and a new built-in digital compass for instant navigation.

Apple had already sold one million new iPhones by the third day after its launch and is currently struggling to meet the demand for the new gadget. Considering the circumstances, Apple is doing very well but not all their products are having the same success. iPod sales have declined by 7% from last year, and this last quarter recorded sales of 10.2 million, down from the previous quarter of 11 million. Apple admits that the iPod is being taken over by the iPod Touch and the iPhone.

Production of the iPod Shuffle, Nano and Classic are subsequently decreasing because sales have declined 4% year-on-year.

Regardless of the slow exit of the iPod, Apple keeps reinventing its products and introducing more luxury goods. On 27 July Financial Times reported that Apple has been rumoured to be introducing a portable, full-featured, tabletsized computer, the Apple Tablet, which will be released in time

for the festive shopping season.

Various images of what the Tablet could look like are on the internet, showing that the Tablet’s arrival is heavily anticipated by Apple fans.

With the way things are at present it would be interesting to know what Apple has done to make them almost recessionresistant. Is it a matter of the products and services they’re providing or is it a question of who is still buying when expenditure is low everywhere else? Don Ross from the UCT School of Economics gave some insight into this question. Apple-mania is a fast-growing phenomenon, even though people are feeling the crunch of the recession and have been forced to spend less; every consumer has exceptions on their shopping list, and Apple devices have become one of those. The status attached to the iPhone and iPod are worth it in consumers’ eyes. There are still people buying, and for as long as this is the case, there are still products worth selling.

The first wave of the recession may be over, but whether Apple will move from strength to strength is still to be determined, so keep watching that space.

Pitching the Perfect Score IF YOU buy any CD – or download it for that matter – every track is bound to be produced within an inch of its life. Instruments are added at a whim, taken from a store of digital archives, while voices are perfectly pitched using synthesizers to produce what can scarcely be achieved naturally. Now remove the instruments, switch off the synthesizers; get seven guys together with rich and powerful voices and a few microphones and what you’re left with – besides a great night out – is undoubtedly, the Perfect Score.

The members of Perfect Score began their vocal singing as part of a school a Capella group and decided to re-unite and start a group of their own.

Perfect Score was born. This group of seven, all of whom study at the University of Cape Town, have been singing with each other for more than five years, not only on local stages, but on stages around the world. Now, under the name of Perfect Score, this all-male singing group is fast getting their name out their having performed alongside past Idols contestants at the V&A Waterfront as part of the Patriot’s Day celebrations and been interviewed on both 567 Cape Talk and 94.5 Kfm. If that isn’t enough, they recently did a sold-out two night run at Fogeys Railhouse Restaurant to standing ovations.

Since they are all students at UCT, chances are you already know them: Justin de Freitas (JDog), Kevin Smuts (Kev-Dogg), Alexander McClarty (Moses), Michail Scholiadis (Scholi), Makis Laskarides (Meki), Stuart Noland (Stu) and Guy de Freitas (GBaby). They all play their part in putting together a little bit of the new and a whole lot of the old with classics such as “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and, of course, an epic arrangement of “The Final Countdown”.

Now that you know who they are and what they do, all that’s left for you to do is go out and see them

If you feel like doing something more introspective, the city is dotted with interesting galleries and museums. A case in point is the Whatiftheworld gallery in Woodstock, which showcases promising new South African artists and was selected as one of 2007’s top 50 emerging galleries by British Contemporary Magazine. An exhibition by Athi-Patra Ruga is being held until 29 August.

For a glimpse of local history, visit the District Six Museum in town.

The museum is dedicated to the memory of this once-vibrant part of Cape Town, before the advent of forced removals in the 1960s, with many of the staff being former residents. I remember interviewing Mr Noor Ebrahim for a school project several years ago; it was a fascinating and worthwhile experience.

If you’re like most people, by this time you might be a bit bored of cultural experiences. You want action. You want really weird and creepy and interesting things. You want something that has never read a word or held a paintbrush in its life. You want…sharks. At the Two Oceans Aquarium you can find them.

The aquarium has several exhibits (yes, including one on underwater predators) involving cool things that swim. Entrance is a bit pricey but worth it (you can also go out and come back later, just get your hand stamped); the only other drawback is little children. Lots of them.

Another option, if you want something that’s entertaining but even less edifying, is to go tenpin bowling at Let’s Go Bowling at Stadium on Main (where Tiger Tiger is). They have a bar, too. It will probably be more fun to go in the evening: I went there in the morning (research!) and the place was dead. They also have game machines, if that’s your thing, and there’s a Laserquest opposite.

While you’re at Stadium on Main, take a look at the Readers’ Den Comic Shop, which boasts a wide selection of comics, action figures and so forth. Yes, it’s for nerds, but some random curiosity might just brighten your day. Wizard’s Books and Games/Comics is just opposite, and they’re apparently about to open a sale shop (it was supposed to have opened by 1 August, but by the fifth still hadn’t). If you hear screaming, don’t worry; it’s only the kids at Jimmy Jungles. Avoid them.

Finally, if you just want to stay in and watch the moving pictures, there are a couple of good options: DVD Nouveau in Claremont and in town offer an impressive selection of art, foreign, cult and classic films, everything ever made by the BBC, and series. DVDs are R22 and you get to keep them for two days. The Rondebosch Café and Video (next to Marcel’s) stocks mainstream movies, some art and cult, and series.

DVDs are R5 and you can also rent a DVD player for R40, which includes two discs.

That’s all for now, folks. If you really want something else to do, read a book.

Images courtesy of Masterfile Contact details and other information (for those rainy days):

doing what they do best – if you haven’t already.

Perfect Score is performing again, this time as the final act of the Music Festival at the Masque Theatre and if you’re looking for a good night out, get some of your friends together and make sure you book your tickets now before they’re sold out again. Yes, they’re that good.

Date: Saturday, 15 August 2009 Where: The Masque Theatre (Muizenberg) Time: Matinee (14:30)

Evening (18:30) Prices: Matinee – R45

Evening – R55 Bookings: Call the Masque Theatre box office

on 021 788 1898

Baxter Theatre Lower Campus, Main Road 021 685 7880; www.baxter. co.za Intimate Theatre Hiddingh Campus, Orange St 021 480 7105; www. intimatetheatre.net/venue.html

021 448 1438; whatiftheworld.com

www.

District Six Museum 25A Buitenkant Street Mon. 9am – 3pm, Tue. – Sat. 9am – 4pm Adults R15, children R10 021 466 7200; www.districtsix. co.za For a list of local museums, go to www.museums.org.za

Little Theatre Hiddingh Campus 021 480 7129; www.drama.uct. ac.za

Two Oceans Aquarium V&A Waterfront Open every day, 9.30 – 6pm Adults R85, students with a student card R65

Whatiftheworld First Floor, 208 Albert Rd Tue. – Fri. 10am – 5pm, Sat. 10am – 2pm

Readers Den Comic Shop Stadium on Main Mon. – Fri. 10am – 5pm, Sat. 9am – 2pm

13

features

Images courtesy of Masterfile.com

Golden accountants, potatoed engineers

Irfaan Imamdin COMMERCE degrees are proverbial lumps of gold in a bowl of potatoes. Any Commerce student or professional should be found nodding to that sentiment. “Gold,” they’ll say, “is one of the most established and timeless measurements of wealth, status and worth. If there is anything we are, gold is what it is.” They may throw in a “baby” at the end of that sentence if they’re feeling wacky (you can usually tell this if they’re wearing a brightly coloured tie).

The golden handshake, gold Visa cards, the Golden Globes, the Gold medal at the Olympics and the gold Nobel Prize. Gold is, undeniably, a symbol of accomplishment everywhere. It represents the peaks of ambition, talent and purpose. Gold is a metaphor of epitome, summits, and God spelt incorrectly.

But the thing is, commerce students and professionals - like gold - are only worth anything because we’ve decided that they are. Should you find yourself lustfully clutched to the expansive bosom

of that temptress Adventure, and wash up upon the shore of a deserted island, a gold statue, even one the size of an actuary’s ego, would have as much value and use as a bag of pee in a hurricane – only without the story to tell after. Really really. A potato on the other hand, would have the same value wherever you are; in a Maybach in the JSE parking lot or in a ditch in a backwater rural dorp in the Free State, a potato never stops being a potato, whether mashed, boiled, fried, baked or roasted.

Engineers, doctors, and artisans make for these contrasting potatoes; because while their tools make for a significant factor of their usefulness, a naked overweight engineer is a damn sight more useful than an accountant with a spreadsheet in the middle of the Amazon.

Also, gold is dense, soft, and shiny. Ahem.

So the next time you meet a Commerce student, especially the accounting sorts, give them a hug.

And if you feel the moment calls for something comforting for you to say, remind them that at least they’re not doing a BA in English.

The age of Decadence

Cayleigh Bright

WHEN you ask why the front row of seats at a play is empty and receive the response, “Well… it’s just that some people don’t want to sit there, because it’s a bit…in your face,” you might immediately have expected raunchiness of the most vulgar kind, or at the very least some nudity. This was the case when two friends and I went to see Decadence staged at the Intimate Theatre on a well-patronised Sunday night, but we found that the play’s shock value lay in the matter-of-fact and proper delivery of lines that were both explicit and often bursting with those little truths that are seldom spoken out loud.

Decadence is probably best summed up in the words of one of the characters: “Let’s put it in a play – no-one would believe it anyway!” It’s a tale of the lives of those whose activities, behind closed doors, are average for a certain kind of person and wildly unimaginable for another – action that has to be seen to be believed, and which some have seen so often that it barely warrants a second glance. The play comments significantly (if not subtly) on class and gender politics, but what stands out

is its discussion of, yes, the decadent. It’s not easy to decide if the play celebrates or slates the preferences of the rich and shameless. An exploration of the ridiculously indulgent is simultaneously fabulous and just that – ridiculous – ending in a scene that describes expertly the feeling of having indulged, and over-indulged, and overdone things perfectly, and achieved nothing. Berkoff, Decadence’s playwright, is deeply critical of the rich, but this production is subtle enough to allow plenty of ambiguity about whether we should be horrified by or terribly jealous of the characters.

It’s tempting to comment mainly on the play itself (rhyming couplets are clever to begin with but laboured within twenty minutes), but perhaps it’s to the credit of this production, directed by Christopher Weare, that the main criticisms lie with the original text. Emily Child gives her all to lend versatility and humour to her roles, while Scott Sparrow allows empathy with his characters through a truly skilful switch between the two of them.

The only attempt to up the play’s relevance factor that I could

spot was a change in the names of the characters’ fellow diners (from “Charles and Diana” to “David and Victoria”). This isn’t a bad thing – it’s to the director’s credit that he hasn’t presented an “updated” version of the play, and yet the action seemed just as likely to take place in 2009 as 1981; at one of Cape Town’s five star restaurants, or a comfortable Cape Town lounge, or bar, or bedroom as the London locations in the script.

Decadence is a part of The British Lines Tour, presented by theatre group The Mechanicals.

The collection of plays featured performances of such plays as The Importance of Being Ernest, The Birthday Party, and Blasted.

The Dumb Waiter and The Zoo Story are still running alongside Decadence, and are worth a look whether or not these plays formed part of your set text in high school Drama or English.

Tickets cost R80, or R60 for students and pensioners. Tickets bought as part of block bookings – ten or more tickets, or two or more shows – are R50. To book, call 021 480 7129.

Millenium Trilogy Louise Ferreira A SWEDISH investigative journalist sends his publisher a set of three manuscripts, entitled the Millennium Trilogy. Shortly after, the 50-year-old journalist dies “suddenly and unexpectedly”.

Larsson’s Millenium trilogy is set to become a world wide phenomenon.

This is not the plot of a mystery novel but the true story of author Stieg Larsson, which has certainly added to the interest surrounding his bestselling novels.

The English translations of the first two books, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played with Fire, have already proved immensely popular, with readers impatiently awaiting the release of the third instalment in December.

Millennium refers to the magazine where protagonist Mikael Blomkvist is journalist and publisher. Book one opens with Blomkvist, in disgrace and facing a jail sentence for libel, being hired to write a family history for wealthy industrialist Henrik Vanger – and to discover what happened to his niece, Harriet, forty years previously. The tattooed girl is Lisbeth Salander,

a brilliant but extremely antisocial computer hacker who comes to Blomkvist’s aid. In the second book, two of Mikael’s friends are murdered, and Lisbeth is the main suspect.

Larsson’s novels are exactly the way crime thrillers should be.

His writing is straightforward, without frills. Most information regarding the characters is given without fanfare, which means the reader can concentrate on the story at hand. Other, crucial details are teasingly revealed, making for an utterly engrossing read.

Mikael as a character is interesting enough, but it is Lisbeth that intrigues. The things she does are odd and unexpected, and one wonders what her story is. We know that something happened in her past – she refers to it using the phrase “All the Evil” – but Larsson’s writing is clever enough to keep us guessing.

Each plot has been well worked out and takes some astonishing turns. The first book, though riveting, was at times quite creepy and upsetting, with an underlying theme of sadomasochism and violence against women. Also, something nasty happens to a cat.

Fortunately, book two is quite different. While the plot of The Dragon Tattoo is self-contained, the second one ends on a cliffhanger, which means I am going to start reading number three as soon as I can get my hands on it.

Arthur of the Millenium Trilogy, Stieg Larsson

Images courtesy of amazon.com

Where leaders learn

AFRICAN LANGUAGE STUDIES BA HONOURS AND MASTERS LINGUISTICS/LANGUAGE PRACTICE STUDY PROGRAMME BURSARIES

(Funded by the Department of Arts and Culture)

Rhodes University recognises the need for, and intends to produce graduates of excellent quality in languages, particularly African languages. The University invites graduates in all disciplines (including CS/IT) to further your career in the study of African Languages.

To apply for this bursary, students are invited to register for innovative and relevant structured part-time and full-time Honours degree courses. These can be chosen from a number of disciplines, including: Sociolinguistics, Translation Studies, Language Policy & Planning, Human Language Technology, Lexicography and Terminology Development, Document Design and Editing, Linguistic Theory as well as a Research Component.

Masters degrees are offered by thesis, preferably full-time.

The value of the award is R60 000 per annum for the Honours and Masters programmes.

Your application should be accompanied by: a curriculum vitae; latest academic transcript; and a clear one-page typed motivation addressing the following topic: “The role of my intended research in developing African Languages”.

Candidates will be shortlisted for interview.

School of Languages/Department of Arts and Culture Postgraduate Study Bursary Applications for 2010 should be submitted for consideration by 31 October 2009 to the following address: Bursaries, School of Languages, PO Box 94, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140.

For more information contact: Bulelwa Nosilela on 046 603 8224/8222, email: b.nosilela@ru.ac.za or Prof Russell H Kaschula, email: r.kaschula@ru.ac.za

>ÀiiÀÊ iÛi « i ÌÊ*À }À> i

14

Volume 68 Number 8

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Varsity

15

SPORTS

Ashes tournament makes for some fiery cricket YES, that was a pun. Both sides head into the final test at one set apiece, knowing that victory will ensure an Ashes series victory.

So far both sides have produced entertaining, though not perfect, cricket.

England can attribute their success so far, not only to their second test win, but to a gutsy first Test performance. The team managed to salvage a courageous draw from what looked like certain defeat. England set a competitive first innings total of 435 before being embarrassed by an Australian reply of 674/6 declared. In the midst of disappointment, two of the most unlikely heroes stood up. James Anderson and Monte Panesar put on their batting gear and, unbelievably, pulled England out of the proverbial fire. They managed to survive a grueling hour of Australian bowling, getting their team to 252/9 at the end of the 5th day. The draw brought frustration to Ricky Ponting’s face and a smile to all cricket fans, not from Australia.

The second test turned Ponting’s frustration into despair.

The English walked over the Australians scoring 425 and 311/6 declared. Andrew Strauss setting the captain’s example with a hundred, coupled with 95 by Cook.

Australia’s first innings were a shocker, in context, and England cleaned them up for 215. Clarke and Haddin fought defiantly in the second innings, scoring 136 and 80 respectively. At the end of the day, however, Andrew Flintoff ran the show, claiming five Australian victims and guiding England to victory. Australia were bowled out for 406.

None were left surprised when the 3rd test at Edgbaston ended in a draw. Rain interrupted the game constantly and made it, what some would call, boring. Australia

“...The cricketing world watches closely, sensing the end of a decade long era of Australian domination...” again didn’t entertain with the bat, setting a 1st innings total of 263. A number of players put up their hands for England as they surged past Australia scoring 376.

Freddie Flintoff top scored with

Photo courtesy of telegraph.co.uk

andrew ehmke

That’s cricket- Ricky Ponting will have to prepare his charges for the final onslaught.

74. Australia buried the game in their 2nd innings, ending on 375/5 when the teams decided to call it a draw on the 5th day.

Coming into the 4th Test the cricketing world watched closely, sensing the end of a decade long era of Australian domination. True

to form, however, the Aussies responded magnificently on the 1st day of the 4th Test, skittling England out for a pathetic 102. A confident reply by Australia gave them a lead of over 300 which proved too much for England to overcome. The attention now turns

to the Oval where the final battle will be staged. Expect a fiery aggresive encounter as the two oldest foes in the game attempt to claim cricket’s most historic trophy.

Everything they touch turns to goals Daniel Freund looks ahead to one of the most exciting football seasons of the most successful aspects of the championship, but nevertheless, we should employ vigilance.

English Premiership Further afield, the English Premiership appears to hang in the balance. For the first time in a while, there appears to be no clear favourite. Manchester United has lost their best player, Ronaldo, to Real Madrid, as well as the industrious Tevez to their local rivals. The performance of Wayne Rooney over this season will be critical if United are to make it four in a row and finally overtake rivals Liverpool as England’s most successful side.

Over the summer it was United’s neighbours Manchester City who have made the greatest strides. Signings of the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, the aforementioned Tevez, Gareth Barry, and Kolo Toure ensure that the men from Eastlands will carry a great threat. I predict they will move into the top four with relative ease, though they remain a relatively unknown quantity.

Liverpool has had a quiet offseason, though the Alonso saga snowballed slightly and may have caused some distractions.

The acquisitions of Glen Johnson may prove inspired as many have bemoaned the lack of cutting edge in Liverpool’s play; Johnson adds some much needed ingenuity down the flank. The Merseysiders will prove a threat this season as they seek to cement the Liver Bird firmly back on its perch.

Arsenal appear to be making the same mistakes again as they sacrifice experience and physique for more youth and zest. The losses of Adebayor and Toure, especially to a direct rival, may prove serious. However, Wenger is one of the finest managers in the game and will have anticipated this.

Look to the renewed introductions

of Tomas Rosicky and Eduardo to serve as “new” signings for the men from North London.

Chelsea have added Italian maestro Carlo Ancelotti to their setup. A man of his pedigree needs no introductions and his impressive handling of City’s pursuit of John Terry indicated that he will be a leader of some substance. It remains to be seen whether the cautious football characteristically associated with Ancelotti’s sides emerges. I expect Chelsea may surprise a few people this season, - they are still a fantastic unit.

With the season kicking off this weekend, the time for discussion is nearly over. How will it pan out? It’s impossible to say really, though I’ll try. I feel that it may turn out to be a two-way race between North-West rivals United and Liverpool. At 18 titles apiece it seems it is the destiny of these clubs to slug it out for the historic

19th title. Elsewhere, Everton’s revival under Moyes seems set to continue though they do have a few injuries to key players. Aston Villa will look to build on last season’s successes; under the wily O’Neill this seems likely. Clubs

like Tottenham and West Ham may also be on the brink of successful seasons.

Let the games begin.

Photo courtesy of blogs.reuters.com

AS WE near the end of what has been one of the busiest off seasons in recent memory, we stand on the verge of what promises to be an extraordinarily competitive and important season, both locally and abroad.

On the domestic front one eye will remain firmly fixed on the undisputed centerpiece of this season, and in fact of all South African footballing history- the World Cup, to be held in June/July 2010. Of paramount importance is the extent to which all branches of the game in this country are willing to pull together to work towards the overall goal of hosting a successful championship.

There are many aspects to ensuring a successful tournament.

From a logistical perspective, it is crucial that issues like transport, suitable stadia and safety are addressed satisfactorily. It appears stadia will not be such a problem as has been continually predicted over the last five years.

Transport is the area where I feel the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and government need to be most proactive.

They face substantial administrative challenges on a scale not experienced in this country before.

If they are to be successful in this regard they will need to iron out some of the difficulties experienced in the Confederations Cup, especially in the ‘park and ride’ sphere.

Crime is a more complex problem. Extending police numbers and powers is helpful but is not fool-proof. Nor is it beneficial to lambast foreign commentators who express concern over the issue. The country has a crime problem, and all efforts need to be focused on ensuring our many visitors over the period have a relaxing and safe trip.

However, I predict that the overwhelming spirit of generosity and compassion in this country may come to be recognized as one

Booth!- The defender will be important for SA next year.

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Boks break through home advantage Taru Madangombe gives the latest updates on the rugby scene THE Springboks have had a tremendous start to their 2009 Tri-Nations series. Back to back victories against the All Blacks has ensured them an early lead on the log, and after Saturday’s 29-17 win over the Australians, they should be in a safe position to prevail in the competition.

Coach De Villiers’ inspired Boks seem to have realised that playing the game to our strengths will eventually yield good results. And seemingly it has, with the Boks totally dominating the All Blacks in the first two tests. There’s so much passion and enthusiasm apparent in the Boks’ style of play, and this has ensured that they dominate their opposition in all facets of the game. The Boks had come out straight from a series win over the touring British and Irish Lions in June/July, which was marred with controversy following the eye-

gouging incident by Schalk Burger, as well as the public statements made by coach De Villiers, and the Bakkies Botha incident. It was high time they banished that dark cloud surrounding the Bok camp and they have done terrifically to focus on their game and let their play do the talking.

There have been, of course, great revelations in this year’s Boks side in the form of Morne “Mr Perfect” Steyn and Heinrich “the Scavenger” Brussow, who have outclassed their counterparts and proved their readiness to don the green and gold jersey, sharing the Man of the Match in the first two tests of the Tri-Nations. It would be interesting to see what happens to the regular first choice players like Ruan and Schalk when they get back from injury.

It’s a headache any coach would love to have!

Should the Boks win their next

match against the Wallabies, then they are in a safe position on the log, only needing an away win from the three overseas games to clinch the series.

Back to Currie Cup rugby, the Jonathan Mokuena stirred Griquas have started this year’s campaign on a high note, winning their first four games of the season, including a recent surprise win over the Golden Lions. Aside from their nail-biting loss to the Bulls two weeks ago, Western Province has also looked sharp and ready to contend this year’s CC campaign.

Thanks to their resurgent pack that has been bolstered by the availability of the All Black, Chris Jack, Anton Van Zyl (Worm) and stand-out tight-head Wicus Blaauw, they will definitely pose a threat to most sides this year.

The Sharks and Bulls are also in a safe position, and it’s great to note that former Ikey, Rito

Hlungwani is doing very well for the Boland Cavaliers, despite their cricket score loss to the Griquas two weeks ago (80/7).

Back to the green mile, the Ikeys started their second half of the season with a disappointing loss to SK Walmers but have since recovered in haste as evident from their 31-20 victory over the Vics, thanks to the excellent goal kicking of stand-in flyhalf, Ollie Braithwaite. Hopefully they will keep up the momentum till the end of season.

The Ikeys were also privileged to host the touring professional English side Saracens on Friday night. The match was played in front of a sizeable crowd of students despite the cold weather.

Saracens ran out winners against the Ikeys by 26-3. The Ikeys put in a spirited performance against a professional team including rugby stars like England Captain

Steve Borthwick and former New Zealand legend Justin Marshall.

The Ikeys refused to be cowed by such impressive opponents and put up a strong physical challenge to the Englishmen. In the end the clinical side of Saracens game proved the difference between the teams but the Ikeys can justifiably hold their heads up high.

The Steinhoff Rugby Internal League has recently commenced and there seems to be some great rugby being showcased this year.

The next edition of VARSITY should give you an update of the whole competition.

Last but not least, the Ikeys community would like to wish Vakai “Fish” Hove a happy future after he recently retired from UCT Rugby, after nine good years of loyal service. All the best.

Surfin’, surfin’ UCT...

DV: What is the Surf team/ club?

SN: The club works to bring together surfers at UCT and those who want to learn. The club encourages all surfers at any skill level to join and students who are looking to start surfing. The club offers a variety of activities during the year including two surf trips, several competitions including the South African University Championship, weekly lessons for beginners, a fun day and a braai/ party. The club offers students an opportunity to meet other keen surfers and the opportunity to travel up both east and west coasts of the cape to surf great waves.

DV: Who are the co-ordinators or main members of the team?

SN: Chris Bond (Chairman), Josh Salie (Deputy Chairman), Ceinwen Smith (Events coordinator), Sarah Nicholson (Public Relations), Amy Goodman (Secretary), Nicholas Pringle (IT management) and Murray Kernick (Treasurer).

DV: What is your particular role in the team/club?

SN: I am involved in the Public Relations. This typically involves, for example, correspondence with sponsors and taking record of club meetings.

DV: What sorts of events does the team/club organise? And how often do these events occur?

SN: For those surfers who do

not wish to compete in contests we have a number of other events of interest. Each year we have two main surf trips. The 1st trip is usually to Elands Bay, a long left point up the west coast - this is generally in the short Easter vac for 3-4 days. The 2nd trip venue varies, but it has generally been in either Vic bay or Stil Baai, both being right hand point breaks up the east coast. This trip is during the short September vac. Other events include a Fun Day. This is basically a day of fun on the beach where we surf, play beach volley ball and soccer, braai etc. There are also surfing lessons available on this day too. It is usually run alongside the UCT championships at the end of the year. The last event we have is the UCT surf club braai/party, this is a social event to finish off the year and announce the new co-ordinators of the club.

DV: Can anyone join the team or is the there a limitation depending on your skill ?

SN: Anybody at any level can join the surf club and is welcome to try out for the team or just join us at the contest as it is quite a lot of fun. Ceinwen organises a skottel for cooking everyone food, we have drinks and when the guys aren’t surfing there is usually a game of beach soccer going on.

However, to make the surf team you must surf the trials. The team usually consists of a variety of skills, mostly in the Intermediate and Advanced stage.

our typical UCT surf trial involves no money on the student’s behalf, drinks and food are bought by the club and prizes are given by Hurley clothing. This is the same for the fun day and braai. However there are some events which do require that the student contribute but it is usually not very much.

DV: Does the team/club incorporate surf training programs or lessons into its schedule?

SN: For the beginner surfers who joined the surf club there are surfing lessons available, organised by Liam Wood every Thursday and Friday afternoons at Muizenberg.

DV: Those who are a part of the team … are there any competitions they participate in?

SN: Firstly, each year we surf four trials, taking place in the

first half of the year, to select the UCT team. The top 8 men and top 4 women will be chosen as well as one reserve from each division. These surfers will have the opportunity to go up the east coast during June to Cape St Francis, Seal Point to participate in the South African University Surfing Championships which as been running since 1968. Here they will compete against the top South African student surfers from universities such as UKZN, NMMU, and US. It is a really fun and relaxed event to be part of. As a warm up to this contest, each year we have the western province universities championship: CPUT, US and UCT. Usually around September/October we surf UCT Championships to end off the year. We have a strong team which has done exceptionally well over the years. This year for example

our girls team came 1st and the guys team came 2nd over all at the South African University Champs.

DV: What particular advice or motivation can you give those thinking of surfing?

SN: Surfing is a sport that requires patience. Don’t expect to be Kelly Slater after your first lesson…it takes time to get to the stage were you want to be at, but once you’re there, it’s definitely worthwhile!

All contact details are on the surf club Vula site, however if you would like to find out more, feel free to email Sarah Nicholson at: sarahanne.n@gmail.com or Chris Bond at: bndchr007@uct.ac.za Photo by Greg Chapman

FOR all you surfers out there, or even those who are interested at the thought of it… or even if you aren’t a fan - this will make a good read. It’s just a little taste of our very own UCT surfers. Dominic Verwey chatted to fellow student and surfer, Sarah Nicholson.

DV: Is there any sponsorship money for the team?

SN: The University and surf club have budgets each year which supports the surfers and the surf club events. The UCT surf team is sponsored by Hurley clothing, SAB and Bacardi. Most events are fully paid for. For example, Ridin’ the green wave - in true surfer style, Sarah Nicholson catches the wave before it breaks

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