ENT NE W TUD SP LS A IA C
VOLUME 75 | EDITION 5
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Transforming Spaces
E 1942 · THE O NC FF SI I
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NT NEWS UDE PA ST PE
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26 April 2016
IN THIS ISSUE
Image: Luke Bell
Zoe Postman and Aisha Abdool Karim
T
he first cycle of name suggestions for the renaming of Jameson Hall, requested by The Naming of Buildings, Rooms, Spaces and Roads Task Team (Task Team), closed on April 15th. The UCT community was invited to participate in the process of renaming spaces in a statement issued by Vice Chancellor Max Price on March 30th. Aside from Jameson Hall, the Task Team has also opened submissions for the renaming of Smuts Hall, Beattie Building, Wernher Beit and Otto Beit Building. The Task Team will be accepting submissions for these buildings until May 30th. The Task Team was created in response to the issues of decolonisation highlighted by the #RhodesMustFall movement last year. Transformation has been a widely discussed issue on campuses across South Africa. Precious Bikitsha and Ali Dlamini, representatives of the Humanities Faculty, made it clear that transformation and decolonisation are not interchangeable. They further stated, ‘Transformation also does not rectify the past, it amends it. We are saying: decolonise, decolonise, decolonise!’
Dr Maanda Mulaudzi, Chairperson of the Task Team, said that the purpose of the Task Team is to commission an audit, assessment and analysis of buildings, rooms, spaces and roads that celebrate the colonial past or are offensive to the UCT community at large. Dr Mulaudzi further noted, ‘It is crucial that as many people as possible participate as this will enable a diversity of views leading to name changes that will give the UCT campus an inclusive and diverse character and symbolise the living democracy the university strives for.’ The selection process, followed by the Task Team, for suggested names was outlined in the statement released on March 30th. The Task Team will compile a proposal which considers both a substantiation and a counterargument for each suggested name. The process also considers legal opinions and heritage implications, the history and significance of the name as well as morality concerns regarding the name. Thus far, it is unclear who is involved in the Task Team, as names other members of the Task Team have not been made public. Given that the evaluation process has not yet started, there is no way to assess the response received from students. In addition to addressing transformation through the
evaluation of building names, UCT is also looking at the artwork on campus through the Plaques, Artworks and Statues Task Team (PAST). In keeping with UCT’s transformation objective, both task teams share a similar mandate. On April 22nd, Vice Chancellor Max Price issued a statement clarifying the role of PAST, which is to assess ‘statues, plaques and artworks on campus that may be seen to recognise or celebrate colonial oppressors and/or which may be offensive or controversial.’ The decision to remove artworks on campus, which was announced via a statement released on April 11th, was made following a report by PAST in March this year. This report provided an update on the progress made since PAST was established in September last year. An interim statement on March 8th outlined progress made by PAST and noted the importance of considering students’ objections to artwork on campus. Student members of PAST, according to the statement, raised the issue ‘that the works’ cumulative effect in terms of the representation of black people was negative, even abject.’ In response to the decision by UCT to remove artwork, students in the Library and Information Studies Master of Philosphy in
Digital Curation recently started the Does This Offend You? experiment. The project aims to provide a safe online space where people are able to critically engage with artwork around campus and interrogate what might be offensive. Opinions on the blog ranged from it being protection of artwork to complaints of it being offensive. Similarly, Clifford Ncube, Law Student Council Transformation Officer, said that #decoloniseUCTLaw was in the process of removing offensive artwork which represented colonialism. The law faculty has also hosted talks and seminars which aim to inform students and the faculty. The end result is to change the institutional culture by creating a space of respect and tolerance, although acknowledging difference. The establishment and actions taken by these two tasks teams are part of UCT’s aim to accelerate transformation. Other steps taken by the University to address transformation were outlined in a letter issued by Vice Chancellor Max Price on March 11th. The letter also listed future steps and plans the University aims to implement. According to the letter, ‘UCT’s draft strategic plan for 2016-2019 will soon be released for discussion and debate.’
Cissexism in Res
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Smell the Privilege
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Alien Invasion
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Not the JSE
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Living with...
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En Garde
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VARSITY, the official student newspaper since 1942, is committed to the principles of equality and democracy.
26 April 2016 | V75 E 5 | Page 2
News Bites Tanya Magaisa
News
Fees: The Plight of International Students Sue Nyamnjoh
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Nothing Criminal About this Arms Deal. On April 21st President Zuma released the three-volume arms deal report by the Seriti commission. The findings show that there was no corruption in the 1999 multibillion rand deal. After a four-year investigation the judge found that there was no proof for the allegations made that there was criminaly activity involved in the deal. The Mail & Guardian.
#RUReferenceList On Sunday, April 17th an anonymous group released a list of 11 alleged rapists at Rhodes University. The list has since gone viral and sparked a series of ongoing protests against the promotion of rape culture at Rhodes University, one of which was the Naked Protest held on Tuesday, April 19th. The university has suspended activities on campus until further notice. Okay Africa.
Harare Mayor Suspended. Bernard Manyenyeni was suspended on Wednesday, April 20th due to insubordination and fuelling a power struggle for control over the capital city. The ruling party, Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) used a legal rule which allows the cabinet minister to remove elected councillors from office. ZANU-PF consistently loses elections to the main opposition party The Movement for Democratic Change in the capital. eNCA.
No Smoking Zone for School, French Court Rules. On Thursday, April 14th a court passed a ruling stopping a school just outside Paris from creating designated smoking areas for students on school grounds. These areas would have been a violation of public health laws, which had banned the practice of smoking indoors in public buildings ten years ago. The smoking zones were introduced by many high schools in France after the November attacks due to threats made by the Islamic State, to attack French schools. This was in an effort to prevent students going in isolated groups for a smoke outside school premises. France 24.
Billboard that Kills Mosquitoes. Marketing Agencies in Brazil have created a billboard which attracts and kills mosquitoes. The board releases chemicals which imitate the smell of human sweat and breath, attracting the mosquitos which are then trapped inside the billboard. The intention is to prevent the spread of the Zika virus. BBC.
ver the years the percentage of international students at UCT has been on the decline, dropping from 23% in 2007 to 14% in 2014. Increasingly, they have had to return home because they are unable to keep up with the cost of UCT fees. On April 11th, a final year Humanities Zimbabwean student, who wished to remain anonymous, had to pack his bags and return to his home country because he was unable to pay the high cost of tertiary education at UCT. Earlier this month, another third year engineering student would have had to return home. She was able to find last minute funding. Both of these students had historic debt which stopped them from being able to register. This means that they had no access to the Vula sites and, by extension, information on the work expected of them by the course. They were then forced to rely on their classmates for information in order to keep up with the work while trying to fund their studies. According to data gathered in 2014, international students from the African continent make up 2 690 of the 26 321 students enrolled at UCT, which is approximately 10.2% of UCT’s student body. South African based companies are forced under the BEE act to consider all stakeholders when carrying out operations in order to redress previous inequalities inherited from the Apartheid era. As a result of this stipulation, most companies are reluctant to fund foreign nationals in order to avoid a negative rating which would complicate their ability to operate in the country. According to Jonathan Kalombo, a second year Actuarial Science student, ‘At UCT, they don’t give sibling rebates to foreigners. With his younger brother joining him at UCT this year, a huge strain was put on the family resources. He spent a
Image: Billy Hathorn large part of his vacation in search for bursaries willing to fund him. At the beginning of the year, as a result of the #FeesMustFall movement, most students had their grace periods extended and the option of converting their outstanding debts to loans. This opportunity was not extended to non-South African students. The SRC Assistance Fund does make efforts to try and bail out students with historic debt and enable them to register irrespective of nationality. The amounts they are able to raise are limited and, according to Marcus Gawronsky,
SRC treasurer, they tend to give preference to smaller debts in order to maximise the available funds. In his mid-term financial report, he states that they were able to raise R410 540 in the last year. This enabled them to bail out 30 of the 160 applications which they received. Gloria Chikoanda, SRC International Student Chair, acknowledges how challenging it is to fight for international student funding with the university going through a strict year and tightening its budget. This was outlined in a statement released on March 14th, wherein the university announced
that it would be implementing austerity measures between 2016 and 2018 due to limited government subsidy for higher education as well as increased student enrollment. She plans to explore other means of raising funds through external sources such as corporates and international organisations.With the international student sub-council, she has compiled a list of funding opportunities available to international students both within UCT and externally to ease their search for funding. This can be found on both the UCT International Students’ and the SRC’s Facebook pages.
#Sprintforher SA Zoe Postman
T
he #Sprintforher SA initiative recently hosted their first event on April 14th, a five kilometre run/ walk. Lauren Loxton and Kimberly Bolton, students at UCT, started the initiative. Loxton and Bolton said their inspiration to start the campaign came from the Rhodes Memorial rapes which occurred earlier this year. Their aims are to raise awareness and encourage dialogue about the issues of misogyny and rape culture in South Africa. ‘Saying no to a guy is always a negotiation’ said Loxton, who further explained that there is a sense of entitlement which men have that perpetuates the rape culture in South Africa. Loxton said that they are still trying to find a way to best adapt the
initiative to a country such as South Africa, which faces many issues of class, race, patriarchy, culture, and religion. The issue of inclusivity of the campaign is a big concern for Loxton and Bolton because rape does not only apply to people of a certain group.
allows for constant online support
Loxton highlighted the need for diversity in the initiative’s participants since rape is not an issue that is exclusive to any one race. The unique aspect of the campaign is that it creates an online space where sexual assault victims
are able to find comfort in the fact that people are thinking about them. According to both Loxton and Bolton the ultimate goal and wish for the campaign is that victims feel supported enough to report their abuser, as many sexual assaults go unreported. This comes from the campaign that originated in the UK, where sportswomen uploaded postworkout pictures of themselves on Instagram and Facebook to show their constant thought and support to sexual assault victims. Bolton said, ‘the aim of the campaign is for women to take back our spaces and our country,’ She fully recognised, however, that in addition to race, the issue of rape affects other genders too, but she noted that one in every three women is raped whereas this figure is halved when it comes to men. That being said, she
found it important that everyone supports the cause and attends the #Sprintforher SA events. Although Loxton and Bolton stressed the diversification and inclusion of all races and genders, regarding the inclusivity of the campaign pertaining to disabled and non-gender binary people, Loxton admits that they had not thought about some of those aspects of the campaign as it is extremely new. She encouraged people to provide #Sprintforher SA with feedback on the events with suggestions as to how they could improve on the issue of inclusivity. The next run will take place on Thursday, May 12th and it will continue to take place on the second Thursday of every month. The event is being held on a monthly basis so that it allows for constant online support of rape victims showing them that people have not forgotten.
News
26 April 2016 | V75 E 5 | Page 3
De-Cisgendering the Residence Sue Nyamnjoh
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n Saturday, April 9, residents of Graca Machel Hall (GMH) in a collective demonstration organised by trans bodies and allies such as Patriarchy Must Fall(PMF) staged a sit in in their residence. This was in protest of the ‘daily violence against trans and queer bodies’ and cissexism in the residence. Cissexism refers to any set of acts or norms that privilege cis people and oppress trans people. There is an appeal to norms that enforce the gender binary resulting in the oppression of gender variant, nonbinary and trans identities The protesters took issue with the new sex column put in place by the residence wardens in GMH on the visitor sign-in sheet. Until earlier this year, there was a gender column but with the wave of transformation that rolled through UCT it was changed to a sex column. This was in an effort to be as inclusive as possible without compromising the security of the residents. Before the gender column was changed to a sex column, visitors were asked upon entry to declare their gender identity. This policy was met with appreciation by a few while others were irritated by this, some even turning the thing into a joke. On the Saturday in question, about 30 students gathered outside the room of the chief warden with their signboards where they staged a silent protest. All of the sympathisers who came to stand with them in solidarity and weren’t residents of GMH were signed into the residence. They view the sex column as cissexist and an exclusionary nonconsensual categorisation. The warden was not there at the time of the sit-in. The deputy warden addressed them. Nothing fruitful
Image: Nigel Patel came of the discussion. A list of demands was sent to management which have yet to be fulfilled. On the Monday following the sit-in, a compulsory House meeting was held in the residence. Here, former SRC Transformation and Social Responsiveness Chair Nigel Patel, in a workshop facilitated
by HAICU, explained concepts such as cis-privilege and heteronormativity. After the meeting, residents were given a chance to write down their feelings about the issue for subsequent review by the house committee. Priyanka Naidoo, HSC member and GMH resident points to the lack
of empathy as the biggest problem as it points to the amount of cisprivilege going unchecked. Graca Machel is the only residence with a sex column on their sign-in sheet. It is equally the only residence that has cis-normative bathroom signs within the residence itself. Other residences do not
require visitors to state their sex upon entry of the building. Last Thursday, some students took things into their own hands, removing the gender signs on the bathrooms of certain clusters. At the time of going to print the warden had not yet responded with a comment on the issue.
Integration of Transformation Services Megon Venter
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n April 5, the UCT council announced that it had ratified the recommendations brought forth in the internal review of the Discrimination and Harassment Office (DISCHO). The council proposed that a new transformation unit be implemented in order to merge DISCHO with other structures handling issues of harassment and assault. Reinette Popplestone, manager of the UCT Disability Services, said that there were formerly three units under the Transformation Services Office (TSO) dealing with student issues. The units are: DISCHO, HAICU and the Disability Service which handle matters of discrimination, gender, sexuality and disability respectively. The findings from the DISCHO review revealed that the student-related units under the TSO compete, rather than collaborate, and are in a sometimes hostile relationship. As a result a recommendation was brought forward in the review to integrate the units. UCT council in its response to the review agreed to
establish the new unit which will be supervised by an Executive. ‘It would be wrong to pretend we were this well-functioning, coordinated unit since these issues are just too different’ says Popplestone. Francois Botha, director of DISCHO, also states, ‘The different units should retain their own operational structure and expertise, even if they are clustered together in a new over-arching unit’.
DISCHO was underequipped to handle reported cases Earlier this year, movements such as PMF and UCT Survivors called attention to the alleged mismanagement of formal structures at the university that are in place to help students with issues such as rape, assault and discrimination. In an article published in VARSITY on March 8th, Nigel Patel from PMF, commented that DISCHO was underequipped to handle reported cases and was insensitive towards the plight of victims.
LGBTQIA+ issues have been of particular concern to movements such as the Trans Collective and their supporters. Such issues were highlighted in the report which stated that “Bullying, harassment and prejudice against nonconforming gender identities and sexual orientations are problems that require attention and clarity.” The review also proposed that officials handling social justice matters should be experienced in and have knowledge of diversity issues. Professor Francis Petersen also announced the formation of a sexual assault response team in a campus announcement released on February 24th. Associate Professor Sinegugu Duma is heading up
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the ‘multidisciplinary team of professionals’ to respond to cases of sexual violence on campus. Popplestone also asserts that although management grants that without complaint, changes are not made, there is still a lack of engagement between the students and the staff that work in these units.
the units lack appropriate resourcing The DISCHO review also stipulated that under the current structure, the units lack appropriate resourcing, training, advocacy and
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communication. ‘We really are committed to doing what we can with whatever limited resources we have.’ Pressure on these units to improve their services and cater to a larger group of students at the institution has been building. However, both Popplestone and Botha said that they are making do with the available resources and that no one is fully aware of how the proposed unit is expected to operate in the future. ‘My sincere hope is that the new dispensation will take urgent measures to correct this long overdue oversight,’ said Botha regarding the lack of funding and understaffing experienced by these units. 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
23 April 2016 | V75 E 5 | Page 4
2016 Collective EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Aisha Abdool Karim editorial@varsitynewspaper.co.za
Editor-in-Chief
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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 Lebogang Maragelo, Taryn Wilson & Michaela Pillay NEWS Zoe Postman and Sue Nyamnjoh 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, Jian-Yi Song and Taahirah Abrahams images@varsitynewspaper.co.za
W
hen the #RUReferenceList was first published last week Sunday, April 17th, it resulted in mass demonstrations at Rhodes University, which called into question the efficacy of the policies and structures in place to handle cases of sexual assault. While many students expressed support for survivors of sexual violence, there were still some reservations regarding the means used. I, myself, was very conflicted about making a list of alleged rapists publicly available. My main reservation regarding the list is that there is no way to verify the accusations. The anonymity that The List provides, allows the accuser to remain anonymous, something they are well within their rights to do. However, with this anonymity, the concern that
System Failure
I, and other students, shared was the possibility of a student making a false accusation in a public space. Given this concern, I decided to look into the frequency of false rape accusations in South Africa. According to the Tracking Justice study, 3.3% of reported rapes may have been false. When you put that in perspective with the fact that only 1 in 9 women report rape, according to the South African Medical Research Council, the number of false reports of rape in South Africa is equivalent to 0.4% of all rapes in the country. (Disclaimer: These studies provide the best data available on false reports of rape. The statistics are based on studies and data from over three years ago and the study is currently being conducted on a national level to update the statistics). After having a look at the numbers, it was clear to me that false accusations are not as big of a concern as unreported rape cases. I’m not sure why my first assumtpion was that women would abuse their ability to name their alleged rapist – perhaps it stems, at least partially, from how false rape accusations have been portrayed in the television shows I watch. But once I thought about it, I realised that there was no
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Sandisiwe (Yogi) Shoba
Gentlemen, Please Stand up?
I
hate jammies. Those rickety blue busses are the bane of my existence. Mind you, I’m grateful for the service they provide but I don’t appreciate the ‘jammie experience.’ For me, that experience usually includes: fighting every Tom, Dick and Sipho to get a spot on that rickety contraption; scowling at Sipho for getting the last available seat and worst of all being shoved between Tom and Dick’s honking 5pm armpits and wishing God had blessed me with at least one more inch in the height department. As the bus begins to move, my annoyance with Sipho multiplies as I repeatedly lose my balance and get slammed against those forsaken armpits. Sipho watches my ordeal for a minute, but doesn’t flinch; instead he whips out a pair of earphones and proceeds to zone out of reality. I observe his reaction and come to the classic conclusion that Sipho is a sorry excuse for a man, who lacks manners and any form of chivalry.
In fact, I stare angrily at all of the males sitting comfortably in their seats when there’s an entire row of women standing on the bus. I must have looked bitter and ridiculous. I realise that somewhere in my journey of socialisation, I stumbled upon the idea that just because I’m a woman, I deserve some form of ‘special treatment’ in the form of chivalry. Yes, I am a beautiful Disney Princess and the world is filled with handsome princes rushing to open doors for me and let me skip the queue at Budget Rolls. I do believe that many women enjoy being ‘esteemed’ in this manner, especially in a world that so often puts us down, however, there’s a huge difference between viewing ‘chivalry’ as an obligation placed on men towards women or as random acts of kindness which can be displayed by anyone with the title ‘human.’ In the Middle Ages, the term ‘chivalry’ referred to a code of conduct adopted by knights. Knights
were expected to possess favourable qualities such as courtesy, bravery and most importantly ‘gallantry towards women.’ It was an expectation upon knights to protect weaker members of society during wartime. Women, children and the elderly fit that category by default as they were often victims of physical and sexual violence. However, modern chivalry still maintains the underlying notion that women are ‘weak’ and fragile creatures who are incapable of opening doortws and standing on busses. Chivalry essentially emphasises the issue of inequality between the sexes. It implies an incompetence in femininity which can only be rectified by the presence of masculinity. So when a female offers a seat for a male he might take offence as she is seemingly undermining or even insulting his manhood. At the same time, women
(like myself) continue to place this expectation on men. We expect doors to magically open before us, we expect to walk out the jammie first and most of all, we expect Sipho to put away his damn earphones and offer his seat! But chivalry should no longer be labelled as such. Chivalry, in a modern sense, should merely be seen as a distinct expression of kindness. So if Sipho was kind, I would have been sitting pretty on that rickety bus. But he wasn’t obliged to be a prince and I’m certainly not a princess.
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DISCHO’s ability to handle cases of rape. If students cannot rely on the structures put in place to deliver justice, then perhaps it is time to reassess those structures. If students who have gone through proper channels only to be dismissed or to have their complaints filed away, but never addressed, then I can understand wanting to use alternative channels. Students who have done everything according to the policies and laws and regulations, yet still have to see their rapist on campus, deserve the chance to get the truth out there. If a student has experienced sexual violence on campus and the perpetrator is a student who is still on campus, then other students have the right to know. In a society and environment that allows rapists to continue living their life with no consequences, where survivors of sexual assault have to potentially confront the trauma of seeing their rapist every day, that condemns publicly naming the person who rapes you, but does not condemn rape, perhaps your only choice is to find alternative channels. If the current system in place fosters mistrust then the system is failing us. When a system fails, then you need to start from scratch and find one that works.
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logical explanation for a women to falsely accuse someone of something as serious as rape. Underreporting is already a huge issue when it comes to rape cases and women are worried that they won’t be taken seriously or will need to provide a justification for why they are pressing charges. In an environment that already shrouds your case in doubt and looks for any reason to excuse the rapist for their behaviour, is it any wonder that students resorted to posting a list of names online? Rather than focusing on our own personal feelings towards making names of alleged perpetrators of sexual violence known, we need to examine the reason why students felt that they had no option other than to publicly name their alleged rapist. We need to assess why it has reached a point where students are having to go outside of the structures in place when it comes to issues of sexual violence. The mistrust of university students in the internal structures and systems in place to address their cases is not unique to Rhodes. Here, at UCT, there have also been complaints about the way in which DISCHO has handled cases of sexual assault and harassment. The recent review published showed that 45% of students were not confident in
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OPINIONS
Wake Up
26 April 2016 | V75 E 5 | Page 5 Opinions Editor
An Adamant View
Adam Kleinschmidt
and Smell the Privilege
All’s Unfair R
in Love and War?
elationships are really hard, but thank goodness for romantic comedies, chocolate and good red wine. They make the ‘Baeless Winter’ so much better. While I do love being single to mingle (so to speak), a cuddle buddy always makes the cold days go by faster.
Relationships are supposedly for everyone Image: Tanya Magaisa
Wesley Gush
E
xcuse me while I sweep away the eggshells. The disparity of privilege is a topic we need to return to again and again while it remains prevalent in our society, lest we fall into the trap of sweeping it under the carpet. Let me say this: I don’t know everything there is about privilege. It is a tricky concept to understand, and one that I am still coming to grips with myself. Many of these issues are not my own lived experience. This is more about maintaining the conversation. The trouble is that privilege is so much more than what meets the eye. It can be subtle, and it’s often intersectional; gender, sexuality, religion, and nationality are but a few of the aspects that can be added to race on the list of privilege determinants. But let’s start with the obvious: generational wealth. Many students arrive at university with the world at their feet, course fees taken care of, rent a non-issue, and a savings fund to dip into when times get ‘tough.’ Many others, however, have a far harder time getting by. For them, financial stress is an ever-present feature
of varsity life. The recent wave of protests regarding student housing is testament to this.
It’s subtle and it’s intersectional Educational and social capital are less obvious, but equally pervasive. If at least one of your parents stayed at home when you were young, and your family could afford it, then privileges such as early childhood development, nutrition, and high quality pre-schooling were yours for the taking. Add to this the opportunity of a limited number of students to read, write, and speak in their mother tongue at university, and you start to paint a picture of serious inequality. Simply being able to socialise confidently and freely because you are on the ‘right side’ of the status quo is a privilege. And then there’s gender privilege. Men (myself among them) are often oblivious to the myriad of subtle ways that we benefit from the privileges of our
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
sex. Patriarchal structures ensure that men have an easier time in the workplace, at home, and in public. The statistics relating to income, politics, and domestic abuse are irrefutable. But once again, we need to be on the lookout for the less obvious. For example, I am confident that the verb ‘raped’ is used facetiously far more by men than women to describe what an exam did to them, or the outcome of a rugby match. This is because the word is less threatening to us or less likely to trigger PTSD, and it’s a nasty sideeffect of privilege.
We need to stop being defensive Sexual orientation is yet another aspect where it is a privilege to be heteronormative, because being anything other than the ‘norm’ is treated with distrust or, worse, derision. So stop and think for a moment. If you are privileged in these ways, open yourself up to learning about how your friends and peers might not have varsity life as easy. Very often privilege means that because you’re straight, or male, or white, you get the benefit of the doubt. We need to stop being defensive about it and start working on a more constructive, understanding attitude to this very real feature of present-day South Africa. Seek to help those less privileged than yourself, in any way that you can.
Or is this the way my mind has been trained, prodded and programmed to think? Is the whole idea of marriage, a picket fence and the nuclear family, something that’s being shoved down my throat as a plan for the next 50 years of my life on this planet? We know the usual life plan given to us by our parents, the media (yes, Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant: I see you) and the general socialisation of school, job, love, marriage, kids, retirement and death with taxes and a mid-life crisis in there somewhere. We are brought up on the ideal of the relationship. It is forced upon us, this great fatalist event of meeting ‘the One’, with people making pointed statements about it: ‘well, she’s 19 and she’s still single,’ ‘I can’t believe he’s single this Valentine’s Day, I mean, how sad?’ ‘I cannot believe that Tinder date went so badly, why didn’t he speak openly to me?’ The current conception of how we talk about relationships, how we engage in relationships and how it defines our social organisation needs to be interrogated. The whole ‘romantic-relationships-as-theapex-form-of-human-interaction’ nonsense is not actually all that peachy and wonderful. Relationships are supposedly for everyone, but the realities are very different when comparing the privacy of the bedroom and the openness of the public forum. Just like some people will call someone out for a wrongdoing, others will jump at the chance of attacking others on a point they are private about. As much as we’d all like to
be hopeless romantics, the fact remains that our society is not as transformed as we’d like it to be. Let’s look specifically at the issue of queerphobia: it’s not obvious at first, but humour me. Consider the difference between something that is legal and something that is socially normal. The one is based on an institution of law that, when given a situation, has set practices that are consistent. Society and social norms, however, while consistent within a subdemographic group, are not always universal across an entire society. Which is why, when I say that gay marriage is legal, but not a social norm, I’m drawing on the fact that while the law might allow it, society isn’t always a big supporter of it. Many states, despite having large queer communities, political activism calling on the government to address social inequalities and may have already ratified proLGBT+ laws, still have forces that are merciless in their approach. Think now about how relationships risk enforcing the patriarchy: despite the great surges we’ve taken towards gender and sex equality in the workplace, the classroom and on the street, women are often at the mercy of their male counterparts in those respective places. Worse still is when this happens in the household: domestic violence, emotional abuse, dependency on abusive partners, and so forth all create a very bleak picture of relationships. I’m not a complete cynic, however, and I’m generally willing to give the benefit of the doubt when I hear of a new relationship or a milestone that two people share. It’s a warm, attractive concept, but reality is not always like that. The way we embark on relationships needs to be carefully considered. I’m not saying you should be prude or behave in a way that doesn’t feel natural, but by attempting to protect yourself first from the nebulous forces I mentioned previously, you’ll make your future with your certain, special someone a lot more durable and prosperous.
OPINIONS
Black Tax 26 April 2016 | V75 E 5 | Page 6
Tsepo Ngwenyama
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es. There is such a thing as ‘Black tax,’ and it is a phenomenon and reality experienced by a large majority of black professionals in South Africa. And for many soon to be black graduates, it is a dreaded inevitability. The term ‘Black tax’ was coined quite recently to describe a social phenomenon within the black community that has existed for centuries. It simply refers to a practice where one is expected to provide for their parents, siblings and extended family once they start earning an income. It also describes the various financial challenges faced by black professionals in a society characterised by institutional white privilege and economic inequity.
groceries for my family – in addition to my own personal expenses. ‘Black tax’ is real, and like I said, it is has become a dreaded inevitability for any young black person soon to be professional, regardless of the fact that at some point most of us have benefited from it. When one of our own succeeds we look to them in hopes to escape poverty, without even considering the struggles they may face in professional spaces where black people still experience neo-colonial forms of inequity.
The thing about ‘Black tax’ is that it is deeper than just being expected to cough up money at the
experience neo-colonial forms of inequity
end of every month to send home. It highlights issues of generational poverty, high unemployment rates, and poor financial education in former years. It shows that very little has been achieved in terms
‘Black tax’ is a true expression of Ubuntu In its essence ‘Black tax’ is a true expression of Ubuntu – I am, because we are; and many people are here becuase of an uncle or aunt who decided to contibute towards their University tuition. However, the fact that it has transformed into a mainly monetary based cultural practice makes it even more difficult to break the cycle of poverty without having to drown yourself in debt.
TURN LEARNINGS INTO EARNINGS
the dreaded inevitability for any young black person
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I grew up in a household where at one point there were at least 12 people living in a two bedroom government house. Somehow we all managed to live fairly comfortably and got along with each other pretty well – although with much difficulty. It was an amalgamation of cousins, second cousins, nephews and nieces, and all of us depended on one person for provision. This is a classic example of ‘Black tax.’ It was expected of my mother, the main bread winner, to provide for everyone in the house; and it didn’t matter how much she earned, just as long as she earned a monthly salary she had to do it. And very soon I will be expected to take up a similar position and start contributing towards bills and
of economic liberation and equity in South Africa. To a point where something that has been a way of life for centuries is increasingly becoming an intolerable burden. Some might argue that ‘Black tax’ isn’t exclusive to black people, and that other groups also experience the burden of taking care of their extended family. However, for black people, the consequences are much greater. Because of ‘Black tax,’ black professionals don’t have the privilege of putting money away for investments and retirement plans. It is much more difficult to be wise with money and
not succumb to social pressures to show, materially, that you’ve finally managed to escape poverty. This is the burden of being black in a system were intergenerational poverty determines any possibilities of ever achieving financial freedom. And the sad part is, there is a great possibility that my children will go through a similar experience.
Check Your Privilege
Mokgadi Marishane
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or many people entering the heterogeneous environment of the UCT student body, being made aware of concepts like intersectional privilege may be confusing or, sadly, feel like a personal attack. It is not easy to be made aware of one’s privilege, but if you are open to lay your blissful ignorance and quick-defences to the side, you are ready to embark on the journey to acknowledging whatever privilege you may enjoy. The people who I’ve seen acknowledge their intersectional privilege best are not those
who have never gone through a tough time in their life, but more importantly, are able to acknowledge that several of their own struggles were not due to their gender, sexuality, race, ability or their mother-tongue.
A sensitive and complex human being A great way of facilitating a discussion about privilege with someone different from you is to first do some research on the societal or historical foundations
of certain forms of privilege. It’s like making an attempt at learning the language of others and then asking them their story: it’s a lovely gesture on the way to having what may be a very delicate conversation. A friend of mine pointed out that we all know that one guy with some variation of the story about their white male friend with a ridiculous amount of distinctions who didn’t get into university for a certain degree but knew this black chick that never studied but got in somehow. It was funny to laugh about, but also gives a great example of what not to do when acknowledging your privilege and that is all of those ‘but’ sentences. Chances are there are some
cases in which you didn’t win the privilege lottery but bringing those up as if it justifies or ‘earns’ you the rest of your privilege is a barrier to change. Ultimately the goal is to shift the gaze of society and the opportunities it offers so that everyone gets an equal slice of the pie. That includes acknowledging that your piece may be too big. It may be difficult to understand the position of those who refuse to acknowledge their privilege and it is enormously draining to attempt to change the minds of those who will not allow themselves to have their beliefs challenged. While social justice warriors try to make society a better place for everyone, those who maintain their dogmatic
ways are often benefitting from the social structures they deny place them in a position of advantage. However, and I see this most when patriarchal structures are defended, the same supermale who refuses to take women seriously outside of socially defined roles, denies himself the chance to see himself as a sensitive and complex human being, instead of one simply tasked to provide and procreate. It can be a daunting task to analyse the various ways you may be benefitting from societal structures, but don’t let it make you afraid to check your privilege - chances are we’re all too busy checking ours.
OPINIONS
26 April 2016 | V75 E 5 | Page 7
The Price is Right Filipp Stoliarov
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recurring issue surrounding the global implementation of free or subsidised tertiary education revolves around the sacrifice of quality in favour of accessibility. Free education doesn’t translate to effectively funded education. While tertiary education serves a public good, there is an individual element of intellectual and personal growth that comes with it. The funding and systems for tertiary education must come from somewhere, so what would be a balanced solution?
Tertiary education serves a public good
To understand both sides of this argument, I look at countries that are similar and different in relation to South Africa. Firstly, I look at China, with an estimated 25 million registered university students across public and private institutions. The public universities have individual fee structures that range from R6 000 to R32 000: this includes lectures, residence and food. Private institutions have fees which often surpass the R32 000 mark. So how do these costs reflect the standard of education? Due to the high-admission standards set by the public universities, they actually have
higher quality and reputation than that of their private counterparts. However, students with wealthier families and access to effective support structures (e.g. tutoring and the lack of socio-economic disenfranchisement) stand a better chance to receive admission. Within South Africa, we see a higher admission standard along with constant DPR threats to ensure students meet the grade. The shortfalls being that often wealthier students are better able to cope with the holistic challenges of tertiary education. In other words, free or cheaper tertiary education does not necessarily imply wider access to education. So let’s turn to Germany. A nation that is associated with efficiency, high standards and hard work would warrant a tertiary system that rewards those values. Not exactly: Germany’s universities are free or with minor administration charges (up to R500). The actual cost of text-books is around R6 000 and annual living costs are approximately R70 000. Importantly, state policy under German administration creates a focus and support structure for students from impoverished backgrounds.
Not the only principle issue Germany’s experience with multiethnic and a diverse socio-economic population allowed it to effectively
Image: fleshmanpix via Flickr
alter its testing systems while addressing the challenges of poorer and disenfranchised households. In other words, the price of the education became irrelevant. The structure of testing took increased notice of the challenges facing struggling students and catered for their needs. Similarly, certain South African institutions are adapting their structural frameworks to deal with the issues stemming from socio-economic roots rather than pedagogical ones, as addressing
the former allows effective progress for the latter. This presents a critical dilemma. The price of tertiary education is not the only principle issue, or at least not totally, in relation to both accessibility and equality within tertiary education structures. These point to a far broader scale of the problems; socio-economic disenfranchisement, major gaps in standards of living between the wealthy and poor alongside
a selective and problematic curriculum and testing structure. We must recognise that the challenges facing education are the same challenges that are linked to crime, poverty and generations of exploitation. Reducing financial burdens for students is a good start, but a broader social movement is necessary. While free education is vital; a healthy environment that promotes dignity, understanding, and equal opportunity should be the overarching cause.
Ground Control to Major Mistakes Anthea van den Burgh
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e grew up adoring the character E.T., that wrinkly alien with a glowing finger and an unyielding persistence to ‘phone home.’ Eventually most of us grew out of our fascination, but Russian billionaire Yuri Milner did not. He is currently funding a $100 million hunt for aliens by a team of astrophysicists from UC-Berkley. Named Breakthrough Listen, Berkley’s project involves searching for radio frequencies in outer space to determine whether other life forms exist. What would happen if we did in fact make contact with aliens? Will E.T. heal our papercut and make everything better, or will alien contact bring about an end to the force on earth? I hate to say it, but I foresee a scramble like no other by every prominent world country to ‘make friends’ with the aliens. Some may sincerely want to learn more about these beings, but there’s not a doubt in my mind that countries at war and countries with national investments, will attempt to attain technology and weapons from them.
Image: Melissa Petrie I’d like to think that beings capable of space travel would have the intelligence not to give us a scrap of anything dangerous, but humans will probably figure out how to make whatever they give us into a weapon. I’m also pretty sure that if that happened the aliens would stop us. Unless they’re some sociopathic race,
they probably wouldn’t be too keen on facilitating the humans’ apocalypse via alien technology. World religions may experience a 360 turn. You may believe that we’re all God’s children who just live in different neighbourhoods of the cosmos. However, where the existential conundrum comes in, is that alien life would make
all our ‘concrete religious truths’ completely relative. Everybody is always fighting about who is ‘right’, but throw aliens into the mix and what is ‘right’? They may have their own religions and suddenly we don’t know where we fit into the universe. Sure, there’s Star Wars which has at least a couple of likeable
characters. However, then you get Independence Day and you’re likely to have some very terrified people. We’ve also established that humans have trouble embracing things that are different. So combine a bit of Hollywood-induced hysteria and a predisposition for disliking what is foreign and we could potentially have a soar in the demand for underground bunkers. We may just learn an invaluable lesson in tolerance. Upon making contact, we’ll rightly begin to ask the aliens all about themselves, their planets and how their social structures work. No, they won’t be perfect and they will have histories that may include war, genocide and environmental catastrophes. They may even have had inter-galactic conflict (talk about taking something up a level). However, we will listen to them and try to understand as best we can. At some point, however, we may just catch on that if human beings did this exact thing with people of different cultures, races and religions, we could potentially bring an end to all our fussing and fighting. If we can embrace beings from other planets, then we can do that with our fellow man. It may seem rather funny, but a phone call with the little green men across the galaxy may just bring us some much needed perspective. We are, in fact, all human.
Due to the low response rate of the review, readers of the review and its subsequent information were cautioned to not take statistics as “Firm trends’ on the DISCHO service
In 2015 9 cases of Sexual Harassment, 8 cases of harassment, and 2 cases of rape were reported to discho this compares to 2014 where 18 cases of sexual harassment, 20 cases of harassment, and 10 cases of rape were reported to dsicho
63% of student respondents were not confident in DISChO’s abilities to handle cases of HIV/AIDS discrimination
“The approach of DISCHO, it was noted, is embedded in an approach to discrimination that is focused on the individual and fails to take into account systemic behaviours and contexts related to institutional culture and the institutionalised and systemic patterns of discrimination and harassment.”
“The views of students were supported by staff stakeholders responsible for oversight of no-contact orders, who signalled lack of resources, and sometimes apparent reluctance by those directly responsible, to implement them.”
The Report often emphasised the lack of resources afforded to discho with discHo staff remarking repeatedly on a “lack of resources and buy-in from senior leadership, as well as lack of responsiveness, particularly from the academic sector, with respect to various initiatives.”
60% of student respondents were
not confident in DISCHO’s abilities to handle issues of disability
“Lack of regular meetings between all appropriate parties to discuss cases, trouble-shoot referrals, decide on appropriate interventions, put in place adequate psychological and social support, expedite formal or informal processes, and consult expert advisors places the university at risk”
The DISCHO Review
45% of student
respondents were not confident in DISCHO’s abilities to handle cases of rape
Students and staff who have utilized the discho service, workers unions, student societies, subwardens, House comms, student parliament, and UCT management were all consulted in this investigation
Note!!!
Staff Respondent’s Confidence in DISCHO’s ability to respond to homophobia, transphobia and labour issues fell below
“According to the policy, DISCHO’s investigation role in cases that take the formal route is limited to possible provision of statements, or of a safe space within which an interview might be conducted by those tasked with investigation. This suggests a need for more explicit clarification of DISCHO’s role.”
Compiled by: Ashley Seymour
“Staff members, student and staff advisors and volunteers have shown great commitment to the work of the office and in serving the University.”
Interviewed students expressed the problematic nature of Encouraging mediation-based resolution in cases such as sexual assualt. The report stated that,“they [interviewed complainants] were often left with little choice in the decision on which route to follow.”
“Students indicated that in their view DISCHO does not properly investigate cases. The panel noted that there appears to be confusion about who investigates”
50% DISCHO, “has no jurisdiction to investigate or pursue formal disciplinary hearings. This misunderstanding, which came up in almost all interviews held by the panel, has contributed directly to student complaints about DISCHO, and has serious ramifications for the ways in which implementation of policies is perceived across the university.”
26 April 2016 | V75 E 5 | Page 10
FEATURES
ZAR X—All you need to know about the JSE’s opposition
Image: ZARx
Mikhil Valjee
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or decades, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) has monopolised the market. This tight hold has come to an end with the licensing of rival exchange ZAR X by the Financial Services Board (FSB). Trading on the ZAR X Stock Exchange will begin on September 1st. According to the ZAR X website, ‘ZAR X is a platform that lets everyday South Africans transact shares quickly, cheaply and conveniently, even if they have never formally invested money or opened a bank account before. The platform is designed
to empower those who don’t have skills or experience in investing to easily and safely build a brighter financial future for themselves and their families.’ On November 8th 1887, the JSE was founded by Benjamin Minors Wollan. It was established to facilitate the explosion of trade sparked by the discovery of gold in the Witwaterstrand. The JSE would provide mining and financial companies a central facility to access primary capital. In return, companies would pay the JSE a fee to be listed on the stock exchange. Since 1887, the JSE has grown hugely and has not had a competitor, barring the Union Stock Exchange which closed its
doors in 1958. From the time the Union Stock Exchange closed, the JSE has monopolised the market. ZAR X hopes to disrupt this monopoly by introducing several new and innovative features.
JSE has monopolised the market
According to one of the founders of ZAR X, Etienne Nel, there’s a massive need for an alternative exchange; an exchange that caters to lower-income investors. To target lower-income investors,
ZAR X charges no custody fees to hold and open an account on the exchange. For the average student investor, this translates to considerably higher returns. On the JSE, investors are forced to pay between R50 and R100 a month for their account. These fees can add up to a substantial amount for the small-time investor. For example, if someone is investing R1 000 a month, and are being charged R75 a month, that R12 000 invested works out to R11 100. The ZAR X model also allows for the execution of instant or sameday settlement of trades. On the JSE, it can take up to five working days before a trade is completed. ZAR X plans to run three sections:
a main board for company listings, an over-the-counter stock-trading business and an investment products market. For the average student investor, ZAR X will provide a cheaper, easier and quicker alternative to the JSE. For the student who has found the idea of investing their money on the JSE to be daunting, ZAR X looks to be a more inclusive and convenient option. Along with ZAR X, there are two further looming competitors for the JSE, A2X and 4AX which could be licensed by the FSB by the end of the year. Time will tell whether these competitors will prove to disrupt the JSE’s dominance in the market.
Local is Truly Lekker
South African music: pushing boundaries both locally and globally.
Stacey-Lee Tait
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rom hip-hop to indie to mainstream pop and jazz; whatever your musical demands are, South Africa has it all. Rich in culture, South Africa boasts a diverse set of musical genres that are influenced by both traditional African roots and Westernised music styles. Over the last couple of years, more South African artists have been making waves not only in the local music scene, but internationally as well. South Africans no longer have to turn to international artists to find music that is appealing, interesting, and of a high standard. Turning our attention to the South African Music Awards (SAMAs) — the ‘Grammys’ of South Africa — we find a host of local artists who are becoming more recognised and well-known within the international music industry. The SAMAs exist in order to ‘honour and recognise accomplishment in the South African recording industry.’ One of the standouts of the 2015 SAMAs was the South African trio, Beatenberg – taking home a record seven awards, including Group/Duo of the Year and Album of the Year. Their album, The Hanging Gardens of Beatenberg, showcases the essence
of a contemporary African style of music that appeals across cultural borders. Their particular take on music, as well as their style, has earned them great success both locally and internationally. It has led to the group securing international gigs, such as Electrowerkz in London and the opening slot for Mumford and Sons at Hyde Park. As a South African band, Beatenberg have paved the way for future local artists who bring an African flavor; such as distinctive afro guitar melodies and catchy, yet intricate drum and bass patterns to their sound. Moving to the hip-hop and rap scene of South Africa, the 2015 male artist of the year, AKA, has been dominating this particular stream of music. Recently, he collaborated with Diamond Platnumz for the song Make Me Sing. The track achieved a record of 1 million views on YouTube in a span of ten days. He cemented his place in the South African hiphop and rapping scene by opening for international rappers such as Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, and Kendrick Lamar during their tours in South Africa. He is considered to be one of the most influential hip-hop artists by his South African fans and the music industry. Other current influential artists are DJ Clock, Casper Nyovest, Black Coffee, Aking, and Lira, to mention a few.
Image: Claire via Flickr
Image: Jian Yi-Song More than just creating such influential artists, South Africa has also established great platforms for local artists to showcase their talent and style. One of Cape Town’s most famous venues for local artists is Kirstenbosch Gardens, which annually hosts their Summer Sunset Concerts, running from December through to the month of April. Other platforms for up-and-coming local
bands and artists include places such as Mercury, The Assembly, The Great Wizoo, and many other small pubs and restaurants across the city. Besides venue platforms, the world of social media and music sharing sites have contributed to the rise and success of local South African artists. Particularly, sites such as SoundCloud and YouTube have put them on par with global artists and musicians.
These platforms and social media sites have created more ways for consumers to reach and interact with their favourite local artists, resulting in a greater support of South African music. The South African music scene is one that is always growing and constantly evolving into a worldclass industry that promotes our local talent and empowers our unique African flair.
FEATURES
26 April 2016 | V75 E 5 | Page 11
Living with Depression
Anonymous
T Grindr – more than just hooking up. Pieter du Plessis
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ecently I reinstalled the app Grindr. Not because of its addictive nature, but for academic purposes. Now I know what you are thinking, ‘mmmh, yeah boy is just saying that.’ But let me tell you, being a social anthropology student takes you places. We were asked to look at communication and culture… what better way is there to explore ‘gay culture’ than on the app Grindr? Beyond my initial research of looking at ‘gay culture’ on the app and having to elaborate on that, I started seeing a different side to Grindr that links to sex and gender education – something we here at GASP hold so dearly to our hearts. The app makes for a dynamic social environment where people from most walks of life can interact with one another. Whether it be to find love, grind a little (get it?), escape their reality or — what I found interesting — to access the information it offers. Okay, I hear you. What does this widely known ‘hook up’ app have to do with being a source of information? Well, it has everything to do with it. While conducting my fieldwork on the app it took me back to my ‘days in the closet’ where I knew absolutely nothing about same-sex sex, did not know how to ‘come out’ to my family or where to meet other people. That’s heteronormativity for you, kids! This nostalgia did not only come from the fact that I wish
Grindr was there when I grew up, but because of the conversations I had on the app. Having chatted to predominantly what I assume to be cis-gay or queer men with ages varying between 15 to 65, it soon became apparent that the conversations I was having centred around information sharing about particular elements of life as a gay or queer man. For example, someone asked me about anal sex; whether I have done it and how to go about it. To some this might seem boring (although there’s nothing boring about anal sex), to others, kinky, but it showed me that I can serve as a source of information for someone who did not perhaps have access to other sources, only the people like me on the app. This is where gender and sex education comes into play. Because of the heteronormative (or rather hetero-centralised) sex and gender education we receive at school, the people I chatted to, and my younger ‘closeted’ self, have to look to alternatives for accessing information about things we really need to know. Not only does proper, inclusive sex education teach us about consent, safe sex and power dynamics, it gives us agency over our bodies. After my fieldwork and anthropological analysis, I realised that we need to look at Grindr as more than just a ‘hook up’ app. We should see it as a resource for the queer community and an insight into how the app and the people on it respond to this hetero-obsessed society we live in.
he beginnings of my illness are clear only in hindsight. I remember curling up on an armchair in the lounge, hugging my knees to my chest, convinced that if I moved; whatever it was that was rumbling inside me would spill out. I sat there literally holding myself together. I must have been about 13. I have depression, dysthymia to be exact, and anxiety. I don’t know if this is due to a chemical imbalance, childhood trauma, or a combination of circumstances. What I do know is that my meds aren’t doing their job. Neither is Student Wellness. I first sought help in my second year. I started sleeping through class and social engagements. I remember berating myself for being lazy. The thing is, you just stop caring about anything, yourself included. I stopped showering, all I ate was junk food, and I stopped handing in work. All I did was lie in bed, the blankets pulled up around me in an artificial hug. Even now, thoughts of suicide are the routine. The urge to self-destruct can overwhelm you at the most random moments: on the bus, at work. You’re never safe from your own mind. My self-esteem and body image became so crippling that I would curl up in the corner and panic if I had to go out. I was terrified of being seen, utterly disgusted by every inch of myself. I remember desperately hoping that, if I reached out, someone would say that I needed help. Someone would give me permission and then I wouldn’t feel weak or selfindulgent. My problem would exist outside the confines of my head. But when I finally went to a counsellor,
Ehber Burger
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Image: Pieter du Plessis
Image: Lauren Rushing I felt more abandoned and empty than before. The worst thing someone can do for a mentally ill person is make us feel that we need to prove our illness to get help. And yet this seems to be the standard at UCT. Everyone is stressed, everyone is down, and everyone feels overwhelmed. So how do you stand up and say: ‘Please help me. Please pay attention to me. I am hurting.’ Since starting on my meds I have had only one minor panic attack. I used to wake up, sweating and nauseous, unable to breathe properly and struggling with intense physical pain in my gut and chest, frantically crying. I still feel fear for seemingly no reason, but it rarely overwhelms me. My depressive symptoms, on the other hand, persist. The medication had some unexpected side effects. I became irritable and cried easily. I was angry, seemingly for no reason, and the people around me bore the brunt of that. I lashed out, wanting to hurt someone other than myself for a change. I started sleeping too much again and eventually began cutting for the first time in years.
Things are somewhat better now, but I have a long way to go. Trying to explain depression to someone who has never experienced it seems impossible. The truth is, most of you reading this will have gone through hard times and many may have gone through depression, be it from grief over the loss of a loved one, some internal crisis, or seemingly for no reason at all. The difference is, for me, it’s been over two years since I last felt content for any extended period of time. With medication and counselling, I know that this needn’t be permanent. Some days are better than others. This article might lead one to believe that depression is visible. It isn’t. Don’t assume that you know what’s going on in someone’s head. While all this was happening I made the Dean’s list, held down a part time job, and worked as a freelancer. I do my best, try to eat well, cuddle my adopted kitten and keep up with friends. Making sure that I control what I can helps me to deal with the things that I cannot. If someone tells you they are hurting, take them at their word.
Mars One
our grandparents were there and your parents may have been there, but the majority of UCT students were not alive during the space race. It’s been over fifty years since humanity went into space for the first time. The coming decade may produce a similar revolutionary tale; the story of when mankind settled on Mars. The red planet has been the goal of space travel since the day we put footprints on the moon. However, the mission to Mars will be very different from the moon landing. Humankind will not only land there, but attempt to inhabit the red planet. In addition, the mission is not of a single nation. Founded in 2011 in the Netherlands, Mars One is an international organisation that is determined to put humans on Mars. Already, they have collected vast sums of money, started to design their equipment and begun recruitment. Recruitment for the first few missions started back in 2013, with
applicants sending in their CVs, general information, a motivational letter and video. Three selection rounds have narrowed the pool from over 200 000 applicants to 100 finalists. Amongst these finalists are five South Africans. Alexandre Doyle (30), Divashen Govender (24), Edwin Samuel Le Grange (22), Adriana Rose Marais (32) and Kobus Vermeulen (32). These five hopefuls have survived the first round of general applications, second round of medical exams and the third round of group challenges. In the fourth and final round, finalists will be sorted into small groups and will be put through a simulated Mars outpost where they will be isolated for several days. After this, up to six teams of four shall be selected as the first crews to be sent to Mars. The Mars One timeline or ‘Roadmap’ plans to start crew training around 2017. Several unmanned launches between 2020 and 2025 will be shipping the necessary equipment and resources to the planet where they will be robotically assembled. The first crew’s departure is planned for 2026 and will land in 2027 after eight months in space. Subsequently,
Image: NASA
the remaining crews will be launched at intervals of 26 months after the first crew. More application processes will also become available to the public for further future missions. So far, migration is the only planned method for expanding the settlement’s size. Reaching Mars will not be the final challenge to overcome. Mars’ environment is harsh, there are limited resources and humans aren’t suited to the environment. Consequently, frequent missions will be launched to ship equipment, food and other resources to the settlement. Mars One will also be using what they call the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). This system will use the planet’s natural resources to provide the settlement with energy, water and breathable air. The risks are obvious, but these finalists who are willing to pioneer for the future of human expansion are clearly drawn to the thrill and adventure of the mission. The plans, finalists, funds, research, equipment, and ships have all been set in motion. Prepare to witness humanity ‘boldly go where no one has gone before.’
FEATURES
IQ vs EQ
26 April 2016 | V75 E 5 | Page 12
Image: Megon Venter & Paulina Kim Joo
How to make the best of every situation. Nadia Ghumra
E
motional intelligence, or EQ, is the ability to recognise and read signals or emotions put out by those around us, and react to them appropriately. It is different to our Intelligence Quotient (IQ) in that EQ allows us to think intuitively and emotionally in order to connect with other people, whereas IQ deals with rational and cognitive thinking. There are five components which make up one’s EQ: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skill. This means that we are able to manage our own emotions and then adapt these emotions or reactions to suit a given
situation. EQ assists in harnessing our emotions so that we can follow through on an appropriate action and achieve our goals. It also helps us to empathise with the people that surround us and understand their emotions. Once this is done, we can go on to building relationships, learn to negotiate conflicts, and develop social skills. In recent years, the importance of EQ has increased, especially in the working world where social interactions are required. Our EQ levels allow us to understand other people and work co-operatively with them. According to a study done at Harvard, EQ shows more importance over IQ when it comes to career success as there was zero correlation between entrance level
exam results, which judge your IQ, and career achievements/successes. Some psychologists go as far as saying that your IQ generally only counts for 10% of your success and the rest is made up from levels of EQ. Think about Sheldon Cooper from the TV series The Big Bang Theory. He has a higher IQ than EQ which makes him inept in reading social situations, such as picking up when his friends are using sarcasm. Although his antics are funny for us as the audience, his attitude often makes his presence insufferable for his friends. Because of his inability to read others’ emotions and respond appropriately, Sheldon often ends up offending people or annoying the Bazinga out of them.
This example demonstrates how a balance of EQ and IQ is essential. Your IQ levels give you the ability to analyse a situation and your EQ facilitates the way you react in the situation. Knowing that you behave a certain way in certain situations, you can effectively learn to manage your impulses and adapt your behaviour to get the best result. For instance, if you are working with a group of people on a project and there is someone that is trying to order everyone else around, getting into an argument with them would not end well. Tapping into your EQ is essential in these scenarios as it helps you develop self-awareness and regulation so that you manage your emotions and do not act irrationally.
But it isn’t always easy to harness your EQ. Firstly, it is important to understand that EQ doesn’t trump IQ (or vice versa), nor are they opposites of each other. In fact, EQ and IQ should complement one another, resulting in a unique intersection that leads to healthier relationships. To achieve this, simply observe yourself and consider your behaviour in negative situations. This will allow you to judge areas that have room for improvement. A helpful way of developing your EQ is through journaling your experiences so that you can reflect on your actions. You can also take a quiz at http://www. ihhp.com/free-eq-quiz/ which will assist in telling you how you react in certain situations and how you can tweak your interactions.
sideways. Fighting wind and the rain, I went through countless umbrellas in attempts to keep dry, only to realise that umbrellas simply do not work at UCT. Winter in Cape Town also appeared to be the time when people got together. Suddenly, the only thing that you see are couples all over campus. People walking
around in twos; holding hands, sitting on Jammie steps together or sharing a coffee. #BaelessWinter is a thing, and with no one to keep you warm through the freezing months, winter can be a harsh time of year for many. This year, armed with more of an understanding of the intense severity of a UCT winter, I feel slightly more prepared for the ghastly weather that is sure to come. I have adjusted and accepted the sad reality that the next few months will go from cold to freezing. Thankfully, there are also many perks to winter. There’s now an excuse to drink hot chocolate, snuggle closer to bae or invest in that fluffy blanket you always wanted. Cape Town is also famous for winter wine tastings, food markets and notorious coffee houses that you now have time to explore — since you probably won’t be tanning on the beach for a while. So enjoy the change of seasons and revel in the coming of winter. I certainly do! After all, the cold doesn’t bother me anyway.
Winter is Coming Jessica Fish
‘
Still ... in this world, only winter is certain.’ - George R.R. Martin As the campus leaves slowly turn majestic colours of maroon, sunset orange and fiery red, we say goodbye to summer and embrace (with slightly less enthusiasm) the coming of winter. As a Zululand girl myself, my first Cape Town winter last year was quite the experience. Moving to UCT, my wardrobe mostly consisted of tank tops and floral dresses. I didn’t really own warm clothes and wore the one big jacket that I had most days until it finally warmed up again. My first UCT winter was essentially my first
real winter. I grew up in Mtunzini — in KZN — and intense heat was all I knew. Summer had majority days over 40°C with intense humidity. I was by no means prepared for what was in store for me. Honestly, my first Cape Town winter made me quite sad. I lost sight of the sun for days on end, rejoicing in its brief and occasional
appearances on a nice day. My fingers turned blue (permanently) and I always felt cold — no matter how many layers I was wearing. Cape Town seems to be the only place where it rains horizontally. The abysmal combination of unceasing rain and a billowing winter NorthWester (that never stops blowing) results in rain that seems to fall
Image: Emilie Barbier
FEATURES
26 April 2016 | V75 E 5 | Page 13
Whose Vote Is It Anyway? Filipp Stoliarov
O
n June 30th, 2013 the visit of 44th United States President, Barack Obama, filled the Mother City with the same excitement previously reserved only for the World Cup. Several days later, with a key to the city and a street to his name, the first black American president was gone. The fanfare and impact of American presidents extends to us UCT students as well. Whether the impromptu ‘Marx was Right’ graffiti or the Standard Bank interns competing for attention on the Jammie Steps, the American political spectrum influences us all. As the four-year period comes around to choose a new head of state, American citizens have already revealed who stands a chance to lead the world’s current superpower. But how does this major political field work?
either Trump or Clinton? No!
The campaigning process begins about a year before the final presidential election. The major political parties in America are the Republicans (R) and Democrats (D). There are also Independant (I) politicians who don't identify with either party, but are still able to operate in the political system.
A self-declared socialist, Bernie Sanders, was an Independant before declaring his nomination to run under the Democratic party to gain a broader support base. These parties have ranging outlooks on foreign and domestic policy. Essentially, the Democratic Party represents liberal values while the Republican Party represents conservative values.
the American political spectrum influences us
The elections that have been unfolding thus far are indicators of the popular presidential candidates, until the Democratic and Republican conventions in July. These conventions determine the chosen candidate to represent each respective party in the general election. A Republican nominee needs 1 237 delegates to automatically secure the nomination and a democratic candidate needs 2 383. These numbers are specific to each party’s rules regarding delegate allocation. As each state votes, due to laws determined by the two major political parties (Democrats and Republicans), a certain amount of delegates are assigned to reflect a candidate's popularity with voters. This brings us to current affairs. The four main options currently running for 45th U.S. President are Hillary Clinton (D), Ted Cruz (R),
Bernie Sanders (D) and Donald Trump (R). John Kasich (R) is also
we’ll all feel the wrong kind of Bern
a candidate but he currently lacks enough popular support to win a nomination from the Republican party for president. Within the Democratic Party, Clinton currently
has 1 428 delegates while Sanders has 1 151. On the Republican side, Trump has 845, Cruz has 559 and Kasich 147. Does this mean that by current numbers, that the two options for 45th U.S. President are either Trump or Clinton? No! The number of delegates for automatic nomination is crucial. The election on April 19th in New York has already solidified the front-runner status of both Clinton and Trump. However, the will of the people can be unpredictable.
A contested convention with an unexpected presidential nominee from either party is still possible! Whether you're a socialist at heart or an entrepreneur without a filter, these elections offer you candidates that will impact your life. Remembering the foreign policy consequences (and comedy material) of George. W. Bush is vital. Whether you're indifferent or concerned with American politics, be careful or Lyin' Ted might Trump Clinton and we'll all feel the wrong kind of Bern.
conversation with an animal, but they don’t judge you and they don’t talk back. Sometimes just having an animal there for you is enough to make you feel better.
Although for some it may seem strange, the benefits of hanging out with animals far outweigh any downfalls. Perhaps that crazy cat lady next door is smarter than we think. . .
Do Animals Make you Happy? Catherine Fulton
H
ave you ever smiled just watching an animal go about its daily life? Sometimes it’s something as small as the twitch of your dog’s ear, or the way he cocks his head when he’s curious or confused. Often it’s just their mere existence that brings an element of beauty to our lives. But appreciation for animals can go far beyond their beauty. There are many scientifically proven health benefits of owning a pet or interacting with animals. One of their most profound roles in assisting humans nowadays is in fact a medical one; Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). There is no doubt that humans have a strong bond with animals. This bond is what led to the creation of AAT, the idea that animals can help humans cope with or recover from certain medical conditions. These animals assist in various ways, such as helping people’s social, emotional, and cognitive functioning. So how do animals supposedly help so much and why do so many humans rely on them? Biologist Edward O’ Wilson's 1984 formulated biophilia hypothesis is based on the premise that our attachment to (and interest in) animals comes
from the possibility that human survival was dependent on animals. Humans often relied on signals from animals in the environment, indicating whether a situation was safe or threatening. This hypothesis suggests that now, if we see animals in a peaceful state, this may lead to feelings of safety, security and wellbeing. As Wilson states, the presence of or interaction with an animal may ‘trigger a state where personal change and healing are possible.’ If you’re lucky enough to be a pet owner, you’ll probably find this hypothesis quite relatable. The cat’s therapeutic purr is something I look forward to when I come home from a long day. There is just something relaxing about cuddling a content cat on your lap. In fact, one of the most renowned health benefits of owning a pet is their ability to help de-stress and lower blood pressure. Animals are also great ‘mood-boosters,’ which is why they can be beneficial to those struggling with mental illnesses, such as depression. Having something to care for (and something who cares about you) is generally what makes pets so favorable. People sometimes disregard pets if they are categorised as companions rather than working animals, such as guard dogs or hunting cats, but
companionship is important. A sweet nature and good temperament is often the most sought after trait for therapeutic animals. For example, therapy dogs are very useful for children who struggle with social interaction, as their calm temperaments allow children to feel more confident around them. Gretchen Carlisle, research fellow at the Research Center for HumanAnimal Interaction, found that autistic children who lived with dogs appeared to have greater social skills than those who did not. It was also noted that children who grew up with pets were more co-operative than those who didn’t. Psychologist Dr. Sue Doescher who is involved in this area of study states: ''Having a pet improves children's role-taking skills because they have to put themselves in the pet's position and try to feel how the pet feels. And that transfers to how other kids feel.'' This goes to show that pets are so much more than just animals. Like any good human friend, a loyal dog will gauge your emotional state and try to understand what you’re thinking and feeling (and to work out when the next walk or treat might be coming). Pets are sometimes better listeners than people. I know it seems a little insane to have a
Image: Megon Venter
26 April 2016 | V75 E 5 | Page 14
GREETINGS
from the bench Catherine Fulton
S
o the second half of first semester is underway and we’re already on our 5th Edition of Varsity newspaper! Time is flying a little too fast for my liking. And...cue the music: ‘We’re gonna die young’. Anyway, its best to make most of our time. I urge you to check out the article on the back page regarding the squash Keith Grainger Memorial Tournament. It’s definitely a worthy cause to look into. This tournament is something internationally recognised and is still growing, so even if you’re not a squash player, the event can be enjoyed by anyone . As a follow up from last edition regarding Mind Sports South Africa, eSports has now taken steps to become an official Olympic sport, which can be read online. There you will also find the Tournament schedule for the Keith Grainger Memorial Tournament. If you have a look on page 15, you’ll find a pretty interesting read by our Deputy Editor Jess Moore, who has given us some information on the effects of music on runners (and the science behind it all). Jess has also started up her own fitness blog, https://shedthespread.wordpress. com/, where you can find more fitness and health related things. What makes her blog so great is that it’s all lived experience; she doesn’t just ‘copy and paste’ from other articles. This edition’s sports section features (ha ha) another Varsity member’s work. Our Features editor Ali Findlay has written about a fantastic world record on the fastest Mount Kilimanjaro climb. It sounds nearly impossible and definitely worth a read. Also, did you know that somewhere around the world there are robots racing camels at this very moment? I didn’t. So naturally that made it onto page 16 as ‘desert runners.’ What a time to be alive! So long, and happy reading.
SPORT
So You Think You Can ChaCha? Jess Fish
U
CT Ballroom and Latin Dancing Society has become my family since I first began my degree here at UCT last year. It was the glitz and the glam of the sexy shoes and those gorgeous dresses that first attracted me to join in the beginning, but the people within the society are the ones who made me stay. As an ex-ballerina, I wanted to continue dancing when I moved to Cape Town, but perhaps try something new. Being a die-hard Strictly Come Dancing fan, and then seeing those enthusiastic dancers flaunting their moves during Plaza week had me hooked! But ballroom is unlike anything I have ever done before. The dancers made it look so effortless and graceful that I was under the illusion that it would be simple. Yet just ten minutes into the first class I realised that, that was certainly not the case. As someone awkwardly tall, I struggle with the co-ordination of all the dances. When I watched a Samba for the first time I didn’t even realise that it was possible for someone’s hips to move that fast! When I got my first pair of Ballroom heels, I looked like an awkward baby giraffe learning to walk for the first time. It was the first time I was grateful to have a dance partner. I had danced many different styles of dance before - but none with a partner. All of a sudden you are left
Image: Jorge Royan
to dance with another human, and awkwardly hold one another and sway romantically in time to the music. At least when I was learning to walk in my heels I had someone to hold on to in order to avoid the otherwise inevitable face plants onto the floor. Unfortunately, the poor combination of me being very tall and dancing in heels that made me even taller - left me towering over my poor partners, who struggled to dance with someone a full head taller than them. Despite this, (and by some small miracle!) I managed to survive and thrive in the society. I took part in Medal Tests (a dance exam), the
national Ballroom Intervarsity at Stellenbosch and danced in Showcase (the annual dance show the society puts on every year). I am now a part of the committee and live and breathe ballroom dancing.
For those wondering what fencing is, let me break it down for you. In simple terms: it’s sword fighting, and has been a competitive sport since the 19th century. Matches are called ‘bouts’ and they last three to nine minutes, depending on the stage of the competition. The fencers have a piste (a playing area) which they fence on. The aim of each bout is to
hit one’s opponent with the tip of the blade. The first to land five or 15 hits (also depending on the stage of the competition) wins the bout. If time runs out, the person with the highest score is declared the victor. There are three kinds of swords used: epées, foils and sabres. At UCT, more focus is placed on epées and foils since they are more popular in South Africa. With epée, the whole body is the target area. To score a point, you just have to stab your opponent with your blade. If both fencers land a hit at the same time, it’s called a doublé and both players are awarded a point.
right of way before landing your hit. Still with me so far? Great! Seeing as fencers only had the option of fencing foil at the Stellies friendly, most UCT intermediate fencers were a bit anxious (understandably so) seeing as most of their training had been done using epée. But we shook it off and had ourselves a lot of fun. On the whole, both teams were evenly matched.
UCT intermediate fencers were a bit anxious
The beginners did well in a performance that would have done their coaches proud. Eva Rolland parried like no ones business, and Ndaba Ndebele won bout after bout, coming out on top in the beginner pool. Team captain, Sam Wolski, also did very well, taking home the top spot in the open division. If you’ve read this and are keen to get to stabbing, then you’ll be pleased to know the UCT Fencing club accepts new members all year round. You can find us in the Sport Centre Hall 2 on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 4:30pm to 7:00pm. All equipment is provided by the club. So just come down in comfy sweats and get yourself in en garde position!
I was hooked
Learning Ballroom and Latin dancing has taught me to work hard. The steps are tough and practise is required to get the technique
right. I have also learnt to trust my dance partner. When dancing with someone, you become a team. You have to work together and practise together, and learn how each one dances so that you can flow together. I have also made the most incredible friends within the society. UCT Ballroom and Latin Dancing Society seems to attract the weird and the wonderful from all over UCT. You are guaranteed to make friends and the society is a safe and happy place. The society has become my family and I am so grateful for everything that dancing has taught me.
En garde. Prêt? Allez! Sue Nyamnjoh
O
n Saturday, April 9th, the Stellenbosch Fencing Club hosted UCT fencers in a friendly pre-intervarsity tournament. After a series of wrong turns, we finally found the Maties gymnasium and got to fencing.
Image: Marie Nguyen
However, with foil, things get a little bit more complicated. The target area is restricted to the torso, and there’s this tricky thing called 'right of way'. It can get very complicated with speedy bouts but, in essence, to make your attack you have to show your intention to the referee. This is usually done by extending your arm and/or moving forward. If your opponent has right of way (i.e. they started the attack) then for you to score a valid point you must then parry their blade in order to gain the
UCT Fencing club accepts new members
SPORT SPORT BITES Sports Minister Attack on Zapiro cartoon
South African sports minister Fikile Mbalula has openly disapproved of cartoonist Zapiro's latest work portraying Springbok coach Allister Coetzee struggling to balance transformation and winning at the same time. The cartoon shows Coetzee trying to catch two rugby balls simultaneously, one labeled 'transformation' and the other 'winning'. The cartoon rapidly spread across social media and Mabalula took to Twitter stating that the cartoon contained ‘racism’ and was ‘insulting.’
Kenya to beat new antidoping deadline
On Monday, April 11th, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta gave priority to pass a new anti-doping law to ensure that the east African Track Giants athletics team will compete at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. A new World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) deadline of May the 2nd has been given, where Kenya is to tighten its anti-doping law and provide funding for a proposed antidoping agency.
Schweinsteiger knee injury setback
Manager Louis van Gaal said on Friday 15th that Bastian Schweinsteiger is unlikely to play for his club again this season due to a knee injury, which was sustained on international duty in March earlier this year. The 31-year-old Manchester United midfielder is in a race against time to prove his fitness to lead Germany in the European Championship in France, which is set to start in June.
Ferrari proved quicker than Merc
Ferrari proved it has the speed to challenge Mercedes ahead of the 2016 Chinese Grand Prix, as driver Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel set the two fastest times in the Friday, April 15 practice sessions. Raikkonen had the fastest lap time of the day, clocking in at 1 minute and 36,896 seconds, just a tenth of a second ahead of his team mate Vettel. The Mercedes cars were behind the Ferrari pair with Nico Rosberg third and Lewis Hamilton fourth. Both were within half a second of Raikkonen's time.
Cricket: James Taylor forced into retirement
James Taylor, England’s international teammate, had to retire from the game because of a serious heart condition which came as a huge shock to England Test captain Alastair Cook. The 26-yearold Taylor was diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and was forced to quit the game as he would need to undergo surgery to his heart.
UCT remains in Varsity Cup
UCT secured their place in next year’s FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, having scored 23 points in 12 minutes with a 40-5 victory over UWC in Stellenbosch on Monday April 11th. UCT, having lost in seven rounds of the Varsity Cup, found themselves in an ‘all or nothing’ battle against UWC, who ended up second in the Varsity Shield.
26 April 2016 | V75 E 5 | Page 15
Running to the right rhythm Jess Moore
I
t is 5:45AM. The air is cool and crisp. The starting gun fires. Like thoroughbred racehorses, we gallop out of our respective pens, some faster than others. The 2016 Old Mutual Two Oceans Half Marathon is under way. ‘Play,’ I tell my playlist. As we turn right on to Protea Road, I feel more like a three-legged zebra than a thoroughbred as a squad of elderly runners shoots past me. ‘George’ has an astounding nine full marathons and fourteen half marathons under his belt. I would be bald too, if my body had to endure that. The Swifts’ upbeat ‘City Go Lights’ makes me feel more like the subject of a cheesy music video than an amalgam of lactic acid, aches and pains personified. A study conducted by the Exercise Science and Sport Studies Department at Springfield College shows that the combined presentation of auditory and visual stimuli makes running feel easier. Some of the fatigue-related messages that our muscles and organs try to send our brains are blocked, which makes us feel like we can run further and faster.
Sport scientists would call me a ‘dissociator’
Sport scientists would call me a ‘dissociator’– someone who spends their run forgetting what they are putting themselves through. Fortunately Julia Höck, another recreational runner, reassures me
that I am not alone. Höck also listens to her favourite music and Harry Potter audiobooks while she runs. A study from the National Dong Hwa University in Taiwan indicates that when we listen to what we enjoy our physical performance increases and perceived effort is reduced. However, this form of multitasking frequently comes at the expense of being peaceful and calm. Enjoying the running experience for what it is. On the other hand, multidiscipline athlete Bevan Willoughby is what sports scientists call an ‘associator’ – somebody who prefers to focus intently on internal cues such as breathing, footstrike, heart rate and muscular tension while he runs. Instead of using external stimuli such as music, associators derive motivation from the other sounds running generates, which give feedback on effort. Willoughby adds that he doesn’t listen to music when he runs on the road so that he is able to hear cars or people behind him. The World Health Organisation’s 2015 Global Status report on road safety validates Willoughby’s concerns by revealing that 1.2 million people die on the world’s roads each year. Almost half of these are pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists. When we listen to music, our awareness decreases and our reaction time increases. This significantly magnifies our vulnerability on the road. Accordingly, many races ban portable music devices so that runners are more in tune with directions being given by marshals. Runner’s World has examined the impact of music not being played throughout a task. Rather at predesignated points. ‘This seems to
Image: Kerry Cross be where music is most effective, so I would think music at specific spots along a race course would be beneficial,’ says Costas Karageorghis, a sports psychologist. ‘The beat of the drums coincided with the pace of my legs. It created an incredible vibe,’ says another Two Oceans runner, Simon Thompson, when describing the brass bands at the top of the Southern Cross hill and at other spots along the route. Although I am surrounded by many runners and supporters, I am trapped inside a musical bubble. On the other side of the highway, it is dim. The hill never seems to end but it is beautiful. As I toil down Rhodes Drive, the melodic rhythm
dispenses small doses of motivation and encouragement to continue. Finally, I scramble across the finish line. Perhaps it is the holistic experience that makes it ‘the world’s most beautiful marathon.’ Although I received glimpses of its beauty, maybe I missed out somewhat because of my music.
over 5000 meters 250 times, and ones higher than 6000 meters 30 times. Egloff also holds the record for the fastest ascent and descent of Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest mountain outside of Asia. He completed the climb in a time of 11 hours and 52 minutes, breaking another of Jornet’s records. This caused some to speculate that Egloff is chasing after Jornet and his speed records. Egloff denies these rumours stating that his climbs have nothing to do with Jornet, but rather his
passion for mountains, lifetime of intense training and his newly found speed racing abilities. The mountaineer is set to challenge another of Jornet’s records in June of this year, namely Mount McKinley, North America’s highest peak. I guess we’ll have to wait and see whether this superspeedy mountain man has another record-breaking climb in store. Never fear, I’ll be keeping a close watch on the news from the safety of my couch.
See more interesting fitness and health related articles from Jess https://shedthespread. wordpress.com/
Mountain Wars: A look at the Kilimanjaro speed climbers Ali Findlay
I
’ve always found mountain climbing terrifying and fascinating at the same time. Terrifying because it involves ascending a giant rock, bringing with it a plethora of terrorinducing possibilities. Broken limbs, hypothermia, frostbite and falling of said giant rock are only a few of the thoughts that come to mind. On the other hand, it’s fascinating because a lot of people are fiercely passionate about climbing. The fresh air couldn’t have messed with all of their heads, right?
local guides were doubtful The Kilimanjaro air certainly had a positive impact on Karl Egloff, who broke the record for the fastest ascent and decent of the 19,340foot mountain in 2014. The SwissEcuadorian completed his climb in 6 hours, 56 minutes and 24 seconds. As a reference, most people take between six to eight days to complete the climb, so a time of less than seven hours is mind-boggling.
The previous record was held by Spanish ultra-runner Kilian Jornet, who ran from the base camp to the summit and back in seven hours and 14 minutes. Apparently, local guides were doubtful that Egloff could break Jornet’s famous record and refused to help him with his climb. Thankfully after the run, the Kilimanjaro park staff made Egloff ’s record official by issuing him with a certificate of his time. According to Outside, Egloff said: ‘I was anxious to get the rangers to certify it because nobody was going to believe a small David could beat a Goliath like Kilian.’ Egloff is a professional mountain guide and was able to break the Kilimanjaro record after months (if not years) of preparation and high altitude training. According to Trail Runner, Egloff stated that learning to believe in himself was one of the most difficult things to achieve during his preparation in Tanzania. A natural sportsman, Egloff also played soccer and was a professional mountain-biker but when he reached the age of 30, he began to focus more on altitude training and guiding. Egloff ’s father was a Swiss mountain guide, so Egloff was exposed to climbing at a very young age. At 15, he had over 280 impressive climbs under his belt, climbing mountains
Image: Chris Shaw
SPORT
26 April 2016 | V75 E 5
Keith Grainger Memorial:
UCT open squash Tournament
Brendon Fourie
T
he Keith Grainger memorial and UCT open squash championships is a treasured and unique tournament, one that is recognised by the Professional Squash Association (PSA) circuit. This tournament allows us to celebrate the memory of Keith Grainger, a young man who passed away in 2001 from bone cancer in the knee in his 3rd year at UCT. His story is one of a truly resilient spirit, and remains an inspiring tale to be told (especially on those days when a course has destroyed you).
One of a truly resilient spirit
Grainger was a student at UCT, and at the time was an amputee. The bone cancer lead to the amputation of his leg after he was diagnosed in
matric while at St. Andrews College. This left Grainger with the choice of giving up or continuing and not letting his passion of squash be extinguished by his circumstances. Of course, being a top junior player, he chose the latter. He would strap on his prosthetic leg, walk on to the court and gladly coach beginners. With his physical contribution to the game becoming somewhat limited, Grainger decided he would find other ways to give back to the sport. He then became a central organiser of a tour for the UCT squash team to the USA in 2000. Naturally, he went along as the manager and did not hesitate to play a few games himself along the way. In 2001, Professor Simpson, Chairman of the UCT Sports Council at the time, posthumously awarded Grainger his Chairperson's Award. In Professor Simpson's words, it was ‘an award made solely at the discretion of the Chair of Sports Council to someone or some group of people who had made an outstanding contribution to sport,
but for whom the awards on offer are not applicable. If anything, the task has got tougher each year, but to be quite frank, this year's recipient was so clearly the obvious choice that it took me but a few seconds to make that decision. My award goes to a young man who contributed hugely to sport at UCT in a number of ways. Organiser, supporter, and most of all because he was such an example to others.’ A standing ovation greeted this award as it was handed over to Keith Grainger. One cannot help but feel inspired by his story. The squash club has since undertaken to host an international tournament in honour of Grainger annually. This is the tournament’s 11th year running, and we are proud to say it is bigger than ever before. With six sections, 195 players and 11 countries being represented by 20 international players, it is looking to be a fantastic celebration of the life of Keith Grainger. It is the only squash tournament in Southern Africa that raises funds and awareness for cancer. This is done with the
tournament’s partnership charity, The Sunflower Fund. This is an extremely special tournament and we ask you to come along and support from 23-29 April. Come and see what squash is all about and meet the UCT squash club members, as well as the variety of players coming from all over the world such as Iran, England, Egypt, Austria, Kuwait, South Korea and many others. Pop by the Sunflower stand at the
tournament to learn more about becoming a bone marrow donor or about volunteer work regarding cancer awareness. You can show your support by ‘liking’ UCT Squash club on Facebook, as well as the Keith Grainger memorial and UCT open page to stay up to date with any developments. We hope to see you there! See the tournament schedule online at varsitynewspaper.co.za
such as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Australia and Mongolia, with the center of camel racing being the Middle East’s United Arab Emirates. Camel races are generally limited to racing a specific breed of camel due to its light weight and speed – namely the Dromedary. The breed’s name derived from the Greek word ‘dromas’, meaning ‘runner.’
These camels are specially raised for the track using similar horse racing methods of breeding, training and nutrition. Breeding selection goes as far as special artificial insemination and embryo transfer techniques, which are used for crossbreeding preferred lineages. In the United Arab Emirates, contemporary training methods such as working camels on treadmills and in swimming pools are used to prepare racing camels for competition. These racing
camels can run at speeds up to 65 km/h in short sprints and they can maintain a speed of 40 km/ph for an hour. One of the major camel races is the Camel Cup which is held annually at Alice Springs, Australia. The Camel Cup is one of the biggest ‘prize purse’ camel races and includes a collection of market stalls and other entertainment. Often the entire event takes place in the early morning hours between 7 and 9am, before the heat of the
desert makes racing too difficult. Unlike horses, camels do not run fast in the beginning of the race, as the race is more a test of endurance rather than speed.
Image: Brendon Fourie
The Desert Runners
Catherine Fulton
I
magine going to ‘the races’, but instead of betting on horses you’re betting on camels. A sport of running camels at speed, camel racing is a betting and tourist attraction, much like thoroughbred horse racing. It is practiced in various countries
Fixtures Saturday
Super sport 1 (Channel 201) 16:30 - 19:05 RugbyVodacom Super Rugby Round 10 Emirates Lions v Hurricanes 19:05 - 21:30RugbyVodacom Super Rugby Round 10 - DHL Stormers v Waratahs Super sport 3 (channel 203) 18:00 - 21:00FootballBarclays Premier League Matchday 36: Arsenal v Norwich City
Sunday
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Replacing the camel jockeys with robots
While it’s a century old cultural tradition, it has taken on a modern twist with technology, making its mark in replacing the camel jockeys with robots due to their lighter weight. Along with the colorful blankets, a small robotic jockey is attached to the camel’s hump which is steered by the operator or trainer driving in cars along the race tracks. Each robot is equipped with a radio to enable the trainer to talk with his camel throughout the race, using specific commands and recognizable sounds to encourage the camel to run faster. Who knows, with technology advancing, perhaps the near future will see the camels being replaced with robots as well.
Read Online! Image: Toby Hudson
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