ENT NE W TUD SP LS A IA C
VOLUME 75 | EDITION 4
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The Culture of Silence
E 1942 · THE O NC FF SI I
E · THE O FF INC IC RS I PE
NT NEWS UDE PA ST PE
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12 April 2016
IN THIS ISSUE
DISCHO
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Mental Health
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IMPORTANT!!! If you suffer from any mental health problem, please register with the UCT Disabilities Unit. To register, please contact Margie Le Roux at Margie.LeRoux@uct.ac.za
You are not alone!
Sue Nyamnjoh
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n March 31st, Liesbeeck Gardens Residence launched the #KnowYourNeighbour campaign to encourage interaction and build relations between students in residences. This followed a statement released on March 21st by Liesbeeck Residence, which said that the residence would be approaching Residence Council regarding how mental health is handled in residences. The aim is to get the ‘Residence Council to engage the university management to look into the [spate] of suicides in residences and put in place systems to help students with psycho-social and other suicide-inducing problems.’ In addition, a group of subwardens from second- and third-tier residences have also adopted the #KnowYourNeighbour campaign with the aim of promoting peer support. The campaign is still in its fledging stage in Liesbeeck Residence, but will be expanded upon and fully implemented following input from various stakeholders in the residence sector. In the residence system, mental health issues fall under the
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Image: Tinotenda Chemvura responsibility of the sub-warden in charge of health and safety or wellbeing. They oversee the mentorship program that runs in their residence. Mentors receive basic training and attend workshops, which equip them with knowledge of issues they might encounter, how to approach these issues and the support systems in place for students. The aim of the training is not to provide mentors with counsellling skills, but rather for them to provide referrals to structures and systems in place at the university, some of which are understaffed. While it is compulsory for all first years to have a mentor, certain residences do offer the mentorship programme to senior students. Access to mentors is dependent on the individual residence, however first years do get preference over senior students. Mentors allocated to first years stay in the same residence, however there is no structured guideline on the relationship between the mentor and mentee. This means that it is up to the mentor’s discretion how frequently meetings are scheduled. In second- and third-tier residences, the relationship between mentors and mentees are more difficult to maintain. This
is because these residences are more autonomous, interactions between mentor and mentee are far more limited. According to Glen Residence well-being sub-warden, Tanveer Jeewa, senior students in Glen Residence do have access to mentors. Very few make use of the service and those who do, do so unofficially. In the other residences, the mentorship program is largely limited to first years. As a result of wanting to decentralise mentorship, wellness sub-wardens in Forest Hill Residence, Nasiphi Mabeto and Harmony Makhari are currently trying to set up a support group focused on providing assistance through shared experiences. The program, planned to launch earlier last month, had to be postponed due to the untimely passing of one of their residents. Former sub-warden and current resident of Groote Schuur, Tinashe Mudarikwa says there is ‘no real support structure in place’ and ‘nothing is actively done’ to ensure the emotional well-being of students in residence. E-mails are sent out from time to time encouraging people to seek help if
needed, but they do not appear to do much good. A third-year BSc student who wished to remain anonymous, blames this on the isolated nature of residence life. There is a lack of openness and interaction. He admits to having to drink his coffee bitter because he could not borrow the proverbial cup of sugar from his neighbour in Liesbeek Residence due to the general lack of camaraderie. About one in every four students at UCT suffers from a mental illness. However, the lack of awareness and limited services available make it hard to get support. UCT tries to provide care for students in the form of counselling through Student Wellness. Further efforts have also been made by other bodies such as the Mad Hatters’ Society founded by Katherine Eyal in 2014 as a support group for students suffering from and affected by mental illness. These platforms are themselves in need of support and funding. The stigma and misconceptions around mental illness make many people hesitant to come forward. This is in combination with a lack of understanding and general awareness of mental disorders.
A day in the life of ... PAGE 10
Living with OCD Page 11
It’s a mind game
VARSITY, the official student newspaper since 1942, is committed to the principles of equality and democracy.
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News
12 April 2016 | V75 E 4 | Page 2
News Bites Panama Papers Catch Global Leaders
Allocation of Funds by SRC #Fundingfutures Campaign
Zoe Postman
The Panama Papers, private documents detailing the offshore accounts of high-profile businessmen and politicians, were leaked to German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung on Monday, April 4. Mossack Fenesca, the Panama based law firm, has been revealed to have administered offshore accounts for tax-evading businesses, implicating the likes of Duduzane Zuma, Jacob Zuma’s nephew, in an international moneylaundering scheme. The Guardian
Zuma Survives SA opposition parties failed to pass a motion for impeachment in parliament on Tuesday, April 5. The calls to remove Jacob Zuma come after a court ruling which found the ANC leader guilty of violating his constitutional duty. This is after the president ignored requests by the Public Protector to pay back some of the state money spent on upgrading Zuma’s Nkandla homestead.
News24
Gupta Brothers Leave South Africa On April 7, Ajal and Atul Gupta left South Africa for Dubai following their resignation from Oakbay Investments and Oakbay Resources and Energy. The Gupta family are facing allegations that they influenced President Zuma's appointment of Mines Minister, Mosebenzi Zwane and former finance minister Des van Rooyen, as well as offering ministerial posts to Deputy Finance Minister, Mcebisi Jonas and former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor. Jacob Zuma’s son, Duduzane Zuma, also resigned from his position in Guptaowned mining company, Oakbay Resources and Energy. News24
New Terrorist Group Jahba East Africa Pledges Allegiance to ISIS A new terrorist group, Jahba East Africa, has pledged allegiance to Isis as it continues to expand its presence in East Africa. In a statement, militants gave an oath of allegiance to Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and recognised him as the ‘rightful leader of all Muslims.’ The group supporters include previous members of alShabaab in Somalia. The Independent
Private Jets for Pets The Heathrow-based airline, Airpets, has launched the UK's first luxury air travel service for pets and their owners. Commercial pilot and Director of Airpets, Max Levell, said the new ‘kennel club class’ service was expected to be a hit with wealthier clientele, for whom the ‘lap dog of luxury’ was a way of life. The Mirror
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n March 15, 2016, the SRC received a two million rand donation from Old Mutual towards their #Fundingfutures campaign. The hand over took place at the company’s head offices in Pinelands. Busi Nxumalo, the Corporate Relations Officer of the SRC, expressed her deepest gratitude towards Old Mutual for their generous donation. She hoped that it would set an example for other corporate companies to get involved.
Focuses on the ‘missing middle’ The #Fundingfutures campaign was launched on February 4, 2016 with the intent to provide financial relief to students who were unable to register due to historical debt. Their target was initially one million rand but according to Nxumalo, ‘we’re currently sitting on 2.2 million and some change.’ There will be an application process similar to the SRC Assistance Fund. The application forms will need to be accompanied by the same supporting documents needed for the SRC Assistance Fund. The reviewing council will consist of staff from financial aid, the SRC treasurer and a commerce faculty council member. Contrary to other years, Nxumalo says they hope to increase the number of SRC members on the reviewing council for the sake of representation of the students. #Fundingfutures, not to be confused with the SRC Assistance Fund, focuses specifically on the
Image: UCT SRC Facebook Page
‘missing middle,’ the students who do not qualify for financial aid but are unable to pay the high fees of tertiary education. According to Nxumalo, financial aid and most bursaries only accept South African citizens. The SRC believes that providing financial relief to other African students should be a priority as well. That being said, Nxumalo assured students that all applications will be considered equally and fairly. When asked about what #Fundingfutures would do for students who have already been
sent home due to financial exclusion, Nxumalo said, ‘this is a sad reality and it would be impossible for us [SRC] to help everyone but we assure you that we are trying our best.’ The most effective method used to raise funds was the Alumni Phone-a-thon. Nxumalo said SRC members, in collaboration with students who volunteered, sat for three hours every day phoning UCT alumni in an attempt to get sponsors. She further noted that one of the biggest challenges that they faced
was people who promised to donate but ‘changed their minds’ when the SRC followed up. ‘The moment we receive the money in our account, applications will open’ said Nxumalo when asked if she can provide students with opening dates for applications. The campaign does not end after the allocations have been made. The SRC will continue to raise funds and support students, according to Nxumalo. Nxumalo encouraged all students to engage with her by giving suggestions, solutions, criticism or contributions.
From Tutor to Professor Tanya Magaisa
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arlier this year, as a facet of the decolonisation project at UCT, questions were raised regarding the lack of diversity in the university’s academic staff. Dr Shose Kessi, a lecturer in the Psychology Department and a member of the Black Academic Caucus, referred to the lack of PhD candidates of colour and questioned whether the research conducted by these candidates was being taken seriously. In order to become an academic, post graduate studies is a requirement. At postgraduate level students interested in going into academia are able to explore their options and are given the opportunity to work closely with established academics. Many postgraduate students are hired as tutors, taking between two to four tutorial groups. There have been complaints about the limited demographic scope of the tutors in the philosophy department. VARSITY received accounts from a number of students who only had white,
male tutors in three semesters of Philosophy courses. There are no set restrictions or visible reasons for the skewed demographics, however, it is clear that the Philosophy Department has few postgraduate students that are female or black. An investigation was conducted in order to determine why students don’t continue with Philosophy after undergraduate
tutors who are white and male
studies, and the responses varied. Some students argue that in order to benefit financially from a Philosophy degree, you would have to become an academic, which requires money that many just don’t have. Another said that Philosophy was not a course that could really get you a job, although it provided necessary skills. No one is interested in hiring a person with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. A tutor in the Philosophy
limited demographic scope Department, Robert Jenkin, agreed that the demographics of the department are predominately white and male and commented on how finances could be a contributing factor towards a student’s decision to study Philosophy. ‘There will be a selection bias against previously disadvantaged persons doing Philosophy, because it’s not exactly a subject that is going to get you the best job out there,’ he said. The criteria used by the Philosophy department in order for a student to qualify as a tutor is ‘a strong academic’ record. This could be interpreted as students who get marks not below a lower second class pass (60 – 69%). When speaking to the Head of the Philosophy Department, Professor Benatar, he commented that the department focuses on merit and academic performance when selecting tutors. When asked if this could be a contributing factor
to the demographics of the tutors he continued that the socio-economic background of a student does speak to the quality of education that the student has received. He says that he is aware of the speculation about the fact that fewer ‘black’ students do Philosophy and although he doesn’t know the reasons why, he finds that some of the speculation is reasonable. ‘As a first generation student coming to University you may be interested in a career-oriented degree.’
Requires money that many don’t have He continued that although the University has programmes in place to assist those who have been disadvantaged, he believes that the onus for ensuring students are academically prepared for University lies in the foundation phase. Due to time constraints VARSITY was only able to investigate the Philosophy Department but a follow up into other departments within the University will be conducted.
News
12 April 2016 | V75 E 4 | Page 3
Academic Representation at UCT Written by Tsepo Ngwenyama Research by Ashley Seymour
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large part of the decolonial project, as argued by movements such as Rhodes Must Fall (RMF) and the Black Academic Caucus (BAC), is transformation within the academic staff demography across all faculties. The issue of academic representation has formed part of a larger debate of transformation at UCT, and the apparent lack of urgency and speed with which UCT management is dealing with the issue is highly contested. Black female academics are largely under-represented when compared to both their white female and male counter parts in the senior academic staff make up. According to statistics provided by Elijah Moholola, Head: Media Liaison, approximately 26% of permanent female senior academic staff members are black and 57% are white. While approximately 0.6% of female staff members chose not to declare their race, there is still a 30 percentage point difference between
black and white female permanent senior academics. Foreign nationals make up 17% of the permanent female senior academics. When considering the differences between black and white male permanent academic staff, the gap is not as big with only a 19% point difference. Foreign nationals make up 19% of the male academic staff. Associate professor Xolela Mangcu is one of the few black academics who publically expressed his disgruntlement with the shortage of black female academic staff, particularly within the professoriate. He argues that UCT is simply ‘not serious about hiring black women academics.’ He further states that the University’s old liberal approach of trying to find black academics who are agreeable to Management’s views on transformation, and its credibility problems amongst black academics is driving away many qualified academics. Mangcu further cites at least three black female academics who have left or are in the process of leaving UCT, one of them who is a leading scholar in her field.
Image: Jordan Arseno When asked for a response regarding the growing criticism and disgruntlement about academic representation, transformation and the broader decolonial project at UCT, Moholola said that UCT’s transformation goals include ‘making the university a more representative institution in terms of its academic and support staff, and transcending the idea of race.’ Furthermore, UCT anticipates a non-racial university ‘where historical apartheid categories
no longer have relevance to the probability that a student will be admitted or will pass; or to a staff member's likelihood of promotion.’ Moholola also cites the various initiatives and programs started by the university to deal with the shortage of black female academics, i.e. the Next Generation Professoriate Initiative, and the Recruitment, Development and Retention Programme, both intended to help academics to progress in their respective academic career fields.
Sinoxolo Boyi, a third year BA Law students argues that as much as the quantity/ representation of black academics is important, it is equally important to consider black epistemology and pedagogy. It is therefore important to have ‘black academics of decolonial content and subject matter at UCT, to decolonise the intellectual production and teaching of thought.’ Another Student, Felina Ramsahar feels that ‘it is important to have black female academics at UCT to address the racial imbalances in the academic staffing, and also give women a space in academia and acknowledge their skills, specifically black female academics who have been historically disadvantaged because they are black and female.’ Lastly, Matsepe Tsiu argues that UCT can be an unfriendly environment socially, economically, and academically, and having black academics will provide black students with someone they can identify with and look up to for inspiration if interested in a career in academic environment.
DISCHO Review Released
Robyn Ausmeier
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n April 5th, a review of UCT’s Discrimination and Harassment Office (DISCHO) was made publicly available. This review was initiated last year following criticism from the UCT community about the functioning of DISCHO and the failings of the current system in addressing sexual assault and harassment on campus. The DISCHO Review was conducted by a review panel made up of five members. The panel was chaired by Associate Professor Sally Swartz, Deputy Dean of Humanities, and included three internal members as well as one external consultant. Input was also given by other relevant bodies, and according to the report there were consultations with various staff members and students. The purpose of the review, as stated in the report, was to conclude whether the work of DISCHO corresponds with university approved policies, to collect feedback on DISCHO’s effectiveness and to make recommendations for the way forward. It was also noted that this review must be situated within a broader context of transformation services at the university, considering the systemic forces at play and the other facilities which are established to address issues of transformation. The findings of the DISCHO review were presented in a 42page document along with comments from the DISCHO staff as well as UCT management’s response to issues raised in the report – which was revised following the Council meeting. In the findings, the panel noted that the existing policies on sexual and racial harassment have not been recently updated and are in need of review. Additionally, it was also suggested that policies be developed on gender, bullying and general harassment.
Another concern raised by the review panel was that managers are not aware of the responsibilities expected of them as stated by the policy documents. The recommendation was made that these managers are given further training so that they can provide the relevant referrals, offer support for complainants and enable early intervention. Furthermore, the panel found that there was a limited understanding of DISCHO’s responsibilities relative to other structures, causing a lack of integration amongst the different groups. Considering this, they urged that there be a re-examination of the current structure and operations as well as a consistent liaison between the structures. The panel also reported that from the student perspective it appears that DISCHO favours mediation rather than the formal disciplinary route. It also stated that the informal procedure restricted other outcomes and led to an unsatisfactory result for the complainant. In order to address the reported dissatisfaction with the mediation process, the panel suggested that the informal route, as it stands, needs to be completely rethought. Responding to this section of the review, DISCHO staff argued that the complainant decides whether they would like to go through mediation, and that DISCHO does not infringe on this decision. Among other points raised by the panel was that senior management was not properly fulfilling its role to oversee and promote DISCHO. Additionally, it was mentioned that DISCHO is inadequately resourced and that more support is needed in order for the office to be fully effectual. In the conclusion of the review,
Image: Aisha Abdool Karim a final request was made that DISCHO’s services should ‘be integrated into an overarching transformation plan that seeks to eliminate the structural inequalities that impact on the lives of students and staff.’ Furthermore, the panel noted that it is necessary to recognise and promote the importance of the Transformation Services Office and to acknowledge
WE ACCEPT MEDICAL AIDS
the need for diversity success. Responding to the review, management stated that they had heard the appeal from students for ‘a vastly more responsive studentcentred unit.’ They also acknowledged that this new unit should take on an active role in raising awareness around sexual assault and harassment, and that it should provide thorough and attentive support to students and staff.
GENERAL DENTISTRY www.dentistonmain.co.za info@dentistonmain.co.za
During the process of conducting the review, students complained that there was not enough transparency with the review process, and that all members of the UCT community should be given a chance to contribute. While the review was underway, a petition was distributed and signed to ask that the panel allow all students to comment on the review before it was sent to Council. Address: Rondebosch___________ 1st Floor, Atlas Building 18 Main Road, RONDEBOSCH Tel: 021 685 5927 Cell:079 183 9336 Address: Observatory ___ 1st Floor, St Peters Square Main Road, OBSERVATORY Tel: 021 448 8449 Cell:082 629 0136 Address: Kromboom___________ 79 Kromboom Road RONDEBOSCH EAST Tel: 021 697 4611 Cell: 072 526 6234
Editorial
12 April 2016 | V75 E 4 | Page 4
2016 Collective EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Aisha Abdool Karim editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za
Editor-in-Chief
No ‘one size fits all’
DEPUTY EDITOR Sandisiwe (Yogi) Shoba editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za MANAGING EDITOR Tsepo Ngwenyama managingeditor@ varsitynewspaper.co.za COPY EDITOR Michaela Findeis copyed@varsitynewspaper.co.za ONLINE EDITOR Julius Stopforth online@varsitynewspaper.co.za CONTRIBUTORS & SUB-EDITORS Katherine Harris, Rebecca Houliston & Thokozile Kohsa NEWS Nico Nomyayi news@varsitynewspaper.co.za OPINIONS Adam Kleinschmidt and Tanya Magaisa opinions@varsitynewspaper.co.za FEATURES Ali Findlay and Nicole Arends features@varsitynewspaper.co.za SPORTS Catherine Fulton and Jessie Moore sports@varsitynewspaper.co.za IMAGES Megon Venter and Jian-Yi Song images@varsitynewspaper.co.za SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGERS Claire Millward and Robyn Starkey socialmedia@varsitynewspaper. co.za DESIGN Mari Mombers and Razeen Hansrod design@varsitynewspaper.co.za VIDEOGRAPHERS Amy-Leigh Braff and Amy Rinquest video@varsitynewspaper.co.za CENTRESPREAD EDITOR Ashley Seymour centrespread@varsitynewspaper. co.za WEB EDITOR Nikhil Gilbert and Saajidah Gafoor web@varsitynewspaper.co.za ONLINE CONTENT EDITOR Zanele Kabane online@varsitynewspaper.co.za ONLINE CHIEF SUBBER Daniela Savoia ONLINE NEWS CORRESPONDENT Robyn Ausmeier onlinenews@varsitynewspaper. co.za ONLINE OPINIONS CORRESPONDENT Claudia Harrison onlineopinions@varsitynewspaper. co.za ONLINE FEATURES CORRESPONDENT Anthea van den Bergh onlinefeatures@varsitynewspaper. co.za
Aisha Abdool Karim
H
aving a mental illness is difficult. Being ashamed or embarrassed because of your mental illness makes it even more difficult. The stigma attached to mental illnesses creates a barrier for people that are already dealing with complex issues, such as depression, anxiety, OCD, etc. People are often reluctant to share the fact that they have a mental illness, out of fear that it will not be taken seriously or will simply be brushed off as being dramatic. The stigma surrounding
mental health issues creates a barrier and can further isolate people with mental illnesses. The decision to share your experience and open up to others about your mental illness is a personal one and completely up to the individual. It’s not up to you to force someone to share more than they want to and you are not obligated to tell anyone more than you are comfortable with. However, dealing with your mental illness is a lot easier if you have a support system. That support system can be one person or it can be 20 but having someone there can make it a lot easier to address your issues. As someone with a mental illness, I have often found it hard to open up and tell people personal things about myself. Knowing that somebody could make a joke about it doesn’t make it any easier. It’s a huge step to share something so personal and it is very stressful not knowing how someone will react.
Deputy Editor-in-Chief
The aim of this issue is to highlight how serious mental illnesses are and I hope that reading these articles will help you to gain a better understanding of what some students are going through. We’re not here to provide you with a howto guide and each person is different. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ solution when dealing with your own mental illness or figuring out how to treat someone with a mental illness.
they’re just like other illnesses
The only advice I could possibly give anyone is to be compassionate. Don’t try to tell someone how they’re feeling or how they should handle their feelings. Even if you are going through something similar, it’s not
Under Pressure A recent article published in Destiny Man titled, ‘Why Black People Don’t Take Depression Seriously,’ addressed the criticism which South African rapper HHP received when he opened up about his battle with depression and several failed attempts at committing suicide. Some members of the public referred to the rapper as weak and mocked him extensively. Unfortunately, this is a common response to mental health issues in the black community. Depression has for a long time been referred to as a ‘white disease,’ despite the fact that close to one in six South Africans suffer from depression or anxiety. As a result, mental health issues amongst black South Africans often go untreated, especially since individuals who admit to their problems are viewed as incapable. Often times, sufferers also cannot afford professional mental healthcare and more importantly healthcare is largely unavailable in smaller urban areas and rural communities. Added to this; there is widespread misinformation
about mental illnesses. Depression is sometimes seen as irresponsibility or rudeness and sufferers are often chastised for their symptoms instead of being shown care or compassion. Common symptoms such as the sufferers needing to isolate themselves, anger and irritability as well as hypersomnia (sleeping too much) are seen as acts of defiance, especially amongst younger sufferers who struggle to fulfil social expectations such as waking up to complete household chores and who display ‘moody’ behaviours towards elders. The result of these attitudes towards mental health is particularly evident at UCT. A considerable number of black students at the university come from lower income communities and are either the first in their families to come to university or the first to potentially graduate. These students are under immense pressure. They are expected to succeed academically and are labelled as the future breadwinners of their families. Students often choose to put on a brave face when dealing with
up to you how someone else should act. If a friend opens up to you, it probably wasn’t an easy thing to do. Be there for them, offer them your support in any way you can. There aren’t a lot of downsides to someone caring too much about you, so if a friend is offering you their support then take it. Just don’t make the mistake of thinking someone can ‘fix’ you or that you can ‘fix’ someone else. Having a mental illness isn’t something to fix, it doesn’t mean that you’re broken. Mental illnesses are serious, but they’re just like other illnesses. You can seek treatment and get better. Your problems probably won’t vanish overnight and there’s no quick and easy solution, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible to work through your issues. I won’t say something as clichéd as ‘it gets better’, but your situation isn’t hopeless and it is possible to recover or live comfortably with them.
Sandisiwe (Yogi) Shoba
stress and depression as they cannot disappoint those who are dependent on them. Some students will choose to soldier through to graduation without seeking assistance or opting to extend their degree because the financial and status-driven gains of acquiring a degree, outweigh the psychological costs of stress and overexertion. Depression can adversely affect academic progress as sufferers often battle with concentration issues as well as persistent physical aches and pains. Students then hand in assignments late or are unable to study for tests, despite their best efforts. Due to the unfavourable attitudes towards mental illness, they may find it difficult to approach their lecturers and admit that they are struggling. Although facilities such as Student Wellness are available, many students wait until the issue has reached a peak before they seek help. Tragically, if depression is left untreated it can compound and the sufferer may choose to commit suicide as they perceive no other option available.
The attitudes towards mental health need to change. In many black communities, mental illness is blamed on witchcraft or demonic possession instead of being seen as a normal response to an abnormal amount of emotional trauma or pressure. Mental illness is not a racially selective phenomenon and it’s dangerous to dismiss an individual’s pain because their ‘race’ discredits their struggles. If you’re struggling with a mental illness or suspect that you may have one, please seek help. It does not make you weak, it makes you a fighter.
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OPINIONS
Mental Health is No Joke
11 April 2016 | V75 E 4 | Page 5 Opinions Editor
An Adamant View
Adam Kleinschmidt
The Writing is ‘W
on the Wall
ith great power comes great responsibility,’ said the old man to his nephew: another clichéd line, another clichéd superhero film. However, the line itself rings true in a number of ways, and I’m going to dip into one that is quite relevant to the status quo at UCT. The power we have of using our privilege, our words and our actions at our discretion needs to be checked more now than ever before.
opinions are the basis of of our interaction
Michaela Findeis
W
hether your alarm jerks you awake or you’re able to slowly and naturally wake up, those first few seconds of the day are pure bliss. In sleepy confusion, you’re unaware of what day it is or what your responsibilities are. Slowly, you begin to remember who you are, where you are and what you need to today. Assignments, chores and commitments all come to the mind. It’s time to get up and face the day, right? Right. Wrong. For three out four students, these thoughts are no worry. The day-today commitments are small hurdles, things to get done and continue with life. For that fourth student, these thoughts are a nightmare. If like me, you live with a mental illness such as depression, anxiety, OCD or any of the other myriads of mental illnesses that exist, these thoughts are sometimes compounded, resulting in an intense desire to stay in bed and hide away from the world. Don’t get me wrong; this is not as a result of laziness. It is an intense anxiety. It’s a daily battle with our minds, one we are more often than
Image: Robert Swier
not, able to fight, and win. A mental illness is something we deal with, live with and work with. For the most part, we do so just fine. Yet, on the days when the colours are a bit more dull and our compulsions are a bit stronger, the fight becomes a little bit harder. Mental illnesses are surrounded by stigma. As a result, many people who do suffer from a mental illness are not willing to tell people that they do, and they go about their day, dealing with the same stresses as everyone else, in combination with their own personal battles. Now, I am not saying that people who live with
‘excuses’ are what add to the stigma
a mental illness are the only ones who have personal issues. Everyone has personal issues. The problem is that a lot of people love to attribute their struggles to a mental illness, when they do not have one. We’ve all heard it. ‘I’m so
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
depressed right now, I can’t right my essay.’ Procrastination, feeling sad and not wanting to write an essay is vastly different to not being able to physically write your essay because you are unable to get out of bed on a particularly bad day in your
practice of using mental illness as an excuse
depression. These generalisations and ‘excuses’ are what add to the stigma surrounding mental illnesses. It is what adds to them not being taken seriously. If someone tells you they can’t eat something because they have diabetes, do you tell them to eat it anyway? No. We don’t use it as an excuse when we don’t want a slice of chocolate cake. It is not joked about; it is treated as a serious condition. So why not treat mental illnesses in the same way? Living with a mental illness is possible; we do it everyday. What does not help are the excuses and jokes that are made about mental illness. They detract from the seriousness and implications of living with them. We do not need to be treated with kid gloves; we are often more than capable of functioning. What is needed is the practice of using mental illness as an excuse to stop. Mental illnesses need to be respected not trivialised.
‘I think these new protest groups are so exclusionary and offensive.’ ‘I don’t feel like minority rights are that relevant at UCT, I mean, we cater for everyone don’t we, like the gays and all that?’ ‘Expecting people to speak English fluently at UCT isn’t that unfair to anyone.’ ‘Why do things always have to fall, with nothing to replace them?’ ‘How can they say that, but we can’t? Ignoring the blatant microaggressions resting in these statements, and how they reflect so many parts of our society, the truth of the matter is that these kinds of statements are a part of the opinion pool that we all swim in. Opinions are the basis of a lot of our interaction: from the flavour of ice cream that we prefer, to the political party we support and the way we engage with issues like institutional sexism. It’s important then to understand these opinions when they’re pushed against the wall during times of crisis and confrontation. Consider, for example, how people are engaging over social media and in conversation with the crisis unfolding in Syria: everything from anti-Islamic rhetoric from people on the street to the reactions from prolific politicians across the globe. The polarised nature of how people engage with tense flashpoint events informs us about how our society is cut, and how it needs to change. In bringing this all back to UCT, let’s take the example of the vanguard of the protest action groups, and how they’re received by the general populace. I’ll first state, explicitly,
that I don’t expect everyone to support groups like Rhodes Must Fall and UCT Survivors. I also expect that some part of a student body as big as ours would dissent for some reason or another, be it ignorance, a direct conflict with someone’s interests or anything else. However, it is still important to probe the role of these groups in polarising the student population. Much like any political or social group, there is an agenda in these groups. Some preach transformation of the status quo, others want altruistic change and others push the progression of certain identities or groups. They don’t cater to everyone, and this is implied because of why they are formed: as a response to some kind of social or political inequality. Which is why, when people go bananas on social media and post uninformed status updates or tweet at civil protest events, it’s adding to the set of scales that determine how these issues are being judged by society. This, in turn, decides how the issues will be resolved and how they will manifest in the future. Consider the spates of racism targeting RMF, and the way it developed the way people perceive – or ignore – issues like white privilege and institutional racism, and how our conversations have since been shaped by these discussions. For better or worse.
where will you fit into the conversation? What is my point? In essence, I’m just trying to explain that the way people engage is important, not only to our personal development, but also to the way these issues manifest. The topic of racism, for example, in South Africa has evolved rapidly over the last few decades and the 2015/6 political year has seen a major shift in the landscape. One that can be seen as either confrontational or as transformed. Your words, like it or not, do this. The trick is, where will you fit into that conversation in the future?
OPINIONS
11 April 2016 | V75 E 4 | Page 6
In My Language the Message Claudia Harrison
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nyone who has ever wanted to learn a language at UCT knows that making a decision is difficult. There are so many different languages offered by the School of Languages and Literature that picking one can be tough. However, most of these languages are not from Africa. Which is rather odd for a university on the African continent. Even more so for a university in an African country that has eleven
Mandarin is becoming a favoured language officially recognised languages. At UCT you can only major in two South African languages,
isiXhosa and Afrikaans. You can also do courses in Sotho and Sesotho, but these are not offered as majors. Mandarin is available as a major
we trade with other African countries from the Mandarin section, French, from the French Section and Hebrew from the Hebrew Section (this list is not exhaustive), yet there is no isiXhosa from the isiXhosa section. How odd that this has occurred, while non-African languages have entire sections devoted to them. African languages are bundled under one heading and pushed aside. ‘Othered’ if you will. I think it
Touches My Heart important to note that Afrikaans has its own section too, although a much younger language than isiXhosa, and more importantly, an African language not listed under the African languages section. Interesting. As one of the best universities in Africa, one would think that UCT offers all 11 of South Africa’s official languages. I would go further to suggest that the languages of fellow African countries should be offered. People often justify prioritising languages such as French and Mandarin because, next to English, they are widely spoken languages of business. These languages are beneficial for trade and international business transactions. People go on to argue that French is a lingua franca in so many African countries that it is paramount that other Africans learn French.
South Africa’s biggest trading partner is China, no doubt, and for this Mandarin is becoming a favoured language in our country. But we trade with other African
countries too. Zimbabwe, our beloved neighbour and sometimes pejoratively considered honorary 10th province is one of our main African trading partners. chiShona is a Bantu language which shares similarities to other South African languages, namely Ndebele and Venda.
It would be easier for a South African to learn Shona than to memorise the 47000 verbs of the French language. Yet, it is French that we are offered. It is Arabic and Netherlandic studies. Is Swahili not good enough for academia? Is isiZulu not intellectual enough? The solution to this is twofold. Firstly, UCT needs to offer its students the option of learning African languages. Secondly, students need to be willing to learn them. Notably, the former might prove easier than the latter. Even if the option were available there might still be those who do not wish to engage. I’m only saying that, ‘If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.’
Unfortunately, one of the primary concerns in this country is that the protective scope of existing laws is too narrow and lacks a consolidated and comprehensive framework on whistleblowing. Instead, whistleblowing is regulated by a splintered series of different laws that apply varying obligations to public and private entities, and different levels of protection for different categories of whistleblowers. As such, the recent Constitutional Court ruling must be welcomed as a block that will add weight to the current legislation reform and add more tools to the toolbox in favour of the process aimed at ensuring an adequate anti-corruption framework that includes bodies and organisations that could also effectively deal with complaints against corruption. It is through an
adequate anti-corruption framework that enables ordinary citizens at local level to engage actively in the fight against corruption. Thankfully this court ruling, combined with sustained levels of civil society activism, will keep the door open to yet another chance for all concerned to act collectively and decisively against corruption and abuse of state resources, and this time with the involvement of local voices. And once again, this renewed hope for partnership offers a generational opportunity for the country to hit the forward button: to advance a progressive course towards a future that balances the political, economic, social and environmental dimensions of prosperity and human-rights approach to governance and accountability.
Afrikaans has its own section too
The Rules of the Game
Nkhosikulule Nyembezi
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he recent scathing unanimous Constitutional Court ruling that President Jacob Zuma failed to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution must be celebrated as marking the strength of constitutional democracy in South Africa. It came at a time of increased concerns about what some term a ‘state capture’ by private business interests for personal enrichment at the expense of good governance, transparency and accountability in government. It also came at a time of yet another wave of public protests against government failure to fulfil election promises, including free education. These events underscore the reality that, even after two
Image: Flickr - GovernmentZA
decades of democracy, the constitutional dispensation is not free of scepticism. Nor is the idea of freedom in South Africa. We are confronted by the reality that two decades of constitutional democracy have not achieved all the necessary popular understanding and appreciation for the varied implications of constitutionalism for South Africa. Nor have they restored fully the dignity of our legal system in a manner that commands full confidence of all the citizens. It is for this reason that a constructive discussion would go a long way to building a South Africa we are all proud to live in and where we agree that the constitution, as a cornerstone document that provides us with the building blocks for nationhood, also seeks to promote a society free of corruption. Like other systems of governance, democracy
is simply a set of rules guiding the apportionment of power and conduct of transitions. The benefits can only be fully realised with conscientious leadership, an adequate system of checks and balances and a wellinformed citizenry. Successful efforts to reform corrupt
the recent Constitutional Court ruling must be welcomed public administrations and to curb abuses of power depend largely on leadership that is attentive to the rule of law and able to counterbalance corruption by mobilising supportive, democratically based constituencies and by acting swiftly to put in place and fully implement appropriate laws and institutions to combat corruption.
OPINIONS
11 April 2016 | V75 E 4 | Page 7
The Map is Not the Territory Tanya Magaisa
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his is the law: everyone has a right to freedom of expression. This right is enshrined in the South African Constitution, 1996. So say what you want. But this right has its limit, and when we exercise this right, do we know the limit? When we speak, we make assertions. Sometimes we are right and these assertions are valid. We can back them up with evidence, and we make valid and sound arguments for our assertions but other times, we are taken over by dogmatism. We become arrogant, convinced that our assertions are facts. We do that, not always, but we are human and fallible. The Constitution in South Africa is the absolute law, so take heed ‘social justice warrior’ before you begin to construct your public court room, complete with judge, jury and executioner. In South Africa, that public jury is nothing to the rule of law. Do you see the bird in the middle of this article? Of course you don’t. That’s not a bird, that’s a picture of a bird. The Constitution is for a nonracial South Africa. No, it is a picture for a non-racial South Africa. Do you see now what I mean when I say the map is not the territory? Maps only guide and words are maps. They are symbols of a territory:
Image: Pexels
they are not the territory. I use binaries only to explain simply what I mean when I say that words are only maps. A man can never understand what ‘b****’ means to a woman, though she can explain it until he thinks he knows it. He does not.
A black man can explain his oppression to a white man, and he can think he knows and believe he understands. Repeat it back verbatim. He does not. You can explain to me what it is to be kicked in the testicles, I heard once that it is like bones slowly
cracking and shattering. I think I understand this. But I do not, will not experience it. Do you see what is meant by ‘ceci ne pas une pipe?’ In general semantics the verb ‘to be’ when used with people is a big problem. It is too absolute a
description. When I use the verb ‘to be’ regarding another person I forget that I am drawing a map, my map. My map is not the territory. It’s an unfair assertion about a person’s character. So when I say ‘Lydia is irresponsible’, what I mean to say is that ‘my version of Lydia is irresponsible.’ The Lydia that I know, the Lydia that I met, the Lydia to who I have attributed this characteristic. But the reality is, the Lydia I meet and the Lydia you meet is not an absolute. Lydia changes, Lydia grows, just like territories. We say it all the time, ‘I give what I get,’ so Lydia may have given to you what she felt you gave to her when she was drawing her map of you. I hope I’m making sense. We make maps of territories; we make maps of maps of territories. So I can make a map of a territory without ever having been there right? We describe people: we make descriptions of descriptions of people, so I can make a description of a person without ever having met them. Here is what I am saying: when you exercise your right to freedom of expression, the Constitution is the map. South Africa is the territory. But along the lines we get lost, because the map is not the territory and there are trees misplaced.
My Fair Problem Jarita Kassen
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s a womxn, I am often perplexed by the fact that male condoms are the sole provision available in public bathrooms. No feminine hygiene products or condoms: it is as if the vagina does not need any protection. This became a very real reason to have ‘bad blood’ with the institutions like the South African government and UCT management. The common ‘first period story’ that one hears usually involves the initial shock and slight embarrassment, followed by the typical ‘little girl becoming a young womxn’ moment and finally the first trip to the store. This is the pretty story, the story people are comfortable to hear. For the vast majority of girls, however, the ‘first period story’ is characterised by fear and shame upon having to tell
Image: Jian Yi Song their already struggling parents that a new expense has just arisen. This story exists because the government refuses to recognise feminine hygiene as a health issue.
The ‘first period story’ is characterised by fear The sad reality is that feminine hygiene does not only have the capacity to become a health problem but also an educational problem. It becomes a health problem when womxn living in impoverished communities are forced to use old rags, leaves, bark and grass instead of sanitary products and contract infections as a result. It becomes an educational issue when these very womxn begin to skip school,
sometimes for six days every month, because they are too embarrassed and uncomfortable to attend school while menstruating. Not only are provisions of feminine hygiene products unavailable but the products that womxn do purchase are taxed. This tax has become known as the ‘Tampon Tax’, because of a campaign created by change.org, which was headlined #EndTamponTax. The ‘Tampon Tax’ refers to the VAT and import tariff (only imported products) charged on all feminine hygiene products, which are seen as luxuries. This means that womxn are essentially paying the government for having their period. Not only does this highlight the patriarchal society that we live in but it also shows a prejudice against the menstruation process itself. Some development has been made
regarding the expense of feminine hygiene products: many countries such as Canada have abolished the so-called ‘Tampon Tax.’ The South African government, however, has yet to take such an initiative. Several South African NGOs have created alternative products, which are costeffective and safe, making them accessible to impoverished and rural communities. Examples of such organisations are DignityDreams and SubzPadz: be sure to donate or at the very least read a little bit about these revolutionary causes.
Products that womxn do purchase are taxed Now, on to the common appearance of the infamous – due to
some recalls of defective condoms – ‘Choice’ condom: it is undoubtedly conceded that HIV and STIs are seen as health issues, which is why the male condom is spotted in almost every public bathroom in South Africa – at no cost. Has anyone ever seen a female condom in these very public bathrooms? No. Is a female condom also capable of preventing the spread of HIV and other STIs? Yes. This is just one example of the sexual inequality that exists in our society. Merely noting these injustices and prejudices and pegging them on the government, is not enough. We need to educate ourselves. If you have never seen a female condom before, go and explore them. Donate to the NGOs that are trying to change the situation. Do not allow derogatory sexual jokes to slide. Spread radical love.
11 April 2016 | V75 E 4 | Page 10
FEATURES
The Petrol Situation Image: Richard Masoner
Khumo Mampuru
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any of you, especially those of you with cars, would have noticed the cascading drop in the price of petrol over the past few years. If you were too busy celebrating, you might not have realised that this was spurred on by the drop in the price of a barrel of oil. Oil’s market value has, over the course of two years, dropped from trading at $115 a barrel to around $40. The reason for this drop is the fundamental law of supply and demand in economics. Historically speaking, The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
(OPEC) controlled the price of oil by managing the amount of oil produced in year. OPEC consists of 12 major oil producing countries namely Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. Although there are 12 members, the members do not have equal say in deciding on how much oil will be produced in a given quarter. The countries who have greater oil reserves (for example, Saudi Arabia) tend to decide how much will be produced. According to current estimates, more than 80% of the world’s proven oil reserves are located in OPEC Member Countries, with the bulk of OPEC oil reserves in the Middle
East amounting to around 66% of the OPEC total. The rise of fracking in the United States has changed the energy landscape. Fracking is the process of drilling down into the earth to release shale gas that is stuck beneath the rocks. Shale gas can be converted to oil, which represents a massive threat to the market share of the current players in the oil market. The United States has recently found means to increase their efficiency of their fracking operations. In 2000, fracking comprised less than 2% of US oil production. Now fracking makes up half of the US oil production, transforming what used to be a net importer of oil into an almost selfsufficient country.
Although my first lecture is only at 10am, I like to come to campus early so that I can chat with my friends at the Disability Unit. The Unit is on the fourth floor of Steve Biko Building and they provide services and support for students and staff with needs. There is a room called ‘The Dayhouse’ where I spend most of my time. It’s a good space to work in and it’s nice to be surrounded by other students that also experience their own form of disability — we share and support one another every day. After that, I run to the EGS Building for my class. The lecturer knows that she/he can only begin if my Sign Language Interpreter is present, otherwise I will miss what is being said. Since I rely on ‘listening’ with my eyes, having a Sign Language Interpreter is invaluable because she conveys unintelligible verbal lectures into lectures I can ‘listen’ to with ease. I also have a fellow classmate (who is paid by the Disability Unit) that makes notes for me because I can’t make notes myself otherwise I will miss what is being signed to me.
My next classes are only at 2pm and 3pm, so I make use of my free time to do my readings and other work. I secretly love people-watching because I can pick up on people’s body language and facial expressions. I am not the only Deaf student at UCT; there are five of us altogether. Although each of us are Deaf, we experience hearing losses differently. I wear hearing aids and hear some sounds, but I still rely on lipreading people. Others either do or do not wear hearing aids — it’s a personal choice. Upper Campus is a noisy place, so I usually struggle to understand some people. Students often look scared when I tell them that I’m deaf. They forget that they can text a message or write a note if I can’t hear them. At my Criminology class at 2pm, I have a different Sign Language Interpreter, since they allocate their duties around four Deaf students. After my Sociology class ends at 3:45pm, I head to South Stop and catch a Claremont Jammie home, the same as so many fellow students.
The US has become the third largest producer of oil behind Saudi Arabia and Russia. This has caused an increase in the supply of oil that has not been met by an increase in demand. OPEC’s response to the insurgent frackers from the US has been simple. In an attempt to maintain control of the oil market, OPEC wants to leverage the fact that they have a lower breakeven point than many of their shale gas counterparts. OPEC, to the detriment of many of the countries that are a part of it, decided to continue producing oil at the same rate as before the emergence of the shale gas frackers. This has led to a further increase in the supply of
oil and subsequently a momentous drop in the market value of oil. There has been much speculation around when the price of oil will recover to values above $100 per barrel. For this to happen, the major oil producers will need to cut their production to a level in line with the demand of the market. Recently, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Qatar said they will freeze oil production at January rates, provided others (i.e. Iran) do the same. The reality is that at the current rate of oil production, the price of oil will not recover and the overarching effects of cheap oil on the fiscal state of oil producing nations like Nigeria, Venezuela and Chile will be catastrophic.
A Day in the Life of a Deaf Student Jessica Bothma
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ou could try waking me up with noises...but it’s not going to work. I am Deaf so I experience the world mostly through sight and touch. I am going to take you on a short trip of my typical Tuesday; hopefully it will give you a glimpse of what it is like to be a Deaf student on Upper Campus at UCT. I live at home so my day starts with my family. Four out of five of us are Deaf, so we wake up with an alarm that flashes lights. We bustle to get ready, talking in Sign Language. By the time I leave home at around 8:15am I have my hearing aids on, so I can hear some sounds: the mumble of people’s voices, traffic and the irritating hoots from rushing taxis. My hearing aids help me hear about 50% of what the average person hears and it’s enough to get a sense of what is happening around me. I walk from home to the bus stop at Cavendish and catch a minibus taxi to Tugwell, followed by a big bus to Upper.
Image: Claire via Flickr
FEATURES
11 April 2016 | V75 E 4 | Page 11
Living With OCD
Exhibiting UCT’s ‘Dirty Laundry’ Dela Gwala
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n the 16th of March, UCT Survivors assembled a clothesline protest against sexual violence at UCT on the area currently known as Jameson Plaza. Some T-shirts contained messages of affirmation for those let down by the structures and systems that are supposed to support as well as protect survivors and some of them named the violence that UCT tries to conceal – ‘sexual harassment,’ ‘sexual assault,’ ‘rape,’ ‘victim-blaming,’ and ‘rape culture.’ Other t-shirts had stories from the survivors who have contributed to the UCT Survivors blog or damning excerpts from the most recent review of the Discrimination and Harassment office (DISCHO), which is the first port of call when dealing with these cases. These excerpts also conveyed management’s negligence towards the office. Outside AC Jordan, there were paper doll figures that carried messages to ensure that everyone takes into account that rape doesn’t happen between cis-het men and women only – that the UCT community cannot be complicit in erasing trans, queer and nonbinary people from the narrative about sexual violence. Some of the doll figures also carried messages about able-bodied privilege and the side-lining of mental health at UCT which are important considerations when discussing sexual violence. As people walked up the stairs that day, they could read about
the pain that has been erased by an institution whose main communication about these forms of violence has been problematic emails. UCT Survivors erected those clotheslines and shared those stories in the build-up to a mass meeting at Bremner. The meeting aimed to ensure that survivors are listened to and that the structures that are supposed to uplift them are held accountable. The main demand was that management publicly release the DISCHO review – a document that details some of the failings of the support structures and disciplinary procedures that needs to be addressed. On the 17th of March, when UCT Survivors met outside Bremner to discuss these concerns and give another platform for survivors to share their experiences, survivors were met with a locked front gate and silence from UCT management. This initiative by UCT survivors does not only showcase the problematic nature of UCT management with regards to the protection of students, but also brings about the much needed conversations and creates a platform for those who goes unheard of. Check us out: Blog platform: https:// uctsurvivors.wordpress.com/ Email address: uctsurvivor@ gmail.com Facebook: UCT Survivors Twitter: UCTSurvivors
Anonymous
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y earliest experience with an obsessive thought was the day I convinced myself my sister was going to slip in the shower. An imagined broken arm or leg gradually became her untimely death. I stood by the door and knocked several times. I remember her getting irritated, obviously, but I couldn’t understand why. I only did it to keep her alive. These days, I can spend hours carefully categorising and labelling things, feeling very agitated if they’re moved. If a friend casually lifts something off my desk midconversation or removes a cushion to sit on my couch, I wait somewhat patiently until they leave to replace my possessions carefully. I’m not comfortable with door-handles, sinks or sitting on chairs that aren’t in my home. People with OCD know that their fears are irrational. I know that nothing catastrophic will happen if I touch a door handle or accidently graze the inside of a sink as I wash my hands, but if its something I can avoid, I prefer to do so. Sometimes I need to place things very precisely before I can fall asleep. My laptop must be in its bag and my shoes have to be easily accessible. I obsessively replay social interactions in my mind to check that everything went ‘correctly,’ get
compulsions intensified and became time-consuming. There wasn’t a single moment where I miraculously got better. It’s a gradual journey with a fair share of successes and failures. Sometimes I still perform obsessive rituals and worry myself into a painful silence, but I’ve learned to approach these things differently. I started reading books and doing research. I confided in a friend who turned out to have had a similar experience with anxiety. I joined new societies, met new people and I speak out more. I’ve learnt to exert some control over my behaviour. I still have great friends, I’m ambitious, I’m adventurous and I do well in school. What’s made the biggest difference for me is trying to understand why I act the way I do and recognising what triggers certain thoughts or actions. That way I can see when things are about to spiral out of control and then try to work towards countering it. It always starts with something seemingly small like trying to avoid stepping on cracks on the ground while I walk. If I don’t make a conscious effort not to take it seriously, the obsession eventually spills over into other areas of my life and becomes much harder to handle. If you want to read more about mental illness, check out the article ‘Understanding Mental Illness’ on the Varsity website.
The Best Coffee in Town Daniela Savoia
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Image: Saara Mowlana
Image: Benjamin Watson angry with myself for obsessing and then worry because I’m making a big deal out of nothing. A simple conversation of less than five minutes can plague me for over an hour. My OCD had never really affected what I consider the important areas of my life. But a few years ago the intensity and frequency of my intrusive, obsessive thoughts and the actions that come with them got far worse. I was doing badly in my degree. Studying is difficult for anyone, mental illness or not, but my obsessive habits intensified my doubts. Eventually, I started questioning everything. Instead of checking doors, windows and wardrobes twice before going to bed, I was checking five to six times and still feeling uncertain. Germs became more threatening. I questioned my abilities and talents. I’d obsess over what I said or how I came across. It got to a point where I thought about it so much that I wasn’t participating in anything or talking to anyone, not even my close friends. I became almost completely silent. I started having panic attacks and developed an irrational fear of crowds so I took lengthy routes to lectures or left campus altogether. I was experiencing severe anxiety, something that is linked to OCD. I made excuses to miss important appointments, I stopped talking to my friends and my
or many of us, coffee is our lifeline. When test week comes and essays are due, there’s often more caffeine than blood flowing through our veins. Whether you’re looking for free wifi and a spot to study or a place to meet a friend, here’s a list of some of the ultimate coffee spots. 1. Vida e Caffè Obrigado! Vida e Caffè strives to embrace the espresso drinking street culture of Europe and their incredibly friendly baristas are always ready to have a conversation. They have a wide range of coffees and frios on offer, using only the finest quality Arabic beans to make their Vida Estrela blend. There’s free chocolate, upbeat music, free Wi-Fi and their cafes are conveniently situated almost everywhere. Check out their app for special deals and even the occasional free coffee! 2. Mugg and Bean Mugg and Bean is one of the most well known coffee shops around. They have a great selection of coffee beans; from their medium roast
House Blend, the favourite Mocca Java, as well as a variety of Single Origin beans cultivated from single geographical regions. And all of these options are bottomless and under R20! Even though it might be tempting, I wouldn’t advise having seven cups if you plan on sleeping at all over the coming days. It didn’t work out so well for me. Mugg and Bean are situated all over the place and there’s Wi-Fi too! 3. Cocoa Wah Wah Definitely one of the creamiest cappuccinos I’ve ever had – and I’ve had a lot. The baristas at Cocoa Wah Wah have some mad milkfrothing skills. Their coffees never disappoint, and if you’re feeling a little extra indulgent, try one of their chocochinos or flavoured hot chocolates. Topped with chocolate sauce, a marshmallow and chocolate biscuit, you’ll be in hot chocolate heaven. While you’re at it, treat yourself to their white chocolate, lemon and poppy seed cake. With their unique decor, convenient location and late business hours, Cocoa Wah Wah is always buzzing with students. Added extras: Wi-Fi, Cocoa Rewards and board games!
4. Jason’s Bakery If you’re looking for somewhere trendier, unpretentious yet uber hip, look no further. You might have difficulty in finding a seat as Jason’s is always packed, but the service is good and Jason himself is always hanging around if he’s not in the kitchen. The coffee is Salvador certified organic single-estate coffee imported from Nicaragua; it doesn’t fail to impress. I would recommend going on a Saturday morning and trying one of their specialty doughssants – every week there’s a new exciting flavour. Just make sure you go early because there’s always a line and limited stock! 5. Bootleggers Bootleggers Coffee Company has incredible coffee made from exotic beans from Guatemala and Costa Rica that are freshly roasted each day. They have some great snacks and meals made from honest food – this means only fresh, local produce is used. You’ll find them situated in Sea Point, Kenilworth, Kalk Bay and Cape Quarter. They have a special ‘Red-eye’ coffee special every morning from 6:30 to 8:30am for only R14!
FEATURES
11 April 2016 | V75 E 4 | Page 12
Check Yourself Saara Mowlana
Image: http://phandroid.com/2012/09/18/twitter-for-android-update-adds-header-photos-for-profiles-photo-stream-and-more/
21 March 2006 - Jack Dorsey started drawing rough sketches of how he imagined twitter which later led onto him being the first to post a tweet.
August 2007 – Chris Messina proposes #Hashtags and the first tweet with a #hashtag is posted.
3 November 2006 – Interaction between tweets is established. The first @reply is tweeted.
Image: https:// g.twimg.com/ about/featurecorporate/image/ 2006.jpg
15 January 2009 – For the first time Twitter is used as a medium for sharing breaking news. 17 April 2009 – The first celebrity reaches 1 million followers. 27 January 2011 – Twitter becomes a platform for revolutionary movements. The first revolution is tweeted – The Arab Spring pro-democracy movement in Egypt.
Image: https://g.twimg.com/about/ feature-corporate/image/2011.jpg
4 February 2013 – Twitter is now used by businesses as an advertising tool to appeal to the masses.
14 July 2011 – Twitter becomes an organising tool. Users start using the platform to mobilise citizens for #occupywallstreet
November 2013 – Twitter becomes a publicly traded company and becomes listed in the New York Stock Exhange.
3 March 2014 – Ellen DeGeneres posts the most retweeted tweet in history.
14 July 2014 – Twitter is used as a platform to report sports news. The 2014 World Cup in Brazil is the first to introduce this concept.
Image:http://img.fifa.com/mm/photo/tournament/competition/02/ 40/53/48/2405348_xbig-lnd.jpg
Image: http://expertbeacon.com/what-hashtag-and-how-use-itmarketing-your-business/#.VwI6MaR96Uk
The revolution will not be televised, it will be tweeted!
January 2015 - #BlackLivesMatter is created by users and is tweeted 9 million times thus playing a role in the popularisation of #BlackTwitter
12 October 2015 - #FeesMustFall movement is created and twitter is used as a medium of interaction between the different universities in South Africa thus giving rise to #WokeTwitter and #PatriarchyMuctFall.
Image: Twitter - @tbmoyo 21/10/2015
21 March 2016 – Twitter celebrates 10 years
Image: Twitter - @tbmoyo 21/10/2015
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any of us are guilty of overlooking our privilege in everyday life. We get so absorbed in our personal bubbles that we forget to check ourselves before unpacking our opinions onto others.
Here are a few situations in which we should all remember to check ourselves, before we wreck ourselves. 1. If you think cat calling is a compliment, you should check yourself. Cat calling involves suggestive whistling and the calling out of rather intrusive terms. While it may seem like innocent fun, the patriarchal norms it reinforces and encourages are not. 2. If your biggest stress every morning is the lack of parking spaces available or missing out on your daily cappuccino, check yourself. It may seem like an inconvenience to start your day off hunting for a parking after sitting
the press textbooks without a second thought. Especially students who are already on financial aid, the additional hundreds needed to purchase all the necessary books tally up and become a burden upon many students. So when the student hustle to get textbooks begins, be
mindful that getting second hand or discounted books is a lifesaver. 4. If you think DP is more of a suggestion than a need, check yourself. Some students are the first in their family to attend University and many have their bursary riding on their ability to produce results. So, if students aren’t able to attend the daily social events at the various bars or gatherings, understand that this degree may be have a lot riding on it. It’s easy to forget that not everyone is guaranteed the opportunity to attend university and procrastination isn’t an option to everyone. DP is a must if you want a degree, not a polite suggestion as much as students hope it was. Before you make a quick comment about the struggle it was to miss the daily cappuccino or walk 500 meters from where you had to park, remember that not everyone is afforded the same privilege. Check yourself before you wreck yourself.
human beings that need our help. It may seem simplistic to put photos or videos online, but I think it's a great way to see ordinary people, like you and me, in a very different light and for who and what they really are.’ New York is not the only place that has such a page; people from India, Australia, Ireland, Italy, South Africa, and many others have followed in Stanton’s footsteps. These ‘Humans of…’ spin-off pages have given people the opportunity to express themselves in a whole new manner, illustrating to the world that you are never alone. Someone out there can relate to your story and even if they are not in same vicinity they can offer advice, compassion, or plain old gratitude with a touch of a button. Not only has the page inspired people to create spin-offs, but it has also created new forms of artistic collaboration. The exhibition in South Africa, Strangers on Film,
uses strictly black and white photography to showcase the collaborative efforts of the most creative photographers around the country. The caveat for this exhibit is that all 14 photographers are ‘strangers,’ which allows them to connect with their fellow artists through their film. Humans of New York is an inspiration to the world at large and also gives people the opportunity to connect and re-connect with their locality and thousands of others. It has elicited new ideas and ways of understanding that the world has never seen before. It has re-defined the term stranger and emphasised that everyone is going through struggle, triumph, happiness, dullness, and everything in between. Challenge yourself by asking questions and listening to people’s stories; you never know who you will connect with or who is going through a similar situation.
in traffic for what felt like forever, but there are students who have a much harder time getting to campus than the luxury of their own car. I often have to stop myself complaining about the traffic taking me an extra 20 minutes to get to the Sandown Jammie stop when talking to friends, whom I forgot had to commute via three different public transport services to get there the same time. Be more mindful that students get to campus in different ways and have their own personal commute struggles every morning too. 3. If you don’t see the issue behind the steep costs of textbooks, check yourself. Not everyone is fortunate enough to buy fresh from
Humans of New York: Superficial Blog or Sociological Experiment? Nicholas Martinez
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umans of New York is not just a simple Facebook page or a blog made by an aspiring artist. It allows humans across the world to tell their stories and to have a voice in a society where the rich and powerful control what is said and who is represented. This blog, which has turned into a book on the New York Times’ Best Seller List, has inspired many to reflect on their own lives and to take note of the people around them. Whether it’s a neighbour or someone who is caught in a war thousands of miles away, we are able to connect with them and be sympathetic to their struggles or praise their triumphs. Started in the summer of 2010, this magnificent blog and resultant book was created by Brandon Stanton. Initially, Stanton wanted to create an exhaustive catalogue that featured the photos of 10 000 New York City inhabitants plotted on a map. In his search for his subjects, he collected quotes and short stories to create a more holistic portrait of NYC lifestyle and Humans of New York was born. The page has taken the world by storm; over 8 million people have read, laughed and cried over the many stories and photographs that Stanton presents to the world.
It has re-defined the term stranger In an interview with a student, I asked what she thought about Humans of New York. She explained how valuable and emotional it was for her to read the stories of people from Pakistan, because she is from there herself. These stories connect her to her home and help her keep track of what is going on when she is away at school. She also says: ‘Humans of New York helps the world understand that there are other
Image: Humansofnewyork.com /photographer
FEATURES
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GREETINGS
from the bench Catherine Fulton
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elcome back, and I hope that everyone had a wonderful break during the Easter vacation. I know I did, despite the fact that it was basically a consolidation week (though I hope most of you didn’t have too many assignments and tests due like I did). Now it is time to get our minds back on track, as I am sure most of you are looking forward to exams (ha ha). Speaking of minds, you will find an interesting yet an unusual selection of articles in this edition, most of which are mind–related. Yes, it is ironic for a sport section, but that was the idea, as the mind is often not given enough recognition in sport, which is why Tanya, our Deputy Opinions Editor, has shed some light on the stereotypes surrounding ‘brain vs brawn.’ A lot of our writers out there have some interesting things to tell you regarding sport, some of which I guarantee that you have never heard of (or read) before. Take a look at Light-saber fighting if you’re looking for something a little less conventional, and for all the ‘noobs’ out there I suggest you take on Mind Sports South Africa to up your game (ha ha). Otherwise, if these don’t float your boat, page over and take a look around, as our writers have included a nice variety in this edition, from intimidation in the gym to the workings of the nervous system. So long, and happy reading!
SPORT
Mind Sports South Africa – It’s All in the Mind Ehber Burger
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ave you ever desperately tried to beat a friend’s Flappy Bird high score, or did they beat you badly in FIFA? Have you tried to show off by beating someone at checkers? Well, there is a bunch of players who take these games seriously, and they are the players of Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA). Having started out as only chess and checkers, 33 years has seen the sport grow to include a large variety of board games and video games. The industry has grown to the extent where companies have started to give out sponsorships to teams and individual players, and tournaments and championships have become crowded with both players and spectators.
14 different disciplines were fought over Image: Nate Grigg Mind sports are sports where the majority of work is done in the mind and requires little physical excursion or fitness. Internationally, these sports have grown vastly over the years; starting out as simple pastimes for a rainy day, and turning into an industry that has grown to dominate the market, overtaking music and film. In 2014, games revenue stood at $81.5 billion, over double that of the film industry. With this much money in a single industry, the competitive side of gaming has seen a spike in sponsorships and competition rewards. For DOTA 2, The International’s prize pool was collected by a single company Valve using a percentage of their sales to sponsor the money. Yet, the prize
pool was $18,429,613.00, where the winning team of 5 players (with most of them being around the age of twenty three) received nearly half that sum. Similar prize pools have been collected for other games, such as League of Legends and Call of Duty.
22 players received provincial colours With such an imposing international size, it is no surprise that the South African competitions have become common. Already there are several national school
leagues where school teams play off either online or meet face to face. Thus, many schools are now acknowledging these sports and have started to give out colours and rewards to their teams. Many universities have their own successful MSSA teams. In the bigger leagues, there are multiple provincial championships that occur throughout the year in preparation for the national trials. The MSSA 33rd Gauteng Provincial Championships have just passed, where the titles to 14 different disciplines were fought over and 22 players received provincial colours. Most of these players are either school or university students. National Trials are South Africa’s
largest mind sports event. All the top provincial teams flock to the Trials, hoping for their chance to play for the nation and pick up bragging rights along the way. Last year in December, the National Trials were held in Witbank. Players/teams who win in their disciplines at the Trials are sent to various countries (for example Russia, China and Austria) for international tournaments or even friendly games. In addition, a few countries have started to assemble teams for some of the biggest competitions, like the Olympics. At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before these players become world renowned celebrities, just like sports stars from soccer or football.
Don’t Mind Me, or My Muscles Nadia Ghumra
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h, yes. The gym. A place where you can smell the blood, sweat and tears that people shed in order to impress everyone around them. It’s no surprise that in such a competitive environment, many of us feel apprehensive about embarrassing ourselves. Whether it’s in the weights section or the treadmills, we are all straining ourselves to look accomplished. Since I signed up for the gym, I have found myself attending most of the group exercises where there is an instructor that can demonstrate what to do. It makes me feel safe because I wouldn’t be looking as totally lost following an ‘expert’ as opposed to randomly lifting some dumbbells. There is also no stress about awkwardly attempting to adjust the machines for my height, or having to ask someone how a machine functions.
There is also no right way to workout. However, the classes can be limited at times and may not always
Image: Health and Fitness Freaks
focus on workouts that I would want to endure. When my friends wouldn’t join me outside the classes, I mustered up the courage to do it myself. With some help from a few online trainers I ventured out and became my own instructor. Standing in the open floor area, already sweating from being so anxious, I began my drills and once I blocked everyone else out, I felt empowered. Even when I looked around
and saw mostly guys bench pressing themselves into oblivion, I was unbroken. I reminded myself that everyone is here for a different reason. Some are there to whittle their waists back into shape and others are there to focus on their strength. This doesn’t mean that one is superior to the other on the fitness ladder. There is also no right way to workout, or the correct number of reps to do.
We are all on our own level of our own journey. No one has the right to come up to you and judge you for being weak because you had to adjust the weight setting down five notches. No one should compare their routines to yours because each has their own function. I’ve been told many times that doing Pilates is a waste of a gym membership because it’s a leisurely exercise, and yet I’ve witnessed the buff athletes quaking under the stress of ‘The 100.’
Most of the time our doubt comes from pre-determined bases. The general ideology that girls shouldn’t be in the lifting area and guys shouldn’t be using machines such as the elliptical, are way too old but way too common. I wasn’t even given a tour of the side of the gym with the weights and machines, because well, I’m not expected to be in that area. This, however, doesn’t just extend to the male versus female show down. Even among our own genders we tend to disparage each other. When a slender guy is trying to beef up, he gets sneered at as if the ones that look like they could take out Johnny Bravo with one finger didn’t start out from scratch. Or if a guy goes to Zumba he’s already undermining his masculinity. The same goes for the ladies who complain about their lean counterparts, saying that they should just leave because they’re already skinny. Judging people at the gym isn’t going to make your physique look any different and allowing yourself to be judged isn’t going to help either. I’ve realised that there is no need to feel insecure when at the gym because we all have to start somewhere. The gym isn’t just for muscles or shedding some pounds, it’s about creating a healthy lifestyle!
SPORT
SPORT BITES Catherine Fulton Neeksens open to return to SA
Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Johan Neeskens admits that he might consider a return to the Premiership. Before being replaced with current coach Pitso Mosimane, Neekens was in charge of Sundowns between 2011 and 2012, and is now open to a return to South Africa if the offer was ‘right’: ‘I can never say no but it depends if it is the right moment and if it is the right club, in football you can never say no,”’Neeksens said.
McGregor and Hartley: Africa’s Best
At a gala dinner in Hillcrest, Durban on the evening of Sunday, March 27th, South African paddling icon’s Hank McGregor and Bridgitte Hartley were named African Canoe Federation’s Men’s and Women’s Paddler of the Year for 2015. The three days of racing saw team South Africa claim victory at the Continental Championships and 2016 Olympic Games qualifier, with the host nation going on to top the final medal standings with 15 medals; 12 of which were gold.
Kylami: SA’s track upgraded
Earlier in May 2015, Wheels24 reported that the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midrand would receive major upgrades as its new owner Toby Venter, CEO of Porsche SA, aims to upgrade the iconic race circuit. Venter purchased Kyalami racetrack for 205 million rand at the High Street Auction in 2014. Construction has begun this year with track organizers reporting a completed surface upgrade and a new 4x4/off-road venue. Porsche aims to officially re-open the track later this year.
Sanchez injury setback
Arsenal’s forward, Alexis Sanchez, has admitted that his return to form was hampered by the fear that he would suffer another injury, after having just suffered a serious hamstring injury in November last year which had him out of action for two months. ‘I had a setback and when I played a match, I was scared I would get injured again because the thing I like most in the world is playing football and when I can’t play, I feel sad.’ The absence of Sanchez was certainly felt by the Gunners, and the Chilean admits that it’s hard when results aren’t going their way. Meanwhile, the Gunners returned to action on Saturday, where they faced London rivals West Ham United. Sources: sport24.com
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It's a Mind Game Jessie Moore
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euroscience teaches us that every time we think, our brains release chemicals that make us feel good or bad. If we believe these thoughts, our beliefs lead to actions that reflect them. Believe it or not, our minds have a powerful influence over our bodies and over our whole lives. When you have a happy and optimistic thought (e.g. ‘I am truly loved and accepted’), your body releases chemicals that raise your spirits and make you feel relaxed and soothed. Studies actually show that our hands become warm, muscles relax and our breathing takes on a healthy rhythm. When I exercise, this same sense of wellbeing and physical relaxation results (well… afterwards at least). If you’re one of those people who simply can’t fathom putting ‘exercise’ and ‘relaxation’ in the same sentence, I suppose a massage or spa day could do the trick too. As great as warm hands and happy muscles might be, it seems a bit idealistic to think positively all the time. Life is messy and there are various factors that we can’t control. However, if our worth and feelings are contingent on variables such as marks, achievements or even other people, we’re bound to end up disappointed at some point because these things are never 100% reliable or consistent. When we allow ourselves to feel angry, anxious, hopeless or helpless, our brains release chemicals that stress our bodies out and disrupt how we feel physically and emotionally. This tension makes our breathing shallower, our hands colder and our heart rates rise. Often we don’t even realise how detrimental our thoughts
are when we’re thinking them. If you do averagely in a test, do you automatically feel worse about yourself and your abilities? Even if these are just temporary thoughts, they’re lethal. The problem is that if we believe our negative thoughts, they provide emotional fuel for anger, and can worsen already existing mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression and unhealthy behaviours, especially….you’ve guessed it: overeating. CRASH DIETS DON’T WORK. Many overweight people turn to crash diets to fix their problems, but in this, they are only dealing with the symptom, not the cause. Religiously eliminating full food groups and spending your life in the gym will probably cause you to lose weight, but unless the emotional reasons behind your overeating are addressed, you will quickly stack back all the kilos again, and often a few more. I’ve been there before and it’s really not an ideal situation to be in. Thoughts of selfloathing and despair will increase, leading to more emotional overeating, thus the vicious cycle continues, often resulting in obesity. What is the solution to this cycle of negative thoughts and beliefs that lead to emotional overeating, and feeds other destructive habits like eating disorders or obsessive compulsive behaviours? GET TO THE ROOT. When my mom wants to get rid of the ivy strangling our oak tree at home, she injects poison into the roots of the ivy. She doesn’t just pull the ivy off the tree, or it will just reappear twice as thick. That’s how we have to approach emotional overeating. Kill it at the roots! Over the last forty years, mental health practitioners have developed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to do exactly this. It is designed to help people rein in their false thought patterns and
correct them. The result of CBT is that anxiety disorders, depression, some relationship problems and overeating wilt and die over time, just like the ivy strangling our oak tree. It’s not a quick fix, I know, but it’s a long lasting remedy. SOME EMOTIONAL EATING SELF HELP: To get and stay healthy, notice your thoughts and question them. If you’re feeling sad, angry, nervous or out of control, ask yourself if your thoughts are really true. Is life really so bad? If there are genuinely reasons to be concerned, address them head on. If not, get some perspective or these lies could keep you feeling depressed. Keeping a journal is useful, as recording thoughts will make us more aware of our thoughts. Ask yourself, ‘Is this thought really true?’ If not, replace it with the correct information. Combat lies with the truth. For example, if you’re always predicting the future and feeling anxious about it, your anxiety will trigger cravings for sugar and refined carbs to calm your nerves. Instead, remind yourself that the future cannot be controlled or predicted. All you can do is focus on the present and the things you can control. I enjoy doing things that make me feel inspired and optimistic, like going for a walk and praying in Kirstenbosch Gardens or on the beach. As clichéd as it might be, meeting with an encouraging friend or serving someone less fortunate than yourself can do wonders for the soul. I love reminding myself of the truth of my identity, as this stops my mood shifting with every circumstance. Disclaimer: I don’t have it all figured out and these are things that I have to be intentional about on a daily basis. Doing something and starting somewhere is crucial though.
ESCAPES This might be quite a rough one for students but be careful not to seek stress relief in distractions like binge-watching series, playing video games or going on social media. Although I don’t really play video games, I’m pretty certain I’m the world’s worst culprit in terms of social media binging. I honestly don’t think there’s anything wrong with checking Instagram or watching an episode (or two) of How to Get Away with Murder every once in a while, but if it’s becoming a procrastination station or the cause of ruthless all-nighters and Sunday evening ‘workmares,’ rather save your future self the unnecessary struggle. As much as I hate to admit it, these passive distractions are often as bad as tucking into a packet of chips or munching through an entire cake when we aren’t feeling well. That last mouthful genuinely feels gross – trust me. Distractions and escapes can quickly grow into full-blown addictions. The way you can tell the difference between a mood-elevating activity and a harmful distraction is by asking, ‘At the end of this activity, do I feel refreshed and rejuvenated, or more drained and hopeless than when I began? Is my thinking clearer and more in perspective, or do I feel overwhelmed by life? Do I feel more in control and free, or do I feel out of control and trapped?’ If the former, you’ve hit on an excellent energising activity that you need to cultivate into a regular habit. If the latter, run away from it as if your life depended on it…because it does! Prevention is far better than cure. The more accurate your thoughts, the less stressed and more hopeful you will feel. This will translate into healthier eating and exercise patterns. It’s not always instantaneous, but it’s so worth it. Article previously published on https:// shedthespread.wordpress.com
Fitness Fanatics: Over Training — Yes it’s Real Catherine Fulton
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e sometimes don’t realise it, but stress does not only come from finances, relationships, school or work. Stress can even come from exercise. Yes, exercise can cause stress, and this is why. Take a look at the ‘autonomic nervous system.’ This system is responsible for bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, and breathing. There are two branches of this system – sympathetic and parasympathetic. The sympathetic nervous system is our ‘fight or flight’ response, while the parasympathetic is known as ‘rest and digest.’ When one of these systems is activated, the other
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system is deactivated; they work antagonistically. So, when are these systems working? We’ve all been there, done that and got the torn-up T shirt. It’s that moment you trip and nearly fall, or that one time you nearly crashed your car, or that second of terror when you got chased by a giant animal. Your heart rate immediately spiked, you suddenly became more aware, and your strength and ability was temporarily increased. All of this happens immediately without you even having to tell your body to do so. This is our fight or flight response. When we are in this state, our body releases the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which are both a limited resource in the human body. The only way to recharge our ‘fight or flight’ system is to rest. This can only happen when the ‘rest and digest’ system is activated, where the body releases growth hormones and testosterone. Although some reckon rest days are used an excuse to be lazy, they are in fact an essential part of training, as rest days are vital for repairing the body’s muscle and allowing it to grow. When doing hard training sessions frequently, the body is
Image: Australian Olympic Commitee
fatigued because you have placed a high demand on your sympathetic nervous system, meaning that adrenaline and cortisol stores are depleted. Training day-after-day in a state like this will lead to a decline in performance, and possibly a breakdown of the body. Remember, skipping your rest day is actually detrimental to your training progress. If you are overtrained, the body will tell you. Here are some common signs of over training:
• Unmotivated to train. • Needing high amounts of caffeine. • Craving sugary/junk food. • Trouble falling asleep at night or waking up exhausted • Performance is below average • Irritable mood swings • Trouble concentrating If you have these symptoms, you may have to temporarily reduce the volume of your current exercise program to allow your body to rest.
SPORT
Brawn Over Brains
Image: pexels
Tanya Magaisa
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veryone knows that old cliché ‘brawns over brains,’ with its best friend ‘beauty over brains,’ always close behind. When sports lovers (or fanatics, call us what you want), enter into debates with non-sport lovers, non-sport watchers and non-sport ‘understanders,’ it is
to this cliché that the ‘so- called’ intellectuals appeal. They bring up the American stereotype ‘dumb jock.’ Therefore, all my boys in their red t-shirts have no capacity to engage in any intellectual activities because they spend so much time kicking a ball around a field (making bucketloads of money) while the rest
of us gifted with brain power go to university, read lots of books, become eloquent orators and begin to contribute to society in a more valuable way. You know, a way more valuable than kicking a ball around a field. This is another problem in society. Who makes the standard, who decides what is intellectual?
People measure intelligence and intellect simply through observation. They use their senses. Is he reading a book? Does he have an extensive vocabulary? When he speaks does he sound like he was raised by the Queen of England? If he fits the bill, oh, then he’s intelligent. Yesterday he quoted Shakespeare and knew what it meant. He’s an intellectual. Footballers quote no-one, they don’t read books, and most of them mumble when they speak. You can’t understand a word they are saying. So, based on mere observation, we then decide that they must just be brawn. I want to persuade you into realising that football – sorry, soccer - is intellectual. The beautiful game is all about strategy, like chess, only the players are also the pieces. Footballers have two roles, they must run and think. They must decide as they move. See, in chess you sit and you think, and while you think, your opponent can’t move a piece. He must wait until you have thought, decided and then moved. Ah, intellectuals. In chess, you can even drink tea during your game if it’s not a formal one. Not so much with soccer.
Saber Fighting
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The beautiful game is like this: there is noise from all around, for example the fans cheering. Then there are the players on the field, with a strategy formulated by a coach, facing an unpredictable opposing team. Who knows what the other team is going to do? A forward can dribble left and pass right, hoping his defender will swerve right and miss the pass, but hoping is not the same as live action. When things happen, players must regroup and formulate a new strategy, all this while running, kicking, dodging and sometimes, facing hostility from angry fans. So a football player uses his brain, his mind, while running? Surely not, the dumb jock. He didn’t go to university; he doesn’t sound like the Queen. No way is he strategisiwng! Intellect is not just books. It’s not just eloquence. I have tried, but I cannot think so quickly on my feet, while running, dodging and strategising. It’s unfair to assume that because someone doesn’t sound like a professor when he speaks that he has a pea-sized brain. Rethink your presumption. Use your intellect.
Read Online: Wheelchair Rugby
Fact: Nerds + Fencing = Saber Fighting
Ehber Burger
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ince the discovery of gunpowder, sword fighting was a thing of the past, until the 19th century when fencing was introduced as just another rare sport. Fencing is a gentlemen’s sport, with the objective of scoring the most points by touching your opponent with a blade called a foil, saber or epee (due to the different variations of the sport). Enter Star Wars, the sci-fi saga where robots, humans, aliens and a green guy (who wrong gets his word
order always, so more wise he seems) are all fighting with oversized glowsticks that never need recharging. Thus, it was only inevitable that there would be the day where a fan decides to create a Star Wars-fencing fusion that is a must see for the fans. And then there was the School of Saber Fighting. It’s a team of nerds, choreographers and highly skilled fencers who perform lightsaber duels. It isn’t a competitive sport, but rather more of an art where they have lightsaber duels. Their lightsabers are all glowing and they dress up as either Jedi or Sith. Recently, at
Fixtures
the 2015 Moscow International Fencing Championships, the School performed a duel at the end of the tournament that was quite a spectacle (except the music didn’t fit -Maroon 5’s Sugar). But the edited and improved video of the duel is on their channel. So it hasn’t really been a sport, until recently… November 20, 2015, there is a disturbance in Singapore. The first Combat Saber Tournament is held by the Saber Authority. The Saber Authority, founded in 2014, was established ‘to promote the fun and
exhilarating art of swordsmanship through our Combat Saber System via classes, events and tournaments with the use of custom lightsabers.’ Like those used by the School of Saber Fighting, their lightsabers used for these duels start off at $490.00, but unlike the School, the academy doesn’t use costumes, as they are duelling competitively and not performing. These duels have strict rules: two opponents duel in an octagon arena eight meters wide. They may only hit each other on the hand, wrist and forearm of the sword arm as it’s based on martial art styles
where unarming your opponent is key. After 30 seconds, the player with the most points obtained from hitting their opponent wins, but duellists can forfeit points if they overstep the octagon boundary. The blades are 32 inches long with no hilts, and duellists wear gloves and goggles as the sabers can cause injury. This sport is growing, especially after the release of Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens. The equipment may now be purchased online, meaning it may soon make its way to South Africa.
Saturday
Supersport 1 channel 201 14:00 - 16:15 Rugby: Currie Cup Qualifier Week 2 - Vodacom Blue Bulls v Toyota Free State XV 16:30 - 19:05 Rugby: Super Rugby Round 8 - Vodacom Bulls v Reds Supersport 2 Channel 202 12:15 - 16:15 Cricket: Vivo Indian Premier League T20 Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders 16:15 - 20:30 Cricket: Vivo Indian Premier League T20 Mumbai Indians v Gujarat Lions
Sunday
Supersport 3 Channel 203 13:30 - 16:30 Football: Barclays Premier League Matchday 34: Leicester City v West Ham United 16:30 - 20:00 Football: Barclays Premier League Matchday 34: Arsenal v Crystal Palace Supersport 6 Channel 206 14:20 - 17:30Tennis: ATP World Tour 1000 Monte Carlo Rolex Masters Final 17:30 - 18:00Tennis: WTA All Access Ep 3
Image: Terra Prime