THE OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
10 March 2015
VOLUME 74: EDITION 2
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Over-allocation in Residences
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IN THIS ISSUE
Image: Megon Venter
Ronel Koekemoer Every year students moving into UCT residences face the possiblity of being allocated a room that has already been assigned. Over-allocation of rooms in residences is a controversial policy, and affects up to half the students who receive residence offers before coming to UCT. According to the Director of Student Housing and Residence Life, Grant Willis, it is necessary to make more offers than the amount of rooms available as many students accept their housing offer but do not arrive during Orientation Week. Student Housing said that the over-allocation makes provision for students who need a place in residence and would otherwise be restricted by the perceived spaces available. When questioned about overallocation, Willis maintained that it is “an inevitable part of assigning spaces in residence”. The policy is seen as necessary in order to allow for minimal financial loss and maximum bed utilisation. These views were shared by a number of student leaders and wardens, who acknowledged the reasoning behind the over-allocation. A sub-warden at Smuts Hall, who wished to remain unnamed, supported the policy saying that “every year [Student
Housing] consults the previous year’s statistics carefully when deciding by how many students to over-allocate”. The SRC agreed with these sentiments and noted that the adverse effects of over-allocation have decreased over the years and the policy is refined yearly.
The policy is seen as necessary... for minimal financial loss Not all residences are made to deal with the implications of overallocation, although every year there are students affected. This year Varietas Residence complained about having to turn students away as a result of the over-allocation policy. Buntu Yabo, a first year student, was one person adversely affected by the policy on over-allocation. Yabo was told that he had been allocated a place in residence, but the residence he had been assigned was still undecided. He was made to wait a week before receiving confirmation, missing out on the start of residence orientation. A major issue surrounding the policy is how student residence leaders and staff are expected to handle the complaints every year, with limited guidance or methods
to deal with the situation. A subwarden from Glendower Residence, who asked to be kept anonymous, expressed their concern over the policy’s implementation. They mentioned that they were told to be on stand-by should disgruntled parents start asking why the subwardens could not give their child a room, although the need for this did not arise. The sub-warden also commented that the stress of sign-in day was amplified by the fear that, if capacity was reached, they would have to deal with the backlash and explain the policy of over-allocation without representation from Student Housing. A further problem that arose was the issue of room allocation. In residence, first year room allocations are randomly assigned – sub-wardens receive a list of names and have to assign room numbers to these names. Since the list includes over-allocated names, this makes it difficult to assign rooms and can create problems if students are given the same room when there are still spaces available. Residence over-allocation is not specific to UCT and other universities have complained about similar problems. Earlier this year, students from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) who had received places in residence were turned away because all vacancies had been filled. Unlike UCT, many of the students who were turned away
from Wits residences were returning students. Despite issues with the handling of over-allocation, UCT does aim to cater for a large influx of out-of town students. There is a separate orientation programme for these students, and the residences are equipped with facilities and leadership structures to allow for an easier transition from home to university. First-tier residences have 3 813 available spaces and provide accommodation and support to a large portion of the students coming from areas outside of Cape Town.
New Campus App
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UCT Species
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Vlogging 101
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UCT Upstarts
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Wacky Sports
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UCT Cycling
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Residence overallocation is not specific to UCT The debate around over-allocation is not new and the policy has raised concerns in past years, with students and parents complaining that it creates a false sense of expectation and security. A 2013 article in VARSITY reported on the policy, calling it controversial and unsettling. In 2013, the policy came under scrutiny when a large number of first years entering Forest Hill, who had received letters saying they had been accepted at the residence, were told upon arrival that all the beds had been occupied.
VARSITY, the official student newspaper since 1942, is committed to the principles of equality and democracy.
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News
v74 e2 – 10 March 2015
News Bites
New app allows you to have the UCT “campus in your pocket” Tasneem Amra
Wildfire in Cape Town
Cape Town – Firefighters battled for over five days against a wildfire which started in Muizenberg on Sunday, March 1st. Over 350 people were evacuated from the affected areas and at least 13 houses were damaged, with three beyond repair. The fire was aided by strong winds reaching 100km/h. Fire and Rescue Services confirmed on Friday, March 6th that the fire had been contained. – The Citizen
Image: Aisha Abdool Karim and Manenga Mungandi
Kerry challenges UN about Israel
Geneva - United States Secretary of State, John Kerry came to the defense of Israel before the United Nations Human Rights Council on Monday, March 2nd. He raised concerns that the council was overly preoccupied with Israel and should give more attention to other human rights violations. Kerry emphasised that the United States will ensure the UN does not “regularly delegitimize or isolate Israel”. – The New York Times
Last Ebola patient discharged in Liberia
Liberia - Liberia’s last Ebola patient, Beatrice Yordolo, was discharged on Thursday, March 5th, reducing the number of known cases in the country to zero. This marked a milestone in West Africa’s battle against the disease. Despite the positive outlook, health officials remain on alert and have cautioned villagers to report any suspicions of Ebola to the health teams. – The New York Times
IS releases hostages
Syria - According to Rami Abdelrahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 19 Assyrian Christian hostages were released by the Islamic State (IS) on Sunday, March 1st. At least 220 Assyrians were kidnapped on February 23rd from villages in Northern Syria. The reason for the release is still unknown and IS has not released any information on what will happen with the remaining hostages. – CNN
Report released on racism in Ferguson
USA - The US Department of Justice released a report on Wednesday, March 4th which accused police and court officials in Ferguson, Missouri of racial prejudice. Following the report two police officers resigned and a court clerk was fired. James Knowles, Mayor of Ferguson has said that the three workers demonstrated “egegregious racial bias” and that Ferguson officials are looking into other reforms to implement in compliance with the Justice Department. – Reuters
Canadians are“Spocking” Bank Notes
Canada – Following the death of Leonard Nimoy, the actor who portrayed Spock in Star Trek, on February 27th, Canadians have begun drawing pictures of the character on five dollar bank notes in his honour. The drawings add features of Spock onto the image of Sir Wilfed Laurier, a Canadian Prime Minister, which is already on the note. The Bank of Canada responded to the trend by issuing a statement on “Spocking” and reasons not to deface bank notes. -Wall Street Journal
Tinotenda Masando and Aisha Abdool Karim
C
ampus Mate, a new free app launched in January, will give students access to a range of campus information right in the palms of their hands. The app was developed by Manenga Mungandi, 20, a third-year Computer Science student at UCT. The app offers information about everything from maps to Jammie Shuttle timetables and various other utilities. It also has quick links to UCT services, including the staff directory, library website and exam timetables. Other features include a “Budget Mate”, “Scanner Mate”, an entertainment section and a list of emergency contact numbers. The idea behind the app came to Mungandi during the November 2014 exams. “I was procrastinating and I was thinking of something to get my mind off exams,” he explained. Mungandi realised that the Vula and MyUCT apps had “some things missing”, and he set out to create a more comprehensive app. Mungandi said that all the information he needed for the app was available on the UCT website. It took him one month to create the app with full functionality, which he did in Java using the free online software, Eclipse. Vykta Wakandigara, Mungandi’s friend and a third-year Actuarial Science student, helped with consumer support by testing the app, identifying bugs and refining the app. Mungandi plans to develop the app’s maps section further this year. “I’ve noticed that people really like the maps, so that’s something I would like to refine and make better.” He plans to make indoor maps of
the different buildings on campus. This way, students can see the layout of the building, and not just the building name.
Mugandi welcomes suggestions and reviews by users of the app
He also hopes to develop the app’s social and interactive features. This would include allowing users to send personal messages to each other via the app, and adding a “UCT Answers” section where a user can post an anonymous question, and other users can reply. Mungandi welcomes suggestions and reviews by users of the app. On the Google Play Store, Chris Erlangsen commented, “Really good overall. Number of features is great and it works quite smoothly. The design could be better, though.” Mariscka Coetzee commented, “Incredibly useful. Everything I’ll need at university in one app.” The app is currently only available for Android devices from the Google Play Store, but Mungandi plans to work on a version for iPhones. According to the app’s statistics, it has been downloaded over 500 times and it has an average rating of 4.4/5. Since launching the app, Mungandi has been in talks with other universities to build custom versions of the app for them.
Launch of the Library Learning Lounge Pieter Du Plessis On Monday, February 16th UCT officially launched the Library Learning Lounge (LLL) located in the Snape Building, which recently underwent reconstruction. The LLL is an extension of the university’s main library, the Chancellor Oppenheimer Library, and serves as a learning space for students from all faculties and years of study while additionally promoting digital learning. The LLL is equipped with seating areas, plug points and access to Wi-Fi and is specifically designed to meet the study needs of students. According to Marilyn Wilford, from UCT Libraries Undergraduate User Services, the management aims to promote the movement towards a more virtual environment, where students can use their own digital devices for academic purposes. The new library space is intended to lessen the strain placed on the main library and to offer a more convenient venue for students who are based on the south side of campus. Dr. Reggie Raju, the Deputy Director of Client Services at UCT Libraries, explained that the LLL will have at least two librarians on hand to assist students and will serve as a “collaborative space that bridges the gap between the student and the library.” He added that the LLL supports the movement towards co-operative learning, where facilitation is promoted as opposed to one-dimensional learning. There are no printed materials at the LLL, although the librarians are available to help with navigation of digital devices for academic and library related tasks. The LLL also provides group discussion rooms that are equipped with collaborative computing, electronic whiteboards, and other technologies, and these can be booked by students. Tiffany Hager, a second year Organisational Psychology student,
Image: Amina Ebrahim
commented that the LLL is “peaceful and secluded” and that it is more convenient to access since it is closer to her classes. She also noted that there is more space to work than in the main library.
the LLL supports the movement towards cooperative learning Other students making use of the LLL echoed Tiffany’s views. In addition, Leah Benkenstein, a fourth year Quantity Surveying student,
mentioned that the space is better for personal laptop usage and enables her to avoid the stress of finding an available computer to complete her work. Despite the generally positive response towards the LLL, many students are not aware of the available facilities. Victor Hlatshwayo, a third year Mechatronics student, and Preylin Naidu, a first year studying Computer Electrical Engineering, stated that they had heard about the LLL but were unsure about what it entailed. Victor commented that he had not yet seen the new area and “did not know that the space was any different from the main library”.
According to Dr. Raju and Marilyn Wilford, the Library Learning Lounge is a pilot project for the UCT Libraries and they plan, at a later stage, to assess whether a collaborative learning environment will work effectively at UCT. They mentioned that UCT needs more spaces such as the LLL to meet the demands of the students and accommodate a digitally based way of learning. They urged students to make use of the facilities to enhance their learning experience. The Library Learning Lounge is open on weekdays from 08h00 to 17h00 and a student card is required to enter the premises.
News
v74 e2 - 10 March 2015
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The true cost of your student card Image: Amina Ebrahim
Dean Horwitz with additional research by Fowzia Davids
A
s of January 2015 the cost of student cards has doubled from R60 to R120. This decision was made by the department of Property and Services. According to communications coordinator Lilian Mboyi, there was a need “to recover the costs of the changeover from magnetic to proximity cards which was implemented in 2010 and never recovered.” The increase in the cost of student cards is also related to the increasing budget constraints faced by UCT departments as well as the costs of repairing old and outdated equipment. The department of Properties and Services is not immune to this and has been faced with the challenge of maintaining obsolete printers which were incurring high maintenance costs. A decision was taken by the department to replace the printers as well as student cards in order to bring both in line with the latest technology. However, this switching over meant that UCT had to replace the student cards of every student. This process was completed in 2010 at a
substantial cost to the university. In order to recover the money and avoid placing a high burden on the student body, a decision was taken to double the cost of replacement cards. While the need to recover costs was paramount in the decision to double the costs of replacement cards, Lilian also said that “the escalation in price is anticipated to create a higher student card consciousness thus decreasing the loss of student cards and easing pressure in the department and the associated costs of printing.” This was based on the fact that
Nkitseng said that the SRC is drafting a complaint to the VC 2000 replacement cards were issued to students in January and February last year. In addition, the loss of cards poses a security risk to the university because students are not required to state why they need a new card and only reported stolen cards are blacklisted. This allows the person who stole the card to access areas of the
university which are not open to the public, resulting in criminal activity, such as entry to UCT buildings. In order to deal with the influx of students requiring student cards during registration and orientation the Department of Properties and Services sets up additional access control points where students can purchase cards and brings in shortterm staff to assist them in managing the demand. Furthermore, they do not reject any request for a new card which adds to the pressure and burden placed on the system. All of
these activities require additional capital contributions which have been factored into the replacement of a student card. VARSITY approached Sechaba Nkitseng, the SRC Services and Labour Co-ordinator for comment. Taking more than a week to repond, Nkitseng said that the SRC is drafting a complaint to the VC about the “deteriorating service delivery on campus and the sudden increase in prices”. When approached for further comment, Khutso Modiselle, SRC Secretary General, and Ramabina Mahapa, SRC President, repeated Nkitseng’s statement. Many students who have had to replace their lost student cards were highly dissatisfied by the massive increase in price. UCT student Saeeda Bassardien stated that none of the students purchasing a student card were notified about the increase. The increase was not featured on the website and an announcement had not been sent out either. She felt quite irritated by the entire process, as all the students were told by the cashier about the price increase at the front desk and were inadequately prepared for the massive increase. She did however state that this increase would make her more careful about where she puts her student card from now on.
Nemtsov’s Murder Piques International Interest such as that of Anna Politkovskaya in 2006. In an interview with The Guardian, political analyst Alexander Ivakhnik explained that governmental support for the investigation would be determined by what the uncovered information suggests and who it implicates. “If [the investigation] leads to people high in the structures of the
World leaders… have condemned the murder
Image: flickr.com /Jay
Amy Mihelich
On Wednesday, March 4th, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with ministry officials and condemned the murder of Boris Nemtsov, one of Russia’s most prominent opposition leaders, which occurred on February 27th. The meeting was preceded
by approximately 21 000 people marching in commemoration of Nemtsov’s life and demanding political justice in Russia. Putin has emphasized the need to thoroughly investigate the murder and commented on the “need to finally rid Russia of disgraces and tragedies like the one that we have recently endured and seen, I mean
the murder, the provocative murder, of Boris Nemtsov right in the center of the capital.” World leaders, including David Cameron and Barack Obama, have condemned the murder and demanded that the investigation continue. Local leaders are also concerned, reflecting on other politically motivated murders
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Russian intelligence services, for instance, then I don’t think the case will move forward,” he said. “I think they will obstruct it or will punish those who carried it out while those who ordered it remain behind the scenes.” Putin has officially declared the murder of Nemtsov a political crime, and the Kremlin released a statement that the incident was indeed a “contract hit”. Investigators are exploring several possible motives behind the murder. Al-Jazeera has reported on several of the popular theories behind Nemtsov’s assassination: his connection to Ukrainian conflict, business interests, a love scandal, and his opposition of President Putin. Nemtsov was one of the most prominent opposition leaders in
Russia, and he had gained decent political standing as a harsh critic of Putin. Nemstov was walking with his girlfriend, Anna Duritskaya, on the Moskvoretsky Bridge, near the Kremlin, when he was shot and killed. Four of the six bullets fired that were lodged in his back, and witnesses say he died almost immediately. One witness, who claims to have seen the entire event, recounts that an unidentified man came up to the bridge and fired six shots at Nemtsov. A car pulled up to the side of the road, and the shooter escaped. Duritskaya did not see the shooter and as a result could not offer a description. At this time, no one has come forward with the license plate number of the getaway vehicle, and the identities of the shooter and the driver remain unknown. A government owned security vehicle, which passed by while investigators were studying the crime scene, has attracted the attention of authorities, and investigators are in the process of identifying the vehicle and the driver. The investigation is still ongoing and a reward of three million Russian Rubles (approximately R570 000) has been offered for relevant information that could lead to the identification of the murder.
Online This Week... UCT pays tribute to André Brink By Robyn Ausmeier
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Editorial
v74 e2 - 10 March 2015
2015 Collective editor-in-chief Parusha Naidoo
Editorial
Parusha Naidoo Editor-in-chief
The Right to Rant
editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za
deputy Editor Jena Ascough
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I
n the previous edition of VARSITY, my colleague dedicated her column to the parking miseries of UCT. Upon reading it, some of you may have scoffed, muttering the words “first world problems”, while
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complaints of students. Worst of all, the response indirectly told students “Your problems are not real problems – get over it.” So are we privileged brats complaining about nothing or are we students voicing legitimate concerns? And if we are the former, does being privileged imply that we no longer have the prerogative to voice our dissatisfaction or to expect a comprehensive response from those representing us? Should we remain silent and count our blessings? Attending UCT means we are all painted with the same shiny brush called ‘privilege’, regardless of the background that we were rooted in prior to entering UCT. The phrase “check your privilege” instantly comes to mind and images conjure up of protests that have previously taken place at universities like UJ and UKZN.
So on one hand we should be grateful that we do not face the imminent prospect of full scale protests with the vandalising of buildings, the disruption of lectures and the firing of rubber bullets. I highly doubt that the majority of UCT students could be stirred from their cushy life and mobilised to march to SRC offices or Bremner building in demonstration. Instead our methods of protest take on a more passive-aggressive nature. It’s what privileged folk do best-ranting. Ranting to friends, ranting to family and ranting on Facebook and Twitter, intentional or not, Nkitseng’s response left many students foaming at the mouth and ranting. Privileged brat or not, we’ll keep ranting on about bad parking, overcrowded cafeterias and late Jammies until someone hears us out and goes beyond the default response of “the matter will be investigated”.
Every Smokey Plume has a Silver Lining
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others may have nodded vigorously in agreement . Unaware of the predictive powers held by my colleague, Jena Ascough’s column became a prelude to the bigger story on parking and transportation grievances of students. A week later the SRC Chair of Labour and Services, Sechaba Nkitseng, provided a statement in response to complaints lodged regarding Jammie Shuttles, campus parking and food vendors. Placed on the Facebook page of the SRC, the statement gathered heat with the floodgates opening in the comments section. Reading as though it was a last minute tutorial submission, Nkitseng’s response was deemed unsatisfactory and insulting by many students. The tone being dismissive and the answer lacking clarity, the short Facebook post managed to trivialise the
Jena Ascough Deputy Editor
It was a hectic week last week; everyone, whether they were affected by the fire or not, seemed to have something hanging over their heads. It seemed like every Capetonian was in mourning for the week. I thought it would never end. Living in Tokai, on Sunday night my house was stuffed to the brim with smoke. In the middle of the night, I woke up to see houses at Stonehurst Estate start to catch alight. After that, I was done with sleeping. I spent Monday at varsity stressing how I would get home and convince my cat to get in the car (he’s a total brat) if we were called to evacuate. Tuesday wasn’t much better. I spent Monday night wide awake and
alert ready to leave at a moment’s notice. So by Tuesday afternoon I was exhausted. Driving home from varsity at 7pm on Tuesday, all I wanted was to climb into my bed and sleep, but it took me over 1.5 hours to get home because the traffic was so bad from the road closures. When I was finally on the home stretch down the last past of the M3, I noticed all these cars parked on the island in the middle of the highway and on the pavement on the side of the road. At first I thought they’d closed the highway until I noticed everyone was looking to the right with cameras and cell phones at the ready. I looked towards the mountain and, through
the smoke and the flames, saw the most breath-taking sunset I’ve ever seen – I was so awe-struck I almost drove off the road and crashed into a photographer. What was even more amazing, though, was how so many people who were just as affected by the fire as me, if not more so, had stopped and taken the time to admire the beauty. I pulled over and joined my fellow southern peninsula residents in watching the sunset. So what did I learn from last week? We may go through harsh and stressful times, but we as South Africans will always stop and take the time to look for the sunset.
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Opinions
v74 e2 –10 march 2015
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The Other Side of the Menu
Living in Liesbeeck
Adam Kleinschmidt
Yogi Shoba
T
here’s nothing I hate more than when I get asked that fateful question: “So, where are you staying?” I smile and respond, “Liesbeeck.” That’s all I have to say. “Oh…Liesbeeck.” The person raises their eyebrows and tilts their head back sympathetically. “How is it?” This is usually the polite response. “It’s good… really it’s great!” I subliminally defend myself. “That’s nice.” End of conversation. Or if it’s one of my less tactful acquaintances, my “Liesbeeck” response will usually be followed by rapid blinking (confusion), a slight parting of the lips (probably to emotionally smite me) but finally, a complete 180 decision to laugh thunderously at me, in public, while I contemplate performing hara-kiri.
the rules are sometimes inconveniently strict
Yes, this is my less than desired plight… Yet, despite the public shame, the pain of having to use a bath, and the horrific possibility that my room may have been the one in which a former student lost their life (this is just my paranoia), Liesbeeck has a certain charm which I was not expecting to encounter. The day I had to move in, a dark cloud was hanging over my head. I was certain I knew no one there and its reputation seized any ‘look at the bright side’ thoughts which may have crossed my mind. I was convinced I would be living with some dodgy stranger whose sole purpose was
to pass on unidentifiable diseases every time I opened a tap. Instead (sans sentimentality), I found myself paired with a fantastic flatmate and living in a community of benevolent people. From the gentlemen who’ve time and again given up their seats for me on the Jammie or offered to protect me as I walked through the ‘grimy’ taxi rank at night; the diligent sub-wardens, the entertaining American students and the kind lady who paid for my chocolate at the PowerHouse Café, living in Liesbeeck, I’ve realised, isn’t half as bad as everyone made it out to be. Admittedly, the rules are sometimes inconveniently strict, however seeing as tragic things occurred in the past, measures had to be put in place to ensure everyone’s safety. Besides, “[I’m] here for an education and nothing
Liesbeeck has a certain charm else.” Sure dad. Essentially, my point is that my short time in Liesbeeck has taught me so far that one’s experience in a place isn’t about the where, but the who. In any space, whether it be a lecture theatre, or the Jammie stairs, one’s sense of belonging or estrangement is often determined by the people by whom they are surrounded. Whether it be the comfort of a friend or a friendly stranger, one’s interactions with people often determine how they feel in or about a particular space In the same vein, had I not been shown random acts of kindness or made my own effort to be as pleasant as possible to those around me, I would probably be writing a scathing review of the problems with Liesbeeck Gardens. I guess the greater UCT community will never believe that although it is not 5-star accommodation, Liesbeeck isn’t the obscure ‘hell-hole’ that it is made out to be. More than anything, before you decide to mercilessly shame someone for their Liesbeeckian status, how about you ask to come over and see the residence for yourself? They’d probably be nice enough to show you around.
Here I am, my writing pad in hand, my ears pricked, my eyes darting across the restaurant as I wait for you to finish making your order. I’ve helped you through every section of the menu and even suggested a good Sauvignon Blanc. You’re happy, comfortable and in half an hour will be ploughing through a wellcooked meal. Up until now, you’ve received the prescribed amount of my attention that my job as a waiter dictates. I haven’t waited on you on bent knee but have still been there when you needed me. Yet, when you pay your bill, you feel it is right to under-tip, dispensing a few coins my way “for my time”. You think you’ve done the right thing and that you’re doing me a “favour”. Sounds familiar? Well, this is the reality of all those in the service industry. Be it a waiter, barman or the like, they’ve felt the brunt of the bad customer; the kind that expect first class service for third class money. They are the aggressive drunks, the lecherous oafs and the hyped-up socialites with extreme, often unwarranted expectations. The fact of the matter is that, despite the old adage (the customer is always right) people don’t seem to understand basic protocol and standards when entering a restaurant. Twice a week, for about eight hours, I don a semi-uniform and
Image: hqwallbase.com
work as a waiter, serving around two dozen different tables on a normal shift. My wage, R12.50 an hour, is the nationally-prescribed minimum. It’s a slave wage. At a slow establishment, this wouldn’t even be worth my time. Luckily we’re busy, popular and at the end of the night I could have a total turnover of R5 000 and up. By South African customs, this would mean I am walking away with a substantial amount. In reality, with all that I deal with, and the low tipping, this is not the case. If it weren’t for the policy I’ve adopted, “its money in my pocket,” I wouldn’t be able to face the emotional and verbal attacks I receive. I’m no stranger to foul language, but being told by a drunk that I can do unsightly things to myself and
my family isn’t exactly a pleasant experience. Perhaps on the basis that I don’t have feminine body features, I once walked away with a tip of fifty cents. Yes, a bronze coin. Everyone expects a waiter’s job to be easy. You carry plates and take orders. A child could do the same. But what you don’t realise is that when you complain about your drinks and meal taking forever it’s out of my power. We can’t make the rain stop in our outside section so you can smoke. We can’t provide pizza if we are an Indian restaurant. So get a little perspective, keep your complaining to the times when it is most relevant and understand that I’m just trying to make a living. It’s time for people to see things from the other side of the menu.
Dating as a Male Feminist Arthur Faulkner Over the last few weeks, I have been battling with a bit of a conundrum. As a heterosexual male, how does one tackle the dating scene and manage to avoid all the sneaky little sexist traps? After having a conversation with a wise friend, I was led to quite an interesting conclusion; one worth sharing. What exactly are these sneaky little sexist traps? The most obvious one is the issue of the bill-split at the end of a romantic dinner, so this is the example that I’m going to use throughout this article. If you pay for the entire evening, you’re entrenching the idea that women need to be paid for. On the other hand, if you venture towards the perilous coast of splitting the bill, you’re at risk of being looked upon as cheap. Additionally, if your date is expecting you to pay, it can put a dampener on proceedings. Of course, one thing that is unavoidable and unchangeable from your side is the fact that many women don’t subscribe to feminist ideals and would rather be boxed
into their traditional gender role. However, does that mean that you should just go along with that? In my opinion, it certainly does not. So you’re forced into a situation of having to simultaneously stick to your principles of equality while trying to make a good impression on your date. If this question bugs you as much as it bugged me, the simple answer is just not to date anyone that doesn’t subscribe to feminist ideals and thus avoid all confusion. But this isn’t really an option in the real world. Then how do we get around this seemingly impossible problem? The answer is to look at the basic assumptions a bit more deeply and reconsider our standpoint.
As a heterosexual male, how does one tackle the dating scene? Is paying for someone’s meal a traditional role of a male on a date? Yes. Are you paying for the meal because you hear the whispers of your sexist forefathers telling you to? This
is the much bigger question. Paying for someone’s meal should be much less about whether you should do it, and to a much greater extent, whether you want to do it. If you’ve had a lovely meal and you want to make a kind gesture to your date by paying for their meal, is there anything wrong with that? The best way of thinking about this, in my regard, is by considering whether you want to make the gesture to the person independent of their gender. If you do, you should. Even still, there are ways of ensuring that this doesn’t create any kind of obligation, like suggesting that your date can pay for the next meal or something to that effect. This, in my opinion, is the best way to proceed with your date. I’ve made a big deal out of the bill-split, but this applies to many circumstances: the buying of gifts or the offering of a coat; these are all situations where you can apply the same test and see whether you want to proceed or not. I hope very much that this article has put some peoples’ minds at ease, or at least opened some peoples’ eyes to a new way of considering things.
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:
opinions@varsitynewspaper.co.za
Image: Morema Moloisi
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Opinions
v74 e2 – 10 March 2015
Check Your Prejudice Claudia Harrison
M
y matric English teacher often told us, “What you say about other people says more about you than it does about them.” These words have stuck with me ever since. While I can’t claim to never have gossiped about someone, I would
Image: Morema Moloisi
like to extend the reach of this dogma to verbalised (and sometimes internalised) prejudice. As a generation which has been taught non-judgmental values in school, it is often assumed that nobody our age is prejudiced. It is time for us to face reality: the passing of anti-discrimination legislation was not the rebooting of a virusfilled computer, but rather the first of many steps towards an eventual goal. I must admit that I am one of those ‘live-with-the-blinkers-on’ types who does not notice things until they are pointed out to me. It was not until it was mentioned by a fellow student that I noticed how most groups of people who hang out between lectures or sit on Jammie steps at meridian, consist of people who share a common background. This is not something that you would expect from a university in the 21st century. This begs the question: how progressive are we as an educational institution? If we are not making the most of our expensive fees by learning and integrating with people from different backgrounds, then we are probably prejudiced. You might not even be aware of the latent discrimination in which you partake within your own mind; whether it’s not wanting to sit next to someone on the Jammie, or silently judging an overweight person in the Super Sandwich queue. We need to realise that prejudice is not only something we recognise in others, but can just as easily live inside of us. However much I would like to think of myself as liberal and open-minded, I have come to know
the truth of my thoughts regarding certain topics. What highlights this is what I see as taboo for conversation, or principles I find myself defending when I encounter people with opposing views. As with the law, ignorance is no excuse. Not being aware of your own bias only breeds more discrimination in both yourself and those with whom you interact. By not being considerate towards others you are sending the message that they are not worthy of the same treatment you are.
how progressive are we as an educational insitution? Having prejudice includes supporting the discriminatory views of others. There is no such thing as an innocent bystander in this case. Whether the conversation is sexist, racist, ablest, homophobic, xenophobic or looks down on anyone for any reason relating to a group (with which the individual may not even identify), it is perpetrating prejudiced attitudes. It is important to be careful in these situations, as you are likened to your friends. Also keep in mind that words often become actions. I realise that I hold these views and am willing to put the work in to become the person I wish to be. Of course there will always be values that I refuse to compromise on, but I will strive to be as open-minded as I can. Will you?
Sexism in a Sleek Statuette Tamara Friedman The Oscars award ceremony is a compelling celebration of cinematic achievements, but its biggest significance lies in the reflection that it provides of society in general. This year’s Oscars suggest a disquieting state of affairs in respect to race and gender, with host Neil Patrick Harris satirically introducing the event as honouring Hollywood’s “best and whitest” and Patricia Arquette passionately calling for “wage equality” and “equal rights for all women in the United States of America”. There is no disrespect intended towards the Oscar-winning performances of Julianne Moore as an Alzheimer’s sufferer in “Still Alice,” nor Eddie Redmayne’s sensitive portrayal of Stephen Hawking in “The Theory of Everything”. Neither is it suggested that the provocative “Birdman” should not have won the Best Director award. However, as with previous years, it is impossible to ignore the despairing dearth of nominations in terms of racial diversity in certain categories and the conspicuous gender bias in others. It is not unreasonable to ask questions about the apparent indifference to these issues of unequal representation. In 87 years of the Oscars, only four non-white actors and actresses have won the award for Best Actor or Actress in a leading role. The 2007 Oscar year was a momentous and unique one with both Denzel Washington and Halle Berry winning Oscars in the acting category. Indeed, the legitimacy of the Oscars may be further questioned when the numbers reveal that only four female directors have ever been nominated, with only one ever making it to the podium.
Thanks to Sony’s hacked e-mails, we are also aware that actresses with incontrovertible levels of star power are paid significantly less than their male counterparts. Do these inequities continue to exist because we have grown accustom to actors and being typecasted based on their race and gender? Is the problem a lack of female directors or is it a lack of opportunities for female directors? May the gender pay gap be ascribed due to unintentional variables or the lack of roles for women in big-budget or franchised films? Or is it simply that the film industry and members of the Academy of Motion Pictures are dominated by a certain race and gender? It is impossible for everyone to have similar preferences in films or acting performances and there will always be disagreement over Oscar nominations and awards. However, we live in an ethnically- and culturally diverse world in which differences should be celebrated rather than marginalised. Television and film should be used to realistically portray society and must allow viewers to perceive race and gender diversity and equality as the norm rather than the exception. Behind the scenes, attention should be given to wage disparities. If powerful actresses such as Meryl Streep do not earn as much as their male co-workers, what chance do other women have in their workplaces? The Oscars and the movies that they choose to honour should have the magic to provoke, transform and empower us. If the 2015 Oscars are anything to go by, we still have a long way to travel before true equality and freedom are achieved, both in the movies and in society.
What is Newsworthy? be relevant to a small community newspaper, just as a fundraising concert at a primary school may not be important to The New York Times. While it is important to acknowledge these different scales, it is also important to be aware of the way that unfairness creeps into the news. Globally, in mainstream media, we see discrimination again and again as news outlets reserve the biggest headlines for crimes committed by people of certain races and religions.
Munira Hoosain Every couple of months, something seemingly trivial, like arguments over the perceived colour of a dress or the birth of a celebrity baby, overshadows other, more ‘newsworthy’ events. Although it may provide some pleasant distraction from the negativity usually found in headlines, celebrity news rarely affects the public. Ultimately, what should be newsworthy is what affects the people.
celebrity news rarely affects the public
news should provide people with necessary information
News should provide people with necessary information so that they can make intelligent decisions about the state of their neighbourhood, country and world. In these modern times, social media plays a big role in determining what is newsworthy. A huge number of people have access to the internet and a camera on their cell phone, which can turn almost anyone into a reporter – without needing to pass through editors or follow the rules of censorship.
Image: Morema Moloisi This gives the power of the news to minorities and the oppressed, and allows events like the Chapel Hill shootings to reach the attention of the world when they would have otherwise gone ignored by
mainstream media. Additionally, in an ideal world, newsworthiness would be determined by the concerns of all people equally. The massacre of 2 000 people in a village in Nigeria
would get the same front-page attention as if it occurred somewhere in the West. Of course, there are different scales of newsworthiness and different topics of interest. New advances in astrophysics may not
However, when the victims of wrongdoing are from marginalised groups, they are lucky if a report on the incident appears as a small paragraph at the bottom of page 7. The news will never be perfect and completely comprehensive. It can, however, try its utmost to stay relevant and present stories that represent the concerns of the people, while paying tribute to the power of the internet in finding the truth.
Opinions
v74 e2 - 10 march 2015
Alone at Lunch, Again Anthea van den Bergh “Oh my gosh. My life is over, and it hasn’t even begun.”
we can all look at it like a social adventure I’m sitting on Jammie steps, lunch in hand, and I don’t know a soul around me. I’m completely alone. It’s not that I haven’t met people, because I have. It’s just that friendly faces and lecture-sitting buddies haven’t made it past the arch of the auditorium doorway. There’s that guy with the fantastic ‘fro from Philosophy. There’s that group of blonde girls from English, all chattering away. Will
I ever have friends and not feel so totally secluded? I’m a first year from Joburg. Of the thousands of Freshers, a good portion are those who came to UCT knowing next to no one. Yes, we can all look at it like a social adventure but it’s also hard to meet people. Everyone seems to have their chums and girlfriends already fixed and packaged for Jammie steps and lecture pews. Even if the group is open to new people, how are we supposed to know that? I for one have found it very hard to integrate into the UCT student body thus far. They – being people happily out of this rut – all say, “Oh, you’ll make friends in no time!” This, however, doesn’t acknowledge that first year can come hand in hand with extreme isolation. Sure, we’re still figuring out our place in this alternate UCT universe, but it
The Origin of Species at UCT Have the three campuses at UCT given rise to students of different species?
Image: commons_wikimedia_.org
doesn’t help that nobody talks about how especially lonely it might all be. First year is the beginning of our great lives to come. Opportunity seems to jump out at us from every corner. Nonetheless, it isn’t fun being in this social no-man’s land. So for starters, we need to acknowledge that we feel lonely. It’s okay. We are allowed to say, “I feel lonely, and this whole thing sucks right now!” Progress comes from a place of first knowing where you are.
first year can come hand in hand with extreme isolation Okay, so we’re the lonesome souls of UCT. Now what? How can we move from being nobodies to
A
ccording to Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, if you separate the same species geographically they are bound to adapt and begin to differ from one another over time. Does this theory apply to UCT students who are divided into three campuses: Hiddingh, Med School and Main Campus? Does the structural divide cause an even greater social divide between students? Coming from a first year Medical student, I can confidently say that UCT’s three campuses only have two things in common: late Jammies and gale-force winds. My Med class’s bi-weekly lectures on Main Campus feel like a field trip to Hogwarts! If you ever spot us on Main Campus terrain, we are said to look like penguins waddling in a line, blindly following the person in front of us. Jokes aside, there are some striking differences between Med School and Main Campus, the first being the type of student on each campus. The Med Student is typically accustomed to small crowds of people who study the same degree and share mostly the same interests. We become comfortable seeing people of the same “species” on our campus, as the only other people we bump into are occupational therapy (OT) or physiotherapy students. In contrast, Main Campus is a buzzing community of thousands of different organisms. Jammie Steps is effectively the watering hole, where every day is another opportunity to meet someone studying for a completely different degree. Constant interaction with people from different faculties seems
to be something med students miss the most. Funnily enough, the Art students on Hiddingh Campus don’t feel the same. When I took a trip to UCT’s other satellite campus last week, most Art students said they loved being separate from the rest of UCT. They did not seem to mind the structural divide, stating that they prefer to interact with people doing the same degree. It’s not surprising then that the Art student, indigenous to the Hiddingh habitat, differs greatly from a typical Med School or Main Campus student. While these students are accustomed to getting to classes on time, the Hiddingh species prefers to lounge under trees barefoot for most of the day, and commutes to lectures at an alarmingly slow rate. Despite the differences in people on each campus, both Med School and Hiddingh students feel that the facilities and social events on Main Campus are far more superior. With over 15 different places to eat, multiple ATMs and a weekly plaza day on Main Campus, students on both satellite campuses feel slightly neglected by the university. So would the solution to the social divide be to schedule more Medicine and Art lectures on Main Campus? On one hand, I believe that socializing with people from diverse faculties with different interests can only be beneficial. On the other hand, humans are creatures of habit and tend to socialize with people who often share the same interests, or are doing the same degree anyway. It is not so much the structural divide as the social divide that keeps the birds of a feather in the ecosystem of UCT flocking together.
Image: Morema Moloisi actually feeling like we have a place here? Well, I have decided to do what Charlie from ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ did: participate. Show up to things. Be the weird newbie, the person nobody knows. I know it’s hard, but say hi. It’s only two letters after all. You can do it. Get that girl’s number and
WhatsApp her. You matter too. On top of that, join the soccer team. Join the UCT Choir. Join whatever, but join in. Eventually, someone’s going to cotton on that you are a great person. In the end, Charlie made life-long friends – and so can we. So we are alone at lunch, but only for now.
It’s Not Just Cricket Benjamin Hetherington
W Laura Pirjol
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ith the World Cup making mincemeat of trends and hashtags presently (don’t pretend you didn’t throw in a cheeky “@ ABdeVilliers17” after the Windies crushing), people don’t really like to think about the deeper connotations of the game, and by extension, the tournament.
there are more blatant examples of colonial legacy than cricket The truth is, however, that there exists a strong argument that this so-called gentleman’s sport is the best indicator of postcolonial influence and entrenched British culture. Well yes, the game does come from Britain. And yes, fans of the game are often Englishspeaking (ridiculously so down here). But if you think there aren’t more blatant examples of colonial legacy and traditions which cricket may or may not embody, then you’re wide off the mark – because there most definitely are. You’re reading VARSITY, are you not? Next time you pick up a copy of this newspaper, just do yourself a favour: turn around and take a casual look up the mountainside. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a view of an epic waste of concrete and effort, considering the exploitative, war-mongering
Twitter@UCTupstarts
man it memorialises. Rhodes stamped his imperial imprint on this continent in more ways than one, and his legacy stares us right in the eye (quite literally if you ever make it to the top step). That awkward tribute aside, Cape Town is notorious for its atmosphere of cliques, whiteness and general phobia of Afrikaners, the supposed “worst whites”. Never mind the fact that the first recorded concentration camps were courtesy of the British army during the South African War. But no, surely that’s irrelevant seeing as during Apartheid, the good, Englishspeaking Capetonian whites were liberals? Now if you think there’s nothing more that could befuddle and frustrate me more than DuckworthLewis, well… Cape Town liberals. These guys epitomise the moaning, pretentious, “I’m-not-racist-but” attitude that comes with too much privilege and armchair activism. Trust me, I’ve spent enough time giving out copies of Downton Abbey at a Newlands video store, and attending AfrikaBurn (once, to be precise) to know what I’m talking about.
Cape Town liberals epitomise the moaning, pretentious, “I’m-notracist-but” attitude And it’s not just thinking you’re better than other demographic
Facebook/UCTupstarts
groups, it’s actually thinking that you’re better than the rest of the country! Listen, if you hate Joburg that much, feel free to join the Cape Party and we’ll see how selfdetermination works out for you. Sure, you’ll have the Cobras in all their glory, but something tells me you’ll be missing the wealth brought in from the mines…
notorious for its cliques, whiteness and general phobia of Afrikaners
I’ve diverged slightly. Back to cricket: my favourite Cape Town events are sport matches. Why? Because it’s the biggest culture shock for the cool kids of CT when the ruggers and cricket fans pile into Newlands, and remind us that hierdie’s die tyd vir die ware taal in die Kaap! But maybe I am being a bit tough on Cape Town. Admittedly, KZN, the other former British protectorate, has similar elements. If you try denying that, your argument is deemed invalid by the fact that there is a place called Nottingham Road. However, this university is not in Newcastle, or Howick or Richards Bay or any other towns of the postcolonialnamed ilk. It’s in Cape Town, and I don’t mind being the local angsty boy with the long name to rip his hometown off.
Is the light bulb half full? or the past few months, we have been battling with load F shedding. It’s not news to anyone; it’s something that we have all learned to live with. However, now that we’re into
Three useful load shedding sites:
the fourth week of lectures, things have changed a little. Load shedding in the holidays was no big deal. The lights are out? Have a sleepover and tell ghost stories. Take a trip to the beach, have a picnic, go on a hike. A variety of alternatives was available to us. Now we have classes to attend, readings to prepare and tutorials to hand in. With the current respite in the load shedding schedule, it’s easy to forget that it’s affecting us, so here are some tips to keep you prepared and make sure that you meet that deadline.
– If you need to take material into class with you, either print it out or download it onto your laptop/tablet/phone. Do not rely on being able to access it online when you need it, just in case. Once the power is out, the Wi-Fi is out. –If you use a laptop or tablet to make notes, make sure it’s always fully charged. Do not count on being able to charge it as soon as it’s dead, in case a power cut strikes at that time. –On that note, keep an exam pad and pen with you at all times. When your devices run out of juice, you’re always able to revert back to good oldfashioned pen and paper. –Make sure you know the load shedding schedule (or have a schedule readily available). This way, when load shedding strikes again, you will be able to plan for deadlines and no Wi-Fi.
-Purchase a power bank. There is a range of power banks available on the market from entry-level devices, which are quite affordable, to high-end, more powerful devices. These things are great in a pinch as they have enough power to charge up your phone or tablet again when you desperately need them. Just make sure the power bank is always charged as well. – Try and work ahead of your deadlines (as difficult as that may seem). Even if you’re only aiming for the morning of the deadline, do it, and make sure it’s submitted on Vula! A powercut in your area when you need to submit something can be a real hassle, so to avoid the stress of running around trying to find an internet café in another area and get it in before the deadline.
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http://loadshedding.eskom.co.za/
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http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/electricity/Pages/ LoadShedding.aspx
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http://ewn.co.za/assets/loadshedding/capetown.html
– If you own a mode of transport, make sure you always have enough petrol. Petrol stations can’t pump without power. – Always ensure you have cash with you. ATMs will not work without electricity, and card machines at restaurants and shops have limited battery life. –If you have an electric gate or garage door and you know you will be arriving home during a power cut, release the mechanism before you leave. That way, you can open the gate/door manually and avoid being locked out. If the motor has a backup battery, ensure that it is charged. – Unplug unnecessary devices, such as TVs, during the power cut. When the power comes back there is a chance it may be damaged by a power surge. – Keep a torch and spare batteries next to your bed. Also keep portable light sources in easily accessible areas.
Some Useful DIYs If your freezer or fridge is a little weak and you’re worried about what will happen to your food when the power goes out, create your own large ice bricks! Freeze some 2 litre water bottles (pour a little bit of water out to allow space for expansion). When the power goes out, transfer some to your fridge and they will help keep things cold.
Candles can be dangerous to have lying around once lit, and one doesn’t provide a lot of light. Place a few candles in a seethrough glass jar. Once lit, the jar will prevent them from setting anything alight and catch all the dripping wax. The combination of the numerous candles and the glass jar will intensify the light and make them easily portable. Just be sure to leave the lid off so that they can burn.
Use glowsticks. When the lights are out and you need to see where you are going, scatter a few around the floor. They will provide enough light to ensure that you don’t end up banging your baby toe on the furniture while you’re fumbling for your torch. Surprisingly enough, they also provide enough light to read by and are easier to hold than a torch whilst reading (just pop one in the middle of your open book).
Build a fort! When is the last time you sat and actually spoke to your friends or did something fun and childish? Wjen the lights aren’t working, take advantage! Grab some pillows, blankets, snacks and your best friends. Build a fort, put your phones away and climb in. Tell ghost stories, laugh and joke. University life can be hectic, so hide away from it for a while and pretend to be a kid again. A power cut is the perfect excuse to act foolish.
– Make sure ALL of your devices are always fully charged. If you own a laptop, you will be able to continue with your work (provided you have already downloaded all of your materials needed beforehand). – Keep your freezer and fridge doors closed. A power outage lasting four hours should not cause food spoilage, but keep things closed to be safe. – If you know a power cut is scheduled to occur in your area, prepare food beforehand. Try and find recipes to prepare that can be eaten cold, otherwise eat a bit earlier than usual. – If you can’t survive without tea or coffee, boil water before the power cut and keep it in a thermos flask.
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Features
v74 e2 – 10 march 2015
What’s in My Bag: A campus directory to who’s who in the backpack zoo. Busang Senne
O
Hiddingh Hall.
nce upon a time in 2013, a timid Busang searched for the perfect backpack for university. It was essential – something not too big, not too small, unbranded (she was the poster-child for either Billabong or Quicksilver). She didn’t want to reek of Fresher but she also wanted to up her street cred by at least ten points – she was going to need as many as she could get. And so she found it – waterproof to guard against the notorious Cape Town weather, floral as per her obsession with Mother Nature’s imagery and colourful to contrast with the clothing she owned (95% of which is black). But enough about me (and enough of this narrative in the third person): I wanted to know the stories behind everyone else’s campus essential – you hardly see a student without one. So our trusty lens-woman Amina and I went to one of the coolest places on Earth for some sartorial inspiration – Hiddingh Hall. We found out from a few students what they need and why they need it. We’re telling your stories – one bag at a time.
Next up? Upper Campus. Be there or be square.
Emily, 20, Fine Art
Olivia, 19, Abroad student, Fine Art
What’s in her bag? Sponge, empty bottle, cutter, filters, What’s in her bag? Notebook, Golden Virginia tobacco, phone, laptop, sketchbook, pens, keys, iPod and earphones headphones, money Her campus essential: Lipbalm Dustin, 21, Theatre and Performance
Her campus essentials: Sketchbook, pens, cigarrettes and music Tiago, 26, Fine Art, majoring in sculpture
What’s in his bag? Cigarettes, a shirt, diary, scripts His campus essentials: Scripts and diary
What’s in his bag? Laptop, books, stationary, cigarettes, ID, cellphone charger
Sofia, 23, Drama (Hons)
Kaylee, 19, Fine Art
His campus essentials: cigarettes and sunglasses
What’s in her bag? Water, student card, space case, diary, course outline, tampons Her campus essentials:
What’s in her bag? Exam pad, Diary and student card masking tape, deodorant, hand sanitizer, charcoal, stray pen Her campus essentials: Sketch pad and pens
VLOGGING 101:
WITH MARK FITZGIBBON
Stacey-Lee Tait
R
ecently, vlogging has become a worldwide trend, taking over YouTube one channel at a time. For those of you who find yourselves slightly behind, “vlogging” is short for “video blogging.”
His videos are... local and South Africans can identify with them. South Africa has seen the rise of many successful home-grown YouTubers – Casper Lee and Troye Sivan in particular – who have taken
Image: Amina Ibrahim the Youtube world by storm. But, even closer to home, UCT has its very own YouTube star, Mark Fitzgibbon, who was kind enough to sit down and share his YouTube story- plus some tips for aspiring YouTubers. Fitzgibbon is a busy man - besides vlogging, he is also a third year science student at UCT, and has his own show on UCT Radio called After Dark With Mark. He explains that his YouTube journey started in 2013
(during the June/July vacation) when a friend of his introduced him to vlogging. At the time he had thought the internet was only for cute clips of cats and music videos, but he started watching vloggers such as Lee and Sivan and after that, Fitzgibbon was inspired. He decided to create his first video, which received a positive response. So, 4659 subscribers later, Mark Fitzgibbon has managed to make a name for himself and even
mentions he is often stopped by random fans, something that never ceases to amaze him. Fitzgibbon’s videos play on Capetonian culture, slang and language. His videos receive a ton of support as they are local and South Africans can identify with them. Mark said that this is his strategy: not to appeal to an international audience first, but rather to reach out to local viewers and make his videos relatable
to them. Even with this South African focus, however, Fitzgibbon has still managed to reach – and entertain – international viewers from places such as America, the United Kingdom and even Saudi Arabia, proving his work to be relevant worldwide. Mark is noticing how South Africa is catching on to the trend of vlogging, as he has seen many local channels popping up; therefore, he decided to share some tips for fellow aspiring South African YouTubers: 1. Be consistent, no matter the number of views. 2. Edit your videos well and keep them short. 3. Video quality is everything; make sure you have a good camera. 4. Be yourself and stick to a theme. 5. Don’t expect to be famous immediately and do not give up. So, there you have it, if you’re looking to start your own YouTube channel, take Mark Fitzgibbon’s tips and you too could be sharing your very own YouTube story and gaining global recognition!
Features
v74 e2 - 10 march 2015
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Drones and what they mean for the normal citizen:
Could they be an invasion of privacy? Boitumelo Dikoko
“W
Image: Luke Bell
e are being watched” – words from the famous TV series, Person of Interest. Maybe these words are what some of you think of you hear the word “drone” or perhaps you will be imagining the nice aerial scenery you can photograph using one. As university students, we only really see drones as cool things that fly around during events on Jammie Plaza, or when engineering students test-fly their projects. The word “drone” is a slang for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), a flying vehicle which is either piloted from the ground or run completely autonomously. Today, drones are no longer simply used as military gadgets, but have become domestic toys for many drone-makers and photographers. What does this mean though? Since the normal citizen can now own a drone for domestic or commercial use, many
photographers and extreme sports participants have started using them to capture breathtaking moments from a brand-new angle. Even online giant Amazon has found a way to use drones in the commercial market with their “Prime Air” delivery services: a system “designed to safely get packages into customers' hands in 30 minutes or less”.
Many people fear being watched Prime Air may be fast, but I am not sure if it’s safe – there have been numerous cases where these delivery drones have been shot down by thieves, sceptics and recently, by the United States Federal Aviation Administration. You may be asking what this has to do with you as a South African, given that you probably see few or none daily. Well, the South African Civil Aviation Authority has just
banned the use of drones, saying goodbye to the possible creative boost in our photography and film industry. There has to be a reason why. Today, drones of many different shapes and sizes are easily found online, or can be purchased from a hobbyist outlet, providing ridiculously easy access. One of the main reasons why the Aviation Authorities have banned the use of these “toys” is privacy. Many people fear being watched, and become paranoid or even resort to shooting them down as they see them flying over their yards. However, the use of drones might not be entirely troubling. These devices could help with quick delivery of prescription drugs, with disaster relief or even help combat terrorism. For instance, during #BRINGBACKOURGIRLS, military drones were deployed to assist in the search for the girls. Now imagine if people had domestic drones in Nigeria – the recovery process could have been far more efficient and widespread! The reality is though, that whether we are ready or not, the drones are coming.
What to do when helping an animal in need Ali Findlay
When heading out for the night to have a bit of (not so) clean fun, most people don’t foresee animal rescuing as part of their evening plans. However, I’ve recently heard several stories of kind-hearted students stopping to rescue animals at all times of the day and night. These situations, however, aren’t always easy to navigate and can leave you feeling panicky and helpless. Here’s what to do if you ever find yourself in a situation where an animal needs help. o If you see someone putting a dog – or any animal – through some kind of stress or pain, call the SPCA Emergency Inspector (or your closest shelter) straight away, so that they can come and deal with the situation. Try not to get involved yourself unless it is clear that the animal is in serious danger and cannot wait any longer to be removed from the situation. In such a case, carefully and cautiously ask the perpetrator if you may take the animal away. Never do this when you are alone, and only make this offer if you are sure your own safety is not at risk. If you manage to extract the animal, take them to a vet immediately to be seen to. o If you see a lost dog wandering around, call the SPCA or the nearest animal shelter immediately. Trying to catch a terrified dog – particularly on a busy road – could result in both of you getting hurt. Dogs tend to be skittish in these situations, and can often be unfriendly. Do
not attempt to catch a dog alone, but if you see a number of people attempting to herd a dog off the road, your assistance could be useful. Otherwise, call for help or call the police to assist by diverting traffic.
Remember that animals can sense tension
o If you are in a quiet area and you find a lost pet, ring all the surrounding doorbells to determine if the animal belongs to any of the nearby homes. If the animal has a tag, call the number to notify its owner. If the animal is collarless, take it to your nearest vet or animal rescue centre where they can check for a microchip. A microchip enables the vet to contact the owner and tell them where they can collect their pet. If you fail to find the owners by doing these three
Useful numbers: • SPCA Inspectorate services: 021 700 4158/4159, after hours emergency: 083 326 1604 • TEARS: 021 785 4482, emergency: 083 651 6343 / 071 864 4849 • DARG: +27 (21) 790 0383 • Cape Animal Medical Care (Kenilworth, 24 hour): 021 674 0034 • Blue Cross Vet Hospital (Newlands): 021 674 4090, emergency: 021 674 4090 • Belmont Road Veterinary Clinic (Rondebosch, 24 hour): 021 685 7750 • Cart Horse Protection Association: +27 (0) 21 535 3435, to report abuse call 082 6 599 599
things, print out some “Found” posters with a picture of the animal and your contact details, and put them up in the road where you found the animal, as well as the surrounding area and the nearest vets and rescue centres. You can also share a picture of the animal on Facebook to try help it find its family. o Remember that animals can sense tension, so in any situation involving one, try to remain as calm as possible!
Image: Amina Ebrahim
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Features
v74 e2 – 10 March 2015
FASHION WEEK AUTUMN 2015: FOR THE EVERYDAY STUDENT Nicole Arends
“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” – Rachel Zoe
I
f there’s one thing every UCT student is, it’s on point. From the moment we came kicking and screaming into the world, we’ve had that natural swagger. Flair and flaming originality is so ingrained within in us that we would simply be defying the laws of nature if we didn’t continue living our lives epitomizing being on point. The question is, of course, how? I’ll let you in on the secret: you can do it without doing anything at all. Simply follow the example of these UCT fashionistas, and imitate some of the iconic trends presented by these fabulous designers for Fashion Week 2015.
UCT UPSTARTS UCT is about to become the epicentre of African innovation with newly-launched UCT Upstarts
LONDON FASHION WEEK: GILES DEACON’S GOTH GLAM
This season, Giles Deacon was all about marching to the beat of your own drum with a collection of goth glam inspired looks. It’s the perfect combination of rockstar and the nail painting emoji. Think Marilyn Manson meets Kylie Jenner. This head-to-toe black look screams edgy, fearless and ultra-confident. Warning: not for the faint hearted.
ASIPEZI JITA
MINO CELE
“I dress how I feel every morning. Currently I’m feeling sad as I am mourning the death of my granny.”
“I get my inspiration from music videos!”
NEW YORK FASHION WEEK: MICHAEL KORS’ MAHOGANY
Autumn leaves aren’t the only thing that get to flourish this season. If you rock this trend, you’ll be just as admired as the fall hues. This trend works best when paired with neutral tones that make it really pop. It’s warm, it’s versatile, it’s unique. It’s Michael Kors.
LAUREN EDWARDS
AHDI MARCUS
“In terms of inspiration, Taylor Swift is everything. She’s the reason I cut my hair.”
“The greatest fashion accessory one can wear is confidence.”
MILAN FASHION WEEK: MOSCHINO’S 80S/90s HIP HOP
Moschino took a trip down memory lane, to the years when Will Smith was still the Fresh Prince and your clothes weren’t cool unless they were at least three sizes too big. Yes – it’s time to party like it’s 1989! We all love a throwback, so why not whip out your Boomboxes, bomber jackets and classic cartoon prints. Ah, the good old days (que nostalgic music while staring out the window.)
MINO CELE “I get most of my inspiration from music videos. I’m currently obsessed with the style in the Bang Bang music video – it’s ON POINT!”
AMY-LEIGH BRAAF
“I made this shirt myself out of a sheet and my mum freaked out!”
LONDON FASHION WEEK: JUDY WU’S MIX-AND-MATCH
Gone are the days of being safe. 2015 is the year of living large – adventure, spontaneity, individuality – this is exactly what this trend incorporates. Don’t be afraid to mix-and-match patterns, colours and designs. Fashion is art – express yourself!
KHENSANI CANCA “Life is great, I don’t know? I just wear what I like.”
SHAZIA PATEL “Fashion is art. It’s a way to show who you are without saying anything.”
YOLANDA MFELETHO “I wanted to be simple yet elegant, I wanted to be unique.”
Images: Amina Ebrahim
Lorena Lesna-Maranetto
“I
magine if your idea solved a problem, changed behaviours and influenced new ways of thinking…” – UCT Upstarts It becomes easier to imagine, given that the pop-up hub is innovative in itself. Crafted out of yellow and black crates, it stands alongside Jameson Hall – a metaphor that extends to the vision of UCT Upstarts – to merge daily university life with innovation. UCT Upstarts is university ViceChancellor, Dr Max Price’s social innovation challenge that aims to inspire the students of UCT to come together, collaborate and envision – as the challenge states – a "New Africa" by brainstorming and ultimately implementing creative solutions to some of South Africa and Africa's biggest social issues, at no cost to the recruits themselves. A joint-initiative between Super Stage, Bertha Centre for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship and backed by the UCT School of Business, it is centered not only around the ideas of entrepreneurship and innovation, but also around a core ethos of social justice.
Imagine if your idea solved a problem, changed behaviours, and influenced new ways of thinking The challenge is running for 20 weeks, from 18 February to 11 September 2015, and has an exciting program of guest speakers, entrepreneurship and idea workshops, any many more fun activities lined up. The goal of the Upstarts challenge is to bring multi-disciplinary and cross-faculty students together to form teams of two to six people, who will 'workshop' their visions and dreams of a New Africa. The innovations that the teams produce will go on to be exhibited at the Campus Expo on 7 September, whilst simultaneously being listed on the crowd-sourced funding website, Thundafund.com where you, the public, can vote for the most
viable, unique, and revolutionary ideas. The groups with the most votes will be shortlisted to attend a formal function on 30 September, during which the winning team will be announced – and their project will receive funding, media coverage and whatever resources needed in order to facilitate its becoming a reality.
workshop their visions and dreams of a New Africa So, get involved! Upstarts runs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Meridian in the Yellow Pop-up hub at the top of Jameson stairs, and its program is generally structured as follows: MIND-BLOWING MONDAYS (MM): Guest speakers, entrepreneurs and motivational speakers come by to address the kinds of challenges one could face when embarking on a start-up company. WORKSHOP WEDNESDAYS (WW): On these days, pro-circuit trainers run workshops primarily focused on team formation and developing skills that are necessary in becoming a successful social entrepreneur. FUN FRIDAYS (FF): The name speaks for itself: these are days to enjoy and enrich oneself with yoga classes, live-Google hang-outs and all kinds of other entertainment. Throughout the program, there will also be giveaways, spot-prizes and opportunities to get a one-onone training session with any of the guest speakers, in order to help shape your ideas for the future. For more information, and to sign up for Upstarts updates, check out their website www.uctupstarts. uct.ac.za, or just pop in to any of the pop-up hubs on the aforementioned days. “Because the people who think they are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do” – don’t miss out on your opportunity!
Features
v74 e2 - 10 march 2015
13
The New Campus Culture
The Vagina How the rise of risqué and violent film has successfully seduced us Monologues Image: Saara Millward
spoken-of ‘Red Wedding’ saw the unforeseen mutilation of Rob Stark, his wife and their unborn child.
#VaginaPower Nyakallo Lekuta
The popularity of violence is not new
This is just one of a string of violent scenes that have had squeamish viewers covering their eyes and the bravest of us watching in horrified awe. The popularity of violence is not new; it was a common practice in medieval times to be entertained by a beheading. Has the modern notion of ‘it is fake’ justified our desire to watch violence or is it something inherent in human nature? There are however softer (*cough* romantic) themes in these dramas. One example is the ‘Jake vs Fitz’ debate in Scandal where, after four seasons, Olivia is still undecided on her partner. She might be the bad-ass fixer upon whom the White House relies, but her love life is another Bella, Edward and Jacob drama.
Tumi Malatji
O
ver the past two years, risqué films such as 50 Shades of Grey and John Wick, as well as series such as How to Get Away with Murder, Scandal, Game of Thrones and Suits have taken the world by storm. What draws us to these series is not just the juicy plots and the cringe-worthy cliff-hangers at the end of the episodes. What makes these artistic creations different to
their counterparts lies in the genius ability of the writers and directors to weave themes of sex, scandal, the law and violence into the plots in a way that captivates their audiences. By captivate, I mean Connor’s steamy gay sex scenes in How to Get Away with Murder (HTGAWM), which the creator Peter Nowalk recently told E! Online, was a way to “push the envelope”. This can be related to the mainstreaming of bondage and discipline, sadism and masochism (BDSM) in 50 Shades of Grey. When
Whatever your reason for jumping onto the bandwagon of these controversial films, novels and series, it is clear that they have got the formula for what viewers want down to the letter. Not a day goes by that you won’t hear someone rattle on about one of the above-mentioned saucy tales, and it’s totally OK to admit you’ve taken to the new campus culture.
electricity, such as going to the gym, or even squeezing in a quick nap. Another general rule is to have a flashlight handy as you never know what dire situation you may find yourself in when Eskom fails you. It can be very frustrating when there is no electricity, but it doesn’t mean your life has to come to a stand-still. As students, it may seem that load shedding will only have negative impacts on our lives.
However, we can change that. Try not to dwell too much on all the complications that Eskom is causing you and your studies, and move on. Make an attempt to go outside and explore new things. Perhaps visit different places. UCT has an abundance of clubs and societies that you can join to help you pass the time. Who knows, perhaps you might even find a solution to the current crisis. Don’t let the power outages get you down. Find alternative ways to make the best of the situation. The way I see it, you have the opportunity to experience something out of the ordinary and could probably learn a thing or two from it.
His Dark Materials Nadia Ghumra
T
he recent load shedding has affected citizens nationwide, sending them into a frenzy every time their households are left in the dark. Students are especially affected, as it may disturb their studies or daily routines. Yet there is a certain percentage of the campus that does not seem phased by the outages. Being a Zimbabwean I am one of them, and although we may sit on the sidelines and amuse ourselves while others are freaking out, let me suggest a few ways to deal with these kinds of situations.
do, keep all electronics charged and do not waste precious battery life. We are also fortunate that Eduroam is still accessible during load shedding. Therefore, students should be able to continue slaving away at their research assignments, or, alternatively, uploading photos to Instagram. On par with being prepared, try and plan your routine around the scheduled outage. Fit in the activities that would not otherwise require you having access to
Justified our desire to watch violence
the book came out in 2011 (as Twilight fanfiction) it was considered the modern equivalent of D.H. Lawrence’s book Lady Chatterley’s Lover, which caused an uproar in the early 1900s due to its sexual themes. How far 50 Shades and HTGAWM push the envelope and whether they serve as reflections of the time we’re living in is up to you to decide. Game of Thrones is also known for its ‘out there’ sex scenes and it does not shy away from extreme violence either. The controversial and much
Eduroam is still accessible during load shedding Firstly, be thankful. Load shedding here is planned and timetabled, so use this to your advantage. Yes, sometimes it may not follow the schedule but at least there are general guidelines as to when you can expect a power outage. With this in mind, the key element is to be prepared. As a student, it is imperative to stay on top of all your work. To ensure that you
Image: Amina Ebrahim
T
he unapologetically named The Vagina production, Monologues, hit the streets of Cape Town this year featuring an all-female cast of impassioned individuals who portray the recounted experiences surrounding female-hood as told by women from all over the world. The show venue was at the SA Sendinggestig Museum (South African Slave museum), on the nights of 3 and 4 March. The audience was greeted to a church-style museum with dimmed lighting in an amber tone, and the show kicked off with a contemporary dance performing a short, engrossing routine to slow music. The monologues then began. In light of the racy name, the show was indeed charged with provocative statements as the myriad of impassioned young women portrayed characters with unique stories relating to their “nether regions”. Pieces performed were interesting, informative, eye opening, funny, stimulating and above all else, served the purposes of both drawing attention to sexual violation of females in various forms and empowering women. Along with the 2015 edition of The Vagina Monologues Cape Town came the accompanying initiative of a women’s clothing drive in support of Rape Crisis South Africa. At the end of the 4 March show, representative staff of the initiative’s organization explained the nature of their services to the audience and expressed how help is not just welcomed but much needed in various forms. The Rape Crisis initiative deals with victims of sexual assault, offering post traumatic assistance and advice for those supporting victims. This requires supplies of all sorts, such as funds and clothing. It is for this reason that this organization, in conjunction with the production of The Vagina Monologues Cape Town, is appealing to women to donate clothing and undergarments to be administered to survivors of this crime. The production was successful, but the initiative is an ongoing process. All proceeds of the show went directly to the Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust along with the clothing items collected from the clothing drive which still is underway For further enquiries as to other ways in which assistance can be given to support this vital initiative, one can visit rapecrisis.org.za for more information. Alternatively, for more information regarding violence against women, one can get informed about the One Billion Rising movement at: onebillionrising.org Instagram: vaginamonologuesct Facebook: The Vagina Monologues Cape Town
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Sport
v74 e2 – 10 march 2015
The Wackiest Sports in the World By Catherine Fulton
Cheese-rolling
Chess-Boxing
Cheese-rolling is an annual event that takes place on a slope called Cooper’s Hill, near Gloucester, England. Competitors race after a round 9lb (4,1 kg) Double Gloucester cheese that is rolled down the hill in an attempt to catch it. The first person to reach the finish line wins the cheese. The cheese has a one second head start and can reach speeds of up to 112kms per hour, enough to knock over and injure a competitor.
You no longer have to decide between playing board games or sport. Players of the competitive hybrid sport known as Chess-Boxing use both brains and brawn when fighting in alternating rounds of chess and boxing. The sport is popular in Germany, India, Russia and Britain.
Kaninhop If you are an animal lover, Kaninhop is the sport for you. Modelled after horse show jumping, Kaninhop is a competitive sport that involves rabbits springing over small jumps of various heights. Popular in Europe, the first national championship was held in Stockholm, Sweden in 1987. The highest recorded jump was 99.5 cm, which was achieved by a rabbit named Mimrelunds Tösen (meaning The Lassie of Quivering Grove).
The Wrestle Toe “One, two, three, four, I declare a thumb war” has been adapted to the game of ‘Wrestle Toe’, a mighty battle of the feet. Children and adults of all ages compete in Toe-wrestling championships. Competitors sit opposite each other and interlock their toes over a ‘toedium’. The aim is to pin their opponent’s foot down for more than three seconds. At the beginning of a match it is common courtesy to remove your opponent’s socks and shoes for them.
Extreme Ironing
Horse Ball
To those who get a thrill from domestic housework, extreme ironing is perfectly suited to you. Competitors take photographs of themselves ironing in extreme locations, such as hanging off cliffs, underwater or on top of vehicles, and post them online with the ultimate aim of being the world’s most extreme ironer.
Horse riding has several disciplines such as show jumping, polocrosse and dressage. One that has recently been recognised by the International Federation of Equestrian Sports is horse ball. The sport can be described as a combination of polo, rugby and netball on horseback. Riders toss the ball between teammates and points are scored when the ball is shot through a vertical hoop.
Underwater Hockey Can’t decide between swimming and hockey? You don’t have to. Underwater hockey, also called ‘Octapush’, has become a very popular sport around the world. The aim of the game is to push a hockey puck along the bottom of a swimming pool into the opposing team’s goal using what resembles a miniature hockey stick called a ‘pusher’.
Images: Mari Mombers
Dog surfing, Bog Snorkeling, Cup Stacking and Egg Rolling- there are many more unusual sports available worldwide. If you’re interested in finding out more, go to http://www.topendsports.com/sport/unusual/ list.htm.
The Tragedy of English Sport Nabeel Allie
I
t has come to that time in life when we play sports. Australia and New Zealand are co-hosting the Cricket World Cup, England is going to host the Rugby World Cup, and would you believe it, the FIFA World Cup final was last July. God must definitely have put some testosterone in our water supply or done something to the grain stocks. Either that or DSTV is far smarter than I’ve given them credit for. Right now though, it’s all conjecture. This is the proverbial ‘21st Season’ of sports, and I have a flawless theory about its arrival: that it is all one flipping large and wellorchestrated scheme to give England the proverbial finger. England gave us the steam engine, but they also gave us colonialism, which, let’s be honest, isn’t quite as great. However, England also thought so highly of themselves that they imagined it a good idea to exercise divine philanthropy not just by gifting us with colonialism, but also with some sports… all of which they are terrible at, especially tennis. Andy Murray is from Scotland, people. Things like this are not coincidental. Trust me, I’ve done the calculations. The FIFA World Cup was the most unapologetic low
blow to the English since Prince Harry. This was done through affording the Three Lions an almost flawless qualification process, only to embarrass them at their own game on the world’s biggest sporting stage. This was no mild embarrassment.
What could be better than the world’s largest prison spanking the English in a gentleman’s game of cricket They didn’t win a single game, and on top of that, the Germans were crowned champions. Regardless, the notable English foe Argentina (see Falkland Islands) would have taken the crown anyway. You couldn’t have scripted it any better. In the great years of colonialism, England shipped their worst inmates to Australia. What could be better than the world’s largest prison spanking the English in a gentleman’s game of cricket and in the opening game of the Cricket World Cup, no less? Humbled by a bunch of convicts. Take that Thatcher. The competition itself is made up almost entirely of former colonies that are, for the most part, vastly superior to the English, who have gotten so bad that their team isn’t even that English. India alone could plausibly make a team of
Image by Mari Mombers misfits and give England a gentle slap in the face, Bugs Bunny style. A while later, in 2009 to be specific, England were announced as hosts of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Little did they realise that the top contenders – New Zealand, South Africa, and to a (much) lesser extent, Australia – are all former colonies. Just like their cricket team, the English have come
to realise that maybe they’re not as good as they’d like us all to think. So they’ve gone back to their tried and trusted colonial roots to steal players from around the world, just for good measure. Even if they win, it’s a victory for the Commonwealth. So this year, we can all sit back with a lovely cup of Rooibos (none of that Earl Grey nonsense) and watch
our former employers get not-sogracefully humiliated. Emile Heskey has already made a ‘Guide to Football’ DVD for Lionel Messi, Toby Flood is hosting a seminar just for Dan Carter on how to control a rugby match, and no doubt Stuart Broad has taken the time to make a handwritten guide to fast bowling for Dale Steyn. Revenge is a dish best served sweaty.
Sport
Mercedes or not?
Image: (Flicker) Jake Archibald
Mark Nandi
A
s the 2015 Formula 1 season opener in Melbourne looms, the raging issue has been the extent to which the aspiring frontrunners have caught up to the almighty, allconquering Mercedes Benz W05. Just how much the gap has been closed, if at all, is the big question for 2015. Last year saw the advent of a new era in Formula 1: turbo-charged hybrid power units were introduced and Mercedes Benz shot off the mark with theirs. Such was their power unit’s superiority, that they were a whopping two seconds per lap quicker than most of their rivals (which in F1 terms is an eternity). The mere thought of their rivals bridging that gap within three months after the
end of the 2014 season is laughable at best. Add on to that an enviable driver line-up of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, a star studded technical team as well as solid management and one would assume that bucking the 2014 trend would be highly improbable.
As the global Ferrari fan-base began to cheer, so the critics begin to loudly question Yet when the official 2015 preseason test kicked off in Jerez, Spain, it was the brand new scarlet Ferrari SF15-T, piloted by Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel, that lit up the timing screens. This got us Ferrari
fans wagging our tongues, talking of fighting for the title come November, and speaking of a new era at Ferrari. Such was the impressive form of Ferrari and Ferrari-powered teams in Jerez that on all of the four allocated days of testing (February 19-22), the fastest laps were set by no one but them. However, just as the global Ferrari fan-base began to cheer, so the critics begin to question Ferrari’s extent of improvement and, more importantly, the level at which Mercedes were performing. Even Ferrari themselves were smartly cautious on their new found pace as they fully understood the deception of strong winter testing form. As the testing season progressed into Barcelona, a more vivid and accurate picture began to develop. The Mercedes W06 set some stellar times
v74 e2 - 10 march 2015
on tyre compounds, slower than those that their rivals were setting their fast times on. Moreover, the Mercedes was racking up laps in an effort to curtail the thorny reliability gremlins that blighted what would have otherwise been a perfect season last year. By the end of testing altogether, the Mercedes had covered an impressive 6000km using a single power unit. To put this into context, the team had covered 20 race distances i.e. an entire F1 season in just 12 days, without having to change its power unit. How about that for reliability! So, as the circus heads to Australia to begin its year-long global pilgrimage, it seems that the Mercedes W06 is still the team to beat with last year’s intra-team battle between Hamilton and Rosberg simply being reset. However, what’s going to be superbly interesting is the fight to be “best of the rest.” Ferrari have definitely improved, Williams F1 have a Mercedes power unit and have carried on with their form from the second half of last year, and Red Bull racing always has some tricks up their sleeve. The battle for second row during qualifying and that final podium spot promises to be a cracker. The only big question is how McLaren will perform, considering their renewed partnership with Honda. They haven’t had the smoothest of sessions during testing but this was expected as Honda has just stepped into this new turbo-hybrid era. If they do get on top of their reliability issues and get that car running on full power, I bet they’ll give the Silver Arrows a thing or two to think about. Roll on 2015!
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: The fight of the century Fanie van Zijl
T
his is what the world has been waiting for, for a long time. On the 2 May, in a fight that is expected to be the most lucrative of all time, with the total revenue expected to be in the region of $300m, Filipino Manny Pacquiao and American Floyd Mayweather will battle it out in Las Vegas. The announcement came after years of speculation, as fans and pundits yearned for a fight between the men who are, inarguably, two of the greatest fighters of their generation, across all weight divisions. When the announcement finally came on 20 February 2015, it sparked something of a media frenzy, with the occasion quickly being labelled “the fight of the century”.
a fight between inarguably two of the greatest fighters of their generation While the eventual announcement was greeted with great excitement, there are still many who feel that it would have been much greater as a spectacle if it had happened five or six years ago, when both were in their prime. There had previously been several disputes over a number of key issues, which were finally resolved after an agreement was reached that will reportedly see Mayweather take 60% of the prize money. There has always been a sense of a rivalry between the two; after Mayweather announced his retirement on 2 May 2009,
Pacquiao started dominating boxing headlines around the world, becoming one of the sport’s biggest stars. The fight is shaping up to be a charged affair, with Pacquiao going down the somewhat unorthodox route of saying that he had been “praying for him” (Mayweather)and that he “should fear God”. Mayweather goes into the fight with his famed unbeaten record, not to mention some of his usual arrogance. "Manny is going to try to do what 47 before him failed to do, but he won't be successful. He will be number 48," he said. While Pacquiao is known for his more aggressive style, Mayweather has formed a reputation for being one of the sport’s best defensive boxers and is technically outstanding. Yet this might be one of his most difficult fights, considering that his timing and speed, so crucial to his style, may have diminished over the last few years. Pacquiao is a big hero in his home country, to such an extent that he is now pursuing a career in politics. Yet it is in the boxing world where he has serious pedigree. He boasts a record of two defeats, five losses and 57 wins including an impressive 38 knockouts, reflective of his aggressive style. However he has not achieved a knockout since defeating Ricky Hatton in 2009. It is a relief that the fight will finally take place. With the boxers reaching the twilight phase of their careers this fight would not have been possible in a few years time. For many boxing and sport fans this would have been a great regret considering the mouth-watering nature of the contest. Hate the saying, but better late than never.
15
Sports Bites By Dean Horwitz, Fanie van Zijl and Benjamin Silverman UCT Sports wrap-up Ikeys Tigers run riot
The Ikey Tigers secured a fantastic victory on the UCT Green Mile on Monday 2 March against Varsity Cup newcomers CUT Ixias. The Tigers scored 12 tries to run out victorious by 90 points to 8 with the Ixias getting over for a late consolation try.
UCT Water polo players on the way to Euro Nations Cup
Four members of the UCT 1st Water polo team have been chosen to represent the SA Men’s Team at the Euro Nations Cup, held from 20-22 March. The players are Chris Baker, Nicholas Hock, Julian Lewis and Pierre Le Roux, who has been selected as the captain.
Entries open for Keith Grainger Memorial Squash
The Keith Grainger Memorial UCT Open Squash Championship is a tournament that honours the memory of a young man who embodied the spirit of squash in his struggle against bone cancer. The Squash Club is still looking for entrants in the Open draw. If you would like to participate you can email kerr.rogers@uct.ac.za before noon on Friday 13th March.
Local and International Sports wrap-up SA Cricket team on course for quarter-finals
The South African cricket team is on course for a place in the quarter-finals of the Cricket World Cup after securing two big wins against the West Indies and Ireland. After defeat against India, the Proteas bounced back and will be looking for a victory against Pakistan to secure their qualification.
The all-star Basketball break is over
Image: suwasu_tk
IVF CAPE TOWN
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Hopefully, in the coming months, we will see teams like the Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans play to the best of their ability to make it to the playoffs. Currently in first place in the league are the Golden State Warriors, led by their long-range specialist Stephen Curry. By averaging 110 points per game, they have been able to dominate a western conference that has been mastered by teams like the Spurs, Thunder, and Lakers in years past. In the Eastern conference, the Atlanta Hawks find themselves on top due to a stellar defense and strong performances by Paul Millsap and speed merchant Jeff Teague.
Indian prisoners can watch Cricket World Cup
Authorities at a prison in Guwahati, India have installed cable television, allowing inmates to watch the ongoing Cricket World Cup, as per the ruling of a judge. According to Judge A K Goswami, “prisoners need recreation for a healthy mind.”. The news comes after seven prisoners filed a petition to the city’s high court, requesting to watch the tournament. -Sport24.co.za
Sport VARSITY
The Wonderful Thing about
Flying Tigers
Image: Morema Moloisi
Thulie Mayaba
B
are feet, beaches, camp fires, guitars and flying discs. These are what people typically see when
hearing the words “Ultimate Frisbee” (or Ultimate, as it’s affectionately known). But for the sake of the sport and the people involved in it, I’m here to set the record straight. Since its inception in the late 1960s, Ultimate has grown to become an
intense and physically demanding sport. A team sport like any other, it requires training, preparation and dedication from its players – so much so that Ultimate seemed the only appropriate word to describe it. While you sleep in on Saturday
UCT Monday 16th March IKEYS vs. SHIMAS 16:45 Away (Televised) Sunday 15th March Cape Epic Cycle Tour UCT
What to Watch
mornings, UCT Ultimate (UCTU, known as the Flying Tigers) players are on the field putting in the hard yards. There are currently four Universities with officially registered Ultimate clubs, including the University of Stellenbosch, Wits University and the University of Pretoria, with a few more universities on their way. The UCT team is undoubtedly the best university club, but there has been immense improvement over the last few years from other university teams. Last year saw UCTU take 3rd place at Nationals, 2nd at the Rocktober National tournament, and 1st in the Cape Town Summer league. This year, in July, UCTU is also sending 14 of its players to the World Ultimate U23 Championships in London, making up more than half of the National team.
Ultimate has grown to become an intense and physically demanding sport The Cape Town southern suburbs are the hub of Ultimate activity in South Africa, boasting the largest number of club teams of any city in the country. Teams are very involved in outreach and development programmes around Cape Town,
Thursday 12th March Cricket World Cup SA vs. UAE 03:00 (Supersport) African U20 FOOTBALL Championship SA vs. Mali 18:15 (Supersport)
working with several organisations on and off campus. Most teams realise and appreciate the importance of contributing to these programmes for the development of the sport. The sport is also known for adopting players from a variety of faculties, other sports, and other countries (especially America). Perhaps it’s the fact that it includes both female and male players, the spirit of the game, or maybe all the good-looking people on the team. Whatever the case may be, most players in competitive Ultimate say they’re here to stay. A day spent in the library for most students is, for Ultimate players, another day of hucks, hos and hammers. There seems to be a obsession with playing, watching or just talking about it. Chances are that if a friend of yours plays Ultimate, you already know about it. All players agree that the word Ultimate seems the most fitting word to describe the sport. So unless you know how to keep a dog inside the yard, or what it means to need a lady, then my dear friend, there’s still plenty for you to learn. And while you ponder over the answers, we Ultimate people will continue our 4X4s, oorahs and bouncies, wake up tomorrow, and look forward to doing it all over again. *Hos—horizontal stack (type of offensive strategy)
2015: An Epic year for UCT Cycling Jonty Adams
W
ith the Cape Town Cycle Tour still fresh in most cyclist’s memories and legs, a few rest days or months would be the standard procedure for most weekend warriors. However, the Cape Town Cycle Tour won’t be the only race which will be on the minds of the top cyclists.
climbing, almost twice the height of Everest, in eight days! Don’t miss this spectacle, be sure to make your way to the UCT rugby fields
Twitter feeds for more information from Monday 9 March. The UCT Cycling Club is shifting gear this year. After a successful 2014,
added to the cycling club: Firstly, an outreach programme has been initiated with Velokhaya, a cycling academy based in
The Cape Town Cycle Tour won’t be the only race which will be on the minds of the top cyclists. The Absa Cape Epic will be starting at UCT on 15 March. The race is regarded as the Tour de France of mountain biking and is one of the toughest stage races in the world. The race attracts 1200 riders from around the world. Amateurs as well as the world’s best professional mountain bikers will be riding through UCT for the Cape Epic prologue. Race favourites Christoph Sauser and Jaroslav Kulhavy will be riding as team Investec-Songo-Specialized. Sauser has won four Absa Cape Epics and is looking to add another victory to his impressive tally. Participants will tackle eight stages, 739km and 16 000m of
Image: Owen Lioyd
on 15 March and watch the world’s best mountain bikers battle it out for the first yellow jersey of the 2015 Epic. In order to create more awareness about cycling and the Absa Cape Epic, the week of 9-15 March has been declared UCT Cycling Week on campus. Two competitions will be held on campus and students are urged to like the UCT Cycling Facebook page and follow our
which saw club members become the first people in Africa to complete the Everesting challenge after climbing 10 000m of vertical ascent in one ride. The 2015 committee has been hard at work ensuring that the club achieves similar goals. One of the goals for the committee has already been achieved: the club experienced a successful O-week, signing up 80 members. This year sees two new initiatives
Khayelitsha. Club members visit Velokhaya to mentor a group of 13 children aged 13 to 16. The mentoring will focus on maintaining a balance between cycling and academics whilst encouraging the children to work hard and race competitively. Velokhaya uses cycling to involve children living in marginalised communities in positive after-school activities. The second new addition is an
internal league, dubbed the “Club Championship”. The championship consists of three leaders jerseys; the Yellow Jersey (Men’s overall points leader), the Pink Jersey (Lady’s overall points leader) and the Polka Dot Jersey (King of the Mountain leader). To gain the lead in any of the respective jerseys, club members will compete in weekly time trials as well as short stages during weekend rides to see who comes out tops at the end of the year. The UCT Cycling 1st team are looking to have a big build-up to USSA, as this year’s race will be hosted by Stellenbosch University at the end of June. The build-up will start in late March with the Western Province Champs, the race covers a distance of 152km and the team have set a goal to claim the U23 title. Next on the calendrer for the team will be intervarsity against Maties on 9 May. This year’s race will take the riders through the heart of upper campus, Jammie Plaza. It will be an exciting race with the riders racing through upper campus at speeds in excess of 40km/h. For more information about the cycling club, like our Facebook Page (UCT Cycling Club) or follow us on Twitter (@uctcyclingteam). If you would like to join the club or participate in any of our events please email us on chairman@ uctcyclingclub.co.za.