Varsity News Edition 10

16 September 2020 | Volume 79 | Edition 10

The Res Food Debacle

Source: Flickr

Jeremy Simpson

Rotting, outsourced food greeted many of the recent res arrivals as UCT started bringing students back to campus, with one student claiming that it led to illness. Now, questions are being asked about the efficacy of existing channels of communication between students and management.

T

he quality of the food provided to students returning to UCT-run residences has been called into question over the last few days, with one student claiming that the food led to an upset stomach. While this issue has been resolved, it has shown concerning signs of cumbersome channels of communication between management and students.

On Saturday, September 5th, Nokulunga Xulu, a secondyear student who has recently arrived back at Baxter Hall, tweeted a photo of the food delivered in her daily food parcel. The meals she was given were often either rotting or stale. Served inside a plastic container, chicken- or beef-based sides topped either rice or pasta.

“I hadn’t eaten proper food since I [had arrived] here – I had been living on snacks and the food that I had brought,” she said. On Friday, August 28th – her first day – she had opened her meal pack in reception, noticing its rancid smell. “The receptionist could also tell that it smelt off,” explains Xulu.

“I hadn’t eaten proper food since I [had arrived] here–I had been living on snacks and the food that I had brought.”

According to the Department of Student Affairs (DSA), “Different residences provided different feedback,” noting that there are sometimes overlaps which need to be further explored. The Department provides six different meal options to meet different dietary requirements, all of which are purchased from a “known external supplier.”

Siphosethu Vumisa, a first-year student at Tugwell Hall,

claims the food provided by her res led to indigestion and eventually vomiting. On Saturday, September 5th, Vumisa started vomiting at about 10pm, three hours after eating the beef and rice dinner. “I was not sure if it was the food,” she explained, “But on Sunday morning, after fetching the meal pack, I took two bites of the breakfast and then vomited again.” Siphosethu’s breakfast that morning was a bread roll with scrambled eggs. VARSITY is unaware of any other cases of food poisoning as of Friday, September 11th.

“I was not sure if it was the food,” she explained, “But on Sunday morning, after fetching the meal pack, I took two bites of the breakfast and then vomited again.”

Before she had sent out the tweet, Xulu claims to have already notified multiple people within Baxter Hall regarding the quality of the food. She approached the RFO, who told her to meet with an SH representative in the morning. Nokulunga was once again redirected to another person within SH. Eventually Xulu was able to meet this person at the Baxter Dining Hall on Wednesday, September 2nd, where she explained her problem. However, she claims that this meeting had very little impact. That Saturday, frustrated with the lack of action, she posted photos of the food on Twitter – more than a week after she first raised an issue.

UCT Communications & Marketing Department told VARSITY: “No expired products were provided to our knowledge.” They also explained that they are preparing to open the residence dining halls, which SRC member Declan Dyer estimates will be around Thursday, October 1st. According to DSA, students were provided with Emergency Meal Vouchers which are only redeemable

for food items at a number of stores in Rondebosch, Mowbray and Observatory until the end of September.

This issue led to a broader discussion between those currently living at residences. Many felt there was a significant lack of communication between students and management, both within residences and the university. While some believe that the return of housing committees (House Comm) is an important step, others think that it is not really solving the problem. Although she did not oppose the idea of a return of some House Comm members, Nokulunga Xulu does not think it should just be the leaders who get to communicate with management. “I think we [people who are living in that res] should have voices.”

Student Housing has committed to improving its channels of communication with res students, according to SRC Member, Declan Dyer. “ [They have also committed to] a better flow of information between the SRC and SH to allow for a faster resolution to issues,” he explained. Furthermore, they note that, despite the continued challenge of COVID-19, the catering staff have learnt from this experience and are committed to ensuring students’s needs are met.

Residences have also pledged to improve their communication with students. The chairperson of the College of Wardens, Loki Manise, explained that they are pushing for improved communication. WhatsApp groups and Vula pages have now been employed to make it easier for students to air their grievances.

NEWS

@VarsityNews | 16 September 2020 | V79 E10 | Page 2

Community Mourns Nathaniel Julies The death of a sixteen-year-old boy at the hands of police galvanizes calls for justice.

Source: The Daily Maverick

Caitlin MacDonald

O

n Saturday, September 5th, the community of Eldorado Park and a number of politicians joined Nathaniel Julies’s family at Mount Carmel Ministries Church for the 16-year-old boy’s funeral, a week after he was fatally shot. At the same time, three police officers arrested in relation to Julies’s murder were in custody awaiting trial.

fore conflict escalated and Julies was caught in the crossfire of officers and alleged gangsters. However, Julies’s family has rejected this, asserting that the teenage boy, who had Down’s Syndrome, was shot after being unable to answer the police’s questions. Julies succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday night in Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

Video captured by journalist, Gaopalelwe Phalaetsile, shows Julies’s uncle, Cyril Brown, chastising police: “I just wish that “Julies was buying biscuits a matter of meters from his home in Johannesburg’s Eldorado Park suburb when he was shot.” you guys can see what you have done [...] the breakdown you have caused in this family.” Julies’s mother, however, said she had forgiven those responsible for her son’s death.

The following day the community surged into protest, calling for justice for Julies. Violence erupted as officers fired rubber bullets and stun grenades at crowds of protesters who threw “I just wish that you guys can see what you have done [...] the stones and barred streets with burning barricades. breakdown you have caused in this family.”

Members of various political and civil society organisations attended the funeral service. Patriotic Alliance leader, Gayton McKenzie, lambasted the government: “There’s an agenda in this country against coloured people!” He went on to tell an enthusiastic crowd, “I am sorry that your child had to die for the coloured nation to rise.”

Patriotic Alliance leader, Gayton McKenzie, lambasted the government:“There’s an agenda in this country against coloured people!”

Julies was buying biscuits a matter of meters from his home in Johannesburg’s Eldorado Park suburb when he was shot.

Gauteng premier, David Makhura, has claimed that police were responding to a tip-off concerning stolen car parts be-

Three police officers have been arrested in connection with Julies’s murder. Two officers are charged with murder, being in possession of prohibited ammunition, discharging a firearm in public, as well as defeating the ends of justice. On Monday, August 31st, during a brief appearance in Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, one of the suspects failed to provide details of legal representation and the case was postponed. A third police officer appeared in court on Thursday, September 3rd, on charges of defeating the ends of justice. However, his case was also postponed as his charge was revised to include allegations of acting as an accessory after the fact (intentionally aiding the accused to escape liability). All three reappeared at court on Thursday, September 10th, where the case was postponed to Tuesday, September 22nd, for a bail application.

NEWS

@VarsityNews | 16 September 2020 | V79 E10 | Page 3

Court ruling confronts “400 years of spatial exclusion”

Biker alleged to have sexually harassed anti-GBV protester at CT gathering

Social housing advocacy groups celebrate the suspension of a R135 million sale of public land.

In heated protests two weeks ago outside Parliament, 17 anti-GBV protestors were arrested by police. Activists allege that at least one protestor was sexually harassed by a biker amidst other claims of racism and misogyny.

Source: The Daily Maverick

Caitlin MacDonald

I

n a landmark ruling on Monday, August

31st, the sale of the Tafelberg property in Sea Point was reviewed and set aside by the Western Cape High Court. The court’s assertion that the province and city’s affordable housing policy was insufficient to reddress the spatial legacy of apartheid has been hailed by campaigners.

“There are approximately 600 000 housing applications pending across the province, with over half of this volume concentrated within the City of Cape Town.”

The court has ruled in favour of NU and RTC, finding that the province and city failed to fos“It’s not enough to deliver housing in

ter equitable access to land and the right to

peripheral areas that perpetuate racial &

housing in terms of section 25 and 26 of the

economic exclusion.”

Constitution. It further found that Helen Zille’s

Jeremy Simpson

A

biker is alleged to have sexually harassed an anti-GBV protestor at the Cape Town protest on Saturday, August 29th. Other protestors attending the march outside Parliament, organized by activists from anti-GBV Movement SU, have accused some members of the Bikers Against Farm Murders cohort of misogyny and racism.

Anuscha Allie, a student currently studying the Humanities at UCT, alleges she was sexually harassed by a biker wearing a mask as she made her way down to Parliament with the other protesters. Allie had been standing near the Raptor Room, where she noticed the bikers pushing against the barricade police had set up. Holding a placard reading: “My neck, my back, my pussy will grab back,” Anuscha, along with her cousins, followed the crowds of protestors who were now moving down towards Parliament.

“refusal to consult the human settlements minister was in breach of her duties to proIn a statement by Mandi Shandu, the direc-

mote cooperative governance between the

tor of Ndifuna Ukwazi (NU) – a local activist

different spheres of government.”

“As we were walking a biker said to me ‘Show me your pussy!’ I turned back around and I was shocked.”

organisation and legal centre – condemned the city’s failure to develop affordable or social

According to a Western Cape Human Settle-

housing in the CBD for the last 25 years, pro-

ments report, there are approximately 600

claiming: “It’s not enough to deliver housing in

000 housing applications pending across the

peripheral areas that perpetuate racial & eco-

province, with over half of this volume concen-

nomic exclusion.” To Shandu, Monday’s ruling

trated within the City of Cape Town. COVID-19

represents a gain in the broader fight for jus-

has deepened this housing crisis. Capetonian

tice, saying, “This case has been 4 years in the

authorities have demolished thousands of

making but it’s really about over 400 years of

allegedly illegally-erected shacks in recent

spatial exclusion.”

weeks, in a crackdown against a surge of what Cape Town mayor Dan Plato has called “violent and coordinated land invasions.” Michael

“The province and city failed to foster

Clark, an NU researcher, has condemned the

equitable access to land and the right to

city’s response, asserting that the “economic

housing.”

ramifications of COVID-19” leaves many with no choice but to illegally occupy land.

In March 2017, the publicly-owned Tafelberg property was sold to the Phyllis Jowell Jewish Day School for R135 million by erstwhile premier, Helen Zille. The province claimed the revenue from the sale was earmarked for the expansion of the Western Cape Education Department. In response, activist groups, NU and

“As we were walking a biker said to me ‘Show me your pussy!’. I turned back around and I was shocked,” explained Allie, her disgust and disbelief evident in her voice. Furthermore, she was astounded at the lack of a response from the woman standing next to the biker. The biker responded to her disgusted glare by saying “So, I can see it grab back”, inappropriately making reference to the poster she was holding. Anuscha felt increasingly more vulnerable at the march because of this interaction, especially since this was a setting where she should have been able to share her views without harassment or ridicule.

In a separate incident, Mila Grey, a psychology student at UCT, saw two masked bikers doing the Nazi salute and chanting “Seig Heil”.

With the far right more emboldened around the world, this salute has become more widespread, specifically by white supremacists.

Symbolic of the anti-Semitism and racism of the Third Reich, it is banned in multiple European countries for the hatred it imbues. “It felt like we were in a warzone, like I was in Germany in the 1940s when I saw these two men,” Grey said, “It was madness.”

Reclaim the City (RTC) launched the #StopTheSale campaign and filed a court application to

“In a separate incident, Mila Grey, a

halt the sale of the property. They contend-

psychology student at UCT, saw two masked

ed that the centrally-located, 1,7 hectare site ought to be used for the provision of social or affordable housing.

bikers doing the Nazi salute and chanting Source: IOL

‘Seig Heil’.”

Source: Ground Up

Near Parliament, Grey and a few other protestors were chanting a well-known and controversial slogan of the anti-GBV movement: ‘Men Are Trash’. “A man and women, both bikers, came up to us and just interjected, arguing with us about this,” Mila explained, “but, this was not the time to be arguing with women about not all men [being trash].” She also recalls the biker standing on the statue of Louis Botha and trying to put up the anti-farm-murder flag as police opened fire with rubber bullets.

Soon after this, bikers began leaving and the Anti-GBV march in Cape Town descended into harrowing scenes of police brutality. Activists, who began the march peacefully behind a police-enforced barricade at the intersection of Roeland and Buitenkant streets, were brutalized by cops wielding weapons and tossing stun grenades into the crowd outside Parliament. Video footage shows police trampling protestors with their riot shields.

Bikers, who arrived just shy of 11:30, can be seen in videos pushing their motorcycles against the police barricade and antagonizing the officers. “I remember a fight breaking out between the bikers and police. A few punches were thrown. Then [the police] threw a smoke bomb,” Mila Grey explained, describing the overbearing sounds of bikers “loudly revving their engines.”

“Many activists alleged that the biker’s actions at the barricade were antagonistic, angering officers and inspiring police brutality.”

Eventually the police allowed the bikers to pass, and the crowds of anti-GBV activists began following them down to the gates of Parliament. Activists had initially believed that they had been there to support the anti-GBV movement, cheering and clapping when they first drove past. “We thought they were there for us,” UCTs Online Editor, Kelsey Maggott, explained. As these activists moved through the hordes of bikes on Buitenkant Street, many reported seeing the Apartheid flag and placards saying “Farm/Boere Lives Matter” – symbols which activists found offensive.

Many activists alleged that the biker’s actions at the barricade were antagonistic, angering officers and inspiring police brutality. In the aftermath of this brutal police response, where 17 people were arrested on charges of public violence, the national government has announced three new bills. Amidst other reforms, they promise to make the sex offenders list public. While this is progress, activists are skeptical, particularly after the violence of the police response.

EDITORIAL

@VarsityNews | 16 September 2020 | V79 E10 | Page 4

The Collective

We made it!

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Tiyani Rikhotso editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za DEPUTY EDITOR Gabriel Vieira editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za SENIOR COPY EDITOR Brad Brinkley copyed@varsitynewspaper.co.za JUNIOR COPY EDITOR Savannah Costello juniorcopyed@varsitynewspaper.co.za ONLINE EDITOR Kelsey Maggott online@varsitynewspaper.co.za

Tiyani Rikhotso

I

DEPUTY ONLINE EDITOR

t seems surreal that time has come for my last editorial and to hand over to a new leadership team. This year has been deeply challenging for our world, country and students as we were grappling with the new normal. However, I feel so encouraged that throughout these difficulties and the unexpected shifts, VARSITY has continued its legacy of using its pages to amplify the student voice while also hopefully trying to help its community get through the pandemic.

We successfully pivoted our content and were able to stay afloat by embracing digital publishing.

Though it was daunting at first, we successfully pivoted our content and were able to stay afloat by embracing digital publishing. Assisted by platforms that facilitate virtual collaboration, we have been able to harness the talents and passions of our team to consistently put out relevant and engaging content. When we set plans to boost engagement on our website and social media platforms as an incoming senior editorial team last year, we couldn’t have anticipated that VARSITY would need to transform and leap into a digital publication in such a short space of time. While the COVID-19 pandemic has come with its challenges, it is so exciting knowing that we are part of a team that led VARSITY through a historic publication and operations shift.

I am so grateful for collective’s dedication. On challenging days, it was encouraging knowing the team still showed up for their work amidst personal difficulties.

As a developmental organization it is essential that we create an environment that nurtures people’s interest in student journalism. It is important that individuals leave VARSITY with insight into the media world and enhanced practical skills. I feel proud knowing that despite being dispersed across the country, we not only had an active and engaged team but were able to equip them with knowledge and experience in digital publishing, creative collaboration, virtual event hosting and social media marketing. The current state of media and shifts that Covid-19 has forced many institutions to embrace has affirmed how essential these skills and the ability to pivot are.

I hope that the incoming team can build on our contribution and lay a foundation of sustainable outreach within VARSITY. An intention we set for 2020 was to embark on an outreach project and offer our skills and resources to those in need. I am happy to share that this was a success.

Through the alignment of our annual media conference

with Mandela Day in July, VARSITY collaborated with an organisation that is involved in women development by donating sanitary pads to The Dignity Campaign. This organisation empowers young girls through the provision of menstrual care products, which ensures that they don’t miss out school days during their monthly menstrual periods. Recognising the importance of giving back, I hope that the incoming team can build on our contribution and lay a foundation of sustainable outreach within VARSITY.

Mbalenhle Mthembu onlinecontent@varsitynewspaper.co.za CREATIVE DIRECTOR Salma Noor Mahomed creativedirector@varsitynewspaper.co.za NEWS EDITOR Jeremy Simpson DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR Caitlin Macdonald news@varsitynewspaper.co.za FEATURES EDITOR

For the first time in VARSITY’s history the two-day event was held virtually through a live webinar and on Instagram.

Natasha Nkutu DEPUTY FEATURES EDITOR Lee-Anne Jacobs features@varsitynewspaper.co.za OPINIONS EDITOR

The media conference is an event that stands out as I reflect on all that VARSITY has done and achieved this year. In light of Covid-19, for the first time in VARSITY’s history the two-day event was held virtually through a live webinar and on Instagram. Led by the theme of The Digital Demand, we held space for insightful and inspiring conversations on making it in media and navigating the shifts of the ever-evolving industry.

Julia Rowley DEPUTY OPINIONS EDITOR Chloe Kingdom opinions@varsitynewspaper.co.za SPORTS EDITOR James Braham sports@varsitynewspaper.co.za ONLINE NEWS EDITOR

One of the conference speakers mentioned the importance of boundaries and self-care as you embark on your career journey and in the face of hard work. This has been a lesson I have had to come back to throughout my time as Editor-in-Chief, which comes with its challenges and demands. I am so proud of the team that helped bring the conference to life and grateful for the wisdom and advice the guest speakers passed on to the participants.

Seth Meyer onlinenews@varsitynewspaper.co.za ONLINE FEATURES EDITOR Hannah Van Teylingen DEPUTY ONLINE FEATURES EDITOR Laylaa Edross onlinefeatures@varsitynewspaper.co.za ONLINE OPINIONS EDITOR Temwani Nyama onlineopinions@varsitynewspaper.co.za ONLINE LIFESTYLE AND SPORT EDITOR

I am stepping out of this position confident that the paper is left in good hands.

Sumitra Naidoo onlinesport@varsitynewspaper.co.za STAFF WRITERS

It is with this lesson in hand and a deep sense of gratitude for the work the collective and contributing writers put in that I step out of the role of VARSITY Newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief for 2020. Good luck to the incoming Editor-in-Chief and her team. I step out of this position confident that the paper is left in good hands and will soar To the student body, I wish you much-needed rest over the upcoming vac. I hope that the rest of the semester is filled with more ease and that you give yourself grace when you don’t move through work or the days as planned.

Applications are open for 2021!

Please email hr@varsitynewspaper.co.za if you are interested!

William Barron

Lerato Botha

Nelisa Khwela

Stefan Kirsten

Bathandwa Magqaza

Ntsako Mlambo

Asenathi Ntamo

Jack Phillips

Emma Sacco COLUMNIST Duwayne Esau columnist@varsitynewspaper.co.z SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Salma Noor Mahomed socialmedia@varsitynewspaper.co.za SOCIAL MEDIA CORRESPONDENTS Kendal Davids Zintle Mfaku IMAGES EDITOR Ya’eesh Collins imageseditor@varsitynewspaper.co.za DEPUTY IMAGES EDITOR Phelisa Kosi imageseditor@varsitynewspaper.co.za

CREATIVE CONTRIBUTIONS The Suffocation Rico Stephenson

______________________

Digital art by @palak_sachdev_

it grabs ahold of me by the throat this small system that has restricted confined made Me

Send your art, poetry and photographs to: creativedirector@ varsitynewspaper.co.za to be featured!

FEATURES

@VarsityNews | 16 September 2020 | V79 E10 | Page 6

The Man, The King, The Legend - The World Says Goodbye to Chadwick Boseman In honour of who he was and everything he stood for, we salute an icon.

Source: Bloomberg

Lee-Anne Jacobs

O

n August 28th the downward spiral that is 2020 dealt us another blow - the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman. Best known for his incredible portrayal of T’Challa in Marvel’s Black Panther, Boseman leaves behind an amazing legacy that will continue to inspire others around the world for years to come.

“Boseman leaves behind an amazing legacy that will continue to inspire others around the world for years to come.”

2006’s Deep Azure receiving a nomination for a Joseph Jefferson Award for New Work.

After being diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, Boseman continued to push himself to complete film after film including 2018’s much anticipated Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War, as well as 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. All three films became one of the highest grossing movies of the respective years that they were released, each collecting a box-office revenue of over $1 billion worldwide. Outside of his iconic work for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he completed filming for the action-thriller 21 Bridges and Spike Lee’s Netflix war drama Da 5 Bloods in 2019.

Born on November 29th 1976 in South Carolina, Boseman officially began his acting career with minor and supporting roles in television in 2003 and continued to do so until 2008 when he appeared “After being diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in 2016, Boseman in his first feature film - The Express: The Ernie Davis Story. His first continued to push himself to complete film after film including 2018’s leading role was the portrayal of iconic baseball player Jackie Robmuch anticipated Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War.” inson in 2013’s 42. This was only the beginning of Boseman and a series of iconic roles; 42 was followed quickly in 2014 by his portrayal of James Brown in Get on Up and 2016’s long-awaited introduction of T’Challa/Black Panther in Captain America: Civil War. With the release and global success of Black Panther, Boseman instantly became an icon for people of colour around the world who - for the first time - saw a superhero that looked like them, “This was only the beginning of Boseman and a series of iconic roles; and this was not something he took lightly. Boseman used his 42 was followed quickly in 2014 by his portrayal of James Brown in power and privilege to highlight the injustices black people face Get on Up and 2016’s long-awaited introduction of T’Challa/Black every day, including fighting for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement as well as speaking out against the gross racial imPanther in Captain America: Civil War.” balance in Hollywood and demanding that the industry support more black professionals.

Not content with an enviable acting career, Boseman has an equally long history of working behind the camera. After graduat- For everything he was and everything he meant to so many peoing from Howard University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in direct- ple, the world honours an incredible soul. Goodbye Chadwicking as well as later graduating from New York’s Digital Film Acade- rest in power. my, Boseman began writing and directing a number of plays with

FEATURES

@VarsityNews | 16 September 2020 | V79 E10 | Page 7

Mulan 2020: A Disney feminist film A critical review of the live-action

Source: Medium

Natasha Nkutu

A

fter being pushed back for months, Disney finally released the live-action remake of Mulan on their streaming service Disney+ and I must say, I loved it. But before we get into it, I must warn you, it is not the same film we remember.

“While the film received a lot of praise from critics, some people were disappointed, because the live-action film made A LOT of changes that completely changed the vibe.”

While the film received a lot of praise from critics, some people were disappointed, because the live-action film made A LOT of changes that completely changed the vibe. There is no Mushu, no cricket, no bickering ancestors and NO MUSIC. Without these elements, the remake lost all the comedic and whimsical elements that make a Disney princess film.

the rebel leader (Shan Yu in the animated version). What I loved most about this character is how much she encouraged and supported Mulan, even though they were adversaries. Xianniang is a very powerful witch who was ostracised and eventually exiled from her village for using her powers. Desperate for a home, she became Bori Khan’s servant and used her powers to help him invade China and try to overthrow the Emperor.

Xianniang is a very important character because just like Mulan, she is a strong and capable woman in a very patriarchal society. While Mulan was a good fighter in the animated version, she is on another level in the remake. We are shown that even from a young age, Mulan was a highly skilled and powerful warrior because of her strong chi. However, she was shunned by her community when she tapped into her chi and was advised by her father to hide it and stay in her place as a girl, or she would be labelled a witch. Therefore, without the protection of her father, Mulan could have easily ended up like Xianniang.

But I still liked it. Why? Well, besides the beautiful landscapes and incredible fight scenes, Disney took out the whimsy and put in an extra amount of badass! The live-action Mulan focuses on war, the power Xianniang’s character reflects how strong, powerful women are often of chi and being true to yourself. While it may have lost that Disney and feared and demonised by society, rather than being celebrated for their gifts. I love Xianniang because she immediately recognised magic, it stays true to its origins. Sorry guys, no talking lizards here.

Mulan’s power and pushed her into embracing who she truly is: a legendary female warrior. This is the kind of sisterhood we love to see.

“The live-action Mulan focuses on war, the power of chi and being true The kind only a female director can give you. to yourself.”

So why do I call it a feminist film? While the live-action remake diverted from the original Disney mould, it made a very interesting and key character addition. Xianniang is a witch fighting for Bori Khan,

“Xianniang’s character reflects how strong, powerful women are often and feared and demonised by society, rather than being celebrated for their gifts.”

FEATURES

@VarsityNews | 16 September 2020 | V79 E10 | Page 8

Through His Eyes Fifteen years later, Stephanie Meyers lets us into the mind of Edward Cullen...

Source: Click 2 Houstoun

Brandy Zulu

E

veryone who read in their school years had probably heard of The Twilight Saga, featuring everyone’s favourite vampire (and passing crush), the glittering Edward Cullen. His companion, Isabella Swan, narrates the series as an awkward, angsty, and—quite frankly—insipid character. But if you did not think that the primary book series was corny enough, we now get the whole story told to us again—this time through Edward’s eyes, in Midnight Sun.

painfully points out that, “there’s a reason that the first time Stephanie Meyer told this story, she chose to tell it through Bella’s eyes and not Edward’s. Once you get inside Edward’s head, you’re stuck with a serious case of diminishing returns.”

However, it rates very highly amongst those who read it, who were undoubtedly Twilight fans, to begin with. In their eyes, Edward can do no wrong, even if the Independent notes that “sci-fi website io9 noted that Bella and Edward’s relationship meets all 15 criteria set by the National Domestic Violence Ho“If you did not think that the primary book series was corny enough, we tline defining an abusive relationship.” This is very interesting, now get the whole story told to us again—this time through Edward’s considering that Fifty Shades of Grey is a Twilight fanfiction. eyes.”

We’re all aware of Christian Grey’s toxic behaviour because his character was based on someone, Edward. In fact, in Midnight Now, not only was The Twilight Saga a best-selling series, but Sun, Edward acknowledges his predatory behaviour: “I wasn’t the movies were box office hits, so it is pretty evident that the technically even trespassing now,” he reasons. “But I knew that cult following that Edward and Bella generated is both sub- when night came, I would continue to do wrong.” stantial and fierce. It should come as no wonder then, that fans would have demanded the regaling of Twilight by Edward. “It rates very highly amongst those who read it, who were undoubtedly The logic is simple: “We didn’t get to see enough of him,” fans Twilight fans, to begin with.” sulked.

The reviews I read were not as positive, with The Guardian stat- Ultimately, it is apparent that if you are into very casual reading that it feels, “a bit like being sat uncomfortably close to a ing—with no depth or pacing— this still might not be it, but if young couple who won’t stop kissing.” Perhaps the book should you have always been a fan, you may want to bag it. get a room … lock itself inside and never leave? Entertainment Weekly also makes a point of noting that author Stephanie Meyer’s, “prose has never been her strong suit; it continues not “If you are into very casual reading—with no depth or pacing— this still to be.” To be fair then, in this regard, the movies certainly lived might not be it, but if you have always been a fan, you may want to bag it.” up to the books. Vox, my personal Holy Grail of book reviews,

THINGS TO DO UNDER LOCKDOWN LEVEL 2

If you’ve been missing visiting Cape Town’s art galleries – good news is that some of them have opened again. Even better, some are participating in First Thursdays! With controlled access and limited capacities, enjoy an evening in the City Bowl whilst supporting South African artists and galleries. See more here: first-thursdays.co.za

Visit the District Six Museum Being hit hard by the effects of the pandemic, the District Six Museum is in need of your support! For R45, you can visit the museum and learn about Cape Town’s history whilst doing your bit to keep it alive. Learn more here: districtsix.co.za

Attend a monthly T.R.A.S.H River Clean Up Taking Rubbish Away, Saving Habitat is doing monthly community clean ups. This 3rd of October, the volunteers will be cleaning the stretch running from the N2 to the River Club. Drop by and help clean up Cape Town! Read more about the event here: facebook.com

See a movie at the Galileo Open Air Cinema For those with cars, spend the evening watching a movie at the Galileo Drive-In Cinema! Recently reopened with stringent COVID-19 regulations in place, this is perfect for a socially distanced evening out with a partner, friends or family. Tickets are priced per car and start at R250 per car and are hosted at venues in Gardens and Rondebosch.

Learn more here: thegalileo.co.za

Explore First Thursdays Again

Image: districtsix.co.za

Attend Online Webinars Don’t feel comfortable being outside at the moment? Why not take some time off from university work and attend informative live webinars and virtual events! A good way to find out about what’s happening online is through Facebook events: facebook.com

Image: pexels.com

Image: facebook.com.mojomarket

Live Music at the Mojo Market Recommended by Varsity News collective member Savannah Costello, take a trip to Sea Point and enjoy free live music in an airy atmosphere at the Mojo Market. Following strict safety and hygiene procedures, Mojo Market has resumed their live local acts and food stalls. Check out the line up here: mojomarket.co.za

Image: thegalileo.co.za

FNB Heritage Day Virtual Run

Image: runyourcityseries.com

Whether you’re in Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg or Maputo, you can take part in a virtual run on the 24th of September and celebrate your Heritage Day in action. Enter for a fee of R195 and receive a race pack as well as access to the Run Your City Tracking app. The event encourages runners/walkers to create their own route in their city. Find out more at runyourcityseries.com

COLUMN A debate worth having: an independent Western Cape

@VarsityNews | 16 September 2020 | V79 E10 | Page 11

“A liberal is a man too broadminded to take his own side in a quarrel.”

-Robert Frost Duwayne Esau

O

n Sunday, June 14th, the liberal student organisation Progress SA, of which I am a member, published a survey on social media on the secession of the Western Cape. The purpose of the survey was to gauge the appetite for secession of those living in the Western Cape and other provinces. Secession would mean the establishment of an independent Western Cape with its own borders, and more importantly, its own Constitution independent of the Constitution of South Africa. The survey by Progress SA sparked outrage on social media: many accused the organisation of encouraging nationalist/ethnic thinking. However, as the premature results of the survey showed, those who did support the notion of an independent Western Cape were not motivated by ethnic nationalism.

Moreover, they would like to see the establishment of a liberal democratic state. So, why not have this debate? Here is why this is a debate worth having rather than one that should not occur at all.

ernment and have very little autonomy under the current system. Any freedom the DA has is similar to that of someone under house arrest: while you are not imprisoned, your rights are still severely limited. It is understandable, then, that those who consistently cast their vote in favor of the DA are growing ever more frustrated. They are forced to adhere to the policies legislated by the ANC, to whom the DA is ideologically opposed. The debate surrounding secession of the Western Cape is one we ought to have, not to spur on those already in favor of it, but to investigate whether or not it is an avenue worth pursuing.

According to Syracuse University Professor Ryan Griffiths, who is one of the leading scholars on secessionist movements around the world, there are currently 60 active secessionist movements globally. What this indicates is that there are a large number of citizens who do not identify, politically or otherwise, with the state in which they currently find themselves. It is important to note that while some secessionist movements are underpinned by ethnic/nationalist thinking, not all of Firstly, before I delve into the substance of the matter, I would like to them are. Many of these movements simply argue that their culture/ make two important disclaimers: 1) I believe we ought to use seces- language/political values are so different from the rest of their country sion as a last resort, and 2) Progress SA is not in favor of secession ei- that they think it would be better for them to form their own state. ther—its survey was purely an academic undertaking to facilitate the debate of different ideas.

The liberal view on the right to self-determination is often understood as the right to self-determination of nations. However, an important The outrage at the secession survey on social media was more of an part of this is the right to self-determination of the individual or group indicator as to how truly liberal South Africans are, than anything else. of individuals. Therefore, the liberal view supports the right to self-deLiberals believe in the debate of any and all ideas—even of those that termination of the inhabitants of a specific territory. This is the view of they disagree with. Rather than silence those whose views they op- many prominent liberal thinkers such as Ludwig von Mises, who wrote pose, liberals invite them over for a cup of tea and have a reasoned in his book Liberalism. debate with them. The hope is that by engaging with those who hold different views from us, we can arrive at something closer to the truth. The right of self-determination of which we speak is not the right of Progress SA, myself included, received many tongue-lashings on social self-determination of nations, but rather the right of self-determinamedia from those who self-identify as liberals. All this for wishing to tion of the inhabitants of every territory large enough to form an indeengage with those who are in favor of an independent Western Cape! pendent administrative unit. It if were in any way possible to grant this right of self-determination to every individual person, it would have There is a political party and an advocacy group who advocates for an to be done. This is impracticable only because of compelling technical independent Western Cape. The Cape Party and the Cape Indepen- considerations, which make it necessary that a region be governed as dence Advocacy Group believes that an independent Western Cape a single administrative unit and that the right of self-determination be would be much more prosperous if it were not beholden to the na- restricted to the will of the majority of the inhabitants of areas large tional government—the current status of all provinces. Furthermore, enough to count as territorial units in the administration of the counthey argue that the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) plea for a federal sys- try. tem that would give provinces more autonomy has little to no chance of ever becoming a reality, so long as the African National Congress As such, it is not incorrect to say that the right to self-determination (in (ANC) is the ruling party. The critiques leveled at secessionist move- this context the right of the Western Cape to become an independent ments identify that it is underpinned by ethnic nationalist thinking. state) falls under the purview of liberalism. One could go even further However, the aforementioned survey by Progress SA indicates that and argue that such a right to self-determination ought to be considthis is not the case in the Western Cape. On their social media, Progress ered and debated by liberals themselves, if they are honest in their SA have explained why they ended the survey only after a few days. belief of the liberty of the individual.

I will not extrapolate that here. My aim is to argue why we ought to debate Western Cape independence openly and freely.

There is clearly room in the liberal philosophy for such debate to take place without straying from the core principles of liberalism. The word The inhabitants of the Western Cape have successively voted for a ma- “liberal” can be traced back to the Latin word “liber” which means “free”, jority DA government since the 2009 National Elections. This is a clear and if liberals in South Africa truly believe in freedom, it is incumbent indication that they do not identify with the views of the ANC. How- upon them to debate the idea of an independent Western Cape. ever, provincial governments are still beholden to the national gov-

DISCLAIMER This section of the VARSITY is a vehicle for expression on any topic by the columnist. The opinions within this section are not necessarily those of the VARSITY collective or its advertisers.

Letters to the Editor can be sent to: editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za

OPINIONS

@VarsityNews | 16 September 2020 | V79 E10 | Page 12

Pulling “The Race Card”: What Our Government Will Do to Escape Accountability The dangers of crying false racism in attempts to avoid accountability.

Source: ENCA

Lerato Botha

I

t is of common knowledge that our South African government, led by the ANC, has been linked to numerous claims of corruption over the years. With the State Capture Inquiry still ongoing after over two years in procession and the Ramaphosa administration’s most recent investigation into government corruption, it is clear that our government is far from tackling this disease of corruption. Adding insult to injury, government representatives have shown a lack of transparency and accountability when addressing these discrepancies in the media. One of the most recent displays of this was in an interview between eNCA reporter, Shahan Ramkissoon, and KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Sihle Zikalala.

In a live interview airing on Friday, August 7th, Shahan questioned Zikalala about the corruption surrounding the mishandling of Covid-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) after a 67-year-old man had died, as Shahan states, “after being treated in a makeshift tent in a hospital parking lot in Pietermaritzburg.” Shahan grilled him about his allowance of PPE corruption and patient mistreatment to have taken place under his guidance as the KZN Premier, which he did not take kindly to. Instead of answering the questions, Zikalala remained evasive about the fates of those suspected to be involved in the corruption and grew increasingly defensive, accusing Shahan of clubbing him in among those that actually “committed the crime.”

After the interview, Zikalala stated that he was “disrespected,” that he deserved an apology, and that he was not awarded enough time to explain himself (despite having eleven minutes to speak next to Shahan’s mere two minutes). He then went even further to say that Shahan’s line of questioning was rooted in racism, which is a strong claim with no evidential backing. If taken seriously, the results could have been dire: Zikalala’s claims could have possibly affected Shahan’s career as well as influenced distrust in journalistic integrity. In a televised response, Shahan said that although his line of questioning was admittedly tough, it was his journalistic obligation to pursue the truth. Journalists like Shahan aim to ensure that the government takes public responsibility for their mishandlings, especially now

that government corruption has been increasingly exposed to the public.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time that government officials have accused the media of racism to deflect from their own misgivings. We witnessed it with the Zuma administration. When journalists reported on a poorly-attended ANC rally at Nelson Mandela stadium in 2016, members and supporters of the political party deemed them to be racists. In doing this, they failed to acknowledge their poor planning and the growing lack of trust in government due to reported corruption and instead took to blaming the media.

“Unfortunately, this is not the first time that government officials have accused the media of racism to deflect from their own misgivings.”

Calling false racism is unfair and insulting to both journalistic integrity as well as the worldwide movement against racism. Claiming that a tough sequence of questioning by a non-black reporter is an act of racism undermines the reality of racism in South Africa and across the world: it creates a narrative that sees racial discrimination as simply challenging a black person. It takes away from the daily reality of black people being constantly racially profiled, called racial slurs and attacked by police, peers, and strangers. This turns the severity of racism into something of insignificance. It simply cannot be a fair, nor acceptable excuse for the incapability of government officials to account for their misconduct.

“Claiming that a tough sequence of questioning by a non-black reporter is an act of racism undermines the reality of racism in South Africa and across the world: it creates a narrative that sees racial discrimination as simply challenging a black person.”

DISCLAIMER

This section of the VARSITY is a vehicle for expression, on any topic by members of the UCT community. The opinions within this section are not necessarily those of the VARSITY collective or its advertisers. Letters to the Editor need to be kept at a maximum of 300 words and can be sent to: editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za

OPINIONS

@VarsityNews | 16 September 2020 | V79 E10 | Page 13

Are Land Invaders Really at Fault?

Lockdown or no lockdown, the eviction of land invaders continue.

Source: The Telegraph

Ntsako Mlambo

A

national lockdown was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa “With the increase of urbanisation and people who are seeking better work on Friday, March 27th, as a Coronavirus prevention measure. The opportunities in cities, are land invaders really at fault if the government has lockdown regulations entailed a severe restriction on the right to promised better housing for the people of South Africa?” freedom of movement for levels 5 and 4. Despite this, there has been a huge spike in the number of informal structures being erected on To remedy the lack of government intervention in the dire land and public land during this time. housing problem, the courts have ruled in favour of the South African In respect to Ramaphosa’s announcement, the Western Cape High Human Rights Commission to protect the rights of land invaders - this Court ruled that evictions during the lockdown were illegal and that includes the right to dignity. The order from the Western Cape High structures, both occupied and unoccupied, cannot be demolished Court states that, “if court permission is granted for any eviction, law enwithout a court order. The City of Cape Town is appealing the court rul- forcement or any contractor appointed by the city should undertake to ing and expressed their criticism of it due to its controversial nature. execute the eviction in a manner that upholds the dignity of the evicted In accordance with this ruling, land owned by the city and by private people.” In the case of Bulelani Qholani, it is made apparent that the digowners are at risk of invasion without having the constitutional right to nity of many citizens has not been protected during the evictions. The counter spoliation efforts. However, those who invade land are vulner- 28-year-old man caught the attention of the media as he was dragged able members of society living in poverty. They have guaranteed rights outside of his home, an informal structure, whilst naked, by four law enforcement officers who were sent by the City. His home, and the homes to housing, too. of many other individuals, were demolished in the process.

Since the beginning of lockdown, land invasions have been taking place at an unprecedented scale in Cape Town. These invasions have Land invasions are a phenomenon in developing countries because been confronted by anti-land invasion units deployed by the City. The they are driven by unemployment and a shortage of housing. The conroot cause of land invasions stems from a lack of organised land reform flict between public and private landowners and land invaders would in our country that ensures its fair and equitable distribution amongst not exist if the government ensured a fair and equitable distribution of the people. This also exacerbates the problem of a great lack of proper land and proper housing. As such, both parties would not be affected by the regulations of the national lockdown or the Western Cape High housing for South Africans. court ruling. The problems that occur in our country expose the inefLand invasions affect us all economically. They interrupt ongoing con- fectiveness of our government: living conditions and human rights are struction developments, jeopardise the rights of private property own- reduced in every aspect, every day. ers, and place private property owners in danger, but with the increase of urbanisation and people who are seeking better work opportunities in cities, are land invaders really at fault if the government has promised “Land invasions are a phenomenon in developing countries because they are driven by unemployment and a shortage of housing.” better housing for the people of South Africa?

DISCLAIMER

This section of the VARSITY is a vehicle for expression, on any topic by members of the UCT community. The opinions within this section are not necessarily those of the VARSITY collective or its advertisers. Letters to the Editor need to be kept at a maximum of 300 words and can be sent to: editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za

OPINIONS

@VarsityNews | 16 September 2020 | V79 E10 | Page 14

Mike Pence Has Some Meat for Us The Vice President has made it clear that he won’t be letting any Democrats touch America’s meat.

Source: North Country Public Radio

Jack Phillips

O

ne must wonder to what lengths the Trump administration will go to secure an election. At what point do they frown, shake their heads and think, “Hm, I want to win, I want those voters, but the things I’d have to say to get them on my side are just too dangerous, too much of a compromise?”

Dear reader, you don’t have to wonder at all - they will say and do quite literally anything. I’m not talking about your run of the mill, hold-the-bibleand-smile kind of demagoguery. I’m not even talking about your build-awall, travel-ban-on-Muslims, Kung-flu kind of demagoguery either. What we’re bearing full gaping witness to in the grand blazing year of 2020, is that special, suicidal, maniacal kind of demagoguery that stands with a steely face and silver hair yelling, “Imma get me those votes if it costs us the possibility of organized human existence in the near future!”

But Mr Pence, demonstrating enough political cunning to speak - not his mind, but his ambition - did not express himself so clearly. What he actually said was that he’s, “got some red meat” for us. At an August campaign in Iowa, he warned his rapt listeners about a lady named Kamala Harris, Joe Biden’s vice-presidential nominee, who wants to change the dietary guidelines in the United States to limit the amount of meat Americans consume.

But Mr Pence told us not to fear. Like a shiny-shoed televangelist standing firm before a flood of sin, he avowed not to let Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, “Cut. Americas. Meat.”

“He avowed not to let Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, “Cut. Americas.

Meat.””

The everyday American, indeed the everyday person, likes their meat. In fact, us humans seem to like our meat so much, that, in order to produce the stuff, we’ve created an entire industry - the animal agriculture industry - that produces 14% of all greenhouse gasses just so we can have it!

That one industry has also caused more deforestation than any other, is

the leading cause of extinction and ocean dead zones, and a wealth of other great things aside from the literally billions of animals killed every year. One must wonder why Kamala Harris would want to limit the extent to which Americans engage in such an industry… Word on the street says she’s aware that this industry is one of the largest contributors to the impending existential crisis looming over the human race: climate change.

“She’s aware that this industry is one of the largest contributors to the impending existential crisis looming over the human race: climate change.”

Pence is not blissfully ignorant when it comes to these facts. He was duly informed by CNN’s Jake Tapper that the scientific community is in consensus as to the climate threat. No doubt, as the vice president of the most powerful country in the world he and the science of climate change have met on other occasions, like with the Star Press in 2008. Of course, he denies what they say - but he is definitely not ignorant of what they say. He knows that, in politics today, you don’t get votes by waving around superfluous virtues, like responsibility, or concern for the fate of mankind. He knows you get votes by pandering to the vice and loathing of the people.

People like their meat, and he knows that he will get support by painting a picture of a Democratic bogeyman out to cut America’s meat (and he, the noble protector thereof ). He’s also aware, though he may not believe, that he will be greatly contributing to global disaster in doing so. Add all these considerations, plus some big campaign donations by the fossil fuel industry, to the twisted ambitious cauldron of his head and up bubbles a man expressing a solemn and heartfelt duty: to save America’s meat.

“He knows you get votes by pandering to the vice and loathing of the people.”

DISCLAIMER

This section of the VARSITY is a vehicle for expression, on any topic by members of the UCT community. The opinions within this section are not necessarily those of the VARSITY collective or its advertisers. Letters to the Editor need to be kept at a maximum of 300 words and can be sent to: editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za

OPINIONS

@VarsityNews | 16 September 2020 | V79 E10 | Page 15

Why We Need Re-Presentation on Screen On Chadwick Boseman and his legacy of “being the hero of your own story.”

Yuri Behari-Leak

C

hadwick Boseman’s recent passing ignited a global outpouring of grief and admiration for the actor and his amazing legacy in popular culture. Boseman has had a profound impact on the cinematic re-presentation of blackness. Having previously portrayed black American icons such as Jackie Robinson, James Brown and Justice Thurgood Marshall in 42, Get On Up, and Marshall, he rose to international fame for portraying T’Challa, king of the fictional African nation of Wakanda, in Black Panther. The global hit grossed over $1 billion; it earned three Oscars and cemented itself as a cultural watershed moment for its re-presentation of black and African people.

the African characters spoke with American accents. Wakanda was presented as being sophisticated, artistic, scientific and technologically advanced, built on the collaboration and strengths of its people.

This re-presentation stands in stark contrast to the stereotypical representation of Africa as a place of war, famine, poverty and disease.

Central to Black Panther’s cultural impact and influence on re-presenting blackness was the passion and commitment of Chadwick Boseman. He believed that representation is not a gift that is to be passively received by the viewer; we need to use the power of re-presentation to give us the bravery to go out into our own lives and reach our full huRepresentation in cinema, both in front of and behind the camera, is man potential to fight the structural political and socio-economic sysincredibly important. Through representation, minority groups can tems that seek to oppress and reduce us. The #BlackLivesMatter movesee and actively represent themselves holistically while exploring their ment exemplifies the power of re-presentation as a challenge against complex and multifaceted lives and identities. Films and TV shows like systemic racist narratives that are pervasive in our global society.

Moonlight, Crazy Rich Asians, and Jane the Virgin all tell black, Asian, and Latino stories which shatter age-old reductive and essentialist stereo- Chadwick Boseman and his legacy encourage us to be the hetypes about these groups. The representation of their stories embraces roes in our own stories. We are our own best storytellers and our multidimensionality and intersectionality, which are usually minimised inner heroes will no longer allow our narratives to be written through the white narrative gaze. As the first big-budget superhero film with the ink of oppression. Our stories are worth so much more. featuring a black hero, director and majority cast, Marvel’s Black Panther finally allowed black children and superhero fans to see strong characters who looked like them and to reflect on relevant issues, such as race, “Chadwick Boseman and his legacy encourage us to be the heroes in our own stories.” colonialism and heritage, that are pertinent to exploring the meaning of modern black identity. The film even attempted to bring black Americans and Africans together to celebrate a possible common heritage. * Re-presentation has been hyphenated in some parts of this article to destabilise and challenge our current assumptions and beliefs about “Through representation, minority groups can see and actively what ‘representation’ means, what it aims to achieve and for whom.

represent themselves holistically while exploring their complex and multifaceted lives and identities.”

Boseman played a crucial role in keeping the representation of African culture in Black Panther authentic. He advocated for a distinct and diverse range of African accents to be featured. This careful treatment of the narrative pushes back against two of Hollywood’s egregious trends whereby black and African ethnic groups are represented as an essentialised monolith, where everyone is identical and interchangeable, or by erasing their ethnicity by blatantly ‘Americanising’ the characters--as seen in 2019s The Lion King, where all

DISCLAIMER This section of the VARSITY is a vehicle for expression, on any topic by members of the UCT community. The opinions within this section are not necessarily those of the VARSITY collective or its advertisers. Letters to the Editor need to be kept at a maximum of 300 words and can be sent to: editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za

Source: CNN

OPINIONS

@VarsityNews | 16 September 2020 | V79 E10 | Page 16

Police Disregard Gender Based Violence by Attacking Protesters At the most recent GBV protest, the police violently assaulted protesters, displaying once again the horrific realities of police brutality in our country.

Source: James Braham

Emma Sacco

O

n Saturday, August 29th, protesters across South Africa took to the streets to protest, once again, against the gender-based violence that plagues our country. Protests took place in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town, and while they were supposed to be peaceful, chaos erupted in the Mother City soon after the protest began.

The people of Cape Town gathered outside of Parliament at 11am on Saturday morning. Wearing black and holding up placards, protesters were peacefully chanting and singing whilst coming together despite the cold weather and the Covid-19 pandemic. According to several sources who attended the protest, the energy of the protesters was alive and intense, but it wasn’t until a crowd of bikers against farm murders showed up that things turned violent.

As both the GBV protesters and the bikers pushed forward in an attempt to get closer to Parliament’s front entrance - which had been barricaded by the police - the first few tear gas canisters were thrown into the crowd. This dispersed some people, but others continued forward along with the bikers.

When a police officer pushed over one of the motorbikes and was subsequently punched in the face by a biker, more violence ensued. Tear gas was thrown, officers began brutalizing the crowd and arresting various protesters. TimesLive states that 16 people were detained by the police, most of them students, with only one of them being a member of the biker gang that had incited the violence at the protest.

Although this protest was illegal due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the extreme amount of police brutality that occurred against GBV protestors was both unnecessary and sickening.

“Although this protest was illegal due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the extreme amount of police brutality that occurred against GBV protestors was both unnecessary and sickening.”

Our right to protest should not be taken away by the government, especially when the government has done nothing to aid our fight against gender-based violence besides making false promises. The protest that took place on the 29th was intended to be peaceful, and if it weren’t for the bikers against farm murders attempting to take over the protest to spread their own message it would have remained that way.

While the protest did not go as planned, the extensive media coverage that has shown the police brutality can be seen as positive. All South Africans need to see and understand that the police are not on our side when it comes to fighting against gender-based violence. They are more concerned with arresting protesters and throwing tear gas than they are with hearing our voices and listening to what we have to say.

The protests will continue until we are able to feel safe in our own country. While Covid-19 has stopped us from working, partying and attending university, it has not stopped the femicide that continues to take place in South Africa.

“While Covid-19 has stopped us from working, partying and attending university, it has not stopped the femicide that continues to take place in South Africa.”

While the femicide rages on, so do we.

DISCLAIMER

This section of the VARSITY is a vehicle for expression, on any topic by members of the UCT community. The opinions within this section are not necessarily those of the VARSITY collective or its advertisers. Letters to the Editor need to be kept at a maximum of 300 words and can be sent to: editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za

LIFESTYLE & SPORT

@VarsityNews | 19 September 2020 | V79 E8 | Page 17

The more things change, the more they remain the same

Boat Race, Kowie River, Port Alfred, 1985 Source: Louise Kerby

Boat Race, Kowie River, Port Alfred, 2018 Source: Julia Evans

Julia Evans The French proverb, first coined by Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr, “the more things change, the more they remain the same” can be applied to many aspects in life. Looking at these two photos, both taken of a UCT Women’s Eight on the side of the Kowie River at University’s Boat Race, you’d think not much has changed.

To find out what it was like to row for one of the first UCT women’s crews, I interviewed Louise Kerby – who was part of the UCT Rowing Club from 1985 – 1987 and was women’s captain. Over the phone, Louise says to me, “For me, my whole university experience was built around rowing actually.”

Like most of the women in her crew, Louise only started rowing at university because rowing wasn’t offered in most girls’ high schools. Rozy Gunn, who rowed with Louise during this period stated, “suddenly people who were known to do all-nighters to write last minute essays and serious party-goers, were now seen running and gymming at the crack of dawn and investing long hours in getting to Zeekoeivlei for evening and weekend outings.”

“My peers and I grew up thinking that we should not only receive equal treatment but challenge any injustices we saw.”

Unlike the men who had the opportunity to row in school and were more experienced, women were novices to this sport. This was one of the reasons why the men’s crew received a coach and a coaching boat; first pick at the best boats and sponsorships.

Rozy remarked, “we bought lots of rugby socks to try and get our size 4 feet to fit into those horrendous size 12 stuck-in shoes that were in our hand-me-down boat from our infinitely more experienced, skilled and revered Men’s Eight, who irritatingly always seemed to have a friendly sponsor and a brand new boat!”

To me, a woman part of the UCT Rowing Club in 2020, this seems completely unfair. When I expressed my shock at this, Louise said, “it’s really important that things are put in context. I Matriculated in 1983, SA was in a dark place, still in isolation.”

I matriculated in 2016, in a completely different

society with different ideals. My peers and I grew up thinking that we should not only receive equal treatment but challenge any injustices we saw.

“It’s just how it was,” says Louise, “that was the mid 80s… a lot has changed in the world. There’s a lot more push and drive for equality.”

“There was just an understanding that, you know, the guys got the best of everything and we came second kind of thing. There was no point in arguing or fighting it… because the resources were limited and that’s the way it was.”

Louise explained to me that as they didn’t have a coach, their cox – the person who sits at the back of an eight-person boat to steer and give calls – acted as their coach. “I think what I’m saying to you is that to me, regardless if we were rowing in the heaviest or the oldest boat, I felt incredibly privileged to row.

Full stop.”

Today, unlike in the 80s, there are more women who row (many of them experienced having had the opportunity to row in school). Both squads receive the same funding allocation, have boats of similar standard and have their own coaches and coach boats.

We have come a long way since then; not just in terms of equipment allocation but in mindset.

“Women’s rowing doesn’t really look that different to men’s rowing,” said Louise, “It’s as graceful and powerful. If it’s executed well it looks beautiful no matter who’s doing it.”

A lot has changed. However, as the saying goes, much has remained the same. In sport in general, I believe male athletes are still held to a higher standard than female athletes and still receive more spectators and funding. Men are, on average, physiologically stronger than women, and, because of this, men tend to be faster rowers than women.

However, I don’t think this means they are necessarily better skilled or more interesting to spectate. We put in the same hours of training, have arguably the same potential for skill and have as much passion.

“Women’s rowing doesn’t really look that different to men’s rowing,” said Louise, “It’s as graceful and powerful. If it’s executed well it looks beautiful no matter who’s doing it.”

Louise told me she had an interesting experience a few weeks ago when she bumped into a man who was in the rowing club with her. He now has two daughters that do rowing and gets to see what it’s like to do rowing from a female perspective.

“He almost, like, apologized to me,” Louise reflects, “he said he sees how passionate his daughters are about their rowing and he said it definitely made him think differently about the women who were rowing in the club the same time that he was rowing.” Louise told him, “I was absolutely passionate about rowing, it was my life. I mean it meant as much to me as it meant to you.”

So, what has changed? Well despite the outfits – we row in trisuits not cotton rugby shorts – and the haircuts; there’s more sponsors, more resources and more opportunities. There are also more women rowing which means there’s more people with whom young girls can identify and aspire to be. A lot has changed, and a lot has remained the same.

But staying the same isn’t always a bad thing.

“I think what I’m saying to you is that to me, regardless if we were rowing in the heaviest or the oldest boat, I felt incredibly privileged to row. Full stop.”

Listening to these women speak about their time in the rowing club, I realized we had a very similar experience: learning the principles of discipline, balance, trust and teamwork, making friends for life, getting raucously drunk at afterparties, driving alongside a river cheering on your teammates, having your friends and family not understand why you do a sport that leaves you with blisters on your hands and forces you to wake up in the dark.

It may be over thirty years apart in completely different socio-political contexts, but the experience of rowing on the water has stayed the same, “there’s something about gliding on Zeekoeivlei on a windless evening in a narrow vessel so fragile it looks as though it’s held together with spit and sticky tape, being powered by eight now very fast, fit, strong and skilled women in such unison, that the loudest sound is the gurgling of bubbles under the boat. Simply magical.” (Rozy Gunn)

LIFESTYLE & SPORT You just can’t stop them Lyon win Women’s Champions League for fifth consecutive year.

Amy Perrett makes history as Super Rugby’s first female referee Female referee takes charge in men’s rugby game.

Image: The Guardian

Sumitra Naidoo

O

n Sunday, August 30th, French side Olympique Lyonnais – better known as Lyon – won their fifth UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) title after beating Wolfsburg 3-1 at the Reale Seguros Stadium in Bilbao, Spain. The club has now claimed a record seven titles and go down as one of the greatest sports teams in history, being dubbed as ‘Les Invincibles’.

Eugenie le Sommer opened the goalscoring in the 25th minute through a rebounded shot off of the goalkeeper. Just before halftime, the team’s lead was extended due to Japanese midfielder Saki Kumagai’s controlled, technical finish from outside the box. The third goal came from former Wolfsburg player, Gunnarsdottir, who tried not to celebrate her back heel too much in front of former teammates. Under unique circumstances, she was eligible for both a winner’s medal and a runners-up medal due to signing for Lyon in July.

“Hegerberg’s replacement, Nikita Parris, was also unable to play in the final due to her suspension from a red card in the semis. A loss of two key strikers would end the hopes of many teams, but Lyon remained dominant through their vast array of football talent.”

Alexandra Popp scored the consolation for Wolfsburg, but overall, the team were unable to recover the numerous setbacks caused by the dominant Lyon side.

The first ever Ballon d’Or recipient and 2016 UEFA player of the year, Ada Hegerberg, was absent from the winning side after sustaining an ACL injury in January. Despite this setback, she still holds the record as the all-time leading scorer in the competition with 53 goals in 50 games. Her teammates did not forget about her contributions in their post-match celebrations as they could be seen carrying around her match top in an acknowledgement. Hegerberg’s replacement, Nikita Parris, was also unable to play in the final due to her suspension from a red card in the semis. A loss of two key strikers would end the hopes of many teams, but Lyon remained dominant through their vast array of football talent.

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Image: Getty

Nelisa Khwela

W

omen are continuing to make strides in male-dominated sports and Amy Perrett is no exception. The Australian referee became the first woman to take charge of a men’s Super Rugby game, making history on Friday, August 28th, in a match between the Brumbies and Western Force in Canberra, Australia. In a year of significant milestones in her career, she has also celebrated officiating her 100th World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series match.

“She also took charge of a National Rugby Championship match in 2016, becoming the Australian competition’s first female referee.”

In 2016, Perrett became the first female official in Super Rugby as an assistant referee in a match between the Melbourne Rebels and the Stormers. With numerous accomplishments in the world of women’s rugby, she has officiated the 2014 Women’s World Cup and has regularly refereed the Women’s Six Nations Championship – an International Rugby Union competition between six European national teams. Other notable tournaments she has officiated include the Sydney Shute Shield and the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. She also took charge of a National Rugby Championship match in 2016, becoming the Australian competition’s first female referee.

“Perrett hopes that her accolades will help inspire women to “greater sporting achievements”.”

Perrett was employed by the Australian and New South Wales Rugby Unions in 2016 to “create more opportunities for women”, wanting to encourage more women to get involved in rugby. Through hard work, dedication and a love of the game, she has managed to achieve what she had previously thought was impossible. Perrett hopes that her accolades will help inspire women to “greater sporting achievements.”

LIFESTYLE & SPORT

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Kentridge & APS Prove Influential at the RMB Turbine Art Fair Infamous South African-born, contemporary artist – William Kentridge – establishes two collaborated works with APS for the virtual Fair.

James Braham

T

in

he 2020 RMB Turbine Fair went digital for the first time this year due to the challenges faced by the global coronavirus pandemic. William Kentridge provided the fair, which closed on September 2nd, with two new works collaboration with the Johannesburg-based Artist Proof Studio (APS).

“The ability for art to portray the times that we live in champions the power and creativity which the discipline instils in itself.”

It has not been easy for most of the population when it comes to the effects faced by the pandemic. The ability for art to portray the times that we live in champions the power and creativity which the discipline instils in itself. The proceeds received from the sale of the two types of artwork are to be donated to the Vulnerable Artist Fund – an initiative setup by APS which aims to provide monetary assistance to artists who have been impacted severely from Covid-19 and have no alternative for monetary aid.

According to Art Times, APS is a popular art printing centre which focuses on community development and building the nation’s “creative economy”. The collaboration saw one print featuring the phrase “Weigh all tears” pinned-up against a background of book pages. Kentridge signed each limited print, taking inspiration from this particular phrase from a poem

by Rilke. Additionally, there were only 20 printed copies made available at the virtual Fair. All of them were sold. However, there are a total of 75 prints for this edition, with the possibility of more being made available through APS. This increase aims to raise further finances for the Vulnerable Artist Fund.

“According to Kentridge, it is the work that APS does which gives an injection into the Arts, stimulating the “long-term understanding of trauma that people have gone through during the pandemic”.”

The second type of print is a “still life, signed, limited edition coffee-lift etching, ‘Roses in a glass’ printed at APS”. Again, only 20 copies were sold at the Fair with proceeds going towards the fund. According to Kentridge, it is the work that APS does which gives an injection into the Arts, stimulating the “long-term understanding of trauma that people have gone through during the pandemic”. Founding director of APS, Kim Berman, reiterated the success of the exhibition, “It demonstrates the common humanity that art touches in all of us at times […] The money raised will go towards keeping our country’s artistic and cultural identity alive.”

Source: ART Times