SINCE
1942 THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
12 August 2014
VOLUME 73: EDITION 8
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Theft attempt foiled by CPS Lauren Vorster ampus Protection Services (CPS) has again appealed to students to look after their belongings while on campus. Last month, Loride Kamped, a 31-yearold woman, was caught after stealing a backpack from iKhaya Day House, following identification by committee members. The backpack was stolen on July 22nd and contained items to the value of R23 220. iKhaya member, Louise*, had stepped outside and left the bag with a friend. The friend asked Kamped to watch the bag when she went to class, assuming that she was a Day House member. When Louise returned, the backpack was missing.
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she stopped, turned around, and said, ’Are you following me?’
At her place we found more iPads, tablets, laptops, and an expensive camera. “The cooperation between the students, the victims and CPS was very good and it ended up in a full recovery of the items,” said Ganger. Kamped was later taken to Pollsmoor Prison and CPS was informed that Kamped had been given a four-month prison sentence. Last week, an update on the case revealed that her sentence has been suspended in exchange for a R2000 fine. She has since been released from custody. This is the third in a series of theft cases since June this year. In all three incidents, the belongings were not on the student at the time of the theft. The suspects were caught and sentenced for all three cases, but Ganger still urges students to be vigilant and not leave their belongings unattended.
Her sentence has been suspended in exchange for a R2000 fine “From May 31st to June 7th, 19 cases of theft were reported inside the library,” stated Ganger. In this case, the criminal had used a stolen student card to gain access to the library. “As soon as you find that your card is missing, or stolen, report it to CPS so that we can cancel it on the system and issue you a new one,” he requested. Kamped has been involved with theft at UCT on previous occasions, and officials ask that anyone who sees her on campus contact CPS on 021 650 222/3. * Names have been changed in to protect the identity of involved innocent parties.
Image: CPS UCT: Mrs Loride Kamped caught on July 23rd and taken to Pollsmoor Prison for stealing items to the value of R23 220. She was later released after paying a R2000 fine.
IN THIS ISSUE
“The suspect had walked into iKhaya while I was outside and had sat down in our group’s area, posing as a student,” said Louise. “No one said that she looked suspicious.” A student card search was conducted the following day when Kamped was again spotted sitting in the same area. She left the Day House, heading for the Northern Jammie Stop, and was apprehended by the iKhaya Chairperson who had followed her while calling CPS. “For some reason she stopped, turned around, and said, ‘Are you following me?’” the chairperson recalls. Once CPS arrived on the scene, it was established that she was not a student. Kamped was willing to give her full cooperation, claiming that she could not go to prison because she needed to look after her children. CPS, along with Rondebosch Police Station’s Detective Marais, later escorted Kamped to her home where they retrieved Louise’s belongings. “At her place we found more iPads, tablets, laptops, and an
expensive camera,” explained Mr Steven Ganger, CPS Manager of Investigations. Louise’s Kindle was then fetched from the V&A Waterfront, already renamed “Bongi’s Kindle”.
Famine redefined
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Subtweet culture
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Women’s month
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news
v73 e8 – 12 August 2014
News Bites Ebola virus spreads throughout West Africa
West Africa - The Ebola virus has been spreading throughout West Africa, namely, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. It has infected 1,603 people, and has claimed the lives of 887, as stated by the World Health Organisation. At this point, there is no specific vaccine for Ebola; however, several experimental treatments are being tested. – USA Today News
NUMSA strike ends
SA clinches 40 medals at Commonwealth games
GLASGOW, Scotland – The South African team participating in the Commonwealth Games has left Glasgow with a total of 40 medals, falling short of their target of 43. They have come in seventh place overall, with 13 Gold Medals, 10 Silver Medals and 17 Bronze Medals. – SABC News
China earthquake kills hundreds in Yunnan
At least 367 people have people have been killed and 1,300 injured by a magnitude 6.1 earthquake in southwest China. The US Geological Survey said the quake struck 11km northwest of Wenping in Yunnan province. At present a major rescue and relief operation is under way. This was the strongest earthquake to hit the region in 14 years. – BBC News
Death toll in Gaza Strip reaches 1 865
1,865 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip and 9,400 have been wounded. According to the Israeli military, 64 of its soldiers have been killed during the current conflict. The Israeli Iron Dome system has prevented many Gazan missiles from entering Israel. The conflict has gone on for almost a month, with both Hamas and Israel sending rockets over to the opposite end. – Press TV
Microsoft tip led police to arrest man over child abuse images
PENNSYLVANIA, USA – A man aged 20, has been charged with sharing child abuse images using Microsoft services after Microsoft had alerted police that he was storing and sending these illegal images. The images, which involved a young girl, were discovered within the man’s cloud storage account. He was subsequently caught after attempting to email images via his Microsoft email account. – The Guardian
Girl, 11, invents ‘Chemo Backpack’ to help kids with cancer
CONNETICUT, USA – Kylie Simonds invented a pediatric IV backpack, a portable IV machine for children receiving chemotherapy or transfusions. She says she understands what having cancer feels like, as she was diagnosed with a connective tissue cancer. She has received several awards for the backpack, and has had her design patented. – Huffington Post
Fowzia Davids
Image: flickr.com/AbayomiAzikiwe]
Robyn Ausmeier
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trike action among members of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) came to an end on Monday, July 28th, after a month of continued tension and disruptions in the metal and engineering sector. The union ultimately agreed to a 10% annual wage increase over a fixed period of three years. The strike began on Tuesday, July 1st, with over 200 000 workers abandoning their tools and bringing production to a standstill at a number of South
African automakers. There were mixed reactions concerning the outcome of the strike. Irvin Jim, General Secretary of NUMSA, stated that the agreement was “overwhelmingly and unanimously accepted by [their] members”. Meanwhile, the National Employers’ Association of South Africa (NEASA) considered the wage increase to be unwarranted and questioned its sustainability. NEASA locked out NUMSA workers who participated in the strike, refusing to accept the terms of the agreement. The NUMSA strike took place only days after the end of a five-
month strike in the platinum mining sector. The platinum workers’ strike resulted in a major setback to the industry and it is expected to take between three to six months to reach previous production levels, according to the mining companies. These large-scale strikes have damaging repercussions for the South African economy, with “strike season” immobilising different economic sectors, such as the mining and manufacturing industries. Despite the prolonged time period of the strike, the president of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU),
Joseph Mathunjwa, stated that it was necessary and a victory for workers. More recently, on Monday, August 4th, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) held demonstrations at the Eskom Headquarters in Sunninghill. The union called for the ability to strike at the power utility, in spite of their classification as an essential service. This classification currently prohibits workers from legally initiating strike action. NUM has raised a number of concerns over working conditions and is demanding an increase in wages, removal of the Eskom board and an amendment to the power utility’s service agreement. UCT has been similarly affected by strike action in the past, the most common being the Jammie Shuttle strikes. In April 2013, UCT students faced long queues and delayed pickups at the shuttle stops as Jammie drivers, employed by Sibanye Bus Services, joined the national bus strike. The Jammie Shuttle strike concerned drivers’ salaries and the University stressed that Jammie drivers are outsourced and therefore the dispute was not with the University itself. Striking has become a regular occurrence in South Africa, with unions organising mass action to achieve the desired worker demands. All South African workers have a right to strike according to the Labour Relations Act, which allows workers to express their grievances without being dismissed or facing civil legal procedures.
Desmond Tutu on religion, ethics and human rights Sandile Tshabalala
Archbishop Emeritus and social rights activist Desmond Tutu was invited by the Department of Religious Studies to present at a seminar on Religion, Ethics and Human Rights on August 5th, 2014. The event took place in a Mathematics classroom that was packed to capacity, with some students on the floor and others listening through the windows.
each student to practice compassion, love, harmony and gratitude towards another Archbishop Tutu spoke about compassion and loving one another as ways to make a difference in a world where injustice and inhumanity is rife. He said, “God gave all human beings the gift of life. What we do with this gift indicates our choice to either appreciate life or disregard life, thus it is important for all of us to recognise that we are all loved by God equally.” Samantha Dunne, a 3rd year Religion and Philosophy student, asked to what extent one should mix religion and politics in making a difference to humanity and whether a secular or religious approach is most effective. Archbishop Tutu responded, “God gave us the freedom to be who we want to be in society, not the freedom to dehumanise
Image: flickr.com/JoshuaWanyama
others around us.” He argued that in making a change we must “embrace all the tools in our arsenal”, whether religious or secular. He went on to speak about the Israeli/ Palestine conflict, which brought him to tears. Archbishop Tutu called for each of us to respect our faith and not condemn the faith of others. He stated, “During my involvement in the liberation struggle, I had to
accept that my role had to be secular. I had to advocate for the rights of every faith and that was the right for everyone to live in harmony in South Africa.” Leah Taylor, an intern from New York, said, “I have always admired Desmond Tutu as a Nobel Peace Laureate but I have mostly appreciated his compassionate approach in the liberation struggle in South Africa.”
In his concluding remarks, Archbishop Tutu encouraged each student to practice compassion, love, harmony and gratitude towards another. This will make the world a better place for humanity to strive for peace. Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has, since the demise of Apartheid, continued to be an activist for human rights and a voice for the oppressed.
news
v73 e8 - 12 August 2014
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Taliban moving in on Afghanistan
Famine: too little too late?
Aisha Abdool Karim
Jena Ascough
O
n Wednesday, August 6th, 11 police officers were killed as a result of two attacks in southern Afghanistan by Afghanistan police who were working with the Taliban. These attacks followed the assassination of an American general by an Afghan soldier on Tuesday, August 5th. The first attack claimed the lives of five officers in a compound in southern Afghanistan. According to officials these officers were poisoned by their colleague, who was in league with the Taliban. This colleague then invited insurgents inside who proceeded to shoot the poisoned officers before stealing their weapons.
expect violence... to increase now that the fasting period has ended The other attack took place at a national police checkpoint on the outskirts of Tarin Kowt, the capital of Uruzgan Province. The Taliban killed the guard on duty before killing five other officers who were asleep. According to Doost Mohammed Nayab, the spokesman for the provincial governor, one officer, who is believed to be collaborating with the Taliban, escaped with the militant fighters. A bomb attack near Dera Ismail Khan, a city in Northwest Pakistan, killed Pakistani religious leader, Faqir
Image: flickr.com/Dawei DING
Jamshed, and two of his guards on Monday August 4th. Whilst recent weeks have been quiet, as Muslims observed the month of Ramadaan, police have said they expect violence in the area to increase now that the fasting period has ended. The bomb attack took place outside a Sufi shrine near the city whilst a crowd gathered for a function at which Jamshed was due to appear. The resurgence of Taliban attack on Pakistan began after Pakistan launched a military offensive on June 15th in an attempt to seize control of a Taliban stronghold in North Waziristan. On Sunday, July 27th, the Taliban attacked the southern province of Kandahar leading to what officials have cited as some of the heaviest protracted fighting there in years. This came after the district compound of Registan was attacked on Saturday, July 26th, by up to 100 Taliban, Pakistani and other foreign fighters according to Afghan officials.
The battle lasted for 10 hours and resulted in a commander and five of his men dying. Due to the remote location of the compound, reinforcements took hours to arrive and the police stationed at the compound ran out of ammunition. In response to the growing violence within Pakistan soldiers were deployed to guard key areas in Islamabad, the capital, two weeks ago. In addition, security at airports has been increased after an airport in Karachi was attacked. In an annual public statement, issued over the weekend of July 26th and 27th, Taliban leader, Mullah Muhammed Omar, repeatedhis determination to re-establish Afghanistan as an Islamic state. Pakistani police expect an escalation of violence within the country and have increased police patrols as well arresting hundreds of suspected militants within the country.
On July 28th, Fox News released an article pressing for a new definition of “famine”. Their motivation behind this was that, with the current definition, by the time the famine is declared, it is too late for outside forces to assist in its alleviation. It is not news that Somalians have been suffering from famine since December; however, it may be unclear to some as to what exactly famine is. The long-standing definition of “famine”, according to the UN, is when “at least 20 per cent of households in an area face extreme food shortages with a limited ability to cope; acute malnutrition rates exceed 30 per cent; and the death rate exceeds two persons per day per 10 000 persons.” As a result of their seemingly never-ending drought, Somalia was scheduled to be declared as suffering from famine this month; however, re-evaluations have caused the declaration to be pushed to September. The reason
for declaring famine is to attract the attention of international aid, such as the World Food Program (WFP) and UNICEF, to assist in alleviating it. However, while the situation described above is dire enough to call on assistance, Challiss McDonough, spokesperson of WFP, claims it may be too late by then. “Whether or not it is a famine, the point is our job is trying to prevent it from becoming a famine … And if we have to wait where conditions are so bad that it’s a famine, it’s too late.” The acting head of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Somalia, Rudi Van Aaken, alternatively, says that experts are cautious not to “cry wolf ” by declaring a famine. He states that, while the number of hungry people is likely to rise, “we won’t reach the threshold of famine.” However, while Van Aaken denies that there is a famine in Somalia, he also states that statistics show that they will only receive half the funding needed this year to alleviate the national hunger.
Domestic violence: Behind the closed door
The final verdict date for Pistorius has been set for September 11th, but this is not an article about the murder trial Katy Scott Whatever your conclusions on the trial, there is no denying that the late Reeva Steenkamp was victim to a crime committed against all too many women in South Africa, including UCT students: domestic violence. “Domestic violence is where one person in the intimate relationship tries to dominate and control the other person,” explains Rashieda Khan, Legal Advisor and Co-ordinator of the Discrimination & Harassment Office (DISCHO) at UCT. “The person might not hurt the other person physically, but might ‘punish’ the other person by withholding attention, affection, or giving the silent treatment.” In the Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998, domestic violence is defined as “physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional, verbal and psychological abuse, economic abuse, intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property, entry into the complainant’s residence without consent, where the parties
do not share the same residence, or any other controlling or abusive behaviour towards a complainant, where such conduct harms, or may cause imminent harm to, the safety, health or wellbeing of the complainant.”
90 percent of South African women have experienced emotional and physical abuse Khan says that domestic violence can include checking up on an intimate partner during the day, going through their emails or messages, or isolating them. However, she explains that most of the cases that get reported to DISCHO pertain to physical abuse. Last year Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe announced that 90 percent of South African women have experienced emotional and physical abuse. We are raised on ‘for better or for worse’ and ‘through thick and thin’, says Khan. Not many people
want to acknowledge that there is a problem in their relationship or that the relationship has failed. “Domestic violence is just so thoroughly entrenched and woven in the day-to-day fabric of your life, invisible, mundane. It’s bread and butter for most women,” gender activist Lisa Vetten told the Star. “If it hasn’t happened to them, they’ve seen it with mothers, they’ve seen it with their sisters, they’ve sat and heard it from their nextdoor neighbour, they’ve watched it happen in public – and everybody stands back and does nothing.” According to Khan, the abuser
Image: flickr.com/United Nations Photo
might make the intimate partner believe that it would never happen again, or that they are the only person who can help, or that things will be different this time, or that it’s true love. “Often an abuser would apologise for the behavior… or rationalise it and make up with loving gestures in between the episodes of abuse... which can make it difficult for the intimate partner to leave.” Vetten speculates that the high rate of domestic abuse against women in South Africa may boil down to the legacy of apartheid. “Domestic violence is not classbased or race-based,” she says. White men were given an inflated sense of self-importance and black men were oppressed, abused and infantilised as “boys” by society.
This resulted in the same reaction for both, she explains. Men who felt all-powerful in society took that authority home with them, while men who felt powerless in society tried to correct the balance by exercising their authority in the home. Students finding themselves in an abusive relationship should first evaluate the relationship for themselves, advises Khan, and, if further assistance is needed, they should seek help from organisations on campus such as DISCHO or Student Wellness. “A healthy relationship,” says Khan, “is one where there is mutual respect, trust, honesty, there is no control games, no form of any violence, no unsolicited jealousy, no withholding sex as punishment.”
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editorial
v73 e8 - 12 august 2014
2014 Collective editor-in-chief Laurie Scarborough
Editorial
editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za
deputy Editor Katy Scott editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za
online editor Daniël Geldenhuys online@varsitynewspaper.co.za
Copy Editor Jena Ascough copyed@varsitynewspaper.co.za
Online content editor Katelyn Mostert online@varsitynewspaper.co.za
news Clare Garrard & Aisha Abdool Karim
A
s I write this, I have a scrumcap-type device that holds ice packs strapped to my face. You see, I was in a fight and now my face is swollen and a faintly
Laurie Scarborough Editor-in-Chief
This is not a real column. Sorry.
blue colour, and I have four less teeth than I did on Thursday morning. That’s how much I love VARSITY. Even in this state, while on two different antibiotics, one probiotic, blood pumping with painkillers (they are so. goooood.), and blood leaking from the stiches in my mouth, I sit down to write this column (which isn’t really a column). To clear up some matters, the aforementioned fight was with a maxillofacial surgeon, I wasn’t really actively participating in the fight (because I was sedated and unconscious), and the four teeth that now sit in a packet on my desk were impacted and electively removed.
But these are minor details. It is for this reason that my column this edition is a bit subpar. You should therefore read Katy’s column. It’s good. And it was handed in BEFORE the deadline. Imagine. There are just two things I want to bring to your attention (besides my chipmunk-esque face and Katy’s column). The first is that we published an article written by a student last edition about the new admissions policy in the Opinions Section. UCT management has written a response, which is publish on page 7. I would just like to clarify that this is a letter to the Editor, and should be printed
on the page you are currently looking at. Unfortunately this page is a wee bit cramped, so we’ve had to place it on page 7. But please know that this is not an Opinions piece, it is a defence from the Vice-Chancellor. Also, and more excitingly, the applications are now open for the VARSITY collective 2015. You can fill in the form on page 13 or download one from our website. Please read the guidelines on our website as they have all the dates of interviews and the procedure for selection. And now back to my painkillers. Mmmm.
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Not drowning but waving
opinions Parusha Naidoo & Vikash Gajjar opinions@varsitynewspaper.co.za
I stand with my mouth hanging as, “Would you like a bag?” becomes the most perplexing question I have had to answer all week. Do I want a bag? What do I even want, really? I hit this point, usually once a week, where I just have no bloody clue. Thoughts and desires hurtle about in my head and bang against my forehead. Everything I was ever once certain about turns to mish-mashed potatoes. Supper. At least I know what I’m having for supper tonight. I fear that there is no light, and I’m pretty convinced that I’m in a
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images Sofia Gilli & Khanyisa Pinini
Katy Scott Deputy Editor
ditch, not a tunnel. It’s like I’ve been given a lucky packet filled with PMS, stress and distress. Don’t try to ask me what I’m feeling, I don’t know, (and I might depress you with my answer). Where to from here? In life, when the excitement of anything new and shiny wears off (be it the start of a fresh semester, a relationship or a job) we are left swimming in our incertitude. That’s life, unfortunately. But instead of faffing about in a doggy-paddle struggle (which is any normal human’s reaction) we should learn to float in this
uncertainty. Because maybe, just maybe, we will float in the right direction. We are all under the impression that our fulfilment and happiness comes from having everything “figured out”. From the perfect job to the perfect spouse to the perfect life, because that determines who we are, right? And when all that doesn’t snap into place as quickly as our fast, busy lives demand it to, we panic and the water starts to fill our lungs. It’s likely that we have been this far out for a while now, so what’s the use in drowning? Just chill. Float. Enjoy the rocking lull. But don’t forget to stick an arm out every once in a while and wave.
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opinions
Heretic hashtaggers
Is #PrayForPalestine really going to #SavePalestine?
Image: Khanyisa Pinini
Razeena Palekar As the death toll in Gaza escalates, nearing 1 900 in just two weeks, a fully-fledged social media war is being waged. Twitter, Instagram and Facebook have served as powerful platforms during this time to raise awareness about the ongoing distress in the Middle East by using hashtags and trending statements. #PrayForGaza has gone viral, even topping the trending charts worldwide on numerous occasions. Frustration with mainstream media reports have left the masses dependent on live feeds as journalists and civilians are constantly tweeting updates and providing active and far more accurate insight. Heated debates, too, have consumed our timelines as supporters of either side have been going head-to-head in just 140 characters. The past fortnight
has revealed an activist in everyone as cries for peace and justice have become the call of day.
Social media has […] adopted the role of the informant The photographs being revealed across the social media spectrum have been pivotal. Images of the bloodied truth have taken the world by storm as eyewitnesses to the bombings and oppression have turned to social media to account for their experiences in a way no news broadcaster ever will. It is, indeed, revolutionary in a sense. A revolution against the infiltration of the media – an intrusion which has been unable to censor social media and stop the fingers of people tapping away
at their phones and sourcing the world with the reality that some are trying to conceal. Social media has truly allowed for the unveiling of mainstream media deception by giving a voice to relevant people and has, in effect, united those with a common humanitarian cause. Whilst it may seem that posting an image on Facebook is fruitless, awareness is undoubtedly the first step. I do not deny the definite case of people simply jumping on the bandwagon of the Gazan tragedy, but I feel such a minority cannot dampen the successes of those who have used social media instrumentally. It is amazing to see that the momentum of such protest has not deteriorated thus far. Without these seemingly insignificant hashtags, many people would remain unaware of the depth of the matter as they have allowed users to explore the issue and make decisions based on what they’ve been exposed to. Social media has, through its users, adopted the role of the informant. It now exists to many as the sole reporter of current world affairs. Bearing this in mind, the use of social media as a tool for awareness, activism and education should be fully supported, as it seems that our everyday procrastination apps actually have the capacity to restore faith in this world.
Get out of your mind Claudia Harrison Too often we think of mental health issues as being experienced solely by others and not as something that could happen to us. In fact, we tend to be oblivious to the idea that our peers may be experiencing such difficulties. This is a skewed perception which must be challenged in order to engage effectively with our understanding of mental illnesses. It is no secret that students undergo enormous stress. If we take into account the pressures from all sources, then the “perfect” student would be an image of someone who gets above-average grades, attends all social events and is an active member of nearly every club and society. The reality is that replicating this fictitious student is not possible. While many students are striving to achieve this ideal status, the process may often lead to them neglecting their mental health in the process. For students in need of assistance, Student Wellness offers either individual or group therapy. The fee is charged to your student account, but is free for those receiving financial aid from the University. While it is understandable that psychologists need to earn a salary, mental health care should be freely available for all students. This would encourage people to use the
Image: UCT SRC facility, especially those students whose parents or scholarships are responsible for their fees. This would mean that students would not have to explain themselves to those funding their studies and, in the process, focus solely on improving their mental state. The Mad Hatter’s Society, another option of participating in group therapy, was started by students. The overall aim is to act as a support group for those suffering from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. While measures are in place to assist students, in other instances many of our peers who are in need of these services fail to make use of them. The blame for this is twofold. On the one hand, it is not welladvertised and very few students are aware of the available options. On the other hand, students who do know about it are afraid of the stigma attached to those who attend therapy. Why does this stigma exist? Surely everyone can benefit from therapy and there is not one person
at UCT who is free from stress or other issues impacting their mental health. It is our responsibility as students to change our mindsets and avoid labelling those who use therapy as being different to us. Instead we must be aware of the courage it took our peers to seek help. Mental health issues are not only experienced at UCT but are felt globally amongst students. In the United Kingdom, a survey was conducted by the National Union of Students in 2013. Their findings indicated that one in every ten students uses the facilities offered by their universities. The most common sources of stress were assignments, exams, homesickness, peer pressure and lack of funds. It is our duty to support our peers and create a learning environment that seeks to build others up and not stigmatize those of us who face mental health problems. It begins with simple acts of affirmation, such as smiling at a stranger. This has the potential to make a big difference a fellow student’s life and create an accepting environment.
v73 e8 – 12 AUGUST 2014
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The lady doth protest
Parusha Naidoo
Opinions Editor
Women and the F word proclaimed feminists have been pitted against each other due to their divergent views on what Feminism entails. This comes down to the fact that there is no universal brand that is able to capture the realities of all women. As such, the biggest criticism of Feminism has been its inability to go beyond the reality of the cisgendered, white, middle class and able-bodied female. Describing the varying types and intensities of oppression hat is the first thing that experienced by women, comes to mind when you intersectionality emphasises hear the word “feminist”? Images interrelated structures of society are conjured of women burning such as race, gender, class and their bras, refusing to shave their physical ability. This means legs and having bad a fashion that oppression of women goes sense. What else could cause a beyond just being a woman and woman to be a man-hater? With these structures cannot be viewed this weak conception of Feminism as separate forms of oppression. Instead it we risk delving is only the into a minefield of a that is showered To be called a feminist beginning woman’s multiwith ignorance. generally sounds like layered relation Along the to a patriarchal road of women an insult world. gaining suffrage You may and becoming CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, at this point roll your eyes and something got lost. To be called have the urge to throw the South a feminist generally sounds like African constitution at me while an insult that carries the implicit shouting “We don’t need feminism message: you just angry at the anymore!” Nigerian author and world because you were not the feminist, Chimamanda Ngozi popular pretty girl. This has led Adichie, once said, “We have many to distance themselves and evolved but it seems to me that our perpetuate the idea that “feminist” ideas of gender have not evolved.” This brings into question whether is an undesirable label. However, misconceptions we have broken the glass ceiling on what it means to be feminist on which our social structures has distracted from the most firmly sit, the very structures that critical message: at the core is impede women every day. It is the struggle for the girl the belief that women and men should have equal rights. This who left school to take care of very notion of equality and justice her siblings, the struggle for the was an unimaginable ideal not domestic worker who leaves so long ago and is still a radical home at 5am to clean our homes, the struggle for the partner who is ideal today. United beyond colour, class told she is not worthy of her place and religion, Sophia Williams- in the boardroom and the struggle De Bruyn, Lilian Ngoyi, Rahima of the university graduate who is Moosa, Helen Joseph and the 20 told her biggest achievement will 000 women they led, may not have only be marriage. In this sense South Africa may called themselves as feminists. But this very stance which took place have achieved political liberation on August 9th, 1956, made it clear 20 years ago, but the struggle for that women too had a political women’s liberation continues and the need for women and men to voice that deserved to be heard. Different definitions have be feminists is necessary now created a situation where self- more than ever.
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Disclaimer The VARSITY Opinions section is a vehicle for expression on any topic by members of the university community or other interested parties. The opinions within this section are not necessarily those of the VARSITY Collective or its advertisers. Letters to the Editor need to be kept to a maximum of 300 words and can be sent to:
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opinions
V73 E8 – 12 AUGUST 2014
The subtweet culture
Image: Khanyisa Pinini
Unathi Nopece
S
ubtweeting is interesting. For the fast-paced, instant, confrontational, rude, direct cyberspace that Twitter is, subtweeting is remarkable because it is indirect and nonconfrontational. For those who don't know, subtweeting is indirectly tweeting about someone without mentioning their name or tagging them in your tweets. It's supposed to be obvious who the person being subtweeted is, but this depends on the people you're familiar with on Twitter and who you follow. The person being subtweeted is never addressed directly. Much like gossiping, the subtweetee is referred to either by having their name scrambled, being
given a nickname or by referencing a predominate online tendency or trait. Honestly, I'm not sure why a subtweeter would feel particularly empowered subtweeting someone. Subtweeting draws attention to the subtweetee instead of the subtweeter. As a tweep, your first question is to ask who is being subtweeted. That is, if you don't already know. If you don't already follow that person, you will probably make the effort to find their page. Then, if you’re anything like me, you will search for the tweet that sparked the thousand subtweets and follow the story from there. And if the subtweets are interesting enough and I like the subtweetee, I’ll follow them. There’s bound to be some sort of misinterpretation in subtweeting.
Using 140 characters at a time to make a point doesn’t always yield the best results. Plus, people’s moods, circumstances and general perspectives affect how they read and interpret tweets. And this can be good or bad. Subtweeting and online discourse is complicated. In some instances, it is a direct reflection of society. The way we talk about people in real life is also mirrored online. In other instances, it is an opportunity for people to be bitchy and crude (directly or indirectly), to make themselves feel better or appear witty or intelligent. For a place notorious for its
confrontation, it makes no sense why a person wouldn't just directly address the person that they have an issue with. If you are that
The end result is often a twar or a swearing marathon. bothered by something someone said, why not just address them directly and move on? Why do some people prefer to subtweet? Is it easier to gossip among others and have them agree with
your thoughts? Some people do address their issues directly and the result is often a twar or a swearing marathon. Online spectators may end up choosing a side and subtweeting the arguing people. For some reason, it is rare for people on Twitter to end an argument on a positive note. In any case, the subtweetee usually finds out that they're being subtweeted. And in the process, they gain more followers and get free publicity. And what does the subtweeter gain? Well, other than venting and a few laughs here and there, not much, really.
I read the news today, oh boy Adam Kleinschmidt
Image: Khanyisa Pinini
If you were, on any given day, to sit in the Cissy Gool Plaza, you would easily notice the small array of flatscreen television sets in the interior of Steve Biko Students’ Union. These televisions are normally set to one of the major news channels on DSTV, allowing them to provide several variations of the same news story. It isn’t unheard in the modern age for there to be a wide variety of
Agencies can run rampant in their race for better ratings news coverage and current affairs programmes. Given the increased accessibility, connectivity and globalisation that exist in the world today, it wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination for several agencies, organisations, broadcasters and groups to be covering an individual story, be it a natural disaster, war or the like. This is all very well, but when DSTV currently has close to 10 different news broadcasters, it all becomes a little overwhelming. This becomes more pronounced when only three are from South Africa. In the United States, China,
Japan and similar developed nations, news broadcasters are abundant and typecast in every respect. Granted, many of these are just minor local news agencies that cover car accidents, murders and the peripheral fluff pieces - but it all adds up. The prevailing issue with this bombardment of media is the resulting confusion and apathy it creates in its wake. With so much choice and conflicting reports, it can be quite daunting to open
a newspaper or click 401 on your remote. Akin to a sensory overload, the news of today can leave a person stuck like a deer in the headlights, bewildered by so much negativity. Surely this directly disregards the purpose of mass media? A news broadcaster has the sole obligation as a neutral body that provides the best coverage of the current situation locally and – if necessary – internationally. The old saying, knowledge is power, fits this
purpose perfectly, as good news will ultimately sponsor a greater awareness of social, political and economic issues in the respective nations. Without a properly monitored and conditioned broadcaster, agencies can run rampant in their race for better ratings and advertising niches. This, in turn, will spread the perception that the mass media we see today is merely a commercial practise that completely ignores their given role
as the primary provider of publicprivate information. What needs to be done is a serious overhaul of the current media framework seen today. With due supervision and consequences for those that break their operating codes, the pool of poor broadcasters will thin down to make room for those that will provide proper, informative news. Surely this is what we would hope for in a world with widespread ignorance, conflict and misunderstanding?
opinions
v73 e8 - 12 AUGUST 2014
Pee in peace
7
would say the women’s bathroom, although she has male genitalia. Others would answer the male bathroom despite the possibility of judgement and remarks when she tries to enter. This issue is not one specific to UCT. Across the globe, people have begun asking the same question. A similar case made headlines in 2013 when an American firstgrader named Coy wanted to use the girls’ bathroom. Born with male genitalia, Coy felt himself to be a girl – wearing feminine outfits, growing his hair long and, yes, wanting to use the girl’s bathroom. His primary school felt differently, though. When they tried to force Coy to use the boys’ bathroom, Coy’s parents defended his right to choose whichever toilet (and ergo, whichever persona) that made him comfortable. Fortunately, after much debate, the school, too, allowed it. Had there been genderneutral toilets, perhaps this would never have been an issue.
The idea that women should be flirty and dolled sweethearts: gender.
Image: UCT Agrican Gender Institute
Image: flickr.com/Scott Beale
Cyprien Pearson
I
n the hustle and bustle of midday classes and campus life, there are never enough half-clogged toilets to go around. Girls and boys alike squeeze in to their respective bathrooms, queuing for a chance to wee. Yet, what about those who identify with both, neither or something in between regarding their gender? Where do they fit in to these queues of boys or girls?
After much prompting from both the LGBTQ community and the SRC, Leslie Social is set to receive its first gender-neutral toilet. Not long after the decision had been announced, students and staff began to engage in debates on the value of these gender-neutral bathrooms. Living in the relatively liberal world of the 21st century, the distinction between sex and gender has become a well-known one. While sex is the physical anatomy one is born with, gender is a choice
set out by social constructions. It dictates what we think men and women should look like, but also how one should act to be true “man” or “woman”.
gender is a choice set out by social constructions The idea that women should be flirty and dolled sweethearts: gender.
That idea that men should be hard rough and tumble jocks: gender. Yet, regardless of these two images, the sex of the person underneath their outward self-expression could be male or female or somewhere in between. This is where the gender-neutral toilet debate comes in to play. Where does that beautiful woman you see strutting through campus – who happens to be a man but feels unabashedly more comfortable identifying as a female – turn when she needs the toilet? Some
Evidently, the fact that there is still stigma surrounding a boy dressed as a girl or vice versa is a larger issue entirely. The fact that gender-neutral toilets must be built to make people feel comfortable with others’ chosen, sociallyconstructed ideals of gender is ridiculous. Yet, while our world keeps progressing and accepting, gender-neutral toilets at UCT are a step in the right direction. Maybe one day, students can simply choose their respective genders (and which toilets to use) without worrying about upsetting or disturbing people. Maybe one day, those of us who are startled by someone who has a different gender identification than “the norm”, can learn to embrace those we see as “other”.
Letter to the Editor
UCT welcomes scrutiny of admissions policy Dr Max Price I was pleased to read that Geoffrey Kilpin supports the basic principle and direction of the new admissions policy at the University of Cape Town (“UCT Admissions Policy: Too Much Too Soon?”, Varsity, 29 July 2014). I note the points of criticism he raises concerning the strength of the data underlying the policy, how the policy will work and the weightings assigned to different indicators of disadvantage. I would like to address these. Extensive research underlies the new admissions policy, overseen by the Admissions Policy Task Team which included students. It is not secret but there is no need for such inhouse analysis to be published
for external peer review. Anyone who would like to interrogate the work is free to do so by contacting Ms Jane Hendry in the Institutional Planning Department. Mr Kilpin refers to “the small number of results of modelling exercises (testing the policy against previous applicant pools) made available.” He refers to the three models I have used in my presentations of the new admissions policy to staff and students. But these were only to make the presentations manageable. Modelling exercises were completed for all UCT faculties as well as for many programmes within the faculties and are available to anyone on request. Mr Kilpin criticises the exclusion of Afrikaans as a home language that receives points
for disadvantage. This is an understandable complaint, given the number of coloured applicants who come from Afrikaans speaking homes and the probable negative impact this has on their marks if taught in English. However, when we model giving disadvantage points for Afrikaans, this ends up favouring many more privileged white applicants than disadvantaged coloured applicants, thus leading to fewer coloured applicants selected. So we opted to leave Afrikaans off the list. However, coloured applicants needn’t worry that this will harm their chances of being accepted into UCT. In the first place, we find many coloured students perform well enough to compete on the basis of academic merit. In addition, coloured applicants
are eligible for a significant weighting of as many as 10 points if they come from historically disadvantaged schools (compared with a maximum weighting of six points for language). And finally, the new admissions policy allows for a target number of coloured applicants to be accepted on the basis of their race, if they achieve a minimum academic threshold, in order to fulfil a faculty’s transformation targets. Mr Kilpin asks why we request information about government grants instead of simply asking an applicant about family income. This would certainly be a sensible measure of disadvantage, if it was not so difficult to verify. UCT’s admissions staff process more than 25,000 applications over a few months, in order to send out letters of acceptance in good time.
It is impossible, within that short time, to verify family income. By contrast, a social grant can be easily proven by producing the relevant document. In summary, Mr Kilpin asks if UCT is trying to deliver “too much too soon”. We believe we have examined this thoroughly over the last several years and still have about 9 months to make further adjustments if necessary. Moreover, as with the current admissions policy, it is not set in stone and will be adjusted every year as necessary. Finally, my colleagues and I welcome all questions about the admissions policy. Those who are interested in the basic outline of the policy are invited to visit the Admissions Policy page on www. uct.ac.za.
WOMEN’S MONTH
CELEBRAT ING
OUR WOMEN
Let us celebrate some of the most inspirational and highachieving women in our country.
NATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY is an annual public holiday celebrated on August 9th. Women’s Day commemorates the national march of women in 1956 to petition against The Population Registration Act and pass laws that required ‘black’ South African’s to carry a pass, an internal passport that restricted their movement. Each passport was designated to a specific urban/metropolitan area confirming where the bearer was authorised to live, work and travel. Within these areas, black South Africans had to carry and produce the pass at all times, if they were caught without their pass, they were arrested. The passports served to maintain population segregation, control urbanization, and mange migrant labour during Apartheid.
Baleka Mbete-Kgositsile is a South African politician currently serving as Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa since May 21st 2014.
Gill Marcus Gill Marcus is the ninth Governor of the South African Reserve Bank and is the first woman to hold this position. She was elected a Member of Parliament in 1994 and became Deputy Minister of Finance in the Government of National Unity of Nelson Mandela from 1996 to 1999, serving under Trevor Manuel. Marcus was previously a NonExecutive Director of Gold Fields Limited and Chair of Absa Group Limited. She has previously served as Deputy Governor of the South African Reserve Bank and holds a degree in Industrial Psychology.
She previously served as Deputy President of South Africa from 2008 to 2009 under former president Kgalema Motlanthe. She was previously Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa from 2004 to 2008. She was elected National Chairperson of the ANC in 2007 and reelected in 2012.
Baleka MbeteKgositsile
Patricia De Lille has been described as one of the “real characters of the new South African parliamentary politics”. She is South Africa’s first woman to lead a political party the Independent Democrats. De Lille interest in politics began 16 years ago as a member of the South African Chemical Workers Union. Later, she become Deputy President of National Council of Trade Unions. In 1989 she was elected to the national executive council of the Pan Africanist Movement (PAM), a wing of the PAC.
Patricia De Lille
Graça Machel Graça Machel is currently the President of the Foundation of Community Development and the UNESCO National Commission in Mozambique. She was became former South African president Nelson Mandela’s third wife in 1998, until his death in 2013. Machel is also the widow of Samora Machel, the first President of independent Mozambique. Machel is the only woman to ever be first lady of two countries. Machel is a Dame of the British Empire and one of Forbes’s 100 Most Powerful Women in the world. She has received numourous awards for her humanitarian contributions, including the Laureate of Africa Prize for Leadership for the Sustainable End of Hunger for The Hunger Project, the Nansen Medal for her service to the cause of child refugees, the Africare Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award and the Council of Europe’s prestigious North–South Prize. Machel is a goodwill ambassador for Unicef, chair of the National Organisation of Children of Mozambique and president of that country’s Unesco commission.
Helen Zille Helen Zille began her life as a journalist and it was she who exposed the truth behind the death of Steve Biko, in the liberal Rand Daily Mail. During the 80’s, Zille was an activist, and was involved with groups such as the Black Sash and the Independent Media Diversity Trust. In the mid-1990’s, she joined the Democratic Party (DA) and in the 1999 general elections, she was the DA’s MEC for education. In 2004, she became a member of parliament, mayor of Cape Town in 2006 and leader of the DA in 2007. A global think tank, City Mayors, named Zille World Mayor of the Year in 2008. The DA appointed Zille premier of the Western Cape, after winning the general election in 2009.
NOTE: VARSITY has only highlighted a few of the many brilliant and inspiring women in South Africa.
Ferial Haffajee is easierly one of the most respected and influential women in South African media. Training at the Weekly Mail’s cadet school, Haffajee began her career as a cub reporter when the paper became the Mail & Guardian (M&G). At 22, Haffajee was on a panel of journalists chosen to interview Nelson Mandela on his release in 1990. Haffajee also has experience as a radio producer and TV reporter at the SABC and was political editor at the Financial Mail. At 36, Haffajee was appointed editor of the M&G. She was the first woman to edit a national mainstream newspaper in South Africa. In 2009, she decided to reposition the City Press, which now has over 1.75 million readers, and has a first-rate editorial team.
Farial Haffajee Haffajee was voted one of New African’s 100 Most Influential Africans last year, she has won a Sanlam financial journalism award, was a Shoprite/Checkers Woman of the Year in 2004 and won the Women in The Media award in 2006.
Mamphela Ramphele left school wanting to become a doctor. Despite the difficulties, she was accepted into the University of Natal’s medical school in Durban where she became involved in politics and met Steve Biko, the love of her life. Ramphele and Biko became the foremost proponents of the Black Consciousness Movement, which aimed to give black people a sense of their worth and power. As an activist, Ramphele suffered greatly during apartheid, from banishment to the murder of Biko in 1977, while she was pregnant with their son. In 1992, Ramphele earned her PhD at the University of Cape Town. In 1996, she made history when she became the university’s vice chancellor, the first black person and woman to do such. In 2000 until 2004, she became managing director for human development at the World Bank – the highest-ranking African member of the organisation. Ramphele has since formed BEE investment company Circle Capital Ventures, of which she is chair, and sits on the board of MediClinic. She has won numerous prestigious awards and has 18 honorary degrees.
Charlize Theron was born in Benoni, Gauteng. Theron first began her actress career appearing in films in the mid-1990s, establishing herself with roles in The Cider House Rules and The Devil’s Advocate. Theron went on to give an Oscar-winning performance as serial killer Eileen Wuornos in Monster, and for which she won the Silver Bear, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award and Academy Award for Best Actress among several other accolades, becoming the first South African to win an Academy Award in a major acting category. Furthermore, Theron received Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for her performance in North Country in 2005, and a Golden Globe Award nomination for her performance in Young Adult in 2011.
Mamphela Ramphele
Charlize Theron
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features
v73 e8 – 12 AUGUST 2014
Ever heard of an Iger? Their accounts will lead to travelling the world
Image: Craig Howes
Image: Craig Howes (148 000 followers)
This portrait was taken in Du Noon Township, a couple of photographers and instagramers got together to help out with the kids there, and give food to the families. This pic was very special to me as it captured the hope in one of the kids eyes.
Dean Horwitz
I
chatted to some Cape Town Igers about their nicknames, their photography style, their favourite hashtag and what they do when they are not taking pictures. I spoke to five of Cape Town’s best instagrammers: Craig Howes, Nathan Stasin, Mike Eloff, Matt Stanley and Ross Pickford. They were chosen based on their follower count, their unique
style, and their constant activity within the Cape Town Instagram community. It is the formation of these kinds of communities that has led to the popular term: Iger. When it comes to choosing your Instagram name, everyone has their own story. While Craig went with a combination of his name and surname to create @Craighowes, Ross, or @ RoscoeDude, based his on the fact that his nickname was Roscoe and that he calls everyone dude. Matt wanted something catchy
and recognisable and with @ DiaryofMatt he hopes to grow his very own community around the diary prefix. Nathan and Mike based their names on fictional characters to create@AstrixObolix and @TheLawry, a badass hero Mike says inspires him. The Cape Town Instagram community attracts people of every profession and type, each with their own unique style. Nathan is a full-time engineer, Craig runs an unsecure loan portfolio, Ross is a software developer and Matt is a bartender and lifeguard. When asked to describe their style of shooting, these Igers all said that they try to be creative, avoid boring shots and always push themselves to try new techniques. It seems that the network has evolved beyond photos taken only with phones. Most of the Igers I chatted to use professional cameras to capture their images. GoPro cameras are also popular and are a perfect tool for water and adventure based photography. When it comes to editing, a mix of computer software and phone apps are used to ensure the perfect image is shared. Some of the more popular editing tools include Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop as well as the VSCOCam and Snapseed apps. The Hashtag is one of the key features of Instagram. Hashtags are used to identify and group similar photos and make it easy
Image: Gavin Pickford
Image: Gavin Pickford (27 000 followers)
This is a long exposure over a puddle on the side of the road at sunset. I love sunsets, because each one is different and brings an end to your day. to search for events or photos taken in a certain place or way. The versitility of the Hashtag becomes clear in the Igers’ selection of their favourites. Nathan’s is the #tired_portrait, Craig’s the #cityofcapetown, Mike’s is the #ExploreCapeTown. Matt prefers the #premiumposts and Ross chooses #Justgotshot. These Hashtags represent a multitude of places and styles and each one holds beautiful and
unique images. These Igers predict their accounts will lead to travelling the world, meeting other Instagram communities, working on their photography and pushing their photographic limits. To meet these incredible Igers, I recommend you follow @CityofCapeTown and @ IgersCapeTown for details of their next InstaWalk, taking place on August 16th. Just a hint: it starts on UCT’s middle campus...
Student budget busters We may be short on cash, but we still crave a change from our weekday meals. Luckily, there is a local special every day, which means that you can eat out, without it breaking the bank, says Shannon Krausey
MONDAY On Mondays, you’re spoilt for choice. You can go to any Spur for their Monday Madness special, where you can buy one burger meal and get another one free. We all know that Spur isn’t the classiest of establishments, but if you’re starving, two burgers will definitely do the trick… especially if you drown them in Spur sauce. Until the end of August, Col Cacchio is offering half price pizzas on Mondays. The crispy bases make the pizza irresistible and the menu is far from boring. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the butter chicken pizza, The Moghul. Continuing the Italian theme, you can go to Cocoa Cha Chi in Obz after 5pm on any Monday and get any of their pastas for only R45.
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
Going to Marcel’s to satisfy your sweet tooth is a great way to recover from the Monday blues. On a Tuesday, you can buy one medium tub and get one free; meaning you can absolutely gorge yourself with fro-yo. How could anything be better? The offer ends on August 31st, so hurry up! If you want something a bit more substantial than froyo, try the special at Lyra’s in Rondebosch. Between 6pm and 8pm, you can get a combination of two pizzas and pastas for R100.
Slug and Lettuce in Newlands is another place to go when you’re really hungry. They offer two pastas for R80 and the servings are HUGE. You can easily get away with splitting your two pastas between three people – but only if you’re feeling generous.
THURSDAY Obz Café is generous enough to take off up to R30 off their prices on Thursdays to give you R50 pizza and pasta. It’s vibey, and is the perfect place to line your stomach before hitting Claremont for the Thursday jol. For something a bit different, try their meatball pizza — it’s delicious!
FRIDAY If, by Friday, you feel like going somewhere a little bit smarter than the student hangouts, head to Scusi on Dean Street. The offer half price pizza and pasta daily from 12pm to 5pm, making it perfect for lunch or an early dinner. It’s also a great place to take your parents, or even to go on a date—but in that case, order penne over spaghetti to avoid awkward spaghetti-slurping situations.
features
Uber up-cycling Lynne Marie Fraser
K
eep your empty 2L plastic bottle. Stuff that bottle with other used plastics, either your own or those littered around you. Voilà – you have created an EcoBrick. “The Trash to Treasure Festival started with a few people in a dumpsite. We wanted to connect people with where their waste was ending up, and we thought what better way to bring people to a dump than to throw a party?” Candice Mostert speaks fondly of her first time of the now annual event was held in Greyton in 2012, as a way to celebrate the land by using waste as a building material. This is now a festival site called the Greyton Green Park. Candice and Joseph Stodgel, who started Trash to Treasure as his thesis on waste management systems, now run the festivals in Greyton, and work in Zambia and Sante Fe setting up similar sustainable models. There are little to no recycling efforts in these areas besides these up-cycling initiatives. You can get involved by volunteering in Zambia in 2015 through African Impact, who offer housing and food so people can take part in research, training communities and the construction of the team’s first building. Candice Mostert’s efforts in Zambia have seen an expansion of the EcoBrick into the creation
SnapScan falls under FireID, which started as an information security company specialising in technology for mobile phones. The technology incubator, based in Stellenbosch, is now home to six new start-up technology business, including Journey and FireWorks. SnapScan was first used in stores in Stellenbosch and has seen exponential growth since its launch just last year. After winning the MTN Business App of the Year award in 2013, SnapScan was announced as Standard Bank’s first mobile payments offering in May this year. Kobus Ehlers, co-founder of the app, says, “The SnapScan team have some very exciting developments in the pipeline.”
The ecowarriors’ latest ammunition: The EcoBrick
use your EcoBrick as a ticket for the aweinspiring Open Design festival A project featured at Open Design Cape Town, and recognised as a World Design Capital Cape Town 2014 event, allows the EcoBrick Exchange to highlight its projects. Look out for the EcoBrick Star Lounge just outside the City Hall from August 13th to August 23rd. Without giving too much away, you can expect to find some unique and innovative building ideas. The EcoBrick creates a perfect building material because it is thermo insulated, durable, virtually free and totally up-cycled. You’ll be able to witness first-hand how EcoBricks are being used to
Megan Bense
ideal for places where there are real payment problems
11
of benches. The benches were made using EcoBricks and laying foundations, mixing earth materials to make a clay mortar and using bare hands to sculpt the structure of the benches. They are built to show the techniques of building with waste, and improved methods of building with clay. The technique has been used as part of an informative workshop programme given in Livingstone as an element of Trees for Zambia Festival of Action held in June and hosted by Cape Town’s Greenpop.
Oh, snap!
Launched in Stellenbosch in June 2013, SnapScan is quickly becoming one of South Africa’s most popular mobile payment apps. With almost 13 000 merchants already signed up in over 1000 cities across the country, SnapScan provides a secure and convenient payment solution, straight from your smartphone.
v73 e8 - 12 august 2014
Image: flickr[royblumenthal]
Apparently, users can expect some interesting changes in the next few months. According to Ehlers, SnapScan’s recent partnership with The Big Issue is proof that the app is ideal for places where there are real payment problems, rather than just trying to compete with card machines. Many of our favourite local markets host stalls that use Snapscan because, let’s face it, the inconvenience of drawing cash stops many of us from shopping up a storm at the Bay Harbour Market. To use SnapScan, download the app for Apple, Android or BlackBerry, add your credit card details by taking a picture of your card and create a PIN. You can then use the app to scan a QR code and make payments at any store using the SnapScan solution. Still skeptical about the security of your payment details? Your card details only have to be put into the app once, and thereafter all you have to do is enter your PIN. Your card details are never transmitted to the merchant. SnapScan is free to download and there are no added fees to make a transaction. All in all it’s a simple affair, so get snapping!
Image: Supplied
build schools, houses and furniture all around the globe. It’s part of a solution to reduce landfills by using unrecyclable plastic waste and at the same time create a greener future using that waste. If you want to contribute to ecobricking, you can start today by
stuffing all non-recyclable, clean and dry plastic waste into a 2L plastic bottle. Then use your EcoBrick as a ticket for the awe-inspiring Open Design festival this week! Each EcoBrick made in the Cape will not only serve as an entry ticket for the Open Design festival, but
Nkhensane Mabane
anyone to create, edit and share a variety of publications to a wide audience. The publications are always available, and are becoming more interactive. Live video and social networking features having recently been incorporated.
will become part of the Star Lounge structure. After living in the walls of the Star Lounge for the duration of Open Design, your EcoBricks will be used to build a township preschool. So stop throwing away your plastic waste and start making your first EcoBrick.
What’s the ISSUU? Say the words “digital publishing platform”, and you will be met with one of two reactions. Those who feel print and the written word are sacred constructs will cower into the corners in fear, and those who are aware of the benefits of technology in the publishing industry will immediately want to know how this latest publishing software works, and where they can get it. Issuu is one such digital publishing programme, and it was created with both types of people in mind. It offers the strong content and visually-appealing layout of print magazines, combined with the advanced information-sharing technology of the moment, giving readers an enhanced experience. The free, basic publishing tools which are offered on Issuu allow
not setting out to kill print media, but to compliment it instead. It has made publishing a more interesting and accessible option for content creators. Digital publishing platforms can be seen as a way to build up a publication’s profile, and guarantee success in the traditional print media sector. Anyone with a great idea Issuu is not setting out can start a magazine with little to no money, find their audience, and to kill print media build a relationship with subscribers. Then, this information can be used to support an application for a print So, is print media obselete? That run with a publishing company is such an ugly word. It suggests that does not want to take risks on that today’s reading audience is not a product that won’t be sustainable. interested in anything that doesn’t Print publications which have have a keypad or a touchscreen. an active online presence and offer Print may not be obsolete, but digital supplements, have brands it is indisputable that it hasn’t with a wider reach, and that is been the only viable option for always a good thing. Issuu allows getting publications distributed users to come up with additional for quite some time now. Issuu is weekly, monthly or bi-annual supplements that offer content which expands on the main themes of their specific publications. These supplements, such as VARSITY’s own VARSITY Style magazine, can be seen as special editions, designed to give readers exclusive content, and in that way keep them loyal to the brand. The way forward for the publishing industry is a collaboration between traditional publishers and the digital publishing sector. Issuu has already proven that it can diversify the publishing industry, and maybe Image: Hyderally Lallmamode even make it more sustainable.
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features
v73 e8 – 8 august 2014
Mother City bling Three local jewellery designers you should know about...
Image: Tarryn Gordon
Image: Tarryn Gordon
Shannon Holcroft The affordable piece
High Horse Adornment Price range: Under R300 High Horse is an up-and-comer based at The Woodstock Exchange. This long-term artist has created an eclectic, yet affordable range and her eye for a bargain is setting trends. How did you become a designer? I studied fine art, but later went into jewellery design as it seemed like a more functional career progression. Where do you find inspiration? Through the traditional adornment of ancient cultures around the world, especially the South African cultural melting pot. What is your favourite piece in your collection? Our tassel earrings and bullet rings. What are your future plans for your label? Launching our website and producing a wider accessory range.
The statement piece
Famke Price range: R300 – R600 This local label features bold yet delicate pieces where geometric shapes interact with organic elements. Famke Koene told me more about her sterling silver and brass jewellery, available at Old Biscuit Mill and online. How did you become a designer? I enjoy working with my hands and I’m intrigued by the creative process. I find the journey of creation fascinating. Where do you find inspiration? Architecture and shapes in nature, particularly bones. What is your favourite piece in your collection? My smokey quartz ring. What are your future plans for your label? A shop in the V&A Waterfront’s new design development called the Watershed.
The investment piece Anomali Price range: R350 - R1400 Anomali’s creations
from
Image: Tarryn Gordon
repurposed materials have earned both local and international acclaim, especially their antique spoon pendants featuring whimsical cut-out scenes. Although currently based in Los
Angeles, Anomali still caters to South African customers online in our own currency. Designer Jaime Lipsky answered a few questions about the label. How did you become a designer? Anomali started with Moniek and Marlette. As graduate design students, too broke to afford materials, they found some old silverware and the rest is history. I worked in American television production and met the designers on a trip to Cape Town. They
opened a creative door in my heart that I never knew existed. What is your favourite piece in your collection? A necklace that we designed for fashion designer Christian Benner with boho, Native American and Mexican Day of the Dead influences. What are your future plans for your label? Collaboration with Australian leather label Elliott Label later this year.
2015 Collective Applications
# of years at UCT:
Student number:
Online Editor
Managing Editor
Images Editor
Deputy Images Editor
Sports Editor
Deputy Sports Editor
Deputy HR Manager
Deputy Finance/Advertising Manager
Are you involved in any other student societies/structures? Please list.
Have you been involved in VARSITY before? How so?
HR Manager
Finance/Advertising Manager
MANAGEMENT
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sport
v73 e8 – 12 august 2014
Sports Shorts Rodgers warning for Van Gaal
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has warned Manchester United counterpart Louis Van Gaal that he will find it tough in his first season in the Premier League. Van Gaal arrived at Old Trafford as David Moyes' successor and has enjoyed an unbeaten pre-season in charge of the club. However, Rodgers has forewarned the Dutchman that the competitiveness of the English top flight will take even him by surprise when it kicks off on August 16th. – Football411.com
Smith drafted Springbok squad
UCT USSA JULY 2014 RESULTS UCT squash, badminton and cycling teams took part in the July USSA competitions and produced impressive results. The squash, badminton and cycling championships were hosted in Stellenbosch, Bloemfontein and Pretoria respectively. Results were supplied to VARSITY Newspaper by Kerr Rogers. Mark Nandi
SQUASH RESULTS (JULY 7th to 11th 2014)
7 July UCT1 vs UCT2 UCT1 Won 24-1 7 July UCT1 vs University of North West 2 Won 24-2 7 July UCT2 vs University of North West Lost 1-24 8 July UCT1 vs University of North West 1 Won 17-8 8 July UCT2 vs University of North West 2 Won 18-10 8 July UCT1 vs University of JHB 1 Lost 5-24 9 July UCT2 vs University of Stellenbosch 2 Lost 7-21 9 July UCT1 vs University of KwaZulu-Natal 1 Won 24-3 9 July UCT2 vs University of Zululand Won 24-0 10 July UCT2 vs Rhodes University 2 Won 21-7 10 July UCT1 vs University of Stellenbosch 1 Lost 11-14 10 July UCT1 vs Tshwane University of Technology 1 Won 20-3 11 July UCT2 vs Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University 2 Lost 7-22 11 July UCT1 vs Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University 1 (Semi) Lost 7-16 11 July UCT1 vs University of Pretoria 1 (3rd/4th) Won 17-12
into
Experienced international forward Juan Smith has been drafted into the Springboks' squad, preparing for the Rugby Championship. Smith is a Rugby World Cup winner in 2007 who has 69 Test caps to his name. He will join the squad in Johannesburg as a replacement following confirmation that Victor Matfield will miss the opening Test of the Rugby Championship on Saturday in Pretoria against Argentina. – PlanetRugby.com
1) Mighael Lombard 1) Alexandra Fuller 2) Jason Byrne 2) Raquel Le Roux 3) Andrew Gillard 3) Aimee Brenner 4) Daniel Thomson 4) Kendyll Coulson 5) Luke Stevens 5) Kirsten Porter 6) Tsu-Shiuan Lin 6) Sarah Swarbreck 7) Martin de Beer 7) Angie Helm
Schumacher theft suspect found dead
The seven-time World Champion was transferred from a hospital in France to a hospital in Switzerland last month when his medical records were stolen. Investigations led to the arrest of a man who worked for Rega, the air ambulance service that transported Schumacher. He was arrested on Tuesday but denied any involvement and was found hanged in his jail cell on Wednesday, August 6th. – PlanetF1
Amla won't let guard down in Zimbabwe
South African Captain, Hashim Amla, will not underestimate a Zimbabwean unit which is nine positions inferior in the International Cricket Council's Test rankings, during this month's one-off fixture at the Harare Sports Club. The number one-ranked Proteas and minnow Zimbabweans have met seven times in the longest format of the international game. South Africa has won six times, with one draw. Their last fixture was in 2005 in Centurion. – PlanetSport
Amakhosi facing CAF ban
Kaizer Chiefs could be facing a potential CAF suspension and fine should they choose to withdraw themselves from this season's CAF Champions League. Amakhosi was granted a place in Africa's premier club cup competition, due to their runners-up finish in the league last term. Last season’s CAF commitments dented Amakhosi’s League title hopes, thus the Soweto giants are considering snubbing the tournament in favour of focusing on their task in South Africa, although that decision could draw the wrath of CAF, and result in a hefty ban. – Football411.com
Mark Nandi
Played
9 10 9 9 3 9 9 6 7 5 7 7 3 3
Won Games For 3 9 5 8 2 7 3 4 3 1 3 3 1 1
UCT1 was placed 3rd overall from 17 teams. Played 9 and won 6 UCT2 was placed 13th overall from 17 teams (3rd in the B section). Played 7 and won 3. Alexandra Fuller was selected for the SA Students team to represent South Africa at the World University Squash Championships India in Chennai, in September. Raquel Le Roux was selected in the tournament “best of the rest” team at no. 2.
11 29 18 24 7 22 11 12 11 7 13 9 3 5
CYCLING RESULTS (JUNE 30th to JULY 1st 2014) UCT men were placed 5th from 5 Institutions. UCT women were placed 1st from 4 Institutions. Overall Individual Men Results The winning time: 06:46:01 from 31 competitors. 1. Jonty Adams 2. Wayne Finch 3. Gregg Christy 4. Edwin Mooney 5. Craig Getz 6. Liam Swanson
– 06:52:31 – 07:03:37 – 07:05:12 – 07:08:59 – 07:11:43 – 07:38:26
7th overall 21st overall 23rd overall 25th overall 26th overall 31st overall
Overall Individual Women Results The winning time was 04:54:23 from 7 competitors. 1. Kelley Hess 2. Kristina Murray 3. Emily Clarke
– 05:12:37 – 05:19:52 – 05:39:42
2nd overall 3rd overall 5th overall
Image: Oakpics.com (supplied)
BADMINTON RESULTS (JULY 7th to 11th 2014)
UCT were placed 4th overall from 14 University teams, having played 5 games and won 2. Kyle Jacobs – graded 5th in Men’s A section from 50 players and placed 3rd overall in the Men’s Doubles. Reneshan Naidoo – graded 7th in Played Won Sets Won Men’s A section from 50 players. M1) Kyle Jacobs 9 5 10 Lumka Dabula – graded 6th in Women’s A section from 30 players M2) Reneshan Naidoo 9 6 12 and placed 3rd overall in the M3) Emmanuel Conradie 7 4 7 Women’s Doubles. M4) Amir Muhammad Fauzi 10 5 9 Jintong Jillian Wu – graded 9th in W1) Lumka Dabula 16 9 16 Women’s A section. W2) Jintong Jillian Wu 10 6 12 9 July 9 July 10 July 11 July 11 July
UCT1 vs University of North West - Potch UCT1 vs University of Witwatersrand UCT1 vs University of Pretoria UCT1 vs University of Free State UCT1 vs Stellenbosch University
W3) Yen-Jung Sharon Chen
9
Lost 1-4 Lost 1-4 Lost 2-3 Won 4-1 Won 3-2
2
6
sport
v73 e8 - 12 august 2014
15
Super sexy rugby Zona Magadla
gruesome ending. The highlight of that scene may have been how Mountain’s hands gripped at Viper’s head and, his thumbs digging into his eyesockets, popped his eyes into his brain before smashing and crushing his skull into pieces. An unexpected outcome, this is what every sports match is: a battle where no one can predict the ending. However, we don’t care how the game ends (partly); doesn't matter if we get to see some abs, some thighs and some buns and guns. To the lucky ladies who are being pursued by one of our tigers, I say utilise that stamina! There is a special reason why the rugby ball is an oval shape. It sends secret messages to our ovaries. I can’t tell you what these messages are, boys, because every girl has her
W
hen we realise the amount of testosterone oozing on that rugby field we can’t help but turn our heads to the direction of the hotness. Sometimes we wish the path leading to Middle Campus wouldn’t come to an end so quickly. We stare at those muscles flexing and contracting saying, “I’m just too sexy for this field.” It’s like watching Randy Orton doing his thing in the ring and thinking, “This vanilla brother is too pretty for this.” Then, in some heaven, we imagine him carrying us in those big strong guns to a kingdom where every day you wear a white silk cloth and feathers on your head. But not like a red Indian, like a Greek god with goldfinished steel armour. You’re like our own god of thunder, our Thor.
Do you know the equivalent of mud wrestling babes? Yes, rugby. If you’re a guy and you’re still reading this, don’t stop because I’m about to list a few of the equivalents. We girls watching soccer players on the field is the equivalent of you
own secret message. Can I share a secret with you? When I watch JJ Engelbrecht on the field doing his thing (especially wearing pink), it is like tasting vanilla-strawberry ice cream and thinking this could go very well with a little bit of chocolate. You know that I know that you know that those shorts are really short, but we don't mind because I know that those thighs, those damn sexy masculine thighs, are godsends. You think you’re wearing ordinary shorts; we don't see that, we see a loin cloth. A loin cloth concealing the shrine of a divine encounter that is sacred and precious because it carries life. That semi-final match with Maties when it was pouring rain and you still, in the words of Obama, pressed on! Yep, now I know why Katy Perry roars.
Image: tumblr.com/ orsacchiotto-rugbista
Here we have Rob Kearney looking very edible watching sexy babes playing beach volleyball. Now, do you know the equivalent of mud wrestling babes? Yes, rugby. Like a valiant soldier, you grip that oval ball with all your might attacking your opponent and
making the run for the touchdown; except you don’t have armour, which is what makes American football look like a game for sissies. The bloody battle between The Viper and The Mountain in Game of Thrones episode eight of season four has a
Premiership madness resumes
Nicole O’Neill With the Barclay’s Premier League just under a week away, the transfer window remains hot and the fans are gearing up to support their teams with more gusto than ever before. That is one thing that can be admired about football – the ride-or-die spirit of all team supporters. Man United (Prediction: 3rd) Having bid farewell to David Moyes and welcomed Louis van Gaal, we are eager to see what last season’s “boo boys” have in store for us. Van Gaal has already brought in new tactics and new training regimes for the twenty-time English champions, including night training, compared to the day-sessions of previous seasons. More importantly, United has already won five out of their five pre-season matches. New signings Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw have impressed, along with many of the youngsters from the academy. There is still a lot of talk coming out of Old Trafford, suggesting a potential massive summer clearout of some of the club’s players who haven’t performed to the standards of the club, such as Nani, Chicharito, Cleverly and Fellaini. Van Gaal has hinted at more summer signings and with results looking good and the return of golden boy Robin Van Persie imminent, the United fans have every reason to be optimistic for the new season. Arsenal (Prediction: 4th)
Arsenal has made some changes by signing new left-back Debuchy, who had an impressive debut season in the Premier League last year with Geordie-side Newcastle United. However, the gunner’s most impressive steal was 25-year-old Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona for 35 million pounds. The Chilean World Cup star scored 47 goals in his time at Barcelona and will undoubtedly be expected to spearhead the Arsenal attack with Özil, Ramsey and Santi Cazorla behind him. Alexis Sanchez who has already won multiple major honours with Barca (UEFA Champions League, La Liga, Copa Del Rey as well as the FIFA club World Cup) will be looking forward to winning more trophies as his new side, Arsenal, hope to carry the momentum over from their FA Cup triumph in May last season.
Image: flickr.com/Crystian Cruz
Liverpool (Prediction: 5th) Liverpool fans will still be feeling the pain of last season’s second place, after leading the table with only give games to go. Luis Suarez was a big part of Liverpool’s brilliant performances last season and his departure to Barcelona has left the Red’s impressive attacking-arrow looking rather blunt. Liverpool has brought in the ageing Ricky Lambert who might only have one or two years left at the top level and is only expected to play a supporting role from the bench this season. 22-year-old Brazilian Phillipe Coutinho has impressed again for Liverpool in pre-season and is expected to thrive in the number ten role, along with new-signing Adam
Image: flickr.com/jpellgen
Lallana, who shone for Southampton last season. Liverpool is an exciting team but their defense in pre-season has been a bit shaky at times and with no real depth up front, they might just come short this season, battling it out for Europa league places against the impressive Everton and Tottenham sides. Chelsea and City That leaves Chelsea and Manchester City to battle it out for the top prize this season. With the firepower of the champions from Manchester, along with the tactical brilliance at Chelsea that
is Mourinho, and the immensely talented squad which he possesses, it is easy to see why most fans and pundits around the world feel the ribbons will remain blue come May 2015. Chelsea has arguably the best squad in Europe after signing former gunner, Fabregas, from Barcelona, as well as Diego Costa and Felipe Luis from Atletico Madrid to play with the likes of Hazard, Ramires and Oscar at the Bridge. Manchester City, with their already impressive attacking squad, has paid close attention to their defensive duties this transfer window by bringing in Bacary Sagna from Arsenal, as well as Fernando
and Caballero from FC Porto and FC Sporting respectively. Regardless of what the blue boys are doing up in Manchester, many pundits around the world find it hard to see anyone but Mourinho and the Chelsea boys taking the title this season now that they have “tweaked” the problems of last season. My Prediction: 1. Chelsea 2. Manchester City 3. Manchester United 4. Arsenal 5. Liverpool 6. Everton
Sport
FIXTURES UCT Table Tennis Open
Varsity Football
August 22nd and 23rd
JHB
SPORTS CENTRE
August 18th
UJ vs. UCT
UCT Men rowers impress in Italy; Women called in for World Championships at the World University Rowing Championships in Kazan in 2012. In contrast to Leo’s experience, Jonty Smith only started rowing 18 months ago; but hard work, dedication and world class coaching have seen his rowing career take off and he made his South African Rowing debut in Italy. This is not the end of UCT Rowing’s international representation for this year. Two rowers from the Women’s 1st VIII, Nicole Van Wyk and Kimberly Joscelyne, have been selected to represent South Africa at the World University Rowing Championships in France from September 12th to September 14th.
have been selected to represent South Africa
Image: Abby Davidson
Abby Davidson
J
onty Smith and Leo Davis, two UCT rowers coached by UCT’s Men’s Rowing Coach Brendan Gliddon, recently competed in the pairs event at the Under 23 World Rowing Championships. The Championships were held in
Varese, Italy, from July 21st to July 27th. Smith and Davis, rowers in the UCT Men’s 1st VIII, spent their mid-year vacation training at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria before departing for Italy on July 18th. The pair had a strong start to their racing; placing second in their heat to go straight through to the semifinals.
In the semifinals they finished fourth, narrowly missing a spot in the final. In the final race, the pair gave an outstanding performance, rowing a personal best time of 6 minutes, 45 seconds to place 10th overall. This is the third year in a row that Leo Davis, the current men’s Captain, has represented South Africa. Leo won a silver medal in the pairs race
The selection for World University Rowing Championships began in March at the USSA-R National Sprints Regatta, which UCT Rowing hosted on March 22nd and 23rd. It was here that Nicole and Kim placed 1st and 2nd in the sculls event (they had not formed the double yet).
Following this Nicole was selected as part of the SA Universities' "Blue" (A) double and Kim was selected into the SA Universities' Grudge (B) four. The girls then went on to the South African Senior Rowing Championships, held in Pretoria in April. Nicole placed a tight 4th in the heavyweight sculls event and set a new South African Lightweight record in the process, whilst Kim placed 3rd in the women's double with another partner. Following their impressive displays at the Senior Championships, they trialled for the World University Rowing Championships, in Women's Lightweight double. After this, they continued to train together, both in Cape Town during the remainder of term, and Pretoria during the holidays. On Saturday, July 19th, they took part in the South African World University Championships selection trials. They raced two prognostic races, which judge the speed as a percentage of the world records for their division, for which they both placed 1st. Finally, on July 23rd, the girls received confirmation from the RowSA International Selection Committee to participate in the regatta in September.
A MESSI TAX AFFAIR
Dean Horwitz
Just two months after winning the Golden Ball at the FIFA World Cup, Lionel Messi is back in the headlines, except this time it’s for all the wrong reasons. Messi and his father, Jorge, stand accused of tax evasion to the tune of 5.3 million dollars, an allegation both of them deny. If found guilty, the player and his father could face up to six years in prison and a hefty fine of up to 32 million dollars.
According to Forbes, Messi earns 40 million dollars a year Messi and his father were officially charged with tax evasion by the Spanish government in September last year. They, together with Messi’s former agent, were all charged with creating an elaborate scheme to conceal his finances using banks and shell companies in the UK, Uruguay, Switzerland and Belize. The charges allege that false tax returns were submitted in an attempt to defraud the Spanish Government of more than three million dollars between 2006 and 2009. Despite the fact that the prosecutor in the case argued that Messi’s father was responsible for the family finances, and thus should
be held individually liable, the court in Barcelona has decided to push ahead with the charges stating that Messi could have known about the scheme. Throughout the court case Messi and his father have denied any wrongdoing and have even attempted to shift the blame to his former manager who he argues oversaw his finances. The case got even messier when it emerged that Spanish prosecutors were attempting to link Messi and his father to deceased UK banker David Waygood, who committed suicide in April last year. Waygood left a note for his wife and children explaining that the stress he was under had become too much to bear. Waygood was the sole director of a company called Sidefloor Limited and had previously worked as a banker for HSBC and NatWest. The company’s entire share portfolio is held anonymously by a nominee company and Spanish authorities are now trying to link Messi’s tax affairs with this shell company.
attempted to shift the blame to his former manager According to Forbes, Messi earns 40 million dollars a year through image rights and income and is the fourth highest earning sportsman in the world. Due to the fact that
Image: flickr.com/thesportreview
he plays for Spanish football club Barcelona, it is his duty to pay taxes to the Spanish government. Regardless of whether or not he is found guilty, one has to wonder why someone who is earning so much would go through so much trouble to hide his finances. The central
theme within the charges that Messi faces is the opacity of the dealings which served a sole purpose to keep his name hidden. The high profile nature of the case is also leading many to question why the Spanish government is pursuing this so hard. They could just issue
Messi with a fine, have him pay back his taxes and continue to monitor him. However, it is evident that they are using him as an example to any other foreign footballers who play in Spain and, no matter how hard they try, they will always be caught and face the full might of the law.